Five couples wed in joint ceremony at Chateaubelair

by Adrian Codogan

Five couples from communities in North Leeward pledged their vows to each other last Saturday, during a joint wedding ceremony at Chateaubelair.

With hundreds of persons as witnesses, the couples said their vows under a huge tent at the Sharpes playing field, before Pastor Ian {{more}}Williams of the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church.

The marriages took place at the end of a month-long crusade, featuring evangelist pastor Claudius Morgan.

The five newlyweds had all been in long-term relationships, with some sharing children and grandchildren.

Lloyd and Daena, who had been in a common-law relationship for more than 20 years, have three children and had been planning to get married for some time. The couple disclosed that they had bought their wedding attire and rings a long time ago, but had postposed the ceremony while they were educating their second daughter.

“The time is right and it happened now for a reason,” said Lloyd.

After living together for five years, Vandell and Louise, who reside at Sharpes Village in Chateaubelair, decided to take the plunge, as, according to Vandell, “[they] are not getting any younger and this is an opportunity to get it done with and move on.”

Faustina, who is Louise’s daughter and Daena’s sister, also exchanged vows last Saturday. She married Mirando, with whom she had been living on and off for several years.

Couple number four were Coulls Hill residents Waynewright and Annemarie, who have had a relationship for many years and have a child together.

The youngest couple to exchange vows last Saturday was Clive and Monica, who were childhood sweethearts and have three children together. Residents of Golden Grove, Clive is cousin to Louise, Daena and Faustina.

Pastor Williams told SEARCHLIGHT that in addition to the marriages, 102 persons were baptised as a result of the crusade, which he described as a great success.

He said the response from the people of North Leeward was good, even when other activities were taking place in the community.

“Even when they had the young mothers’ show, we still had a large crowd which shows that people are searching for the truth.”

Williams disclosed that a recent crusade held in Barrouallie had cost the church $110,000, but the Chateaubelair event cost much less, because of the generosity of the people of the town.

“The Church is grateful to the community and the Pan Yard International Family for allowing us to use their bathroom facilities free of charge for the duration of our crusade; much blessings and peace be unto their families,” Williams said.