What is ceremony?
A ceremony can be a powerful way of helping us mark important events and transitions in our lives. We step outside the normal boundaries of everyday life and create what we might call a sacred space. Drawing on the natural world and our human sense of wonder we can use symbols, words and music to create a focus for our intentions and hopes, and deepen our loving connection with others and with the wider world around us.
I am open to working with anyone. While I have a particular leaning towards doing ceremony outdoors in nature, I am happy to work anywhere. We can include whatever kind of spiritual elements (or none) which are meaningful to you. Read more about the process here.
Chris was so supportive guiding us through creating a personal ceremony that reflected us and the wedding we wanted. He brought ideas for the ceremony and supported us writing our vows. On the day, he helped to create a perfect, relaxed, loving and inclusive ceremony.
– AM
Beginnings
In our lives there are times of significant new beginnings when it can be helpful to pause and take time to celebrate within our community of family and friends and set intentions. This might be around the birth or adoption of a child, a new home or a new job.
A baby-naming ceremony can provide an opportunity to welcome a new child, for parents to make commitments around how they will nurture this precious new life and for family and friends to offer their support and love.
A house blessing can help to formulate an intention that this will be a safe place of welcome, rest, love and new initiatives.
Joinings
If you decide you want to celebrate and formalise your relationship in any way I can help you design a wedding or civil partnership ceremony – for couples of all genders. I also work with couples who wish to renew their vows.
There is such a large wedding industry now and it feels important to me to get beyond this and to touch into the essence of love and connection between the couple. There can also be a huge weight of expectation around weddings – I hope to be able to support you to lay this to one side and to explore what truly matters to you. You can do almost anything at a wedding and my job is to help you find out what is authentic and meaningful for you. Here are some thoughts about how you might create a more sustainable wedding. In Scotland you can get married almost anywhere: on a hillside, a forest or a beautiful beach. Do you maybe want a handfasting or an elopement? Get in touch and I can help you think through what you would like.
Working with Chris as our wedding celebrant was an absolute joy and he made us feel at ease throughout the whole process. Together we curated a ceremony and vows that were completely unique and special to us, and we will cherish these memories forever.
– Mr & Mrs Jones
As a One Spirit Minister I have authority to carry out the legal aspect of weddings and civil partnerships in Scotland. I will talk you through what you need to do in terms of formalities.
Endings
The death of a loved friend or family member is one of the most profound and often challenging endings that we experience. It is always an honour to be invited to help plan and conduct a funeral or memorial in a way that gives space for both grief and celebration of the life lived.
Whether you choose a woodland burial or a cremation, I can work with you and your community of family and friends to witness you and hear your wishes, and to create a ceremony that supports you at this often overwhelming time. I aim to help you all move through grief, and connect with the essence of the person who has died.
You are welcome to ask a funeral director to get in touch with me on your behalf. It is also possible to care for the body yourself at home and organise the funeral without an undertaker.
Other ceremonies
You might want to mark other significant events in your life with ceremony. Some examples might include:
- Rites of passage
- Adoption
- Gender transition
- Blessing for a new house or job
- Special anniversaries
- Graduation
- … or whatever else you would like to mark!
Please get in touch and we can discuss the possibilities!