Baptism

Baptism is a beginning when we celebrate God’s love for the one baptized and their new life in Christ.  It is a joyful time of welcoming that person into the Christian family.  Infants, children, teens, or adults can be baptized into the Way of Jesus.  If you have been baptized before in another tradition, we see your baptism as sacred.  We celebrate baptisms during worship when the community is present because baptism includes the promise by the community (representing the universal Church) to love, support and care for you on your life journey wherever it takes you. 

Confirmation

Confirmation is a rite of passage in Christian tradition.  It is often a service of worship in which young people affirm the faith promises that their parents made when they were baptized or have the opportunity to be baptized and make those promises themselves thereby becoming “adult” members of the church.  Confirmation is offered every other year for 7th-9th graders and older youth.  It is an opportunity to explore faith and go on a spiritual journey that indeed will continue for the rest of one’s life. 

Weddings

Love is a gift of God, and we celebrate the love and covenant that is embodied in marriage.  We are an “open and affirming” church to LGBTQ couples and families and support marriage equality.  Marriage is a covenant commitment that has its foundation in the faithfulness of God’s love.  Couples are asked to meet with our minister for at least three sessions of pre-marriage counseling and to plan a beautiful ceremony that fits the unique journey of the couple.  Couples who are interested in a wedding through CCCUCC should contact the church office. Our prayers uplift all of those who are beginning a shared new life together. Contact the church office if you’re interested in getting married in the church: 207-829-3419 or office@cumberlanducc.org.

Services of Healing or Blessing

There are times when it is right and important for the faith community (represented by family, friends, and perhaps a deacon) to gather to mark a transition, pray for healing, and seek God’s blessing.  Special services can be planned for the renewal of vows, the adoption of a child, the ending of a marriage, healing and anointing, retirement, etc. 

Memorial Services

Memorial services are an important time of coming together as a family and a community to celebrate the life of one who has been welcomed home into our Creator’s eternal embrace.  They offer a time to remember, grieve, support one another, pray, and take comfort for indeed “there is nothing in all creation that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8: 38-39.)  Special music, readings, scripture, and participation by family and friends are important elements in a memorial service as we give thanks for the one we love and celebrate the hope of Christ’s resurrection.