The Sacrament of Marriage
We call marriage a Sacrament because it provides visible evidence of the invisible reality of a couple's love for each other as indeed of God's love for the world.
CONTENTS
"We believe marriage is sacred. It was instituted by God and blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ. Marriage at its deepest and best is a joyful and challenging union which results in mutual fulfilment for both husband and wife. It is a relationship which requires faithfulness in each partner until the couple is parted by death. Christians believe marriage signifies to us the mystical union between Christ and his Church. The relationship of marriage will require self-discipline which will result in a life giving and lasting love.
We believe marriages need the resources of the Christian faith if they are to approach Christian ideals. Therefore, we commend to you a deeper and fuller participation in the life of the Church. We believe your marriage will be deepened by regular Prayer, Bible reading and worship within a Christian community.
Your wedding day is a happy and sacred event. You undertake tremendous responsibilities towards each other. Do remember, however, you are surrounded by a community of people who encourage, support and love you.
God's blessing be with you always."
Marriage is a relationship between a woman and a man who join together in love and who seek mutual growth and unity in that love. That relationship is a spiritual one in which you take a personal responsibility for your partners' growth and well being. It is also a relationship of a total and shared commitment in which the partners care for each other in good times and bad. We believe that marriage is the gift of God for the support and growth of both partners as they give and receive love in their own relationship and in the world.
- Civil Law requires that you be 19 years of age or have parental consent. (Parents sign a consent form at the time of licensing). You can not have any legal impediment to the marriage such as either partner being already married or your being to closely related to one another.
- At least one of you is required to have been Baptized in a Christian Church. Permission from the Diocesan Bishop is needed for an unbaptized person to be married in an Anglican Church.
- If you are not presently active Church attendees, the Priest will invite you to become involved (once again, or for the first time) in the life of the Christian community. If you desire it, your Priest will be glad to prepare you for Baptism, Confirmation, Reception into the Anglican Church or for the reaffirmation of your Baptismal vows. From God's infinite love, through the caring community of the Church, your marriage can be strengthened and given joy.
- Both of you must be willing to prepare yourselves carefully for your life together and undertake marriage preparation as determined between yourselves and the Priest who will officiate at the service.
Marriage Preparation is the Church community's way of giving support and guidance to you as you approach your wedding. We believe that couples contemplating marriage owe it to each other to think and talk through all aspects of married life before the wedding. Issues such as communication, budgeting, and whether or not you will have children need to be examined. Also, you will have the opportunity to face honestly the potential stressors in a life long relationship and to identify and celebrate the strengths of your relationship.
2009/10 Courses:
Previous to now, all those seeking re-marriage after divorce were, in accord with General Synod Canon XXI, Section IV, required to submit an application for permission to marry to a Marriage Commission. The Commission reviewed the case and made a recommendation to the bishop who, after due consideration of the same, would grant permission for the marriage.
For many years - since 1967, in fact - this was viewed as a means for providing comprehensive pastoral care for couples in this situation. The process was intended to ensure that there had been closure with respect to previous marriages and that other responsibilities regarding financial support, etc. were in order. It was also intended to help couples consider their new relationship and its capacity for long-term stability. And clergy, having worked with the couple, then prepared the Incumbent’s Report.
Archbishop Hiltz’s experience of reviewing applications is that, for the most part, clergy have taken great care in preparing these reports; and it is obvious from the reports that they know the couple and have cared for them well.
Canon XXI now makes Marriage Commissions an option in each diocese; and in each diocese, the bishop in his/her role as chief pastor and chief liturgical officer, decides whether or not a Commission is retained. In accord with provision in the Canon as amended by General Synod and in the bishop’s confidence of the clergy’s commitment to provide adequate pastoral care to those who seek marriage, that clergy can decide with the couple whether or not the proposed marriage should take place. There will be no need to prepare applications for submission to the Marriage Commission as of July 1, 2004.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if clergy are having a particularly difficult time making a decision with the couple as to whether or not a proposed marriage should take place, they may refer it to the Marriage Commission. The bishop has not dissolved the Marriage Commission -- it continues to serve on an “on-call” basis only.
A marriage service is a public service of the Church community in which a man and a woman take vows to commit themselves in a life long relationship. The celebration of marriage is always in the context of the Christian community and takes place where that community normally gathers, rather than in a private home or garden. It is therefore always a public event. The couple are not simply making promises to each other, they are consciously making their promises in the presence of God and of the people of God.
The service will include a statement of Christian marriage, readings from the Bible, and sometimes a sermon, after which follows the wedding and prayers. The service concludes with the blessing of the marriage, or continues with Holy Communion.
In the Anglican Church there are two official services; the traditional service found in the Book of Common Prayer and the service in contemporary language in the Book of Alternative Services.
The Place of Marriage
There is now provision for marriages to be solemnized in locations other than church buildings. In considering requests, clergy are expected to bear in mind whether or not the location lends itself to the “public nature, dignity and solemnity” of the Celebration of Marriage. This should be discussed in full with the couple, and in making the decision, the priest, by provision in Canon XXI, must consult the bishop.
This provision is in effect in our diocese as of July 1, 2004. All requests for marriage in locations other than a church building are to be made in consultation with Archbishop Hiltz or with Bishop Moxley.
Back to Contents
Yes, these can include an honorarium for the Priest and payments to the organist and janitor as well as rental of the building space. Fees vary with each Parish.
Back to Contents
The first step is to contact the Priest at least three months in advance of the desired date.
The Anglican Church cares about your marriage beyond the wedding day. The church is a caring community in which both the joys and struggles of life are shared and celebrated. Parishes offer various events and programs for fellowship, learning and encourgement.
Problems can frequently arise in a marriage. If this happens, then the Church which blessed you in God's name is also willing to help you. Marriage counselling will be provided or arranged and pastoral support will be given.
The weekly Sunday service offers focus for your lives, connection with people with common values, a time for families to be together, a space of quietness from busy schedules, and a source of spiritual strengthening and renewal.
"Almighty Father, giver of life and love, bless all those whom you join in holy marriage. Grant them wisdom and devotion in their life together, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a comfort in sorrow, and a champion in joy. So unite their wills in your will, and their spirits in your spirit, that they may live and grow together in love and peace all the days in their life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
Back to Contents
|
