Covenant of Marriage and Life Partnership

Our Understanding of Christian Marriage/Covenanting

We are called to embody love, faithfulness and justice in our own relationships. Relationships cannot thrive and grow in isolation; they need the nurture, support and accountability of community. For Christians, our relationships are 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 a part.

As the Church, we celebrate such covenants in the context of a spiritual gathering. 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 an understandingthat we are spiritual beings. By promising to live in faithful human covenant, there is potential to deepen our relationship with the sacred.

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 an appropriate 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 a spiritual gathering as an expression of solem vows and the exchange of symbols of commitment.

"Service of Marriage" is the joining together of two adults, celebrated in a spiritual gathering, 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 spiritual gathering.

The celebration of both services acknowledges that to be faithful to the evolving work of the holy in creation, new traditions and practices must be embraced to accommodate our ever enlarging grasp of the sacred nature of all that is. 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 celebration date.

Marriage/Covenant Services are rarely 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 one of the ministers 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 ministry team.

Marriage/Covenant Services in locations other than the church building (e.g., homes, gardens, lawns) are matters to work out in consultation with the member of the ministry team who is going to celebrate your Marriage/Covenant. 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

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

Everyone who is to be married at Southminster-Steinhauer United Church is generally 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 a Minister.

Accommodation and Decorations

Fees

For More Information

Our church currently has one primary 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, unless otherwise agreed upon.

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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