Our Ceremony Outline
 last updated on August 7, 2003

FULL TEXT OF CEREMONY COMING SOON!

Set up Altars

  1. Bagpiper Plays from 4:30-5:00.  At 5:00 pm:  Bob Goodearl teaches 3 songs/chants - Tom Cobb to accompany on guitar.  Note: All to stand while singing.
    Announcements: 
        (1) to keep singing "We Are One." until
             cued to stop, 
        (2) explain about tying ribbons on tree after
             receiving line, 
        (3) explain to group that Kate & Bob will exit
             and walk around outside once before
             ceremony is officially over.
    Bob and Tom go to microphones near West altar.
  2. Ian, Sarah & Bob walk from behind tree and Bob drops off to meet Tom and BobGo.
    Ian and Sarah walk a few more steps, and then stop until the guys start singing.
    Tom, Bob & BobGo sing: first Alleluia, then For The Beauty Of The Earth. 
    While they sing, Sarah and Ian walk 3 times clockwise around circle with incense (Ian)  and holy water (Sarah).
    When done, Sarah and Ian go to seats.
  3. Dave and Beth move up to microphones and Bob and Tom step back towards tree. 
    BobGo goes to seat.
  4. Processional music plays - [Dave & Beth, playing "Irlandaise" by Claude Bolling, on GUITAR & FLUTE]
  5. Parading out of tree, moving around circle counter-clockwise: 
                            Katja,
                            Joan,
                            Todd,
                            Bob (joins),
                            TomC (joins),
                            TomS.  
    The last person in the parade drops off at their designated altar finishing up with Katja standing in the West/Water.  
  6. Kathy Logan walks down West/Water aisle and stands near central altar.
  7. In the meantime another parade has queued up behind the tree: 
                            Nadia & Carol,
                            MaryJean,
                            Kate. 
    Then we walk from behind tree around pathway over to come in through the South/Fire. 
  8. Todd and then Bob walk down Earth/North aisle.
  9. Nadia the Flower girl, with Caroll, walks down the Fire/South aisle casting rose petals.  Then they sit in their seats.
    Mary Jean and then Kate walk down South aisle.

1.         Introduction (Convocation or Charge to the Congregation)

[KATHY] Opening remarks.  Welcomes the guests, and calls upon those present to bear witness to the marriage, etc.

2.         Opening Prayers (Invocation)

Calling the 4 elemental directions:  At each element/direction there will be a short reading.  Order is Air, Fire, Water, Earth [Dave plays GUITAR while each walking down aisle -different moods for each]

-----------------------------

SPIRIT [KATHY]- (soul, spirit, 5th element), invocation prayer, blessing of elemental implements.  ALL SING [BobG leads, TomC on guitar]: "Over my head..[hear music, see angels, feel love]"

3.         Readings & Performance section

MaryJean:  reads excerpt from "Gift from the Sea" by Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Musical Interlude [Dave's GUITAR solo - "Here, There and Everywhere"]

Todd:  reads "Words of Wisdom" by Bill Swetmon

4.         Consecration by the 5 elements

[KATHY] Some opening words, then* the rest done by us in silence while music is playing.  Consecration by all the elements: sword (air), wand (fire), drink something (blessed water), plant seed (earth), light Unity candles (spirit)

[*Dave & Beth playing "Here Comes the Sun" on GUITAR & FLUTE]

5.         Handfasting & Vows, Exchange of Rings, Pronouncement of Marriage

Bob:  reads "The Road" by Don German

Kate:  reads Ancient Egyptian love poem

Handfasting -  use Silver & Gold Cords.  Say vows while braiding cords.  Then do rings and ring vows.  [KATHY] pronounce us as husband and wife.

[ALL SING:  Dona Nobis Pacem -as round]

6.         Family Joining via World Tree (Yggdrasil)

Family stands up in center circle. [KATHY] says a few words about Yggdrasil, the Norse World Tree, family and community.  [ALL SING twice through:  We Are One in the Spirit - Lord verse, then Gaia verse]  Parents take turns each putting a branch in the Tree.  Sibs tie fruit branches.  Then all stand in circle holding hands. 

7.    Final Benediction

[KATHY] - Closing words.  {Cue bagpiper to play}  Bob and Kate exit out of the East, and we walk counterclockwise around circle once while bagpiper is playing.  Then all exit.

Bagpiper plays leaving processional, plays for next 30-45 minutes (vibe it out).