| Rev. Wieder: | Who stands with this couple? |
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| Attendants of Honor: | We do. |
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| Rev. Wieder: |
We are gathered to unite this couple in holy union, an institution
founded in nature and made holy by the faithful keeping of good men and
women in all ages. It is, therefore, not by any to be entered into
unadvisedly or lightly, but discreetly, advisedly, and with due
reverence.
This celebration is the outward sign of a sacred and inward union of
hearts, a union created by loving purpose and kept by abiding will. |
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| Rev. Hood: | You were born together, and together you
shall be for evermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
And let there be spaces in your togetherness.
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another, but make not a bond of love;
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.
Being mindful that each of you are the gifts you bring into this
marriage, I invite you to share with your loved one in the presence of
your family and friends what these gifts are to you….
|
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| Michael: | The gifts I bring unto this marriage are my
enthusiasm for our life together, a willingness to be creative with you,
the joy of loving our lives together, the commitment to be understanding
and patient, my love of music and art, and my dedication to enhancing our
loving partnership. |
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| Paul: | The gifts I bring unto this marriage are my
sense of humor, my sense of perspective, my patience, my music, my
dedication to our relationship, my sense of connection, and my love. |
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| Rev. Wieder: | If you are well assured that you are ready
to assume the obligations that occur when lives are wed, please turn to
face each other and join hands.
Michael, do you take Paul, to live together in constancy and devotion?
Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and cherish him, so long
as you both shall love?
If so, please answer, "I do." |
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| Michael: | I do.
|
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| Rev. Wieder: | Paul, do you take Michael, to live together
in constancy and devotion?
Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and cherish him, so long
as you both shall live?
If so, please answer, "I do." |
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| Paul: | I do. |
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| Rev. Wieder: | Will you say after me, Michael, placing this
ring upon Paul's finger…
|
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| Michael: | With this ring
I ask you, Paul
To share my life
To be the companion of my days and nights
We will keep together
What share of trouble and sorrow
Our lives may lay upon us
And we will share together
Our store of goodness
And plenty
And love.
|
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| Rev. Wieder: | Having chosen one another out of the people
you have known, and having stood before these people, declaring your love for one another and your
intention to live your lives together…
I now pronounce you wedded one to the other.
Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. |
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| Rev. Hood: | Now you will feel no cold, for each of you
will be warmth for the other. |
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| Rev. Wieder: | Now there is no loneliness for you. |
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| Rev. Hood: | Now there is no more loneliness. |
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| Rev. Wieder: | Now you are two bodies, but there is but one
life before you. |
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| Rev. Hood: | Go now to your dwelling place to enter into
the days of your togetherness and may your days be long and good upon the
earth. |
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| Rev. Wieder: | You may kiss. |
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