Rocket Rev (middle) starts the service
for Keith ('Salute', left) and Annette
Dorset Episode III: And so, after the success of the
first and second meetings UKFR members and pyromaniacs returned
yet again to their secret base in the middle of Dorset, UK.
This time, the theme was love!
With the date of this meeting coinciding with February 14th
there was a distinctly romantic feeling in the air. But there
was a further coincidence: It also marked the first anniversary
of UKFR member Keith's (aka Salute in our forum) marriage to
his wife Annette. To celebrate both this and their long journey
from the USA to see us, Rocket Rev kindly agreed to Keith's
request for a surprise wedding blessing service.
"The service was in effect a "Thanksgiving for Marriage"
- but not the usual Church of England one, rather a special
edition that I wrote myself!" explains Rocket Rev.
"Keith had asked if I could be allowed to do such a thing
for him and Annette as their Dorset visit coincided with their
first wedding anniversary. He asked for it to be a surprise
for Annette! So he and I knew about it - and so did Gerry and
Pepsi who I involved. We planned to surprise Annette and also
the rest of the UKFR folk. We really had fun with our plotting
- especially plotting my appearance in full robes!"
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Rocket Rev starts the surprise wedding blessing! 2:
Presenting a copy of the Torah 3:
A love rocket for each of them (to be fired later, of course!)
4: Reaffirmation
of vows 5:
The happy couple 6:
Blessing over
"Keith and Annette are Jewish" continues Rocket Rev.
"The Jewish and Christian religions have a common heritage.
Keith asked for an explicitly religious service conducted by
me as a Vicar. So I produced a service which drew on our common
heritage - hence the use of the Christian Old Testament / Jewish
Torah. The blessing was in fact the Aaronic one - a significant
blessing in both Jewish and Christian circles. The service included
a reaffirmation of their commitment to each other and I rewrote
the usual renewal of wedding vows to suit this.
"The aim was to do something meaningful and serious, whilst
being lighthearted. So I found a way of weaving the religious
and fireworks into it all! Hence the presentation of a copy
of the Torah along with the Love Heart rockets and the celebration
firework display."
It was a really moving blessing which was enjoyed by all, none
more so than the couple themselves, and a wonderful prelude
to the following night's firework mayhem. With Gerry's roaring
log fire and copious decorations arranged by Pepsi and Tony,
it was also a brilliant setting too.
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Keith enjoys a stiff drink as they pose with their love rockets
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They were also presented with an anniversary engraved plate
from Gerry and the Sky Monkeys 3:
Rocket Rev chills out with his "Whassuup!" T-shirt
No surprises that after the service it was time to retire to
a large field and round off the evening with a small fireworks
display - featuring their heart rockets!
The happy couple thank
Rocket Rev for a moving and meaningful blessing
