BAPTISMS

In the Congregational tradition, the sacrament of baptism is an outward and visible sign of the inward and invisible love of God in the life of an individual. It is a public act of the congregation on behalf of the church universal.

At First Church people can be baptized at all ages—infants, children, youth, adults. If you are not a member, we usually ask that you complete a new member class before the baptism of yourself or your child. Please contact the church office for more information or to talk with the Senior Minister about baptism.

 

WEDDINGS

Your wedding should be a most memorable occasion -- both happy and holy. We at the church will do all that we can to help and assist you to plan so that your marriage will start as a truly high and holy occasion.

Certain policies have been established to accomplish that purpose and assist you in the planning of your wedding:

SCHEDULING

Plan well in advance for the use of the church. The minister will help you with your personal wishes concerning the wedding. A time for the bride and groom to talk things over with the minister should be arranged and the date for the wedding set before any other plans are made. The church organist, a trained musician and part-time employee of the church, will normally be used for all weddings in the church and should be contacted to select music as soon as the church has been scheduled.

OFFICIATING

A minister of this church will officiate at all weddings. If a family desires another clergyperson to conduct the ceremony, the request should be made to the minister. It is the minister’s prerogative to extend an invitation to the other clergyperson to assist or perform the wedding.

The minister will meet with the wedding party for rehearsal and will explain all procedures. During the service itself, the minister will give directions and there is nothing the bride and groom have to memorize.

MUSIC FOR THE WEDDING

Inasmuch as the wedding is a religious service, it is expected that the wedding music will be in keeping with the standards of the church’s regular service music. Wedding music usually includes a short program of music while guests are assembling, a processional and a recessional. Less often there is also music during the ceremony, a congregational hymn or a short solo.

Although the organist is willing to make all the musical choices, some brides wish to have a part in the selection of appropriate music and find it helpful to consult with the organist. Because the

organist is a part-time employee of the church, an appointment should be made WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE WEDDING for the consultation. At this time the bride can make any special

requests and the organist will offer some musical choices. If you have a soloist, the music must be given to the organist AT LEAST two weeks prior to the service.

FEE

The organist’s fee (payable in advance of, and not later than the wedding rehearsal) covers the consultation with the bride, attendance at the wedding rehearsal, and a wedding of normal

length. Where additional time must be provided by the organist (see following) there will be an additional charge.

EXTRA TIME needed for:

1. rehearsal with soloists and instrumentalists;

2. preparation of special music;

3. a wedding that takes more than the normal amount

      of time either because it started late or involved a

      much longer service.

The attached form may be filled out and left with the minister or in the church office. To make an appointment with the organist or ask any musical questions phone the church organist by calling the Church Office at (860) 388-3008.

DECORATIONS

The bride arranges for the florist. We suggest simplicity, with a minimum of decoration. Ribbons or simple floral arrangements may be used to mark pews. No nails, thumbtacks or tape are to be

used in church. If candles, in addition to the two altar candles of the church are to be used, they must be “no-drip”.

WHITE RUNNER

This is not needed due to carpeting. Our policy is that there will be no runner.

CONFETTI

The use of confetti or rice should be avoided. Grass seed or birdseed (without sunflower seeds!) is an acceptable substitute.

PHOTOGRAPHERS

The bride is asked to instruct her photographer that the taking of still pictures is prohibited during the service except for non-repeatable moments as designated by the minister. Moving around by the photographer during the service is not permitted. A time-exposure of the ceremony may be taken from the rear. A flash picture of the bride and groom exiting up the aisle after the service is permissible.

Video-taping is restricted to designated areas.

Re-enactment pictures can be taken at the altar immediately after the people are out of the church at the end of the ceremony.

USHERS

Ushers are expected to be present at rehearsal, when the minister will instruct them as to their responsibilities.

On the day of the wedding, they should be at the church about 30 minutes before the service. When guests start arriving, they should make sure all candles, including altar candles, are lit.

It is important that the usher who shows the bride’s mother to her seat also be responsible for telling the organist it is time to start the processional.

INFORMATION

The marriage license must be applied for by both parties from the Town Clerk in the town in which the wedding is to take place, or the town in which the bride or groom live.

The license is good for 65 days from the date of application. Legal copies may be picked up a short time after the wedding from the Town Clerk if they are desired.

The license should be brought to the church at the time of rehearsal or the day before the wedding and given to the minister.

RECEPTION

The Fellowship Hall is available for receptions. Information can be obtained by calling the church office, 388-3008.

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FUNERALS

In the community of First Church, the death of one touches all of the family of faith. When a death occurs, the immediate family is encouraged to contact the church as soon as possible in order that pastoral care, the sympathy of members, and the prayers of all might be extended. Family members will share in the planning of a funeral/memorial service and may assist in leading the service if desired.

Funerals recognize both the pain and sorrow of the loss that death brings and the Christian hope of resurrection in Jesus Christ. Services are usually held in the meeting house.

If a reception is desired at church following the service, the Hospitality Committee will set up, serve, and clean up.  The Hospitality Committee provides two serving tables with table cloths, dishes, silver services, napkins, tea, coffee, and ice water. 
If the family wishes food, they may provide it or have it catered (sandwiches, and cookies/bars).  Family or friends may provide flowers for the sanctuary and/or two small floral arrangements for the food tables.

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THE MEMORIAL GARDEN OF  FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST IN SAYBROOK (CONGREGATIONAL)

The Memorial Garden of the First Church of Christ in Saybrook (Congregational) is located on the church grounds close to the sanctuary and directly behind the Colonial Gardens of the Historical Society’s General William Hart House. The Memorial Garden has been dedicated to various services of the church, but primarily for the interment of ashes in certain consecrated areas.  The garden is a place for rest, meditation, and prayer.  The guiding concept of the Memorial Garden is to provide a simple, dignified memorial for loved ones placed to rest there.

Who may use the garden?

The Memorial Garden is for the use of church members and their families who may request interment.

Those who have embraced faiths other than Congregational may also use this Memorial Garden.  If so desired, the Senior Minister is available to conduct services in accordance with the family’s wishes.

Memorial Document

After interment, the exact location of the burial plot is recorded in a permanent church document.

Memorial Plaques

The deceased’s name and years of birth and death may be added to a bronze plaque mounted on a stone adjacent to the burial area.

A separate bronze plaque has been provided for the names of loved ones not interred in this garden.

Memorial Book

A large permanent Memorial Book has been established and is maintained by the memorial Garden Committee to record biographical information and genealogy of those interred.  The committee enters basic information, which can be supplemented by details the family may wish to contribute.  The Memorial Book is kept in the Church Office.

Memorial Gifts

Memorial gifts are welcome and are recorded in the Memorial Book.  The initial cost of developing the garden was met through memorial gifts and the sale of Burial Right Certificates.  Further income is dedicated to expansion, improvement, and maintenance of the garden and the Perpetual Care Fund.  Gifts in memory of those who have died may be made to this fund.

Burial Right Certificates

Burial Right Certificates may be purchased at any time through the Church Office.  This precludes decisions having to be made under stress and emotion at the time of death.

Within the garden certain specific areas have been reserved for interment of ashes.  Each burial plot is large enough to accommodate two interments if desired.  For members of the church, the cost of one interment is $200 and the cost of two in the same plot is $300.  For non-members these charges will be $400 and $600.  There is a small charge for opening and closing the plot, plus an additional charge for those wishing to record the deceased’s name on the bronze plaque.

The cost of having a name placed on the plaque for one not interred here is $100 plus the cost of the bronze nameplate.

Further information and a copy of Rules and Regulations of the Memorial Garden may be obtained from the Church Office.

Administration

Administration of the Memorial Garden and the Memorial Book is the responsibility of the Memorial Garden Committee elected by the church.  This committee is charged with the care, maintenance, and future development of the Memorial Garden.

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