A Prayer for Couples  

Eternal God, creator and preserver of all life, author of salvation, and giver of all grace: Look with favor upon the world you have made, and for which your Son gave his life, and especially upon this man and this woman whom you make one flesh in Holy Matrimony.

Give them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy.

Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will, and their spirits in your Spirit, that they may grow in love and peace with you and one another all the days of their life.

Give them grace, when they hurt each other, to recognize and acknowledge their fault, and to seek each other’s forgiveness and yours.

Make their life together a sign of Christ’s love to this sinful and broken world, that unity may overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal guilt, and joy conquer despair.

Give them such fulfillment of their mutual affection that they may reach out in love and concern for others.

Book of Common Prayer, p. 429

When a woman and a man seek to establish a Christian marriage in which they intend to enter into a life-long relationship, to make their vows before God and the Church, and to receive the grace and blessing of God to help them fulfill their vows, they turn to the parish church. The first step in planning for their celebration of marriage in the church is to contact the parish clergy to arrange for dates, counseling and other plans. The celebration and blessing of a marriage is a sacramental rite of the Church in which we come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining of a man and a woman in Holy Matrimony. In order to assist those desiring to be married in this Parish, the following policies have been established at St. John’s, conforming with the Canons of the Episcopal Church, the Order of Service, the rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer (1979).

Planning and Preparation: It is very important to contact the clergy before setting a wedding date. Canons require a 30-day notice period, minimum. It is Diocesan and Parish policy that couples participate in marriage preparation.  It is a time for couples to explore how their lives may be different in marriage.  A $50 non-refundable fee is required to reserve the church.

Customarily, marriages are not celebrated during Lent, except under special circumstances. Marriages are prohibited during Holy Week. In the Episcopal Church, marriage of those who have been divorced is possible with the consent of the Bishop. In such cases, consult with Parish clergy to discuss that possibility. You must give at least 60 days’ notice if one of you has been divorced.

Our expectation is that you will worship with us on a regular basis prior to the wedding and encourage you to continue following.  Couples who are involved in a faith community are much more likely to remain married.

If you desire to be married at St. John the Divine, please contact the church office at 262-763-7482.