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What a great day! After walking the beagle, and making sure my briefcase contained the wedding service, the couple's personalized vows, and the stole they had given me as a gift for doing their religious service, I left with these two really cool women at about 9:30 am. We stopped to meet some friends of theirs, who would sign the license as witnesses, we hit the road. A detour on Interstate 80 threw us off a bit, but we ended up on Brady Street in Davenport, and headed for the church which had agreed to host the service.
I was born and raised in Davenport until I was 12, but haven't had any family there since. So, I haven't been back in years, and don't know it all that well. But the service was to be at the church where I grew up and was baptized. It was amazing how quickly I knew where I was. We missed the turn onto Division Street. But that was cool, because it meant we turned onto Pacific St., just a block from my old house. So, we took a brief detour, and drove by my house, before heading for 38th St. and the church.
The pastor was gone for Conference Annual Meeting, but his wife, an old friend of mine, agreed to open the building for us. She met us in the parking lot, and was so warm and welcoming to my parishioners. She took us into the sanctuary--which I remember being built when I was a kid. It seemed so small, compared to my memories! But it also felt like home--just the right place to officiate at my first legal wedding for two women.
I put on the rainbow stole they had given me for their church wedding. We began the service--the opening prayer, scripture reading (John 2), declaration of intention, vows, prayer of thanksgiving, and blessing. I didn't think the couple would want to re-do the ring ceremony, but they did...so we did. Then, I declared them married--and the state of Iowa agreed! Thank you, Iowa!
After the brief service, I asked the couple and witnesses to sign the license. Jan, the pastor's wife, got out a nice set of pens to use, and gave them to the couple as a gift. Then I signed the license, dated it, and placed it in the envelope, thinking about how I had learned the faith in this building, among the congregation that was so welcoming and kind to the people who are now my parishioners. It was a little overwhelming for me...and yes, I teared up.
After showing them around the building, and telling them about how we did everything--Sunday School, worship, church dinners, everything in one big multi-purpose room until the sanctuary was built when I was 7, we headed for lunch. We invited Jan to join us, and went to a restaurant the couple had noticed on Kimberley Road on the way to the church. That's right. We had lunch at the Olive Garden. I continued to be amazed at how former cornfields are now malls and parking lots. We enjoyed lunch (is "capellini pomodoro" really Italian? It was certainly tasty!), and headed back across the river. As we left her, Jan assured me that their church would welcome me again, if more of my parishioners need a place to be married. I thanked her for such kindness.
A detour coming back across 80 took us way out of our way, but we didn't care. My friends and parishioners were now married, and reminded my that they will automatically be recognized when Illinois recognizes civil unions--hopefully next fall; and when Illinois recognizes same-sex marriages....some day. I'm still frustrated by the slow progress in Illinois, but these two women were ecstatic with their Iowa marriage.
I snoozed for part of the trip back. They dropped me off at my home. And I ponder the great day...seeing my old home and neighborhood, celebrating this special moment at my home church with members of my current church home, and celebrating the kindness and openness of the people of my home state.
A good day....even with the Olive Garden. :)
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