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Trinity UMC will host walk-in weddings for second year
By LINDA M. LINONIS
YOUNGSTOWN
Walk-in weddings on Valentine’s Day return for the second year at Trinity United Methodist Church, 30 W. Front St.
Last year, the Rev. Jerry Krueger, pastor of Trinity UMC, and his wife, the Rev. Susan Brown, pastor of Canfield United Methodist Church, came up with the concept.
Pastor Krueger said the church’s location next to the Mahoning County Courthouse, where marriage licenses are issued, contributed to the idea. Information on the walk-in weddings is being posted at the courthouse.
Eight couples took part in the 2013 Valentine’s Day ceremonies with seven exchanging marriage vows. A Boardman couple, who had been married in the church’s Chapel of Friendly Bells, renewed their marriage vows; they marked their 40th wedding anniversary in December of last year.
Wedding ceremonies will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 14. The times are a change from last year when the event stretched from morning to late afternoon.
Pastor Brown said they decided on two blocks of time because of “what we learned last year.”
“A lot of people called and wanted to come after work,” she said. The later time frame will accommodate that.
Also, Feb. 14 falls on a Friday this year, and the following Monday is Presidents Day, which some people have as a day off. It makes for a long valentine weekend that doubles as a honeymoon, Pastor Brown said. Some couples may opt for the later time, then a Valentine’s Day dinner and short honeymoon.
She said her husband already has received calls about the event, and two couples are planning to renew their marriage vows.
The wedding ceremony will be a Christian wedding service including traditional wedding vows, exchange of rings, scripture and a blessing of the couple.
The fee for each ceremony is $50, which will be donated to the Good Shepherd Kitchen in Youngstown and Operation Blessing in Canfield.
Weddings will be performed in the order couples arrive. Attendants and guests are welcome. Couples may have photos taken in the chapel or church sanctuary. The church will provide a small reception of sorts with punch and cookies.
Couples must bring their marriage license, identification and the $50 fee in cash. They also will receive the book “Celebrating the Gift of Marriage” by the Rev. James Moore.
Weddings will not be performed for participants who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The two ministers will perform the ceremonies jointly or separately, depending on the number of couples waiting to wed.
The clergy couple acknowledged that “walk-in wedding” is a catchy phrase but emphasized that marriage is a serious commitment between two people.
The Chapel of Friendly Bells, built in 1941, has a Gothic style. It will be decorated with candles, bows and flowers. Over the chapel entrance are the words, “My House Shall be Called a House of Prayer unto all People” from Isaiah 56:7. The chapel also features symbols from major denominations to welcome people of different faiths.
The clergy couple met in seminary in 2003; they were married Feb. 20, 2010. The ministry is a second career for each, though both said they realized a calling earlier in their lives. He was in the restaurant business and she, marketing in the arts.
For information, call Pastor Krueger at Trinity UMC at 330-744-5032.