Wedding Ceremony at Riverside Church
A wedding at Riverside Congregational Church United Church of Christ is a Christian service of worship. Vows are made in God’s presence and in the presence of those gathered for worship. The wedding is a time of praise, prayers, and blessings. It is a significant moment for the couple, and a very special time for their families and for their friends.
We presume that couples desire to be married in a church because they are persons of faith. Couples who are not comfortable with a wedding in the context of a community of faith should request information from their town clerk about others in the state who can officiate at their wedding.
In the Christian tradition, the minister does not marry the couple. Rather, the couple marry one another by making a public commitment to each other with their vows, by exchanging rings, and by joining hands in the presence of God and the company of family and friends. The minister is the official witness for the Church and the State. People of faith who approach the marriage covenant with seriousness make a commitment to stay together for the rest of their lives. Marriage is…”for as long as you both shall live.” A church wedding at Riverside is a promise to remain married.
Those desiring to be married at Riverside Church commit themselves to a series of premarital counseling sessions with the minister. First is an initial planning session and a conversation about the sanctity of marriage. The second is a conversation about the marriage relationship, and the third is a combination of counseling and planning. Additional sessions may be scheduled, if the minister feels they are required.
In consultation with the minister, the couple will be invited to develop a service which will uniquely express the meaning of their marriage. This might include writing their own vows, selecting their favorite readings, or other modifications. Guest speakers and musicians may be part of the ceremony.
Interested couples are invited to contact the church office by email rcc-office@cox.net or call 433-2039 to obtain the Wedding Application form and schedule of fees. You may wish to ask the office administrator to pencil in a “tentative date” for the wedding ceremony and the rehearsal on the master calendar of the church. Upon receiving your application, the Pastor will call you to schedule an interview. At that interview, dates will be discussed.
If you are unfamiliar with our church and its facilities, we invite you to visit us Monday through Friday from 9:00 am till 12:00 noon, or join us for worship Sunday at 10:00 am.