I had the dubious honor of performing my first wedding in my new community this month. Absolutely a smashing success!!!
(And thanks Amy. for the book of books that Brides2B can not do without!)
My happenstance road to this wedding was through one of our local bars where I play horseshoes every thursday evening. After
a good round of shoes, our team was introduced to one of our teammates niece and fiance inside the bar. We all have
nicknames for each other, and mine happens to be Jumbo. Anyway, we listened to our team mate banter back and forth with
his
niece and fiance about when she was going to find / get someone to "hitch 'em up." I heard the long drawn out story of how they
looked, and "couldn't find anyone to marry us" in a neighboring town a few miles away.
Seeing first hand that this couple was obviously in love, and committed to each other, I (in my slightly intoxicated state) simply
stated that I would be honored and available to marry them if they were interested in having me do it. Guffaws of boisterous
woodsmen surrounded me after _that_ comment, and I'm sure that I fumbled with my words as I calmly restated that I actually
could perform the ceremony for them if they wished it. They agreed, we shook hands, and off we went to have some bar
conversations of the whys and how's of making this happen. And that's how I became their Reverend Jumbo. :)
Needless to say, it came off wonderfully. Things were well planned and executed with a sincere and simply beauty that I hadn't
seen in eons. A gorgeous bride, handsome groom, and to my amazement... nearly 350 people at this wedding. A small town in
rural America, a big wedding for it's population, and a wonderful piece of "Americana" happened that day. I am so humbled and
honored to have been the minister who officiated at this event.
I've now picked up a tentative "snowmobile trail" wedding, a "western themed" wedding, and a request for someones eulogy at
the appropriate time. Don't ya love it when life happens the right way!
Rev. Jim "Jumbo" Lillis
*******************************
(And thanks Amy. for the book of books that Brides2B can not do without!)
My happenstance road to this wedding was through one of our local bars where I play horseshoes every thursday evening. After
a good round of shoes, our team was introduced to one of our teammates niece and fiance inside the bar. We all have
nicknames for each other, and mine happens to be Jumbo. Anyway, we listened to our team mate banter back and forth with
his
niece and fiance about when she was going to find / get someone to "hitch 'em up." I heard the long drawn out story of how they
looked, and "couldn't find anyone to marry us" in a neighboring town a few miles away.
Seeing first hand that this couple was obviously in love, and committed to each other, I (in my slightly intoxicated state) simply
stated that I would be honored and available to marry them if they were interested in having me do it. Guffaws of boisterous
woodsmen surrounded me after _that_ comment, and I'm sure that I fumbled with my words as I calmly restated that I actually
could perform the ceremony for them if they wished it. They agreed, we shook hands, and off we went to have some bar
conversations of the whys and how's of making this happen. And that's how I became their Reverend Jumbo. :)
Needless to say, it came off wonderfully. Things were well planned and executed with a sincere and simply beauty that I hadn't
seen in eons. A gorgeous bride, handsome groom, and to my amazement... nearly 350 people at this wedding. A small town in
rural America, a big wedding for it's population, and a wonderful piece of "Americana" happened that day. I am so humbled and
honored to have been the minister who officiated at this event.
I've now picked up a tentative "snowmobile trail" wedding, a "western themed" wedding, and a request for someones eulogy at
the appropriate time. Don't ya love it when life happens the right way!
Rev. Jim "Jumbo" Lillis
*******************************
The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have various classes in Christianity, one on Wicca, along with several Pagan courses, more than a few courses about Metaphysics with more being added regularly.
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