Weddings, Baptisms & Memorials

Weddings

In a church wedding the spiritual dimension of marriage is as important as the legal. It is the assumption of our congregation that those couples who choose to be married in the church are committed to the ideals of Christian marriage and wish to have a public affirmation of their desire for God's blessing upon their union.

As part of our ministry to our surrounding community, we welcome the opportunity to offer a Christian marriage ceremony.

We have prepared responses to the questions most frequently asked by couples regarding a church wedding:


1. How is a church wedding different from a civil wedding?
A church wedding performed by a minister is similar to a civil wedding performed by a marriage commissioner in that both services must meet the legal requirements of the Province of British Columbia and must be registered with the Department of Vital Statistics.In a church wedding the spiritual dimension of marriage is as important as the legal. It is the assumption of our congregation that those couples who choose to be married in the church are committed to the ideals of Christian marriage and wish to have a public affirmation of their desire for God's blessing upon their union. The minister would be pleased to discuss your questions with regard to Christian attitudes toward marriage and the ways in which they are reflected in the wedding service.

2. What do we need to do to get married in Mount Seymour United Church?
You will need a marriage licence. Call Enquiry BC for details at 1-800-663-7867.
Please call the church office (604 929-1336) to check church availability.
A $100 dollar deposit will be needed to secure the date you choose.
Call 604-929-1336 to arrange an initial meeting with our minister, Nancy Talbot. At least two meetings will be needed in order to plan the wedding service and to give you a chance to explore any questions you might have regarding Christian marriage.

3. What should we do about pre-marriage counseling?
The best form of pre-marriage counseling takes place in a group setting in which you can meet with other couples in a situation similar to your own and in which you take advantage of specialists in areas such as financial planning, family planning, communication and religion.Our church recommends a course run by The Marriage Project. It is expected that couples will enroll in this course; dates and costs are available through our church office. If you are enrolled in an Employee Assistance Program, the cost of this course may be covered.

4. Do you perform same sex marriages?
Gay and lesbian couples are welcome to have their wedding at Mount Seymour United Church. The minister will discuss alternatives to traditional marriage counseling if it seems more appropriate.

5. What do we do about a rehearsal?
Rehearsals are arranged in the initial meeting with the minister.

6. Who is the Wedding Co-coordinator?
The Wedding Co-coordinator is a member of our congregation who will help to facilitate arrangements regarding flowers in the church, wedding photographers, special needs of guests, ushers and the bridal party.

7. What are the regulations regarding photographs in the church?
Pictures may be taken during the processional, the recessional and while the register is being signed. In order to avoid the disruption caused by photographs during the service itself, guests should be asked not to take pictures. The couple may designate one person to take pictures without artificial light from a place in the sanctuary which does not interfere with the wedding service. One stationary video camera will be allowed to record the wedding.

8. Can we throw confetti?
Confetti is very difficult to clean up both inside and outside the church. We ask that wedding guests not throw confetti anywhere on the church property.

9. What do we do about music at the wedding?
The Music Minister of the church is available to help with the music arrangements for your wedding. Normally he or his appointee will play for your wedding. Arrangements for soloists or other musicians need to be made through the Music Director.

10. What costs are involved in having a wedding in the church?
To hold a wedding at Mount Seymour United Church we require a donation of $550.00. This covers the use of the Sanctuary, as well as the services of the Minister, Organist and Wedding Co-coordinator. Payment must be received one month before the ceremony. ($550.00 minus the $100.00 deposit).

You may drop off your deposit and payment at the church, or you can mail a cheque payable to Mount Seymour United Church to:

Mount Seymour United Church
1200 Parkgate Avenue,
North Vancouver, BC V7H 2X9

Music Director: Brian Tate
Wedding Coordinator: Doreen Thomson, 604- 929-5361

Baptisms:

Baptisms are scheduled during Sunday morning worship in consultation with our minister Rev. Nancy Talbot.
The United Church offers baptism to people of all ages. Baptism is a symbolic and public act to signify a desire to follow the way of Jesus, to belong to a church community and to acknowledge the unconditional love of God in which we have been created.

Baptism is the single rite of initiation into the Christian community, although people do not have to be baptized to participate in our community. Water is used to represent the new life received when one engages in an intentional spiritual journey.

As part of a baptism service, the parents of children being baptized or adults coming to be baptized, are asked to commit to a life of Christian faith. Our congregation pledges support for those being baptized.

To prepare for these commitments, those seeking baptism at Mount Seymour United Church (for their children or for themselves as adults), are requested to participate in baptism preparation. Please contact our minister Rev. Nancy Talbot at 604-929-1336 for further information regarding these sessions.

Funerals and Memorials

Mount Seymour United Church would like to be of help in your time of loss, by supporting you and your family in your grieving, and by assisting with arrangements that involve the church and its facilities. Our minister is available to be with you -- to listen, to pray, to simply be present, and to bear witness to the love of God in our living and in our dying.

They will also help in planning a service. A funeral service (with body and coffin present) or a memorial service (with or without cremated remains present) is an important way in which to honour your loved one, and to help family and friends acknowledge their loss. The minister will help you put together a worship service, discussing the eulogy or words of remembrance, Scripture readings, music and prayers, and other aspects of the service.

You do not have to be part of our church community. Please feel free to contact our Church Office or the Minister for further information.