Marriage | Baptism | Confirmation | Funerals | Sacraments

Life Events

We, at St. Paul’s United Church, are honoured to walk alongside individuals and families during life’s most significant moments. Whether you are celebrating a joyful occasion or seeking comfort in a time of loss, our community is here to support you with compassion and care.

Marriage

St. Paul’s United Church is a beautiful and welcoming setting for your wedding ceremony. We celebrate the union of couples in love and are committed to making your special day meaningful and memorable. Our minister will work with you to plan a service that reflects your values and traditions.

At St. Paul’s, we believe all are loved by God. In response to God’s abundant love, many of us fall so deeply in love with one other that we want to be joined in marriage. As a congregation of the United Church of Canada, our minister celebrates marriage in the context of a broad and accepting Christian community of faith.

We are open to celebrating the marriage of:

  • regular church-goers and those who rarely attend
  • previously divorced people
  • couples of different religions
  • couples of different gender
  • couples of the same gender

We believe God desires loving relationships to be faithful, responsible, just, healing, and sustaining of the couple and those around them. We rejoice along with God in the wonderful  opportunity we have to share with couples in the celebration of their marriage!

When you come to St. Paul’s United Church to talk about the plans for your wedding, the following information and guidance will be of help with your planning.

Weddings are a community affair with many people involved to ensure the day goes as intended.

  • The Minister
  • The Caretaker
  • Members of your Wedding Party
  • The Organist
  • The Soloist
  • The Administrative Assistant

A marriage ceremony performed by a Christian Minister has two aspects:

  • 1.   It is a civil contract. This means, the minister has legal responsibilities for seeing that the conditions required by the province are met.
  • 2.   For Christians, marriage is also a religious rite. The minister has responsibility for seeing that the service reflects our faith.

The United Church of Canada believes marriage is a gift from God. As such, the service is a covenant made between two persons and with God. Marriage is a union in which two persons find their richest fulfillment of body, mind and spirit. The ceremony should honour the equality of the two persons within the relationship.

Marriage ceremonies performed by our Minister will be celebrated within the context of a worship service. The marriage vows within a church ceremony are usually religious in nature and couples need to be comfortable with this aspect. Couples who feel uncomfortable with this should discuss with the minister they may also want to consider a civil ceremony.

Minister to Conduct Ceremony

The congregation expects the minister of St. Paul’s to officiate at all marriages. Any exception to this must be approved by the minister and/or the Governance Committee of St. Paul’s. Any request for another minister to assist at your wedding should be discussed from the onset with the minister from St. Paul’s.

 

Organist and Music

As soon as you have confirmed the date with the church, please contact our organist, Brenda Barnes. It is expected the organist will play at any wedding where the church instruments, organ and/or piano will be used. Any exception to this must be approved by the organist, and then discussed with the minister involved. Requests for another musician (eg. soloist) to assist at your wedding should be discussed from the onset with the organist. The music at a Christian marriage service should celebrate the gift of God’s love, for we believe that God’s love nurtures all human relationships. Our organist will be able to offer many appropriate suggestions.

Marriage Licenses

Marriage licenses are available through Service New Brunswick. Contact your local SNB office (506-856-2204 in Moncton) to set up an appointment. Licenses cost $115 and are valid for 3 months.

Witnesses

In New Brunswick there must be two witnesses who must be at least 19 years of age.

Marriage Preparation

A marriage preparation program is not a requirement. However, if you wish to discuss particular issues with our minister(s), they are available to do so. We encourage all couples to consider a pre-marriage or relationship enrichment program prior to or following the wedding. Also, our minister(s) are available to help couples with issues at any time in their relationship.

Rehearsal

A rehearsal for the ceremony is required. Its purpose is to help ensure that the couple and other members of the wedding party are familiar with the service and the facilities. When a wedding is to be held on a Saturday, the rehearsal will normally take place on Thursday or Friday.

May your wedding day and marriage be filled with love, joy and meaning.

Please inform your guests that confetti/rice is not to be thrown on the church property. As well, please note that St. Paul’s is a scent-free environment. Any decorations are the responsibility of the wedding party and must be removed immediately following the service.

Photography: Pictures may be taken in the sanctuary as the wedding party enters and leaves, and during the signing of the register. Pictures may be taken during at other times in the ceremony in such a way that they do not disturb the atmosphere of the ceremony. Posing after the ceremony can be arranged. Video cameras are permitted. The camera should be placed in an area which is as unobtrusive as possible. In both instances, official photographers and videographers should consult with the minister(s) prior to the service.

The Governance Committee of St. Paul’s United Church has established the following fees, which must be paid prior to the wedding rehearsal. Please forward to the church office the following amounts in separate envelopes:

  • Minister ($300): Traditionally, an honorarium is given to the Clergy for his or her services. However, an honorarium is not expected from supporters of St. Paul’s since weddings are considered part of the regular pastoral responsibilities. Respect will be given by the clergy to those persons experiencing financial restraint. Suggested honorarium for a non-supporting family is $300 minimum.
  • Organist ($200-$250): This amount includes the organist being involved in any music planning, rehearsal and the wedding ceremony. ($125-$175 for the wedding without a rehearsal.)*
  • Soloists and other musicians (as they determine)
  • Caretaker ($65): The caretaker assures that the sanctuary is open and in order for your wedding ceremony, and is cleaned and locked up after the service. If the hall is also used, there will be an additional fee of $65 for the caretaker.*
  • Administrative Assistant ($40): This amount includes the preparation of the documentation and administrative and organizational support for the ceremony.
  • Church ($75): If you or your immediate family are non-participants and are not regular supporters of the life and work of the congregation, it is appropriate for you to share in the physical costs of the building that has been made available for your wedding. A contribution of at least $75 is expected. **
Talk to us about marriage

Funeral

We understand that the loss of a loved one is a difficult time. St. Paul’s United Church offers a caring environment for funeral and memorial services, providing comfort and support to families and friends. Our minister and staff are here to help you plan a service that honours the life and memory of your loved one, and to offer pastoral care throughout the process.

To discuss funeral arrangements or for support, please reach out to our church office.

Arrange a funeral

Baptism

Baptism is a joyful celebration of God’s love and grace. At St. Paul’s, we welcome people of all ages to receive the sacrament of baptism, whether infants, children, youth, or adults. Baptism marks the beginning of a journey of faith and belonging in the Christian community.

If you are interested in baptism for yourself or your child, please contact us to learn more about the process and upcoming dates.

Enquire about baptism

Confirmation

Confirmation is an important step in affirming your faith and commitment to the church. Through a period of preparation, youth and adults explore the foundations of Christian belief and what it means to be part of the United Church. The confirmation service is a celebration of this commitment and a welcome into full membership.

Contact us for details about our next confirmation class.

Baptism is an expression not only of membership within a congregation, but of our journey of faith within the Christian family. When people are baptized as infants, many will seek to reflect on and confirm their commitment to a life of faith through a group study program commonly known as Confirmation. This can be done at any age, though the majority of “confirmands” tend to be older teens and young adults.

Typically, our confirmation classes are held after Easter, culminating in a special service of worship in June. If you are curious about confirmation, please contact the office anytime 506-386-3335.

*Please note: neither baptism nor confirmation are required to participate in communion. All are welcome.

Enquire about confirmation

Sacraments (Communion & Baptism)

Our Church is the perfect place for your Baptism or Communion.

  • Baptism is a sign of God’s love and our belonging in the Christian family.
  • Communion (the Lord’s Supper) is celebrated regularly at St. Paul’s and is open to all who seek to follow Christ. Through sharing bread and cup, we remember Jesus’ life and teachings and are nourished for our journey of faith.

For more information about participating in the sacraments at St. Paul’s, please contact our office.

Enquire about sacraments
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