Baptism

By Rev. Julie Halstead One of the things I most cherish about West End United Methodist Church is our tradition and intentionality in worship. Clergy, staff, musicians and laity come together to plan and craft services that are experiential, inspirational and transformational—all moving us closer to Jesus Christ as we worship God within our beautiful sanctuary.
Recently, a taskforce spent a number of Sunday afternoons in intense theological dialogue concerning our baptismal liturgy and its placement and praxis within worship. I believe as members, you would be proud of the intentionality and thoroughness of the group: David Bone, Mark Huffman, Ann Pickens, Lee Warren, Leon Rader, Dr. David Lowes Watson and myself. Ever mindful that as one of the two sacraments of the church, we poured over the present baptism policies, liturgy and movement within the service. During General Conference this past year, we were directed to make some changes, and we took this opportunity to polish this gem, which is a central piece to our life in community with one another as Christians, particularly United Methodist Christians, at West End.
We have the great pleasure of introducing the few changes in a great way during an upcoming Sunday as we baptize the Schuman twins, Jonah and Micah, sons of Theodore and Tessa Schuman. You will notice that we will have the babies and parents standing by the baptismal font, and will lay hands on the infants from that position so the congregation can visually participate. The liturgy itself comes from the Baptismal Covenant found in our United Methodist hymnal, providing a connection and continuity to other churches throughout the denomination.
The Apostle’s Creed is part of this liturgy, and therefore on services containing baptisms, there won’t be a need for another creed elsewhere in the service. All congregational responses will be printed in the bulletin. The presiding clergyperson will carry the child/children to the center of the aisle among the congregation for part of this liturgy, symbolic of our covenant together to raise these children responsibly within the church family. Not only do these slight changes improve the sight line, but also make the congregation more inclusive in the ritual as we uphold the integrity, traditions and authority of The Church. The debut of these changes will take place during the 11 o’clock service on April 26th. It is our prayer that we will witness, as our new wordage at the end of our membership vows state, and in doing so, “in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ,” and in doing so, the body will be edified.
More information about Baptism at West End UMC:
Baptism has been a practice of the Christian fellowship since its earliest days. Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized. His baptism marked the beginning of his ministry. When the church began its ministry of preaching on the day of Pentecost, the Apostles called upon those who believe in Jesus to "repent and be baptized." From that time on baptism has been the accepted sign of entrance into the Christian life and fellowship.
Baptism is one of the two sacraments recognized in The United Methodist Church. The other is Holy Communion. A sacrament is most satisfactorily defined as "an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual truth." It is sometimes called "the acted out Word of God" in contrast to the written Word of God (the Scriptures) and the spoken Word of God (sermon, music). A sacrament is a part of the church's ministry by which the gospel of Jesus Christ is communicated and shared. Through the sacraments the Church proclaims, celebrates and communicates the gospel. Baptism is not a private act of individuals but an act of the Church on behalf of God.
Baptism is a sign of "the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ." Grace means unmerited, unearned favor; it means freely given love. The fundamental truth of the gospel is that "God loved us first."
Baptism is also the act of entrance into the Christian fellowship. By baptism we are initiated into Christ's Holy Church and marked as disciples (learners and followers) of Jesus Christ.
Youth and adults may receive Christian baptism after meeting with one of our pastors. These baptisms are usually scheduled on a "New Member Sunday" or at the time of confirmation, though other times are acceptable also.
An infant's baptism usually takes place when the child is about three months old, but any age is acceptable. Soon after the birth or adoption of a child, parents are encouraged to contact the Congregational Relationship Steward at (615.321.8500, ext. 8822) to schedule the child's baptism. When the baptism is scheduled, an appointment to talk to the officiating minister is also scheduled to discuss the specifics of the service.
All baptisms are celebrated during one of the two regular worship services on Sunday mornings (8:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.). Baptisms are not scheduled on Communion Sundays and several other Sundays during the year such as Easter.

Funerals and Memorial Services

Death is a universal experience of life ...

Death is a universal experience of life. A significant aspect of the ministry of your staff at West End United Methodist Church is to join with you in facing death. Your ministers offer their presence at any time of crisis and especially when death is imminent or has occurred. In the event of death they want to be called at any hour.

Funerals and Memorial Services

A Christian funeral (when the body is present) or memorial service (when the body is not present) is an opportunity for believing people to gather in faith to praise God for the gift of life. It is also an opportunity to ask God for strength and courage to accept death.

The church seeks to help its members express their faith in their response to death as well as in their daily lives.

Death presents an occasion for the church to unite in the celebration of the victory of faith. There will be mourning but the mourner is under girded by the fellowship of the people of God.

A Guide for Members

The following suggestions are presented to guide members of West End United Methodist Church in the hope that in time of death each shall be helped in making the event an occasion for expressing faith in the God of life and death.

In the event of death, contact a minister of the church. During the day, you may call the Congregational Relationship Steward (615.321.8500, ext. 8822). You will be put in contact with a minister. If you call the church at night, an automated answering machine will tell you how to contact the minister in case of an emergency. Please do not hesitate to call regardless of the hour.

The funeral arrangements include consideration of time and place of the funeral and committal, the order of worship, and any verses of scripture of pieces of music that are particularly meaningful to the family. These arrangements should be completed with the help of the minister before information is given to the press and before the funeral director proceeds with plans.

Members of the church are encouraged to hold the funeral or memorial service in either the Sanctuary or Scales Chapel. The supporting faith of the Gospel can best be received where the Gospel is regularly proclaimed and where the symbols of the faith make it vivid. Wherever the funeral is conducted, church, home, funeral chapel or graveside, it is to be a service of Christian worship.

Music is a vital part of the service and should be carefully selected in consultation with the pastor and the Minister of Music. Some people find it comforting to make arrangements for their services well in advance, while they are still vital and healthy, often as an extension of their decision to sign a "Living Will." A pastor or the Minister of Music can guide you through the process of choosing your favorite hymns, service music, and/or scripture passages. A copy of the service you plan will be kept in the private files of the pastor or Minister of Music. This can be a tremendous help to your family.

The use of flowers is appropriate, but not necessary. If you choose to purchase flowers, they should look the same as the flowers used on Sunday mornings. Funeral arrangements sent to the church by family and friends will be placed in Reed Hall.

The church offers, to those who may desire its use, a pall to cover the casket. It is placed over the casket before it enters the sanctuary or chapel and remains on the casket during the service. The pall symbolizes the common humanity we share in death. No flowers are placed upon the pall.

The casket should be in place one hour prior to the service. The casket is not opened.

The rites of lodges, fraternal, social and civic groups are separate activities. They are not held in the sanctuary or chapel.

The "Order for the Burial of the Dead" as found in the Book of Worship of the United Methodist Church is the basis upon which the funeral service is planned.

Reed Hall may be reserved for receiving and greeting friends before or after the service. If a large number of people are expected McWhirter Hall is also available.

Members of the Funeral Committee will be present to help people who may not be familiar with our building find their way around.

There are no charges for the use of the sanctuary or chapel for funeral or memorial services. There are no fees for the minister or staff or organist. Such service is fulfillment of their vocation in the church. If a soloist is requested, the Minister of Music will let you know how much that person should be paid.

The Columbarium at West End

The Columbarium at West End, available for West End members and their families, and comprised of 240 niches (each niche will hold up to four urns) is located in the cloistered, courtyard garden.

A family or individual may select an entire niche or reserve the individual spaces within a niche.

Each space will have an engraved brass plate with the name of the person buried there, as well as the dates of their birth and death.

The columbarium at West End is operated and maintained by the Board of Trustees of West End United Methodist Church.

Arrangements can be made in advance to reserve space within the Columbarium at West End.

Great care has been taken to insure that the fees are reasonable.

Specific information about fees, reserving spaces and other important details are available from the Church Administrator's office.

Holy Communion at West End

By Beverly Madron

Why do we take communion on the first Sunday of each month? The short answer is because it’s convenient and easier to remember than “every third Sunday that comes after a full moon” or some such equally obscure pattern. John Wesley recommended taking communion as often as possible (he took it three to seven times a week).

Many UMC congregations–including West End--have settled on once a month, plus additional services on special days such as Maundy Thursday and Christmas. Is there significance in holding our hands out to receive communion or is it just a way of knowing who has been served? In many smaller congregations, communicants come to the communion rail in groups, are served, and then dismissed with a blessing as a group. At West End, individuals are welcome to stay at the communion rail as long as they like; there is no dismissal. So our open hands do indicate that we are ready to be served. In addition, they show that we are open, ready, and willing to receive not only the elements of communion but also the Holy Spirit through the sacrament. What are the two communion rituals? Where do they come from? The liturgy referred to as the “Cramer” is a traditional service based on liturgy from The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the two denominations that merged to make the United Methodist Church. Its roots are in an even older version used by the Church of England. The “Word and Table” liturgy is a more contemporary service that has been in use since the 1990s. In both services, “the actions of Jesus Christ in the Upper Room are reenacted: taking the bread and cup, giving thanks over the bread and cup, breaking the bread, and giving the bread and cup.” [The United Methodist Book of Worship, p. 15] Different congregational and choral responses are used within this basic pattern, and some prayers–for example, the “Great Thanksgiving”–may be modified to reflect the current liturgical season. Why do we use grape juice instead of wine? From The United Methodist Book of Worship, p. 28: “Although the historic and ecumenical Christian practice has been to use wine, the use of unfermented grape juice by The United Methodist Church and its predecessors since the late nineteenth century expresses pastoral concern for recovering alcoholics, enables the participation of children and youth, and supports the church’s witness of abstinence.” The l965 version of The Book of Worship (p. 15) was more explicit and briefer: “The pure, unfermented juice of the grape shall be used.” The Lord’s Supper, the Last Supper, the Eucharist, Holy Communion ---- which term is correct? All refer to the re-enactment of the actions of Jesus Christ in the Upper Room. The United Methodist Church formally uses The Lord’s Supper and Holy Communion. The meal was first referred to as “the Lord’s Supper” in I Corinthians 11:20 and includes the words of institution: “Do this in remembrance of me.” “The Lord’s Supper” is applied to all the Synoptic Gospels, even though the words of institution are not found in Mark and Matthew. The Gospel of John also lacks the words of institution, and his description of the meal is referred to as The Last Supper. Eucharist has been used since the discovery of “The Teaching of the Lord to the Gentiles by the Twelve Apostles” in the late nineteenth century, a document referred to as Didache (teaching) that sheds light on the growth of the early church at the end of the New Testament time.

Weddings

General Policies & Information

A wedding is a sacred ritual in our church. Members of West End and children of West End members are welcome to be married here. This information is prepared in the hope that it will help you in the planning for one of the most significant events of your life.

Our ministers counsel with each bridal couple before the ceremony. You will want to contact the officiating minister early in your planning to schedule counseling at mutually convenient times.

The music staff at West End is responsible for all wedding music. The Minister of Music (615.321.8500, ext. 8820) must be contacted soon after the wedding is scheduled so that ample time is allowed for this important aspect of the ceremony.

A member of the Wedding Committee of West End Church will meet with the bride prior to the wedding to provide any assistance and guidance necessary.

A committee member will also be present the day of the ceremony to insure that all the details go smoothly. This eliminates any need for a commercial wedding consultant.

Scheduling

The wedding and the rehearsal must be scheduled through the Administrative Assistant to Worship and Music (615.321.8500, ext. 8832) as to the day and hour of each as well as any desired changes in date or time.

Weddings will not be performed at West End on these days: New Year's Eve; New Year's Day; Palm Sunday; any day during Holy Week (including the day before Easter); Easter Day; the Fourth of July; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; Sundays.

Ministers and Ceremony

One of the ministers of West End must perform the marriage ceremony. Either the "traditional" liturgy or a "contemporary" service -- recently adopted by our denomination -- may be used.

Music

A West End organist will provide the music for weddings in the sanctuary or chapel. Music selections must be appropriate for a service of worship at West End United Methodist Church and must be approved by the music staff.

Photography and Decorations

There are policies regarding photographs, motion pictures, or videotaping in the church as well as ones regarding decorations. Your wedding hostess will discuss these with you.

Receptions

McWhirter Hall is the designated area for church receptions. Reed Hall may be available for a small number of guests.

Arrangements must be made through the Administrative Assistant to Worship and Music (615.321.8500, ext. 8832) for the kitchen and social hall.

No alcoholic beverages may be served or consumed on church property.

Fees

You will be sent a wedding fee schedule when you schedule your wedding.