Ministries
The desire of the Church is to offer ministries that link all people to the God who loves tham and wants them to be in relationship with Him. Please contact us for any of the following
Baptisms • Weddings • Funerals • Home Communions • Confirmations • Prayer • Pastoral Care
Baptism
At Boonah Harrisville Anglican Church, we rejoice whenever parents ask to have their child baptised (christened). Baptism is the sacrament of entry to the Church. We therefore baptise during the normal Sunday service. If you would like to arrange a baptism, please contact us, some further information is below.
Many parents are uncertain of what is required for baptism and what will occur during the service. We’ve prepared some answers to FAQs to help you.
FAQs
-
No. We would love to see you as often as you can come, but we don’t make church attendance compulsory.
-
You will be asked to make promises and a statement of faith on behalf of your child. You promise to follow Christ and to bring your child up in the Christian faith. Everything is written down, so you won’t have to remember it off by heart!
-
This is quite a common situation. Discuss it with the priest when you meet. If you are planning a baptism, you have presumably decided to bring your child up as a Christian. During the service, both parents stand with their child and the godparents, but only the Christian parent makes the promises.
-
Your friend cannot, in honesty, make the statement of faith and the promises involved in the baptism service. Talk with your friend about your desire to include him in your child’s extended family, and explain that you don’t want him to be dishonest. There are many ways you can include your friends in the celebrations without putting them in an awkward situation.
-
If you are able to make the baptismal promises on behalf of your child, then clearly you are a person of faith. In other words, it’s time for you to be baptised too. Discuss this with the priest when you meet to talk about the service.
-
What you dress your baby in is entirely up to you. Some families have heirloom gowns, some choose a new outfit for the day, some simply use what’s clean and dry. It’s your choice.
-
If you are comfortable nursing your child in the congregation, then so are we.
-
Baptism is a gift of God. We do not charge anything. However, we do encourage you to give an offering in thanksgiving to God for the gift of your child. Put it in the plate when it is passed around the congregation.
Weddings
Many couples choose to be married in the Scenic Rim Shire because of the beauty of the area. While some want to be married in church, others prefer an outdoor venue but still want a Christian service.
The clergy at Boonah Harrisville would be delighted to conduct your wedding in any of the centres or the surrounding area. The cost is $600.
If you would like to make arrangements for your wedding at the church or elsewhere then it’s ideal to begin making arrangements at least 6 months in advance. Please contact us as we would be honoured to assist you.
Funerals
When a loved one dies, it is important that the funeral honours the deceased and cares for the bereaved. At Boonah Harrisville we take this dual role very seriously and consider it a privilege to conduct a funeral.
A funeral is normally arranged through the funeral directors of your choice. Their charges include the services of a priest or celebrant and an organist. Tell your funeral director that you would like a priest from Boonah Harrisville Anglican Churc to conduct the funeral. They will contact us and the minister will meet with you to discuss the service.
The funeral can occur at the Church or at the funeral parlour’s chapel as you prefer. If there is to be a burial, we will conduct the graveside service also.
Prayer
The parish hope to meet all your spiritual needs. Please fill in the attached form and you will be prayed for by the minister and parish prayers.
Confirmation
Confirmation of baptism vows occurs for children in Year 8 or older and for adults at any stage. Confirmation takes place with the Bishop during their annual visit.