Weddings
Weddings at the Church of the Atonement
As a congregation of The Episcopal Church, the Church of the Atonement welcomes anyone who wishes to journey with us in faith. We are all seeking a deeper knowledge of God and how that knowledge and God’s love will help us and guide us in our daily lives.
We do not include or exclude individuals based on statements of faith. Instead, we welcome everyone to worship with us, trusting that God will invite each of us deeper into God’s presence.
The Book of Common Prayer is our guide in this worship. Our services are informed by it and conform to it. The statement below is taken from p. 422 of the prayer book.
Preparing for marriage
We will do all that we can to help you prepare for Christian marriage in a meaningful way. The Episcopal Church requires that appropriate pre-marital counseling is undertaken. At Atonement, that normally means four or five hour long meetings with a member of the clergy, or a certified marriage counselor. Whenever possible these meetings are held within the business day. Weddings are not typically scheduled until after at least one such meeting. If either party has been divorced, the permission of the bishop must be obtained for the marriage to proceed. In order to obtain that permission, the couple must be well known to the Rector, who will write a letter on their behalf. The divorced person must also write to the bishop, and a copy of the divorce decree must be attached to this application.
Scheduling the ceremony
Because these norms for counseling and permission must be observed, it is important to make an appointment to discuss a wedding with the clergy as soon as possible. Thirty days notice would be the minimum time necessary in most cases.
Same-sex couples
The Episcopal Church does not yet offer a marriage ceremony for same-sex couples, although there are study groups working on these rites. If a same-sex couple wishes to make a liturgical expression of thanksgiving for their relationship, the Rector will do all she can to be pastorally supportive, and will work closely with the Bishop to meet their needs.
Please call the church office to make an appointment with the Rector if you wish to discuss a wedding at Atonement. Or, you may contact her directly at rector@atonementwestfield.net
Concerning the Service
Christian marriage is a solemn and public covenant between a man and a woman in the presence of God. In the Episcopal Church it is required that one, at least, of the parties must be a baptized Christian; that the ceremony be attested by at least two witnesses; and that the marriage conform to the laws of the State and the canons of this Church.
