Secular Services **
Hello. I am Gail Dobson, ordained clergy with the Universal Life Church Monastery (Minister) and the Church of Spiritual Humanism (Priestess). I’ve been offering pastoral and spiritual thoughts, comfort, guidance, and ideas for many years, long before I decided to become ordained. I believe everyone is entitled to peace of mind and spirit in the wonderful adventure we call life. I do not believe a deity is required to fulfill this desire. The blog and User Thoughts on this web site are part of my attempt to reach and give voice to those interested in life, love, science and logical, rational thought. I am also available to officiate secular legal ceremonies or rituals. As social creatures, we want to celebrate large (or maybe small) milestones along our way. We can do this without supernatural guidance.
As ordained clergy, I am authorized to perform legal marriages. The State requires a license fee, set by each county, in order for a marriage to be legally recognized. The parties to be married must pay the fee to obtain the marriage license. The last I knew, it was a 2-day wait in Maryland, and the license must be filed with the clerk’s office within a few days of the ceremony. The license expires six months from issue date as far as I know. Do not contact me for a marriage the day before your license expires. I cannot get it completed and to the clerk in time. Go to the county clerk’s office where you can be married and have someone complete and accept the signed license before it expires. The State is not involved in the other celebratory events I offer to officiate. Each ceremony will be customized for you. We will have at least one face-to-face meeting. If we agree to work together you will sign a contract and provide a non-refundable deposit of 1/2 the expected estimated fee at that time. Each completed service will include a ready for framing, color certificate (on decent bond paper) for your event.
Marriage, Handfasting – Of these, the State is only involved in issuing a license for legal recognition of a marriage. As long as the license is issued, completed, and filed according to State requirements, you are legally married. The ceremony itself can be customized as you like it. We can incorporate a simple handfasting “tie the knot” ritual within a more traditional “marriage” ceremony if you choose. We can have more of a handfasting ceremony if you choose. This may incorporate other rituals with candles, sand pouring, anointing with fragrant oils, jumping the broom, or similar. Consider also that if there are children, especially minor (but not too young) children, involved we would want to be sure they feel included in the (possibly newly formed) united family unit. The only real difference is whether you have the State issued marriage license. Handfastings are usually a bit less formal, too. If you prefer a Handfasting Certificate even when you are legally married, those samples are in the next section. I can only provide a Certificate of Marriage (or Matrimony) if you have provided the State issued marriage license.
Marriage, Matrimony Certificates Offered (choose style and let me know):
Handfastings, Affirmations, Commitments – If you wish to publicly declare your love and commitment to each other without actually becoming legally married, we can create a ceremony recognizing your commitment to each other (without the official marriage license). Some people wish to remain “single” in the eyes of the law, but show their respective love and dedication to each other. These ceremonies are possibly as a prelude to marriage, or instead of marriage. It depends on your goals. The ceremony can be customized to your preferences.
Handfasting, Commitment Certificates Offered (choose style and let me know):
Vow Renewal ceremony is often performed on a momentous anniversary or other date significant to the married couple. This is usually a re-dedication to each other “after all these years” or “on this new beginning” or “after all we’ve been through” possibly following a difficult period or traumatic event of some sort; you two are still devoted to and in love with each other and you want to declare to the world (at least to family & friends) your continuing commitment.
Baby Naming or Welcome – Celebrate the newest member of your family. We can create a ceremony for your newest member, as a Name Giving or Baptism in the Universal Ideal of Perfection.
Home Blessing – New home? Make it your own. Have a home cleansing and blessing ceremony. Fill the house or apartment with your energy and love.
Specialty Services – Life celebrations in memoriam, Wakes, Wiccanings. Contact me for more information on anything I may be able to help you with in your spiritual journey.
Thanks for reading, and blessed be. Contact me NaturalWonderFellowship AT gmail or at the contributor and above level members only e-mail.