Sonia and Douglas

Taylor

LEWISTON — The Rev. Douglas and Sonia Taylor of the urban youth outreach “The Jesus Party” recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.

The couple was married on July 15, 1989, at Saints Peter and Paul Basilica. On a shoestring budget, Doug (a dishwasher, 20 years old) and Sonia (a waitress, 18 years old)  got things started off on a simple note with a backyard reception and a honeymoon weekend at Old Orchard Beach.

The Taylor’s four children, Elizabeth, Danielle, Kaitlyn, and Japheth treated their parents to a trip down memory lane. The lovely day began with a knock on the door, greeted by a chauffeur and a ride to remember. The first stop was at the residence where Sonia was raised on Blake Street. Her parents were there waiting with a gift. The second stop was at Doug’s childhood home on College Street, with his mother there waiting with a greeting. Then the chauffeur took the couple to the different locations where each of their children were born at each residence and that child greeted them with a kiss and fond memories. The Taylor’s were driven to the corner of Birch and Bartlett Street, that is now a vacant lot that was the location of the birth of their inner-city ministry “The Jesus Party” back in 1995. The Taylor’s only son, Japheth who is serving his country as a U.S. Marine in Afghanistan, made a special call at this stop to wish his parents well on the festive occasion.

The drive came to an end at the Hilton Garden in Auburn, where the couple was surprised with a party made up of close friends and family. The Rev. Jack Harlow blessed the couple with a prayer and his wife, Barbara, joined in with special songs to offer the couple. The Taylor children also joined in song and live music for the occasion. The Taylor family singers were known as “The Glory Bound Singers” when they were young, serving in the family’s youth ministry. The couple addressed the gathering with stories of some of the struggles and hardships the couple encountered through the years. The conclusion was that a commitment has nothing to do with feelings or circumstances but everything to do with love.

The day ended with a video that Sonia produced that captured the spirit of the past 25 years together.

Copy the Story Link