PATHS OF BLESSING
Interfaith Ministry
Ceremonies that suit you!
Interfaith Ministers are trained to counsel and serve people from all backgrounds and traditions. The approach is non-denominational and allows for diverse patterns of belief and outlook.
Whilst there are obvious differences between faiths, we honour the timeless understanding that there is essentially one truth and a fundamental human unity.
"There are many paths to the One!"
We are not a replacement for but an addition to traditional ministers and teachers.
The following Services and Celebrations are available:
Naming Ceremonies ( also known as Baby Blessings )
Wedding Ceremonies and Vow Renewals
Funeral and Memorial Services
Other Ceremonies ( Healing, House Blessings, etc. )
The Service or Ceremony is designed WITH YOU to create a unique occasion that truly reflects your heartfelt needs - enriched with readings, music, poems, prayers, meditations and/or anything else that is suitable and meaningful to YOU. Family members and friends can be invited to make their special contributions.
NAMING CEREMONIES ( also known as Baby Blessings )
To welcome the entrance of the soul into this world.
To bless the new-born child, with his or her unique qualities and gifts,
and give thanks for the miracle of life.
To support the parents with their vision of raising their child to realise
his or her highest good.
To support grandparents, godparents and others who have special roles to
play in the life of the child.
Ceremonies can also be held for older children or to welcome an adopted child into its new family.
To provide an alternative to civil weddings devoid of any spiritual content.
To enable couples to write their own marriage vows as a true expression
of the love each one feels for the other.
To bless the couple within the context of the spiritual meaning of life,
free from the restrictions of any one faith tradition.
To enable family and friends, sharing in the joy of the occasion, to express
their loving support of the sacred shared life the couple are consciously
entering.
Services may also be created for couples who wish to renew their vows.
To remember and celebrate the life of the person who has “died”,
honouring his or her contribution to the community, and blessing the transition
of the soul into the next world.
To enable family and friends to express their grief and be helped through
the period of mourning.
To allow for their need to reflect upon the person’s values, virtues,
strengths and talents and what he or she meant to them.
Green Funerals can also be arranged, involving a simple coffin which is placed in an unmarked grave where a tree can later be planted. Funeral directors are usually happy to support any such particular requirements and sites for this approach are becoming increasingly available.
Other ceremonies are available that are not included above. Healing
Services for individuals or groups can easily be arranged. People who have moved
into a new home often like a simple House Blessing to be performed. Coming
of Age Ceremonies can replace conventional services such as the Christian
Confirmation or Jewish Bar-Mitzvah.
You are welcome to enquire about these or any others not listed.
Where to go from here? ...your first step would be to contact Martin .............