by Lucy Hough
FERNDALE – As a part of Motor City Pride weekend, eight couples were given the chance to show their love in front of Ferndale City Hall during the Commitment Ceremony that was held Saturday, June 5.
"It's a deep and everlasting love and you have requested that the church and the city of Ferndale help you celebrate that love," said Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit Rev. Mark Bidwell as the ceremony began.
"You have honored us by inviting us to witness your commitment to each other in holy matrimony; may your love grow sure and strong and true in the days, weeks, months and years to follow."
Bidwell, along with Rev. Deb Dysert and Rev. Kevin Kinsel – also from MCC-Detroit – performed the ceremony, which has been taking place for six years. They read vows that the couples recited to one another and allowed them to exchange rings. Bidwell and said that he felt that the importance of light and shining one's love was so important during this ceremony.
"You're letting people see what you're acknowledging as a gift from God, something to be cherished, something not to be hid … something to be lifted up and held high and be proud of," Bidwell said during the ceremony. "And you should be proud today to know that you are making the statement before your friends and family of the love that you've been blessed with, because love is a gift. It's an important gift that comes from God."
Ferndale Mayor Craig Covey also spoke during the ceremony, saying that all in attendance were welcomed, embraced and celebrated in Ferndale and that the Commitment Ceremony is one of his favorite aspects of Pride.
He spoke of the long history of Ferndale mayors being present at the Commitment Ceremonies. "This is a free city," Covey said to the couples. "We're proud that you're here, we're glad that you're here.
"Congratulations to you."
Susan Thacker and Tabitha Hammond have been together for 18 months after meeting at the mall while shopping. They were excited to get married, they said, because it is something that will only happen once.
"We love each other a lot and want to be together forever," Thacker said. "It's just to show our love for each other. That's all it really is."
Niea and Olympia Jackson were nervous before the ceremony but as it grew closer, they were just excited. They had family and friends present for the ceremony and had wanted to get married for a long time, having been together for eight years.
"I think it's just to send a signal to people that we're just like anyone else, we want to experience being married and fellowship with our family," Niea said. "We're in love and that's the next step. We just want to experience that moment."
