I've asked Maren Tirabassi, a friend of the bookstore and one of our authors for Monday night's event, to contribute something for the blog. This is what she chose:
Midnight prayer before the wedding
God, I want the weather to be perfect, the food delicious, the music romantic, our relatives well-behaved and our guests sober enough to drive home. I want to look wonderful and have the photographs to prove it. I want to be poised and remember my vows and everyone’s names. I want old friends and new ones to mingle, and awkward feelings to evaporate in the first ten minutes. I can imagine every kind of catastrophe, including someone not understanding the “same gender” part of the “loving” in our invitation. I have run out of time, temper, tact and toothpaste and so, wonderful party-God, I put you in charge of miracles and ask only for a good night’s sleep. Amen.
This new guidebook for clergy, justices of the peace and the gay and lesbian couples who are choosing to be married in New England states includes a brief history of marriage, simple explanations of those who are uncomfortable sharing the benefits of marriage with everyone, common sense advice on family relationships and a wealth of ceremony possibilities. Espiscopal Bishop Gene Robinson wrote the foreword and former New Hampshire Poet Laureate Marie Harris has contributed seven beautiful poems for wedding services.
What a great idea for a book. As a wedding DJ, I have also had the privilege to marry about a dozen couples in my fifteen years in the biz (I'm a minister-in-name-only for an online church), including a few gay and lesbian couples, and a resource like this would be especially helpful. Can't wait to check it out!
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