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St John's Wedding Policy |
Holy Matrimony/Holy Union Procedures at St. John's in the Mountains Episcopal
Church in Stowe, Vermont
1. The contribution for use of the building is $350.
2. The honorarium for the Rector is $150. This includes three premarital
counseling sessions (minimum required by canon), rehearsal and the ceremony.
(For parishioners, fees are at clergy discretion.) Fees are payable at the time
of the rehearsal.
3. Regarding photos during the wedding – consult with the officiant. No rice or
confetti is to be thrown while on church grounds. Birdseed is acceptable.
4. The rector must approve music, as not all music is appropriate in the context
of a Christian service. The parish music director and organist, Audrey Coty
(802-253-4655), is available for music. Musicians must be approved by the
rector.
5. Contracts with the musicians must be negotiated separately from arrangements
with the church and clergy. Reviewed and approved by the Vestry February 2008
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 his/her congregation.
2. Premarital counseling is required and should include: Christian understanding
of marriage, issues concerning money, communication, sexual relationship and
planning the service.
3. Declaration of Intention shall be required, signed by each person. [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 a congregation.
2. A photocopy of the divorce decree(s) must be in parish files and the priest
should inform the bishop that the decree(s) have been received when submitting
the 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 concerning money, communication, sexual
relationship and 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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