Funeral Services

A funeral is a ceremony to mark the end of a person's life on Earth. We gather together to remember the life lived and to express our thanks that they are being welcomed into God's keeping. 

The service may take on many forms, from being a small dedicated gathering of family members, to a more public event with music and hymns. Whatever arrangements are made, the service will include a solemn and tasteful celebration of life in the words of our minister. 

Our minister welcomes all questions you may have about life's passage.

If you have questions about funeral arrangements, please contact the office by email (tuc@eastlink.ca) or phone (902-752-1472).

BAPTISM

Baptism is the church’s way of celebrating and naming the grace of God living in everyone. It is the way we initiate new members into the life of the universal community of faith and it marks the entry point into the life-time pilgrimage of following in the Way of Jesus. We celebrate the opportunity to begin that journey with you. It is the tradition to use water as a symbol of new life, knowing that water is essential for all of life. Baptism is not a requirement for God's love: we in no way believe people who die without baptism are condemned, lost, or damned.

We believe the gift of God's love doesn't depend on our ability to understand it, so we baptize people as infants right up through adulthood.

With children, parents are asked to meet with the minister, so that the blessings and promises may be clearly understood. During the ceremony, everyone in the congregation pledges support for the child and the new parents, which is why baptisms are not done privately. We recognize the role we all play in welcoming a child into the church family. Baptism for adults happens at the same time as Confirmation.

Baptism in the United Church is recognized by all denominations of the Christian church that practice infant baptism. Similarly, if people have already been baptized in another church, the United Church recognizes their baptism.

Please contact the office by email (tuc@eastlink.ca) or phone (902-752-1472) if you have questions about baptism.

CONFIRMATION

Since most people are baptized before they had a say in it, an opportunity to confirm the promises their family have tried to live into is available. A confirmed member of the congregation is one who after a period of study, is ready to make their own promises. Following a public profession of faith and being confirmed through a public service of worship, the person’s name is added to the membership roll of the congregation. Adults who have never been baptized are received into membership through a service of adult baptism which is concurrently a service of confirmation. Persons confirmed in another tradition of the Christian faith are received by transferring their membership, or by a request made to the Church Council.

Please contact the office by email (tuc@eastlink.ca) or phone (902-752-1472) if you have questions about membership at Trinity.

MARRIAGE

Marriage is a vision of life together in which two people live in a unity of body, mind and spirit. As unique, loved creations of God all people seeking to be united in marriage are welcomed here. We believe humans are meant to be in relationships and support the intention to be faithful, responsible, just, healing, and sustaining.

Trinity United Church celebrates love and has an open marriage policy which includes
            •  same-sex couples
            •  previously divorced people
            •  couples of different religions

Our minister welcomes your inquiry about wedding ceremonies to take place in our sanctuary and off site, and will work with each couple to tailor a ceremony right for them. She can provide several sample ceremonies as a beginning place, but is willing to work with each couple as they come to an agreement about the significance of the event and the promises it represents.

Please contact the office by email (tuc@eastlink.ca) or phone (902-752-1472) if you have questions about getting married at Trinity.

COMMUNION

The Lord’s Supper, Eucharist, Holy Communion—these different terms refer to the same sacrament shared by most Christian denominations; a symbolic meal. Communion is celebrated at a table, and served to each individual, suggestive of the dining table in our homes. At the communion table, we acknowledge that Jesus the Christ is our host and we all are his guests. The meal uses the symbols of small pieces of bread and a taste of wine or juice to remind us of Jesus’ last supper with his followers and of God’s enduring love. All are welcome to be guests at the table of Jesus.