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Enquiries are sometimes
received by people resident outside Ireland or living far from Cork as
to how they might be married in our church. The basic legal
requirements for a marriage are one month's residence and membership
of the congregation by at least one party to the marriage, with three
month's notice to be given to the Registrar of Marriages in Cork.
Since in situations of residency
outside Ireland those conditions are very difficult to fulfil,
the simplest solution is to get married in a civil ceremony in your
home district and then come for a service of blessing here.
The only documentation required to be produced before the blessing
service are an Extract Certificate of Marriage or other official
document that confirms a valid marriage has taken place and a letter
of good will from a Presbyterian (or similar reformed church)
confirming that at least one partner is a member in good standing.
Where a previous marriage has ended in divorce, we would expect a more
detailed assurance from the minister or pastor of the home
congregation that a service of blessing is appropriate.
The blessing ceremony can be very similar to an actual
marriage, with a change of wording in the vows and declarations, as
the draft order of service shows (below). One possible
advantage to a blessing ceremony is that it is not restricted to the
church building alone.
Order of Service for Blessing of a
Marriage
Hymn
Prayers of Adoration and Confession
Scripture Readings
Declaration of Purpose of Marriage
Prayer
Vows:
N...and M..., as a sign of the
covenant you have made,
give each other the right hand.
Do you acknowledge this woman to
be your wedded wife
and do you promise before God and this congregation
to be a loving, faithful and dutiful husband to her, as long as you
both shall live?.
I do
Do you acknowledge this man to be
your wedded husband
and do you promise before God and this congregation
to be a loving, faithful and dutiful wife to him, as long as you both
shall live?
I do.
As a sign of the covenant into
which you have entered
these rings are (this ring is) given and received.
By this sign, you take each other
to have and to hold,
for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health to love and to
cherish,
till death do you part.
N ... and M ... since you have
entered into the covenant of marriage
and have reaffirmed your vows in the presence of God and this
congregation
I ask God's blessing upon you
in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit
The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace now and
evermore
Hymn (optional)
Presentation of Bible and Short
Address
Prayers of Thanksgiving and
Intercession
Hymn
Benediction
There is no signing of registers but
it may be possible to arrange for the signing of a commemorative
certificate to attest that the service of blessing took place on such
and such a date and place etc. Such a document has no legal
standing.
There is no set scale of charges but a
donation to church funds in the range of Euro 50 (Euro 100 if
church heating is required) would be appropriate. A donation of
at least Euro 40 would be customary for an organist.
Further enquiries should be addressed
to the minister,
Rev John Faris at
or 353-21-4891437
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