Introduction to Vows

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=200 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="30a7ba03.jpg"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=35 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="30a7ba21egerdp.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" NH Justices of the Peace Organization "><U>NH Justices of the Peace Organization</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=165 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="30a7ba03.jpg"> <bR> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=445 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Introduction to Vows</B></div> <div> <A HREF="vows.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Vows and More!"><U><B>Back to Vows & More!</B></U></A><B>                                          <IMG SRC="371aec10.png" border=0 width="174" height="193" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> To say a vow means to:<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > consecrate yourself to another person or to a service you will provide to that person, e.g., Sir Lancelot vowed to be Lady Guenevere's protector. To consecrate means to devote one's self or to make sacred the object of consecration. So ... marriage vows are the verbal recognition of the sacredness of the relationship which has grown up between two people. The act of speaking vows is a simple one. Perhaps too simple for the deep meanings vows hold. Devotion, the making of sacred spaces in our lives to be shared with another person, the acceptance of our own needs so that we can love and be loved will expose us to vulnerable portions deep within.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <U>VI 1</U></div> <div> John and Mary , you have carefully considered what you are about to do. In sharing these moments with this group assembled, you are making public what you have felt for quite some time. For this moment of sharing we thank you and extend to you both our hopes and aspirations, our good wishes and our blessings.</div> <bR> <div> <U>VI 2</U></div> <div> We are here today to celebrate the marriage of John and Mary. They ask for your blessing, encouragement, and life long support for their decision to become husband, wife and family. Without family and friends beside them in joy as well as sorrow, this new family will miss the greatest joys of life outside their own home. And that is to give and to receive love. To help and to be helped. To teach as well as to learn. They are delighted that you have chosen to witness this special time in their lives.John andMary not only want their relationship with each other to continue as individuals but take on an even more important dimension as a family as well. </div> <div> <U>VI3</U></div> <div> The Promises of Marriage </div> <div> Marriage is a promise of companionship, of having someone to share all of life's experiences.</div> <div> Marriage does not promise that there will not be any rough times, just the assurance that their will always be someone who cares and will help you through to better times.</div> <div> Marriage does not promise eternal romance, just eternal love and commitment.</div> <div> Marriage can't prevent disappointment, disillusionment, or grief, but it can offer hope, acceptance and comfort.</div> <div> Marriage can't protect you from making individual choices or shelter you from the world but it will help to reassure you that there is someone by your side who truly cares.</div> <div> When the world hurts you and makes you few feel vulnerable, marriage offers the promise that there will be someone waiting to listen, to console, to inspire.</div> <div> Marriage is the joining of two people who share the promise that only marriage can make - to share the sunshine and the shadows, and to experience a richer, more filling life because of it. </div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>