Summer is well under way, and that means gatherings of friends and family, and celebrating love. It means weddings!
I love helping people celebrate their love for each other. Performing handfasting ceremonies is a large part of why I originally connected with the Aquarian Tabernacle Church of Canada.
I had been organizing a circle for several years and leading rituals. People found partners, and some of them wanted me to perform their weddings. So I began investigating ways that I could do the legal side along with the ritual side.
I looked into becoming a marriage commissioner. A marriage commissioner is like a Justice of the Peace – a non-denominational representative. The positions are based on population, so unless someone moved away (or heaven forbid, died), or the population increased significantly, that option was out.
Incidentally, several years after I was exploring that option, the population increase enough to hire a new marriage commissioner for my city. The qualifications really only fit someone who was retired.
I became ordained online with the Universal Life Church. It wasn’t recognized in Canada.
Finally, I connected with the ATC and ATCC. It took me another six years before I was ordained and able to sanctify marriage. It is definitely one of my favorite parts of the job.
It starts with meeting with the couple, and finding out what they would like the ceremony to include. Then helping sort out the details, and finally celebrating their big day! Each handfasting is unique and beautiful.
Did I mention that I love handfastings? Do you, or someone you know (in BC), need an officiant? Let’s connect!
Blessings,
Mary