|
Your marriage in the Church of England
Based on an article from the
Church of England Website
Why get married in church?
A marriage service, wherever it is held, is a public declaration of love and commitment to your partner.
If you choose to get married in church, there is an added dimension - the assurance that God cares about your relationship and
that his resources and strength are available to help you. Including God in your marriage doesn’t mean that you will avoid all the usual ups and downs, but you
will know that you can look to God for help and guidance and that his love will sustain you. You will also have the support and encouragement of the Christian
Church family.
Preparing for the service: frequently asked questions
Q: Where can I get married?
A: You are entitled to be married in the church of the Church of England parish where one or other or you lives. If you are an active, worshipping member of another
church congregation, it is usually possible to be married there. If you are under the age of eighteen, you must have your parents’ consent to marry. There
are special guidelines on church marriage if you have been divorced: contact the vicar for more information.
Q: How much will it cost?
A: The legal fees for a marriage cover the publication of the banns, certificate of banns, the marriage service and a certificate of marriage. You can expect to pay
about £460.
Q: Can I choose what kind of service I want?
A: Talk over the options with the person leading the service. There are usually one or more readings from the Bible in the service. There will also be some
prayers, which you may help to choose, or you may write your own. You may also decide to have someone other than the minister leading the prayers. The minister
will probably give a brief talk or sermon.
Q: Should we have one or two rings?
A: A wedding ring is a symbol of unending love and faithfulness, and of the commitment you are making to each other. It is entirely up to you whether you
have one ring or two.
What do Christians believe about marriage?
Christians believe that marriage is a gift from God. In the marriage ceremony, a couple make a public declaration of lifelong
commitment to love each other, come what may.
The Bible compares married love with the love Jesus has for his followers. He expressed his love by being prepared to
sacrifice himself, even to die for the people he loved. This is amazing, unconditional love. Jesus never said 'I love you, but …'. In our marriages we
can try to follow his model by loving our partners in a self-sacrificial way, putting their needs before our own.
The marriage ceremony gives you a new legal status as husband and wife and a new stability within which your relationship
can flourish and grow. Christians believe that marriage offers the right place for the fulfilment of our sexuality and that it provides a stable and secure
environment for bringing up children.
Preparing for marriage
You might find it helpful to read a book as you prepare for the big day. We would suggest you contact a local Bookshop
(e.g. Wesley Owen, Denesgate, Manchester 0161 834 5655)
Order
'The marriage book', Nicky and Sila Lee, Alpha publication
ISBN 1-9040-7455-3
or a series of books by the popular speaker J.John on:
Sex
Preparing for Marriage
Building a Marriage
- "It's always on my mind"
- "Look before you leap"
- "Till death do us part"
see webpage
We hope that you have a wonderful wedding day and that it will mark the beginning of a long and very happy marriage.
|
