Christy & Aimee, May 15, Commitment Wedding, Seneca Creek Park, Gaithersburg MD, Lesbian Weddings, Domestic Partnership Celebrations, Gay Weddings, Commitment Ceremony, Commitment Ceremonies, Holy Union Celebration, Commitment Weddings, Civil Unions, Same Sex Ceremonies, Same Sex Weddings, Wedding Officiants, Wedding Ministers, Gay Friendly Ministers, Gay Marriages, Gay Rights to Marry, Freedom to Marry

 

202.253.3629

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    Rev. S.J. Burns

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitment Ceremonies

 

Taking a stand for love is the beginning of showing the world who you are and the power you have for making choices.  It is the building blocks of creation that joins two spirits together in this world.   Domestic Partnership Celebrations, Commitment Wedding, Lesbian Weddings, Gay Weddings, Commitment Ceremony, Commitment Ceremonies, Holy Union Celebration, Commitment Weddings, Civil Unions, Same Sex Ceremonies, Same Sex Weddings, Wedding Officiants, Wedding Ministers, Gay Friendly Ministers, Gay Marriages, Gay Rights to Marry, Freedom to Marry

My service as a wedding minister and wedding officiant, is to help you carve and shape your commitment ceremony into a reflection of your love.  I will work with you to create a uniquely special celebration that demonstrates who you are.

Even if you choose not to participate in the writing of your commitment ceremony, I will create one for you that's built from your inner feelings, uniqueness, beauty, and beliefs.  Either way, your ceremony will show a glimpse into your future.

 

Commitment Ceremonies:

 

Christian

Nondenominational

Non-Religious

Interfaith

Spiritual

Vow Renewal

 

Traveling to your wedding site is not a problem.  I will come to a home (in safe communities only), garden, park, mansion, banquet hall, country club, ballroom, hotel, restaurant, yacht, etc.

 

Letting me know where, when, and how to get there; puts me at the right place at the right time. 

 

 

Planning Suggestions

 

Planning a civil union or unity celebration is no different from planning a wedding or some other life changing event.  So relax and get ready to plan your special day. 

 

I have provided some friendly ceremony planning tips to take the mystery out of planning a commitment celebration.   So start planning your special event with these tips and suggestions.  

 

For a list of recommended venues, please visit the vendors page.  The vendors listed on that page are only suggestions to simplify your task.  Please feel free to select your own vendor.  

 


 

Changing Your Name

 

If changing your name is important to you, then you must file a petition with the Circuit Court in the county or city where you reside.  Links for the forms are provided below:

 

Maryland Form

Virginia Form

Washington DC Form

 

If you need more information, kindly contact the Circuit Court Clerk in your jurisdiction.

 

Maryland

Virginia

Washington DC

 

Until the law changes in Maryland and Virginia for same sex couples, you may want to register your domestic partnership in Washington DC.  This registration benefits DC residents and DC Government employees.  However, you do not have to be a DC resident in order to register your partnership. 

 

Domestic Partnership Registration Form

 


Maryland's New Domestic Partner Laws

On July 1, 2008, Maryland passed 2 laws to protect the rights of same sex couples.  These laws also apply to heterosexual couples in domestic partnerships. 

Law I

"This law extends 11 protections to domestic partners in the areas of health care, medical decisions and other related areas."

Law II

"This law adds "domestic partners" to the list of family members that a person can add and remove from a deed to residential property without paying recordation and transfer taxes."

 


 

The above information is from the website of Equality Maryland.  For more information kindly visit their page.   Since the laws for domestic partnerships are weak in MD and none in VA, learn how to create an affidavit to protect your partnership rights.  Go to Equality Maryland and learn how.

Gay and Lesbian Friendly, Commitment Wedding, Lesbian Weddings, Gay Weddings, Commitment Ceremony, Commitment Ceremonies, Holy Union Celebration, Civil Unions, Wedding Officiants, Wedding Ministers, Gay Friendly MinistersBack to top

 

Fees  Same Sex Celebrations

Commitment Ceremonies - Gay Weddings - Civil Unions - Lesbian Weddings

 

$385 to $625 (Within the Greater Washington DC  Area)

$385 to $795 (Outside the DC Metropolitan Area)

 Commitment Wedding, Lesbian Weddings, Gay Weddings, Commitment Ceremony, Commitment Ceremonies, Holy Union Celebration, Civil Unions, Wedding Officiants, Wedding Ministers, Gay Friendly Ministers

Upon booking your wedding with me, you will receive a free ceremony workbook with sample ceremonies, rituals, and lovely readings.  In addition, you will receive a personalized draft ceremony, and a pre-commitment questionnaire.  

 

The above fees are based on writing and revising the ceremony, traveling to and from the wedding site, rehearsal attendance, wedding party direction and coordination (if needed), my time corresponding with you, officiating the ceremony, advertising cost, website hosting, 5% cost of living increase, other logistics, and (if applicable) a holiday wedding fee ($60 is added to the base cost).

 

You may reserve your wedding date and time with a $100 nonrefundable cash deposit.  This payment can be made by mail with a check or money order.  I normally collect this fee at the conclusion of our first meeting (in person or over the phone).  The balance is due 60 days before the ceremony.

 

Commitment Wedding, Lesbian Weddings, Gay Weddings, Commitment Ceremony, Commitment Ceremonies, Holy Union Celebration, Civil Unions, Wedding Officiants, Wedding Ministers, Gay Friendly Ministers

 

Prewedding coaching is available, but not required.  For additional information, kindly click the coaching link. 

 

 

Reverend Starlene Joyner Burns

Lesbian Friendly Wedding Minister and Officiant

  Commitment Ceremonies, Civil Unions, or Holy Union Celebrations

Commitment Wedding, Lesbian Weddings, Gay Weddings, Commitment Ceremony, Commitment Ceremonies, Holy Union Celebration, Civil Unions, Wedding Officiants, Wedding Ministers, Gay Friendly Ministers

 

Please call between

 

1o:00 am - 10:00 pm

 

to check my availability for your wedding.

 

202.253.3629

 

or complete the online form

 

 

 

 

©Rev. Starlene Joyner Burns, Domestic Partnership Celebrations, Commitment Wedding, Lesbian Weddings, Gay Weddings, Commitment Ceremony, Commitment Ceremonies, Holy Union Celebration, Commitment Weddings, Civil Unions, Same Sex Ceremonies, Same Sex Weddings, Wedding Officiants, Wedding Ministers, Gay Friendly Ministers, Gay Marriages, Gay Rights to Marry, Freedom to MarryI am, Reverend Starlene Joyner Burns, a Nondenominational - Interfaith wedding minister, wedding celebrant, wedding officiant, and the founder and director of SJB Ministries LLC and God's Center for Divine Healing.  The center is dedicated to providing distant healing to those outside the Washington DC Metropolitan area.

 

After four consecutive years of ministerial study at the National Spiritual Science Center in Washington DC (and as part of my program), I became an ordained minister of Spiritual Science.  With more than six years of ministerial experience, I am prepared for the responsibilities of an interfaith - nondenominational wedding minister. 

 

I received further training in the administration of the holy sacraments,2009 Bride's Choice Awards presented by WeddingWire | Wedding Cakes, Wedding Venues, Wedding Photographers & More under the direction of a well known master administrator of the rites of passage.   Moreover; I am compassionate, ethical, and  professional, and I will work hard with you to ensure that your commitment ceremony is memorable.  

 

 

 

Commitment Wedding, Lesbian Weddings, Gay Weddings, Commitment Ceremony, Commitment Ceremonies, Holy Union Celebration, Civil Unions, Wedding Officiants, Wedding Ministers, Gay Friendly Ministers

 

The territory in which I will be offering my services are:  parts of Southern Maryland that includes;  Prince Georges County, Calvert County, St. Mary's County, and Charles County.  

 

In addition, I will extend my outreach to; Montgomery County, MD; Howard County, MD; Anne Arundel County, MD; Frederick County, MD; Carroll County, MD; Baltimore County, MD; Baltimore City, MD; Arlington County, VA, Fairfax County, VA; and Washington, DC.

 

If you would like to read my 5 star reviews, click the link. 

 


 

 

Meeting (Initial Consultation)

 

Once we have agreed on a meeting date and time; kindly confirm it with me the day before or the morning (after 10:00 am) of our meeting.  This way I will know that you are sincere about your wedding plans and meeting with me.  If I do not hear from you, I will assume that you are no longer interested in my services.

 

All meetings are held in my home in Bowie, MD.  Kindly do not bring kids to this meeting.  Children can be very distracting for this type of business discussion.  Try to consider this a sacred time for you and your fiancé. 

 

If you have no choice but to bring your children, the meeting will be held at Panera Bread in the Vista Gardens Marketplace:  10531 Martin Luther King Jr. Highway, Bowie, MD  20720.  The shopping center is adjacent to my community.

 

If you would like to reserve my services at the end of our meeting, you will need and a $100 cash deposit.  Checks and money orders are also accepted. 

 

 

 

Click here for directions to my home office.

 

 

 

 

Gay and Lesbian Friendly, Commitment Wedding, Lesbian Weddings, Gay Weddings, Commitment Ceremony, Commitment Ceremonies, Holy Union Celebration, Civil Unions, Wedding Officiants, Wedding Ministers, Gay Friendly MinistersBack to top

 

 

 

 

©Rev. Starlene Joyner Burns, Domestic Partnership Celebrations, Commitment Wedding, Lesbian Weddings, Gay Weddings, Commitment Ceremony, Commitment Ceremonies, Holy Union Celebration, Commitment Weddings, Civil Unions, Same Sex Ceremonies, Same Sex Weddings, Wedding Officiants, Wedding Ministers, Gay Friendly Ministers, Gay Marriages, Gay Rights to Marry, Freedom to MarrySometimes I am asked, "Why do you do this" (perform commitment weddings)?

 

During my ministerial freshman year, my class composition was 60 percent homosexual and 40 percent heterosexual.  My gay and lesbian classmates shared their stories of pain, frustration, and the psychological impact of being mistreated (for expressing their God given free-will) by those they loved and respected.  These people included and are not limited to their family, friends, church leaders, and others.  Their words echoed throughout my body, touching every fiber of me that stands strong against passive and aggressive acts used to control another.

 

My African American history has shown me the sadness of discrimination.  I believe in equality for all.  Therefore, I support same-sex partners to marry and have equal protection and rights under the laws of our nation and state.  

 

Civil marriage is a human right for those wanting to celebrate their love in building a life-time partnership of equality.  One day it will no longer be a desire, fight, or dream for gay and lesbian couples; but a reality.

 

Sincerely,

 Rev. Starlene Joyner Burns, Commitment Wedding, Lesbian Weddings, Gay Weddings, Commitment Ceremony, Commitment Ceremonies, Holy Union Celebration, Civil Unions, Wedding Officiants, Wedding Ministers, Gay Friendly Ministers

Gay and Lesbian Friendly Wedding Minister and Officiant

 

 

Firefly

 

 

From the struggle of darkness,

 

comes the birth of a beautiful light. 

 

That light is the light of the soul

 

illuminating the path of determination. 

 

 

It's your light of righteousness, to be who you are. 

 

 

When mankind holds himself hostage

 

to hate, judgment, and discrimination;

 

he loses the battle of love and being godly. 

 

Therefore, he plunges himself into the depths of darkness,

 

shackled by his own ignorance. 

 

 

Those who discriminate, do not know God. 

 

Those who hate, do not know love. 

 

Those who seek to hurt others

 

by their actions, words, and deeds; do not know truth. 

 

 

For God is love, truth, and harmlessness. 

 

 

An inspired writing by

 

Rev. Starlene Joyner Burns, Commitment Wedding, Lesbian Weddings, Gay Weddings, Commitment Ceremony, Commitment Ceremonies, Holy Union Celebration, Civil Unions, Wedding Officiants, Wedding Ministers, Gay Friendly Ministers

 

(Written after I officiated the commitment ceremony of Ione and Nicole on February 24, 2007.)

 

 

 

Gay and Lesbian Friendly, Commitment Wedding, Lesbian Weddings, Gay Weddings, Commitment Ceremony, Commitment Ceremonies, Holy Union Celebration, Civil Unions, Wedding Officiants, Wedding Ministers, Gay Friendly MinistersBack to top

 

©Rev. Starlene Joyner Burns, Domestic Partnership Celebrations, Commitment Wedding, Lesbian Weddings, Gay Weddings, Commitment Ceremony, Commitment Ceremonies, Holy Union Celebration, Commitment Weddings, Civil Unions, Same Sex Ceremonies, Same Sex Weddings, Wedding Officiants, Wedding Ministers, Gay Friendly Ministers, Gay Marriages, Gay Rights to Marry, Freedom to Marry

 

Gay and Lesbian Weddings

SJB Ministries LLC 

 Reverend Starlene Joyner Burns 

MD Wedding Minister and MD Wedding Officiant 

4722 Morning Glory Trail

Bowie, MD 20720

202.253.3629

revsjb@comcast.net

 

Serving MD, Northern VA, and Washington DC

 

SJB Ministries, LLC

Album   Baby Blessings   Coaching   Classes   Love Knot   Minister's Cost   Planning Tips   Products   Raves   Vendors

 

 

 

Same gender marriages are not legal in Maryland, Washington DC, or Virginia. 

So many couples are celebrating their love through a jumping of the broom rituals such ask;

commitment ceremonies, unity weddings, or declaration of love celebrations. 

However, DC has domestic partnerships.

©Rev. Starlene Joyner Burns, Domestic Partnership Celebrations, Commitment Wedding, Lesbian Weddings, Gay Weddings, Commitment Ceremony, Commitment Ceremonies, Holy Union Celebration, Commitment Weddings, Civil Unions, Same Sex Ceremonies, Same Sex Weddings, Wedding Officiants, Wedding Ministers, Gay Friendly Ministers, Gay Marriages, Gay Rights to Marry, Freedom to Marry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reverend Starlene Joyner Burns supports Nondenominational

Wedding Officiants and Wedding Ministers across the nation who perform

same sex weddings or domestic partnership ceremonies.

 

SJB Ministries LLC is offering Gay Weddings,

Commitment Weddings, & Same Sex Ceremonies

 service to a diverse spiritual community

 

Serving Maryland, Washington, DC and Northern Virginia

Gay and Lesbian Friendly Wedding Minister and Officiant

 

 

Baltimore Weddings

Black Weddings

Civil Weddings

 Nondenominational Weddings

Virginia Weddings

Washington DC Weddings

Waterfront Weddings

 

Commitment Wedding, Lesbian Weddings, Gay Weddings, Commitment Ceremony, Commitment Ceremonies, Holy Union Celebration, Civil Unions, Wedding Officiants, Wedding Ministers, Gay Friendly Ministers

 

Planning Resources

 

GayRites NETwork

 

GayWeddings.com

 

Purple Unions

 

 

 

©All Rights Reserved

SJB Ministries LLC 2008

 

Revised September 28, 2008

 

 

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There are many terms to describe the sacred union of same sex couples who want the right and

 freedom to marry:  Lesbian Weddings, Gay Marriages, Gay Weddings,  Commitment Ceremonies,

Civil Unions, Holy Unions,  Same Sex Weddings, and Domestic Partnership Ceremonies

 

I am a Maryland Lesbian Friendly Wedding Minister, MD Gay Friendly Officiant,

Washington DC Lesbian Friendly Officiant, and Virginia Lesbian Friendly Minister.

And I have performed more Lesbian Weddings than Gay Weddings,

but I am available to serve

All Faiths & All People

in Maryland, Northern Virginia, & Washington DC