MINISTER: “We are gathered here to share the Holy Union of _____ and _____. To celebrate and acknowledge with them the love they have found together. They have chosen to honor and formalize this love in a public declaration with you, their community of friends who also love them, as witnesses.”
“______, have you come here at this time out of your real love for _____, to consecrate the love that drew your souls together, and to do so in the presence of the Christ Spirit within and before these witnesses?”
PARTNER #1: “I have.”
(Repeat with second partner.)
MINISTER: “Because this is a sacred day, let us begin with prayer.”
“God, indwelling Spirit, who is ever with us, we are consciously aware of your presence with us at this moment. We acknowledge the importance of pausing, becoming silent and seeking the awareness of your guidance and blessing in our lives at this special time for ______ and _____. We see your love active in them now and know that it was through Your Divine guidance that they have found each other. We know that our love will continue to bless their partnership with an abundance of all that is good. Thank you God for this joyous moment as your life is expressed through ______ and ______ and through each one of us this day. So it is and so it will always be. Amen.”
“I invite you to look at each other and listen with your hearts as we share this affirmation of your life.”
(Insert poem or song of choice.)
MINISTER: “______ and _____, you have come together for many reasons. One of these reasons is your soul’s desire to experience your life on a spiritual level. You have decided that being together will enhance your lives. You have decided that the challenges that your relationship will face are outweighed by the great potential present in your shared love for each other. Your challenges will be easier because they will be shared. Your joy will be enhanced because of your partnership.”
“You know that real love is something beyond the warmth and glow, the excitement and romance of being deeply in love with one another. It is caring as much about the welfare and happiness of your partner in life, as about your own welfare and happiness. Real love is not total absorption in each other; it is looking outward in the same direction together. You are agreeing to be a light and strength to each other. You are entering into an act of pure faith in which you give of yourself to the utmost.”
“To enter into a Holy Union takes a great deal of inner spiritual strength. It is a sacred Union. It is an act expressing the commitment of two souls. It is two persons working together toward one goal. It is two souls uniting in love, manifesting as one hope, one desire, and one aspiration.”
“You choose to share your lives together; to be friends, partners, lovers and mates to each other. You choose to function together in life as a couple while maintaining you own identities. You choose to grow together spiritually.”
“A Holy Union – a spiritual union – cannot be dissolved, for that which is of God is eternal. You know that your union is indeed a holy one, ordained by God. Commit to your memory these words of Jesus: ‘What God has joined together, let no one separate.'” Mark 10:9
“The purpose of a Holy Union is spiritual. You would not need to enter into Holy Union simply to live your lives together. By entering into this act, you are stating that you believe so deeply in the Christ within yourself and within your partner in life, that you are willing to stand out from the crowd.”
“______ and _____, whatever it is that your souls have decided to accomplish together, know that God is within you and success is assured.”
“With our thoughts on these words let us bless and support this Holy Union to which ______ and _____ are committing themselves today.”
(Ask couple to face the audience.)
MINISTER: “We, _____ and ______ ‘s community of friends, now declare our commitment to support them in the joys and challenges of relationship. With your hearts – open and honest – support them in their journey together by saying, ‘We support you.’ Let us declare this together.”
AUDIENCE: “We support you.”
“______ and _____ will you face each other and holding hands, look into each other’s eyes and affirm together your spiritual love for one another.”
COUPLE: “I behold the Christ in you.”
(Insert song of choice.)
MINISTER: “Let us pray. Living, loving Lord, ever present with us and within us, we give thanks for the ability to see the Christ in one another. We give thanks for your blessing on this Holy Union. May it be one of spirit, mind and heart, always centered on You. We give thanks for the blessings of life, love, wisdom, peace and joy, not only for this day but also in all the days to come. This we affirm in the recognition of Your loving presence within us all. Amen.”
“Please face me.”
“______ and ______ you know that nothing is easier than saying words, and nothing is harder than living them day by day. Today you consecrate yourselves to one another formally. Tomorrow and each tomorrow thereafter, you consecrate yourselves to each other in each act, each word, each thought. What you promise today must be renewed tomorrow in your hearts.”
MINISTER: “Please face each other.”
MINISTER:(to Partner #1) “______, will you have ____ as your partner in life; to open yourself to a deeper and more loving knowing of her/him; to honor and tenderly care for him; to nurture and encourage her/his fulfillment as an individual through all the changes of your lives; to support her/his quest for spiritual growth?”
PARTNER #1: “I will.”
(Repeat with Partner #2)
MINISTER: “May I have the rings please?”
“Dear God, bless these rings as symbols of love and wholeness. May these rings glow with the reflection of your live, which flows through ____ and _____ today. May they mark the beginning of a shared journey filled with wonder, surprises, laughter, celebration and joy.”
“Bless _____ and _____ who wear these rings as an ever-present symbol of the bond they share in Your Divine Love. Amen.”
“This rings, by their shape, are a symbol of eternity, without beginning or end; a true symbol of the unending love that exists between you. You have for each other golden rings. That precious metal symbolizes that your love for each other is the most precious element in your lives.”
MINISTER:(to Partner #1) “______, please repeat after me.”
“With this ring I take you _____, as my partner in life. It is a symbol of my love. As it encircles your finger, may it remind you that you are surrounded by my enduring love.”
(Repeat with Partner #2)
MINISTER: (to couple) ” _____ and ____ by the power vested in me, and in the name of the Holy Spirit who performs every true Union, I now pronounce you loving partners in life.”
(Couple kisses.)
MINISTER: “Let us bless his Holy Union in prayer.”
“Precious Spirit, witness to and sealer of every true union, we acknowledge your abundant blessings for this couple. We know you are with them in all things. May they always be open and receptive to your guidance. Amen.”
“May God keep you in love with each other and may the peace of the Christ abide in you and all who share your lives.”
“It is my pleasure to present to you ____ and ____, partners in life.”
Ceremony written by Unity Worldwide Ministries