What is Baptism?
“Baptism is a visible sign of God’s grace (undeserved love). That is most powerfully expressed in the practice of baptising infants as well as adults as an expression of God’s gracious welcome into the community of faith.
This is worth bearing in mind when we ask questions about whether or not an infant ought to be baptised when she/he has no understanding of what it is all about. Baptism is about the action of God—not about the maturity of the person.
That is true also for adults who seek Baptism on the profession of their faith in Christ. It is not a celebration of the achievement of a person who is affirming faith, but a celebration of the Christ who brought that faith to birth and now incorporates him/her into the Body of Christ.”
(A Hitchhikers Trip Through The Basis of Union, Don Whebell and Duncan Harrison, 1997, page 19)
“The Uniting Church will baptize those who confess the Christian faith, and children who are presented for baptism and for whose instruction and nourishment in the faith the Church takes responsibility.” (Basis of Union, Paragraph 7)
If you or your children would like to be baptised please phone 33586945 to arrange an appointment with the Minister to discuss and prepare for this wonderful event.
What is Confirmation?
The reaffirmation of baptism is called confirmation. At Merthyr Road Uniting Church we welcome adults who are led to be baptised or confirmed and you would need to talk to the Minister about this. We would see this step as a significant step in your faith journey, and we would love to support you through this preparation.
The Uniting Church in Australia believes that people are baptised into the whole church and therefore does not generally rebaptise or reconfirm people.
If you would like to know more about confirmation, please phone 3358 6945 to arrange an appointment with the Minister.
What is Holy Communion?
The Uniting Church acknowledges that the continuing presence of Christ with his people is signified and sealed by Christ in the Lord’s Supper or the Holy Communion, constantly repeated in the life of the Church. In this sacrament of his broken body and outpoured blood the risen Lord feeds his baptised people on their way to the final inheritance of the Kingdom. Thus the people of God, through faith and the gift and power of the Holy Spirit, have communion with their Saviour, make their sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, proclaim the Lord’s death, grow together into Christ, are strengthened for their participation in the mission of Christ in the world, and rejoice in the foretaste of the Kingdom which Christ will bring to consummation.” – Basis of Union, paragraph 8
At Merthyr Road Uniting Church, we invite all who love Jesus and would like to love Him more to share in Holy Communion. We believe Communion has a healing effect that restores us to God and each other.