The Sanctifying of Marriage

Marriage, in addition to whatever legal implications it carries in the secular world, is, within the Church, a time of holy covenant making. The parties involved are certainly the bride and groom - and God (directly and through God's people, the Church). Holy marriage is fundamentally a sacred relationship that reflects a desire of our souls which is part of our created nature.

With marriage comes the establishment of a Christian home, bringing to husband and wife the truest and fullest joys on earth - when that home is founded on faith, fidelity, and mutual understanding.

God has established and sanctified marriage for our well being and happiness. Through the Apostles, those who enter into marriage are instructed to cherish a mutual respect and love; to bear with each other's infirmities and weaknesses; to nurture their children (if any) in the ways of the Lord; to pray for and encourage each other; and to live together as heirs of the grace of God.

Text Box: The Centrum / Ceremony
Seats up to 700 This is not a relationship that can be entered lightly or without serious and prayerful reflection. It is always a relationship to be initiated thoughtfully, reverently, and in the immediate presence of God.

Members and Non-Members

While the rite of marriage has specific meaning in the Christian tradition, and all ceremonies at Plymouth will be conducted in that context, we are happy to open this opportunity to members and non-members alike. Our ministries are available to all of God’s people. However, the Church is not under the obligation to participate in any marriage and will not do so unless the Minister is satisfied that the wedding is consistent with our understanding of this rite.

All couples should plan on three pre-marital sessions of 60-90 minutes with the minister. An additional session may be required for non-members to insure that everyone is comfortable with holding the wedding at Plymouth.

Clergy

All weddings at Plymouth are under the direction of the Senior Minister. The Senior Minister may allow the participation of other clergy in this service. Other Licensed or Ordained Ministers of the Church may be permitted to perform marriage services at the discretion of the Senior Minister.

Marriages conducted by clergy other than those of the Church may be permitted upon rare and exceptional instances, though clergy relatives and friends will be welcomed in participation.

Procedure

1. FIRST CONFERENCE WITH MINISTER

Couples desiring to be married in this Church will meet with the Minister for the purpose of becoming better acquainted and for a review of the rite of marriage. During this conference the personal information sheets will be provided to the Minister. At the conclusion of this conference, the Minister will inform the couple as to whether or not the marriage may be held here. If in the affirmative, the date and time of the wedding shall be set.

2. DATE AND TIME OF THE WEDDING

The wedding service may be properly conducted on any day of the week and at any convenient time of the morning, afternoon, or evening subject to the availability of the Minister, Church Staff, and the Church facilities (but not during Holy Week or the week before Christmas).

3. ADDITIONAL CONFERENCES WITH MINISTER

Additional conferences will be held with the Minister during which he/she will discuss with the couple the rights and responsibilities of Christian marriage. Specific details of the service will be discussed over the course of these conferences.

4. MUSIC

After the dates and times of the wedding service and rehearsal have been confirmed with the Administrative Assistant, the Wedding Coordinator will be notified. The Coordinator will then confirm the date with an organist and Building Superintendent.

After meeting with the Wedding Coordinator, you may contact the designated organist to make an appointment to consult regarding the music arrangements.

There is a large repertoire of appropriate selections. Therefore, it is not necessary to be restricted to the traditional forms. The organist will be prepared to make suggestions. Do not make any commitments with other instrumentalists or vocalists without first consulting the organist.

5. RECEPTION FACILITIES

The Church’s social rooms may be available for rehearsal dinners or receptions. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted.

8. ORDERS OF WORSHIP

The Congregational Way permits wide latitude in the form of the service. The Minister will discuss this with you in detail.

9. REHEARSAL

All weddings that involve a wedding party in excess of four persons (bride, groom, and two witnesses) must schedule a rehearsal of at least one hour. The license must be presented to the Minister at the time of the rehearsal.

10. FEES

A non-refundable deposit of $100.00 is due at the time the wedding is placed on the Church’s calendar. The balance due must be delivered to the Church ten days before the wedding. The Minister’s Honorarium, however, may be delivered directly to the minister on the day of the wedding.

The fee for the wedding includes the use of the facility, services of the Wedding Consultant, the basic services of the Organist (additional fees may be assessed for soloists or ensembles), and custodial service for two hours at the time of the rehearsal and four hours at the time of the wedding.

The fee for Church Members is $600; for Non-members or Inactive Members it is $850.

There is no prescribed fee for the Minister's services. The honorarium is at the discretion of the couple. Honoraria for weddings reflect the scale of the wedding itself and generally range from $200 to $500.

What Do We Do Now?

	*Task*	*Note Date when Accomplished*
1	If you are uncertain about holding your wedding at Plymouth, you should make an appointment with the Wedding Consultant or the Administrative Assistant to the Senior Minister to view the facility and ask any questions that remain.
2	When you are ready to confirm the date, contact the Administrative Assistant to see if the selected date/time is available and ask that it be tentatively scheduled for your wedding.
3	Schedule your first meeting with the Senior Minister
4	Keep your first appointment with the Minister. Bring with you the information about the Bride/Groom Plan, if possible, to meet with the Wedding Consultant immediately following the meeting with the Minister Bring the $100 deposit to confirm the date on the calendar

Information about the Bride – [Groom’s Name ____________________]

Proposed Wedding Date: __________________________

FULL Name:

Address:

City: County: State: ZIP:

Home Telephone: Business Telephone:

E-Mail:

Date of Birth:_________________ Place of Birth: __________________________________________

Occupation:

Employer:

Father’s Full Name

Living? □ Yes □ No

Mother’s Full Name

Living? □ Yes □ No

Are parents divorced? □ Yes □ No

Have you been married before? □ Yes □ No

If YES

To whom? Date

How terminated? Date

If divorce, name and location of court:

Children of previous marriage and ages (if minors):

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION

Name of Church you attend: Are you a member? □ Yes □ No

In what Church were you baptized?

If not Christian, of what faith?

ADDRESS AFTER MARRIAGE:

Information about the Groom - [Bride’s Name ____________________]

Proposed Wedding Date: __________________________

FULL Name:

Address:

City: County: State: ZIP:

Home Telephone: Business Telephone:

E-Mail:

Date of Birth:_________________ Place of Birth: __________________________________________

Occupation:

Employer:

Father’s Full Name

Living? □ Yes □ No

Mother’s Full Name

Living? □ Yes □ No

Are parents divorced? □ Yes □ No

Have you been married before? □ Yes □ No

If YES

To whom? Date

How terminated? Date

If divorce, name and location of court:

Children of previous marriage and ages (if minors):

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION

Name of Church you attend: Are you a member? □ Yes □ No

In what Church were you baptized?

If not Christian, of what faith?

ADDRESS AFTER MARRIAGE:

CONTACT FOR
Ceremony & Counseling	Minister Dr. Lloyd Hall	minister@PlymouthLansing.org	484-9495
Scheduling and fees	Administrative Assistant Joan Chandler	secretary@PlymouthLansing.org	484-9495
General Questions	Wedding Consultant Hannah Wing Hall	moderator2005@racineweb.net	484-9495

The Sanctifying of Marriage

Members and Non-Members

Clergy

Procedure

There is no prescribed fee for the Minister's servic­es. The honorar­i­um is at the dis­cretion of the couple. Hon­oraria for weddings reflect the scale of the wedding itself and generally range from $200 to $500.

What Do We Do Now?

Proposed Wedding Date: __________________________

Information about the Groom - [Bride’s Name ____________________]

Proposed Wedding Date: __________________________

There is no prescribed fee for the Minister's services. The honorarium is at the discretion of the couple. Honoraria for weddings reflect the scale of the wedding itself and generally range from $200 to $500.