Baptism/Communion
Sacrament of Holy Baptism
Baptism is one of the Sacraments done at Collier. We practice both infant and adult modes; often carried out in a worship experience in the Chapel or Sanctuary or privately as agreed by the ministry personnel. In Baptism we use water as a symbolic cleansing. Through baptism, we become a part of the Church, the family of God.
We thank you for choosing Collier to share in this life transitioning moment. We are blessed by your company and the opportunity to bless and baptize you or your child. After an appointment is made with the office, there will be few sessions with the ministry personnel prior to the service. On the morning/day of the ceremony, everyone arrives 40-30 mins before the start time. The family and the gathered community will be invited to respond to questions and commit to live into the way of God (see below). The water will be poured, blessed and the infant/adult will be baptized. In Infant Baptism, the Ministry personnel generally walks with the child or ask the parent to take the child along the aisles of the sanctuary.
– Collier Street United Church
Question to Parents
Do you believe in God, who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit?
We do.
Do you promise, by God’s grace, to nurture __________ in the Christian faith, and encourage him/her to express that faith within the worship and fellowship of the Church?
We do.
Question to Grandparents
Do you promise, by God’s grace, to pray and care for _______________ and support his/her family as you are able?
We do.
Following this, the congregation will be asked to affirm you/your child(ren) in these words:
Do you welcome _____________ into the family of God and promise to be the Church, to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus crucified and risen our judge and our hope?
We do.
Sacrament
Sacraments are sacred events in the life cycle of Collier. Sacraments are visible signs of invisible grace, that is an outward expression of an of inward transformation that enables the participants to become more into the image of God, the presence and power of love and compassion in the world.
Sacrament of Holy Communion
Communion is the second sacrament at Collier. This a meal opened to all who are in a relationship with God in Christ and desire to share a meal in community, empowering the participants to be co-creators of love and justice in the world.
Communion is celebrated at a table that suggests the dining table in our homes. At the communion table, we acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the host and all are 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. The meal is online or in-person, done by intinction or an act of sharing by the neighbor.
At Collier, Communion happens 4 times per year: March, June, October, and December. The Worship, Connecting and Community Team ensures this sacrament is done.
“In company with the churches of the Reformed and Methodist traditions,
we celebrate two sacraments as gifts of Christ:
baptism and holy communion.
In these sacraments the ordinary things of life —water, bread, wine—
point beyond themselves to God and God’s love, teaching us to be alert
to the sacred in the midst of life.” (A Song of Faith)
We hope you will celebrate these joyous occasions with us. Please ask the office or the Minister for any help you need at any time.