Rites of Passage
|
Weddings
A wedding is an opportunity for couples to express their love and commitment to one another with the support and blessings of their family, friends, and community. As a Minister, I see my role as a facilitator: to support couples in expressing what they value most in their relationship, to help create a flow to the service and rituals that embody the unique relationship between the partners, and to lead a meaningful and joy-filled rite of passage. I work with couples in premarital counseling, wedding ceremony planning, crafting vows, leading the wedding rehearsal, coordinating with musicians, and providing support to the couple and their family on the day of the ceremony. Below is an example of a wedding ceremony. Processional: how the wedding party will enter, often with music Welcome: welcome to the ceremony and a message about what marriage means to the couple Remembrances: honoring those who cannot be with us, but are there in spirit Reading: a meaningful reading chosen by the couple Ritual: Warming the rings, lighting of unity candle, hand-fasting, or a ritual that invites the gathered community to participate in blessing the couple Vows: expression of commitments by the couple Exchange of Rings: exchange of the physical rings, an outward sign of the couple's internal commitment Pronouncement: announcing the couple is now married! Blessing: a closing wish for the couple as they step over the threshold married |
“Thank you so much for making our wedding more incredible than we could have dreamed! We heard from many of our guests that it was the best wedding they've been to. Your talent, organization, communication, creativity, spirit, teamwork, and artistry made it all happen.” -Annie & Dan
“We are tremendously grateful to Kristen for crafting and leading a beautiful and very personalized wedding ceremony for us. Kristen listened intently to us and asked just the right questions to help us identify what would be most meaningful for us and for our guests. She wove our ideas and our backgrounds into a cohesive ceremony, which she led with grace and with a joyful spirit. We couldn't have imagined a more unique and perfect wedding.” -Andrea & Gene
|
Memorials and Celebrations of Life
I lead rituals to help family, friends and the community grieve the loss of their beloved dead and celebrate their unique gifts and life journey. This may include extinguishing the chalice during worship, leading ritual at the bedside or in the hospital, facilitating a memorial or celebration of life, and providing grief counseling for families. This is the sacred work of marking life's most significant transitions.
Below is an example of a Celebration of Life:
Prelude: instrumental music to set the tone and invite people into the space
Opening Words: welcome the community and name that we are here to remember, honor, grieve and celebrate the person who has died
Chalice Lighting: family or community members light the chalice, symbol of our UU faith
Reading: meaningful words selected by the family or friends
Meditation: a time of stillness to honor and prepare our hearts to hear the eulogy
Eulogy: the story of the person's life, shared by the Minister or a member of the family
Special Music: a favorite piece of music usually selected by the family
Remembrances: an opportunity for family, friends, and the community to share stories and memories
Memory Slideshow: photo slideshow set to music
Closing Words & Chalice Extinguishing: closing reading and a blessing as the ritual comes to a close
Postlude: instrumental music to end the service
I lead rituals to help family, friends and the community grieve the loss of their beloved dead and celebrate their unique gifts and life journey. This may include extinguishing the chalice during worship, leading ritual at the bedside or in the hospital, facilitating a memorial or celebration of life, and providing grief counseling for families. This is the sacred work of marking life's most significant transitions.
Below is an example of a Celebration of Life:
Prelude: instrumental music to set the tone and invite people into the space
Opening Words: welcome the community and name that we are here to remember, honor, grieve and celebrate the person who has died
Chalice Lighting: family or community members light the chalice, symbol of our UU faith
Reading: meaningful words selected by the family or friends
Meditation: a time of stillness to honor and prepare our hearts to hear the eulogy
Eulogy: the story of the person's life, shared by the Minister or a member of the family
Special Music: a favorite piece of music usually selected by the family
Remembrances: an opportunity for family, friends, and the community to share stories and memories
Memory Slideshow: photo slideshow set to music
Closing Words & Chalice Extinguishing: closing reading and a blessing as the ritual comes to a close
Postlude: instrumental music to end the service