Swarthmore Friends Meeting Swarthmore,
Pennsylvania
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The following are excerpts from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting's Faith and Practice http://www.pym.org/publish/fnp/index.php Quaker Marriage Procedure Marriage is a sacred commitment of two people to love one another in faithful partnership with the expectation that the relationship will mature and be mutually enriching. Friends know that marriage depends on the inner experiences of the couple who marry and not on any external service or words. Thus, the ceremony in which the couple enter into this commitment is preformed by the couple alone, in the presence of God, the families, and the worshiping community. Both the solemnity and the joy of the occasion are enhanced by its simplicity. The Meeting extends its loving care through its oversight of clearness for the couple and, upon approval of the Meeting, through careful attention to a Meeting for Worship for Marriage. In addition, care is given to assure that any applicable legal requirements are addressed. Clearness: the process The term clearness referred originally to clearness from other marriage commitments. Today, within a broader sense of clearness, the Clearness Committee explores areas of understanding with the couple, considering what it takes to achieve the permanence and satisfaction of a committed, loving relationship, and the extent to which the couple is prepared for the dedication and constancy such a relationship requires.... The purpose of clearness is well served when members of the Committee ask thoughtful questions and listen attentively, leaving space for worship in the exchange. The Committee can be guided by these suggested queries for the couple:
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