Weddings At St. John the Evangelist…
Congratulations on your engagement! We share this information so that you might have a brief but realistic idea about the possibility of having your wedding at St. John the Evangelist, Duxbury. This information is merely a guideline. Always speak with the rector before making any plans with regard to your wedding ceremony or reception.
?FIRST MARRIAGE FOR BOTH PERSONS?The primary requirement for a wedding ceremony in any Episcopal Church, and most other mainline churches, is that the couple has attended at least three formal sessions of premarital counseling by a clergy person or qualified counselor over the course of at least a month prior to the wedding.??We further expect that at least one of you is a baptized Christian and we hope that you are actively involved in a Church community. It is not required that you are attending an Episcopal Church. We understand that there may be some exceptions to the rule, but we hope that if you have invited the Church to be part of your wedding day, you intend to make Christ and the Church part of your life.??If there is no problem meeting the two expectations above, we ask that you follow and complete a copy of our REQUEST FORM and APPLICATIONS. You may now arrange the date and time of your wedding ceremony by phone, fax or e-mail with one of our priests. Please know that the minister performing the service will eventually need formal evidence from a clergy person or the pastoral counselor that adequate preparation for Holy Matrimony has been accomplished and that at least one person is active in a church community. Usually a simple letter or e-mail will suffice.??
SPECIAL SITUATIONS?If you feel that you do not (or cannot) fit into the STJ "norms" for marriage or remarriage, you may wish to talk personally to one of our clergy. We may have some creative suggestions that could make a wedding celebration possible. We will try to respond pastorally on a case by case basis.??
WEDDING PLANNING?STJ's clergy plan the religious service. We do not have the means to schedule the "non liturgical" events associated with your wedding. Arranging a reception, photographers, hotels, hairdressers, transport, etc. are well beyond our sphere. Likewise, when the service is outside the church proper, we can take no responsibility for arranging for musicians. We are, however, often able to refer you to independent professionals who may be helpful.??
THE CELEBRATION AND BLESSING OF A MARRIAGE?We use the Book of Common Prayer (1979) and the 1982 Hymnal as the primary texts for the liturgies we celebrate. Within the traditional framework of the Episcopal wedding service there is almost always some creative flexibility possible as long as it is theologically appropriate and in good taste. There are, in fact, many opportunities for family and guests in the wedding party to be involved especially as readers of Holy Scripture and in the prayers.??
FINANCIAL COSTS AND OTHER POLICIES?The parish gladly makes its clergy available to serve the broader community, but we ask that you share in the significant expenses of supporting our parish ministry and church facilities. A fee which includes the use of the church, the services of the clergy and the sacristan's fee applies. Payment is due no less than thirty days before the wedding ceremony. If music of the organ or piano is desired, the regular church organist's fee is an additional fee payable directly to Mr. Roy Kelley, Organist/Choir Director at the time
If you are interested please call the office and speak with Amy to set a date:
This form should be completed and returned to the Church: Wedding Form
410 Washington Street P.O. Box 2893 Duxbury,
Massachusetts 02331-2893
Phone: (781) 934-6523 Fax: (781) 934-5488 Email: stjamy@comcast.net