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Holy Union Policy
Holy Union PolicyUnited Church of Christ in North Hampton
A Holy Union is more than a public ceremony. A Holy Union is also a worship service of a deeply spiritual nature that is not to be taken lightly or as a matter of convenience. Give serious thought, then, to what you want your ceremony to say to those present. Whether we acknowledge it, God is part of all relationships and Holy Unions represent the steadfast, covenantal, and passionate love of God. Holy Unions should publicly state what the couple has come to know privately and proclaim the presence of God in that relationship.
The policy of the United Church of Christ in North Hampton is that the Pastor(s) and the Music Director (as organist or pianist) have first right of refusal for a Holy Union performed within the church building. The Pastor(s) is (are) very open to co-officiating with another faith leader who has historical relationship with or particular meaning for the couple with the understand that the Pastor(s) would still maintain leadership within the church building.
The United Church of Christ in North Hampton is a living, breathing community which worships a Living God. We want to further strong relationships and discourage the use of church buildings as “ornamental” or church staff as ancillary to important and meaningful Christian ritual.
Requirements:
If neither person is a member, associate member, or friend of the United Church of Christ in North Hampton, the Holy Union must be sponsored by a member or associate member within the church.Four to five counseling sessions with Pastor or, if coming from a distance, another counselor certified to lead a couple through the Prepare/Enrich counseling materials. (See www.lifeinnovations.com for possible counselors in a proximate geographical area.) A $30 check written out to “Life Innovations, Inc.” is required to process inventories filled out at the first counseling session. Please have the check ready for the first session. A minimum of three to four months is required for this counseling and at least one follow-up counseling session, within the first year, is recommended.There shall be a rehearsal, in proximate relationship to the actual ceremony. If at all possible, rehearsals should include all musicians and participants who are involved in the actual Holy Union service. The Pastor(s) shall lead through the entire service once, stopping to give direction, and then go through the basics of the service again without stopping.Please present your marriage license to the officiating pastor at the rehearsal. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, the rehearsal and ceremony will not go forward without it.Flash photography is allowed for all non-speaking parts of the Holy Union ceremony. Please share this policy with your photographer. Please also ask your photographer to use foresight in setting up pictures taken during the Holy Union ceremony and discretion in moving from place to place during the Holy Union ceremony.Respect for church property through counseling to rehearsal to ceremony. This respect includes asking to use specific church property before its use, remaining only in areas of the church building necessary for your counseling, rehearsal, and Holy Union ceremony. No smoking or alcohol use is allowed on church grounds. Please delegate people to clean up after use of the church grounds or building and to gather all items left from the ceremony. Do not deface or destroy pianos, pews, carpeting, etcetera. Any damage to property or extra cleaning costs will be charged to the couple or their sponsor.There are certain costs for a Holy Union ceremony you are expected to assume if you are using church buildings or staff. If you are a member, associate member, or friend of the church, there is no payment for church buildings or Pastor(s). Attached please find the payment and policy for the church Music Director. If you are not a member, associate member, or friend of the church, and using one of the church buildings also attached is the Building Use Policy. All building use costs, including deposit, are to be paid a month in advance of the Holy Union ceremony or the ceremony shall not proceed. The Pastor officiating a Holy Union ceremony asks $175 for a couple that has no member, associate member, or friend of the church.------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Holy UnionInformation Sheet for the Pastor
After you have read the Requirements from the Holy Union Policy, please fill in the requested information below and return it to: United Church of Christ in North Hampton; Attn: Holy Union Information; 295 Atlantic Avenue; North Hampton, NH 03862.
Please check if you are related to the United Church of Christ in North Hampton as a:
MemberAssociate MemberFriend(please print)
Bride
Name: ____________________________________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________________________
Phone: _________________________ E-mail: ___________________________________________
Signature: _________________________________________________________________________
Groom
Name: ____________________________________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________________________
Phone: _________________________ E-mail: ___________________________________________
Signature: _________________________________________________________________________
Are there any children being brought into this Holy Union? __________________________________
Are you presently cohabitating? ________________________________________________________
Date of Ceremony: ________________________ Time of Ceremony: ________________________
Date of Rehearsal: ________________________ Time of Rehearsal: ________________________
* Place of Rehearsal and Ceremony: ___________________________________________________
Day of the week and time most available for pre-marital counseling: _____________________________
* If using Little River Church or the church building on North Hill, please review the attached Conditions for Use of Space and complete the Space Use Request form and return with this Holy Union Information Sheet to the address above.
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WEDDING MUSIC SUGGESTIONSAS GUESTS ARE SEATED
Canon in D Pachelbel
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring J. S. Bach
Air from “Water Music” G.F. Handel
Allegro Vivace from “Water Music” G.F. Handel
Pastoral Symphony from “Messiah” G.F. Handel
Sleepers Wake J. S. Bach
Spring from “Four Seasons” Vivaldi
Siciliana from “Royal Fireworks Music” G.F. Handel
Minuets I + II from “Royal Fireworks Music” G.F. Handel
Adagio Cantabile from “Violin Sonata #3 J. S. Bach
Air on the G String J. S. Bach
SEATING OF MOTHERS
Any of above or family favorite
Morning Has Broken Gaelic Melody
Ode to Joy from “9th Synphony” L. Beethoven
Love's Old Sweet Song J.L. Molloy
PROCESSIONAL
Bridal Chorus from “Lohengrin” R. Wagner
(Here Comes the Bride)
Trumpet Tune Henry Purcell
Trumpet Voluntary Jeremiah Clarke
Trumpet Voluntary John Stanley
Allegro Maestoso from “Water Music” G.F. Handel
Hornpipe from “Water Music” G.F. Handel
Rondeau Joseph Mouret
RECESSIONAL
Wedding March from “Midsummer Night's Dream Mendelssohn
Hornpipe from “Water Music” G.F. Handel
Allegro from “Royal Fireworks Music” G.F. Handel
Toccata and Fugue in D J.S. Bach
Rondeau Joseph Mouret
Church Organist's Form -- ComingYou may make arrangements with
Gail Adams, Music Director
Studio Phone: (207) 439-3861 e-mail: gastudio@ttlc.net
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Sample Wedding ServiceHoly Union Ceremony
Below you will find some of the possibilities for your Holy Union ceremony.
This list is not intended to be exhaustive but to help you with possibilities
and perhaps simplify the process for decision-making.
Please feel free to make choices of your own which reflect the spiritual nature of the ceremony
and the deep commitment of your relationship.
See Wedding Music Suggestions
It is customary in our church to close the doors to the sanctuary after the last bridesmaid has processed. The doors are then opened when the officiant asks the congregation to stand and the bride's processional music begins or the continuing processional music swells.
Appearance of Bride
Officiant: Will those who are able please stand?
Arrival of Bride
Officiant: Who represents the family in the blessing of this marriage?
Family Representative: I/We do.
It is customary for the family representative to lift the veil, if there is one, and kiss the bride at this time.
Greeting
Officiant: The grace of our Sovereign Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
Dear friends, we have come together in the presence of God to witness the marriage of your full name and your full name to surround them with our prayers and to share in their joy.
The scriptures teach us that the bond and covenant of marriage is a gift of God, a holy mystery in which two people become one flesh, an image of the union of Christ and the church.
As these two people give themselves to each other in Christian love this day, we remember that at Cana in Galilee our Savior Jesus Christ made the wedding feast a sign of God's reign of love. John says through this teaching that walking in God's way is like a wedding feast where the wine never ends.
Therefore, let us enter into this celebration of holy union confident that the love of first name and first name will never end, knowing that God's spirit wishes to bless their love for each other. We pray that this couple may fulfill God's purpose for the whole of their lives. You may be seated.
Introduction (Optional)
Officiant: Before God and this congregation, I introduce to you your full name and your full name , two people who have found God's intimate and passionate love in one another. They come before you all on this morning/ afternoon/evening to declare publicly what they have known privately for some time now: they wish to lift one another up in love for the whole of their lives. Let the signs of lifelong love lived in partnership echo throughout the world.
Opening Prayer
Officiant: Let us pray. Gracious God, always faithful in your love for us, we rejoice in your presence. You create love. You united us in one human family. You offer your word and lead us in light. You open your loving arms and embrace us with strength. May the presence of Christ fill our hearts with new joy and make new the lives of your servants whose holy union we celebrate. Bless all creation through this sign of your love shown in the love of first name and first name for each other. May the power of your Holy Spirit connect them, give them peace, and sustain all of us in love that knows no end. Amen.
Pledge of Support (Optional)
Officiant: As first name and first name declare their intent to wed, it is important to ask those who are gathered here to find yourselves in the declarations that they make. First name and first name will depend on the loving support of a community of people, friends, and family to make their declarations of intention real and vital throughout their whole lives.
And so I ask the family and friends of first name and first name to stand.
Will you support and nurture the marriage of first name and first name , taking each as your family and friend, supporting them, listening to them, and encouraging their mutual relationship? If so, respond by saying, “We will.”
You may be seated.
Declaration of Intent
Officiant: Before God and this congregation, first name and first name , I now ask you to affirm your willingness to enter this covenant of holy union and to share all the joys and sorrows of this new relationship lived in promise, whatever the future may hold.
First name , will you have first name to be your wife/ partner, and will you love her/him faithfully as long as you both shall live? If so, say, “I will with the Spirit of God.”
First name , will you have first name to be your husband/ partner, and will you love him/her faithfully as long as you both shall live? If so, say, “I will with the Spirit of God.”
Scripture Reading/Special Reading
Ruth 1:16-17Ecclesiastes 4:7-12Song of Solomon 8:6-7Matthew 5:1-9Colossians 3:12-17John 2:1-10John 15:12-17I Corinthians 13Colossians 3:12-17Revelation 21:1-4Message
It is customary for the couple to ascend the stairs after the Message to be on the same level as the officiant while the vows are being spoken. They shall turn to face one another and hold hands as they speak the vows.
Vows
Officiant: First name and first name , speak your covenant promises that you come to offer before God.
Bride/Partner: First name , I give myself to you; to be your wife/partner; I promise to love and sustain you; in the covenant of marriage; from this day forward; in sickness and in health; in plenty and in want; in joy and in sorrow; as long as we both shall live.
Groom/Partner: First name , I give myself to you; to be your husband/partner; I promise to love and sustain you; in the covenant of marriage; from this day forward; in sickness and in health; in plenty and in want; in joy and in sorrow; as long as we both shall live.
Exchange of Rings
Officiant: First name and first name , what will you share to symbolize your love?
Couple: These rings.
Officiant: By these symbols of covenant promise, gracious God, remind first name and first name of your encircling love and unending faithfulness that in all their life together they may know joy and peace in one another.
Groom/Partner: First name , I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness.
Bride/Partner: First name , I receive this ring as a sign of our love and faithfulness.
Bride/Partner: First name , I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness.
Groom/Partner: First name , I receive this ring as a sign of our love and faithfulness.
Lighting of the Unity Candle
The couple may choose to blow out the single candles or leave the candles lit after the lighting of the unity candle. It is customary to have a musical selection special to the couple played at this time.
Announcement of Marriage
Officiant: First name and first name , you are wife and husband/ partners with the blessing of Christ's church. Be merciful in all your ways, kind in heart, and humble in mind. Accept life, and be most patient and gracious with one another. Forgive as freely as God forgives.
And above everything else, be truly loving. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, may passion be seen in your eyes, and remember that as members of one body, you are called to live in harmony, and never forget to be thankful for what God has done for you.
The grace of Christ attend you; the love of God surround you; the Holy Spirit keep you that you may grow in holy love; find delight in each other always, and remain faithful until your life's end. Amen.
You may kiss.
Would those who are able please stand.
I present to this gathered congregation, title couple wishes for the announcement of marriage . Amen.
Recessional
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Conditions for Use of space for Holy UnionsIf neither bride nor groom is a member or associate member of the United Church of Christ in North Hampton (UCC in NH), a member or associate member of the UCC in NH must sponsor the Holy Union. Sponsorship by a member or associate member of the UCC in NH means that this person will sign the Space Use Request form for the person using the space and/or equipment within the space and will be accountable for any extra cleanup needed or payment for damage done to space or equipment.
The Pastor and Church Organist reserve right of first refusal, i.e., the bride and groom cannot use another Officiant or hire another organist without the prior approval of the Pastor or Church Organist.
Respect for church property through counseling to rehearsal to ceremony. This respect includes asking to use specific church property before its use, remaining only in areas of the church building necessary for your counseling, rehearsal, and wedding.
No alcoholic beverages are allowed on church property except for sacramental purposes.
No smoking is allowed in the buildings. Outside smoking is permitted as long as smoking remnants are not left on the ground.
If space is used without reservation of the kitchen, no food or refreshments may be served.
All users of space will return the space and any equipment within the space to its original condition. Cleaning supplies are kept in the closets in the hallway next to the kitchen.
If the kitchen is used, the user must clean it. This includes washing, drying, and putting away all utensils and wiping down the counters.
No tacks, glue or putty may be used on the walls, doors, or ceiling. Tape that does not leave a mark may be used.
The user will ensure before departure that all people have left, all lights are out, and the heat has been returned to recommended setting.
If meeting outside of usual church hours (every day, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM), the user must ensure that the doors are locked upon departure by having the sponsor, sexton, minister or another church member with access to keys agree to lock up the space.
The church requires the full amount of payment upon reservation of the space.
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Holy Union Space Use Request (Members)Please type or print clearly.
Proposed time and date for rehearsal
Proposed time and date for ceremony
Names and addresses of couple:
Bride
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Groom
________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone numbers (please include area code) and e-mail addresses (if available):
Bride
Groom
Local contact address and phone number (if the couple does not live in the NH). Please indicate relation to the contact.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Does one or both of the couple have membership in the United Church of Christ in North Hampton?
Bride: Yes No Groom: Yes No
Signature of Accountable Party (person with church membership; whether bride or groom):
Date:
I have read and understand the “Conditions for Use of Space for Holy Unions”.
Signature of Building Use Coordinator/Office Manager:
Date:
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Holy Union Space Use Request (Non-Members)Please type or print clearly.
Proposed time and date for rehearsal
Proposed time and date for ceremony
Names and addresses of couple:
Bride
________________________________________________________________________________________
Groom
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Phone numbers (please include area code) and e-mail addresses (if available):
Bride
Groom
Local contact address and phone number (if the couple does not live in the NH). Please indicate relation to the contact.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Does the couple have a sponsor who is a member of the United Church of Christ in North Hampton who will be responsible and accountable for whatever damage may occur in the use of the church space?
Yes No
If yes, please give the sponsor's name, address and phone number:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
If no, please state the reason why you are asking Church Council for an exception:
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Please indicate which spaces you will be reserving for your event(s). The monetary amounts listed are suggested donations for use of space. Cash or checks accepted - the church requires full payment upon reservation of space.
Checks should be made out to United Church of Christ, North Hampton.
*Sanctuary ($200) Classroom(s) ($25)
Vestry with kitchen ($100) Budd Room ($25)
Vestry without kitchen ($50) Charrier Hall ($25)
Little River Church ($100) Sexton's fee ($40)
* Sanctuary may be used only with the approval of the Minister or Church Council.
Signature of Accountable Party (Sponsor):
Date:
I have read and understand the “Conditions for Use of Space for Holy Unions”.
Signature of Building Use Coordinator/Office Manager:
Date:
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United Church of Christ in North HamptonHospitality Reception Policies
Questions asked of people who would like the Hospitality Committee to hold a reception:
Particular Reception (e.g., wedding, funeral, special anniversary)
________________________________________________________________________
Day of the Week: ________________________
Time of Day: ____________________________
With the present Hospitality Committee, Saturdays and Wednesday afternoons are preferable (2:00 p.m.).
Date: __________________________________
Approximate size of the reception: _______________________
Sandwiches or desserts and coffee: _______________________
Member donation will be $20.
Connected to the church will be $25.
Unrelated to the church in any way will be $50.
Receptions will also be hosted for:
Zimbabwe Sunday (May 5, 2002-first Sunday in May)
Graduation Sunday (June 9, 2002-generally, the second Sunday in June)
Recovenanting Sunday/Rally Day (September 8, 2002-Sunday after Labor Day)
Confirmation Sunday (November 24, 2002-generally, the last Sunday in November)
Special anniversaries in the church
Funerals
Weddings
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