• Curriculum consultation
• Classroom presentations
• Conference and retreat planning and leadership
• Credit classes and non-credit instruction
• Articles and reviews for various publications
• Our monthly bulletin, Many Paths
• Gallery tours
• Referrals and information reference assistance
• Interfaith mediation and conflict management
• Special programs on spirituality
• Individual religious instruction (IRI) and spiritual direction

• Rites of passage including
• Weddings and Holy Unions (for more information, click or scroll down)
• Funerals, Memorial Services,
• Namings, Blessings, and other rites of passage
• Counseling
• Worship leadership, preaching and speaking

See also our Calendar page for CRES and Community events of interfaith interest.
For more information, please email us at staff@cres.org.
Click on the CRES tree to return to the CRES home page.

Must a Wedding or Holy Union be "Religious"?
    "Religion" has become a problematic term for many people. We understand religion not as dogma or particular organization but as a continuing discovery of the meanings of life. In this sense, your ceremony is a "religious occasion" because it acknowledges the meaning you have for one another and your family and friends.
     A religious union recognizes the joy and mystery of love, exults in what people committed to each other can be, and celebrates the trust and faith that creates social forms and rich private life.
     The minister’s job is to help you celebrate your own relationship according to your own religious values. CRES is especially interested in helping couples from various religious backgrounds or no religious backgrounds. There is no requirement that the word "God" or any other language be used. What is important is to develop the best possible way of expressing the faith that you have in each other and in your life together.

Must there be a consultation to plan the ceremony?
    Almost always, even for a very simple ceremony, it is important for the couple to consider options for a ceremony. In some cases, the consultation can be conducted by mail, email, and telephone. For an informal cermony, the plans can be completed just before the ceremony begins. 
    A PDF version of a planning page is available for downloading by clicking on this icon: 
    The minister can provide a sample ceremony, alternative vows (although you are encouraged to write your own), a selection of texts, and other material.

What are the parts of a ceremony?

A simple ceremony might include

• a Welcome from the minister,
• Blessings from the families,
• a Reading or Readings,
• the Exchanging of Vows (and rings),
• the Pronouncement, and
• a concluding Blessing or Benediction.

Where can a ceremony be held?
    Arrange your ceremony for a meaningful and convenient place. Make alternate rain plans for a garden, park, or backyard. Indoor rites may be held in your own or a hosting religious facility, a relative or friend’s home, hotel space, a historic site or even an office. Ceremonies with a dozen or so participants can be held at the CRES facility in the Westport area of Kansas City if the couple wishes.

How do we get a marriage license?
     A marriage license is required before a legal ceremony can begin.
    Jackson County Courthouse: 816.881.3189; fax – 816.881.3719; Department of Records – 415 East 12th Street, Room 104, KCMO 64106
    Johnson, 913.782.5000
    The minister provides the couple with a witnessed Certificate of Marriage afterwards, and returns the endorsed license to the state. Give the license (date and place of issue and number) to the minister. The fee may be paid at this time.
     In Kansas and Missouri, the minister provides a Certificate of Holy Union to same-sex couples.

Are there other local resources?
     Clergy Services (http://www.101weddings.com -- does not open with all browsers) provides officiants (clergy@clergyservices.com) and The Family Medallion(R) may be selected by couples who wish to honor their children with jewelry.

HELPFUL BOOKS
Janet Anastasio and Michelle Bevilacua: The Everything Wedding Vows Book, 1994.
Khoren Arisian: The New Wedding, 1973.
M L Brill:  Write Your Own Wedding, 1969.
David Glusker and Peter Misner: Words for your Wedding, 1994.
A J Klausner: Weddings: A Complete Guide to All Religions, 1896.
Dovetail Pub: Interfaith Wedding Ceremonies, 1996.
Richard Leviton: Weddings By Design: A Guide to Non-Traditional Ceremonies, 1994.
Tolbert McCarroll: Humanist Wedding Ceremonies, 1964.
Kirschenbaum and Stensrud: The Wedding Book, 1974.
Tess Ayers: The Essential Guide to Lesbian and Gay Weddings, 1994.

Who are the ministers?
    Dr Vern Barnet, ordained in 1970, founded CRES in 1982 as a multifaith resource for Kansas City. His column, “Faiths and Beliefs” appears each Wednesday in The Kansas City Star. The recipient of numerous awards for his civic and professional activities, and author of numerous articles, poems, and reviews, he teaches several college courses on religion each year and has studied and spoken throughout the United States and abroad. Bio sketch
    Dr David E Nelson, ordained in 1971, became CRES associate minister in 1994. He is a graduate of the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Direction and served as a member of the adjunct faculty of the Chicago Lutheran School of Theology for its doctoral program. He is president of The Human Agenda (816.453.3835) and is a frequent conference key-note speaker and group process facilitator and consultant. He also provides “coaching” for personal and professional life goals. Bio sketch
   In addition, if scheduling requires another officiant, CRES will provide a list of cooperating clergy.

What are the fees?
   Rental fees should be handled directly with the person in charge of the facility you use. There is no charge for use of CRES facilities for intimate weddings.

The following fee schedule for ministerial services is suggested. Each couple decides what to pay. A simple ceremony suggests a gift on the lower end of the recommended scale; a ceremony with a full meal reception suggests the higher end.

consultation only, $75-150
consultation and ceremony, $400-650
consultation, rehearsal, and ceremony $500-900
Consideration for travel time and expenses for distant festivities may be added

What is the next step?
   Email staff@cres.org. or call CRES (913.649.5114) to schedule a consultation. In your message include

• Your names and ages
• Your phone numbers and email addresses
• Your mailing address
• The date and time of the ceremony (if known)
• The location for the ceremony (if known)
• The number of guests expected (if known)
• Any additional information you wish to provide to begin the planning process

        Vern Barnet (The Rev Vern Barnet, DMn)

1. Please contact Tyler, Vern's assistant, for calendar openings. His email is tyler@cres.org.  This information is helpful:
    a. the topic you would like Vern to address or role to play (ie, moderate an interfaith panel on peace-making)
    b. the number and nature of your group (ie, young adults, business roundtable, clergy, TV taping, etc)
    c. the date, time, and place and contact phones and email information
    d. room and facility set-up (fixed or flexible seating, microphones, etc)

2. Tyler will prepare an Agreement for you outlining the plans.

3. For photos and biographical sketches of Vern, visit www.cres.org/vern.
    For how to design a world religions series, visit www.cres.org/ref/ref0011.htm.
    For speakers from various faiths, visit www.cres.org/oldifc/ref9910.htm.
    To access the Greater Kansas City Interfaith Council, visit www.kcinterfaith.org.

4. CRES fees are listed at www.cres.org/services.htm#fees.
 
 

For more information, please email us at staff@cres.org.
Click on the CRES tree to return to the CRES home page.