Baptism

• The UMC holds baptism to be an important ritual for every believer. Individual churches may choose whether to offer the sacrament by immersion, pouring or sprinkling. The church celebrates infant baptism, or christening, and baptism of children and adults. Children who are christened as infants or toddlers take the vows for themselves at confirmation. The ritual appears in the official church hymnals, and church members present respond to each baptism by promising to live as a godly example to strengthen the newly baptized individual.
  
  

Communion

• The UMC holds communion to be an integral part of the believer's worship experience. Many churches celebrate communion on the first Sunday of the month, but they are free to participate more or less often, according to the wishes of the individual church. Two different orders of worship appear in the hymnal for this ritual, a short version and a long one. Communion is responsive and open to all believers, not just members of the church. Communion wafers and juice are most often used as elements of the ritual.
  
  

Marriage

• The UMC believes that Christian marriage is a sacred covenant between a man and a woman "reflecting Christ's covenant with the church." Those who attend the wedding participate in the marriage ritual by giving their blessing to the couple according to "The United Methodist Hymnal." Communion may be offered during the marriage ritual, and if so, all present are invited to participate.
  
  

Funerals

• The funeral ritual may occur with the body present or at a memorial service. The minister offers words of comfort to the family and other attendees. The service celebrates faith and acknowledges the belief in the resurrection of the dead. Some services offer a salvation message and an altar call for those who may be there but not believers.
  
  

Confirmation

• The confirmation service receives new members into the church. UMC confirmation services most often include children between the ages of 9 and 12 who have attended a membership class and want to join the church, but some churches offer a confirmation class for new adult believers as well. Members renew their vows with the new members by promising to support the church with their prayers, presence, gifts and service.
  
  

Ordination

• UMC bishops and elders ordain new ministers annually, usually in a ritual attended by other ministers and the family members of candidates. The church offers two levels of ordination; deacon and elder. Ordination as an elder elevates the candidate to full ministerial duties and responsibilities.