Weddings/Funerals/Baptisms

Weddings At Trinity United

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. At Trinity United Church Gravenhurst, we believe in the sacredness of marriage and would be happy to be part of your special day. Trinity is an Affirming Church, and as such welcomes all couples, and celebrates your love for one another and desire to make a commitment, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. This inclusive faith community respects each individual’s culture, religious and or spiritual background. Our minister Rev. Carol-Ann Chapman would be happy to work together with you to create a personal and meaningful service. All weddings onsite are to be conducted by Trinity’s minister. If unavailable for your chosen date, an alternate officiant will be contacted and agreed upon with the couple.

Planning Your Service

  1. If you are interested in using the church’s sanctuary for your service, please call the Church Office at 705-687-2542 to see if the day and time you wish to be married is available.
  2. Make a preliminary meeting with the minister to discuss your plans. We suggest that you come to a 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship service and talk with the Minister afterward. This gives you a chance to see the Sanctuary, and to observe the Minister’s style of worship leadership.
  3. The minister is also available for offsite weddings and will travel to both the rehearsal and the wedding service. You may contact Rev. Carol-Ann Here.
  4. An initial meeting will take place where the couple and the minister will get to know each other and have a general discussion about the hopes and dreams for the wedding.
  5. The couple is responsible for obtaining an Ontario wedding license. Licenses can be obtained on-line Here or at their local municipal office. Licences are valid for only 90 days once issued.
  6. About one month prior to the wedding, a second meeting will take place between the minister and the couple to plan and personalize your service. At that time, a rehearsal time will be scheduled.
  7. If you are wanting a pianist or organist, please discuss this with the minister.
  8. Consider if you would like the use of sound equipment (microphones or speakers,) recording equipment, screens or having a printed program.
  9. Livestreaming onto our YouTube channel is available and can be recorded. This will be done from a single camera on the balcony. Livestreaming requires that the services of a sound operator also be reserved. (See fee schedule)
  10. Please review fee schedule for all services prior to final planning as fees are due prior to the ceremony.

Before your ceremony

  1. Depending upon the availability of the space and the minister, a rehearsal is normally scheduled on the day before the service.
  2. Plan to decorate at the time of the rehearsal. Fresh flowers may be delivered to the church Monday to Friday between 9 and 1 or one hour before the actual service if necessary.
  3. The couple are responsible for bringing the marriage license to the rehearsal if on site or if offsite, on the wedding day.
  4. All church fees to be paid in full prior to the wedding day. Please pay the minister directly in cash.

On the Day of Your Ceremony

Arrival

The minister will be on site 1 hour before the service. Attendants responsible for greeting and seating guests should arrive 30 minutes before the service. The couple should be on the premises by the starting time of the ceremony. On occasion, a guest will be delayed, however out of respect for the minister, staff and your other guests, the starting time will be delayed no more than 15 minutes. To avoid anyone missing out, some wedding invitations will include an arrival and a starting time.

Photography:

Guests may take pictures, as directed by the couple being married, in consultation with the couple’s photographer/videographer.  It is recommended that guests prioritize taking photos during the processional, recessional and signing of documents, to be able to fully celebrate in the marriage worship service. A designated photographer and guests may take pictures during the ceremony but must be discreet. All designated photographers/videographers should clarify plans with the couple and alert the minister prior to the ceremony.

Decoration/Flowers:

Decorations and flowers are the responsibility of the wedding couple.  Decorations and flowers used to decorate the sanctuary should be brought to the church by family or someone taking responsibility for flowers being set up and removed following the service. Any seasonal decorations currently in place in the sanctuary (i.e. Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter) will remain in place. Please note that the use of confetti, rice, birdseed or other similar materials is not permitted in the building or on the church property.

Important Note:

The following conditions must be met to avoid cancellation or postponement of your wedding ceremony: in possession of the Marriage License, fees paid on time, presence of two witnesses 18 years of age or older, the intended couple and/or all witnesses must not be or be suspected to be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

After the Wedding

  • You will receive a portion of the marriage license for your records.
  • The minister will mail the completed marriage licence to be registered with the Province of Ontario.
  • If the couple wishes to have an official certificate, they must apply to the province after it has been registered. Registration may take from 10 to 12 weeks.
  • Feel free to contact the minister if you have any questions. She’d be happy to hear from you.
Wedding Policy

Funerals/Memorials At Trinity United

Preparing for a funeral and dealing with the death of one we love is a difficult time. We experience deep feelings, and the community of faith can be an important support in the grieving process and in planning the funeral service. Traditionally all funeral planning was done through the Funeral Home, but more and more people are looking to the church for alternative options. The coordination of a funeral takes the time and talents of many. It requires someone to oversee the process and additional help for things such as streaming live or recording the service and slide shows. The attached fee schedule reflects the assistance needed to plan a funeral without the services of a funeral home. Funerals that will include the presence of a casket must be arranged through a licensed Funeral Home. A funeral or memorial service is a service of worship to give thanks for the life as we grieve our loss. Drawing on our faith we are empowered by our hope of resurrection, which enables us to face death, offer thanksgiving for the gift of life and celebrate our Christian hope. Whatever decisions you make, may you be reminded that you are not alone, and that your church family are companions for this difficult journey. May God bless you and give you the strength and courage in the days and weeks to come.

Contacting the Minister

The current minister conducts all on site funerals and should be contacted first. If Trinity’s minister is unavailable, an alternate minister will be suggested. Trinity welcomes the participation of other clergy, readers, family and friends in consultation with the family. Once the funeral time has been booked (If the service is to be held at the church) then it may be turned over to the Funeral Coordinator, leaving the minister to focus on the officiating of the service and meeting with the family. *Services that will include the presence of the casket must be arranged through a licensed Funeral Home. Such funerals require the expertise of a Funeral Director who has the experience and resources to ensure all details are looked after.

Interments Committals may be done at the end of the service or held at a later date to be arranged with the minister.

Visitation

Visitations at the church may occur up to one hour before the service. For additional visitation times held at Trinity, applicable fees will apply. The funeral home usually offers visitation the day of or evening before the funeral.

Music

Trinity’s music director will be the first choice for organ or piano music. If for some reason they are unable to participate, an alternate will be contacted. Soloists may be available as well. Recorded music may be played as an alternative.

Video Arrangements

If requested, a video operator can be booked for the purpose of streaming the service via the video system in the sanctuary.

Custodial Arrangements

The custodian will be contacted and have the building open two hours before the service time. The custodian will make sure the heat is on ahead of time, as well as windows open or fans on, according to seasonal temperature.

Grief Counselling and Pastoral Care

The minister will normally provide pastoral care before and after the funeral service. If the family requests additional support, the minister can refer individuals to support groups and counsellors.

Bulletin/Order of Service Printing

If requested, bulletins or order of service can be arranged through the church office.

Flowers and Memorial Items

Flowers should be brought in shortly before the service (two hours) and removed following the service. The family is welcome to leave one or two arrangements for the sanctuary. Appropriate memorial items are welcomed; however, the family must talk to the minister about placement and quantity of items while keeping dignity and decorum in mind.

Fees

Please review fee schedule for all services prior to final planning as fees are due prior to the service.

Funeral Policy

Baptisms At Trinity United

Baptism is a Christian sacrament of admission and adoption and celebrated by Gravenhurst Trinity United Church. There are people both young and sometimes old that might want to be baptized. It is the responsibility of the church to be there for anyone who wants to make this special step in their life to start a new journey of faith. It’s a visible sign of God’s grace and is a decision between the family and/or candidate and God. When children are baptized, parents make a commitment on their behalf. Inherent in infant or child’s baptism is the expectation that the children will confirm their faith (and membership) when they’re old enough to decide for themselves. All baptisms are to be conducted by Trinity’s minister. If unavailable for your chosen date, an alternate officiant will be contacted and agreed upon with the family and/or candidate.

Planning Your Service

  1. If you are interested in our baptism sacrament, please call the Church Office at 705-687-2542 to see if the day and time you wish is available.
  2. Complete the attached information form for each child or candidate and send to the church office or email Office
  3. Make a preliminary meeting with the minister to discuss your plans. We suggest that you come to a 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship service and talk with the Minister afterward. This gives you a chance to see the Sanctuary, and to observe the Minister’s style of worship leadership. You may contact Rev. Carol-Ann Here.
  4. Livestreaming onto our YouTube channel is done each week and is recorded. This will be done from a single camera on the balcony.

On the Day of Your Baptism

Arrival

The minister will be on site 1 hour before the service. The family and/ or candidate should be on the premises by the starting time of the ceremony.

Bulletins

Bulletins are printed a few days prior to the Sunday service. Names of candidates will be printed in the bulletin, unless otherwise indicated.

Photography:

Guests may take pictures, as directed by the family and/or candidate, in consultation with the Minister.  It is recommended that guests do not take pictures during the sacrament as to be able to fully celebrate in the worship service. A designated photographer and guests may take pictures during the sacrament but must be discreet. All designated photographers/videographers should clarify plans with the family and/or candidate and alert the minister prior to the ceremony.

Flowers:

Any seasonal decorations currently in place in the sanctuary (i.e. Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter) will remain in place. Flowers are the responsibility of the family and/or candidate, if desired.  Flowers used to decorate the sanctuary should be brought to the church by family or someone taking responsibility for flowers being set up and removed following the service.

After the Baptism

  • The minister will update the baptismal records at Gravenhurst Trinity United Church.
  • There is space available to rent for anyone who wants to hold a private event, after the baptism. The family and visitors are welcome to join us afterwards during coffee hour. You are also welcome to provide special refreshments to share such as a baptismal cake or cupcakes.
  • Feel free to contact the minister if you have any questions. She’d be happy to hear from you.
Baptism Policy