Baptism
is one of the sacraments (an outward sign that conveys an inward, spiritual grace through Christ) of the Christian Church. It is the sign by which the Spirit of God joins people to Jesus Christ and incorporates them into his body, the Church. Baptism is a gift of God’s grace (God’s unmerited favour overwhelming generous freely given love) to the church – and as such, is a significant sign of God’s love for us all, irrespective of age. We often baptise babies as God’s grace is for us all, even when we don’t understand it. It is also open for children, teenagers and adults, if they have not already been baptised. Croydon Uniting Church would be delighted to have a conversation with you about baptism for your baby, your children or yourself. Click here to download the
Baptism Leaflet (PDF)
.
Confirmation
is a significant act in a person’s life of faith, as a public commitment to the purposes of God and an acknowledgment of reliance on God. It is an act of public acknowledgment and recognition of the promises made by ourselves or by others on our behalf at baptism. Confirmation follows Baptism: for many this occurs many years after infant baptism, and for others baptism and confirmation will occur as part of the same act of worship and commitment. Click here for the
Confirmation Leaflet (PDF)
.
Marriage
The Christian celebration of marriage is an act of worship, an expression of the church’s offering of the whole of life to God. It is a pastoral occasion in which the community of faith shares in the joy of the couple. It is an evangelical occasion in which those who have come to witness the marriage may be challenged by the implications of the Christian faith.
Croydon Uniting Church position on marriage
Posted: Wednesday, December 19, 2018 by Peter Mallen
The issues of marriage and sexuality have been discussed in the Uniting Church since the mid 1990s. Following the Federal Government’s decision to legalise same-sex marriage in late 2017, there was much interest in the discussion around marriage at the recent 15thAssembly of the Uniting church held in Melbourne in July 2018.
The decisions reached at the most recent Assembly meeting must therefore be seen as part of a much longer conversation. Within the Uniting Church it has long been recognised that there is a diversity of beliefs and cultural understandings of marriage. This is reflected in the Assembly’s resolution to accept two statements of belief – the traditional view that marriage is between a man and a woman, and the alternative view that marriage is between two people.
The responsibility of whether to marry any two people who request marriage according to the rites of the Uniting Church has been given to Ministers, as has always been the case. A second responsibility – whether to allow such marriages on church property – has been given to Church Councils.
The current Minister at Croydon Uniting Church, Rev Dr Peter Mallen, has indicated his willingness to consider conducting marriage for any two people, depending on their faith commitment. The Church Council has decided to allow such marriages to occur on church property.
If anyone has questions about these decisions – whether those taken by the Assembly of the Uniting Church or at the local level here at Croydon – they are invited to speak with the Minister or the Chair of the Church Council.
Tags: Marriage
Further information about marriage in the Uniting Church is available by contacting our minister.