The First Congregational Church of Fair Haven U.C.C. extends to you our welcome
as you begin plans for one of the most important events of your life!
As you prepare for Christian marriage, you have many things to consider.
This booklet was prepared by the Board of Deacons to share some insights from past experiences,
and policies from our church. Read this carefully.

You must contact our pastor at least two months before your wedding date to allow time to prepare.
He is the Rev. Marsh Hudson-Knapp. Call him at (802) 265-8605. Email: hkfamily@sover.net.
Revised 1/09

Our Pastor: As soon as you start thinking about marriage, contact our pastor.
He will be happy to help you consider what marriage would mean to you.
Marriage is one of the most profound acts of trust you will ever take.
So we want to be sure you are aware of the kind of relationship you are forming.
As you are preparing for your wedding we urge you to participate in worship at our church on a few Sundays. This will help you to become familiar with our church family.

Generally you meet for four to six hours with the pastor
to help you discover new aspects of yourself and your partner,
to talk about your hopes and needs in marriage,
and to plan the wedding itself.
Even the most familiar couples have found this experience to be a time of growth.
It requires at least two months to fit in these appointments.
Because of the many regular church meetings in the evenings,
and the partor's need to keep time for his own marriage,
premarital appointments need to be planned during the day (9 to 5).
Because of his demanding schedule, the pastor is unable to attend events on the rehearsal and wedding days, other than the service itself. He is also unable to perform weddings beyond the vicinity of Fair Haven.

After your wedding we encourage you to meet with our pastor, perhaps at six months or one year, to talk about the pressures, differences, and new joys you will be experiencing.
We expect you to give an honorarium to the minister
in recognition of his 10 or more hours of work on your behalf. A minimum gift is $200.00.

Organist: If you have live music during your wedding
it is expected that one of the church organists will play for the wedding rehearsal and ceremony.
Another organist may participate in the wedding ceremony only with the approval of the church organist.
As soon as you set a date with the pastor for the ceremony,
you should consult with the organist about appropriate music for the wedding.
If she/he approves the music that you suggest, and she/he does not own the music,
you will be expected to provide the sheet music several weeks in advance to allow time to practice.
Soloist's music should be arranged at that time to allow adequate rehearsal time.
The organist should be given a gift to cover their time at rehearsal, at the wedding, and practicing special music. A minimum gift is $100.00. If extra time is required for practicing new music or rehearsing with the soloist $25 to $50 extra is expected.

Bulletin: Some couples like to have a printed Order of Service with the names of the participants in the wedding. The church secretary will be happy to prepare a program. This costs $20.00.

Building: “Anyone can use our church for weddings,” our Trustees have decided, “but the pastor should take part at his own discretion.”
1. Cleaning fee: A $50 cleaning fee must be paid to Joseph Donaldson, custodian for cleaning the sanctuary and Reed Chapel. If the dining room and kitchen are used an additional $50 cleaning fee is payable to him.
2. Rental Fees: Members of our church and their immediate family may use the church at no charge in the summer. During the heating season the church charges $25 for the sanctuary and upstairs. Use of the dining room and kitchen costs an additional $25.
Because non-members are not already helping with the costs of operating the church,
you are expected to contribute $100 for the use the upstairs and sanctuary during the summer,
$150 during heating season. The dining room and kitchen will cost $25 summers, $75 during the heating season.

BEFORE THE REHEARSAL BEGINS, honoraria must be given to the minister.
Place them in separate, marked envelopes for the pastor, organist, secretary (for bulletin), custodian for cleaning, and church for use of the facilities.

Photographs: Be sure to tell everyone taking photos...
No flash photographs are to be taken in the sanctuary after the procession or before the recession.
If you want pictures taken during the service you may want to use high speed film.
We can reset the scenes of your wedding for the photographer(s) after the wedding.
Any photos involving the pastor should be taken immediately after the service or the receiving line.
Your photographer must talk with the pastor before the service.

License: You are responsible for securing a Vermont State Marriage License from a town clerk and bringing it to rehearsal.

Decoration: You will be responsible to provide and remove any flowers, candles, or decorations.
You may use our pair of candelabra. You provide the 14 candles.

Rehearsal: Usually this is held the day before the wedding, before any rehearsal dinner.
Financial payments must be made before it starts.
We set aside one hour for practice. The pastor will go home an hour after the scheduled start of the rehearsal.

Limits: Alcoholic beverages and smoking are not allowed in the church building.
Also, because of the extreme difficulty for cleaning, it is expected that no rice or confetti
will be thrown in the building or on the grounds.

Wedding Day: The groom and the men in the wedding party will arrive 45 minutes before the service. Ushers will carry out their duties. The groom and best man wait with the minister. The bride and her party will arrive at least 30 minutes before the ceremony. Rooms are available for the women to dress. All musical preludes and solos will be concluded before the scheduled hour of the wedding.
The wedding procession will begin at the set time.

Before the rehearsal starts you must bring:
__ Marriage License __ Minister's Honorarium
__ Candles __ Organist's Honorarium
__ Church Rental Fee __ Custodian's Cleaning Fee


If you need more information contact:

Pastor: The Rev. Marsh Hudson-Knapp
Home: 19 West Street, Fair Haven, VT 05743
Telephone: (802) 265-8605 Parsonage
Email: hkfamily@sover.net

Secretary: Eileen Hurlburt Email: pastor@sover.net
Phone 802-265-8864

Organists: Sharon Pinsonneault 802-948-2404, email tmap@shoreham.net
Joan Brown 802-265-3316, email jebrown123@comcast.net

Custodian: Joseph Donaldson, email: longgoat@yahoo.com
87 River St., Fair Haven, Vermont 05743
Telephone: (802) 265-3138

The First Congregational Church of Fair Haven, U.C.C.
2 North Park Place, Rt. 22A
Fair Haven, Vermont 05743
Office Phone: 802-265-8864

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