Interfaith Minister in North Carolina

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.