Getting Married at Huron
What is Holy Matrimony?
Holy Matrimony in the Church has many levels of meaning. On one level, it is a legal contract. Ontario law licenses either clergy or civil marriage commissioners to conduct the certification of Marriage as it is defined in the legal sense. On a secular, emotional level, marriage is a human relationship in which a man and a woman commit themselves to each other through promises of love and faithfulness. Deeper still is the Christian understanding of marriage as Holy Matrimony in which vows are made and a covenant is established, which heralds the creation of a new unity. The vows are made before God, with witnesses present and God's blessing is asked on the marriage. Those who make the vows become co-creators with God for they create a new oneness out of two individuals. Holy Matrimony may thus be considered a visible sign of a new spiritual relationship. An outward sign of an inward grace; a sacrament.
The Church emphasizes the opportunity that a covenanted couple has to grow, through mutual trust and love, into responsible and loving persons. This is God's purpose for anyone who enters into Holy Matrimony, basing this belief in the life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Holy Matrimony is therefore an act of worship in which two persons publicly accept God's purpose for their lives and acknowledge the spiritual element of their relationship.
It is expected that any couple seeking Holy Matrimony in the chapel will either affirm this understanding of the sacrament or be willing to discuss any reservations with the chaplain. If at the end of such discussions the couple can not hold to the sacramental view of what they desire, it may be more suitable and more honest to arrange for a civil ceremony rather than a church one. 
Requirements on Use of the Chapel for Weddings:
All weddings will be arranged through and conducted by the Rector of St. John's Chapel, unless other arrangements have been made with the Rector's approval
A policy has been put in place that clearly sets out who may be married in the chapel:
* any present or former faculty member, staff member, student or resident of Huron College;
* a regular attending member of either the College Parish (from Sundays or weekdays);
* children of active faculty members, staff members or students;
* someone who may be outside the above requirements but has a pastoral relationship with the Rector;
If you don't fit into the above categories, you still may choose to join the College Parish and become regular in church attendance.
Things to Know:
Detailed information may be found by downloading our "Wedding Information Brochure"
Weddings will not be scheduled on Sundays, during Holy Week, or during the two weeks preceding Christmas.
Music for weddings is always to be arranged with the college organist and should be in keeping with the worshipful nature of the service. Texts sung at weddings must be those approved by ecclesiastical authority ,or by special arrangement with the Rector.
Further information is contained in a booklet available from the Rector's Office which spells out wedding policies and the process which will be followed in celebrating this special day.
for more information, please contact
The Revd Canon William Cliff
Rector, Chapel of St. John the Evangelist
Huron University College
1349 Western Road
London, Ontario
N6G 1H3
519-438-7224 x294 wcliff@uwo.ca
The Revd Canon William G. Cliff
Rector, The Collegiate Chapel of St. John the Evangelist
Huron University College
1349 Western Road
London, Ontario, N6G 5G8
519-438-7224 x294
wcliff@huron.uwo.ca