Rites of passage are an important part of human life whether
we are members of a religious community, consider ourselves "spiritual but
not religious," or are completely secular. Our loved ones gather with us to
celebrate our greatest happiness or alleviate our deepest pain. Our joys are
multiplied and our sorrows divided in a communal context in which ritual,
whether religious or secular, is involved. This site is primarily devoted to
weddings, but it is my pleasure and an honor to assist you with commitment
and vow renewal ceremonies,
child dedications and baptisms, or memorial
services and funerals - any ritual for which you feel a professional
celebrant would be most appropriate.
If you see a
Red thumbtack with the words "Contract Pending" on the calendar, the date
and time may still be available. If you see such a conflict, I will
be happy to contact the couple to see if they intend to confirm
their booking.
I am
one of the ministers at the Unitarian
Universalist Church of Brevard in West Melbourne. I deliver the
sermon at our worship service on the second Sunday of each month. I facilitate
several adult
religious education programs each year with focus on the theologies of Unitarian
Universalism and comparative world religion. I conduct orientation classes
introducing interested individuals to Unitarian Universalism and our
congregation in particular. In addition to preaching at UUCB on
the second Sunday, I also travel throughout Central Florida to other Unitarian
Universalist congregations.
I do not have immediate plans to assume full-time parish ministry as my highest priority is my family. My husband,
Jamie and I, have
three young boys and home educate our sons. I am essentially an itinerate minister
throughout Central Florida as the demands on my time permit.
Non-denominational ministry serving the ritual
needs of the religious, "spiritual but not religious," and purely secular is my calling and an honor to provide aside from my part-time parish
duties at the UU Church of Brevard. I have experience performing
child naming and dedication ceremonies, memorial
services, other rites of passage. I am a Certified Marriage Educator with
the National Marriage Centers and offer
marriage preparation classes as
part of my independent wedding ministry.
I perform
independent weddings aside from my part-time parish duties simply because it is
such a joy and an honor to be a part of one of the happiest days in a couple's
lives. I have a quirky sense of humor. I always worry it will get me in trouble
but it never seems to turn out that way. I am forever amazed when people refer
to me as a person who "has it all together" and is so diplomatic she
can "get the devil to do her bidding." But I guess in the end it's
true and sometimes it seems like I can. Never fear, I keep the humor in check during the service unless instructed
otherwise.
At weddings I have performed miracles with a can of hairspray and a bobby
pin. It certainly never hurts to have an officiant who is handy with a
screwdriver and knows how to stroke a surly aunt, just not with the screwdriver.
Villa Fans who find themselves in Central Florida are more
than welcome to contact me and we'll get together for a pint.
What's not to love about a football club associated with an
organization offering a network of care to life-limited children and support
for their families across the heart of England instead of for-profit
corporations?
Although
it startles many people to stumble upon a rabid female soccer fan on this
side of the pond, I am a dedicated Aston Villa Football Club supporter. (England's Premier
League) I'll spare you the reasons why.
Never in my wildest dreams did I
imagine my first proper football match in England would be in a corporate
box at Villa Park. Despite a disappointing loss to QPR and first round cut
in the Carling Cup, I did experience an amazing stroke of luck in sharing a taxi that evening with Mr. Alan Perrins of AVFC. He invited
me to visit the Park two days later and it was quite an amazing experience.
Yes, that is me in the changing room right in front of the team captain's
kit all prepared for the next day's match against Sunderland. A 2-1 win for
Villa I might add.
Denominational Affiliation
Unitarian Universalism grants the authority to confer
ordination wholly with the local church, but the advisory association reserves
the right to admit ministers into denominational fellowship. Although
legally ordained a member of the clergy by the Unitarian Universalist Church of
Brevard, the decision of UUCB's members does not presume or convey ministerial fellowship with the
Ministerial Fellowship Committee of the UUA,
thus my designation as a non-denominational member of the clergy. Therefore, I
am a minister who is a Unitarian Universalist serving a Unitarian Universalist
congregation, but not a "Unitarian Universalist
minister."
Personal
Pledge
I
vow to respect the inherent worth and dignity of all people
regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, creed, age, sexual orientation,
etc.
I
vow to refrain from inserting my personal beliefs into your ceremony.
I
will provide personal and/or professional references upon request.
I
warrant information provided by me is true and correct to the best of my
knowledge.