at
(608) 274-0833
Congratulations on your decision to be married!
On
behalf of the church family here at Heritage Congregational Church, we rejoice
with you in your wedding! Our goal
is that each wedding be an expression of the coupleÕs love for God and each
other. There are many things which
need to be examined as a couple prepares to start a new life together, not the
least of which is their faith. We
will spend some time talking about faith, and other important issues as we work
together on your ceremony. The
more contact we have the more personal your wedding will be because I have had
the opportunity to get to know you.
I look forward to these meetings, and I hope you will, too.
We
consider the covenant of marriage to be a most holy bond and are pleased that
we can play a part in this special time for you. This booklet is intended to give you all the information
necessary to make this occasion a faithful and meaningful one, and assure that
the wedding and surrounding tasks run smoothly.
We
look forward to meeting with you both and assisting in making this a special
and memorable time.
Yours
in Christ,
Rev.Cynthia
Bacon
Minister
and Teacher
Our Church
Heritage Congregational Church stands in a long line of tradition. While this church was ÔgatheredÕ in 1968, it is part of a Christian movement with its roots in the New Testament understanding of the church and with the Puritans and Pilgrims as its immediate ancestors. So Heritage is young as a congregation, but with experience beyond its years because of its own heritage as a Congregational church. The Congregationalists are a people who look to the Spirit but also appreciate and welcome the use of the intellect. It is a movement which has been committed to a Ôlearned ministryÕ and a Ôliterate laity.Õ Many of the nationÕs most prestigious academic institutions (Harvard, Yale, Oberlin) owe their founding to the Congregational sources.
Essentially
the Congregational Churches have held to:
Great emphasis is placed upon the individual believerÕs relationship to a God who relates in a personal manner. Tied with that relationship is the need for the individual to inform him/her conscience and act freely in accord with it; developing a spirituality which is, at once, personal and communal. This understanding reflects very strongly the emphasis and orientation of the Church during its earliest period.
The
Congregational Way places stress on the covenant as the binding force
by which the Church is gathered.
Through both the Old and New Testaments God made covenant with his
people, and it is in Ôowning the covenantÕ that Congregationalists believe they
become a part of GodÕs Ôgathered people.Õ
Within the congregation there is a fundamental equality of believers,
not, however, because the Church is a democracy. Rather, the understanding is that of Scripture, Christ is
the head of the Church. What we
attempt to do here and now is to carry out GodÕs will expressed in Christ by
the grace and operation of the Holy Spirit. The covenant also marks the distinction
between a Congregational Church being Ôindependent.Õ Since the covenant implies fellowship with other bodies of
covenanted believers, the local congregation is self-governing, but it is not
independent.
It
was in that spirit that a group of dedicated Christians were gathered in
covenant relationship on April 28, 1968 to begin Heritage Congregational
Church. The church is an active
member of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches and of
the Wisconsin Congregational Association.
With our sister Ôcontinuing CongregationalÕ churches we seek to follow
Jesus Christ in the Way of Faith, Freedom and Fellowship.
You will need to meet with the minister at least three
times in person. This is important
for several reasons. First, it
will give you an opportunity to get to know one another, and this will make for
a much better wedding ceremony.
Second, it will enable you to discuss issues that will play a central
role in your marriage Ð common values, hopes and dreams, children, religious
background and spiritual convictions.
Third, it will enable you to talk about marriage in general and your
wedding service in particular.
Please call the minister at (608) 274-0833 so you can meet together
about two months before your wedding.
When ordering invitations, the suggested form for the
name and address of the church is:
Heritage
Congregational Church
3102 Prairie Road
Madison, WI 53719
Pictures are important to families as years pass and
memories are recalled. Pictures
may be taken before and after in the BrideÕs Room, the GroomÕs Room, in the
halls and in the sanctuary. During
the ceremony, pictures may be taken in the sanctuary as long as they are in
good taste. No flash pictures
are permitted during the ceremony and please, no pictures from the chancel area
during the ceremony.
Arrangements for floral decorations should be made with the florist of your choice, except at Easter and Christmastime when arrangements may be made with the church office to use the church decorations. In this case, the brideÕs family makes a contribution to the fund which provides the flowers.
Most
local florists will be able to suggest various decorations for your
consideration. If your florist is
not familiar with our church, he/she should be told that it is not permissible
to put tape, nails or tacks into the woodwork and that hurricane lamps are not
permitted on the pews.
Rice, Birdseed, Confetti,
etc.
We rejoice with you! But we must ask that you cooperate by
not scattering rice, confetti, birdseed, tissue flowers or other objects either
inside or outside the church building.
Please advise your family, wedding party and guests of this
requirement. Should the throwing
of any of these items occur, an additional fee for cleanup will be charged.
First
and foremost, your church is a place of worship. We ask your cooperation in helping to keep your church
holy. Please do not bring
alcoholic beverages onto the premises (church or church grounds) and observe
that the church building is a smoke-free environment.
(Nave)
In the Congregational tradition the ÔchurchÕ is a body
of people gathered around Jesus Christ.
The building in which the church meets is, thus, the ÔMeeting HouseÕ
(also referred to as the nave or sanctuary). You may want to know that there are 26 pews in the nave,
seats approximately 240 people, and the aisle is approximately 64 feet
long. The pews, communion table,
baptismal font and pulpit may not be moved for any reason.
The use of our candelabra,
both those on the communion table and the seven-branched floor candles, is
included in the fee. If you wish
additional candles or non-electrified seven-branched candelabra, you will need
to make arrangements with your florist.
Dripless candles are required for use in the sanctuary.
If the wedding party consists of no more than four adults, a rehearsal may not be necessary. However, if more than four persons are involved, and especially if children are included, a rehearsal is wise. One hour is ample time for the rehearsal, and all persons involved are urged to be prompt.
If organ music is used in your ceremony, it must be provided by our Music Director/Organist. You may provide your own vocalist, or instrumentalists.
Since
a wedding is a religious service, the music, whether instrumental or vocal,
should have a religious significance.
If a secular or contemporary melody is used, be sure that the lyrics are
in keeping with the meaning of a Christian marriage. Please be sure to consult with the Music Director/Organist
and Pastor as to the appropriateness of your selections at least three months
in advance.
Our
Music Director/Organist is also an excellent pianist and violinist and is
familiar with a wide selection of music.
You may wish to leave the choice of music to him. Usually, prelude music is played as
guests are seated; the processional and recessional are played for the bridal
party.
If
your vocal and/or instrumental selections require organ or piano accompaniment,
please be sure to schedule a separate rehearsal with the Music
Director/Organist and your musicians prior to the actual wedding
rehearsal. It is your
responsibility to provide copies of the special selections performed to all
musicians.
The state of Wisconsin requires that a license for marriage be obtained and that the couple fulfill the legal formality of pronouncement. A license may be obtained in any county of the state of Wisconsin and is good for 30 days following the date of issue.
At
our church, we offer a Christian service in which the wedding vows are made in
a context of worship, prayer and thanksgiving. A typical wedding service includes:
A Greeting
Statement on the Gift
of Marriage
Prayer
The Declarations of
Intent
Scripture Readings
(two or three usually)
The Message
The Exchange of
Wedding Vows
The Blessing and Exchange
of Rings
The Unity Candle and
Signing of License
Prayer
The LordÕs Prayer
Pronouncement of
Marriage
Charge and
Benediction
This is the basic outline of a wedding ceremony. Music can be inserted in several places during the service, and each couple is invited to work with the minister to personalize their service. The Sacrament of the LordÕs Supper can also be included as a part of the service if the couple so desires.
Members of
Heritage Church may have the use of the Meeting House and other rooms at no
charge. The honoraria for the
Minister, Music Director/Organist, Wedding Coordinator and Custodian are to be
paid by means of a one-time, all-inclusive fee (please note the inserted fee schedule) which is to
be paid prior to or at the time the date is set on the church calendar.
Those who are
not members of Heritage Church may be married at the discretion of the
Minister. There is an
all-inclusive fee (please note the inserted fee schedule) which includes the use of the
building and the honoraria listed above.
The fee is to be paid prior to or at the time the date is set on the
church calendar.
Please
note: The church is
available for a total of three and one half hours (3 ½) which is
comprised of two hours (2) prior to the scheduled time of the service, one half
of an hour (½) for the service, and one hour (1) following the service. Anything more is to be arranged prior
to the date and subject to a billing for the custodian at the appropriate
hourly rate of $25 per hour.
The church
fellowship hall is available for receptions to church members only. Arrangements should be made as far in
advance as possible. No alcoholic
beverages are permitted on church property.
All
arrangements are to be made through the Church Office
(608)
274-0833.
April 2004
Here Comes The Bride