Baptisms
It is with great joy that Southminster Presbyterian Church baptizes both children and adults. Baptism is an initiation into the Household of Faith; through baptism, a person becomes a member of the Body of Christ. As such, baptism is a significant milestone that marks our identity as Christians. Parent(s)* seeking baptism for their child or infant shall be members of Southminster Presbyterian Church or of another Christian church. As members of the church family, we undertake the responsibility of supporting those we baptize in their education and nurture them in the Christian faith.
All interested in receiving the holy sacrament of baptism will meet with the pastor. The next step will be to meet with Session (the governing body of Southminster Church). ** The purpose of these meetings is to welcome you into the covenant Church family in a personal way. Our desire is to acquaint you with what God is doing through the act of baptism.
* or one(s) rightly exercising parental authority.
** If accommodations to meeting with the Session pose a difficulty, requests may be made to the pastor and reviewed by Session.
Weddings
Congratulations on your wedding!! We rejoice in your decision to take this significant step in having God bless your relationship. Marriage is a gift from God. The wedding service is a time not only to be supported by your family and friends when you make your commitment, but to ask God to bless your marriage. We consider a wedding to be a service of worship to God and a response to God’s love for us in Jesus Christ.
Because of the value we place on worship and community, we ask that you and your fiancé attend at least one regular Sunday worship service with us before your wedding day and schedule a meeting with the pastor where you will receive a copy of our Marriage Manual.
Non-Member Wedding Fees: Pastor $300 Use of Church $750* Custodian $75 Wedding Coordinator (mandatory) $250 Church Organist $200 Church Organist Consultation, if needed $50 * Deposit of $200 payable at first meeting with the pastor. All other fees are payable at the Wedding Rehearsal. Checks for Use of Church, Bulletins, and Use of Fellowship Hall are to be made to Southminster Presbyterian Church. Remaining checks should be made to the individual providing the service. If finances are a problem, please share that with the pastor.
Funerals
We extend our love to all who mourn. Please call Pastor Wendy Boden. Church: 630.469.9149 Home: 630.790.0487, Cell: 630.917.6033. Prayer support is available at all times. She is available to pray with family and friends before, during and after the time of death.
Funerals and memorial services are worship services that focus on God’s love and the promise of Resurrection. Scripture readings, prayers, music, and reflections ought to honor this fact. As soon as possible after a death, family members or friends should arrange a meeting with the pastor to plan the service. Typically, such a meeting takes about an hour. The pastor is willing to meet you in your home or in her office.
How can we memorialize our loved ones?
Memorial Bricks / Benches / Trees
The purpose of the Memorial Garden at Southminster Presbyterian Church is to provide an inspirational area that honors members and friends of the church family. It is not intended to exclude anyone. Therefore, anyone who wishes to purchase a brick, a bench or a tree may do so for anyone. The Property Committee will ensure the inscriptions conform to church standards as to content and appropriateness.
The Property Committee receives a request and the funds to purchase a brick, a bench or a tree. A Property Committee representative works with the donor to make sure the inscription conforms to standards. (Examples: name, date of birth and death; In loving memory of name; name only; The name Family) Bricks are etched on a yearly basis and placed in the Memorial Patio. A record of the Memorial Bricks and their location in the garden is being kept in the church. Donors will be invited to an annual service held on the patio in memory of those commemorated.
What is the Southminster ashes policy?
Southminster Presbyterian Church will allow the distribution of cremated human remains on the property with the approval of the Session. If interested, please contact the pastor for more information and to initiate the process. The pastor will then forward the distribution request to the Session for final approval.
There is no fee for the distribution of ashes. The Church invites those wishing to do so to contribute to the Memorial Garden Fund.
The Church reserves the right to make alterations to the church property as needed.