Wedding Policy

I.             POLICY

Preface:  This policy is in accord with National and Diocesan Church Canons and the guidelines of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania.

A.  First Marriage

1.  Any active baptized member of St. John’s Church may be married.

2.  Any couple may be married provided.

a.  One of the couple is baptized.

b.  Both regularly attend the worship services of the parish for one (1) month prior to the beginning of counseling.

c.  At least one of the couple, with the support of the other, makes a financial pledge expressing the intention to be a member of the church.

3.  All couples must submit to the clergy their request a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the ceremony.

4.  All couples must receive from the officiant clergy a minimum of three (3) hours of premarital counseling on the nature of Christian marriage.

5.  All couples must spend one (1) hour with the Minister of Music to share the theology of music and to select appropriate music.

B.  Second Marriage – In addition to the requirements for First Marriage, when one or both parties are divorced, a couple must:

1.    Receive the written consent from the Bishop of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania. 

2.    Prior to the Bishop’s consent: 

a.     No wedding date may be firmly established.

b.     The couple must, at their expense, be seen by a licensed professional counselor or a certified pastoral counselor who must submit to the clergy a written evaluation with an authorized release from the couple.

c.     The couple must present to the clergy, copies of the divorce or annulment decree and separation agreements.

d.  One (1) calendar year must have elapsed since the date of the decree.

II.           HONORARIA AND FEES

     No one will be denied the Sacrament of Marriage at St. John’s because of the inability to pay.  If you would like special consideration in this regard, please speak to the clergy.  At the same time, most weddings require a great deal of preparation and work for clergy and church volunteers.

     The fee for weddings at St. John’s is:

Members:               $  450.00 

Non-members:       $1,450.00 

     These fees include all honoraria for the clergy, organist, verger, and for all services of the Altar Guild and Flower Guild, including altar flowers.

     A non-refundable deposit of fifty percent (50%) of the fee is due when the wedding date is placed on the church calendar.  The remainder is requested one (1) month before the wedding.

III.         CONTACT INFORMATION

If you would like to speak with a priest about your wedding plans and the parish wedding policy, please call the parish office at 717-299-1188 or e-mail us at: stjohn@stjohns-lancaster.org

9/08