Freethinker Ceremonies

Secular and non-denominational weddings, handfastings, commitment ceremonies, and other rites of passage. Each ceremony will be unique, and tailored to what you want for your particular rite of passage.

Secular and non-denominational weddings, handfastings, commitment ceremonies, and other rites of passage.


Each ceremony will be unique, and tailored to what you want for your particular rite of passage.

Weddings

A wedding ceremony is both a public and a private event. In your ceremony you bring together your family and friends to witness your choice of each other as partners. At the same time, the two of you are jointly experiencing one of the most important events of your lives. My goal is to help you create a private space that will nurture your love for each other and help you begin your married life with strong and beautiful memories.

I believe that the greatest thing in life is to find someone to love, and to be loved by. I am happy to perform commitment ceremonies for gay, lesbian or transgender couples.

Handfasting

Handfasting is an ancient Celtic tradition in which the bride and groom's hands are bound together with a cord or piece of cloth. This practice gave way to the expression "tying the knot" which has come to mean getting married or engaged. For persons with Scottish heritage, a family tartan is often used. In Pagan traditions it may mean a non-state registered wedding or one in which a marriage license is filed. For some it is a year and a day, renewable "so long as love shall last" and for others a commitment to be together through many lives.

Naming or dedication ceremonies

Families who are either non-religious or religious but interested in including friends and relatives from multi-cultural backgrounds in a non-religious ceremony can hold a Naming Ceremony. This is an increasingly popular event where parents can publicly welcome their child and their hopes and intentions for the child. Compared to a Baptism or Christening, a naming ceremony is more festive and can be held on any day of the week, at any time. The child is usually a toddler.

Funerals and Memorials

The death of a family member or friend can be a shattering experience. While time will ease the sorrow, the immediate feelings of shock and loss are real, and need to be dealt with. A funeral is a ceremony for family and friends to express their emotions, and give and receive support to and from each other.

Chuck Martin, Ordained Clergy Person, Church of Spiritual Humanism