Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

"Christian baptism is rooted in the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, in his death and in his resurrection. It is incorporation into Christ … entry into the New Covenant between God and God's people. Baptism is a gift of God.  Baptism is the sign of new life through Jesus Christ. It unites one baptized with Christ and with his people. There is a variety of biblical references pertaining to baptism. The following is a sampling: Baptism is participation in Christ's death and resurrection (Rom. 6:3¬5; Col 2: 12); a washing away of sin (1 Cor. 6: 11); a new birth (John 3:5); an enlightenment by Christ (Eph 5:14); a: reclothing in Christ (Gal 3-:27); a renewal  by the Spirit (Titus 3:5); and a liberation into a new humanity in which barriers of division whether of sex or race or social: status are transcended: (Gal.3:27-28; 1Cor.12:13) The images are many but the reality is one"         from "Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry" WCC. Geneva, 1982

Baptism affirms a covenant relationship.
The faith community (including parents/mentors) assumes responsibility for nurturing the person being baptized. Baptism is a welcoming and affirmation of a relationship- between: God and community.  The baptismal practice at Trinity-St. Paul's United Church is that there is already an established relationship between the individual/family requesting baptism and the worshiping community, or a willingness on the part of the individual family to establish a relationship. (An established relationship may mean, for example, a child of parents who have been attending Trinity-St. Paul's for three months, or a child/grandchild of regular attendees at TSP)

Guidelines:
- The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated in the usual context of the worship service, except for unusual circumstances such as extenuating health emergencies.
- The normal expectation is that photo opportunities are provided either before or after the worship service.
- The names of the persons to be baptized shall be formally presented to the Nurturing Community asnd Discipleship Circle prior to baptism. Where it is not possible to present names prior to baptism, due to extenuating circumstances, the names of persons baptized shall be reported to the next meeting of the Circle for ratification.


FUNERALS

Dying is no more a purely individual act than living is. Like every great milestone in life, death is celebrated by a ceremony whose purpose is to express the individual’s solidarity with family and community. It is a time to celebrate gifts brought to the common life of which we are all a part. Funerals are critical times in which people are called to pause, to gather, to reflect and to lament a particular loss to a family and to the community.

A funeral is a rite of passage, an opportunity to celebrate a person's life.
It is a time to support and comfort family and friends during the time of grieving.  It is a time to acknowledge that death is a part of life and that we are all woven together in a tapestry of community in relationship with God

Guidelines:
- Funeral services at Trinity-St. Paul's United Church are provided for members, adherents and members of their extended families.
-Individual staff participation  in funerals outside the congregation’s parameters, is at the discretion of the pastoral staff person, in consultation with the Ministry and Personnel Committee.
- The regular TSP fee structure applies for funeral "space" requests from outside the congregation.
- The decision for the presence of media and/or cameras during funerals is at the discretion of the minister, taking into consideration the wishes of the family.

 
MARRIAGE AND COVENANTING SERVICES

The 30th General Council (1984) of the United Church of Canada adopted the following (among other} affirmations about marriage: "We affirm that marriage is a gift of God through which Christians make a covenant with one another and with God.  We affirm in Christian marriage two persons give themselves to each other in the full intention of a lifelong commitment.  We affirm that this unity is a creation of God and is greater than the two individuals."
The 30th General Council also declared: "We affirm our acceptance of all human beings as persons made in the image of God regardless of their sexual orientation."

"The word covenant refers to a solemn pact or agreement between persons who commit themselves to each other. In the case of lesbian and gay couples they commit to honor, respect, support, and love each other. Such covenants are intended to be exclusive and permanent, the basis of creating a new family model that not only will have the stability necessary to rear children (if the couple wishes to do so) but will also sustain the partners to the end. of their lives. Christian rites of blessing for same-sex couples have been: found as far back as the ninth century, predating the church's heterosexual marriage rites from three hundred years. "
     from "Equal Rites: Lesbian and Gay Worship, Ceremonies, and Celebrations"  Cherry & Sherwood, Eds.

Guidelines:
- TSP provides marriage and covenanting. services for all TSP members and adherents.
Preparation requirements include pre-marital counseling sessions with the officiating minister. It is also highly recommended that couples participate in a formal pre-marriage course.  When marriage and covenanting services are performed for TSP members and adherents, no user fee is charged. (Adherent is understood to mean established relationship with the TSP faith community.)
- For services in the building for couples outside the TSP faith community, building charges are in accordance with the current fee structure. Remuneration for pastoral and miscellaneous staff service are negotiated directly with staff members involved.
- For those outside the TSP faith community, marriage and covenanting services may be provided for couples in a Christian faith context where at least one of the partners has a Christian perspective.
- If the couple intending to be married desires other clergy to officiate or co-officiate, they may do so in consultation and agreement with the incumbent minister.
- The decision for the presence of media and/or cameras during weddings and covenanting services is at the discretion of the minister, taking into consideration the wishes of the family.