Church of the Open Arms, United Church of Christ

No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here!

Our Wedding Policy

We are honored to share in the joyous occasion of the celebration of your loving partnership.

We hope to be of service at this important time as you plan your wedding or commitment ceremony.

We are grateful that you have chosen us as a community of faith to support and surround you in

your journey together.

A Wedding or a Holy Union is more than a public ceremony.  It is a worship service of a deeply spiritual

nature that is not to be taken lightly or as a matter of convenience.  Give serious thought, then, to what you

want your ceremony to say to those present.  Consider how each partner wants to communicate a lifelong,

deep and abiding love for the other person through the ceremony. We believe that God is a part of all

relationships and Holy Unions represent the steadfast, covenantal and passionate love of God.

Church of the Open Arms encourages same gender and different gender couples to enter into lifelong

covenantal partnerships in which two people who love one another can be supported by one another and a

community of love. Church of the Open Arms offers the same support for same gender couples as for

different gender couples: a ceremony in which the couple can declare their love for one another before God.

 

IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING A WEDDING AT CHURCH OF THE OPE ARMS, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING POLICY STATEMENT

For more information, please call the church office at (405) 525-9555.

REQUIREMENTS

• A couple must be in a committed relationship for at least one year prior to the planning of the service. It is strongly recommended that couples be in a committed, dating relationship for a minimum of three years before making a decision to marry.
  

• Pre-marital counseling is urged prior to planning the service or setting the date. Most couples should plan on a minimum of four counseling sessions. More information about pre-marital counseling, or a list of recommended counselors, can be obtained from the church office.
  

• The date must be arranged at least three months in advance.
  

• Since we do not have a janitor, couples must make arrangements to ensure the church is cleaned after the service. The minister in charge of the service will need the names of those in charge of clean-up after the service, and will review a check-list for clean up with them at the rehearsal or prior to the service.
  

• A deposit of $100.00 is required which will be returned after the clean-up is complete.
  

• Our pews are antiques; therefore, pews cannot be moved. The altar table may be moved, but must be returned to its original position after the service.
  

• No smoking is allowed in the building and outside smoking areas must be included in the clean-up.
  

Fees

Fees must be paid prior to rehearsal

• The fee for the service with a reception is $450 and includes payment of the minister, use of the sanctuary, community hall, rooms for dressing, sound equipment (which must be operated by a church staff member). Additional fees are required for use of multi-media screens and video presentations.
  

• For weddings with no reception the fee is $300 and includes use of the sound system and the sanctuary.
  

• For small, private weddings (with gatherings of under 10 people) with no decorating, the fee is $200and includes only the use of the sanctuary.
  

• The minister's fee for a service at another location is $200.00. 
  

Note:  These fees do not apply to church members who have been active in the ministry of the church

for at least one year.

Music:

Our sound system can play CD's or tapes.  We do not have an organ, but we have a good piano in the

sanctuary. The fee for the church pianist  to play at your service is $100.  If recorded music is to be used,

we recommend burning songs on a CD in the  correct order of your service. This must be given to the sound

tech person by the beginning of the  rehearsal.

Rehearsals

A 30-minute rehearsal is included in the  fees for the wedding. The couple should be sure that all

participants  are prepared to begin the rehearsal on time. The rehearsal time must be  coordinated with the

minister performing the service and the church calendar.

Decorations

If there are no scheduled church activities, couples can  begin decorating a day befrore  the service. Our

church building is a busy place, so often  decorating must be done just prior to the service.