Monday, November 11, 2013

29 Couples Tie Knot in CCSC Group Wedding



Obedience to the Lord’s leading was seen in the lives of  29 couples who pledged lifelong commitment to each other and to God at a group wedding organized by the Covenant Community Service Cooperative (CCSC).  

“We praise God for their decision to get married,” said Froi Parado, CCSC general manager.  “This is an indication of the spiritual growth of the couples, of a desire to live in accordance with God’s plan.” Twenty-eight of the couples had been in a live-in relationship.

Of the 58 individuals who got married, more than half are employees of factories where CCSC has ministry.  Two of the couples are from the Doxo factory in Manila, 10 are from a garments factory in Dasmarinas, Cavite, and 17 are from another garments factory in Carmona, Cavite.  All couples underwent marriage counselling with CCSC pastors Fortunato Bayucan, Jesse Malibiran, and Dr. Alfredo Crespo before the ceremony.

Cherie Carimpong, who works at the factory in Cavite said, "We were hesitant at first, but our kids overheard our discussion about finally getting married, and they motivated us to pursue the plan."  

CCSC is a member of the Center for Community Transformation Group of Ministries. It ministers to informal service workers and factory workers through spiritual development, job generation,  social services, micro finance loans, and savings mobilization. 

Newlyweds Menardo and Dolores Alison said,  "Kami po ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sapagkat nabigyan po ng katuparan ang matagal  po naming hinahangad sa buhay. Dahil po sa abala sa trabaho at kakulangang financial hindi po ito matutupad kung hindi sa tulong ng lahat ng tao na tumulong na mabuo ang group wedding. God bless po! Satisfied at masaya po kami sa nangyaring kasalan. Nawa'y marami pa pong couple ang mabigyan po ng ganitong kasalan. Thank you po!"


This is the second group wedding organized by CCSC.  The first one, held in November 2011, was done in partnership with the Kaibigan Ministry of CCT which ministers to street dwellers. Read story here: cctkaibigan.blogspot.com/2011/12/21-kaibigan-couples-tie-knot.html
The wedding was held at the Tagaytay Retreat and Training Center on November 9, 2013.





































                                                                         Reporting: Elmer Valencia, Photos: Art Trinidad