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.

from All Whom God Has Joined: Resources for clergy and same-gender loving couples by Leanne McCall Tigert and Maren C. Tirabassi