I, Pastor Kent A. Bolin, started Sycamore Ministries when my brother wanted me to officiate his wedding in June of 2002. I received my Pastoral ordination on March 27, 2002. Sycamore Ministries was provided a charter through World Christianship Ministries of Fresno, CA on 8th day of May in the year of our Lord 2002. Charter #08554.

I, Pastor Kent A. Bolin, love the Lord our God and Christ Jesus and I believe that God has given me the opportunity to help couples who have little or no money for their weddings. I work hard to help any couple who are struggling with finances and cannot pay the high prices for the many Ministers who are unwilling to help out couples.
 

Your wedding is a sacred occasion and a service of Christian worship. For these reasons, the following statements will govern your plans for your wedding with this Ministry. The Pastor or Associate Pastor(s) will guide and assist you in making your wedding a truly high and holy occasion in your lives.
Marriage by Sycamore Ministries is considered “an institution of God, regulated by his commandments, blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ, to be held in honor among all people.” The marriage ceremony is performed only in the context of divine worship in this ministry. Your wedding will mean more to you, your families, and friends when careful consideration is given to the sacred aspects of this holy occasion.
 

Careful planning is necessary for all weddings. The date of the wedding is set in consultation with the pastor. Upon your initial contact with the pastor, you will be given a Wedding and Rehearsal Package. Within this package there is a Wedding Application Form that must be filled out and returned to the ministry office before the dates are entered on the Ministry’s calendar. Please plan, in advance, for the use of the sanctuary or other facilities for weddings may be on a first-come, first-served basis. The minister will help you with your personal wishes concerning the wedding based on availability. A time for counseling should be arranged and the date for the wedding set as early in the wedding planning stage as possible.
 

Music selected for a wedding service is a very personal and significant part of the ceremony, and individual tastes vary. At the same time, it is important to keep in mind that a church wedding is a worship service, and the music should be in keeping with the reverence that is customarily observed in worship. You should make an appointment with the Minister immediately after applying for use of the church building. The Minister and the church organist will give assistance in the selection of appropriate music. When you wish to invite musicians other than those on the ministry staff, you should consult with the Minister regarding those you plan to invite and the selections of music to be included in this worship experience. If you are uncertain about appropriate selections, he can offer traditional and more contemporary favorites. The Pastor may also provide names of vocalists or musicians as needed. You will be responsible for the payment of musicians.
 

The Ministry suggests tasteful simplicity in decorations. Please do not use nails, thumbtacks, or glues that may attach decorations to seats, windows and sills, doors, railings, and other surfaces. Please use drip less candles in the candelabra, as wax is difficult to remove from the flooring. Be certain to make arrangements in advance if you will need access to the sanctuary to decorate prior to the day of the ceremony. Moving of furniture will be done only by the custodian. The piano may not be moved. You will be responsible for repairing any damage to the property. All decorations must be removed immediately after the wedding.
 

A Director is needed for the wedding. This ministry, however, does not have a wedding director on staff. Suggestions of qualified directors will be made by the Pastor at the time the Wedding Application Form is given to the bride.
 

Because the wedding is a sacred service of worship, flash photographs will not be taken during the processional, the ceremony, or the recessional. Video cassette recording done without high intensity lighting, however, is allowed. Non-flash pictures may be taken discreetly if they do not distract from the worship service. The presence of the photographer him/herself should also be as unobtrusive as possible during the ceremony.
 

Wedding Honorariums
The following Honorariums is suggested (honorariums may be based upon size of wedding service). Honorarium for Minister: (Responsibility of the groom.)
 Rehearsal $25.00
 Wedding $75.00

 No alcoholic beverages may be served on Ministry premises.
 No wedding or rehearsal will be conducted when any member of the wedding party is under the influence of alcoholic beverages.
 No rice, bird seed, or confetti may be thrown inside the sanctuary, foyer, fellowship hall, or anywhere in Ministry building.
 Designated rooms for the various members of the wedding party to dress will be provided.
 The dress of the wedding party shall be in good taste for a religious ceremony.
 Custodial fees should be paid when the Wedding Application Form is filed with the Ministry office.
 Fees shall be paid at least seven days prior to the wedding.
 A deposit of $25.00 is required when the Wedding Application Form has been returned to the Ministry office. (The deposit is nonrefundable after confirmation is given for the wedding date. This deposit may be deducted from the cost of the Honorarium for the Minister.)
 Weddings may not be scheduled for the following days:
 Sundays
 Friday or Saturday prior to Christmas
 Christmas Eve
 Christmas Day
 During Lent (40 days prior to Easter)
 Easter

The bride and groom are required to sign the Wedding Application Form, agreeing that they understand and will comply with the foregoing guidelines. Reservations for the ministry will be considered firm when the signed confirmation form and deposit are returned to the Ministry office.