Baptism
As United Methodists, baptism is the sacrament of initiation that joins us with the church and with Christians everywhere and the first step in a life-long process of growth toward God. It is a symbol of new life and a promise of God’s saving love, and a sign of God’s forgiveness of our sins. Both infants and adults can be baptized. A person receives the sacrament only once in his or her life. Water is the special symbol of baptism.
Confirmation
This is an occasion for public profession of faith in Christ, commitment to lives of Christian discipleship, and acceptance of the responsibilities of church membership. In confirmation: God reaffirms the divine promise given at baptism, members make a personal commitment to God before the congregation, and participants strengthen their faith and dedication to God.
Weddings
Called “A Service of Christian Marriage”, this life event is celebrated in a way that is designed to witness that this joining of two persons is a reflection of the Baptismal Covenant. Words and actions in the service reflect the belief that husband and wife are equal partners in the marriage and are entering into the marriage of their own volition. The congregation takes an active role in the celebration.
The couple is expected to meet with a pastor for pre-marital counseling and ceremony planning. The scope and direction of the pre-marital meetings is determined by the pastor in conjunction with the couple. Quotations for costs associated with holding a wedding in the church and scheduling dates are handled by the office administrator in conjunction with the pastor performing the ceremony.
Funerals
Also known as a “Service of Death and Resurrection”, this is a time of celebrating the life of the departed. At this service the facts of death and bereavement are honestly faced, and the gospel of resurrection is celebrated in the context of God’s Baptismal Covenant with us in Christ.