Sacraments
Marriage
If you've found a life partner, Yes! Please contact the Church Office to make an appointment with the Minister to discuss your marriage request. Requests for Services of Marriage are brought to the Church Sessions (Elders) who are responsible for approving use of the Church Sanctuary.
As you meet with the Minister, you will participate in preparing a marriage ceremony that reflects who you are as a couple. Please be in touch at least 6 months (or more) before the date you plan to be married. Normally there are no services during our Sabbath month of July (there have been exceptions). Both St. Andrew's (Westwood) and Norwood United Church welcome different and same-gender marriages.
Baptism
Can I have my child baptized? Can I be baptized? Yes and Yes. We embrace the opportunity to welcome children and adults into the Church through the Sacrament of Baptism. We believe that baptism is a sign or witness that the love of God embraces each person long before they are able to claim or name that love for themselves. Of course, it's more than just a sign or symbol - it's a sacrament, so there's more than a hint of mystery about baptism (and Holy Communion). We celebrate that mystery with joy, even without fully understanding it!
Parents of children do not necessarily need to be members of the congregation, nor of The United Church of Canada, but we will certainly encourage that relationship, and there will always be an opportunity before baptism for parents and/or candidates to discuss with the Minister their relationship with and participation in the life of the congregation.
Communion
I am not a United Church member. May I receive Holy Communion? Yes, please! In our "Mission Statement" we say we strive to welcome all people, and that we hope to do. When we celebrate The Sacrament of Holy Communion, we practice an 'open table' and invite worshippers of all ages and stages to share the bread and cup. People are not required to be "official" members of St. Andrew's (Westwood) or Norwood United Church to be involved in our worship and in most areas of our congregational life.