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Music before the Ceremony:
"Like I Do"
by Diana Jones
"In Broad Daylight"
by Diana Jones
"Only In Loving"
by Mary Johnson
We're here because we want witnesses to the promises we're about to make, and because we want support from each of you as we share our lives.
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I promise to love, honor, and respect you, keep you in Sickness and in Health, forsaking all others. I will be faithful to you as long as we both live. |
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Love is not all: it is not meat nor drink
Nor slumber nor a roof against the rain;
Nor yet a floating spar to those that sink
And rise and sink and rise and sink again;
Love can not fill the thickened lung with breath,
Nor clean the blood, nor set the fractured bone;
Yet many a one is making friends with death
Even as I speak, for lack of love alone.
It well may be that in a difficult hour,
Pinned down by pain and moaning for release,
Or nagged by want past resolution's power,
I might be driven to sell your love for peace,
Or trade the memory of this day for food.
It well may be. I do not think I would.Edna St. Vincent Millay [modified by M. Johnson]
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By exchanging rings, we provide a physical reminder of
our vows. The ring is a circle, ancient symbol of womanhood. These are inscribed with moon phases, and made of silver, which is sacred to the moon, to help us recall our ties to the Mother Goddess. |
Remembering all this, Pat, I give you this ring in token of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you.
And Mary, I give you this ring in token of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you.
Now, we're going to engage in a ceremony of spiritual symbolism. Ancient sages tell us that for each of us, there is a candle, a symbol of our own inner light, but that no one can kindle her own candle. Each of us needs someone else to kindle it for us.
When two people fall in love, they kindle each other's candles, creating great light and joy and glorious expectations.
I, Mary, take this candle, symbol of the inner light in Pat, light it by the eternal light, with the dedication to rekindle it again and again, whenever necessary.
And I, Pat, take this candle, symbol of the inner light in Mary, light it by the eternal light, with the dedication to rekindle it again and again, whenever necessary.
In our partnership, we will try to bring these lights, the symbols of ourselves, closer and closer to each other, until they become [join the flames, light the pillar] one great torch of light; a radiant symbol of love, joy, peace and harmony.
Yet, it is vitally important to remember that there are always really two [divide the flames, replace the tapers] in this partnership, each with her own desires, yearnings, dreams and wishes. And these must be respected and responded to with great love, with great compassion and with genuine tenderness.
| May we continuously light these candles of love, so that there will always be light and joy, peace and harmony in our hearts and in our home. |
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In making public this bond, Mary and I hereby plight our "troth", our truth.
Amidst conflict, may Pat and I remember this day of affirmation; in the twilight of despair, may we remember the courage and hope of this ceremony.
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Brenda holds the broom, and Pat & Mary step across it |
Music after the Ceremony:
"It Was You"
by Mary Johnson
"Bless the Messenger"
by Diana Jones
