Cere­monies of Support

There are times in our lives when we need our community’s loving support. This is a perfect time for a short cere­mony that assures the person in need that he or she is seen and appre­ci­ated for the chal­lenges being endured. A short ritual can also offer the commu­nity a way to partic­i­pate and feel connected to the larger commu­nity. Whether there is much help that can be given, or simple prayers to be offered, a cere­mony can set the tone. Come, let us cele­brate together.

• Illness
  No one expects to get ill, espe­cially seri­ously ill. But it happens. We are not always equipped to handle the changes that illness can bring on our own. In ritual, we can ask for our community’s support, help them to get to know one another and face our own strug­gles with our disease.

• Life Chal­lenges
  All manner of things happen when we’re not expecting it. Some­times the prob­lems that ensue with such changes can over­whelm our ability to remain an actor in our own life. While ritual cannot solve the prob­lems, it can help us gain perspec­tive and commu­nity support.

• Job Loss
  All of the things that seemed so certain at one point are now topsey-​​turvey. It’s hard to acknowl­edge how much our sense of self is tied up in our work and that perhaps there’s nothing we could have done to have retained our job. Ritual can help us focus, acknowl­edge our need for support and guid­ance in this very chal­lenging time.

• Finan­cial Setbacks
  If there’s anything that strikes at our sense of control, it’s money issues. Maybe you made mistakes; maybe your marriage disin­te­grated; maybe you were simply a victim of this market; but for what­ever reasons, you may have very hard deci­sions to make. These steps may not be ones you ever envi­sioned taking. Ritual can help you clarify what needs to be done, gain some closure and forgive your­self for being less than perfect.

• Lone­li­ness
  Being lonely is incred­ibly diffi­cult. We all long for commu­nity and it isn’t always evident. So some­times we need to take big risks and ask for what we want. It’s much better to do that in a safe space which ritual can create for you. People who come to the ritual are aware of why they’re responding which increases your chances of getting the fuller life you’re seeking.