Weddings

Your wedding will be one of the most sacred occasions in your life. You are coming together to establish a new home where the Lord will continue to show His love, grace, and purposes. In Christian marriage, you enter into a covenant which goes beyond the contractual arrangement that the state of West Virginia recognizes.

 

Our Hebrew-Christian tradition of covenant contains all the elements of a contract; drawing together, making an agreement, striking a bargain, etc. But a covenant contains more.

 

There is not only the legal, but also the sacred. Covenant marriage has an underlying belief that there is a God who is personal and who is involved in the affairs of humankind. Covenant marriage is more than an idea about God, but an act of God whereby God commits God’s self to the marriage. We appeal to God for help, knowing that the commitment of marriage is incredibly difficult, as well as joy unspeakable. We recognize that it is God who first thought of marriage and established it for our welfare and happiness.

 

The marriage covenant is to be a visual reminder to a non-Christian (or post Christian) world of God’s covenant with God’s people. Covenant marriage also says that in obedience to God’s call, we pledge our trust to one other human being.

 

The family of St. John United Methodist Church congratulates you and assures you of our continued prayers that your wedding shall be just what you want it to be, and that your life together as husband and wife will be happy and blessed. 

 

A.     We encourage couples to be married in this church when either the bride or groom is a participating member of this church.

B.     Consequently, we encourage persons to be married in their own church. Having only one pastor on staff, St. John is unable at this time to offer marriage services to others in the community. However, when circumstances make it impractical for a couple who are not members of St. John to be married in their home church, the pastor at his/her discretion, may make this church available.

C.       Recognizing the sin that fractures human relationships as well as the gracious work of a forgiving and reconciling God, persons who have experienced divorce are encouraged to be married in St. John Church.

A.     No wedding shall be scheduled or performed without previous approval and/or counseling with the Pastor of St. John.

B.     Weddings are to be scheduled at least three months in advance.

C.     Premarital preparation with the pastor should begin as early as possible, preferably before a wedding date is set. See the next section for information regarding premarital preparation.

D.     Weddings on Sundays and Christmas Week will be by special permission only. Weddings during Holy Week (the week before and including Easter) and the week of The West Virginia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church (usually from Wednesday through Sunday of mid-June) will not be considered except in special circumstances.

E.      If a pastor other than the appointed pastor of St. John is to participate in the Service of Christian Marriage, approval must first be obtained from the pastor of St. John and an invitation will be extended from the church office.

A.     The couple will meet with the Pastor or a Marriage Mentor Couple for premarital preparation. 

B.     Couples who are living together are requested to find separate housing upon entering premarital preparation. For The United Methodist Church such a lifestyle is incompatible with Christian teaching scripturally, historically, and theologically.

 

 

C.     The wedding will be a Christian service, though this will still provide the couple with a high degree of flexibility and creativity. The official service of The United Methodist Church is the service that in most cases will be used. It can be found on pages 864-869 in The United Methodist Hymnal, or the church office will be happy to provide you with a copy of this service.

 

A.     Experience has shown us that decorations in the Sanctuary must be kept simple. We discourage excessive use of flowers. The best rule of thumb: “Less is more.”

B.     No flowers or decorations shall be attached directly to church furnishings or walls with tacks or defacing tape. Any candles provided by the florist or the couple must be dripless. All personal or rented items must be removed after the wedding.

C.     Church furnishings may not be moved without the permission of the Pastor. This includes but is not limited to the communion table, choir chairs, pulpit and musical instruments.

A.     Flash photography during the ceremony is prohibited, although photographs taken during the processional and as the couple leaves during the recessional are permitted. Most professional as well as amateur photographers use nonflash methods.

B.     Wedding photographs are encouraged to be taken before the ceremony for a number of practical reasons (i.e., courtesy to wedding guests who will otherwise be waiting, appearance of the wedding party, etc.). However, if necessary when the service is concluded, the wedding party may return to the sanctuary for photographs.

C.     Video taping of the service may be done only from a stationary and discrete position either from the balcony or the front of the sanctuary.

A.     Members of the wedding party may use the church facilities for dressing on the day of the service. Use is limited to the rooms supplied. Beverage and food should not be taken into these areas. Smoking and alcoholic beverages are expressly forbidden.

B.     The wedding party must be responsible for removing all articles of apparel, boxes, and other personal items immediately following the wedding (or after the reception if this is held in the church fellowship hall).

C.     It is advised that all possessions and valuables be safely secured during the time of the wedding ceremony. It should be understood that St. John United Methodist Church cannot be held responsible for any lost or stolen items.

A.     Fellowship Hall is available for wedding receptions when not previously reserved. See section on Fees.

B.     The church is not responsible for reception arrangements unless a church member, circle, or church group has undertaken this responsibility for the couple.

C.     It is the policy of The United Methodist Church “to affirm our long standing support of abstinence from alcohol as a faithful witness to God’s liberating and redeeming love for all persons” (para. 72-I, The Book of Discipline of The UnitedMethodistChurch, 1992). Therefore, no alcoholic beverages shall be served on church property.

D.     It is the position of The United Methodist Church to “recommend total abstinence from the use of tobacco’ (para. 72-J, The Book of Discipline of The United MethodistChurch, 1992). Therefore, no tobacco products shall be allowed on church property.

E.      No rice, birdseed, or confetti is to be used in the church or on the walkways of the church.

A.     Participating members of St. John United Methodist Church shall have access to the church facilities at no cost although an additional gift may be made at the discretion of the couple. There is a $50 janitorial fee (sanctuary or fellowship hall), payable in advance to the janitor.

B.     A usage fee of $100 will be payable in advance to St. John United Methodist Church for all non-members being married in the church’s sanctuary. Janitorial fees, payable in advance to the janitor ($50) are added to this amount.

C.     A usage fee of $100 will be payable in advance to St. John United Methodist Church for all non-members who will be using Fellowship Hall for either a rehearsal dinner or reception. Janitorial fees, payable in advance to the janitor ($50) are added to this amount.

D.     When the kitchen is used a $100 deposit is required. (The deposit will be returned on the condition that the kitchen is left clean and undamaged. Damage in excess of the deposit will be the responsibility of the wedding party.)

E.      Fees are not charged by the Pastor. An honorarium may be given. 

F.      The church organist / pianist is a part time employee of the church, therefore an honorarium, in accord with time spent in planning and rehearsal, should be given. The minimum is $100.

G.       The Church building is opened and secured for the wedding and rehearsal and the sound system is operated by a volunteer event coordinator. An honorarium should be given in accord with time spent. The minimum is $100.

 

Janitorial fee for sanctuary                                 $50

Janitorial fee for fellowship hall              $50

Use of sanctuary                                               $100

Use of fellowship hall                                        $100

Deposit for use of kitchen (refundable) $100

Honorarium for organist                                    $100 (minimum)

Honorarium for event coordinator                     $100 (minimum)

 

Janitorial fee for sanctuary                                 $50

Janitorial fee for fellowship hall              $50

Deposit for use of kitchen (refundable) $100

Honorarium for organist                                    $100 (minimum)

Honorarium for event coordinator                     $100 (minimum)