Practice Page
Practice Page
Add your custom HTML here
Worship and Sunday School – Sundays at 10:30am
Adult Sunday School – Sundays at 9:30am
Community Pot-Luck Dinner – Fridays at 6:00pm
Adult Sunday School – Sundays at 9:30am
Community Pot-Luck Dinner – Fridays at 6:00pm
City skyline
Photo By: John Doe
Button
Birthday Sparks
Photo By: John Doe
Fashion Magazine
Photo By: John Doe
Blurred Lines
Photo by: John Doe
View more
- As a community of faith, we believe the grace of God is for all people.
- Baptism is a Christian Sacrament celebrating that grace.
- It is witnessed by God and the Congregation of God’s people.
- This Sacrament acknowledges that the individual being baptized is a child of God. The individual becomes a member of the Holy Catholic [Universal] Church, and is welcomed as a full member of The United Church of Canada.
- Baptism is an act of faith, and a covenant between the individual, families and the church community.
- Baptism is a sign of new beginning, and of new life on the journey of faith.
- Baptism shall be presided over by a duly licensed official.
- Water and the “Trinitarian Formula” shall be used.
- Requests for Baptism will be given advanced approval from the Official Board.
- Baptism shall take place during regular worship except in extraordinary circumstances.
- In the case of child baptism, one parent must be a member of The United Church of Canada. Where a parent is not a member of The United Church of Canada, a mentor may be provided by the congregation.
- Parent(s) or Individuals seeking baptism:
- shall profess a belief in Jesus Christ
- shall take part in Baptismal preparation
- are encouraged to actively attend and participate in their local faith community. - The St. John’s Community will endeavor to involve parent(s) and individuals in the life of St. Johns by:
- being welcoming
- providing Christian Development
- providing sponsors where necessary - God parents are:
- optional
- expected to support the spiritual nurturing of the child
- where possible, will take part in baptismal preparation - Baptism for those from other congregations will be celebrated at the request of their home congregation.
Baptisms Practice
Weddings Practice
As a Community of Faith We Believe:
- A marriage is a relationship of equality, mutual respect and support committed to growth as individuals and as a couple.
- A marriage is unique and primary among other relationships in terms of intimacy and fidelity.
- A marriage is entered into with the expectation that it be a life-long relationship.
- A wedding is a celebration of a public covenant between God, community and the couple.
- That when a wedding takes place within our faith community we commit ourselves to pray for and support the couple in their relationship.
- That the Official Board review and approve or decline all requests for weddings.
- That one or both of the individuals making the covenant be regular participants in our faith community for at least three months prior to their ceremony or that we are requested by another faith. community to act on their behalf. Sponsors may be provided.
- That couples take part in appropriate pre-covenanting preparation as determined by the minister, the couple and the Pastoral Care Committee.
- That while the ceremony itself may vary, the values and beliefs of our community will be respected.
- Vows, music and readings which reflect the values described under What We Believe, above.
- A ceremony that recognizes the equality of both partners (For example, the question “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” is replaced with “Who gives their blessing to this union?”)
- No photos during the actual ceremony in order to respect the sacredness of the ceremony.
Currently the minimum requested donation to the ongoing ministry of St. John’s is the lesser of $300 or 10% of the total cost of the Wedding Celebration.
We are an “Affirming Congregation”, which means in part, these beliefs and practices apply to all marriages regardless of sexual orientation.
Memorial Celebrations Practice
We offer our Condolences and our Assistance.
If you are reading this you may already be engaged in the process of grieving. We as a faith community are honoured to support you at this difficult time.
We hope that the information you find here will help you plan a meaningful ceremony to celebrate the life and grieve the loss of your loved one.
Though we are pleased to assist as much as possible, the following items are not normally arranged by St. John’s Church:
Services of the Church
Lunch
Musicians
These costs vary. Honoraria should be given directly to the musician. When a member of our congregation is available to play the piano a typical honorarium is $75. A similar amount is appropriate if a soloist is provided. When a musician is required from outside our congregation they generally have a set fee. You will need to ask them about that.
The members of St. John’s Church Community extend our sincere sympathies. Please speak with our minister or leave a message at the church (807-229-1031) if you have further questions or if there are other ways we may support you in your time of mourning.
If you are reading this you may already be engaged in the process of grieving. We as a faith community are honoured to support you at this difficult time.
We hope that the information you find here will help you plan a meaningful ceremony to celebrate the life and grieve the loss of your loved one.
Services We May be Able to Offer Include:
- Initial Grief and Trauma Support
- Memorial/Funeral Worship Service Planning
- Arranging for musicians and soloists
- Preparation and copying of a Service Program
- Completely Accessible Facilities
- Overflow seating with audio in the lower level
- Worship Leadership for the Service
- Hospitality for a light lunch following the Service
- Pastoral Support during subsequent months
Questions to Consider when Planning the Memorial/Funeral Service:
- Are there particular readings you would like to hear during the ceremony?
- Are there particular songs you would like to sing or to hear sung?
- Are there special symbols, rituals or symbolic actions that you would like included in the service?
- Who will be the contact person with our Minister?
- Who might offer some “Words of Remembrance” (Eulogy)?
- Would a family member or friend like to read during the ceremony?
- Would you like a light lunch provided at St. John’s following the service?
- Will you supply a photo for the bulletin cover?
- Will there be an interment at the cemetery following the service?
- Songs and reading selections should respect the values of the faith community.
- Obituary Announcements;
- Preparing Photo Displays;
- Placement of Floral Arrangements;
- Ushering;
- Gravesite arrangements with the Town;
- Set up and take down of additional chairs;
- Video display on the lower level;
- Distribution of donations and honoraria;
- Collection of Memorial Cards and Donations;
- Guest Book
Costs
Funeral and Memorial Ceremonies are free and part of the ministry of our faith community. We thankfully receive any offering you are able to make. The following may help to determine an appropriate amount for you.
Services of the Church
The annual budget of St. John’s is more than $90,000 per year, or about $270 per day. Memorial/Funeral Services take about two days to plan, prepare and provide. So our costs are about $540. Please also consider whether you already support the on-going ministry of the church and your own financial circumstances. Our Minister is paid by the congregation and does not accept honoraria.
The cost of providing the lunch is about $75 (most items are donated by members). So a separate donation exceeding $75 is appreciated. A typical amount is $200. Again, please consider your particular circumstances.
These costs vary. Honoraria should be given directly to the musician. When a member of our congregation is available to play the piano a typical honorarium is $75. A similar amount is appropriate if a soloist is provided. When a musician is required from outside our congregation they generally have a set fee. You will need to ask them about that.
Memorial Fund
St. John’s also has a “Memorial Fund”. Should you wish to direct Memorial Donations to the church contact the church office (807-229-1031
or [email protected]
) for more information.
Spiritual Guidance Practice
As a Community of Faith We Believe:
- A marriage is a relationship of equality, mutual respect and support committed to growth as individuals and as a couple.
- A marriage is unique and primary among other relationships in terms of intimacy and fidelity.
- A marriage is entered into with the expectation that it be a life-long relationship.
- A wedding is a celebration of a public covenant between God, community and the couple.
- That when a wedding takes place within our faith community we commit ourselves to pray for and support the couple in their relationship.
- That the Official Board review and approve or decline all requests for weddings.
- That one or both of the individuals making the covenant be regular participants in our faith community for at least three months prior to their ceremony or that we are requested by another faith. community to act on their behalf. Sponsors may be provided.
- That couples take part in appropriate pre-covenanting preparation as determined by the minister, the couple and the Pastoral Care Committee.
- That while the ceremony itself may vary, the values and beliefs of our community will be respected.
- Vows, music and readings which reflect the values described under What We Believe, above.
- A ceremony that recognizes the equality of both partners (For example, the question “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” is replaced with “Who gives their blessing to this union?”)
- No photos during the actual ceremony in order to respect the sacredness of the ceremony.
Currently the minimum requested donation to the ongoing ministry of St. John’s is the lesser of $300 or 10% of the total cost of the Wedding Celebration.
We are an “Affirming Congregation”, which means in part, these beliefs and practices apply to all marriages regardless of sexual orientation.
