By: Paul S. Cilwa | Viewed: 5/2/2024 Occurred: 8/12/2000 |
Page Views: 4261 | |
Topics: #MarriageEquality #UnitarianUniversalistChurch #Wedding | |||
Original Unitarian Universalist service written for the wedding for Paul S. Cilwa and Michael Manion. |
Gay Wedding March
After Paul D. Jacobowitz-Cain's solo, the Gay Wedding March (music by Paul S. Cilwa) played as, first, the two ministers, then the attendants of honor, and, finally, the two grooms marched up to the dais. The music was written for the occasion, with exactly enough in each segment for the walk from the rear of the church to the front.
Rev. Wieder: | Who stands with this couple? |
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Attendants of Honor: | We do. |
Rev. Wieder: | We are gathered together, this day, in this place, to celebrate the decision of two people to marry. And it is proper that we share this day with them, for it is not only an individual act, but affects those around us—for from this day, Paul and Michael are a wedded couple in the eyes of God, this church and their friends. 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. |
Rev. Hood: | You were born together, and together you
shall be for evermore. Love one another, but make not a bond of love; Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping. 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…. |
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. |
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. |
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? If so, please answer, "I do." |
Michael: | I do. |
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." |
Paul: | I do. |
Rev. Wieder: | What symbol have you chosen to represent the vows you have made, each to the other? |
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Paul & Michael: | These rings. |
Rev. Wieder: | The ring has long been a symbol of unity. It is perfect, it closes upon itself and has no end. The metal in these rings |
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Paul: | With this ring, I ask you, Michael |
Rev. Wieder: | Will you say after me, Michael, placing this ring upon Paul's finger… |
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Michael: | With this ring |
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. |
Rev. Hood: | Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth for the other. |
Rev. Wieder: | Now there is no loneliness for you. |
Rev. Hood: | Now there is no more loneliness. |
Rev. Wieder: | Now you are two bodies, but there is but one life before you. |
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. |
Rev. Wieder: | You may kiss. |