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Sydenham Street United Church
82 Sydenham Street
Kingston, Ontario K7L 3H4
Phone: (613) 542-9616
Fax: (613) 542-8784
Church e-mail
Minister e-mail
Music Director: Charlie Walker
Office Administrator: Ruth Ranson
Custodian: Judy Chown
We believe that we human beings are created in the image of God, with the desire and capacity not only to love, but to commit ourselves to a life-long partnership with one other who is lover, friend and companion. This loving commitment or covenant must be based on mutual respect and trust.
We are an Affirming Congregation committed to creating safe space and welcoming lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people into all aspects of congregational life and ministry. We celebrate same sex covenanted relationships as we do heterosexual covenanted relationships. We welcome same sex couples wishing to be married.
We affirm and celebrate marriage as an institution in which two people– a woman and a man or two women or two men— can live their love and their life-long commitment to each other. We seek God’s blessing on all those who marry, so that they may live the vows they make in their wedding.
It is our hope and prayer that marriage will offer each couple a secure and safe, loving environment in which they can continue to grow and become the individuals God has created them to be and the couple God calls them to be.
We recognize that in this imperfect and broken world, not all promises are kept and not all marriages last. We are ready to support those who, after healing from past hurts and learning from past mistakes, are ready to commit themselves to a new life partnership.
We at Sydenham Street United Church are glad to support and guide you in the planning and preparation of your wedding; and then to celebrate with you as you make this significant life-commitment and open yourselves to God’s blessing.
Please read the following information carefully. If you have any questions or concerns, raise them when you meet with the minister.
Booking Your Wedding
Before your wedding can be formally booked, both of you will need to meet with the minister in person. Please phone the Church Office to arrange an appointment. Normally it is not possible to arrange a wedding with less than one month’s notice.
If you want to change the time or date of your celebration after it has been booked, please call the Church Office to determine whether it is possible to do so.
Meeting with the Minister
Your first visit with the minister is an opportunity for you and the minister to get to know each other and for you to find out about wedding practices at Sydenham Street United Church. Be sure to bring any questions you have. At the end of this session you will be asked to decide whether you want to formally book your wedding.
Once your service has been booked, you have three options:
- You can meet with the minister 3-4 times to discuss various issues related to life-long, committed relationships using the resource Prepare/Enrich or Gay & Lesbian Partner Program.
- Or you can take a marriage preparation course.
- Or you can combine both these options: take a marriage prep course and meet with the minister.
One month before the date of your celebration, you will need to meet with the minister to plan the wedding service. Please bring your fees and marriage license with you to this meeting.
Couples are encourage to attend 10:30 am worship on Sunday to become more familiar with the minister, music director and sanctuary.
The Service
You will receive, from the minister, a resource that allows you to shape your service and choose various elements. You are expected to do your “homework” and return with your choices no later than two weeks before the service.
You are welcome to invite a friend or family member to read or offer a prayer. You will have to confirm their involvement with the minister.
It is possible to involve other ministers associated with the family. This will have to be worked out with Sydenham Street minister. If you wish to have a minister other than Sydenham Street’s minister officiate, you need to make your request early because such request must be approved by Sydenham Street’s Worship Committee.
Music
Sydenham Street’s Music Director normally plays for all church weddings and is happy to choose appropriate music. It is the couple's responsibility to contact the Music Director at least one month before their service by calling 530-2438. Plan to spend about an hour with the music director to choose your music. If you have any special music requests you must confirm with the Music Director and Minister well before hand, and be able to provide the sheet music, if necessary. Last minute requests for special music cannot be accommodated.
Arrangement for a soloist must be made with the Music Director. An extra fee of $30 per hour will be charged for rehearsal time with a soloist or to prepare especially difficult music.
Involvement of other musicians must be arranged with the music director. You will be charged the music director’s fee even if he does not play.
Rehearsal
The rehearsal time must be arranged with the minister. It is usually held the Friday evening before the wedding and lasts about one hour. All attendants, ushers, both sets of parents and anyone participating in the service are expected to attend. The minister and custodian facilitate the rehearsal.
Flowers
Flowers for the sanctuary are the couple’s responsibility. You must arrange the time of delivery with the Church Office to ensure the church is open. You are welcome to take the flowers with you at the end of the service, or you may wish to leave them for the congregation to enjoy during Sunday worship.
Other Extras
Couples are welcome to bring their own pew bows, or use Sydenham Street’s, but please consult with the custodian about how to attach them to the pews.
Candles may be included in the service, in consultation with the minister. It is the responsibility of the couple to provide candles. Sydenham Street has two candelabras which can be rented for $35.00.
Photography/Videography
Photographs may be taken while the wedding party is walking in and out of the sanctuary, and during the signing of the register. No pictures may be taken during the service. A video camera using available light is allowed, as long as the videographer does not move around. The videographer is encouraged to come to the rehearsal to determine, in consultation with the minister and custodian, a suitable location for filming.
The photographer and / or videographer must meet with the minister at least 15 minutes before the service.
Fees
SANCTUARY
$350 Use of Sanctuary
$200 Minister
$150 Organist
$110 Custodian
$30 Administration
$840 Total
CHAPEL
$200 Use of Chapel
$200 Minister
$150 Organist
$110 Custodian
$30 Administration
$690 Total
Optional Additions:
Candlelabra rental $35
Music Director attendance at rehearsal $50
Please bring these fees to the meeting at which you discuss your service (one month before your celebration). Please pay each staff member individually. The correct spelling of the names is at the top. The fee to cover the Sanctuary or Chapel is payable directly to Sydenham Street United Church.
Payment can be made by cash, cheque or money order.
