Chandler church to honor long-time couples Feb. 16
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

The First United Methodist Church of Chandler will host its Golden Pairs Celebration Saturday, February 16, in honor of married couples who have been together 50 years or more. The celebration will last from 2 pm to 4 pm.

Sue Starnes, a church member, said there will be at least 20 couples honored at the ceremony.

"Everyone in the church is invited to attend," Starnes said. "There will be no cost; it is a free event."

The honors for the couples will be presented at 3 pm, Starnes also said.

Ken Reid, director of music and education ministries at +

the church and founder of the Golden Pairs Celebration, said this is the fifth year the church has hosted the event, started in 2003.

"The idea was to honor couples we need to lift up because there are some couples who struggle to make a year together," Reid said. "It's to tell those couples `Sometimes it does take work, but you can do it, too.'"

Reid also said the celebration is a way for the whole church to recognize the commitment shared by the married couples.

The celebration averages about 25 couples a year, Reid said, though this year the group may rest at 20 couples due to the possibility of cancellations.

This year the presentation will contain segments on how the couples met, music from the time periods the couples dated in and cake and punch for all present.

"The program changes from year to year," Reid said. "We've had dinners, lunches, and last year was a Mardi Gras-style event."

Reid started the first Golden Pairs Celebration in February of 2003.

Starnes said the couples will be presented with a flower and pictures from the couples' past.

"I think it's pretty delightful the couples can all celebrate together," Starnes said.

The celebration is one day before the church's Love, Laughs and Lasagna event, another post-Valentine's Day love-themed gathering.