Religious Services
Sunday Services
From September through May, there are two services each Sunday in the nave, at 9:15 and 11:00 a.m. We hold Children’s Church School during both services and also have a Nursery Department for babies and toddlers during both services. You may obtain text-only hymnbooks in the back pew rack and assistive hearing devices and children’s activity folders in the narthex, outside the nave. The nave is wheelchair accessible, through the northwest door off the Warren Road parking lot and via the Dunvegan Road entrance.
All-Ages Family Worship
An all-ages, family-style worship service is held at 9:15 on Sunday mornings. These weekly services provide a wonderful opportunity for children, teens and adults to celebrate in worship together. The format incorporates various styles of worship music, jazz, Celtic, gospel and global rhythms, with an emphasis on the participation of children and youth. Dress is casual.
a new midweek contemporary service on the first Wednesday of the month
7:00 to 7:30 pm in the Auditorium
Music from Timothy Eaton’s Contemporary Band
Worship leader: The Rev. David McMaster
Message: The Rev. Dr. Andrew Stirling
Sacrament of Holy Communion
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper will be held:
Oct. 7, 2012 (Worldwide Communion Sunday);
Dec. 24, 2012 (Christmas Eve, 10 p.m.);
Dec. 25, 2012 (Christmas Day, 10 a.m.);
Jan. 6, 2013 (Epiphany, 11 a.m. only);
Mar. 24, 2013 (Palm Sunday);
Holy Communion will also be celebrated at 12:15 p.m. in the West Chapel on the first Sunday of the month, when the Sacrament has not been celebrated that day during morning worship. To find out about Communion for the sick or shut-in, contact The Rev. Dr. Jean Hunnisett at ext. 232.
Sacrament of Holy Baptism
Children will be baptized on Sept. 23 and at 9:15 and 11 a.m., and on June 9 at 11 a.m. only. We ordinarily require that at least one parent belong to TEMC or be a baptized and confirmed Christian. We ask baptizing parents to attend the orientation meeting held at the church prior to each baptism (Sept. 16, and June 2), at 12:30 p.m. Family Circle baptisms are also available to accommodate special circumstances. Adults are baptized on request on New Members’ Sundays. Contact Sonya Swainsbury at ext. 224 to make all baptism arrangements.
Youth Confirmation
Preparation for Youth Confirmation is open to young people in grades 7 and 8. Youth Confirmation Classes are held once each month on selected Monday evenings.
Confirmation Sunday is May 26, 2013.
The participation of all confirmands is also expected in the new 9:15 a.m. Sunday service.
Reception of New Members
Do you wish to become a member of TEMC? Plan to attend one of the following orientation sessions, followed by a special service of welcome into the congregation:
Thursday, November 29 (7 – 9 pm)
Reception of New Members: December 9
Thursday, May 15 (7 – 9 pm)
Reception of New Members: May 26
Questions about membership? Call Sonya Swainsbury at ext. 224.
Weddings
Contact Joanne Leatch, TEMC’s Wedding Co-ordinator, at ext. 230.
Funerals and Memorial Services
The Pastoral Care Department looks after all arrangements. In the event of a death or an impending death, call The Rev. Dr. Jean Hunnisett at ext. 232.
Protocols for Baptisms, Funerals and Weddings
Introduction:
• The protocols as outlined provide a general overview for each ceremony.
• For non-members it is proposed that Council will support all decisions of the TEMC ministerial team.
• For members only, if a member disagrees with a ministerial decision to perform a ceremony, the member can appeal this decision to the Appeals Committee of Council. This committee will include the Senior Officer and Vice Chair of Council, Treasurer, Vice Chair of Trustees, Chair of M & P, Chair of Membership and a member of the ministerial team. The ministerial team member will be a non-voting member and will not be the same minister who gave the decision being appealed. Majority rule governs any decision by the Appeals Committee of Council and a quorum (consisting of 50 per cent of the members) is required for all decisions. The committee will ensure all options have been considered and come to a consensus. It may be appropriate during the consideration of a specific appeal, for the Appeals Committee of Council to request consideration by the ministerial team of a specific outside clergy conducting a ceremony at TEMC with or without the presence of TEMC clergy.
• The ministerial team will review with Council any proposed ceremonies at TEMC that represent a different course of action than defined in these protocols.
Baptisms:
• The family contacts the church. One parent must have been baptized, as a precondition of offering baptism to a child. The presiding minister asked to conduct a ceremony will make the initial decision on whether or not to proceed, and will consult with his or her ministerial colleagues if thought advisable.
• The Communications Coordinator gathers routine information in order to produce liturgy and the baptism certificate.
• The Minister of Youth leads an orientation session for parents a week prior to the baptism.
• The Senior Officer is contacted to determine availability to participate in the worship service.
• Once the baptism is performed, it is recorded in the Baptismal Register by the Communications Coordinator.
• Family circle (or private) baptisms are also performed in special circumstances. This allows parents the opportunity to hold a baptism in the East or West Chapel after an 11:00 a.m. Sunday service.
• Baptisms are performed in special circumstances at the discretion of the Minister of Pastoral Care.
• The presiding minister orients the parents and performs the baptism.
• Adult baptisms are performed occasionally as part of Sunday morning services and are accompanied by Confirmation.
Funerals:
• The Minister of Pastoral Care (or other clergy member) is contacted by a funeral home or family.
• The presiding minister determines the availability of the church and assumes responsibility for the coordination of the funeral.
• If the deceased and family have not been associated with the church there is consultation amongst the ministerial team regarding the appropriateness of holding a church funeral.
• A family interview is conducted prior to the service.
• The presiding minister makes arrangements with the sextons, music team and the Communications Coordinator to ensure that everything is ready for the service.
• Grief counselling is made available or a Stephen Minister assigned if requested after the funeral.
Weddings:
• The Wedding Coordinator receives a request for a wedding.
• A meeting is scheduled with the Wedding Coordinator to orient them to the process.
• Availability of the church is confirmed with the Director of Property.
• Clergy is contacted and a meeting is set up with the presiding minister as soon as possible.
• The presiding minister meets with the couple and determines whether or not to approve the wedding. This decision is based on pastoral, theological or legal criteria. Members may appeal decisions as provided in the Introduction.
• The Wedding Coordinator arranges for the completion of the marriage license and coordinates with the music team and sextons.
