Welcome to the Betrothal Ceremony

of John Kraemer and Christine Hoff

Trinity United Methodist Church

Saturday, May 27th, 2000

Led by Dr. Sid Hall,

Minister of Celebration

0. Welcome

[a few words by Sid]

I. Invocation (call & response) --Starhawk

(Leader) (Group)

Nameless One of many names

Eternal and ever-changing One

Who is found nowhere but appears everywhere

Beyond and within all.

Timeless circle of the seasons

Unknowable mystery known by all.

Lord of the dance, Mother of all life,

Be radiant within us, Engulf us with your love,

(Unison)

See with our eyes, Hear with our ears, Breathe with our nostrils,

Touch with our hands, kiss with our lips,

Open our hearts!

That we may live free at last

Joyful in the single song

Of all that is, was, or ever shall be! Amen.

II. Blessing: "Every man and woman is a star."

Sid: You have come here today to state your love for one another in the presence of your family and the Creator. How did you come to be here today?

John: Three years ago, we fell into each others' orbits, like two stars becoming a system.

'Stine: Since then, we have been travelling together. Our lives define a point about which we both travel.

John: And that point is on a journey, the destination of which we do not know.

'Stine: Although we are both seeking separate goals, we seek them together.

John: And as we work, we live in each others' hearts and minds, and seek to grow closer still.

'Stine: Our love, while it moves in the world, also moves in our hearts.

Sid: Your love is, and is becoming; your love is both in the world, and deep within. The vows you take today will bind you throughout this next year as you journey together and prepare for a lifelong commitment. Love each other every day with resolve and with passion, and help each other to keep your faith. Like two stars, each caught in the other's orbit, increase each other's light.

Sid: Jim and Sherry, Beverly and Barry, as the parents of John and Christine, will you give this commitment your blessing?

Parents: We do.

Sid: Michael, as the person who has been closest to this relationship as it has developed and grown, through its good days and its bad ones, will you give this commitment your blessing?

Michael: I do.

Sid: John and Christine, you have come both freely and gladly. What has brought you?

J&'S: Our love for each other.

Sid: Have you brought a symbol of this love?

J&'S: We have brought these rings.

III. Vows

Sid: The vows that John and Christine will take today are binding for the span of a year. For this year they will live together, sharing joy and sorrow, life and love. A year from now they will appear before us again to be married.

John:

Christine, in the coming year I will create a home for us and keep it functioning.

I will give you love when you are happy and when you are angry, when you are frustrated and when you are inspired.

I will support your work and provide both criticism and praise.

I will help you achieve your heart's true will.

For I have seen you and I love you.

You sing in my blood, and you are walking in my soul.

May this ring symbolize my commitment to this journey with you.

Christine:

John, in the coming year I will create a home for us and keep it functioning.

I will give you love when you are happy and when you are angry, when you are frustrated and when you are inspired.

I will support your work and provide both criticism and praise.

I will help you achieve your heart's true will.

For I have seen you and I love you.

You sing in my blood, and you are walking in my soul.

May this ring symbolize my commitment to this journey with you.

Sid (to group): Will you support John and Christine in fulfilling these vows?

Group: We will.

IV. Communion

Sid: The death of Christ on the cross and his forgiveness of his executioners provides a profound vision of unconditional love. As we take Communion, let us remember that Christ's example was both divine and warmly human. We can all aspire to be Christlike, to be willing to forgive time and time again, and to love others despite (and perhaps because of) their flaws.

[Sid breaks the bread, raises the cup, etc. He holds the bread and cup while Christine breaks off a piece and gives it to John, with the words below; she takes the cup and holds it while John drinks, with the words below. He repeats in reverse. She then takes the cup, and he takes the bread, and they serve Communion to the parents and Michael, and then to Sid.]

The body of Christ, the sign of God's love for you.

The blood of Christ, the hope that we can love without limit.

V. Benediction

Sid: Christine & John,

Now may the peace of God go with you,

May the power of God sustain you,

And may the love of God keep you together forever.

Amen.