Promises and Vows

The wedding ceremonies I write usually include "promises" and "vows." Periodically I've been asked to explain the difference; I've given a sufficient response.

However, I found the following explanation in Caroline Myss' book, "Entering the Castle" and I really like it.

She's talking to her 13-year old niece, Rachel, who asked about the difference between promises and vows.

Caroline says, " ... promises are agreements that [you] as a person make between [yourself] and [your] friends and family. They are agreements of honor. When you break a promise, the part of you that lets you known you've broken your word is called your conscience.

"Unlike a promise ... a vow is an agreement that your soul makes with God. You make a vow when you are ready to make a commitment to live your life a certain way. Even in cases where you make a vow to another person, you are also making an agreement with God, so a vow is sacred and therefore has cosmic consequences that promises do not. Vows are so powerful ... that most people can live up to the demands of only one or two vows at the most over the course of their entire lives. When and if the time came for [Rachel] to make a vow, she would have to make certain that her soul was in complete agreement with all that the vows would require of her."

(Photo by Bakari, Lifetime Photography)

Rev. Jeri

Love is love

Wow! What a wonderful Saturday for weddings!

October 11, 2008 was the wedding day for two beautiful couples: Sam and Robyn, who were married at Orchard Creek Lodge, Sun City Lincoln Hills, and Deborah and Amy, who were married at Old St. Mary's Chapel in Rocklin.

And these two couples had one very important commonality: Sam and Robyn have been a couple for nearly 20 years; Deborah and Amy for over 12 years. The strength of their commitment, in spite of the many challenges they have faced as same-sex couples, is an inspiration to me. I hope that all the couples whose weddings I perform will have as much love, commitment, fortitude and joy as these four ladies.

My own belief: God does not discriminate. And neither does love. And that's why I'm delighted and honored to perform the ceremonies that "legalize" their love.

And that's the closest to a political statement I will make on this blog. I promise!

Blessings,
Rev. Jeri