Weddings, Baptisms & Memorials

WEDDINGS

We welcome all couples who want to make their wedding vows in the context of a Christian worship service, with prayers, scripture readings, music, and blessings. You do not have to be a member of our congregation to be married here. Divorced persons and persons of different religious backgrounds are welcome.

As an Open & Affirming Congregation, we celebrate the love and commitment of people.

Please contact us for more information.

BAPTISMS

At First United Church of Christ, we welcome both children and adults to the sacrament of baptism with water and the Holy Spirit. With baptism, we celebrate God’s abundant love and grace, and we mark an important moment in the journey of faith. As part of this tradition, the church expresses its support and care to the individuals being baptized and their families.

Baptisms are usually celebrated during our Sunday worship service, and the act of baptism itself is performed by marking the forehead with water. Families and sponsors (or Godparents), are invited to come forward with the candidate for the rite of baptism. If you are interested in baptism for your child or yourself, please be in touch with either of our ministers.

MEMORIALS & FUNERALS

First UCC is honored to conduct funerals and memorial services. Family members and/or friends are invited to meet with the minister to plan the service. While some arrangements are typically made through a funeral director, the memorial service or funeral itself is a worship service, under the direction of the minister.

The church maintains a Memorial Garden in our central courtyard for the burial of cremated remains. Ashes are put directly into the earth, without individual markers. Names of those buried in the garden are on a plaque in the hallway adjacent to the door to the courtyard.
For more information on holding a memorial or funeral at First UCC, please contact one of our ministers.

If you would like to give a memorial gift to First UCC in honor of someone who has died, there are two options:

    • Check made payable to First UCC with a note on the memo line that indicates the person being memorialized. This may be dropped off at the church, given at the service, or mailed to 300 Union Street, Northfield, MN 55057.
    • Donate online here. Scroll down to the field labeled “Unrestricted Memorials.” Enter the amount of the gift in that field, then choose the frequency and date of your gift. At the bottom of the screen click the green “Continue As Guest” button. The next screen will instruct you to enter your banking account information and will guide you through the rest of the transaction. On the payment page, you will have an opportunity to fill out a gift memo; put the name of the person you are memorializing here. You should receive a confirmation email after.