Wedding Protocol for St. John's in the Mountains,
Stowe, Vermont

1. The contribution for use of the building is $300. It is expected that the group will clean up afterwards, inside and out.

2. The honorarium for the Rector is $200, If the pre-marital counseling is done by the rector, a donation of $100 will be made to the rector's discretionary fund.
All fees are payable at the time of the rehearsal.

3. No still cameras are to be used during the ceremony. No rice or confetti is to be thrown while on church grounds. Birdseed is acceptable.

4. Our church musicians, Stephen Whiteley and Regina Christianson, must clear music for the wedding, whether or not they have been retained as musicians. Not all music is appropriate in the context of a Christian church wedding.

5. Available church musicians include Audrey Coty (802-253-4655), organist, Stephen Whiteley, guitarist and tenor, and Regina Christianson, harpist and soprano respectively. (Stephen and Regina can both be reached at 802-253-0955.)

6. Contracts with the musicians should be negotiated separately from arrangements with the church and clergy.

June 1, 2002
Reviewed and approved by the Vestry


Diocesan Policy for Holy Matrimony


I. First Marriages:

1. One of the persons to be married must be a baptized person, and an active member of your congregation.

2. Premarital counseling is required and should include: Christian understanding of marriage, issues around money, communication and sexual relationship and finally, planning the service.
3. Declaration of Intention shall be required, signed by both parties. [Canon 18, (d)]

II. Second Marriages:

In accordance with the canons of this Church, any priest officiating at the marriage of anyone who has been divorced must have permission of the bishop.

1. One of the persons to be married must be a baptized person, and an active member of your congregation.

2. A photocopy of the divorce decree(s) must be in your files and you should inform the bishop that you have it (them) in your request to officiate.

3. Premarital counseling is required and should include: Christian understanding of marriage, the care and welfare of minor children, discussion of why the first marriage(s) failed and how the prospective bride/groom participated in that failure, conversations about how minor children will be raised, issues around money, communication and sexual relationship and finally, planning the service.

4. The request to officiate should be on the bishop's desk at least thirty days before the scheduled event. The request should include counseling session results and the specifics of the care of minor children.

III. Re-marriages:

1. Permission will not be normally granted for third or subsequent marriages, except for the most extenuating circumstances, and then only with evidence of extensive pre-martial counseling (at least six sessions) and a letter from a therapist, psychiatrist or psychologist stating that the person has worked through personal issues surrounding failed marriages.

2. The following items are to be included in the priest's request to officiate:
(a) Copy of the letter from the therapist, psychiatrist or psychologist
(b) Copy of the divorce decrees
(c) Signed Declaration of Intention (that the parties involved intend their marriage to be a life-long union)
(d) Outline of care of minor children (visitation, financial arrangements, blended family incorporation issues)

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