Click here for .pdf format of this
brochure
Marriage and Blessings
On the West Coast
The Shared Ministry Parish
of
St. Columba Church, Tofino
and
St. Aidan On-The-Hill Church, Ucluelet
Congratulations !
Marriage is the choice of a life journey in faithful commitment to your partner. The decision to marry is one of the most important decisions that a person can make.
We in the Long Beach Pastoral Charge offer couples seeking marriage the full support of the Christian community as they prepare for this new beginning. You may be living at home, or together; with or without children; seeking marriage for a first time, after the stresses and re-adjustments of losing a spouse or after a divorce. In all cases we want your marriage to be successful and your wedding day to be a joyful celebration of your love for each other.
This brochure outlines the process of preparing for Marriage, as well as for the Blessing and Renewal of Vows. It discusses guidelines for preparation, the service, and the costs involved.
We hope you find the information helpful, and would welcome the opportunity to be part of your life journey.
Who may be married at St.Aidan and St. Columba Churches?
We invite couples to make or renew their vows with us!
For Weddings, church guidelines require that at least one of the persons must be a baptized Christian. As well, both the United and Anglican Churches stress the need for marriage preparation, which can we done in a variety of ways, in consultation with the minister.
Our Wedding Services are Christian in nature, taken from the Anglican and United traditions. The minister will encourage suggestions from the couple to help personalize the service.
People from other (non-Christian) spiritual traditions may be married here, as long as one partner is a baptized Christian. We will seek to prepare together a service that will respect and celebrate both partners’ spiritual path.
We welcome couples who may wish a Blessing or to Renew their Wedding Vows. The Anglican and United Churches both offer services for the Blessing of Civil Marriages and for the Reaffirmation of Marriage Vows.
We recognize that people come to marriage from many life situations. Those who are divorced may be married in our parish.
We welcome Roman Catholics who may wish to be married here. They should be aware that their marriage may not be recognized by the Roman Church and communicant status in that Church may be jeopardized unless a Roman priest participates in the service.
The minister of St. Aidan and St. Columba Churches will normally conduct the service. However, permission may be granted for another clergy to assist at, or conduct the service.
How do we expect couples to prepare for Marriage or Blessing?
The first step is to inform the minister of your intention. Normally, a meeting between the couple and the resident minister will be the next step. This allows for clarification of concerns, and will set the stage for other preparation and meetings.
Sixty days is the standard notice required, in order to provide adequate time for preparation. The preparation is both for the service, and for their life journey.
Since many couples married on the West Coast are from other areas, much of this preparation may happen in their home area. We encourage couples to make contact with a local minister, who may be able to assist both in the preparation for the service, and in their life together following the exchange of vows.
Marriage Preparation includes the logistics and special elements that will make the wedding service special as well as an opportunity to reflect upon and explore their relationship. This area focuses on areas such as communication, family of origin, sexuality, expectations and assertiveness. Preparation may include meetings with the minister, computerized inventories, and/or group preparation events.
If a couple is not already active in a church they will be encouraged to worship with us or at a church of their choice during the period of preparation.
The final preparation will be a rehearsal. This is an opportunity to ensure that all the details of the ceremony are worked out. This will allow the couple and wedding party to focus on the words and commitments being made at the service.
What about the Service?
Marriage is a sacrament of the church, and is normally held in the church building. We recognize at the same that many people wish to be married on the West Coast because of its natural beauty. In such circumstances, weddings in our parish may be held in outdoor locations, provided the dignity and sanctity of the service is maintained. In special circumstances, other facilities or in private homes may be used. The location for services of Blessing is more flexible.
The form of the service generally follows outlines provided by the Anglican and United Churches. There is, however, plenty of room for a couple to personalize their service. This includes the music, style of procession, special elements such as unity candles or woven cords, and choice of readings. Provisions to recognize children brought into the marriage can be included, and there are several variations to the vows that can help a couple make the service ‘theirs’. Other personalized touches such as pew bulletins, and decorations are welcome. A couple should talk over their plans with the officiating minister, who will have final say about the service.
Both of our churches seat fifty people comfortably. Arrangements for extra guests can be made, to accommodate up to ninety people.
The couple may request the parish to provide an organist/pianist. A couple may want to make their own arrangements for instrumentalists, soloists, and recorded music.
Flash photography is not allowed in the church once the service has begun, except at the signing of the register. Confetti is not allowed in the church building or on the grounds.
Fees, and Gifts
1. Reservation Fee Payment of this non-refundable Fee ($50) will secure the agreed date and time for your celebration.
(Cheques should be made payable to the ‘Long Beach Pastoral Charge’.)
2. Church Ministry Fee ( to cover time for
Administration, Preparation, and Consultation for Weddings and Blessings; and for Church Services, to cover use of the Church)
a) Intimate Service (Up to 10 attending) $100
b) For Church Services (10-50 attending) $250
c) For Large Services (Over 50 attending) $450
d) Service at Location Other than Church $100
3. Gifts (Suggested)
a) For the Resident Minister $150
b) For the Organist (if needed) as arranged
If a guest minister is invited to assist or take the service, the couple should make arrangements with that person to cover their expenses and to provide an honorarium.
Other monies should be placed in separate envelopes and be received two weeks before the wedding.
Other costs that may relate marriage preparation will be discussed and charged separately.
Where do we go from here?
If you have read this brochure and are ready to begin making plans you should make an appointment to meet with the minister.
For weddings, you will need a marriage licence (available from municipal offices, or private registries depending on the location). The church must receive this licence a week before the service, so that records and certificates can be prepared.
If you have any other questions concerning plans for your wedding or blessing, please contact the minister. We want to do all we can to help make your celebration to be a wonderful beginning to this new stage in your journey of love and life.
The Long Beach
Pastoral Charge
The West Coast Mission of the
Anglican and United Churches of Canada
The Church Communities of
St. Aidan On-the-Hill
1601 Peninsula Road
Ucluelet, BC
and
St. Columba
110 Second Street
Tofino, BC
Mailing Address:
Rev. George Pell,
P.O. Box 403
Ucluelet, BC / V0R 3A0
Phone
250-726-7318
Fax
250-726-7319
Web-Site
(Brochure Update: October 15, 2004)
To Contact Us: Email: celticsaints@telus.net
Phone: 250-726-7111 or 250-726-7318 Fax: 250-726-7319 Address: Box 403, Ucluelet, BC V0R 3A0
Ministers: All of Us Pastor to the Ministers:
Rev. George Pell
*This site is currently under
construction*
All Rights Reserved Celtic Saints Copyright 2004
This site was last updated
Monday November 01, 2004
Site Design & Maintenance donated by
Diggers Web Design