Baptisms, Weddings
& Funerals

The Church of Scotland plays an essential role in providing worship and spiritual guidance for key life events, from child blessings and baptisms to marriage and funerals.

Baptism
Baptism is one of the two sacraments recognised by the Church of Scotland, the other being the Sacrament of Holy Communion. In the case of infant baptism, the Church expects at least one parent or other close family member either to be a member of the Church or willing to become a member.  In the baptismal service those appropriate adults profess their own faith and promise to give the child a Christian upbringing.  In the case of adult baptism, the person themselves makes the appropriate promises.  Baptism is normally administered during Sunday worship in front of the congregation. This emphasises the nature of the sacrament as incorporation into the body of Christ and the life of the Church.

The Thanksgiving and Blessing of a Child
Since 2003, the Church has provided orders for the thanksgiving for, and blessing of, a child. The blessing ceremony takes place at morning worship following the same pattern as that for Baptism, except the wording and promises are different, and no water is used. Nothing is required of the parents in either commitment or belief.

Marriage
Ministers of the Church of Scotland are authorised to perform weddings. The Church does not regard marriage as a sacrament and ministers are free to marry people who are not members of the Church of Scotland. However, if neither the bride nor groom is a member of the Church of Scotland in Pitlochry, the first approach should be to Minister, Rev. Fraser Penny,  or the Minister where the other person resides. In places where parish boundaries are not obvious, the local presbytery clerk should be able to advise.

Ministers of the Church of Scotland can also conduct blessing ceremonies for civil marriages (those which were legally conducted by a registrar and not in a church). The couple seeking a blessing on their marriage stand together at the front of the church, and may be attended by friends.

Funeral services
Through its parish system and territorial ministry the Church of Scotland seeks to serve all the people of Scotland and not just the membership of the Church. Nobody in the situation of bereavement should hesitate to seek the services of the Interim Moderator, Rev. Fraser Penny,  either directly through the Church Office, or through the undertaker.