Policies (4)
Sunset United Church – Sacraments
Sacrament of Baptism
At Sunset United Church, we love celebrating baptism! Whether it is an adult or a child being baptised, it is about celebrating the gift of that person. In the United Church of Canada, baptism is one of the sacraments, meaning that it is one of the visible signs of God’s invisible grace. As we sprinkle some water onto the head of the person being baptised, we are remembering and acknowledging the incredible gift of love and of life itself. And as the congregation make promises to be companions on this spiritual journey, there is often almost a palpable feeling of love in the air.
The first step towards arranging for a baptism, is to call the church office, or to send an e-mail inquiry, to make an appointment for conversation with our minister. She will meet with you in your home, or here at the church. The main purpose of the conversation is for you to get to know both her and the community a little better, as well as to discern if baptism is the right choice for you as a family. We look forward to hearing from you!
Sacrament of Communion
In general, we celebrate communion 4 or 5 times a year. At Sunset United Church, we believe that this a meal that binds us together as a community – nourishing those places that need strengthening, and quenching our thirst for what it is to love and to be loved. It is a meal that gives each one of us the courage that we need to move out and be engaged in building the kind of world that God dreams of for all of creation.
Communion is one of the Sacraments in the United Church of Canada, which means that it is a visible sign of God’s invisible grace. This is an open table, where there is room for everyone – no one is excluded.
Sunset United Church Wedding Policy
Revised May 2009
Congratulations on your decision to get married. We are pleased that you are considering having this significant event in our church. We welcome all who inquire, and we commit to live out our Affirming Ministry Mission Statement of providing a welcome "just as you are". Let us explain the expectations of the church for those who use our facilities for their wedding.
A Church Wedding
A church wedding is two things: a legal ceremony and an act of worship. In it we pray for a sense of God’s presence and ask for God’s blessing on the couple being married and on family life in general. The wedding may be quite large and formal, or small and informal, but recognition of our faith is essential if it is to be in the church.
Since marriage is one of life’s important decisions, we would strongly encourage you to spend time and energy on marriage preparation. Couples can take part in formal Marriage Preparation courses, or spend time privately with the Minister.
The Role of the Minister
The first step in arranging for a wedding is to contact the minister at the church office, 586-3613, to arrange a first interview and the booking of the church. Please attempt to do this well in advance. The minister, in the interviews with the couple, has several objectives in mind. She/he must go over legal requirements, fill in a marriage registration form, and go over the service. In addition (s)he will want to spend enough time to get acquainted with you.
Legal Requirements
License –Before you can be married you must obtain a license from any jeweler in Saskatchewan. A license is valid for three months.Publishing of Banns – where one or both of the parties to the wedding is active in the congregation, it sometimes happens that the banns of marriage are read in church prior to the date of the wedding.
Witnesses– the Marriage Act states that two adult (18 or over) credible witnesses must be present at a wedding and sign the marriage registration, the marriage certificate and the church record.
The Church Service
The minister will go over with you the elements of the marriage service, including the music, to help you decide about several choices within the service.
Accommodation
The church can seat up to 250 people, but is also suitable for smaller weddings.
Marriage Certificate
Following your wedding the minister will give you a signed marriage certificate. Approximately a year following the marriage, you may obtain a copy of the marriage registration from:
Information Services Corp. of Sask.
Vital Statistics
PO Box 2405 STN MAIN
Regina, SK
S4P 9Z9
Telephone: 1-866-275-4721
Photographs
To avoid distraction from the sacredness of the wedding service, we request that no pictures be taken during the ceremony. Pictures may be taken during the procession into the church, as the couple returns back down the aisle, and during the signing of documentation. Non-flash photography is permitted by an assigned photographer during the service provided it is unobtrusive. Video recording equipment is permitted if it is stationary (i.e. tripod), without additional lighting, and at the back of the sanctuary.
Ushers
Your ushers should be on duty at the church door one hour before the time of the wedding to receive and seat guests.
No Confetti or Substitutes Please
Flowers
You make your own arrangements about flowers.
Financial Information
To support the ongoing ministry of the church, suggested honoraria are: Church (includes sanctuary, sound system, etc.) $200-$400 Minister $100 - 150 Musician $100
Following the Wedding
We are happy to have been asked to share in this important occasion in your lives. We wish you a meaningful wedding service and every happiness together.
After the wedding we hope that you will continue the relationship you have established with this church and will participate in the life and work of the congregation
Sunset United Church Funeral Policy
Revised May, 2009
Preparing for a funeral and dealing with the death of one we love is a difficult time. We experience a myriad of feelings and the community of faith can be an important support in the grieving process and in planning the funeral service. It reminds us that we are not alone and we have companions with us on the journey. It is an opportunity to call upon God to give us strength and courage. A funeral or memorial service is a service of worship to give thanks for the life as we grieve our loss. Drawing on our faith we are empowered by our hope of resurrection, which enables us to face death, offer thanksgiving for the gift of life and celebrate our Christian hope.
Location
When the service is held at Sunset United Church members of the congregation are available for additional support, such as ushers, greeters and facility support (e.g. chairs, sound system, lighting, etc.) as needed.
Music
The Minister will be pleased to help you select music/hymns appropriate to the service. If you wish a pianist/organist from outside the church, check with the Minister.
Time of Remembering
This section of the service helps us recall and celebrate the life of the one who has passed away. Family members or friends are welcome to speak at this time or the Minister may be asked to speak on their behalf.
Theological Reflection
As part of the service, scripture is read and reflected upon. The purpose of this theological reflection is to ground the experience in the context of our faith. Family members are welcome to select appropriate scripture lessons in consultation with the minister(s).
Committal Service
The brief service at the graveside is typically the final moment of the funeral service. Here, in hope of resurrection, we commend the life of the deceased the God’s care and the body of the deceased to the ground. This service may be arranged at a time separate from the funeral service and at a time agreed upon by the family and the minister(s).
Reception
Following the funeral service or committal service, a reception may be helpful in terms of establishing contact with the community of support. Such a reception may be held in a home, a hall, or within the church. Sunset Ladies Fellowship can provide catering services for a reception in the church building. Please consult the minister(s) for additional information when making arrangements.
Honoraria
There is no mandatory fee associated with the use of the church building for the funeral service; however, to support the ongoing ministry of the church donations of $200-$400 are encouraged. If you wish to donate a voluntary honorarium, an amount of $150 - $200 is suggested for the minister. Also, because of the time involved, which often means time away from regular employment, we ask $100 for the pianist/organist if not arranged for by a funeral home. In cases where these honoraria present a hardship, other arrangements can be made.
Sunset United Church Mission Statement
January 20th, 2007
Sunset United Church as an Affirming Ministry is a nurturing Christian community of:
- Joyful worship;
- Open-minded faith exploration and spiritual growth;
- Love, hope and Social Justice;
living out Christ’s message within and beyond Sunset.
Statement of Faith
WE declare publicly our commitment to creating a community where we welcome people of all ages, gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ability, ethnicity and economic circumstance. At Sunset United Church, everyone can take part in every aspect of church life including: membership, leadership, celebrating life passages and marriage. We affirm that diversity is truly a gift of God and that all people belong here. We celebrate the richness that diversity brings to our church, even as it challenges us individually and collectively. As we continue our discovery of what it means to be an affirming and inclusive community, we understand that teaching and learning about each other is a faithful process of mutual listening and understanding. We pray for God's Spirit to guide us as we work for reconciliation and justice for all persons in church and society.