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Chapter Nine
After the Wedding
When it is all over - the preparation sessions and the service - what
next? For the newly-weds, it is the beginning of the rest of their lives.
For the church, there is the opportunity to keep in touch with the couple,
and to offer appropriate encouragement or support. In some places the
following have proved beneficial:
- Marriage preparation groups have turned into friendship/support groups
which continue to meet.
- A follow-up session is arranged about six months after the wedding.
Experiences are shared and opportunities are given to discuss issues
that have arisen. Such a post-wedding session could be part of every
marriage preparation scheme. Marriage preparation would then merge into
the churches' calling to support marriage in an ongoing way.
- Couples who move away are commended to the care of another community.
- Christmas or anniversary cards are sent to couples married in the
church.
- Couples are invited to an annual service for the renewal of vows.
The take-up such offers receive is a measure of the value couples put
on the care and attention they received before their wedding. Such care
and attention is also a measure of the value put by churches on helping
marriages to start well and to go on well. May all that we do together
in God's name be blessed.
© Churches Together for Families, 2001-2002
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