To You, the Witnesses

September 28, 2025

Dear St. Aidan’s,

Today Elaine and I celebrate 45 years of marriage.  We did not get married in St. Aidan’s. But we stayed married here.

The constant support and love we have received from this community has sustained us more than we can say. There have been times when we have sat in this space holding each other, weeping, bathed in the miracle of God’s grace and forgiveness.  There have been others when we have arrived separately, sat on opposite sides, and left without a word to each other save a terse “Peace” and a quick handshake. In our deepest despair and our most joyous moments, we always knew that we were a part of something bigger than ourselves, and that we were never alone. 

We just returned from a wedding in Ireland.  My toast was, roughly, as follows:

Aside from the loving couple, a wedding requires only one thing.  It is not the church or the flower girl. It is not even the caterer.  It is witnesses. 

The vows of matrimony are so big, and hard, and preposterous, that it seems impossible to keep them alone.  We need each other to bear witness, to hold each other accountable, and to remind us of our better selves. Otherwise, we might be tempted to deny ever promising to love each other, in our brokenness and frailty, forever. We are here today so that we can remind Pink & Joe that their love is, now, eternal.

To us, the witnesses.

Whether you were here long before we arrived, or members we have yet to meet, you are all a part of a blessed flock, and we thank you.

To you, the witnesses! 

Love,

Michael & Elaine Jennings