Anglican Church of Canada
Diocese of New Westminster
The Blessing of the Marriage
from
The Book of Alternative Services – 1985
Christ Church - Hope
681 Fraser Street, Hope, B.C.
Most gracious God, we give you thanks for
your tender love in sending Jesus Christ to
come among us, to be born of a human
mother, and to make the way of the cross
to be the way of life. We thank you also, for
consecrating the union of man and woman
in His name. By the power of your Holy
Spirit, pour out the abundance of your
blessing upon this man and this woman.
Defend them from every enemy. Lead
them into all peace. Let their love for each
other be a seal upon their hearts, a mantle
about their shoulders, and a crown upon
their foreheads.
The Celebration
of a
Marriage
Bless them in their work and in their
companionship; in their sleeping and in
their waking; in their joys and in their
sorrows; in their life and in their death.
Finally, in your mercy, bring them to that
table where your saints feast for ever in
your heavenly home; through Jesus Christ
our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit
lives and reigns, one God, forever and
ever. Amen.
Clergy:
The Rev’d Gail Newell
Updated Oct, 2013
P.O. Box 1421
Hope, B.C. V0X 1L0
Telephone: 604-869-5402
e-mail: [email protected]
You and Your Wedding
at
Christ Church - Hope
Welcome to Christ Church - Hope. We are
very pleased that you are planning to have
your marriage blessed in this Christian
Community. We believe a marriage is a
spiritual union and are delighted that you
will make your vows to each other before
God. Please call the office to arrange for
your first interview. 604-869-5402
When you book the date and time of your
wedding, we will also book the rehearsal.
TIME FRAME
MUSIC
How far ahead do we have to start
making arrangements?
The Canonical
requirements are 30 days, but in practical
terms, the arrangements often take 3 to 4
months. This includes the time for interviews
with the Clergy, the marriage preparation
course, and making sure the church is
available. If one or both partners are
divorced, processing the application through
the Marriage Commission would add another
2 months.
Who will play the organ?
The Church
will provide an Organist for weddings.
The Clergy may give approval for others to
use Church instruments.
Alternative music, i.e., other instruments,
CD’s, and tapes are permissible by
arrangement with the Clergy. You may
choose your own music for the service in
consultation with the Clergy.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
FACILITIES
What does the church require before we
can be married? The Canons of the
Anglican Church of Canada require that at
least one of the couple be baptized. For
couples, one or both of whom have been
divorced, permission must first be granted
by the Diocesan Marriage Commission.
The Clergy will assist you in this regard.
The Anglican Church of Canada requires that
the couple participate in a recognized
Marriage Preparation Course at their own
expense. Please discuss options with the clergy.
If you are under 19 years of age, you will need
your parent’s consent to be married.
How many people does the church seat?
The church comfortably seats up to 85
people.
What are the legal requirements? Before you
can be married, you must obtain the combined
Marriage License, up to 90 days before the
wedding. We need your license approximately
two weeks before the wedding to prepare the
certificates.
Banns may also be read in
the church, if requested, as a courtesy to the
families, but this does not replace a license.
The Marriage Act states that two mature
witnesses must be present at a wedding, and
that they are to sign the Marriage License and
the Marriage Certificate.
FLOWERS
What about decorating the church with
flowers?
Please make your own
arrangements for flowers, pew decorations,
etc.
PHOTOGRAPHS
Can we take photographs during the service?
Photographs are not allowed during the
worship service but may be taken as the
wedding party enters the church, during the
signing of the register, and as the bride and
groom return down the aisle. The Clergy are
willing to pose for photographs after the
service.
USHERS
What time should our ushers be at the
church? Your ushers should be on duty at the
Church door at least half an hour before
the stated time of the wedding to receive and
seat your guests.
THE RITE
Our Anglican marriage rite is a beautiful service
with flexibility to make it uniquely your
wedding. The service is conducted by Anglican
clergy. We welcome participation by those of
other denominations that have been important to
the couple.
FEES
How much does it cost?
The total cost is $525.00. Cheques made
payable to Christ Church - Hope
This includes: Church & Caretaker $ 250.00
Clergy
$ 100.00
Organist
$ 100.00
Office Administration $ 25.00
Altar Guild
$ 50.00
FOLLOWING THE WEDDING
We at Christ Church - Hope, are most happy
to have been asked to share in this great
occasion of your lives, and would like to do
everything possible to make your wedding
meaningful and memorable. We wish you
every happiness together and God’s blessings.
You are warmly invited to participate in the
worship and work of the congregation.
NO CONFETTI, RICE, BIRDSEED, etc.
on Church property PLEASE