- Services of Christian marriage shall be provided for members and adherents of Westminster United Church and as situations so warrant, for those from outside the congregation who wish to be joined by a service of Christian marriage. While Westminster will endeavour to be sensitive to other faith traditions when one of the partners is from outside the church, it is a Christian congregation, and this will be reflected in the services offered.
- Westminster does not offer or provide secular services of marriage.
- Where ecumenical or interfaith sharing is desired in a service of marriage at Westminster, the minister presiding at worship shall endeavour to make any guest clergy, as well as guests from other traditions among those assembled, feel welcomed, honoured, and free to participate in the celebration. Ecumenical and interfaith services will respect the faith tradition of others, while showing similar respect for the United Church of Canada's manifestation of the Christian tradition as well.
- Marriages will be provided subject to the laws of the Province of Ontario and the Dominion of Canada. It is expected that all ministers of the church licenced to celebrate marriages will make themselves familiar with all such legislation and shall obey that legislation at all times. Ministers of the church licenced to celebrate marriages hold their licence at the request of the Conference of which they are a part, and on behalf of their congregation. It is not a right given by ordination or commissioning. Where a retired minister who is not a Volunteer Associate Minister of Westminster wishes to celebrate a marriage, a special single event licence may be applied for through Hamilton Conference Office with the agreement of the covenanted minister and the Church Council.
- Westminster United Church and it's ministers including Voluntary Associate Ministers shall not discriminate in the provision of marriage services on the basis of the gender or genders, race or physical ability of a couple seeking to be married. In the case of those with mental or intellectual impairment or disabilities, the minister is expected to exhibit a sense of compassion for the couple and a willingness to consult with family and care givers regarding the ways in which the couple may be given support in living out the fullness of their relationship. In all cases, every attempt shall be made to include and honour the needs and desires of all who are part of Westminster's life.
- The covenanted minister and Volunteer Associate Ministers of Westminster have the right to refuse to celebrate a marriage should that minister judge that either or both parties seeking marriage are not ready for marriage, are not able to enter into marriage of their own free will, and/or would not be sincere in making the vows and promises required within the service. Where it becomes apparent that there is need for judgement regarding the wisdom of proceeding with the marriage of a couple, it is trusted that prayerful concern and compassion will be made evident and that the minister may seek the wisdom of an outside counsellor for help in arriving at a faithful decision. (e.g. KW Interfaith Counselling)
- The Minister may suggest premarital counselling or a marriage preparation course for a couple, and may insist that this be met as a condition of being married.
- While the covenanted minister is expected to celebrate those marriages held as services of Westminster United Church, another properly licenced minister, such as a Volunteer Associate Minister of Westminster, may, for valid reasons such a family relationship, a close friendship or the absence from the Pastoral Charge of the covenanted minister, celebrate services of marriage from time to time and subject, except in the case of emergency, to the Church Council's approval. All ministers providing services of marriage through Westminster United Church, whether in a covenant relationship with Westminster or not, shall respect and follow the marriage policies set by Church Council. The position, rights and responsibilities of the covenanted minister and of any Voluntary Associate Ministers of the congregation shall be respected at all times.
- While Westminster United Church does not make a practice of the reading of banns of marriage; "unofficial" banns may still be read as a courtesy.
- A couple being married shall obtain and be in possession of a valid marriage licence issued by the Province of Ontario. We suggest this be in hand at least one month prior to the wedding taking place. (Marriage licences are available for purchase at the City Hall.)
- No wedding shall be booked while a final decree of divorce required in order to obtain a marriage licence has not yet been issued.
- Westminster Council shall approve all marriages to be celebrated through Westminster United Church, except in the case of an emergency or for other compassionate reasons. Such actions shall be reported to Church Council as soon as is possible after the fact.
- All marriages celebrated by the covenanted minister of Westminster, with the exception of instances where a marriage is celebrated in response to the ministerial needs and on behalf of another Pastoral Charge, shall be deemed to be celebrated under the auspices of Westminster United Church and shall be recorded in the Westminster United Church Register of Marriages. When the minister celebrates a marriage in response to the ministerial needs and on behalf of another Pastoral Charge, the marriage shall be registered in that congregation's record of marriages.
- Should a couple desire that a minister other than the covenanted minister (such as a friend or relative) participate in the celebration of a wedding, this may be allowed at the discretion of both the minister and the Church Council. In any case, the covenanted minister of the congregation has the right to preside at the service and shall determine the role to be played by the other participant(s). Fees payable for the wedding will remain the same, however, the couple shall make arrangements with the other participating minister(s) regarding any fees or honorarium for their service, and may consult with the covenanted minister about how they should proceed in this matter.
- The minister and staff are not expected to tolerate any verbal, spiritual or physical abuse or rudeness, and the minister retains the right to cancel or postpone a service should this become problematic. The minister may ask anyone to leave the sanctuary before or during the service if they are causing a disturbance or interrupting the service of worship. It is noted that disrupting a service of religion is a serious offense before the law. Any such problems will be reported to Church Council.
- The Minister shall not proceed with a service of marriage when either or both of the parties seeking to be married appear to have consumed alcohol and/or some other substance. Ministers are not competent to nor are they expected to determine whether either party is actually impaired or not, but only that alcohol or a substance appear to have been used. In such an eventuality, the church Council will be informed.
- Should a couple wish the minister to be present at a reception, it is proper for them to extend the minister an invitation along with the other guests. The minister cannot be expected to attend a reception if not invited in advance. Last minute invitations are difficult for a minister and for the minister's family, especially if other arrangements have been made. An invitation to a reception is not expected for weddings from outside the congregation. NB: Anyone of faith may be invited to say the grace or ask a blessing before a meal at a reception, and the minister will happily provide a simple grace to be used if so requested.
- As picture taking and videotaping by guests during the service may cause disruption of the service, it should be discussed with the minister. A simple announcement can be made before the service setting guidelines. Professional photographers and videographers must be discrete and unobtrusive, and must not interrupt the service in any way. The minister shall discuss limits with these service providers before the service starts.
- Decoration of the sanctuary should be discussed with the minister. As Westminster is in an interfaith relationship with the Jewish community, Temple Shalom, decorations may not be "put up" for a Saturday service until after Temple Shalom's Saturday worship is complete. The timing of this will require consultation and booking, and will mean that the decorations themselves should be fairly simple.
- No confetti, rice, birdseed etc. are to be used on Cedars property.
- The Church's director of music shall have the right of first refusal in the provision of music for all marriage services, and shall, in consultation with the minister and couple, approve all music to be used. Should the couple prefer to make other arrangements for music, there will be no change in the fee structure. Music to be used is expected to be fitting for a service of worship and must still be approved by the music director and minister. Favourite contemporary music is often best reserved for the reception.
- The minister may waive the normal fee for the service if such fees are a hardship for the couple being married. In such a case a simple service without music may also be offered with no fees paid, or Church Council may elect to provide and pay for the music as a courtesy.
- Fees for weddings shall be set by the Church Council from time to time. For those members or adherents who regularly support the ministry and work of Westminster United Church, the fee for the services of the Music Director is the only set fee. Couples may still choose to offer an honorarium to both the minister and to the church. Fees for Volunteer Associate Ministers are equivalent to that set for the covenanted minister.
Fees for weddings have been set by Church Council and will be discussed during wedding preparations. If you would like to obtain the schedule of fees, please contact the minister at 578-6080.
Passed by Council Tuesday, November 18, 2003