Sunday, September 16, 2007

Perked up and Revivified

It helps to go to church. Our speaker this afternoon was Fritz Hull, founder of the Whidbey Institute and assorted other roles, longtime Whidbey Islander, and wise man. He spoke about Hope. I liked it. We sang. The kids were dear. The congregants were loving. I am refreshed and, though tired, ready to go on. Church helps.

In other news, I helped to officiate a wedding ceremony today between two women, one Jewish, one a former Pentecostal evangelist who lost her ministry and her religion after being outed as a lesbian many years ago. I've known my Jewish friend for over twenty years; we met at Denver Friends of Folk Music way back in the 80's and have sung many a rousing song together. I met her bride to be through music as well, as I began to be involved in the music community here on the Island.

They asked me to co-officiate with their "para-rabbi" (for lack of a better term) on one of the days in between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It was quite the occasion-------pouring rain, for one thing, with guests huddled under umbrellas and tarps and participants huddled under the chuppah, with lengthy Jewish blessings and chants and me doing a Celtic handfasting ceremony. It was beautiful and funny and chaotic and muddy and great fun. Afterwards, we ate wedding cake and sang and I came home and took a nap.

3 comments:

Jan said...

I liked your description of the wedding. "It was beautiful and funny and chaotic and muddy and great fun." Sounds nice.

Earthbound Spirit said...

Sounds like a wonderful day. Glad you're feeling a bit better!

Stephanie said...

I love handfasting! It sounds like a joyous occasion. :)