Pre-Marital Counseling

The sessions include addressing basic healthy communication tools, family history and dynamics, finances, personality traits, and more. Outline material is reviewed in an atmosphere that is both light and serious. The sessions usually last 1-3 weeks for one and a half hours in length and can be completed with just one couple or a group.

Grief and Bereavement Counseling

I am a Certified Grief and Bereavement Specialist and I know from personal experience the loss of a loved one can be very traumatic. For over twenty five years it has been my privilege to assist and encourage scores of individuals and families to find a renewed sense of hope through teaching and counseling and support group sessions. Losses may include a spouse, parent, sibling, child or friend. Assistance is available for short-term meetings as well as referrals for support groups in your area. Many have said just having someone who will listen to me and understand my emotional pain truly made a difference in recovery from my loss. It has been my honor to officiate scores of memorial services for many years. These moments can emotionally range from a sweet home going to very painful due to a sudden or tragic death. In either case, the most important aspect for me as a minister is to be sure the deceased loved one is celebrated. I remind every family, “this service belongs to you, lets make it what you want it to be.”

Baptism and Dedications

Baptism or Dedication of a child is a very important moment in the life of the child’s family. Many couples have a “connection” or “roots” to their upbringing and may want a special ceremony for their child. This is a tradition within both the Protestant and Catholic Church. Many couples request my services who may not have a particular church connection yet desire to have their child baptized. If a couple is not attending a church or parish and want these services, they can be officiated in their choice of locations which may include a home, church or special location. I provide one session to the parents to acquaint them with the ceremony and its implications. A lovely certificate of the event is provided for the occasion. The ceremony usually takes an average of 15 minutes or longer, depending on family thoughts and requests.