WeddingS

Colonial Church wants you to be part of our life, and to journey with you on the road of growth in love—the greatest gift God gives.

"...from the very first he made man and woman to be joined together permanently in marriage...so that they are no longer two, but one."

Preparing for Christian Marriage

| Vision | Expectations | Process | Invitation | Pre-Marriage Workshops | Wedding Information Booklet  | Wedding Info Form| Custodial Form | Tech Service Form

Are you planning to be married? If you are considering Colonial Church's Meetinghouse, Hearth Room, Fireside Room, or even the Courtyard or Garden - it is wise to begin making plans for that great day of beginning. Colonial Church's ministers, staff, and lay people who share in that work believe this is one of the most significant and important ministries of this church.

Your wedding is the beginning of your new life together. A new family is being created. Its foundation is in the Christian faith. Preparation that allows a deep commitment to each other is critical to the permanence and power of your lifetime investment in each other.

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Vision

Taking the good and making it better...

Marriage is a wonderful gift of God for the fulfillment and enjoyment of men and women. It is a gift to be cherished and honored. At the same time, it requires hard work, sacrifice and effort to attain the oneness and joy God intends.

In a world where so many marriages fail to reach that which God offers, it cannot be assumed that couples have the requisite skills necessary for a long-term successful marriage as they approach their wedding. It is assumed they can and do bring a deep love for one another and a desire to let this love expand and mature over time.

In light of this, Colonial Church's ministers see their role as taking the good and making it better. This means building on the stengths already present in the relationship. In addition, by discovering areas of comparative weakness, ways can be found to eliminate some of the initial problem areas that could pose a risk to the couple. Everything that is done comes from a desire to enhance and free couples to realize the fullness of marriage.

A wedding at Colonial Church is a worship service. Accordingly, the wedding itself is both a sacred time and a profound celebration of human love. The desire is to honor God on both levels.

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Expectations

Marriage is best understood as a gift from God. Colonial Church wants you to be part of our life, and to journey with you on the road of growth in love—the greatest gift God gives. Thus, while church membership is not a requirement, each couple is asked about their faith and involvement in the life of Colonial Church is expected.

A small, but very important and useful ingredient in preparing for a uniquely personal marriage is the pre-marriage preparation process. All couples being married at Colonial Church are required to attend the following:

  • An initial meeting with the minister, at which time, a decision is made to have the wedding at Colonial Church
  • A pre-marriage workshop which includes the PREPARE pre-marriage inventory
  • Meeting with a trained lay couple or counselor to review the PREPARE inventory
  • A minimum of two sessions with the officiating pastor
  • A meeting with the Wedding Coordinator to go over details for the rehearsal and wedding day
  • Any additional sessions with the officiating pastor and/or lay counselors that may be required.

One of Colonial Church's ministers presides at all weddings held in the church. Guest ministers may assist in the ceremony. The church facility is not rented to outside parties who desire to have their own minister perform the wedding.

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Process

To be married at Colonial Church, contact the church's Wedding Administrator,Mary Werness , to determine the availabilty of your desired date and to request a preliminary meeting with the minister. It is necessary to take this step a minimum of six months in advance of the ceremony in order to allow for the necessary preparation, support and growth.

A wedding date is not confirmed until the prelimiary meeting with a Colonial minister has taken place. Once this has happened and a decision to proceed with the wedding has been reached, you will be asked to complete a contract agreement and to make a $250 non-refundable deposit. The deposit will be applied toward your overall fees.

Colonial Church's organist, Dr. Charles Forsberg, coordinates all music for weddings at Colonial Church. He will meet with you several weeks prior to the ceremony to help you in the selection of your wedding music.

Two to three months before your wedding, you will be assigned a Wedding Coordinator. The Wedding Coordinator will meet with you to assist in planning the details of your ceremony and will be there to assist in both the wedding rehearsal and the ceremony itself.

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Invitation

If you are interested in proceeding further toward arranging for a Christian wedding at Colonial Church, please contact Mary Werness at mwerness@colonialchurch.org or call 952-224-9522 to begin the process!

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Upcoming pre-marriage workshops

This is a 2-day workshop--Friday evenings from 6 - 9 pm and Saturday from 9 am - 3 pm. It should be completed early in the engagement process. Upcoming dates in 2007 are:

  • April 13 & 14, 2007
  • July 13 & 14, 2007

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