Lynn Feather

Welcome family and loved ones. We are gathered here today, surrounded by the beauty of creation and nurtured by the sights and sounds of nature to celebrate the joining of Scott Edward Taylor and Joseph Albert Austin in marriage.

Today is a celebration. A celebration of love, of commitment, of friendship, of family, and of two people who are in it for forever. The marriage ceremony has been an important feature across nearly every culture, religion, generation, and society. We have thousands of important moments which happen throughout our lives, but this one is regarded as one so critical, we acknowledge its special status by sharing it with others. Why this moment?

Because despite all our differences, love is what we all share. It's the great unifier - our one universal truth. That no matter who we are, where we've come from, what we believe, we know this one thing: love is what we're doing right. That's why you both are standing here.

Let us Pray: Dear God, thank you for this joyous day....May God bless Scott and Joseph with the inner gifts of trust, compassion, forgiveness and truth and that they live and grow together in love and peace. Amen.

DECLARATION OF INTENT

Scott has chosen to write his vows to Joey.

Scott and Joseph please join hands, look at one another now and remember this moment in time.

I, Scott Edward Taylor will stand by you, Joseph Albert Austin through sickness and health to honor and love you for richer or poorer through good times and bad 'til the day that I die. From this day forward, there will be no man or woman to tear us apart. We have waited 31 years for this day, so Joseph Albert Austin, this is my vow to you Darling. I hope you accept these vows to become my husband today, and every day until the end of time. I love you Mr. Austin.

Joseph repeat after me: I, Joseph Albert Austin, take you, Scott Edward Taylor to be my lawfully wedded partner to have and to hold from this day forward in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, through good time and bad keeping myself unto you for as long as I shall live.

AFTER VOWS

Will you, Scott and Joseph be each other's partners from this day forward? Will you bring out the best in one another, share your happiest moments together, and love each other absolutely - for the rest of this lifetime and for whatever may come next?

Couple together: We will.

RING EXCHANGE

You've both chosen to wear rings as a reminder of these promises. People often say wedding bands are a perfect circle, with no beginning and no end. But these rings did have a beginning. The stones were formed a long time ago deep within the earth.

Eventually, a series of lucky events caused them to rise to the surface, where someone dug them up. Metal was then liquefied in a furnace - molded, cooled, and painstakingly polished. Something beautiful was made from raw elements.

Love is like that. It comes from humble beginnings, and through a combination of serendipity and effort, imperfect beings shape it into something extraordinary. It's the process of making something beautiful where there was once nothing at all. As you look at these rings over the years, I hope you remember that. You've created something invaluable, and just as I know you'll protect these rings, I'm confident you'll protect the commitments you've made to one another today.

Scott, as you place this ring on Joseph 's finger, repeat these words after me: This ring symbolizes my love for you and the commitments we made today.

Joseph, as you place this ring on Scott's finger, repeat these words after me: This ring symbolizes my love for you and the commitments we made today.

Scott's Poem:

Life of God surrounds me.

The Love of God is inside me.

The power of God protects and provides within me.

The presence of God watches over me.

The mind of God guides me.

The life of God flows through me.

The laws of God direct me.

The joy of God uplifts me.

The strength of God renews me.

The beauty of God inspires me.

Wherever I am, God is there with me.

Love is patient, love is kind. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13:4, 7-8.

PRONOUNCEMENT

Scott and Joseph, you have come here today of your own free will and in the presence of family and friends, loved ones, have declared your love and commitment to each other. You have given and received rings as a symbol of your promises.

By the power of your love and commitment to each other, and by the power vested in me by the State of West Virginia and American Marriage Ministries, I now pronounce you married.