THE DATE AND PREMARITAL CONFERENCES
Regarding the Date- Before a definite date is planned, please telephone
our pastor and/or church secretary at the church (717-762-7042), to
be sure that the sanctuary and our pastor are available. A six-week
notice is helpful, but not absolutely necessary.
Conferences- At the time of checking the date and time, our pastor will
arrange a time and date for the first of the four premarital conferences.
The first conference will be a get-acquainted time with an emphasis of
the mechanics of the wedding ceremony. The second conference, to be scheduled
within one month of the first conference, will be a time of informal
conversation that seeks to affirm and celebrate your marriage. Each conference
will be one hour in duration. If additional conference times are needed
or desired, the pastor will be glad to arrange them at the convenience
of all parties.
LICENSE
Licenses are issued by the respective courthouse in the county in which
you reside. Three days must elapse between the
time you apply and the day you receive the license. Since our pastor
must have the license for verification of marriage eligibility,
please deliver the license to him at the rehearsal or as early as possible.
WHO WILL OFFICIATE
Our pastor officiates at weddings held at Christ U.M. Church, except
where another pastor is also requested to officiate. In the situation
of two officiating pastors, our pastor will write a formal invitation
to welcome to the assisting pastor. Name, address, phone number, etc.
of the requested assisting pastor are to be supplied at least six weeks
prior to the service. In special circumstances, a visiting pastor may
perform the ceremony in its entirety. In this situation, our pastor
will again write a formal invitation of welcome to the guest pastor
with a copy being sent to the engaged couple. Additionally, our pastor
will work with the couple so as to plan for the logistical aspects
of the wedding. An honorarium fee for this ministry is suggested.
CEREMONY
The wedding ceremony varies between twelve and thirty minutes in duration,
depending upon the order of the service. The ritual
used at Christ U. M. Church is traditional in nature (please see attachment
for a sample of this ritual). However, couples are
encouraged to work with our pastor, if a "custom designed" ritual
is desired. Generally, most weddings occur in the sanctuary.
However, weddings can be scheduled outside, at homes, in public gardens,
etc. Couples are responsible for all logistical
details when the ceremony is held outside the church premise.
REHEARSAL
If the wedding is to involve a wedding party, a rehearsal should be planned
for a day very close to the wedding. The evening prior to the wedding
is preferred for this purpose. The officiating pastor(s) will preside
at the rehearsal. The participating organist will be on hand to play
designated parts of the ceremony, as will the sound technician, if
so requested. All wedding party participants, including parents, acolytes,
etc., are encouraged to be present. Approximately one hour should be
allowed for the rehearsal. Please note that our pastor will also identify
the bride's and groom's preparation rooms, etc., at this time.
MUSIC
Organ music, as presented by our organist, is traditionally played at
weddings held here at Christ U. M. Church. (Instruments like guitar,
trumpet, harp, etc., are acceptable and encouraged for special selections.
The couple will assume all extra fees, if any, in this regard.) Our
organist will be happy to discuss with you a program of music to be
played at your wedding. This individual should be contacted at least
four weeks prior to the wedding. If a soloist is to be engaged, the
details, regarding rehearsals, etc., should be worked out on the initial
contact. All music should be appropriate for the ceremony. You are
encouraged to make the selections. However, if you desire, our organist
will coordinate this for you. If the Christ U. M. Church organist is
unavailable for the date and time of the wedding, another organist
will be recommended by our pastor. Names, addresses and phone numbers
of the organists will be supplied by our pastor at the time of the
first premarital conference. A guest organist may be engaged if there
is a special request to do so. (Please consult with our pastor as to
related details for such a guest organist). A negotiation of the organist's
honorarium is the responsibility of the couple.
SOUND SYSTEM AVAILABILITY AND CAPABILITY
Christ U. M. Church is pleased to offer the use of an effective sound
system to better enhance the spoken word and/or music. In order to
utilize this system, we request that couples utilize the services of
a Christ U. M. Church representative who is trained as to its usage.
A small honorarium is so indicated in the fee schedule for the services
of such a person.
The following is a listing of our capability and related technology:
Capability of twelve (12) input channels to sound system (microphone,
tape, etc.)
The following items are on hand and can be used with the system:
∞ 3 Shure remote wireless lapel microphones (1 lapel will be used for
the Pastor)
∞ 1 Shure remote wireless hand-held microphone
∞ 5 Shure hand-wired mirophones and 5 adjustable stands
∞ 2 playback cassette tape decks
∞ 4 dual recording cassette tape decks
∞ 1 CD disk player
Capability of recording the church service on cassette tape, up to eight
(8) copies can be made of the actual service.
Any additional copies (more than 8) will be duplicated for a master recording
tape. (Additional fee may be charged.)
Capability to play a cassette tape through the church sound system and
capability to separate a cassette tape
channel #1 and channel #2 where vocal may be on one channel and music
on the other channel. (Usually used to assist a soloist)
Capability to play music from a CD through the sound system.
RECEPTIONS
Wedding receptions may be held in the Wolff Hall of Christ U. M. Church
(lower level). Such arrangements are the responsibility of the couple
including all aspects of setting up and tearing down the room. Tables
and chairs can be provided at no cost. Custodian services will assume
the responsibility of general cleaning. See the enclosed fee schedule
for reception fees.
CUSTODIAL SERVICES
The custodian will prepare the sanctuary for all rehearsals, although
the individual will not be on hand for this time period. The custodian
will, however, be available before, during and after the wedding ceremony
itself, including a reception if held on the premises. See the enclosed
fee schedule for custodial fees.
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Please have your photographer talk to our pastor about permissible photography.
Photographers, professional or amateur, are encouraged to refrain from
taking flash pictures during the wedding ceremony. Entrances and recessionals
are permissible. Ample time is available before or after for any and
all pictures. In addition, the use of videos is encouraged and welcome.
Please encourage the videographer to discuss details of this photography
with our pastor prior to the service.
DIRECTIONS TO CHRIST U.M. CHURCH
From Route 316 (North or South), go East (going South, make a left turn,
going North, make a right turn), on Second Street. Travel 1 ½ blocks
to the Christ U. M. Church parking lot entrance, which is on the right,
or continue on to the corner of Church Street and Second Street, where
you can enter the sanctuary.
From Route 16, enter the town square and travel South on Church Street.
(Going West, make a left turn, going East, make a right turn), for one
block to the corner of Church Street and Second Street, where the church
is located.
DECORATION OF THE CHURCH
FLORAL
Arrangements for floral decorations should be made through the florist
of your choice, who will supply the flower containers. Two arrangements
are generally appropriate for the altar table, however you are welcome
to arrange the altar as you so choose. We ask that the containers be
self-contained. If you are having a Saturday wedding (11:00 a.m. or
later), you will have the opportunity to utilize flowers which we have
acquired for Sunday worship. In this regard, we will offer couples
the use of these flowers for their weddings, which could mean that
they would not need to purchase arrangements of their own. (This often
happens in the case of small weddings.)
Please make arrangements with our pastor so that access to the building
by the florist can be arranged. All flowers should arrive not later than
one hour prior to the ceremony.
AISLE RUNNER (optional)
If an aisle runner is desired, a white cloth approximately 80 feet in
length can be ordered from your florist.
CANDLES
Two large candles adorn our altar. These are always in place. As an added
item, couples have the option of using one pair of brass candelabras.
These have seven candles each. We do not charge for the use of the
candelabras, but we do request reimbursement for the candles (see the
fee schedule). Candelabras for the pews are available from many local
florists. Please check the attachment system, so they will work on
our pews. A unity candle is appropriate for the altar table and it
is available through the church at no cost. Many couples do secure
their own set for future enjoyment.
RIBBONS
Ribbons are often used on the front pews to signify the seating of family
and special guests. This is the responsibility of the couple.
KNEELER
During the ceremony, the couple kneels in prayer. A formal kneeler is
provided at no cost.
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS
BULLETINS
If couples would like to print a bulletin, which includes the order of
service, a list of the participants, greetings, etc., our advice is
to purchase bulletin covers from the local church supply stores. Our
pastor will supply a sample bulletin for preparation of the materials
and information.
GUEST BOOK
A guest register stand is available for the signing of a guest book.
Usually, this is done prior to the ceremony, with an individual coordinating
the process.
ACOLYTES
We encourage couples to invite younger people to be acolytes for the
service. Choir gowns are available for this purpose. However, if an
acolyte is not secured, this will be taken care of.
