Metropolitan United Church - Children

What is baptism?

Andrew Clarke — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 13:47:22 -0500

Baptism is a sacramental seal acknowledging our welcome into and acceptance of Christian life. In the United Church of Canada, baptism is one of the two sacraments that we celebrate, along with Holy Communion. At Metropolitan United Church, we baptize any who come to us seeking this sacrament, regardless of church association.

Baptism is not a requirement for God's love. We believe people who die without baptism are in no way condemned, lost, or damned.

CIC Youth Ensemble Rehearsal

Claire Sauve — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 09:04:33 -0400

Start: 2007-09-23 12:30

End: 2007-09-23 13:30

The CIC Youth Ensemble is Metropolitan's music group for youth ages 12 and older.

This ensemble rehearses on Sunday afternoons and sings a wide variety of music under the direction of composer-arranger and Metropolitan soloist Benjamin Stein.

Metropolitan Sparklers

Claire Sauve — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 09:00:46 -0400

Start: 2007-09-23 10:00

End: 2007-09-23 10:30

Our Music Group for children ages 4-6, The Metropolitan Sparklers, meet weekly in the nursery at 10:00am, before the Sunday Worship Service.

All are welcome!

Choristers Rehearsal

Claire Sauve — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 08:57:01 -0400

Start: 2007-09-23 09:45

End: 2007-09-23 10:15

The Metropolitan Choristers (ages 7-11) meet weekly, in the Dining Room. All are welcome!

K@MP (Kids at Met Performing) Day Camp for the Performing Arts

Patricia Wright — Thu, 17 May 2007 10:47:44 -0400

Start: 2007-08-27 09:00

End: 2007-08-31 15:30

Metropolitan presents its third K@MP (Kids at Met Performing) - a day camp for the performing arts from August 27-31. Children ages 4-6 participate for the morning (9 am to noon), children ages 7-11 and youth ages 12 up participate for the full day until 3:30 p.m. Participants will sing, dance, play instruments, act - and present a brief show on Friday, August 31 at 11 a.m. Teachers include Metropolitan singers Alison Roy, Benjamin Stein, Christina Stelmacovich and also teacher/dancer Markus Howard.

Carol Matthews

Andrew Clarke — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 16:04:47 -0400

Carol Matthews is the leader of the Metropolitan Sparklers, a music education group for children aged 4-6 that meets every Sunday. Carol comes to Toronto via New York and the western US. She has a Ph.D. in music composition from City University of New York, and has taught at University of Oregon, Hunter College in New York, the University of Wisconsin Centre at Wausau, and Boise State University in Idaho.

How do I go about arranging a baptism?

Andrew Clarke — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 13:46:11 -0500

If you're interested in holding a baptism at Metropolitan United Church, you will need to have a meeting with one of our ministers. They will review the significance of baptism for your child (or for yourself). Through baptism, a person is welcomed into the Christian faith and develops a relationship with a Faith Community. Baptism can hold tremendous significance for the parent as well. If you are new to Met, we hope that you will find this to be a time filled with potential for you to discover a relationship with the Met community.

Do I have to be a member of Metropolitan United Church or the United Church of Canada to have a baptism there?

Andrew Clarke — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 13:40:46 -0500

No, you do not need to be a member of Metropolitan United Church to have a baptismal service.

Do both my partner and I have to be practicing Christians to have our child baptized at Metropolitan?

Andrew Clarke — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 13:39:11 -0500

No. Both parents do not have to be practicing Christians to have your child baptized at Metropolitan.

You may also want to consider the option of a Celebration of Birth, which is almost the same as a baptism without the trinitarian formula. This rite of passage enables a family who may blend Christianity with another faith tradition to bring a blessing to their newborn without compromising the belief system of either parent.

Is there a charge for the baptismal ceremony?

Andrew Clarke — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 13:00:28 -0500

No. There is no cost for the baptismal ceremony.