Why do you want to marry at church?

             So, you want to get married at Moore’s Chapel United Methodist Church.  Please read our policy concerning weddings at Moore’s Chapel.

A Christian marriage does not mean the pastor merely functions as a substitute for the civil court for your convenience, nor is it for fulfilling the hope of a couple’s picture-perfect memory in the future.  It is important that a couple who marries at Moore’s Chapel agree with the following essential points: 1) To marry in the Church is to make a mutual covenant between bride and groom before God, family and friends, and, henceforth, to begin a new journey to keep that covenant until death parts them.  2) The couple who wants their wedding service at the Church must attend Sunday service regularly (either at Moore’s Chapel or another church), not only before the wedding but also throughout life for a better marital relationship before God and people.

 

Rev. Koo’s view on Christian Weddings 

It is painful for me to recall a husband and wife who divorced one month after the wedding, for which I officiated.  Weddings and divorces are never a trivial matter when I consider my ministry as a pastor as well as when I reflect on my own faith journey as a Korean Christian.  In the Christian community in Korea, marriage is a “once-in-a-lifetime” event.  Even though most Americans agree with this in theory, in practice, divorces have become a no-fault solution to troubled relationships.  Naturally, divorce is understandable in situations of abuse, infidelity or abandonment.  It is my policy, therefore, to have a rigorous standard of faith in God, church attendance, and marital counseling before I will consider conducting a wedding at Moore’s Chapel.  This particular divorce I mentioned before was a shock to me, and led me to kneel down before God to reflect on my ministry.  Thus, as I have such a sad memory in my ministry, I came to ask God humbly that I would be more serious in administering weddings than ever before.

When I marry a couple in the name of God, I truly hope to bless the newly wedding couple in His name, that is, to bless them to keep their happiness in faith and hope.  Therefore, I suggest, if you attend any other Church, then you must ask first the pastor of that church, who knows you better than I do; about getting married and about marrying at Moore’s Chapel; this may be a blessing to both the pastor and you.  If you do not attend another Church currently, I strongly recommend you attend Sunday worship at Moore’s Chapel regularly and come to learn and know the Truth that God has in store for you.

In order to fulfill the required pre-marriage counseling, you must attend church services because counseling cannot begin without first worshipping God, since it is within our faith in God that we may first talk about marriage.  As you become acquainted with other Christian couples in the Moore’s Chapel family, you will also have an opportunity to meet with one of the couples as a part of the counseling process.  Through this process we pray that you and your fiancé will learn mutual accountability within the church family and before God.

Therefore, it is my hope and prayer that you will place your trust in God as you start the most important journey in your life, so that you may experience the God who wants to guide and lead you into His blessings in your marriage and your new life together.

Once again, I want to emphasize that this is my personal opinion and does not necessarily reflect the view of the United Methodist Church, or other churches, or other pastors.

 

Wedding Policy for Moore’s Chapel 

1. The pastor will, with rare exceptions, only conduct wedding ceremonies for members of the Moore’s Chapel congregation or his/her immediate family.  The pastor will also conduct wedding ceremonies for non-members – if he feels that through this event, the couple will be encouraged to attend Moore’s Chapel.

2. Three months notification is required

3. There are three pre-marriage marital counseling sessions required.

4. There will be one rehearsal.

5. The couple to be wed must meet with another married couple (who have had a long, successful marriage), for helpful advice before the wedding.

6. The pastoral fee for a wedding is $150.00 for non-members.  This money will go to the church building fund.  There is no charge for members, but donations to the building fund will be accepted.

7. The fee for using the sanctuary for a wedding is $100.00.  The kitchen and dining area is $150, and the custodian fee is $50.00.  The sound system operator’s fee will also be $50.00.  Members are not charged, but donations will be accepted.

8. You may check on the availability of the church sanctuary and facilities by contacting the church secretary: Marsha Phillips (410-398-7245).  For use of the church building and facilities, contact the chairperson of trustees: Ruth Bilas

9. The organist fee is $50 for non- members.  You may bring your own musician or pre-recorded music.