All authentic spiritual traditions, at their core,
are committed to the common values of peace, tolerance, wisdom, and love for
all creation. Whatever our diversity, including those that are humanist and have no basis whatsoever in
religion, we all share a common
experience that is universal.
As an Interfaith minister (sometime referred to as non-denominational),
I have an understanding of the world’s major wisdom traditions, practices,
and rituals. I serve others in informal encounters, as well as in formal ways, including my
passion, as an officiant of life celebrations.
This past weekend I had the honor of co-officiating a Jewish Christian ceremony at the
Peninsula Yacht Club at Lake Norman. Religious backgrounds were equally important so Emily and Jonathan wanted their ceremony to reflect both traditions
The ceremony contained all the elements of a Jewish wedding. Rabbi Ettin chanted the Hebrew blessings (I read the English translations.) The Ketubah was signed, the celebratory glass was broken at the end of the ceremony. However, it was much more. Bridesmaids, Anna and Katherine, shared readings during the ceremony, including a passage from Paul's letter to the Corinthians. Wedding vows were exchanged, which is not normally included in a Jewish wedding.
For me, the most touching part was when the mothers offered their blessing as part of a handfasting. After I tied the ribbon, the mothers read:
Blessing of the Hands
These are the hands of your best
friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on
your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and
forever.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you
build your future. These are the hands that will passionately love you and
cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you
like no other.
These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills
your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from
your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will
tenderly hold your children.
These are the hands that will help you to hold
your family as one.
These are the hands that will give you strength when you
need it. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will
still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with
just a touch.
What a wonderful way to start a marriage. And hopefully, after their exotic honeymoon I will have photos to post.
