DID YOU KNOW?

Wedding Rehearsal

There's a lot more that goes into who marries you than you may think. The words you speak are not only vows you make from your heart, but also a legally binding verbal contract, so there are elements that need to be included in order for your marriage to be legally valid. This is something taught in seminaries and not on websites that 'ordain instantly.'
Seminaries also teach ministers how to orchestrate rehearsals; create heartfelt, meaningful ceremonies that are truly personal; and how to help people along their marital journeys.

About Me

Qualifications

Member of A World Alliance of Interfaith Clergy and former Board of Directors member

Proud member of the Chippewa Valley Wedding and
Event Professionals

Photo courtesy of www.katebentleyphoto.com

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​Interfaith Minister - The New Seminary is the oldest interfaith seminary in the world that also holds an NGO advisory role with the United Nations.  It's located in New York City, New York.  After completing a two year program in which I studied many of the world's religions and beliefs, I was ordained as an interfaith minister at the Riverside Church in New York City during a 3.5 hour ceremony that included receiving the seal of blessed oil giving me authority to offer spiritual blessings.  As a result, I am able to perform ceremonies in almost all faith traditions, states and countries.  I am also legally registered to perform ceremonies in the five boroughs of New York City and in the state of Minnesota. Many states do not require formal registration and I can perform ceremonies there as well.  I am affiliated with the New Seminary Interfaith Temple in New York City.  You can view my credentials below (in my maiden name), demonstrating I have completed seminary, and am now assigned to a ministerial staff. I operate a traveling ministry on that staff, meaning I go wherever my clients request while I live in Wisconsin. That can take me to many parts of the country, both outdoors and in.

Bachelor of Arts - Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, Minnesota.  Bachelor of Individualized Studies (focus in Spiritual & Emotional Development) with minors in Religious Studies and Adult Training & Development.

​Graduate Level Certification in Conflict Resolution Studies - Hamline University School of Law - St. Paul, Minnesota.  I have been listed as a Qualified Neutral Under Rule 114  of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice in both civil and family categories, meaning I can facilitate mediations and arbitrations.  I interned under Dan Simon of Twin Cities Mediation.

Graduate Level Certification in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.  As families become more diverse, becoming educated in how to integrate traditions and help families come together became important to me. I bring this knowledge in everything I do.
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Experience

Since my ordination in 2010, I have created and performed hundreds of ceremonies from baptisms to weddings, vow renewals and end of life services. I have substituted for other ministers who are on vacation, or filled in when churches are looking for an interim minister while moving through the hiring process.
During Covid I created a Facebook group called Wisconsin Couples - Pandemic Advice that helped couples navigate through the wedding planning process and provided updated information about quickly-changing health and legal requirements. It also provided live interviews with vendors to answer questions and a psychologist who addressed the extreme stress brides were facing while trying to plan a wedding when governmental restrictions were forcing them to downsize or reschedule their weddings altogether.
I am also Co-President of the Chippewa Valley Wedding & Event Professionals.

Personal

I received my calling in 1999 when I was literally struck by lightning while standing inside my house. What followed was a series of visions over several weeks that showed me I was to become ordained, and laid out my future life.  For me this path is not a way to earn money on the side, or something to do because it's 'fun' (although I love what I do!). It truly is a calling in which I believe I serve a higher purpose than I ever could have imagined. My calling is to help others celebrate love; to reconnect loved ones; and to do so with respect for what they believe and feel in their hearts.

I am married, and a mother of two grown men for whom I'm very proud, and a grandmother.  I also have three furry children that will never leave home; two are mighty hunters and the other a total snuggle bug.  My husband and I enjoy entertaining, cooking, dogs, movies, music, travel and the arts.  Together we also own Basswood Chalet & Guesthouse, a micro wedding venue and couples getaway in New Auburn, Wisconsin.

Spiritual Credentials