I'm a storyteller.

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I work as a Quaker minister, a certified Life-Cycle Celebrant, and a hospice chaplain.  In all of these roles, my job is to listen, to help people discover what matters most to them, and to give voice to that discovery.

After many years of travel and exploration, I returned to my native central New York to make my home with my husband and our two sons just outside of Ithaca.

We are stewards of a small homestead, heating with wood from our own trees, tapping maple trees for sugaring, keeping chickens for eggs, and growing enough food in our big garden to pickle, preserve and store all winter long.

Our family is sustained by our relationship to the cycles of the seasons, grounded in the full circle of life on our land -- a circle we understand to be Sacred.

Fully rooted here in our little corner of the Earth, I feel called to help others discover what fertile ground nourishes their roots, be it science or nature, poetry or song, family and friends, faith and belief, calling or vocation.

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There is a Sacred Thread that runs through every life.  

I work with people who want to shape the rituals and celebrations in their lives, who would like to be deliberate about life's passages and seasons. I've been honored to serve people who identify as Jewish, Buddhist, atheist, pagan, spiritual-but-not-religious, Christian, seeking, and everything in between.  Together, we draw from familiar traditions that speak to you, add elements that carry their own meaning, and craft entirely new ceremonies and rituals, equal to the task of expressing what this particular moment in your life means to you.

I'm honored to help you articulate what matters most to you.

As an officiant, it is truly a privilege to collaborate with people in the midst of major life transitions, to help you create a meaningful way to mark that passage.

Are you marrying your sweetheart? Are you mourning the loss of someone you love? We can work together to commemorate these events in ways that honor their importance in your life.

What's your story?

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We cannot say enough about our heartfelt gratitude toward Rebecca for all that she did for us on our Wedding Day! She is "one of a kind" and we could not have chosen a better celebrant for our special day. Rebecca is genuine, kind hearted and so very "present."  Her "can do" attitude, along with her amazing spirit, created the perfect experience as she blessed the union of our two souls that day. Rebecca sets the bar high and is an example for all to follow in her profession!

– Michael and Christine

 

“I can't thank you enough for your help in planning my mother's memorial.  Several of her close friends have told me they thought it was a perfect celebration of her life and memory.  Someone else asked me if you knew my mom because you had captured her so well.  Although it was emotionally hard I'm so glad to have done it and glad that those who cared for her found it fitting.  It was a great pleasure working with you and a relief to have your help to give structure to the chaos."

– Jessica

Rebecca

Are you planning a ceremony?

Here’s how it works. When you schedule your consultation, I’ll ask you clarifying questions about your upcoming celebration or ceremony, and you can decide whether I am the right celebrant for you.

If we decide to work together, I’ll meet with you in person, and use personalized questionnaires to help us understand what is most important to you as you mark this life event.

I look forward to hearing your story.

Contact me to learn more