6. Celebrating

Sacred Ceremony

Rites of Passage

“Weddings- Two Hearts”

Affirm aloud the promises you have willingly agreed to make to your Beloved.

“I promise to give you the best of myself.
To honor and accept you as you are.
To respect you as a special and unique emanation of the Divine.
To share my time, talents, care and concerns with you.
To keep my heart open to you and your heart.
To love you unconditionally and completely.
This is my sacred vow to you and before these witnesses.”

“Vow Renewals- I’d Marry You Again”

“For thou, Oh God, hast heard my vows;
thou hast given me the heritage of those that love thy name.” Psalm 61:5

“The minute I heard my first love story
I started looking for you, not knowing
How blind that was.

Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere.
They’re in each other all along.” Rumi

Sweet Greta, My wife and I cannot thank you enough for gracing our wedding ceremony with your profound wisdom and exquisite eloquence. Your meditations on and advice regarding love and marriage were exceptional and moving. You would not believe how many people came up to us that evening and told how much your beautiful words inspired them to reflect on their own marriages and romantic lives. Your sermon was studded with precious gems, but there was one diamond that resonated most with us, which we've actually brought up several times since our wedding: "Let love win." This is sage advice indeed, and neither of us will forget it. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you! With blessings,
M. Wheeler

Dear Reverend Greta, We are deeply honored and so very grateful to have been blessed by your graceful spirit and sweet divine presence as the one who married us on our special day. Our friends and family were so very impressed by the ceremony and it was, by far, the brightest highlight for us as well. The harmony of your voice, the wisdom of your words and the elegance of your being uplifted each and every one us into greater heights... the field of love that was cultivated was deeply felt and remains today as the new set point upon which our marriage now stands--an energetic field blessed by the kisses of angels... it was all so magical and exquisitely beautiful...and since you were such a big and important part of it all we hope you know that we appreciate you more than words can ever say. We thank you, we love you and we hold you in hearts, now and forever more... Sincerely Grateful,
L. and I. McMullin

“Memorials- One Life”

A Sufi proverb says, “When the heart weeps for what it has lost, the spirit laughs for what is found.” We rejoice in the Spirit of Love that has gathered us together here in celebration of life. We are grateful to the Spirit of Compassion that supports us round about. We bless the Spirit of Light that guides and directs us. We praise the Spirit of Wisdom that eternally demonstrates that there is only One Life and that It is forever. William Blake reminds us that “We are put on earth a little space, that we may learn to bear the beams of love.” We are learning, we are loving, and we are here to bear witness to this magnificent life that has been lived in such excellence. We know and affirm that this Beloved One continues to bless us from the dimension of ever-unfolding Life in which s/he now abides.

Dear Rev Greta, you have no idea how you blessed us at Dad’s Celebration of Life. So many people have commented about your accessible spirituality as a comfort and even a breath of fresh air.,
L. Santa Cruz

“Christenings- Child of the Sun”

“We welcome you who have come so recently through the door of the Soul. You are a radiant Light of God. We bless you with angels and rainbows, amazing grace, the glad surprise, fun, joy and laughter. We handle you with care. We shower you with love. You are welcome here. Dear One we bless you with our love. May you continue to grow in stature and wisdom and favor with God.”

“Hearth and Home Blessings”

May the door of this house be wide enough to receive all who hunger for love, May the door of this house be wide enough to receive all who are lonely for friendship.

May this house welcome all who have cares to unburden, hopes to nurture, prayers to whisper or sing.

May the door of this house be narrow enough to shut out pettiness and pride, envy and enmity.

May its threshold be too high to admit selfishness and harshness or complacency.

May its threshold be so low that it be no stumbling block to young feet, or old feet, or broken or tired feet.

As it has welcomed us, each one, may this house be a home for all who would enter with doors open wide and windows shining welcome.