The Wedding..... a tale in several acts
The Wedding.
This whole process between Matt and Jenn had taken six years from the time they met at a party. Over time they found out things - besides scuba diving and physical activity and some music - that they both enjoyed. They learned many of each other's quirks and tendencies..knew each other and had taken a ride of ups and downs for quite some time. Their friends supported them and didn't understand why they hadn't gotten married sooner.
Matt's family loves Jenn and even likes her family. Jenn's family loves Matt and likes his family as well. No picture is ever 100% perfection, but as relationships go, this one is on solid ground.
That's the background.
They live on Long Island. Matt was hired by Barbara, sight unseen, to be the IT force behind the Geranium Farm.... and he has done a marvelous job. We all met face to face last autumn at the Farm under the dogwood(?) tree on the patio. Neither Jenn nor Matt had done the specifics when it came to a minister - Barbara volunteered and I said I would pitch in too.
I dropped Barbara a line in March some time.... was everything on course. Oh, yes. They-all had set up a meeting. Not too formal, not too churchy.... there would be a sense of spirituality and God-ness about it.
About 2 weeks ago I checked in again - maybe I should just drop in for the ceremony. No, Barbara wrote back last week.... come on along. I volunteered to drive us if she could get into NYC and we could drive from there. Fine. Coordinates were set and the plan was in motion.
We spoke on Thursday - and a fly was in the ointment...she had been sick on the train and was feeling weak. But she would keep me in the loop. Friday and no improvement. DJ, it's not better. Thank goodness you're going. I'm so disappointed, what a shame.... I'll call Matt. You do the wedding. It will be fine.
Then she was off the phone and I'm somewhat numb sitting at my computer @ work. I had done several memorial services, assisted in baptisms, preached at a union.... but never a wedding. I'm just the sidekick, not the seasoned veteran that knows the service and is aware of the expectations and duties..... groan.
On the Long Island Expressway Barbara and I exchange several calls. Make sure to get the license tonight. Be available and pastoral. Follow the BCP. I usually keep the homily short. If there is someone attached to the Inn, let them run most of it. Gotcha.
Plugging along I am again trying to follow written directions and have never been this route. Off the LIE to a couple of other smaller roads. It is drizzling, then raining. To the ferry and on to the other side. Finally to the Inn. A big hello and 7 minutes to the rehearsal. The innkeeper, wedding party, family, couple. OK. Up to the room, read the book. Deep breaths. Showtime.
It went fine. The rehearsal dinner went fine. Other than the air conditioning on during a chilly night, that was fine (and gave me a chance to write 3 different sermons to choose from). It had rained overnight but pretty much held off for all the photos in the morning. The diligent innkeeper moved everything under cover, the chairs were set up and dried off and fine. Jenn looked stunning, Matt very handsome, the families were excited and positive.... and behold, it was very good. Music, entrances, promises, readings, homily, candles, rings, vows, kisses, tears of joy.... all very fine. Good food, moving/funny speeches, rockin' dj. All fine.
Everyone wished this amazing couple well. Love is many things, but seldom logical- that being said, the union of these two people made such perfect sense. They smiled, paid great attention to each other, were not lost when each had to go in a different direction to attend to a relative or personal friend. It was all good. All fine.
God works in mysterious ways. We humans try to manage, try to define- try as hard as we might, we cannot limit or confine or define change, life, family/relationships, love. All remain mysteries, wonder-full mysteries. Thanks be to God!
This whole process between Matt and Jenn had taken six years from the time they met at a party. Over time they found out things - besides scuba diving and physical activity and some music - that they both enjoyed. They learned many of each other's quirks and tendencies..knew each other and had taken a ride of ups and downs for quite some time. Their friends supported them and didn't understand why they hadn't gotten married sooner.
Matt's family loves Jenn and even likes her family. Jenn's family loves Matt and likes his family as well. No picture is ever 100% perfection, but as relationships go, this one is on solid ground.
That's the background.
They live on Long Island. Matt was hired by Barbara, sight unseen, to be the IT force behind the Geranium Farm.... and he has done a marvelous job. We all met face to face last autumn at the Farm under the dogwood(?) tree on the patio. Neither Jenn nor Matt had done the specifics when it came to a minister - Barbara volunteered and I said I would pitch in too.
I dropped Barbara a line in March some time.... was everything on course. Oh, yes. They-all had set up a meeting. Not too formal, not too churchy.... there would be a sense of spirituality and God-ness about it.
About 2 weeks ago I checked in again - maybe I should just drop in for the ceremony. No, Barbara wrote back last week.... come on along. I volunteered to drive us if she could get into NYC and we could drive from there. Fine. Coordinates were set and the plan was in motion.
We spoke on Thursday - and a fly was in the ointment...she had been sick on the train and was feeling weak. But she would keep me in the loop. Friday and no improvement. DJ, it's not better. Thank goodness you're going. I'm so disappointed, what a shame.... I'll call Matt. You do the wedding. It will be fine.
Then she was off the phone and I'm somewhat numb sitting at my computer @ work. I had done several memorial services, assisted in baptisms, preached at a union.... but never a wedding. I'm just the sidekick, not the seasoned veteran that knows the service and is aware of the expectations and duties..... groan.
On the Long Island Expressway Barbara and I exchange several calls. Make sure to get the license tonight. Be available and pastoral. Follow the BCP. I usually keep the homily short. If there is someone attached to the Inn, let them run most of it. Gotcha.
Plugging along I am again trying to follow written directions and have never been this route. Off the LIE to a couple of other smaller roads. It is drizzling, then raining. To the ferry and on to the other side. Finally to the Inn. A big hello and 7 minutes to the rehearsal. The innkeeper, wedding party, family, couple. OK. Up to the room, read the book. Deep breaths. Showtime.
It went fine. The rehearsal dinner went fine. Other than the air conditioning on during a chilly night, that was fine (and gave me a chance to write 3 different sermons to choose from). It had rained overnight but pretty much held off for all the photos in the morning. The diligent innkeeper moved everything under cover, the chairs were set up and dried off and fine. Jenn looked stunning, Matt very handsome, the families were excited and positive.... and behold, it was very good. Music, entrances, promises, readings, homily, candles, rings, vows, kisses, tears of joy.... all very fine. Good food, moving/funny speeches, rockin' dj. All fine.
Everyone wished this amazing couple well. Love is many things, but seldom logical- that being said, the union of these two people made such perfect sense. They smiled, paid great attention to each other, were not lost when each had to go in a different direction to attend to a relative or personal friend. It was all good. All fine.
God works in mysterious ways. We humans try to manage, try to define- try as hard as we might, we cannot limit or confine or define change, life, family/relationships, love. All remain mysteries, wonder-full mysteries. Thanks be to God!
posted by Joanna Depue | 10:41 AM
1 Comments:
Know exactly how you must have felt. God does indeed work in mysterious ways.
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