Christine's Spiritual Direction and Ministry Work
Interfaith Ministry
What is Interfaith Ministry?
“As the river surrenders itself to the ocean, what is inside me moves inside you.” Kabir
Interfaith ministers are trained to serve and counsel people from all backgrounds and traditions. While there are obvious theological differences between faiths, we honor the timeless understanding that essentially there is one truth and a fundamental human unity. We are not a replacement for, but an addition to traditional ministers and teachers.
Spiritual Counseling
What is it?
“Spiritual life is like living water that springs up from the very depths of our own spiritual experience. In spiritual life everyone has to drink from his or her own well.” St Bernard of Clairvaux
There is a hunger for authentic connection in our fast-paced, busy culture. Sharing deeply from the soul and being received with an open heart satisfies that hunger. One-to-one counseling in a safe environment for those seeking to explore their lives within a spiritual context is what spiritual counseling offers. Whatever spiritual orientation a person may have, the sessions promote awakening from the false premises which cause pain and reconnect us with our wholeness and source of love. Times of questioning and doubt may be triggered by a crisis such as a loss or transitional change that may have shaken one’s faith.
Benefits:
The purpose of those sessions is to:
Wedding Ceremonies and Vow renewals
As an ordained minister, Rev. Christine considers it both a special privilege and a delight to perform weddings. She can accommodate people of mixed backgrounds and many traditional religions. More and more couples are now seeking spiritual weddings outside the restrictions of a particular denomination and as an alternative to civil weddings devoid of spiritual content. In a series of planning meetings prior to the wedding, Christine encourages and helps couples to write their own vows and designs ceremonies that reflect their personal spiritual beliefs and their commitment to each other. Marriage is a journey home to God. It is about putting God and your beloved first in your heart while at the same time honoring and loving yourself. And it is about choosing to love and work out differences with freedom of expression.
Memorial Services
The death of someone we love or are close to is difficult for any of us to bear. The memorial service is a chance for family and friends to express their grief and reflect upon their relationships with the one who has died. It is time to celebrate the life of the person and their unique contribution to the world. The ceremony is designed to capture the person’s essence and bless the transition of their soul to the next world. The service is designed specifically for you, put together and delivered with warmth, meaning and sincerity.
Baby Blessings
The purpose of a baby blessing ceremony is to welcome the entrance of a soul into this world, bless their unique qualities and gifts and support the parents’ vision of how they would like to raise the child. The ceremony gives thanks for the miracle of life and acknowledges the love and acceptance that supporting adults (grandparents, friends, and godparents) will offer the child.
Ceremonies can also be held for older children, to welcome an adopted child or to honor the life of a miscarried or stillborn child.
What is Interfaith Ministry?
“As the river surrenders itself to the ocean, what is inside me moves inside you.” Kabir
Interfaith ministers are trained to serve and counsel people from all backgrounds and traditions. While there are obvious theological differences between faiths, we honor the timeless understanding that essentially there is one truth and a fundamental human unity. We are not a replacement for, but an addition to traditional ministers and teachers.
Spiritual Counseling
What is it?
“Spiritual life is like living water that springs up from the very depths of our own spiritual experience. In spiritual life everyone has to drink from his or her own well.” St Bernard of Clairvaux
There is a hunger for authentic connection in our fast-paced, busy culture. Sharing deeply from the soul and being received with an open heart satisfies that hunger. One-to-one counseling in a safe environment for those seeking to explore their lives within a spiritual context is what spiritual counseling offers. Whatever spiritual orientation a person may have, the sessions promote awakening from the false premises which cause pain and reconnect us with our wholeness and source of love. Times of questioning and doubt may be triggered by a crisis such as a loss or transitional change that may have shaken one’s faith.
Benefits:
The purpose of those sessions is to:
- Apply wisdom attained through our own spiritual practice to real life challenges in relationships, work, health etc.
- Shift self limiting perceptions, patterns and beliefs that no longer serve us
- Heal old pain that blocks you moving forward
- Deepen and strengthen your connection to source/God, however you perceive this
- Reconnect you to your real self beyond conditioning and confusion
Wedding Ceremonies and Vow renewals
As an ordained minister, Rev. Christine considers it both a special privilege and a delight to perform weddings. She can accommodate people of mixed backgrounds and many traditional religions. More and more couples are now seeking spiritual weddings outside the restrictions of a particular denomination and as an alternative to civil weddings devoid of spiritual content. In a series of planning meetings prior to the wedding, Christine encourages and helps couples to write their own vows and designs ceremonies that reflect their personal spiritual beliefs and their commitment to each other. Marriage is a journey home to God. It is about putting God and your beloved first in your heart while at the same time honoring and loving yourself. And it is about choosing to love and work out differences with freedom of expression.
Memorial Services
The death of someone we love or are close to is difficult for any of us to bear. The memorial service is a chance for family and friends to express their grief and reflect upon their relationships with the one who has died. It is time to celebrate the life of the person and their unique contribution to the world. The ceremony is designed to capture the person’s essence and bless the transition of their soul to the next world. The service is designed specifically for you, put together and delivered with warmth, meaning and sincerity.
Baby Blessings
The purpose of a baby blessing ceremony is to welcome the entrance of a soul into this world, bless their unique qualities and gifts and support the parents’ vision of how they would like to raise the child. The ceremony gives thanks for the miracle of life and acknowledges the love and acceptance that supporting adults (grandparents, friends, and godparents) will offer the child.
Ceremonies can also be held for older children, to welcome an adopted child or to honor the life of a miscarried or stillborn child.
