Request for underage bride-to-be consuming ceremonial wine denied

By Richard Zowie
INDEX Contributor
DAVISON — A couple wanting a temporary exemption to drinking laws prohibiting anyone under 21 from consuming alcohol came up dry in their request.

The Davison City Council voted unanimously June 23 to deny Rev. Kennedy M. Shelby’s request. Shelby is an ordained minister in the Universal Life Church and is the owner of the Temple of the Akhkharu.

The 21-year-old reverend, scheduled to be married October 20 to 20-year-old Brandie Leah Deitz, explained to the council in his petition that in the wedding ceremony, he and his bride-to-be would each consume “...a small amount of blessed ceremonial wine”.

In the Akhkharu faith, the bride and groom consuming a small amount of ceremonial wine is part of the wedding vows. However, Deitz will not be of the legal drinking age at the time of the ceremony.
The autumn wedding will be held between 8-9:30 p.m. and will be officiated by Alicia Sisco at Abernathy Park.

Shelby told the council that Deitz should be granted a temporary exemption since drinking of the wine for matrimonial purposes falls under the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment clause allowing for freedom of religion.

“Sometimes laws can be waived under religious freedom, right?” he asked the city council. “That’s what I was taught in school.”

The Reverend said that without the consumption of the ceremonial wine, he and his bride will not be able to get married and that they don’t want to postpone the wedding.

While the council seemed sympathetic to Shelby and his fiancée’s religious practices, they wondered if legally they have the authority to grant an exemption to the drinking law.

“Is the drinking age a state law? Can we overrule that?” asked Mayor Pro Tem Keith Flewelling.
Councilmember Ronald Emery conceded that while alcoholic wine is often used at communion services, he was reluctant to grant the couple’s request. “We could open ourselves to repercussions,” he said. “Regardless of the circumstances, I can’t condone serving alcohol to a minor.”

The council encouraged Shelby to present “relevant data” to further support his religious freedom arguments at a future city council meeting.