From the Editor’s Desk Before we could even really say spring is almost over, summer rolled in. For many of us, “wedding season” is a time full of anticipation for outdoor ceremonies and family gatherings. I think it’s human nature to want to play outside and enjoy the warmth from the sun, which may be the reason why I especially enjoy the Celebrant Troubadour for the month of August: our colleague Elaine Voci gives us reasons to celebrate it, celebrant-style! This Issue of Celebrancy Today celebrates our uniqueness and our creativity. It gives us a sampling of some of the different ceremonies some of us perform, and it is a testament to how wonderful and creative we can be in the designing and the realization of these ceremonies. Some of the pieces we are sharing have been previously published in national publications such as magazines, newspapers, or the Celebrant’s Blog page. They represent the freedom that we have in crafting a ceremony is only limited by our imagination. As my granddaughter has said, “Ideas are limited by the end of the universe.” Our creativity helps to sharpen and grow who we are.
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Porch Parties with a Celebrant Touch – Elaine Voci [4]
Lessons learned from childhood are not easy to forget, and one of them is being grateful for what others do and the importance of expressing gratitude and appreciation. And I do appreciate each one of the contributors, because without their generosity this issue of Celebrancy Today would not be as wonderfully special as it is, and it belongs to each one of you. Special thanks go to Charlotte Eulette for giving me the opportunity to work on your magazine. Lastly but extremely important to me, to a nameless friend and collaborator who kept reminding me of the importance of maintaining a uniformity of font and color throughout, “Muy agradecida!”
Certified Life Cycle Celebrants Are... – Marilyn Dion [6] The Valley Road to Celebrancy – Ben Martin [8] Cooking up Some Wedding Fusion – Lois Heckman [11] Baby Blessings – Zita Christian [13] ReUUp! A Ritual to Reactivate a Faith Community’s Racial Justice Values – Danna Schmidt [19] Witnessing a Living Wake: a Celebrant's Perspective – Dina Stander [22]
We must not forget to thank people who help us in a spiritual or emotional way, as well. I learned that sometimes the things we enjoy the most happen in unplanned moments when we let our heart serve as guide, as Ben Martin expresses in his writing.
Packy the Elephant: Well Loved, Well Mourned – Holly Pruett [26] Le Cercle des Célébrants du Cycle de la Vie® Nouvelles ’Europe Francophone [29]
May our hearts guide us to serve our clients with respect, and may we always have the imagination to bring the wonderful, unique ceremonies within us to life.
Et si vous cherchiez votre rituel au sein de traditions familiales... – Florence Leloir [33]
Best, Marcia Almeida, Master Life-Cycle Celebrant CF&I Social Manager
2 Celebrancy Today Summer 2018 Ceremonies & Rituals
