Ceremonies
Celebrations at Woodcliff? Find more information about weddings, celebrations of life, funerals, and baptisms below.
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4
Weddings
Woodcliff joins you in your excitement as you plan for your wedding day and we are delighted that you are considering our church for your Celebration of Marriage ceremony. Our outdoor spaces and proximity to Edworthy Park offer many incredible photo opportunities as well.
We joyfully conduct wedding ceremonies for any couple legally eligible for marriage in Alberta. Our Minister looks forward to discussing the possibilities and details for your wedding ceremony with you.
Please book an appointment for this purpose through our office or call 403-249-3121.
-
A church wedding performed by a minister is similar to a civil wedding performed by a marriage commissioner in that both services must meet the legal requirements of the Province of Alberta and must be registered with the Department of Vital Statistics. Contact an Alberta Registry agent office to get a government issued marriage license or visit Alberta.ca for more information.
In a church wedding the spiritual dimension of marriage is as important as the legal. It is the assumption of our congregation that those couples who choose to be married in the church are committed to the ideals of Christian marriage and wish to have a public affirmation of their desire for God’s blessing upon their union.
-
Marriages at Woodcliff require the ceremony to be conducted by our United Church Minister. The Minister may agree to conduct the wedding offsite. Please note wedding commissioners are not eligible to conduct wedding ceremonies at Woodcliff.
Please call the church office (403-249-3121) to make an appointment to meet with the Minister and to check church availability.
A deposit will be needed to secure the date you choose and you will need to submit a marriage licence to church office at least two weeks in advance of the ceremony. Government issued marriage licenses are available from any Alberta registry agent office. See Alberta.ca for more information.
-
The spacious sanctuary can accommodate 250 people comfortably, additional seating can be added if this is required There is also space available in the church for the wedding party before and after the service that is available for rent (see Rental Space tab).
Our outdoor spaces and proximity to Edworthy Park offer many incredible photo opportunities as well.
-
Contact the office first to make an appointment to meet with the Minister. Your wedding date can be booked with the office after this meeting. Make this appointment early in your planning process.
Our wedding attendant will work with you to help with the various details that accompany any wedding ceremony (e.g. opening the church, assisting with decorations, answering any questions you may have). Our wedding attendant is present at both the rehearsal and the wedding ceremony.
Our music director will be available to discuss the music for your service.
-
The cost for conducting a wedding at Woodcliff United Church vary according to the options you choose.
Please discuss the fee schedule with our Minister or our Office Administrator.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, nor anything else in all of creation will be able to separate us from the love of God.” – Romans 8:38-39
Celebration of Life
Or Service of Remembrance (Funerals)
When someone we love dies, there are many things to consider, many decisions to make, often when we are in the midst of shock and pain. Should you wish, our Minister is available to assist you at the time of death. We uphold the dignity and sacredness of life. We believe that life should be celebrated as God’s gift and that, even in death, we are called to celebrate and give thanks for life.
Please contact our office administrator by email or phone at 403-249-3121 to arrange a time and date for the celebration of your loved one’s life.
-
As soon as possible after a death contact our office at 403-249-3121 or by email at office@woodcliffunited.com.
-
Our Minister, music director, soloists, and audio-visual team are available to support the service as well as a catering team to assist with receptions (coffee and beverage service, ensuring linens and dishes are in place, and serving food provided by the family).
Our sanctuary can seat 250 guests comfortably and more can be accommodated if needed.
Should you have any other questions, please contact our office at 403-249-3121 or by email for more information.
-
The cost for conducting a service of remembrance at Woodcliff United Church vary according to the options you choose.
Please discuss the fee schedule with our Minister or our Office Administrator.
Baptisms
The United Church offers baptism to people of all ages. Baptism is a symbolic and public act to signify a desire to follow the way of Jesus, to belong to a church community and to acknowledge the unconditional love of God in which we have been created.
Baptism is the single rite of initiation into the Christian community, although people do not have to be baptized to participate in our community.
Water is used to represent the new life received when one engages in an intentional spiritual journey.
As part of a baptism service, the parents of children being baptized or adults coming to be baptized, are asked to commit to a life of Christian faith. As part of the process to prepare for these commitments those seeking baptism are asked to participate in preparation sessions with the Minister.
Baptisms are scheduled during Sunday morning worship at which the community of faith also pledges support for those being baptized.
For more information call 403-249-3121 or email the Minister.