Wedding Ceremony

By Rev. Don Riemer

Note: readings and vows to be provided by the couple being married. Opening Words The stream had flowed through the center of the forest for as long as anyone could remember. It began as a cold, clear fountain in a fractured hillside, then tumbled down over mossy stones and last year?s autumn leaves. At the foot of the hill the stream took a course running southeast through tall stands of beeches, maples, and oaks, and by the time it left the forest five miles later it carried a river's ambitions. But in the center of the forest it was a watery dream, about ten feet wide and ten inches deep. Fallen logs made bridges for chipmunks, foxes, and children looking for secrets. Occasional shafts of sunlight revealed freshwater muscles in the silt, crayfish picking over pebbles, water beetles dancing on the surface, and young trout darting among roots, branches, and softly bubbling falls. The stream was full of life, and full of lessons for those who knew how to see them. And regarding it silently on the bank stood the master and the student. The master and the student had arrived at the stream after walking the forest path for nearly two hours. Every step of the way, the student spoke anxiously of the impending choices that filled his mind with confusion. Should he travel?  If so, where? Should he continue his studies? If so, in what field of knowledge?   Should he learn a new trade, or perhaps join the family business?  Should he save his money, or spend freely and enjoy life to its fullest?  And on, and on, and on. And every step of the way the master only listened. When they reached the stream the student fell silent. They stood side by side, watching the water. Then, pointing to a fallen twig, the master asked, "If you throw that stick into the stream, where will it go?" The student answered, ?It will go downstream, of course.? But the master shook his head. ?No,? he said, ?I want you to tell me exactly where it will go.? The student crouched down on the bank and observed the water carefully. He noted the paths of leaves, the surge of bubbles, and the sway and drift of weeds growing on the bottom, until he was sure. "Well," he said, "If I throw the stick to land at that spot there, it will follow the current between those two rocks, rush over that fall, then swirl in that eddy for a moment, then pass under this branch, and then move off under that fallen log over there." The student smiled, supremely confident. "All right," the master said. "Throw the stick." And the student did. And it traveled on a course entirely different from the one he had predicted. They watched the stick drift out of sight. The student shuffled his feet and looked at the ground, but finally met the master?s eyes. ?The important thing,? said the master,? is to throw the stick!? We are here today because ________ and _______ have decided to throw the stick. In a world of endless choices, unpredictable outcomes, and no guarantees, they are doing the finest thing two people can do: making a commitment before friends and family to devote their lives to each other. We call this a wedding. It comes from an old Germanic word meaning "a pledge." And this is worth remembering as we consider what this day is all about. We make few pledges in our modern lives. But today we celebrate with ________ and ______ as they make theirs: a pledge to and for each other, not as individuals, but as two that are choosing to become one. First reading: a poem or other literary excerpt that addresses the nature of love. Segue 1 Most would agree that it is love that keeps people together when they?re confronted with that immense sky, with those infinite distances that separate even the closest of men and women. But what kind of love? Poets, priests and philosophers, and no small number of cabbies, barbers and bartenders have debated this question. We speak of spiritual love, passionate love, love eternal... but the phrase that may capture the reality of this emotion best is ?stirring the oatmeal? love. When you?re willing to stand in your bathrobe on a cold kitchen floor at 5:00 AM, and stir the oatmeal so your spouse can have a little more sleep?and not even think twice about why you?re doing it?then you have a love that can last a lifetime. As Carl Jung once wrote, feeling is a matter of the small. Such simple, pragmatic experiences are the best places for love to take root. In such ground, love blossoms over time, becoming deeper, more beautiful, and more profound. Second reading: a poem or other literary excerpt that addresses the depth and power of the love between the two being married. Segue 2 Love so deep, intimacy so profound, cannot help but suggest transcendence, a shifting of human experience into the realm of the spiritual. This is what makes marriage a unique milestone in any relationship. _________ and _________ have been together for eight years. They seem as close as any two people can be. Yet they felt the need for something more: a rite of passage. We define marriage as a sacrament, something that is itself defined as 'a rite ordained as an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.' An outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace. That is why we are here: to witness this visible sign. These words, these actions?they are the manifestation of that inward grace. In this way, a marriage is like a mirror. It lets us look into depths that cannot be seen directly, and reflects the spirit of the two being joined as one. Third reading: a poem or other literary excerpt that addresses the struggle and challenge of marriage, which can lead to a more spiritual and joyful life. Vows intro ________________ and ________________ are here to marry each other. No one else?s will can create such a union. It is their words, their intentions, their vision, that must define and shape this marriage. So I call upon them now to state their promise before this group: the pledges that will bind them together. Vows and exchange of rings (vows to be provided by the couple being married.) Segue 3 _______ and _____ have come a long way. From (insert reference to how the couple met), to declaring their devotion to each other today. Theirs is a continuing journey. It will not always be easy. They will face challenges, trials, and hardships, as we all do. But their union is strong and vital. Their task now is to find joy in seeing each other constantly blossoming, to find exhilaration in change and purpose in the new roads traveled, no matter what direction is taken. They are explorers, these two. And the strength of their marriage is a strength that celebrates every minute of life, as well as the living mystery of their love. Fourth reading: a poem or other literary excerpt that expresses the celebration of a new union, a merging of two into one. Closing This marriage is complete. Where there were two, there is now one. Closing words are often the hardest. One never knows where one will find them. To begin, here?s a wedding toast from Africa... ?Through others, we are someone. Through this marriage, we broaden our family circle, we remember our heritage and recall those who gave us life. We call upon our ancestors, the foundations of our families, immortalized in our thoughts. We call upon our elders, whose wisdom we seek in all endeavors. Our friends whom we are blessed to have in our lives. Our parents who guided us along the road to adulthood. We call upon those who have passed over and could not be here today. And we call upon the bride and groom, that they may always find prosperity in love and devotion. We ask that children bless this couple, because children give glory to a home. Therefore we cast a libation to the North, to the South, to the East and to the West. And we wish everyone to leave more blessed than when they came. Amen. To finish, a simple toast from Italy. Evviva gli sposi, hurray for the newlyweds! Universal Life Church  ********************    The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.   As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar.