Bishop Keith Whitmore

Patrick and Lauren feel so honored that their good friend and spiritual advisor Bishop Keith Whitmore will be officiating at their wedding. Lauren's friendship with the Bishop started when she first began working at the Diocesan office. He has always been a friendly face, a big hug, and a guiding listener whenever she has needed him. He and his wife, Suzie, have been supportive of Lauren's ministry within the church and Lauren and Patrick's relationship.

The Bishop will be blessing the marriage and giving the sermon during the ceremony. These two things are considered very special gifts to Patrick and Lauren and we look forward to both of them.

Sharon Hiers

Sharon Hiers has played an important role in the spiritual lives of Pat and Lauren since the beginning. We both knew her before she was ordained a priest and she was the first priest to bless our marraige together (on her ordination day no less!) Sharon is around us more on a day to day basis than any other member of the clergy. We both feel very connected to her as a person and we are happy she will be on the altar with the Bishop and Mary on our wedding day.

Sharon will be helping celebrate the Eucharist with the Bishop. She does "the most beautiful sung Eucharist" Lauren has heard and we hope she can bring some of that love and passion to the altar with us.

Mary Demmler

Mary Demmler is one of the reasons that Lauren came back to the church after a long absence. She was led to a retreat weekend in the Diocese, from another Diocese, on the first weekend that Lauren decided to give church a "try" again. During a very important part of the weekend, Lauren had the opportunity to receive one of the seven sacramental rights, reconciliation of the penitent, from Mary. Mary was the first person to remind Lauren that there is no deed that can turn God against you. She not only forgave Lauren but she got her on the road to forgiving herself.

Patrick does not know Mary, but Lauren is so happy to have her friend and her teacher on the altar as she gets married. She plans on spending lifetimes keeping Mary and Derek in her sights and she knows Pat will just love them.

Mary will be reading the Gospel, helping with the blessing of the marriage, and setting the table for the Eucharist.