History of Marriage in Methodism (Summary) Before Methodism Methodism during John Wesley's Lifetime After John Wesley, before Marriage Reform 1552 1662 1743 1748 1784 1785 1786 1797-1836

Thomas Cranmer includes Marriage Rites in the Book of All marriage in England & Wales is within the established Church Only the Church of England may Solemnize marriage in England & Wales. Common Prayer, including Nuptual Communion

John Wesley publishes Thoughts on Marriage John Wesley writes John Wesley writes A and a Single Life, Thoughts on a Single Life Thought on Marriage Wesleyan (1797-) recommending remaining single

Marriage Service incorporated in the Protestant Methodists and various Methodist Sunday Methodist Free Denominations Service in Britain

The giving of rings included Brides given away Included for pastoral reasons

First Methodist 'Form of The Prayer Book Solemnization of Matrimony' - in in North North America. - No Rings given America (considered sacramental) - The removes Primitive (1807-) Exhortation (Ephesians 15, Nuptual concerning conjugal duties) is Communion removed

Key Church of England Methodism within the CofE Wesleyan Methodist Protestant Methodists and smaller and independent Methodist denominations Primitive Methodists United Methodist Free Church The Methodist Church Roman Catholic Church After Marriage Reform Act - before the Deed of Union 1836 1837 1840 1845 1846 1857 1860 1862 1882

Law changed to permit marriage in non-conformist places of worship

Wesleyan Methodist Marriage The Conference gave a Service is produced, without: a Memorial to Conference cautious welcome to the requirement for banns; or seeking the licensing of The Conference declined solemnization of marriage Giving away of the bride Reintroduction of Augustine's declaration that Wesleyan chapels for to sanction the licensing in Wesleyan Chapels, but is restored. A pastoral Augustine's reasons for marriage was a remedy for sin. marriage is declined by of Chapels that no Wesleyan Minister response to social norms marriage. There is giving of rings but the Conference should feel compelled to without prayer of blessing of conduct weddings the rings.

United Protestant Methodists and various Practice varies considerably Methodist United free Methodists largely Methodist Free Denominations follow the Wesleyan form Free (1857-)

References to Augustine's reasons for marriage removed, but with Licensing of Primitive references to fidelity within Marriage service largely follows that of the Church of England Methodist Chapels begins marriage. Rings are given as tokens of love and fidelity. Priestly language is removed After Marriage Reform Act - before the Deed of Union After Marriage Reform Act - before the Deed of Union Deed of Union onwards 1890 1903 1913 1932 1936 1946 1969-1975 1975

Both the Roman Catholic Church the Church of England review their Marriage Rites to reflect the modernisation of society. These changes also influence ecumenically

The Conference produces "A The language of Methodist Marriage Service 1975 In response to early 20th Century "The Order of Service for the Methodist Statement on the Law the service including: recognition of interfaith attitudes: asserts marriage as a Solemnization of Matrimony" is of Marriage and Divorce" becomes more marriage, Christian/non-Christian divine institution; recognises produced, based significantly on permiting a Methodist who was egalitarian, marriage; language around procreation differnces between couples where the Wesleyan form, but previously married to marry reflecting the Union changed, recognising that not all married both are Christian and where there continuing the United Methodist again if they were the 'innocent changing role couples will have children; introduction is a mixture of Christian and non- Free trend of greater gender party' in the divorce. (In and status of of a prayer of confession; modernised Christian equality 'oversees' Districts this had women. language. applied since 1935)

The Primitive Marriage Service moves closer in form to that of John Wesley's form of 1786 Deed of Union onwards Deed of Union onwards 1992 1993 1998 1999 2006 2014

Conference report 'Preparing for Marriage' - including 'recognising Marriage Service 1999, largely follows the 1975 order but Conference reaffirmed the 1993 marriage as mutual between equals', restating the traditional Conference encourages discussions across with greater emphasis on conteporary attitudes to human Resolutions, and resolved that Conference agrees "A aphorism of 'chasity before marriage, fathfulness within it", but the Connexion on Marriage and relationships; greater equality of the sexes; brides not given there is no reason, per se, why a Methodist Statement on a Conference recognising also that some Christians are unconvinced that the relationships, and resolves that there is no away, but familiy and congregation asked to encourage the Methodist may not form a Civil Christian understanding of resolutions on traditional aphorism adequately prepares human beings to grow in reason, per se, why a Methodist may not couple in their marriage; the 'legally required words' Partnership. No services of Family Life, the Single Person Human Sexuality responsibility and moral discernment; moral maturity formed through enter a legally formed same sex marriage. changed to reflect a change in the law; rings given with a Blessing on Methodist premises, and Marriage" inner decisions rather than externally enforced moral authority. The Methodist definition of marriage was blessing (traditionally associated with sacrament, but was but appropriate pastoral Recognition that the boundaries betwen 'guilt' and 'innocence' in not changed. introduced to reflect social attitudes) responses encouraged divorce are often unclear.