Covenant of Marriage and Life Partnership

Our Understanding of Christian Marriage/Covenanting

We know God as faithful, loving, and just. We are called to embody this in our own relationships. Relationships cannot thrive and grow in isolation; they need the nurture, support and accountability of community. For Christians, our relationship with God and with each other is rooted in our understanding of covenant. A covenant is a mutually agreed upon sacred bonding. Covenants of marriage and life partnerships are public, and have profound and lasting effect not only on the couple but also on the society of which they are apart.

As the Church, we celebrate such covenants in the context of the public worship of God. Spirituality is an important part of human relationships, and to have a marriage/covenant marked and celebrated within the Church is to acknowledge a decision to share life together based on the faith that we are sons and daughters of God. By promising to live in faithful human covenant, there is potential to know God's faithful covenant with all God's people.

For couples who do not have an interest in the Christian understanding of marriage/covenant, or commitment to the life of faith, a civil ceremony presided over by a Marriage Commissioner is their option.

Terms of Reference

As an "Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Canada", Southminster-Steinhauer United Church holds both Services of Marriage and Services of Covenanting, believing that committed couples of either opposite or same-gender members are welcome to have their covenants/marriages celebrated in the presence of God and the faith-community.

"Service of Marriage" is the joining together of two adults, celebrated in a worship service, conducted and registered in accordance with the laws of jurisdiction in which the service is performed.

"Service of Covenanting" is defined as the joining together of two adults celebrated in a worship service.

The celebration of both services acknowledges that to be faithful to the evolving work of God in creation, new traditions and practices must be embraced to accommodate our ever enlarging grasp of God's world and God's people. Any two persons seeking to live in a committed relationship can choose to have a celebration of a new covenant.

Information About Marriage/Covenant Services

Couples seeking the celebration of a Marriage/Covenant at Southminster-Steinhauer United Church are those of whom at least one is already associated with our community of faith personally, or through their family’s involvement, or are interested in making our church the base for their faith-journey, and that of their life together.

It is expected that initial inquiries about Marriage/Covenant Celebrations should be made at least six months in advance of the proposed date.

Marriage/Covenant Services are not held on Sundays. Other occasions that are usually not for booking include: Easter Saturday, and the weekends closest to Christmas Eve/Day. Other weekends may not be available for such bookings depending on yearly and seasonal advanced plans in the life and work of the congregation.

Services of Marriage/Covenant at Southminster-Steinhauer United Church are celebrated by the Ordered Ministry Personnel who are in covenant with our congregation through Edmonton Presbytery and who are licensed by the Government of Alberta to register marriages. Other arrangements may be considered only after consultation with, and at the discretion of, the congregation’s Ordered Ministry Personnel.

Marriage/Covenant Services in locations other than the church building (e.g., homes, gardens, lawns) are matters to work out in consultation with the Ordered Ministry Personnel. A guiding principle for location is the understanding that the Marriage/Covenant service is a Service of Worship.

Another guiding principle in the life and work of Southminster-Steinhauer United Church is a commitment to use inclusive and non-sexist language in all Marriage/Covenant services.

Marriage/Covenant Preparation Process

The Initial Interview

Parties inquiring about celebrating a Marriage/Covenant will first need to make an appointment to meet with the Minister. Additional time with the Minister will be booked later on.

The Booking

After the initial interview, the Minister will give you details about how to book the event with the ‘Property Management’ contact, including fees, deposits, building use guidelines, set-up arrangements, reception options, etc.

The Marriage/Covenant Event

All parties married/covenanted through Southminster-Steinhauer United Church are expected to attend what is commonly called a “Marriage Preparation Course”. This is a very important investment of time, effort and dollars to give persons helpful tools and insights for enhancing their ongoing relationship. You will be provided with information about these courses when you meet with the Minister.

Accommodation and Decorations

The Small Hall can seat 75 and the Large Hall 400. You may wish to use flowers, candles, and other decorations for your service.

Fees

Celebrant $150,   Accompanist $100,   Space Use $250
(Space Use fees may be waived for members, adherents and their families and a donation will be welcomed.)

For More Information

Our church has one person licensed (by both the Province of Alberta and the United Church of Canada) to perform marriage services within the church. The Reverend Nancy Steeves  officiates at weddings at Southminster-Steinhauer United Church.

For more information and to talk with our Minister, call the church at 780-435-2028 or e-mail us at info@smsuc.com

10740  19 Ave. Edmonton, AB   T6J 6W9
Phone (780) 435-2028

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