Home > In The News > Kane County Chronicle 05/31/1995

Performing marriages on the move
By TERRY WARD

GENEVA - "Have wedding will travel," says the Rev. Jim Rehnberg when referring to his new profession as an itinerant minister. "Many engaged couples find it difficult to secure a minister who will perform their ceremony, either because of church policy or busy schedules, so the traditional doors are closed to them," the Geneva resident said.

That is why Rehnberg, 42, is so busy.His pastoral commitment began in the mid-'70s when he was a full-time pastor. He served for six years before entering the business world.

However, he yearned to serve people spiritually, so he performed the ceremony as a hobby.

"Weddings are a natural fit for me," he said.

He pursued Biblical studies at Wheaton College and received his masters of divinity at Bethel Seminary at St. Paul, Minn

His father, the Rev. Jim Rehnberg, Sr., started the tradition of marrying couples when he did so on television in New York City. He was pastor of a church in New Jersey at the time and was introduced by Ed McMahon.

And carrying on in the third generation is Rehnberg's son Chad, who at 18 plans to study youth ministry at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.

Daughter Charissa, 18, is looking forward to studying voice and leads the youth choir at church.

Rehnberg's first ceremony was at the Japanese garden at Fabyan Forest Preserve, and it rained.

"The couple were a divorced Methodist and a Spanish Roman Catholic who were neighbors. His first question was, `Are you legal?"' Rehnberg remembered.

Subsequent weddings have been performed on a boat in Lake Michigan with the backdrop of Chicago's skyline, featured a dog carrying the ring down the aisle and taken place in a hospital chapel. The groom was diagnosed as having a brain tumor and said, "I wanted the support of a wife before going into surgery"

Geneva resident Rev. Jim Rehnberg is an itinerant minster who brings the altar to those unable to enjoy traditional services.

He advertises in "Chicago Wedding", magazine and distributes fliers at hotels. He also uses the "`Wedding Guide," a free publication available in bridal shops, and his wife Margie visits bridal fairs and spreads the word. Rehnberg also is available for funerals and memorial services.

Not one to sit still for very long, Rehnberg has retained one aspect of his business life as a manufacturer's rep: he markets self-cleaning bathrooms that will be appearing at Amoco stations.

A key is put in the lock and something comes down on the sink, and presto, it's clean in 20 minutes. - something a housewife would kill for.

Rehnberg Aso is taking a mediation seminar at Aurora University in preparation for that career.

"The courts are too full," he said, adding, the mediation process helps two parties develop a mutually agreed upon course of action to solve problems between them.