Elaine Baskin Justice of the Peace Worcester, MA
About ME
Grab interest
Being a Justice of the Peace brings me in contact with the niceat peoople who often have ceremonies in places I've never been. I love all the experiences.
My life has been varied, but more than 30 years as a JP have beenyears I'll never forget.
From being a teacher in middle and high school, I jumped to being a COBOL programmer. A few years later, I received Certification in Gerontology and began working with senior centers, with the blind, and with hospice. Next, I ventured into real estate primarily as a property manager. After 13 years, I slid into retirement and now volunteer in several places. I will always be a Justice of the Peace.
Why am I a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE?>
As a Justice of the Peace, I help couples move from a bond of friendship to a legal bond of marriage emphasizing that compromise is what makes marriage a lasting one.
A sample ceremony
The start
THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE OF A CEREMONY. YOURS WILL BE WRITTEN FOR YOU.
WHEN EVERYONE IS SEATED, THE MUSIC MAY CHANGE FOR THE PROCESSIONAL BRIDESMAIDS, USHERS, RING BEARER, FLOWER GIRL, BRIDE. IN ANY ORDER YOU CHOOSE. Someone may give the bride away
Begin
BRIDE AND GROOM,
THE CEREMONY BEGINS WITH A WELCOME TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS. MAY INCLUDE HERE MUSIC, A POEM, A MEMORIAL, ETC.
DO YOU COME TO THIS MARRIAGE FREELY AND OF YOUR OWN CHOOSING? (BRIDE AND GROOM TOGETHER): WE DO.
WHAT IS MARRIAGE? HOW SHOULD YOU BEHAVE TO MAKE YOUR MARRIAGE STRONG? NEXT ARE WORDS TO THE BRIDE AND GROOM ABOUT THEIR COMMITMENt to THE IMPORTANCE OF MARRIAGE AND THE VALUE OF COMPROMISE
Vows
MAY BE SAID JOINTLY OR REPEATED. THEY MAY ALSO BE SAID INDIVIDUALLY YOU MAY WRITE OWN VOWS OR I WILL WRITE THEM FOR YOU.
GROOM:
WILL YOU TAKE THIS WOMAN AS YOUR WEDDED WIFE?
WILL YOU PROMISE TO LOVE HER, COMFORT HER,
HONOR AND SUPPORT HER IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH,
BEING FAITHFUL TO HER IN ALL YOUR DAYS TOGETHER?
GROOM: I WILL.
BRIDE:
WILL YOU TAKE THIS MAN AS YOUR WEDDED HUSBAND?
WILL YOU PROMISE TO LOVE HIM, COMFORT HIM,
HONOR AND SUPPORT HIM IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH,
BEING FAITHFUL TO HIM IN ALL YOUR DAYS TOGETHER?
BRIDE: I WILL.
OFTEN CEREMONIES SUCH AS UNITY CANDLE, WINE, POEMS OR SONGS ,MAY BE INCLUDED HERE.
Exchange of rings
THE RING IS A SYMBOL OF ETERNITY AND EVERLASTING LOVE.
IT HAS NO BEGINNING AND NO ENDING.
YOU WEAR THIS RING TO SHOW YOUR COMMITMENT.
GROOM, TAKE BRIDE’S LEFT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
BRIDE
I ACCEPT YOU AS MY WIFE
TO LOVE, RESPECT, AND CHERISH.
I PLACE YOU IN MY HEART TODAY
BEFORE ALL OTHER WOMEN.
WITH THIS RING, I BECOME YOUR HUSBAND.
GROOM PUTS RING ON BRIDE’S FINGER.
BRIDE, TAKE GROOM’S LEFT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
GROOM,
I ACCEPT YOU AS MY HUSBAND
TO LOVE, RESPECT, AND CHERISH.
I PLACE YOU IN MY HEART TODAY
BEFORE ALL OTHER MEN.
WITH THIS RING, I BECOME YOUR WIFE.
BRIDE PUTS RING ON GROOM’S FINGER.
PRONOUNCEMENT OF MARRIAGE
BRIDE AND GROOM, AS YOU HAVE PLEDGED YOUR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER IN THE PRESENCE OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS, WITH THE POWER VESTED IN ME BY THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU HUSBAND AND WIFE.
CONGRATULATIONS GROOM AND BRIDE.
FACE YOUR GUESTS ANDWALK UP THE AISLE.
Lots of clapping, congratulations, and crying.
Couple walk slowly up the aisle followed by attendants
