- 1727 Walden Ln SW, Rochester, MN 55902
- 507-282-5209
- office@uurochmn.org
Many religions have a ceremony to dedicate or baptize babies or young children. We welcome infants or children into the life of the community and dedicate ourselves to actively nurture the children and their families as they grow in our religious home. The ceremony does not make the life of the child sacred; we believe that each child’s life is inherently sacred. Child dedication takes place during a regular Sunday worship service. For more information about child dedication, contact our minister.
We mark the transition from childhood to young adult through a year-long Coming-of-Age program for youth in grade 9 and up. It includes four parts: pairing youth with adult mentors; discussions and retreats that emphasize self-awareness and exploration of their religious and ethical beliefs; service to the church and community; and a culminating affirmation ceremony during a Sunday service at which each youth presents his or her statement of belief.
Our congregation has a memorial garden where congregants can choose to have ashes interred. At our current location, the Memorial Garden is located to the east of the church courtyard in a secluded area and is a place of tranquil beauty where we may pause and remember loved ones who have gone before us. In the Memorial Garden we inter the ashes of members or friends of this church and their families.
Each individual’s name, dates of birth and death are engraved onto a bronze plate that is placed on the Memorial Garden Panel of Names and on a brass plate on the In Loving Memory plaque inside the church. A record of locations of interments is kept in the church office. Individual markers are not permitted in the Memorial Garden. Please contact the church office for more information.
When a member, former member, or friend of the church dies we usually hold a memorial service at our church. The service consists of music, selections of prose or poetry, remembrances of the person’s life, and reflections about the nature of life and death. Our congregation has a memorial garden where First UU members, former members, and friends can choose to have ashes placed.