Marriage at St. Francis in the Fields

Marriage Customary:

Christian marriage is a solemn and public covenant between a man and a woman in the presence of God and a Sacrament of the church offered within the community of St. Francis in the Fields. Accordingly we require that of the couple be Episcopalian and connected in some way to St. Francis in the Fields for your wedding to be performed here. The sacrament of Holy Matrimony is available to members of St. Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church in good standing for at least one year, their children, or members of another Episcopal church within the Diocese of Kentucky whose sanctuary is not large enough to accommodate the number of wedding guests anticipated. Others may also be eligible for pastoral reasons at the discretion of the Rector. Other clergy persons may participate in the service by invitation of our Rector.   If either person has been divorced, permission must be obtained from the Bishop before a date for the wedding can be set. The clergy must counsel with the couple before requesting the Bishop’s consent.

Pre-marital Counseling:

All couples are required to receive instruction in the Church’s teachings concerning Holy Matrimony prior to being married.  St Francis in the Fields has determined that couples who engage in a program of counseling supported by a period of guided dialogue with an experienced mentoring couple, significantly enhance the success of their marriage.  Accordingly, we ask that each couple meet with a member of the clergy and be willing to participate in a six month period of Marriage Mentoring before a date for the wedding can be scheduled. 

 Marriage Mentoring: 

Marriage Mentoring involves taking a written FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study) inventory, which explores the couple's personality, family of origin, communication style, views on roles in marriage, views on children, finances and other areas the couple may not yet have explored together.  Subsequent discussions provide an opportunity for the couple to explore and communicate about potential critical areas in a guided and safe environment in the presence of a trained Marriage Mentoring couple before the marriage takes place.  As the sexual expression in the covenant of marriage is considered the ultimate form of communication, couples are encouraged to remain celibate throughout the mentoring process until marriage, or if living together, they are encouraged to separate.

If you are considering marriage as a life long covenant and would like explore having your wedding performed here, please contact our Director of Marriage, Mrs. Sandy Wood at 228-1176.