|
|
June 21st, two members of our church family exchanged vows of legal matrimony in the gathered presence of 50 members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Long Beach. Standing under a gazebo on the lawn of the Los Angeles County Registrar’s Office, Cynthia Case and Lara Helfer were married by the Reverend Marguerite D. Lovett. Standing on the Side of Love, the 27 members of the choir, led by Director of Music Jim Ruggirello, serenaded the newlyweds with their signature piece, "Precious Lord, Take My Hand."
Drawn by sounds of the only choir to sing at one of the week’s many weddings, several of the recently deputized officiates gathered to witness the ceremony. The scene prompted a sheriff’s deputy to assert “it was far and away it was the best wedding ceremony of the week.”
At the end, the happy couple thanked everyone for coming to witness this once barely imagined life event, but it is was the gathered who should be thanking them for giving us the opportunity to live out our values. Those of us there were privileged to publicly demonstrate our belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and to stand, in spirit, on the side of love. It is we who are grateful for the privilege of witnessing the holy
|
|
|
Cynthia and Lara waiting at the LA County Registrar’s window
Rev. Marguerite Lovett and Intern Minister Denis Paul leading the ceremony.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputies bear witness
The 27-member choir, led by Director of Music Jim Ruggirello serenades the newlyweds.
Miles Silveria holding a sign that says it all
|
