Seventy couples say ‘I do’ for the second time
Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 12th February 2012 - William and Jean Davidson. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.
THE spirit of St Valentine filled an Armagh church yesterday as 70 couples returned to renew their wedding vows.
All those who had been married at St Mark’s Church of Ireland over the years had been invited by Canon John McKegney to attend a special service of thanksgiving.
Being the Sunday closest to Valentine’s Day the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Ken Good, preached a sermon on the subject of love and marriage.
The invitation was also extended to all couples who currently attend the church, wherever they were married, to come along and renew their vows.
Among those joining hands in the moving display of commitment and love were William and Jean Davidson, who have lived in the shadow of the historic church since they originally wed there 48 years ago.
Now in their 70s, the happy couple still enjoy worshipping there and were delighted to be able to take part.
Speaking immediately after the service, Mrs Davidson said her initial thoughts were that only a handful of couples would be interested.
“Sometimes when you hear about things like this your first reaction is that people won’t make the effort but I have to say it’s great to see the church packed with couples,” she said.
Mrs Davidson added: “We wanted to come along and take part because marriage has been very good to us. We have three grown-up daughters and nine wonderful grandchildren.
“It was a beautiful service in a great church that is beautiful in itself, with lovely grounds.”
Mr Davidson said: “There couldn’t be a nicer church in the country to do something like this.
“It’s a beautiful and historic church and I knew there would be a lot of people connected with it interested in renewing their wedding vows.”
Mr Davidson, who is a former president of Armagh Rugby Club, described his “long-suffering” wife as a “rugby widow” due to his lifelong passion for the sport.
“I really don’t know how she has put up with me all these years,” he joked. “I would be the first to admit I’ve spent a fair bit of my life watching rugby – including more than a few matches abroad,” Mr Davidson added.
In his sermon, Bishop Good spoke of how he too felt blessed by his own marriage to his wife, Mary.
Mrs Good, who is originally from Seattle in the US, was among the congregation and spent time with the parishioners afterwards. They have been married for 35 years.
As part of the bicentenary celebration of the Armagh Parish Church, the motto of which is ‘going ahead in faith’, people who have been widowed were also invited to take part in the fellowship.
While a candle was lit at the front of the church, the 70 or so couples stood in the pews, taking each other by the right hand.
They were then invited to reaffirm their commitment to one another by reciting a passage which included the pledge to “have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer... til death do us part, according to God’s holy law”.
The vows ended with thanks to God and the words: “...as we hold each other’s hand in yours, we may draw strength from You and from each other”.
St Mark’s rector, Canon McKegney, said he had hoped that many couples and widowed people would come from all over the country to remember with joy the day their marriages began and that he wasn’t disappointed.
Canon McKegney said: “We advertised the service widely including the internet, the Church of Ireland Gazette and, not least, the News Letter, and we have had a much greater response than anticipated.
“The service was to recognise that not everything is necessarily plain sailing but that marriage is an enriching and shared experience.
“Many of those taking part would have been reluctant to stand alone at the front of the church so we decided that all of the couples taking part would do so together.”
All those exchanging vows were invited to leave their names and addresses with the rector so they could be forwarded a special certificate to mark the occasion.
Speaking afterwards, Canon McKegney said: “Initially, around 60 couples registered an interest in coming along but, having picked up a vibe that even more could attend, we printed some extra orders of service at the last minute.
“Naturally, I’m delighted that so many came along on the day to share in the service.”
The logistics of organising an event when the actual number attending isn’t known in advance can be problematic, as Canon McKegney is well aware.
“Everyone attending was invited for tea and refreshments afterwards, so our Mothers’ Union had found it difficult to judge just how much food to prepare but they managed somehow as always,” he said.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
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