A CHURCH has answered a woman's prayers by offering to hold her
wedding free of charge.The bride-to-be, Jacqui Loewy was praying with another woman in St Luke's, Cranham Park, in Essex, when she felt moved to pray out loud for the first time in her life, asking for help so that she and partner, Adam Nicholson, could get married.
The Vicar, the Revd Michael Vickers, was not told of the prayer, but said that he felt, while praying about the couple, that he should ask whether they were interested in getting married.
Two days later, he approached Miss Loewy and offered to organise the wedding at the church. Miss Loewy, who has been attending the church for four years, said that it was a "miracle".
Although the date has been set for July next year, the rest of the arrangements, including the dress, ceremony, and reception, are being organised by the church, and will be kept a surprise for the couple.
Mr Vickers said that after making the offer he had panicked, briefly, thinking that he might have to organise everything himself.
"Flowers and table decorations are not my strong point," he said.
But he put out a plea to his congregation, asking them to help, and, within a week, half of the items needed had been ticked off the list.
Offers of help from local businesses are still coming in.
"This is a mission opportunity for the church. . . I believe that as we support Adam and Jacqui, the wider community will see what we are doing, and God, through our actions and their marriage, will speak to many people about his love for families, his love for individuals; and God will grow his Church."
A venue for the reception is still being sought.
"The whole church is involved," Mr Vickers said, "and will turn out to support Jacqui and Adam and their children."