The Open Episcopal Church in Scotland
An Independent Catholic Community Church
A Registered Charity: SC037428
Getting Married
in The Open Episcopal Church in Scotland
Marriage in the Church has many levels of meaning. On one level, it is a contract
On a deeper level, marriage is a human relationship in which two people commit themselves to each other through promises of love and faithfulness. Vows are made and a covenant is established
Deeper still is the Christian understanding of marriage as the creation of a new unity. The vows are made with God as a witness and God's blessing is asked on the marriage. Those who make the vows become co-creators with God for they create a new oneness out of two individuals. Marriage may thus be considered a visible sign of a new spiritual relationship. An outward sign of an inward grace; a sacrament
The Church emphasises the opportunity that two people have to grow, through mutual trust and love, into responsible and loving persons. This is God's purpose for anyone who enters into marriage, basing this belief in the life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christian marriage is therefore an act of worship in which two persons publicly accept God's purpose for their lives and acknowledge the spiritual element of marriage
It is expected that any couple wishing to be married in the church will either affirm this understanding of marriage or be willing to discuss any reservations with the minister
The Open Episcopal Church in Scotland believes in love and forgiveness. Whilst we would hope that any previous marriage commitment was made with the intention that the marriage should last for a lifetime we do recognise that mistakes are made and marriages do sometimes end in divorce
If you are divorced then we believe that you are deserving of forgiveness and there is no barrier to you receiving any of the sacraments, including a church wedding
In Scotland our bishops, priests and deacons are fully licensed by the Registrar General of Scotland to officiate at weddings. The law of Scotland allows considerable flexibility both in the place where you can be married and in the wording of the vows to be made
The Open Episcopal Church in Scotland makes no charge, as such, for its services. It does ask, however, that where there is no hardship a donation be made to the church in recognition of and as a reflection of the true cost of such ministry. No bishop, priest or deacon of The Open Episcopal Church in Scotland is paid and all donations are used to enable the ministry of the church to continue. The church receives no funding other than donations and is a registered charity (SC037428)
Where circumstances permit, we ask the donor to sign a Gift Aid Form, which allows the church to reclaim from HM Revenue & Customs 25 pence extra for every one pound donated, at no further cost to yourself
