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%4Our Wedding Ceremony, August 14, 1976%1
.end

Fr. Leo:

.begin indent 5,0;
%1John and Ruth have invited us to be with them today to witness and
to celebrate the coming together of their lives.  They have already
made a commitment to one another.  What they mean to each other is
obvious in their lives but not easily expressed in the language of
a ceremony.

The essence of their commitment is the taking of another person
in his or her entirety, as lover, companion, and friend.  It is
therefore a decision not entered into lightly, but rather undertaken
with great consideration and respect for both the other person and
oneself.

They have chosen to make this commitment.  Their choice is
responsible, free, independent, and happy.

Now Melissa will read a poem they have chosen.


.end
Melissa:
.begin indent  9,15;select 2;nofill;group

Love is a thing to walk with, hand in hand,
Through the every%1-%2dayness of this workday world,
Baring its tender feet to every flint,
Yet letting not one heart%1-%2beat go astray
From beauty%1'%2s law of plainness and content ...
Such is true love, which steals into the heart
With feet as silent as the lightsome dawn
That kisses smooth the rough brows of the dark,
And has its will through blissful gentleness, ...
A love that gives and takes, that seeth faults, ...
But loving%1-%2kindly ever looks them down
With the o%1'%2ercoming faith that still forgives. ...
.end
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[from The Poems of James Russell Lowell, New York, 1896.]
.end


.group;
Fr. Leo:
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John, (Ruth,) repeat after me as you place the ring on Ruth's (John's)
finger:

%3Ruth, (John,) take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity.%1
.apart

.group;
With this exchange of rings Ruth and John wish to express to family and
friends their shared hope to continue exploring the relationship they
have come to love.  And now they will make their vows.
.end
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Ruth then John:
.end
.begin indent 8,8;select 3;
I want to live with you just as you are and to love you for yourself.  I
pledge to share my life openly with you, to speak the truth to you in love,
and to encourage your own fulfillment as an individual through all the
changes of our lives.  I promise to honor this pledge as long as life and
faith endure.
.end


Fr. Leo:
.begin indent 5,0;

I now pronounce you husband and wife.  Now, so that everyone here might join 
together in asking for a blessing on this couple and their marriage, we
will all join in saying the Lord's Prayer. (everyone does)

Now John's mother, Esther Allen, will recite a poem which she composed
for John and Ruth for this occasion.
.end


.group;
Mother:

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%2Love%1
.end
.begin indent  6,15;select 2;nofill

Love is the tie that binds, yet stretches to leave free
The hearts and minds of those it holds in perfect empathy.
It%1'%2s strong as the strongest, yet gentle and sweet,
So cherish it fondly.  It%1'%2s killed by deceit.

Life will not always be consistently gay,
But under the darkest skies Love knows the way.
Time and thoughtfulness will make it clear
That Love will grow stronger with each passing year.

In later time, when weary, recall this lovely day
When Love was young and new and sped you on the way.
Look foreward then in Faith that you, as friend with friend,
Continue on in Love and understanding to the end.
.end
.begin center;

Esther M. Allen - July 1976
.end
.apart


.group
Fr. Leo:
.begin indent 5, 0;

May these two people, now married, keep this covenant which they have
made.  May they be a blessing and a comfort to each other, sharing in
each other's joys, helping each other as the occasion requires.  May
they encourage each other in whatever they set out to achieve.

Having grown to trust themselves and each other, may they be unafraid
to trust and welcome life.  Yet may they not only accept and give
affection between themselves, but also together have affection and
consideration for others.

I think a little hug and kiss would be appropriate at this time. (of course,
we do too)
.end
.apart