Wednesday, February 15, 2017
By Justin Wier
YOUNGSTOWN
Tuesday was not a typical day at church for Pastor Kelsey Orosan. By 2:30 p.m. she had performed seven weddings and vow renewals at Trinity United Methodist Church.
This was the fifth year the church offered all-day walk-in weddings on Valentine’s Day. It was Pastor Orosan’s first year performing the weddings, and she said she was enjoying it.
“Every couple has their own unique story that they bring,” she said.
Earlier in the day, she said a couple was moving out of town and they wanted to relocate as husband and wife. Later, she was scheduled to marry a couple who met in recovery and recently renewed their relationship with God.
Tuesday afternoon, Leslie and Milton Gage renewed their vows after five years. The couple lives in Columbus, but Leslie is from the area, and she saw on Facebook that the church would be offering walk-in weddings.
“We decided to renew our vows just to confirm what God has done in our lives,” she said.
The couple was joined by their son, Mylan, 3, and Leslie’s parents. She said it was awesome and a blessing.
According to Pastor Orosan, the church decided to start the all-day weddings five years ago because a lot of people may not be able to afford a full church wedding. Trinity United Methodist requires only a $50 donation, which goes toward its mission, providing hot meals to the needy twice a month. The church chose Valentine’s Day because it’s a day to celebrate God’s love, Pastor Orosan said.
They’ve had a variety of people take advantage of the opportunity.
“Some people come in, just the two of them, and then we also had a wedding with 40 people – friends and family that had called off,” she said. “Both situations are impressive for me to see.”
The weddings take place in the Chapel of Friendly Bells, which Pastor Orosan said was built to accommodate weddings for couples of all faiths. After the ceremonies, couples are invited to a reception room with punch, coffee, tea and a traditional Youngstown cookie table consisting of cookies donated by churchgoers.
The weddings were offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then again from 5 to 7 p.m. By the end of the day, Pastor Orosan expected to have married and renewed vows for at least 10 couples.
“It’s very exciting to see the joy,” she said. “We’re giving some couples a gift they wouldn’t otherwise experience.”
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