[Magdalen] Wedding Advice

[Jim Guthrie]

From: Roger Stokes

>I see a clear distinction between the sacrament of marriage, which gives legal
>and sacramental effect to the relationship, and blessing of a lifelong
>covenant, which already exists in your case. Personally I would

Not in the United States, Roger. The County or Town or Village Clerk issues a
Marriage License, and the  officiant signs off on it (usually with two witnesses 
and then signatures of the couple) -- whether religious or
civil -- at the time of the ceremony.

Whether it’s a marriage, Rite of Blessing of a Covenant doesn’t make any
difference whatsoever in any legal sense at all.

Who can officiate is pretty loose too -- County, Town or Village Clerks, Judges,
Clergy in a church, one day licenses for anyone to officiate, or the ubiquitous
"Universal Live" clergy -- who can be ordained online.

Perform Weddings Legally
Ordination is Free and Easy
No Experience Needed
All Are Welcome

See :

http://www.themonastery.org/ordination-form

There have been weeks when the majority of weddings announced in the NY Time
Style section are led by a Universal Life Minister -- especially same sex 
couples
when such marriage were legal in a couple of states but church hierarchy wouldn’t
let their clergy participate.

cheers
Jim