Married couples invited to renew vows as Will and Kate say 'I do'

St Andrew's church will be offering married couples in the area the chance to relive their big day and renew their vows during two unique church services.

Invites to the services will be handed out during a street party that the church is hosting on the day of the royal wedding on April 29.

The services are the brainchild of the Rev Edward Hobbs, who returned to his South West roots from bustling Knightsbridge in December 2009 to become the vicar of St Andrews.

Rev Hobbs said: “Church needs to be relevant in society and tap into what people are already thinking about.

"What better time to encourage people to think about the significance of their own marriages, relationships and consider a faithful God, than when our nation is focused on a Royal wedding?

"Whilst we celebrate this happy occasion as a nation, we would also love to honour those in our community who have been married for a long time and celebrate them too.

“I have a real passion that, as Christians, we provide answers to the questions people are asking and not try to answer the questions they are not.

"I hope that through this we will be at the heart of the community and we can build connections with our friends and neighbours and share the love of God with them too.”

Roy Crowne, Executive Director of HOPE said: “I love this idea. It is exactly the kind of missional thinking that we need.

"Strong marriages and relationships are important and this is also a way to demonstrate that God is faithful and loving.

"It is vital that the church points to Jesus in a relevant and understandable way.”