New Home New Blessings

The Church of England plans to enter into partnership with real estate agents to offer services of blessing to people moving into new homes.

The vicar will offer his services to house buyers in each diocese whose special prayers are intended to cover almost every eventuality.

The Rev Chris Painter, a vicar in Eccles, Greater Manchester is the pioneer behind this initiative. The clergy hope to reverse the ongoing interest in practices such as feng shui, demonstrate Christianity in this secular age and show people the path towards church again.

Rev Chris Painter said, ‘We are trying to focus on Christianity and show people that God has an interest in our lives.’

Although most Christians would be familiar with blessing services the clergy plans to spend time with nonchurch goers to ensure their complete understanding and satisgaction before the blessing is given.

The blessing services would require the vicars to go from room to room, laying hands on everything from the bed to pray for a healthy sex life, to the bathroom, asking for ‘good health and to give thanks for sanitation’.

In the kitchen the vicar will pray ‘O Lord, to all who shall work in this room that, in serving others, they may serve you and share in your perfect service and that in the noise and clutter of the kitchen they may possess you in tranquillity; through Jesus Christ our Lord.’

In the garage the prayer would be: ‘Almighty and everlasting God, be to this household a guide in all their journeys and a shield from every danger.’

Mr Painter said: ‘There will be those who are worried about security and we will ask God to watch over the house.’

According to Matthew Gregory, owner of Gemini Estates a company that has entered into this partnership, said: "In places where community spirit has been lost this could help to build that back up."

As Mr Painter said’We want to show them that they can turn to the Church for support at a time of new beginning or when things are hard.’