What is a Society of Friends marriage ceremony?

Question

I was on this website trying to see if a friend of my family could become an ordained clergy and legally marry my fiance and I in baltimore maryland and I came across the term Society of Friends marriage ceremony. What is this and how does it work? also how do I figure out if an internet ordained clergyman is legally able to perform marriage ceremonies in baltimore maryland? Any info will help. Thanks the website is

http://www.uslegalforms.com/lawdigest/marriagelaws.php/MD/MD-088M-FF.htm

Answer 1

The Society of Friends, or Quakers, do not have an ordained clergy. Their Meetings for Worship are conducted for the most part in silence and any member may speak during the meeting, if they feel moved to do so, since there is usually no order of service, no formal prayer or sermon and generally no music.

The marriage ceremony as performed by the Society of Friends consists of a normal Meeting for Worship during which the bride and groom will at some point stand up and make their vows to each other. The marriage is witnessed by all present and will be conducted by one or more Elders of the meeting. The bride and groom sign the register and a number of witnesses also sign.

This is the practice, at least, in England but I believe there are different practices in some Meetings in the States.

Concerning your second question, studying for the ministry and being ordained is not (or should not be) a short process equivalent to taking a drivers licence and the idea of ordination over the internet, unless I misunderstand you, seems to me to make a mockery of the call to the ministry.

I would imagine that any minister (or, in certain cases, a lay person) would be able to conduct a marriage ceremony but, to be legal, the ceremony would need to be performed at a registry office or at a church licensed to perform marriages. Quaker Meetings, in the UK at least, are so licensed.

Answer 2

That is a Quaker wedding ceremony. In a Quaker ceremony, no officiant is used at all, becuase the Quakers (members of the religious society of Friends) believe that the 2 people marry EACH OTHER, not an officiant "marrying" the two people.

Also, it is an almost entirely silent ceremony.

Quaker weddings are legal in PA but I'm not clear on the situation in all states.

If you don't want an actual Quakers ceremony I don't think it would be respectful to go that route.

for more info, see quakerfinder.org or quakerinfo.com

Answer 3

The Society of Friends are more commonly known as the Quakers. I don't know how their marriage ceremonies work, but I do know that they don't have clergy -- it's kind of an egalitarian, communal sort of religion, and not big on ostentation, so no big, fancy churches or booming organs.

There are all sorts of certificates you can get online that are good only for performing wedding ceremonies. Try googling "matrimonial license" or similar combinations till you find something.

Answer 4

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