Baptism is one of the most important and significant occasions on our spiritual journey. It marks the entry of a person into the Christian faith, into the world-wide family of the Saviour, Jesus Christ. We are also brought into a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Baptism is Christ's gift. It is the sign by which the Spirit of God joins people to Jesus Christ and incorporates them into his body, the Church. The whole of our Christian life thereafter should be a living out of our baptism or a living into the 'true, full and eternal life in which Jesus Christ unites God and humanity'.
In seeking baptism at Trinity Uniting Church in Brighton it is assumed that you already have a connection with this Church, are members here, or intend to become one. Baptisms are normally conducted in the church of the congregation near to where you live. The decision to baptise a person, adult or child is made by the Elders and Church Council of that congregation. It is possible for your child to be baptised here if you live some distance away from Brighton if there is the prior agreement of the Church Council of the congregation which you plan to attend.
Baptism requires a commitment on the part of adults (in the case of the baptism of infants) that they will answer in the name of their child. The questions which we ask the parents are as follows:
You may feel that you are not able to answer 'yes' to these questions as yet. If this is the case the Church provides a service of Thanksgiving for a Child, and the Minister will be happy to discuss this service for your child.
Baptism does not make us 'Uniting Church'. We are not baptized into a denomination or a building. We are baptized into Christ; and into his death and resurrection, into a living relationship which we seek to live out through our life's journey. The 'where' we do that is the denominational question, to which faith community we link ourselves. We would warmly welcome you to Trinity as your community of faith.
Godparents are not required to be part of the Baptism Service. However if you particularly wish to nominate Godparents then it should be because you wish them to be able to be a Christian influence for your child, therefore it is only sensible for them to be regular worshippers in a Christian Church somewhere, not necessarily of the Uniting Church.
The Baptism will normally be conducted during the main 10am Sunday Service when the faith community is present, and able to welcome you and support you and your child in this significant moment.
The Minister welcomes the opportunity to discuss baptism with you. We welcome your coming to Trinity for baptism, and we seek to make it a joyful and happy occasion for you and your family and friends. If we can assist in any way, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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Thank you for wanting to enquire about being prepared for marriage, and having the wedding service, at Trinity Uniting Church in Brighton. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the Minister and ask him.
To book a wedding at Trinity, you are required to:
Anyone may be married at Trinity.
The Minister of Trinity Uniting Church will do the preparation with you, lead the Service and sign all the documents. The Minister may be assisted by a priest/minister from another church.
You may be married on any day of the week, including Sunday afternoon. The following days are not available: Christmas Day, Easter Day, Holy Week (including Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Eve - Holy Saturday). The Minister is happy to discuss dates and times with you.
The Trinity Church has a standard letter which is sent to all couples. It outlines the issues listed above and a variety of other facts including the full costs of getting married in Trinity. Please send an email to us listing your names, your address(es), the date and time you wish your wedding to occur. Please also include one or more telephone numbers - mobiles, home and/or work. The letter will then be sent to you.
Email: trinity.brighton@uniting.com.au
If you have any questions regarding your wedding, the information on this page or in the letter please feel free to contact the Minister of Trinity Uniting Church to discuss them. We are here to welcome you and to help you with your special day.
Top of the pageThe coming to a mature faith of a person is an event to be celebrated by the church. Many people have been baptised as an infant or a child and parents make promises on their behalf that look forward to life-long membership of the body of Christ, the Church. When it becomes possible for those promises to be confirmed the Church says that the person has been confirmed.
Usually this comes after a period of sustained preparation by the Minister and Elders of the congregation. The Church Council makes decisions regarding membership in the congregation and the Minister and Elders involved in the preparation can advise the Council.
The Funeral Service is a time when we:-
A Funeral is a significant time in our journey of life. It is the opportunity to give thanks for the life, love and the friendship shared and enjoyed - all of which have enriched our lives and helped make us the people we are.
The Uniting Church Funeral Service contains all these elements in a simple and appropriate Christian liturgy from the moment the coffin is received at the church to its farewell from the church. This service can be personalised in many ways: the choice of readings and readers, the particular music and hymns chosen, and in the celebration of the life through the Eulogy or Reflection. Symbols of the person's life can also be used, but the primary focus must always be that this is a Christian act of worship and this is to be sensitively maintained throughout the service and in the choices that are made. For example, it would be suggested that these symbols of the person who has died be placed on a separate table in the church, rather than on the coffin itself.
The national flag, where appropriate, may be used on the coffin.
The number of Eulogies or Reflections should be kept to one or two to avoid duplication or repetition.
It may also be appropriate to hold other services following the Christian service, such as an RSL, Masonic or other tribute. Care should always be taken so as not to blur the service being conducted and each should be kept quite separate.
As many, if not most, services at Trinity are now what we call "full services" and are held entirely at the church (that is, there is no service at the Crematorium) you may wish to hold these additional tributes outside the church at the hearse, prior to it being driven away. The RSL and Masonic Services are designed as graveside services and this would be a most appropriate place for this final tribute by members of these organisations. These matters should always be discussed with the Minister during the arranging of the service.
To discuss any of these points or to arrange a funeral at Trinity, please contact the Minister directly on 0409 860 427.
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