Church service for lost babies

A CHURCH service for women who have had abortions, stillbirths or miscarriages is being held in a Somerset church.

It is the first service of its kind in the area for anyone affected by losing a baby or having a termination. The unusual service is being put on by Church of England priest Reverend Christine Nelmes.

Rev Nelmes, priest in charge of Mark and Allerton Church, says she decided to put on the service because she comes across a lot of people who have lost babies and who struggle to deal with the grief and she decided to do something to help them.

Her own mother, Ena, lost a baby, called Marjorie, when Christine was just two years old. She said: “The child only lived for a few hours. It was just taken away and that was it. We never had a funeral service for it.

“My mum didn’t speak about it, but I know she carried the grief with her all her life. It had a very traumatic impact on me.”

She added: “I come across a lot of people who are grieving over lost children.

“The service is for people who have lost a baby through miscarriage, at birth or if the child has died soon after. It is also for people who have had abortions.

Rev Nelmes said: “There are all sorts of reasons why people have abortions and people often experience great guilt or qualms after having them.

“The church does not condone abortions or judge people who have them, it is here to love and help people.”

“I want to help people acknowledge the life, however short it was, and give thanks for it. “People will be able to light a candle to remember their child or receive some prayer if they want some.

“We want to help people to acknowledge their grief and ask for healing. There will also be people there to act as a listening ear afterwards.”

Nationally the Church of England opposes abortion unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Anybody is welcome to go along, whether they are a churchgoer or not. The service is being held at Mark Church on November 4 from 3-3.40pm.