This wedding is all about you, 

and you do not have to be what I am,

 in order for me to perform your ceremony. 

I have ordination as a member of the clergy from two organizations. One is the Humanist Society, the certifying arm of the American Humanist Association. The other is the Leadership Conference of Secular and Humanistic Jews, a branch of Humanistic Judaism. 

 I am also a licensed Social Worker.

 

 In order to receive ordination, I received training in life-cycle ceremonies, pastoral duties, education and counseling. The dual certification reflects my interest in my philosophy, which is Humanism, and in my own culture and background, which are Jewish. There are links elsewhere on the site to information about both organizations.

 

My beliefs influence your ceremony In only one way. 

 Humanists believe that  we determine the purpose and course of own lives.

 We are responsible for our own decisons as well as the consequences.

 

Therefore, it would not be honest for me to bless or pray for you, or to invoke a god during the ceremony. The ceremonies we develop together are spiritual and beautiful, and both secular and religious people have graciously expressed their appreciation in notes that you can find elsewhere on this site.