“THE REV. MRS."

King Country Chronicle, Volume XVII, Issue 1713, 17 August 1922, Page 3

“THE REV. MRS."

MARRIAGE SERVICE 13Y WOMAN. THE WORD “OBEY” DELETED. What is said to be the first wedding ceremony to be performed by a woman in the Old Country lias taken place at Greville-plaee Congregational Chapel, Greville-place, Mai da. Yale, \\. The officiating minister was the Rev. Constance Mary Coltman, and the bride and bridegroom were Miss Ethel Minnie Parker and Mr Arthur H. H. Draper, of St. John’s Wood, NAY.

A special older of service was employed and various changes were made to give expression to modern ideals of Christian marriage. For example, the word “obey” was omitted by the bride, and the biide and bridegroom gave each other a ring, each repeating the worlds: “As this ring now encircles thy linger, so let my love surround thee all the days of thy life.” JOINT PASTORS. The Rev. Constance Mary Coltman is joint pastor with her husband, the Rev. Claud Coltman ,of Greville-place Congregational Church. Air and Airs Coltman were fellow-students together at Mansfield Colleek, Oxford. They were married, the day 7 after the girl minister was ordained, and became assistant ministers together in the East End, where they carried on together the Derby-sfcreet Mission for the King's Weigh House Church. Airs Coltman was in great 'demand tor the christening of babies. Airs Coltman had taken her Baehelor of Divinity degree at London Luiversity before she entered Mansfield College, and had also gained an ALA., degree. “ALL- WDA lAN SLRY l CE.'' “Before marrying, l lie couple 1 wrote to the Congregational Lnion, xa ii 1 Mrs Coltman to- a Daily Alai! reporter. “The reply ftvns that- as there are women registrars. .1 was entitled to perform the ceremony* It was an ‘allwoman’ service-—a wotnam minister, a woman organist, and u clreir of woni-

“Siprely the Sex Disqualification Act gives me the right to many people, as I am. an ordained minister. In any' case, the civil registrar was present.’’ An. eminent authority on these matters told a Daily A 1 aid reporter that lie believed the marriage to he in order.