Life Cycles

WEDDING CEREMONIES

Let me assist you in creating the perfect wedding ceremony for your special day. I have twenty years experience working with bridal couples. I know how important your wedding is. There are so many decisions to, make and so many derails to remember. The ceremony which is the most significant part of your wedding day should receive as much attention as the rest of the day's plans. I can help you create a ceremony that will be both memorable and unique.

The most important first step is to contact me to secure the date. Please feel free to make your inquiry by phone or email . After I have checked my availability and we have agreed on the date and time, I will want meet with both the bride and the groom. It is important that we get to know each other and feel comfortable together. I meet

couples either in my home in Farmington, Michigan, or at my office in Lyon Township, Michigan. I can meet couples on a day and time of their convenience at the location which best meets their needs.

The meeting is usually an hour in duration. I have a brief questionnaire that I cover during our time together. The questionnaire gives me information regarding the size of your wedding, number attendants and any special needs the bridal couple may have. Our meeting also gives us the opportunity to get to know one all other, which I think is very important. Bridal couples need to feel completely comfortable with their choice of an officiant.

Also during the meeting, I introduce the Wedding Book, which gives the couple the opportunity to create their own special wedding ceremony. This book covers all aspects of the ceremony, including a choice of various greetings, readings, vows, and blessings. Because I officiate wedding ceremonies for couples from many different religious backgrounds, or no religious background, the language in the Wedding book is "religiously neutral.'' This allows flexibility for the couples to create a ceremony that best meets their needs. Most couples say that they desire a ''spiritual" ceremony, not religious. The Wedding Book will definitely satisfy that requirement.

During my twenty years as a minister and wedding officiant, I have performed ceremonies for people from Jewish, Christian, Roman Catholic, Muslim and Buddhist backgrounds - all have said the Wedding Book was excellent and completely met their needs. The Wedding Book also includes suggestions for "special ceremonies'' like a Unity Candle Ceremony or the Wine Ceremony. Couples are always encouraged to write their own vows, if they wish, and include anything that is meaningful and significant them,

The ceremony selections are required one week prior to the wedding. 'This allows me ample time to review your choices and prepare the ceremony by your wedding day.

My fee is $250 and is also required the week before the wedding. I do not require a deposit at the time the couple books my services. It is my policy to arrive one hour before the scheduled time for the wedding ceremony. I do not do rehearsals but will offer suggestions and assist in any way I can prior to the rehearsal. Many couples wish to know "what do you wear?'' Well I do not wear ''clergy robes." Depending on the ''formality" of your wedding, I will select either a black suit or a black dress. Black allows me to blend in with the groomsmen and not "clash'' with the color theme of the bridal party.

I sincerely hope you will contact me if you have any questions. I would love to hear from you, and I would love to be a part of your most special day.

CEREMONIES OF COMMITMENT

In addition to wedding ceremonies, I have performed dozens of Ceremonies of Commitment. I believe that committed couples, regardless of sexual orientation, deserve to have the same rights and privileges afforded to heterosexual couples. Therefore, while I recognize that Michigan does not grant a legal document for homosexual and lesbian unions, I believe in assisting committed couples in providing them with a special ceremony of union.

The process for assisting couples in a Ceremony of Commitment is the same as for marriage ceremonies. The couple will need to secure the date with me and then we will need to have a meeting to get to know one another. Following the ceremony, I present the couple with a document that states that they have participated in a Ceremony of Holy Union. While not a legal document, it does represent the couple's sincerity and willingness to commit to one another in a monogamous relationship.

For further information, please contact me by phone or email. I welcome your questions.

WELCOMING CEREMONIES

While I do not officiate at traditional 'baptism'' ceremonies for newborns, I welcome the opportunity to create a special "Welcome to the World" ceremony for your child. A
Welcoming Ceremony or Baby Naming is an important life cycle tradition that dates back thousands of years. This special ceremony should acknowledge that a new life has come into the world and the importance of this new life to the child's family and community.

I will work with the baby's family to create a special ceremony that can be held in your home or a religious community of your choice. For further information, please feel free to contact me by phone or email.

MEMORIALS & FUNERAL SERVICES

In the course of twenty years in ministry, I have officiated at many, many funeral and memorial services. I believe that it is very important that we celebrate the life of our dearly departed loved ones. I will work with the deceased's family and/or friends to create a unique service that best meets your needs.

These services can be conducted in a funeral home, religious community of your choice, or any other location that meets your needs. I can assist in all aspects of making funeral or memorial services. Allow me to help you during this difficult time.