Trying to find a church!

Hi everyone,
I'm having a little trouble finding a church to cooperate in marrying my fiance and I. Its our first marriage (we haven't been divorced), and I'm looking around the suffolk county area, the most east the better as we are getting married at Giorgio's. The problem is we don't officially belong to any church right now because we just moved here and haven't found one yet. A non-demonitational one would be the way to go. We met with one pastor at a church, but they had a lot of rules and said he wouldn't marry us because we live together. Anyone know any nice churches that are not so strict with the rules? Any ideas at all would be appreciated thank you!!!
Thanks!!!

Re: Trying to find a church!

look at kkholiday's review...i believe she got married at the vineyards but was able to find a church out there. - hth

Re: Trying to find a church!

The church where we are getting married I have heard is pretty flexible. They understand that people are living together these days...what are they really going to do about it. We are getting married in a Catholic church so you may need to be baptized. I don't know if you are?? but its a small parish in Patchogue near the bay called St. Francis de Sales. Good luck in your search. Maybe I will see you in pre-cana lol.

Re: Trying to find a church!

Ok, thanks! I will look into that church. Is it a problem if we are not really catholic? I'll get baptized and do whatever I need to do ! :)

Re: Trying to find a church!

I'm getting married at St. Pat's in Bay Shore which may be out of the way for you. It is Catholic so you may need to be baptized, but the people there are AWESOME. They are sooooo sweet and laid back, and I wasn't a parishioner at this particular church but they welcomed me with open arms. The church is just gorgeous, too... Check out my album.

Re: Trying to find a church!

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Posted by pjrocky

Ok, thanks! I will look into that church. Is it a problem if we are not really catholic? I'll get baptized and do whatever I need to do ! :)

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I THINK the way it works is this:

If one is you is Catholic that's ok, they will marry you. However, the other has to sign and promise all this stuff--- like that they will raise your children Catholic etc.

If neither of you are Catholic, you'd have to get baptized. I see that your wedding date is March of 2010 though and they usually do Adult Baptisms on Holy Saturday (day before Easter). It's a process- FH just went through the whole process and has been going to meetings and such for about a year so it takes awhile.

Re: Trying to find a church!

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Posted by JAAMS

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Posted by pjrocky

Ok, thanks! I will look into that church. Is it a problem if we are not really catholic? I'll get baptized and do whatever I need to do ! :)

---

I THINK the way it works is this:

If one is you is Catholic that's ok, they will marry you. However, the other has to sign and promise all this stuff--- like that they will raise your children Catholic etc.

If neither of you are Catholic, you'd have to get baptized. I see that your wedding date is March of 2010 though and they usually do Adult Baptisms on Holy Saturday (day before Easter). It's a process- FH just went through the whole process and has been going to meetings and such for about a year so it takes awhile.

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you are right in this process, however, you can get baptized at other times. it just takes some work and finding a cooperative priest. the only reason i know this is because when i was younger i remember father converting to catholicism and he didn't go through the whole RCIA process with everything happening at the Easter Vigil.

Re: Trying to find a church!

You may want to look into the Unitarian Congregation. Im getting at the one in Manhasset but I did a search and there's one in Jamesport. They are extremely open...they marry interfaith, same faith, even do committment ceremonies for same sex couples (just to show how open they are).

Here is the main website so you could learn more about it and the one for the Jamesport location.

http://www.uua.org/aboutus/findcongregation/results.php?zip=11901&radius=10

http://www.nfuuf.org/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx

ETA: You would be married by an ordained minister- so not sure if you are set on being married by a priest...maybe they even have some priests also.

Re: Trying to find a church!

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Posted by pjrocky

Ok, thanks! I will look into that church. Is it a problem if we are not really catholic? I'll get baptized and do whatever I need to do ! :)

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I think it is a bit of a process to get baptized and confirmed. You would need to speak with the church. There are a few classes you have to take I think where you can get both done at the same time. Check it out though. Bayshore is really nice too. Patchogue would definitely be closer though.

Re: Trying to find a church!

Thanks for everyone's help! I have 2 places I'm looking into and things are looking promising.

Re: Trying to find a church!

09er crashing....I sent you FM.

Re: Trying to find a church!

Where do you live? My reception is also at Giorgio's and my church is in Mastic Beach. I'll be honest, the scenery isnt too nice on the way to the church, but the church is beautiful. And the fee was pretty low and the priest didnt seem very picky. I told him I dont want kids and he's still marrying us! Let me know if you want more info!

Re: Trying to find a church!

Hi!! FH and I were having the same problem.....Try the Congregational Church Of Manhassett....hardly any restrictions, and you can bring in your own officiant. FM me for more info.