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Abbotsford, B.C.
Pastor in park officiates at wedding


Doug Braun, pastor of Arnold Community Church in Abbotsford, B.C., was leaning back in lawn chair, enjoying his surprise 40th birthday party at a local park when a desperate-sounding woman wearing a wedding dress begged him to do her wedding ceremony.

Apparently, the Justice of the Peace forgot the scheduled Saturday afternoon garden wedding appointment with Tammy Zomar, 20, and Curtis Erdman, 21. The couple was planning to repeat their marriage vows in front of 80 guests, but panicked when the Justice of the Peace was a no-show. After an hour, the bride drove to Hougen Park and the “Sumas Days” celebration, with her bridesmaids accompanying her. She searched for a minister in the park, and as destiny would unfold, found Braun.

It took some convincing to make Braun realize that the well-dressed bride wasn’t part of a birthday ruse. Braun, wearing shorts and a t-shirt, performed a short and simple 15-minute wedding ceremony, signed the unknown bride’s guest book and headed back to the park to continue his memorable 40th birthday.

The compassionate pastor said he upholds the sacred values of marriage and doesn’t take weddings lightly, usually insisting on pre-marital counselling. When Braun learned that Zomar and Erdman had been legally married in November and were repeating their vows for the wedding ceremony, he said he’d take on the job.

“It was a beautiful day,” said Braun. “The wedding party was beautiful. It was a moment to remember. I’m sure they’ll talk about this on their 25th wedding anniversary.”

 – The Abbotsford News

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Last modified December 3, 2000.

© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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