Here, at St Paul's, we are pleased to be part of an increasingly popular form of service that recognises and reinforces the ideal of marriage. Many people call this form of service 'a renewal of marriage vows', though probably the key word is recall, rather than renew. Some couples feel strongly that their marriage vows were made once for ever and therefore cannot be renewed or extended. The service, therefore, is one of recollection, not a repetition, of a past event.

Nevertheless, it is all too easy to allow such occasions to slip into soppy sentimentalism and miss the importance of what is really happening. For whilst longevity in marriage is commendable, this particular service of thanksgiving allows a couple to reinforce their feelings for one and other in a public and joyful way, an important and valuable witness to a society which not only questions the values and ideals of marriage, but of any form of credible and stable relationship. The service allows a couple to reinforce their commitment, not only to each other, but to everyone with whom they share their lives - their children and grandchildren, friends and neighbours. Relationships like these underpin our very society and without them, there would be little or no stability in which we could live safely and in a mature manner.

But even more than this for, in a society where the relevance and even the notion of God is questioned, such ceremonies are small but significant victories for Him who not only caused marriage, but whose love is the very model upon which marriage should be based.

During recent times, we have witnessed some of the greatest events of world history: conflicts which have altered the composition and political shape of the global map; the first step of man on the moon; pioneering medical advances which have all but eradicated some of the deadliest diseases known to mankind; the development of machinery and equipment that even as recently as 30 years ago would have seemed inconceivable - calculators, photocopiers, video machines. Today, the advent of sophisticated micro-technology has not only placed immense power literally within the palm of the human hand, but has also shrunk the entire globe to the size of a box of moving pictures which can sit in the corner of a small room. In comparison, a couple’s long relationship might seem quaint and even outdated.

However quaint or outdated it may appear, that relationship between a husband and a wife can generally do something that none of mankind’s inventions can do: it can create new life out of the one ingredient which cannot be invented or manufactured – love.

Marriage is not about conventions or systems; it is not an institution, as many people claim; it is about people - two people initially - publicly sharing a common vision for the future, a vision which needs the constant impetus of creativity to handle the changes of everyday life. For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health and amongst all those universal changes, one thing remains consistent, and this is what is celebrated in this service of thanksgiving: the love between one man and one woman.

No charge is made for services of Thanksgiving, though an appropriate donation to church funds would be appreciated. However, if an organist or other musician is required, then a charge may be payable.

If you'd like to talk to someone about a thanksgiving service, click here

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