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Sacraments and Services

• The Sacrament of Communion
• The Sacrament of Baptism
• Confirmation
• The Service of Transfer, Reaffirmation and Reception of New Members
• Marriage Services
• Christian Funeral and/or Memorial Service

The Sacrament of Communion

At the Last Supper, Jesus celebrated Passover with his disciples and invited them to break bread and drink wine together in remembrance of Him. We observe this sacrament in the United Church. At First†Metropolitan United Church, we practice an "open table," that is, we invite all those who seek to follow in Christ's way to take communion. Membership, baptism or confirmation is not required.

Communion service is usually served using the practice of intinction. A small piece of bread or rice wafer is dipped into grape juice and consumed. At the 9:00 a.m. chapel service, communion is offered every Sunday and the elements of bread and wine are brought to the seats of those attending by lay leaders.

At the 11:00 a.m. service communion is offered several times a year, including World-wide Communion Sunday. Those attending the service are invited to come to several stations around the Sanctuary. At each station, two servers hold the elements. Once you have taken a piece of bread or wafer, dipped it into the cup of grape juice and eaten it, you return to your seat. Lay leaders watch for those who might have difficulty in leaving their seats and bring the elements to those members of the congregation. As an alternative to intinction, traditionally trays with cubes of bread and small glasses of juice are passed amongst the pews.

The Sacrament of Baptism

Baptism is the second of the two sacraments in the United Church of Canada. It is an initiation into Christianity and into our own church family and is held as part of a regular Sunday service. As such, it requires a commitment from the individual or in the case of a child, from his or her family. Adults, children and infants may be baptized. Adults who have previously been baptized into another denomination need not be baptized again; they will be admitted into membership in the Church through confirmation.

Normally, at least one parent of a child or infant being brought forward for baptism should be an active member of First Metropolitan United Church or have stated an intention of becoming a member. If you regularly attend church at another congregation, we would encourage you to have your children baptized in that church so that your church family can support the commitment you are making to your child as well as the Christian faith as a whole. At baptism, parents are asked to commit themselves to leading their child to Christian faith by their teaching and example. The congregation vows to encourage the participation of parents and children in our community and to support them as they grow in faith. Baptisms are generally held at least four times during the year, on designated days.

In the United Church, we believe all infants are blessed and known by God. Baptism is not necessary to remove the stain of original sin from a child or to protect a child from evil. In baptism we celebrate the love that God already has for the child.

Confirmation

The Rite of Confirmation is conducted annually as needed. In the presence of the congregation, young and older adults affirm their Baptismal vows, stating those vows for themselves, and become adults of the faith. Confirmation may be chosen by an individual who returns to the church after a period of absence and wishes to rededicate him/herself.

The Service of Transfer, Reaffirmation and Reception of New Members

Persons who have been baptized and confirmed in other Christian traditions reaffirm their Baptismal vows as adults and are received into the United Church of Canada. Those who have been absent from the church for a number of years also are welcomed into our midst through Reaffirmation.

We encourage you to address questions about Baptism, Confirmation, Reaffirmation, and Reception to the Ministers well in advance of the desired time. We require education and preparation time for these rites as we consider them to be significant transitions, not to be entered into lightly. Part of the preparation includes having conversations with a Sponsor (a member of the congregation).

Marriage Services

We celebrate weddings for couples of all orientations who are in committed relationships. Couples need not be members of First†Metropolitan United Church, but should desire a spiritual marriage ceremony in which God's blessing upon the commitment of the partners is sought. If you do not regularly attend worship, we suggest that you attend a Sunday service prior to your wedding so that you are comfortable with a church service. Couples must apply for a provincial marriage license and bring this to the church office at least a week before the wedding.

The church can provide a chapel seating up to 50, a sanctuary seating up to 800 and reception space in the Doreene McLeod Room or the Fellowship Hall. Together with the Minister(s), you can plan this special day so that it reflects what you wish to express in your wedding ceremony. While there are some portions of the ceremony that are required due to legal reasons, there is considerable flexibility to choose music, prayers and readings that reflect your special love and commitment for one another. You may also request the assistance of the music director, who can suggest suitable music for the processional, at the signing of the register and for the recessional. We are open to inter-church and inter-faith weddings in which someone from another faith community shares in officiating.

In order to allow time for the required pre-marriage counseling and to ensure the availability of the church, please contact the Church office at least six months in advance of the desired date of the wedding. Depending on the size and formality of the wedding, either the chapel or the Sanctuary may be booked. In some circumstances, Ministers may perform weddings in other locations chosen by the bridal couple. In addition to the actual service, the church may also provide facilities for a wedding reception. Fees apply for the use of space, the services of Minister, Pianist, and custodians, and for the use of reception spaces. Please ask for these details.

Rehearsals are usually held the Thursday or Friday before your wedding and last no more than an hour. Decorations including pew bows and flowers may be discussed with the Minister and put in place during the hour prior to the wedding ceremony. Confetti and rice are not permitted as they are too difficult to clean up. Photographs may be taken during the processional, the signing of documents and the recessional. Videotaping is permitted from a fixed position in the Sanctuary to be arranged prior to the ceremony.

Christian Funeral and/or Memorial Service

Funerals obviously cannot be scheduled; the Ministers are always available on short notice when needed. It is critical, however, for the family to discuss the details with the Minister(s) prior to making other arrangements as there are particular guidelines to be followed in the United Church. We can help you to minimize the stress at such a difficult time. Before a loved one dies, we can provide counseling as well as forms and plans which you may complete and have ready long before the sad event. You may also choose to do this for yourself. Not only will this spare your survivors some grief, it will ensure that your own wishes are known and respected. Services may be held in the Sanctuary, chapel or sometimes in another location. A reception or memorial tea following a service may be held in the Doreene McLeod Room, the Social Room or in the Fellowship Hall by prior arrangement with the Hospitality Team.