|
| THE
CHURCH AT YOUR SERVICE |
| |
 |
With
all the alternative venues available - from football stadiums
to Caribbeans islands - why choose to get married in church?
As you walk down the aisle you will be walking in the footsteps
of thousands of people who have seen the church as an important
focal point in their local community, a place where they have
shared their joys and celebrations as well as their sorrows.
The church you have chosen may have a speial place in your
lives, or you may be new to your area and have not yet made
links with your local church. If you haven't already, make
time to familiarise yourself with your local church, its worship
and its congregation. When you marry in church, you are not
in a building that is run as a commercial venture, you are
married amongst a community of Christians, some of whom will
pray for you in the run up to the big day. |
| |
|
| "In
the presence of God..."
For Christians, the distinctive feature of a church wedding
is that it takes place in God's presence. The parish church
is not only an important focal point for the community,
it is also a place where Christians have worshipped God
for decades. In the wedding ceremony, we are reminded that
marriage is a gift from God, and that
"God is love, and those who live in love live in God
and God lives in them." Whether we are active churchgoers
or not, this extra elements of coming into God's presence
and asking his blessing on a marriage often makes a difference.
"...and
before this congregation"
The wedding day is not only a signigicant day for the couple.
It is an event of great importance and joy for all those who
know them or have watched them grow up. During the service,
the couple declare publicly their love for each other and
their intention to stay together for the rest of their lives.
The doors of the church are open to all those who care about
them and want to wish them well. |
| |
|
An
added dimension
Your wedding day will be one of the most important occasions
in your life, but if one day can involve so much time and
energy, then think about how much more time needs to be
given to your ongoing marriage relationship.
The
marriage service now assumes every couple will have taken
part in some form of marriage preparations. You will meet
and get to know the vicar in advance of the wedding. He
or she will not only be able to help, support and advise
you in your planning, but also take time to discuss with
you the meaning of marriage and the promises you will be
making to one another in the service. It is also increasingly
likely that you may be invited to join a small group with
other couples who are also planning to marry, in order to
share with one another your expectations of marriage and
how you might deal with issues that arise in the future.
If
you haven't been given details already, please do not hesitate
to ask your vicar. |
| |
|
Happy
Ever After
The Church's concern for you doesn't end with the Wedding
March at the end of the service. The vicar and members of
the congregation you have got to know during the preparation
for your wedding will welcome you at anytime and be pleased
to hear how you are getting along.
In the years to come you may wish to celebrate the birth of
a child or wedding anniversary, or to explore further the
God in whom's presence you were married. Even if you are moving
away from the area, remember that many churches offer marriage
support, and all clergy would be willing to make time to listen
should you need to talk to them about any stress of difficulty
in your relationship, or situation affecting you and your
family.
The wedding may be over, but the church is still there for
you. |
|
