Prayers ascending for a busy weekend

It has been a busy week and this weekend is going to be even busier. So take a deep breath and plunge in, why don’t you?

Firstly, you could come and admire our new signs. Yes, finally they are up and looking gorgeous (photo to follow). Now perhaps Nikki will get off my back as every time we meet for a coffee in the Blue Bean she has a go about those tatty old ones.

Secondly, we will be interring the ashes of Canon John Paul, past Rector of this parish. John and Susan have been a great support to me over the years and I have got to know them better since I came here and they popped in from time to time. Rest eternal, grant unto him O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him.

Thirdly, the day has dawned on the WOTY (Wedding Of The Year) which has been in the planning for what seems like a very long time indeed.  The date was moved to accommodate the Provincial Conference which never happened.  And should the Rapture happen, or a very large fire at St Mark’s this afternoon, there will be no young people left in the Scottish Episcopal Church. For yes, I think every member of the Provincial Youth Network will be seen hobnobbing with a Bishop and a number of clergy and a whole host of family and friends to Caroline and Andrew today at 1pm.

Note: the incense is brought to you by Rose Mystica today so you have been warned.

So let us pray for those who mourn the passing of a loved one after a full and loving life together.

And let us pray for those who are beginning their life together that God may bless them and keep them ever loving.

Amen

Heard at the hairdressers

I was chatted to the lovely Gabby as she restored my hair to full purpleness, as you do, and I mentioned that the upcoming Wedding Fair at Ingliston had prompted this need to look half decent. She seemed surprised that our Church was taking a stand at the Wedding Fair and I told her of the success last year when it was at the SECC in Glasgow. After all, we are the Church who likes to say Yes! And in these dark days of the credit crunch why spend a fortune on an expensive venue for your wedding when your local church may be considerably cheaper, if not free?

At this point I drifted off into planning mode for said Fair until I was alerted by Gabby saying the name ‘Kelvin’ and ‘make-up for weddings’. What?!  Is our beloved Provost of St Mary’s Cathedral in Glasgow doing a sideline in making up brides to look gorgeous? I mean, I know we aren’t paid terribly well but I hadn’t realised things were so bad.  I could just see him with his big make-up box on wheels, brushes in hand, gold cope around shoulders, adding a hint of blusher with a flourish. What a brilliant idea!  What a package we could offer. Come to Church an hour or so early for your wedding and we shall take care of all your needs: face, hair, flowers, and a prayer to set you up for the day ahead. What do you think?

Btw, the ‘Kelvin’ was not our Provost after all, but the boyfried of X, another hairdresser.

PS The Wedding Fair is at Ingliston next Saturday and Sunday 7th & 8th February. I shall be on duty on the Saturday all day.

Wedding in Peebles

Congrats to Arthur and Gusia who got married yesterday in St Peter’s Peebles (by me). The snow in the morning was a little alarming but the sun shone as the happy couple entered and exited church so we couldn’t have asked for more.

It all went very well except when I had to tell the congregation that they were pathetic. You know that bit where you ask the family and friends if they will support them? And they are meant to respond “We will.”  Well, it was the most half-hearted response I’d every heard so I told them they were pathetic and to do it again. Took the roof off the second time! This seemed to cause shock amongst some present who appeared to think that we can’t have a laugh in church. Blimey!

Even the microphones not working did nothing to deter us from making a joyful noise. Judy did exceedingly well on the organ considering she was told on no account to touch certain stops. (Never did find out what would happen if she did. Disappear into the bowels of the earth? Get an electric shock?) We didn’t lose the rings down the gap in the floorboards which was a big concern for me. Everyone seemed to enjoy the feminist version, ie You may now kiss the groom!

All in all, a beautiful day and our prayers go with A & G as they begin married life together.

Wedding bells are ringing – well next year they will be, if we had bells, that is

Oh with Revruth its all me, me, me. Being an attention seeker sometimes we get a bit carried away with all that’s happening in our own lives and forget to share some good news with all of you in Blogland.

Well, at our Alternative Service on Sunday night we heard the wonderful news that C&A (just realised that they are C&A!) have finally decided to get married. I believe the proposal took place on Valentine’s Day (C’s birthday) but I haven’t got the gory details yet. Is this the first wedding from the Provincial Youth Network, I wonder?

And I wasn’t alone in replying “About time too!”

Why we don’t do weddings in Lent

Thanks to Raspberry Rabbit for this:

Following her wedding, an old-fashioned girl crawled into bed for the first time beside her new husband. She snuggled up to him and was surprised at his lack of response. In fact, he rolled over and began to fall asleep.

“So why aren’t we going to make love on our wedding night”, she asked finally.

“Because it’s Lent” came the reply.

“That’s nonsense!” she exclaimed. “I’ve never heard anything more ridiculous in my life. It’s been lent to whom and for how long?”

See you at the Wedding Show

From the Daily Mail:
‘Given that they have been marrying people for centuries, the clergy ought to know a thing or two about weddings.

So it may come as a surprise to learn the Scottish Episcopal Church will be represented for the first time at the country’s biggest wedding show.

In an age when couples seek bizarre places to tie the knot, the church wants to remind people of the original venue where generations have said their vows.

Last night a spokesman said: “We felt the church really had to put itself forward and say ‘we are here, we do weddings and we do them well’.”

Members of the Scottish Episcopal Church will hand out leaflets and provide advice at the Scottish Wedding Show.

The idea was revealed by the church’s information and communications board and was approved by bishops in Scotland’s seven dioceses, who gave it unanimous backing.

About 8,000 people are expected to attend the event, which takes place at the SECC in Glasgow on February 16 and 17.

It features more than 300 exhibitors offering tips and advice for couples getting wed.

They include bridalwear companies, florists and caterers. There will also be a catwalk show.

The Very Rev Kelvin Holdsworth, Provost of Glasgow’s Episcopal Cathedral, said: “The Episcopal Church knows quite a bit about weddings – we’ve been doing them for a very long time.

“Generations of people have come to church to mark the most significant events in their lives. If a number of people planning a wedding are visiting a national wedding show, then the church should be there too. Marriage is an exciting time in people’s lives.

“What will be exciting for the church in attending the show will be the opportunity to meet people we may not otherwise meet.”

The Episcopal Church will have its own stall at the exhibition. Its leaflets will contain questions and answers about getting married in church.

They include how to have a tailor-made wedding, marrying a divorcee, the availability of clergy and wedding venues.

A spokesman added: “We thought it was time we went to the people rather than them come to us. We want to remind people the church is there for them if that is what they want.”

The spokesman said the decision to take part in the show was not due to fewer couples getting married in church.

“We felt the Episcopal Church should not be absent from something focusing on weddings,” she added.

A spokesman for the Scottish Wedding Show said: “It is great to have the Episcopal Church involved in this.

“We try to let the show cover all aspects of a wedding and the church is important to many couples getting married.”

The Scottish Episcopal Church is a member of the world-wide Anglican Communion and has more than 300 churches across Scotland.

Last summer, the church renewed its marriage liturgy to create a balance between what it wants to “say about God’s love and what couples getting married want to say about their love and commitment to one another”.

Wedding Blessing surprise

“At a wedding ceremony that I was performing, I raised my hand to give the final blessing. The bride misunderstood my gesture and surprised me with a high-five. Not wanting to exclude the groom, I offered him a high-five, too. I was finally able to get my blessing in, amid the laughter of the guests.”

from Rumors
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A day to remember

Congratulations this morning to Mr & Mrs McKenzie as they begin their married life together. It was a glorious wedding – everyone said so! I take no credit for this. K & K chose all the parts of the liturgy themselves with great care and attention. Hymns were chosen, not because they were old familiar tunes, but because the words fitted their feelings.

Mrs K McK looked absolutely stunning in a little Italian number. And I mean stunning, and not just because she looked so chic but because she exuded joy from every pore. And Mr K McK looked calm and assured in his wee tartan number. Never have I heard vows made with such passion and assurity.

A great turnout too with one stunning hat and endless fascinators. (I want one!)  The ivory and turquoise theme was classy and the Glasgow Cross appeared time and time again. It was a wedding for friends and by friends, from the invitations to the cake and flowers – all services offered by friends.

Blessings on K & K, their families and friends.

PS there was only one mistake… ok, make that two. The first made by me when I forgot to switch off my mike when I was wrestling with the piper just before the service. And the second when I proclaimed them ‘now drowned in marriage’. Drowned? Drowned in love was what I meant!

Wedding music

I made up a wee list of suitable hymns for weddings but realise it is woefully out of date. Does anyone out there have a recent decent list?

Similarly, for funerals…?

There went the happy couple

There were a few showers yesterday for the wedding but it didn’t seem to spoil the fun. We just took more photos inside – which I happen to think is nicer than our front door.

The bride was absolutely stunning. We are used to seeing her cycling in casual gear and she stunned us all by wearing a biscuity coloured confection and looked ravishing. The groom (and all the boys) were handsome in their kilts. I did have to remind those in the front row about the etiquette of sitting in a kilt!

No tears or hysterical giggling at the vows – just loving gazing and good clear voices. And a lovely sigh from the mother of the bride.

I did manage to drop one of the rings but thankfully it didn’t roll off into a hole in the ground.

All in all, a lovely day. A beautiful couple that we are honoured to have in St Mark’s. Now they are off to Italy and I wish I was with them.