Wedding & Baptism Policies
Weddings celebrate a covenant through which couples are called to live out together before God their lives of discipleship. In a service of Christian marriage a lifelong commitment is made, publicly witnessed and acknowledged by the community of faith. Central Presbyterian Church is delighted to be considered the church for your wedding. We consider it a privilege to use our sanctuary for weddings, including weddings for non-members.
Reserving Wedding and Rehearsal Dates and Times
The first step is to contact our Office Manager and inquire about the availability of the sanctuary on a particular date. Fees for the wedding include the costs for building and staff time.
To reserve your date, you must return the information form, download the form & fees (201k .pdf), along with a $500 deposit to secure your wedding date.
(You may leave blank any information on the form you do not yet know so that it may be filled in later.)
The rehearsal date is usually the day before the wedding. The rehearsal time will be at 4:00, unless scheduled differently by the church office. Weddings are scheduled at least three hours apart. Rehearsals are scheduled one hour apart. The church will be available two hours before the wedding service and one hour following the service.
(Any changes in times or dates from the information you provide the church on the Information Form must be approved and confirmed in advance with the church office and the pastor officiating at your wedding.)
Meeting with the pastor
One of the most important things a couple can do to prepare for marriage is to enter into counseling to learn more about themselves and about the covenant of marriage. The Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church requires that the pastor conducting the service not only counsel the couple but also be confident of the "commitment, responsibility, maturity, and Christian understanding" of the couple regarding the covenant of marriage. After securing the date, the pastor or church Office Manager will be in contact with you to set up an initial meeting.
(One of Central's pastors will be assigned for your wedding. Guest pastors may co-officiate in consultation with the Central pastor.)
Coordinating with organist
Three months before the wedding you will be responsible for contacting Central's Director of Music, Kathrine Handford. Central has excellent choir section leaders on staff who are available as soloists. All soloists and instrumentalists must be coordinated through Central.
We look forward to assisting you in planning your wedding. If you have any questions in filling out the information form, or at any time as you prepare for your wedding, please contact the Office Manager.
Baptism is the sacrament of entrance to the community of faith. Presbyterians baptize adults on their profession of faith, as well as the children of church members. Most Presbyterians are baptized as infants as a sign of God's love and as a recognition of their welcome into our church family. Children will speak for themselves and confirm their baptisms in a confirmation program during their teen years. Baptism is not a private act, but is celebrated in the gathered community of the church during Sunday worship.
The Session (governing board) of Central approves all baptisms. For infant baptisms, at least one parent should be an active member of Central. Before each baptism, parents meet with the pastor to discuss the theology of baptism and what it means in the life of the family.
If you are interested in scheduling a baptism, please contact Rev. Colby. dcolby@cpcstpaul.org
