I was up at 7:30am whipping out my sit-ups, push-ups, and curls. I tried brewing some coffee but experienced technical difficulties with Glenn’s secondhand coffee maker. And just in case any anyone’s interested, that would make a great Xmas gift/B-day gift for him. Just before heading out the door for my run Mary Ann was up making a cup of tea. She reported sleeping well. I took off on my run just after 8am. It was just above freezing under cloudy skies. I love running in Vancouver down to and along the waterfront. It’s very picturesque. I ran to my usual turnaround – at the Ilchee statue.
I was back at Glenn’s just before 9:00am – about a 50 minute run. By then, everyone was either awake or getting there. Immediately, we began formulating the morning’s plan, which included a trip into Portland. Mindy and I needed to visit the Multnomah County offices to procure our marriage license. Ultimately, we decided that it would be most efficient if only Mindy, Glenn and I rode into town. We figured we’d be about one hour, give or take fifteen minutes. In the meantime, Tommy would take Bob and Mary Ann on a walk about the town. Our plan called for a large family style breakfast upon our return.
Traffic was light to moderate crossing over the river into Portland. We were at the County office in less than twenty minutes. Thankfully, there wasn’t a line and the form was short and self explanatory. $60 later we had our marriage license in hand. Back to Vancouver.
We were back in Vancouver 15 minutes later. We received a call from Tommy indicating that they were at the waterfront and headed back to Glenn’s. We spotted them along our way and picked them up. We all piled in the CRV for the short ride back to Glenn’s.
Back at Glenn’s everyone had their to-do’s. Tommy, Mary Ann, and Mindy made breakfast. After breakfast Bob and I headed off to the local Safeway to get our weekend ski trip’s groceries. We had a rather short list, but somehow Bob and I managed to turn that short list into a full cart. We had lots of goodies and lots of drink! Thanks Mindy! :) Once back at Glenn’s we unloaded our haul then asked for a large storage container to pack the dry goods for travel. Through the remainder of the mid-day we showered individually and readied for the big event.
I was ready by about 1:15pm. Suddenly, time was moving too fast! We would need to depart Glenn’s by 2:00pm if we were to ensure an on-time arrival at the First United Methodist Church of Portland.
We left Glenn’s just after 2pm destined for the church. I drove the minivan. And thinking back it was probably best that I drove as it served as an outlet for my mounting anxiety. As luck would have it, traffic was calm all the way in, and we found the church rather easily. We were there by 2:35pm. It was a beautiful church nestled at the foot of the west hills of Portland, the very hills that would serve as the venue for our vow exchange. We let the gentleman at the desk know that we were there to see Pastor Lowell Greathouse, although he wasn’t expecting us until 3pm. As we toured the sanctuary Lowell came and found Mindy and I. He seemed as pleasant in person as he did over the phone. He asked to meet with us privately to discuss and/or lightly rehearse our ceremony. We spent the next 30 or 40 minutes talking about the ceremony and about our life experiences. He did a good job of easing my nerves. He offered to head up the hill a little early but that wouldn’t work because were still waiting on the good doctor, Tom Shepherd, that is. He was meeting us at Council Crest Park (the pinnacle of the hill) at 3:45pm, and he had the boom box for our wedding music.
Just before heading up we realized that neither Glenn or Lowell knew the most efficient way up the hill to the park. So, Glenn and Lowell did some Googling and/or Mapquesting until they had it down. That ate another ten minutes or so. It was time!
Up the hill we wound following one another. The homes on the hill are very posh, housing many of Portland's elite. Finally, we reached the pinnacle and our destination, Council Crest Park. And being the blessed souls that we are, the skies cleared revealing a vibrant, warm, and bright sunshine. Tom Shepherd was already there waiting our arrival with boom box in tow.
We gathered at the park’s center stone courtyard. The view was spectacular and the accoustics awesome. After everyone took in the view we began the ceremony by listening to Because I Love You So, by Jim Jenkins. We had some technical difficulties with the boom box which Tom quickly remedied by replacing the batteries. As the song concluded Lowell took over and began with a prayer.
After the opening prayer we were all taken back by the appearance of a rainbow arching high overhead and enveloping the entire wedding party. Mindy and I knew it was the universe acknowledging our union. Pastor Lowell then recited the readings that Mindy and I had selected & prepared. Next, Lowell tied the two readings together with a few of his own words and then moved swiftly to the vows we crafted. A quick glance around I witnessed a tear or two being shed by just about everyone. The ceremony ended after our rings vows, a kiss, and the presentation of the newest version of Mr & Mrs Wright.
I was relieved that the ceremony and the planning was finally behind us. We left the park and headed back down to the church where we took care of the formal paper work. We took a number of photos before leaving the church then bidded Lowell farewell. We left destined for the Bridgeport Brew Pub in Portland’s Pearl District. It was just a handful of blocks away.
Mindy phoned her mother along the way telling her of our fresh news. It sounded as though she were happy for us. We grabbed an upstairs table at the Bridgeport and quickly ordered a couple pitchers of their quality brew. Mindy broke out some toasting glasses which we used for our first round. We ordered a number of appetizers and entrees as the celebration carried on through the early evening hours. We left the Bridgeport around 8:30pm destined for Glenn’s place. We were all interested in having a clear head and plenty of energy for our ski trip tomorrow morning. Having drank only one or two beers throughout the evening, Tommy drove.
We stopped at the neighborhood Safeway before heading back to Glenn’s. There I bought some giant cookies and a dozen white roses. We weren’t back at Glenn’s long before everyone was changed into there comfy jammies. It was just after 9pm. We proceeded to prepare two breakfast casseroles for our ski trip, and then we did a champagne wedding toast. Mindy made it clear that she wanted to be in bed early. After all, it was our wedding night. I think we were in bed by 10:30pm.
We left Glenn’s just after 2pm destined for the church. I drove the minivan. And thinking back it was probably best that I drove as it served as an outlet for my mounting anxiety. As luck would have it, traffic was calm all the way in, and we found the church rather easily. We were there by 2:35pm. It was a beautiful church nestled at the foot of the west hills of Portland, the very hills that would serve as the venue for our vow exchange. We let the gentleman at the desk know that we were there to see Pastor Lowell Greathouse, although he wasn’t expecting us until 3pm. As we toured the sanctuary Lowell came and found Mindy and I. He seemed as pleasant in person as he did over the phone. He asked to meet with us privately to discuss and/or lightly rehearse our ceremony. We spent the next 30 or 40 minutes talking about the ceremony and about our life experiences. He did a good job of easing my nerves. He offered to head up the hill a little early but that wouldn’t work because were still waiting on the good doctor, Tom Shepherd, that is. He was meeting us at Council Crest Park (the pinnacle of the hill) at 3:45pm, and he had the boom box for our wedding music.
Just before heading up we realized that neither Glenn or Lowell knew the most efficient way up the hill to the park. So, Glenn and Lowell did some Googling and/or Mapquesting until they had it down. That ate another ten minutes or so. It was time!
Up the hill we wound following one another. The homes on the hill are very posh, housing many of Portland's elite. Finally, we reached the pinnacle and our destination, Council Crest Park. And being the blessed souls that we are, the skies cleared revealing a vibrant, warm, and bright sunshine. Tom Shepherd was already there waiting our arrival with boom box in tow.
We gathered at the park’s center stone courtyard. The view was spectacular and the accoustics awesome. After everyone took in the view we began the ceremony by listening to Because I Love You So, by Jim Jenkins. We had some technical difficulties with the boom box which Tom quickly remedied by replacing the batteries. As the song concluded Lowell took over and began with a prayer.
After the opening prayer we were all taken back by the appearance of a rainbow arching high overhead and enveloping the entire wedding party. Mindy and I knew it was the universe acknowledging our union. Pastor Lowell then recited the readings that Mindy and I had selected & prepared. Next, Lowell tied the two readings together with a few of his own words and then moved swiftly to the vows we crafted. A quick glance around I witnessed a tear or two being shed by just about everyone. The ceremony ended after our rings vows, a kiss, and the presentation of the newest version of Mr & Mrs Wright.
I was relieved that the ceremony and the planning was finally behind us. We left the park and headed back down to the church where we took care of the formal paper work. We took a number of photos before leaving the church then bidded Lowell farewell. We left destined for the Bridgeport Brew Pub in Portland’s Pearl District. It was just a handful of blocks away.
Mindy phoned her mother along the way telling her of our fresh news. It sounded as though she were happy for us. We grabbed an upstairs table at the Bridgeport and quickly ordered a couple pitchers of their quality brew. Mindy broke out some toasting glasses which we used for our first round. We ordered a number of appetizers and entrees as the celebration carried on through the early evening hours. We left the Bridgeport around 8:30pm destined for Glenn’s place. We were all interested in having a clear head and plenty of energy for our ski trip tomorrow morning. Having drank only one or two beers throughout the evening, Tommy drove.
We stopped at the neighborhood Safeway before heading back to Glenn’s. There I bought some giant cookies and a dozen white roses. We weren’t back at Glenn’s long before everyone was changed into there comfy jammies. It was just after 9pm. We proceeded to prepare two breakfast casseroles for our ski trip, and then we did a champagne wedding toast. Mindy made it clear that she wanted to be in bed early. After all, it was our wedding night. I think we were in bed by 10:30pm.
The Wedding:
Jimmy Wright and Mindy Thompson
Wedding Ceremony
Council Crest (meet at FUMC)
February 23, 2007 4:00PM
____________________________
Gathering (Jimmy, Mindy, Glen, Tommy, Tom S, Bob and Mary Ann)
(Music)
(form a semi-circle around Jimmy and Mindy)
Greeting and Opening Words
Friends, today we come together with Jimmy and Mindy, on this special occasion in which we have gathered in God's presence in order to celebrate life and to honor the meaning of love. We are here today to acknowledge and lift up Jimmy and Mindy’s love for each other and to surround them with our love as well.
For this is the day that they chosen as their wedding day, and they have invited us to be a part of it with them. And it is our privilege to celebrate and witness their vows of marriage and the public statement of love that they will make to each other.
And so, we ask God's blessing on Jimmy and on Mindy and on their marriage, on the families that they bring together, and on the sign of love that this day represents for us and our world, especially at this time in which we seek out true and authentic signs of love in our midst.
Prayer: As we gather, will you pray with me... God of all life, the source of our love and understanding, we rejoice this day in knowing of your abiding presence in the midst of our lives. We have come here today to celebrate life and to support Jimmy and Mindy as they come to join their lives together. We ask you to bless them in their journey in the days ahead and help them keep alive the spirit of love that has brought them to this important day in their lives. Today is a time to honor lifelong commitments and to remember that your presence and our support for Jimmy and Mindy will help to nurture their love for each other.
May they give their vows to each other in the strength and spirit of your steadfast love. May the promise of your word root and grow in their lives, so that they may experience true love in their journey together.
Grant them each the vision and the hope to persevere in trust and friendship all of their days. Support them and support their family that through their love for each other they might feel the strength and joy that comes when lives are shared and when enduring commitments and promises are made and kept, for we ask these things in the name of all that is holy. Amen
Readings
Genesis 2: 15-24
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to till it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man saying, ‘You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge and good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.’ Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.’ So out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper fit for him. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh; and the rib which the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, ‘This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.’ Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
From Martin Luther King’s book The Strength to Love“The meaning of love is not to be confused with some sentimental outpouring. Love is something much more than emotional bosh. An overflowing love, which seeks nothing in return, is the love of God operating in the human heart. Love is the most durable power in the world…the most potent instrument available in mankind’s quest for peace and security. The great military leaders of the past have gone, and their empires have crumbled and burned to ashes. But the empire of Jesus, built solidly and majestically on the foundation of love, is still growing.”
Meditation
--Jimmy and Mindy
Today we are here at your invitation in order to celebrate the meaning of love, not only in your life as it is now joined together through your vows and promises to each other, but also to remember what love means in our lives as well. As we see in the readings that you have chosen for this day, over the years countless writers, thoughtful, reflective men and women, have attempted to capture in words what it means to find and experience authentic love and to nurture it in life.
The writer of the Book of Genesis reminds us that our connection is so intimate that we actually come from each other into life…and through love we are willing to leave what is familiar and precious to us in order to create new life with the person we choose as our life partner.
And Martin Luther King, Jr. reminds us that love is the most powerful force in the world…a force that connects us with God…is durable…and is fundamentally related to our quest for peace and security in life.
The search for authentic love is not new. It is embedded in our inner spirits and is a fundamental part of our common search for companionship and meaning in life.
So the vows of marriage are the culmination, in the form of a wedding ceremony, of this unconditional giving and receiving…this offering if you will…that you are making to each other. And we are here to witness to this giving and receiving of love between the two of you.
Jimmy and Mindy, we have come to listen to the words that you are about to share with each other, so that we can see the continued forming of the miracle of your love for each other. And we do so knowing that God is present in this place as well.
Jimmy and Mindy, we pray that the joy that is at the heart of love will follow you all of your days together. Amen.
Declaration of Intention
Jimmy and Mindy, you have invited us to share this day with you. Is it your intention that the love you have for each other will be expressed in a constant commitment of support and understanding wherever that may lead? (It is)
Mindy, will you fulfill the covenant that is embodied in this marriage to Jimmy and commit yourself to love him, to rejoice with him, to comfort him and to seek to understand him in the days ahead? (I will)
Jimmy, will you fulfill the covenant that is embodied in this marriage to Mindy and commit yourself to love her, to rejoice with her, to comfort her and to seek to understand her in the days ahead? (I will)
Love grows when it is surrounded by the love and support of others, so now I have a question for each of you as well:
Will you promise to give your love and care, your support and encouragement to Jimmy and Mindy as they continue to live out their love for each other in the days ahead? (We will)
Prayer: Let us pray.... Dear God, as Jimmy and Mindy prepare now to share their vows of marriage with each other, we ask that you bless them and guide them. We pray that you will remember them and uphold them. And we pray these words in the name of the One who taught us to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven…. Amen.
Marriage Vows
We've come now to that special part of the service in which Jimmy and Mindy will share their vows of marriage with each other.
And so Jimmy will you begin by repeating after me:
I, Jimmy, take you, Mindy, to be my wife. To be none other than yourself, I promise to stand by your side; to encourage you, and be open and honest with you; to laugh with you, and cry with you; to always love you, honor you, and respect you; both freed and bound by our love, for as long as we both shall live .
And Mindy the same vow:
I, Mindy, take you, Jimmy, to be my husband. To be none other than yourself, I promise to stand by your side; to encourage you, and be open and honest with you; to laugh with you, and cry with you; to always love you, honor you, and respect you; both freed and bound by our love, for as long as we both shall live .
Exchange of Rings
Do you have symbols of your love that you wish to share with each other?
Jimmy would you repeat after me:
As a ring has no end, neither shall my love for you. This ring I give to you as a token of my love and devotion to you. I pledge to you all that I am and all that I will ever be as your husband. I choose you to be my wife this day and forevermore. With this ring, I gladly marry you and join my life to yours.
Mindy would you repeat the same words:
As a ring has no end, neither shall my love for you. This ring I give to you as a token of my love and devotion to you. I pledge to you all that I am and all that I will ever be as your wife. I choose you to be my husband this day and forevermore. With this ring, I gladly marry you and join my life to yours.
Blessing and Closing
Jimmy and Mindy, you have committed yourselves to each other as husband and wife through these vows and promises...and so at this time, you may begin the celebration of your marriage by kissing. Kiss
At this time, it is my privilege to introduce you to, Jimmy and Mindy Thompson-Wright. Our ceremony has ended, but the celebration of your love has just begun. Congratulations….and Amen.
Wedding Ceremony
Council Crest (meet at FUMC)
February 23, 2007 4:00PM
____________________________
Gathering (Jimmy, Mindy, Glen, Tommy, Tom S, Bob and Mary Ann)
(Music)
(form a semi-circle around Jimmy and Mindy)
Greeting and Opening Words
Friends, today we come together with Jimmy and Mindy, on this special occasion in which we have gathered in God's presence in order to celebrate life and to honor the meaning of love. We are here today to acknowledge and lift up Jimmy and Mindy’s love for each other and to surround them with our love as well.
For this is the day that they chosen as their wedding day, and they have invited us to be a part of it with them. And it is our privilege to celebrate and witness their vows of marriage and the public statement of love that they will make to each other.
And so, we ask God's blessing on Jimmy and on Mindy and on their marriage, on the families that they bring together, and on the sign of love that this day represents for us and our world, especially at this time in which we seek out true and authentic signs of love in our midst.
Prayer: As we gather, will you pray with me... God of all life, the source of our love and understanding, we rejoice this day in knowing of your abiding presence in the midst of our lives. We have come here today to celebrate life and to support Jimmy and Mindy as they come to join their lives together. We ask you to bless them in their journey in the days ahead and help them keep alive the spirit of love that has brought them to this important day in their lives. Today is a time to honor lifelong commitments and to remember that your presence and our support for Jimmy and Mindy will help to nurture their love for each other.
May they give their vows to each other in the strength and spirit of your steadfast love. May the promise of your word root and grow in their lives, so that they may experience true love in their journey together.
Grant them each the vision and the hope to persevere in trust and friendship all of their days. Support them and support their family that through their love for each other they might feel the strength and joy that comes when lives are shared and when enduring commitments and promises are made and kept, for we ask these things in the name of all that is holy. Amen
Readings
Genesis 2: 15-24
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to till it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man saying, ‘You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge and good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.’ Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.’ So out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper fit for him. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh; and the rib which the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, ‘This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.’ Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
From Martin Luther King’s book The Strength to Love“The meaning of love is not to be confused with some sentimental outpouring. Love is something much more than emotional bosh. An overflowing love, which seeks nothing in return, is the love of God operating in the human heart. Love is the most durable power in the world…the most potent instrument available in mankind’s quest for peace and security. The great military leaders of the past have gone, and their empires have crumbled and burned to ashes. But the empire of Jesus, built solidly and majestically on the foundation of love, is still growing.”
Meditation
--Jimmy and Mindy
Today we are here at your invitation in order to celebrate the meaning of love, not only in your life as it is now joined together through your vows and promises to each other, but also to remember what love means in our lives as well. As we see in the readings that you have chosen for this day, over the years countless writers, thoughtful, reflective men and women, have attempted to capture in words what it means to find and experience authentic love and to nurture it in life.
The writer of the Book of Genesis reminds us that our connection is so intimate that we actually come from each other into life…and through love we are willing to leave what is familiar and precious to us in order to create new life with the person we choose as our life partner.
And Martin Luther King, Jr. reminds us that love is the most powerful force in the world…a force that connects us with God…is durable…and is fundamentally related to our quest for peace and security in life.
The search for authentic love is not new. It is embedded in our inner spirits and is a fundamental part of our common search for companionship and meaning in life.
So the vows of marriage are the culmination, in the form of a wedding ceremony, of this unconditional giving and receiving…this offering if you will…that you are making to each other. And we are here to witness to this giving and receiving of love between the two of you.
Jimmy and Mindy, we have come to listen to the words that you are about to share with each other, so that we can see the continued forming of the miracle of your love for each other. And we do so knowing that God is present in this place as well.
Jimmy and Mindy, we pray that the joy that is at the heart of love will follow you all of your days together. Amen.
Declaration of Intention
Jimmy and Mindy, you have invited us to share this day with you. Is it your intention that the love you have for each other will be expressed in a constant commitment of support and understanding wherever that may lead? (It is)
Mindy, will you fulfill the covenant that is embodied in this marriage to Jimmy and commit yourself to love him, to rejoice with him, to comfort him and to seek to understand him in the days ahead? (I will)
Jimmy, will you fulfill the covenant that is embodied in this marriage to Mindy and commit yourself to love her, to rejoice with her, to comfort her and to seek to understand her in the days ahead? (I will)
Love grows when it is surrounded by the love and support of others, so now I have a question for each of you as well:
Will you promise to give your love and care, your support and encouragement to Jimmy and Mindy as they continue to live out their love for each other in the days ahead? (We will)
Prayer: Let us pray.... Dear God, as Jimmy and Mindy prepare now to share their vows of marriage with each other, we ask that you bless them and guide them. We pray that you will remember them and uphold them. And we pray these words in the name of the One who taught us to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven…. Amen.
Marriage Vows
We've come now to that special part of the service in which Jimmy and Mindy will share their vows of marriage with each other.
And so Jimmy will you begin by repeating after me:
I, Jimmy, take you, Mindy, to be my wife. To be none other than yourself, I promise to stand by your side; to encourage you, and be open and honest with you; to laugh with you, and cry with you; to always love you, honor you, and respect you; both freed and bound by our love, for as long as we both shall live .
And Mindy the same vow:
I, Mindy, take you, Jimmy, to be my husband. To be none other than yourself, I promise to stand by your side; to encourage you, and be open and honest with you; to laugh with you, and cry with you; to always love you, honor you, and respect you; both freed and bound by our love, for as long as we both shall live .
Exchange of Rings
Do you have symbols of your love that you wish to share with each other?
Jimmy would you repeat after me:
As a ring has no end, neither shall my love for you. This ring I give to you as a token of my love and devotion to you. I pledge to you all that I am and all that I will ever be as your husband. I choose you to be my wife this day and forevermore. With this ring, I gladly marry you and join my life to yours.
Mindy would you repeat the same words:
As a ring has no end, neither shall my love for you. This ring I give to you as a token of my love and devotion to you. I pledge to you all that I am and all that I will ever be as your wife. I choose you to be my husband this day and forevermore. With this ring, I gladly marry you and join my life to yours.
Blessing and Closing
Jimmy and Mindy, you have committed yourselves to each other as husband and wife through these vows and promises...and so at this time, you may begin the celebration of your marriage by kissing. Kiss
At this time, it is my privilege to introduce you to, Jimmy and Mindy Thompson-Wright. Our ceremony has ended, but the celebration of your love has just begun. Congratulations….and Amen.
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