With the sense of hope and possibility that comes with a new year still lingering, and the romance of Valentine's Day just around the corner, now seems like an ideal time to (re)commit to love. At least that's what the leadership at Transforming Faith Baptist Church hopes to facilitate.
The church is offering couples a chance to exchange their vows as a group in a mass marriage and vow renewal ceremony on World Marriage Day, which this year falls on Sunday, Feb. 10.
This is Transforming Faith's first time holding a mass marriage, said Zalendria Williams, the church's outreach coordinator. To be held from 4-8 p.m., the event includes two separate vow ceremonies - one for couples renewing their vows and another for couples getting married for the first time.
Transforming Faith Baptist Church is holding a mass marriage ceremony Sunday, Feb. 10 from 4-8 p.m."There's so much hatred going on everywhere you turn around, we just want to promote love amongst each other," Williams said. "It's about coming together and having a good time. Some people don't have family and want to share their special time, whether they're saying 'yes' for the first time or saying 'yes' again."
The mass ceremony is a far less expensive way than a traditional wedding for couples on a budget to tie the knot, she added.
The cost to participate - which covers the service, a photo, a group reception following the ceremony, a certificate and a wedding favor - is $25 for couples renewing their vows or $50 for unmarried couples. Couples marrying for the first time have the option to invite six guests to the ceremony and reception.
The event is also a way to bring people from the community into the church, said Williams.
"What better way than to share a special, important moment that's going to last you a lifetime?" she said.
For couples to receive a certificate on the day of the ceremony, and for couples marrying for the first time to have the option to invite guests, the deadline to register is Sunday, Jan. 27 at 4 p.m. To sign up, visit tinyurl.com/ycqargy5, using the code "Marriage2019" to register and pay.
Transforming Faith Baptist Church is at 5311 Upshaw Drive. For more information, call Williams at 617-1887.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.