For current information on sacraments and special services or if you have questions, please contact the church office, (705)946-4949, emmanuel.office@shaw.ca.
This page covers sacraments and special services offered at Emmanuel United Church, including baptism, communion, confirmation, marriage, pastoral care, and end of life services. Scroll down to learn more.
Baptism and Communion are the two sacraments celebrated in The United Church of Canada. A sacrament is a symbolic action or ritual by which people of faith encounter the presence and goodness of God.
Baptism
We welcome all to God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism, and we offer baptism to people of all ages.
The Sacrament of Baptism signifies the new life God gives us as we join the faith community. Baptism uses water as a symbolic cleansing, signifying the acceptance of new life within the church family. The Sacrament of Baptism is the single rite of initiation into the Christian community.
With children, instruction is given to parents or sponsors to equip them for the child’s Christian nurture. For adults being received, there is a time of instruction.
Baptism takes place during our regular Sunday worship service several times a year, depending on need.
Since Baptism is a sacrament —a gift of God’s free grace—no fee is charged. Want to know more? For a copy of our baptism policy, contact the church office, (705)946-4949, emmanuel.office@shaw.ca.
Communion
At Emmanuel United Church, all are welcome at God’s Table. At the Communion Table, we acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the host and all are guests. During this ceremony, bread (gluten-free option provided) and unfermented grape juice are served to remind us of Jesus’ last supper with his followers and of God’s enduring love.
Communion services are held seven times through the months of September to June. To find out when our next communion service is, contact the church office, (705)946-4949, emmanuel.office@shaw.ca.
Confirmation
Confirmation is an opportunity for anyone who was baptised as a child to make for themselves the decision their parents made for them at baptism. Through a series of group sessions, we help both youth (no younger than 12) and adults explore the Christian faith.
We include confirmation as part of our regular Sunday worship service as needed, during which the candidates publicly confirm their faith in Christ to the congregation and everyone in the congregation pledges support in return.
Want to know more? contact the church office, (705)946-4949, emmanuel.office@shaw.ca.
Marriage
At Emmanuel, we see each person as a unique, loved creation of God and welcome all people to the full life of Christian community, including marriage. You do not have to be a member. We have an inclusive marriage policy – couples of all sexual orientations and gender identities are warmly welcomed to be joined together in the joy of holy matrimony at Emmanuel. We also welcome those who have been divorced and couples of different faith traditions.
There’s more to preparing for marriage than just planning for the wedding day. You will be required to meet with our minister to do some work to prepare. Asking key questions and providing some helpful resources is the first step.
Your decision to get married is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. We will do our best to help you celebrate your wedding in a memorable and significant way.
Want to know fees related to getting married, to see our marriage policy, or to begin planning your special day? Contact the church office, (705)946-4949, emmanuel.office@shaw.ca.
Pastoral care
Pastoral care is an important ministry at Emmanuel. Under the guidance of our minister, Emmanuel’s Pastoral Visiting Team provides companionship, compassion, and support to those facing life challenges, including the house bound, those with health issues or in the hospital, the bereaved, and other vulnerable people in our congregation.
If you or someone else has experienced an illness or other major life event and would like support from our pastoral team, please contact the church office, (705)946-4949, emmanuel.office@shaw.ca. Please make sure you have permission to share details about their situation.
Funerals/memorial services/celebrations of life
During a time of bereavement, Emmanuel provides funeral services to congregants, adherents, and others from the wider community. During funerals at Emmanuel, we share the good news of eternal life in God with those who are mourning through a service of Christian worship. The minister and staff are committed to helping you through your time of loss with compassion and caring.
Planning is done with the Minister. The service usually includes prayers, scripture readings, hymns and other music, a Christian reflection, and memorial words by family members or friends. Emmanuel has a kitchen and hall so we can support your needs for gatherings and refreshments before or after a funeral or memorial service.
Arrangements for funerals (including fees) are generally made through the chosen funeral home, but if you have any questions and are uncertain whom to ask, contact the church office, (705)946-4949, emmanuel.office@shaw.ca. Someone will get back to you as soon as possible.