Unity ideas

[rejah2209]

I am debating between the hand ceremony, foot washing, and the sand ceremony. Then there's always the unity candle. Has anyone tried any of these? If so, how did it go? :headscrat

[tifferoo]

I am definitely doing the unity candle ceremony and I am thinking of doing the foot washing ceremony as a surprise to my fh. Many people say that the norm is to let the man wash the woman's feet, but I want to do it for this reason exemplified in this article that I read:

IT WAS shortly after the incident related foregoing that our Lord, alone with the twelve disciples, took a basin of water and a towel and began to wash the disciples' feet. Strange indeed, this conduct seemed to them: not only their Master's words but also his actions were inexplicable riddles to them. He had acknowledged himself as the Son of God, the Messiah, their Lord and Master; and yet here he was, kneeling before them in the attitude of the humblest servant, washing their feet. Wondering and dumbfounded, but accustomed to obey the Master, no remark or protest was made until in turn he came to Peter. But Peter, as humble as he was bold, refused to allow the Master to perform the menial service, until assured that the explanation of it would be given after the service had been performed, and that unless he was washed he could have no part with the Master, whereupon he desired that his head and his hands as well as his feet might be washed.

Since literal feet-washing was frequent, the custom of that day, and almost indispensable to comfort, we may suppose that our Lord's example would be frequently followed in the early Church. But, we do not see in it any command that feet-washing should be performed simply as a ceremony--regardless of its usefulness and its convenience.

Our Lord's words to Peter, "If I wash thee not thou hast no part with me," certainly imply that the washing was more than a mere ceremony--more also than a mere expression of humility, as we shall endeavor to show. Nevertheless, the principle should hold good in every time and in every clime: that whatever useful service can be rendered to a fellow-member of the body of Christ, however humble or menial, it should be performed, as unto the Lord.

Having finished the service the Master explained its significance. He had set them an example (1) of humility, in being willing to perform the most menial service to those who were truly his; (2) the washing was an illustration of a great truth, namely, that although already cleansed by the Lord--justified freely from all things, through faith in him--yet that there were certain defilements which would attach to each of them so long as they would be in the world, from contact with its evils and besetments. While the general washing (justification) would stand good for all time, yet they would need continually (figuratively) to wash one another's feet--with the "washing of water by the word." (Eph. 5:26.) This would signify that they should have a mutual watch-care over one another's welfare; to keep each other clean, holy, pure, and to assist one another in overcoming the trials and temptations and besetments of this present evil world;--arising from the three sources of temptation, "the world, the flesh and the devil."

[March2005Bride]

I would like to do the unity candle but the country club we are having our ceremony and reception in doesn't allow real candles. I'm considering maybe doing the sand thing but I don't know exactly what you are suppose to do with it. Any advice?

[rejah2209]

The hand ceremony:
HAND CEREMONY:

OFFICIANT:

With our hands, we make and affect the things that surround us and shape our lives. They can be considered a representation of who we are through what we choose to do. In any relationship, our actions speak volumes. Words are not enough to bind two people together. Their actions, and thus their hands, bind them together as well.

Please face each other and hold hands, so you may feel the gift that you are to one another.

These are the hands of your best friend, tender, sincere and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.

These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.

These are the hands that will love and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times and embrace you with joy to celebrate your victories.

These are the hands that will give you support as you chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized.

And lastly, these are the hands that through the years, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

The Sand Ceremony
here is the Sand Ceremony for those interested in doing something different....

____________and _________________, you have committed today to share the rest of your lives with each other. You entered this relationship as two distinctive individuals, but form theis day forth your lives will be combined. This covenant relationship is symbolized through the pouring of two containers of sand, one representing you____________ and the other representing you______________, into a single larger vessel.

As these two containers of sand are poured simultaneously into the third container, the individual vessels of sand will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be seperated an poured again into the individual vessels, so will your marriage remain the combination of your two selves.

You each will remain individuals, with your own uniqueness, but far more importantly, is the reality that your are no longer two, but one.

SAND BLENDING CEREMONY (Placed after Ring Exchange)
_____________and ______________, you have just sealed your relationship by the giving and receiving of rings and this convenant is a relationship pledge between two people who agree that they will commit themselves to one another throughout their lives. the most beautiful example of this partnership is the marriage relationship. You hav committed here today to share the rest of your lives with each other. today, this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these two containers of sand, one representing you _____________, adn all that you were, all that you are, all that you will ever be, and the other you___________, all all that your were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be. Please pour the sand into the third container to symbolize the union of your two lives. As these two containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual containers of sand will no long exsist, but will be joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be seperated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage be. the life taht each of you experience now, individually, will hereafter be inseperably united, for the two shall become one.

[MsNelle5]

We are lighting the Unity Candle, performing the Hand Ceremony, and Tying the Knot instead of "Jumping the Broom."

[March2005Bride]

Thanks rejah2209 for posting the unity ceremonies in detail. I like the hand one also.

[MrsNelson4Life]

There are several rituals that we will be doing...
Tasting of the Spices
Washing the Bride's Feet
Jumping the broom

And I am tossing around the idea of the Unity Candle (because my family members want me to). I didn't choose to do it because I don't really see the point but I am not sure how Andre's feels about it. I guess I need to ask him but we have so many other rituals being done that I might have to do without the Unity Candle.

Does it really matter? One of the African traditions that we are doing already combines the two family so do you think this is redundant? I would love to get your feedback on this? Thanks!

[GMAbride]

Keisha, with all the other rituals you are doing I agree with you it may be redundant, plus you have said you want a traditional african ceremony and the unity candle is not part of any african ceremony that I know of. It is strictly anglican(sp). Also, you don't want to make your ceremony longer than necessary. You'd have a whole lot of tired hungry people to deal with :D.

[femmgrangwav]

There are several rituals that we will be doing...
Tasting of the Spices
Washing the Bride's Feet
Jumping the broom

And I am tossing around the idea of the Unity Candle (because my family members want me to). I didn't choose to do it because I don't really see the point but I am not sure how Andre's feels about it. I guess I need to ask him but we have so many other rituals being done that I might have to do without the Unity Candle.

Does it really matter? One of the African traditions that we are doing already combines the two family so do you think this is redundant? I would love to get your feedback on this? Thanks!

Keisha...
I'll advise you to go ahead and make a wedding day schedule. Time how long each thing is going to be. Jumping the broom take no time but if you're going to give the audience an explanation about it then it will.

As for me I will be tasting the elements and doing a hand ceremony (i'll post later in my journal).

So that's my speel.
Rachelle

[MrsNelson4Life]

Thanks Ladies --

I am going to go with my original thought (after confirming with FH of course). I am not going to have the Unity Candle. I will do the tasting of the elements, foot washing & jumping the broom.

That is a good idea. I will work on my wedding day schedule. I am trying to do everything in 45 minutes..definately not longer than 1 hour.

My godsister had a traditional African/Christian ceremony and it was beautiful and she did everything that I am doing and she did not have the unity candle either so I know it would work. She didn't jump the broom though.

[deesexy69]

I am doing the almost the same thing. Except I am not doing the foot washing I am doing the unity candle...If you look in my J I have my entire ceremony listed.

[femmgrangwav]

Nelle I know you did it for your wedding... Do you mind sharing how it was done?