Wedding Celebration

Ike, Becky, her folks, panhandler

Despite our desire to make sure that the wedding and reception came up to family standards (parents feel peer pressure!) Rebekah and Isaac were resolute about keeping things simple and affordable, whatever help we offered. They were also comfortable with everything taking place in the building where they worship.

This meant inviting guests into a more colourful --okay, seedy-- neighbourhood of Montreal. The church, Eglise St. Jean, is actually adjoined to a strip club. There are many street people in the area, including the guy in a wheelchair who was panhandling by the door as guests made their way into the church. The reception was held in the church basement and we couldn't get in to set up until the morning of the wedding because the program for folk on life's margins runs five days a week. There were signs at the washrooms with instructions about the disposal of syringes.

Everyone was polite about the day, whatever they might have been thinking. I am keeping in mind that Jesus performed his first miracle of turning water into wine at a wedding feast. We know that ancient weddings were events of inclusion which were about joy, not images of perfection. At one point during the reception I looked out to see guests in animated conversation punctuated by laughter which was not impeded by our setting.

Something tells me that Isaac and Rebekah will never regret their choice and we did experience joy.