Officiating Weddings In Coronavirus
On March 12th I was helping Vanguard College students learn how to create memorable moments such as weddings. We discussed dealing with difficult circumstances. While we imagined some challenging ones, marrying in a pandemic never occurred to any of us. And now pastors find themselves officiating weddings in coronavirus.
How do you console a bride, who dreamed of a perfect day, supported by extended family and the closest of life long friends, settle for a ceremony limited to a few people? No reception, receiving line or embraces. Do the witnesses wear masks?
Two things are certain, good humor will be an ally and couples united in COVID will never forget their nuptials. Zoom becomes almost as important as the groom. Online wedding guests can throw all the confetti they like - in their home and cheer on the couple. Pastors could engage online participants to read a verse or pray a prayer of blessing. Keep the ceremony succinct. A shared online experience doesn’t have to diminish the sacredness or joy of the moment. Helping a couple make the best of a crisis situation gets them started with the resiliency every happy marriage needs.
The ABNWT’s master of ceremonies, Rev. Phil Doroshuk, offers the latest in regards to weddings:
Every jurisdiction requires a couple to obtain a marriage license before the ceremony. In the Northwest Territories, the Registrar General of Vital Statistics has indicated it is delaying the issuing of marriage licenses at this time. It is advising clients to wait until they get closer to the scheduled date of their marriage rather than apply for a license three months in advance. When people do apply for the license, they are required to do so in person with the marriage license issuer – be sure to check with the Registrar General and on the website (Click Here) for more information.
As well, in its efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19, the Registrar General has noted the recent advisory from the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO). The CPHO is advising all individuals and organizations that they should cancel all gatherings regardless of size or number of participants or whether they are held inside or outside. It should be noted that this advisory applies to events/groups such as religious services/churches and includes funerals and weddings. For more information regarding gatherings in the NWT, you can refer to here. You can also refer to here for additional information regarding the Northwest Territories.
In Alberta, the provincial government is continuing to issue marriage licenses. The guidelines regarding the requirements of legally performing a marriage ceremony have not changed. It is required that these five (5) individuals MUST BE PHYSICALLY PRESENT in the same room/space for the ceremony to be legal: the minister, the bride, the groom and two (2) witnesses.
Even though weddings in Alberta are currently permitted to have gatherings up to 15 people, the Alberta & NWT District Executive Leadership Team (ELT) is suggesting that PAOC credential holders authorized by the ABNWT District to perform a ceremony should do so with only the above named 5 individuals physically present in the same room/space in order to meet the requirements of the law. Whatever the case, a wedding ceremony must follow all current provincial guidelines as well as all mandatory restrictions applicable in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
It's important to note that the ABNWT District ELT supports any minister authorized by the District to perform marriages in Alberta if they decide to decline a request to perform a marriage ceremony as a matter of personal safety and health during this COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information regarding marriage ceremonies in Alberta, click here. You can also refer to here for additional information regarding Alberta.
Bob Jones is the founder of REVwords.com, an author, blogger, and coach with 39 years of pastoral experience. Bob is also an Advance Coach with the ABNWT Resource Centre. You can connect with Bob here.