St. Paul’s United Church

Rites of Passage

Communion

The Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion, Eucharist—these different terms refer to the same sacrament shared by most Christian denominations, a symbolic meal.

Communion is celebrated at a table that suggests the dining table in our homes. At the communion table, we acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the host and all are guests. The meal uses the symbols of small pieces of bread and a taste of wine or juice to remind us of Jesus’ last supper with his followers and of God’s enduring love.

The United Church practises an open table, inviting all who seek to love Jesus to share in this family meal.

Baptism

Baptism is a symbolic action that signifies the new life God gives us as we join the church community. Baptism uses water as a symbolic cleansing that signifies the acceptance of new life within the church family. The sacrament of baptism is the single rite of initiation into the Christian community, the church.

The United Church offers baptism to all ages. We believe the gift of God’s love doesn’t depend on our ability to understand it, so we baptize people as infants right up through adulthood. With children, instruction is given to parents or sponsors to equip them for the child’s Christian nurture. During the ceremony, which takes place as part of a regular worship service, everyone in the congregation pledges support for the child and their parents. Please contact the minister if you are interested.

Affirmation of Faith/Becoming a Member

Faith is a journey not a set of beliefs. We each come with our experiences and understanding of who Christ is for us.  God is beyond understanding, yet somehow present in our world.

Marriage

Each person is a unique, loved creation of God; we welcome all people to the full life of Christian community, including marriage. As part of the United Church of Canada, St. Paul’s performs marriages for men and women, same sex marriages, those who have been divorced and want to begin again, and people of different faith.  Our minister would be happy to talk to you.

Funeral/Memorial Service

Each person is a unique, loved creation of God; we welcome all people to the full life of Christian community, including marriage. As part of the United Church of Canada, St. Paul’s performs marriages for men and women, same sex marriages, those who have been divorced and want to begin again, and people of different faith.  Our minister would be happy to talk to you.