Julia Lynn Gray

Cheryl and Jack

Wedding Ceremony

March 12, 2023

The Procession - welcome

It is my privilege to welcome you this afternoon on behalf of Cheryl and Jack. You have played a role in their lives, today you have been asked to increase that role by witnessing their next step together. I’d ask that you take a moment and clear your mind of anything that would keep you from being here, in this place, intentionally. (pause) O Great Spirit, we acknowledge your presence here with us today. We lift up all loved ones, those present and those unable to join us….your peace upon them. Especially today shine into Cheryl and Jack…help them to know you more deeply and to call on you when what is known and of this earth isn’t sufficient. We also ask your blessing on them as they move forward, together.

Let us celebrate as they Cheryl and Jack unite their lives…publicly…formally this afternoon. Let us begin.

The Invocation - poem|stanza

Creator that flows through ALL of us. We welcome YOU and our awareness of YOUR PRESENCE among us. LIFE, as it exists here around us and in us, emerges forth through each of our own UNIQUE expressions of YOU (as Cheryl, as Jack, and Kate, Tom… myself) We are honored and humbled by this acknowledgement of your Spirit within US. Help us to act as YOUR shining Light in this world, as your loving Heart with others, and as your Hands to do YOUR work here on this earth. In your name we pray. Amen

Remembrance of those not present

As part of this special day we wish to remember those that could not be with us today and those that have gone on before us…those who are with us in spirit alone. There are many people who have made us who we are. Cheryl’s mother and father, Diane and John; brothers, Cole and Clayton; sister Crystal; sister-in-laws, Paula and Jenn; Nieces and Nephew, Chloe, Violet and Conner. Jack’s mother and father, John and Thelma; sister Bonnie; daughter Jill; step children, Ann, Tom, and John; nieces and nephews, too many to name today.

Reading - On Marriage by Kahlil Gibran

You were born together, and together you shall be forever more.

You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.

Yes, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.

But let there be spaces in your togetherness.

And let the winds of heaven dance between you.

Love one another, but make not a bond of love.

Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.

Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.

Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.

Sing and dance together and be joyous, but each one of you be

alone – even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not in each other’s keeping.

For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.

And stand together yet not too near together:

For the pillars of the temple stand apart

And the oak tree and the Cyprus grow not in each other’s shadow

Consecration and Address

I’ve known Jack for more than 25+ years, in another volume of my life…

created a HOME for us (w/Meghan) at the Kettle Moraine YMCA

I remember his retirement party

I’ve known Cheryl since I was pregnant with my youngest, Sean (who’s now, almost, 21).

We started walking (w/Paula) then running then lifting…

she’s such a close friend, I can’t even call her that because she lives w/in me

she’s has stretched and adapted and supported and encouraged me at every turn in my life… without question… without hesitation

Together, Jack & Cheryl, have traveled together as friends, as lovers, and as true partners for 15 years. These 2 beautiful expressions of the Divine recognized their ‘heart song’ in the other…

commitment - demonstrated, not spoken

growth & learning - to each other’s lives, their challenges, their joys, their journey together and as individuals

awakening - to each other and to the other as the perfectly imperfect expression of love, light and healing

“The minute I heard my first love story,

I started looking for you, not knowing

how blind that was.

Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere,

they’re in each other all along…” — Rumi

Open up the floor to Kate and Tom, if they want to share anything

The Declaration of Intent -

(Officiant to Jack)

"Do you take Cheryl to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, through all times (good and bad), for richer or poorer - keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live? If so answer 'I do'."

(Groom To the Bride)

"I do."

(Officiant to Cheryl)

"Do you take Jack to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, through all times (good and bad), for richer or poorer - keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live? If so, answer I do."

(Bride To the Groom)

"I do."

The Vows Exchange - written

burned|incense|offering

Vows [separate|attached]

Cheryl and Jack- Wedding Vows

CHERYL:

When we were talking about a date for the ceremony, the first thing I did was add up the numbers of the date May 12, 2023. I added it up 5+1+2+2+2+3=15 and 1+5=6. A six…I know nothing about the number 6. So, I looked it up. This is what I read on numerology.com.

“The number 6 is the embodiment of the heart. It represents unconditional love and the ability to support, nurture, and heal. It is a powerful force of compassion and empathy and its warm light is a beacon of hope. Its role is to use it heart and soul to be of service to others.

The 6 in Numerology shines in partnerships of all kinds but especially emotional ones. Its empathy makes others comfortable letting down their guard and being open and honest about their feelings which, in turn, allows it to understand and provide the help that’s needed.”

The first sentence pulled me in, as you could imagine. “The embodiment of the heart.” As I read on, “It represents unconditional love and the ability to support, nurture, and heal.” I couldn’t believe this is what it was saying…Unconditional love and the ability to support, nurture and heal…I knew, then, that this day will be perfect for our wedding day. The day we promise to commit to each other, not that the last 15 years were not a commitment to each other. This takes it to a new/ different level. A commitment and promise to honor and respect each other in our humanness. I promise to lead with an open heart in my relating with you. I promise to stay connected to myself and continue to give myself compassion, when needed, so I can be there for you when you need me. I promise to continue to create a life of mutual respect, compassion, generosity, and patience. I promise to recognize our individuality and celebrate our own uniqueness as a strength in our time together. For all the days that we live with one another, I promise to spend each day working to become a more true version of myself, and I will do my utmost to help you do the same.

JACK:

I have loved you for over 15 years, during that time you have taught me to love and be loved and love all. I pledge to you my continued love till the day I pass.

Enthusiasm- I have always been an enthusiastic skier and I love you for embracing my sport even though I know that it scares the crap out of you at times.

I have always loved the way you laugh and have fun even though there is no laugh track.

I love how you have worked at setting up your own business and that you do your work with love and great competency. That is something that is rare today.

It took a few years that you were an old soul and spirit within one body which I have grown to love.

Fire ritual with the vows

Ritual symbolic joining-rings

May these rings symbolize your inherent wholeness and unity with one another, giving you the strength to happily honor your commitments to each other.

May they remind you that marriage is not a destination but a journey, with no beginning and no end, just a moment to moment opportunity to love and be loved to the best of your ability.

The Pronouncement and Kiss

"By the power given to me by the American Marriage Ministries and by the State of Wisconsin,

I now pronounce you married."