The Church teaches that Holy Matrimony is the spiritual as well as physical union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all other, entered into within the community of faith, by mutual consent of heart and will, and with intent that it be lifelong. Marriages in the Church must conform to the code of Canon Law (Canon XXI of General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada) as well as civil law of the Province of Manitoba.
The Sacrament of Marriage is an outward and visible sign of God’s grace and signifies Christ’s love for the Church. This means that each partner must die to self for the sake of the other. It is a high calling and sacred trust between the couple and God. Marriage is more than just a celebration of something which already exists: it is the creation of something new, the imparting of the grace which transforms them from a ‘couple’ into husband and wife within the Body of Christ. The sanctifying grace of this sacrament will always be with them.
Marriage may be celebrated with or without Holy Communion, although the sharing of the Body and Blood of Christ in the context of Christian marriage is a significant and effective sign of God’s transformative presence.
Couples who wish to be married in this church must speak with the Rector as far in advance as possible. A wedding takes careful planning, and couples will be required to meet with a priest several times before the service both to discuss the liturgy and to talk about Christian Marriage. Sacramental Marriage can only be possible when both persons are baptized Christians. It is our expectation that at least one of the couple be a member of the Parish.
The liturgy in the Church shall be under the direction of the Rector, and will be that of the Book of Common Prayer, to which no alteration may be made.