Gilbert and Florence’s Wedding Ceremony

This was another great occasion with us all being delighted to celebrate Gilbert and Florence’s wedding at our church which was full to overflowing with friends and family and church members from across our Missional Partnership, and the world, coming together to show their love and support for Gilbert and Florence.

What an uplifting and joyous occasion which was a truly international celebration with friends and family from Cameroon, Belgium, and other European countries, Canada, America, Ireland and many places within the UK.  Those not able to be at the service were able to join on Zoom.

This joyous occasion followed the Cameroon / African ways of marking and celebrating weddings and therefore included singing, dancing and lots of upbeat music which we all enjoyed.  We sang Shine Jesus Shine, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Love Divine, To God be the Glory and O Happy Day.  Music was provided by the Eric Haworth Trio.  We also had African drums played as Florence and Gilbert danced down the aisle making a collection for charity.

This special occasion included the opportunity to take communion and to listen to encouraging words of wisdom from those who were leading worship which included the Rev’d Clare Downing, (NW Synod Moderator), Rev’d Dr Aboseh Ngwana (Minister, Staple Hill Methodist Church, Bristol), Rev’d Edward Sakwe (Circuit Minister, Hinckley Methodist Circuit), Rev’d Felix Dim (Minister, Crumpsall Methodist Church, Manchester), Rev’d Stephen Mbu (Divine Land Ministries of Jesus Christ, Waterford, Ireland), Rev’d Daleen Ten Cate (URC Missional Partnership Mentor NW Synod), Rev’d Noma Marambi (Minister, LEMP, NW Synod) and Rev’d Mike Aspinall (Convenor, LEMP, NW Synod).

The church was beautifully decorated with white flowers displayed in front of the communion table and around the church.  Gilbert entered to a special song sung beautifully by Kim Carr followed by Florence looking radiant wearing a white satin wedding dress and long train accompanied by her bridesmaid, 6 beautiful young flower girls all dressed in white and 4 smartly dressed young page boys.  It was a wonderful sight.

The happy couple were presented with a Holy Bible as a gift from the Missional Partnership and this was accompanied by the following statement being read out to them:

‘Receive this Holy Bible as a gift from the congregation and Missional Partnership churches and build your home upon it’s eternal and divine wisdom.  Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it.  May the Word of God be a lamp to your feet and a light for your path.’

After the ceremony there was food and refreshments available to those not going to the official reception and an opportunity to enjoy a time of fellowship together.  A reception was held at the Mylahore Glass Marquee in the grounds of Stanley House Hotel.

On the following day, Gilbert and Florence had arranged for a Barbeque to be held at Westbury Gardens URC for those who would be travelling home later that day.  This too was a joyful occasion which many of the guests were pleased to come to so they could spend a joyful time together, eating lovely food and enjoying dancing and fellowship before departing.

Derek Estill—Secretary