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Methodist Minister, Reform Rabbi Co-Officiate At Clinton-Mezvinsky Wedding

By Howard M. Friedman

UPI reports on the Rhinebeck, New York wedding earlier this evening of Mark Mezvinsky and Chelsea Clinton, daughter of former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Speculation over the nature of the wedding ceremony that would join together interfaith couple ended as it was announced that Methodist minister William S. Shillady and Rabbi James Ponet co-officiated. Shillady is executive director of the United Methodist City Society. Ponet, a Reform rabbi, is Jewish chaplain at Yale University and heads Yale's Joseph Slifka Center for Jewish Life. The United Methodist Church leaves the question of mixed-faith ceremonies to local pastors and allows ministers to adapt the wedding ceremony to some extent. (See prior posting.) Reform rabbis may decide as a matter of individual conscience whether or not to officiate at interfaith marriages, though the Reform movement's rabbinical organization opposes participation in mixed marriage ceremonies. (FAQ from Union for Reform Judaism). UPI also reported that the wedding menu included vegan fare for Chelsea Clinton. Of course that would also satisfy concerns Jewish participants who observe Kosher dietary laws.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on August 01, 2010 (boomark / email).