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Cape Cod Times
Article-July27,2007 ABOUT REVEREND
TRACY "FAITH" LAVENDER
 I am often
asked why I became an interfaith minister. As a young adult, I
became discouraged with organized religions, often feeling they were
rigid and limited. For me, spirituality is a very personal
expression of identity. It is not a box or "one size fits all."
Since that had been my experience for a number of years, I felt
compelled to leave organized religion and strive to cultivate an
inner sense of spirituality for myself. I was certain that I could
discover a way to find worldly expression of this yearning with both
depth and meaning. I then undertook the study of different
religions. What I learned was that many religions had a variety of
teachings that spoke to me, and that many, in their essence,
expressed similar principals, simply using different terminology or
symbols. My spiritual restlessness led me to look into the formal
study of ministry. Unfortunately, every school I interviewed
required that I choose a single denomination as my focus and path of
service.
Ignoring then conventional avenues
of traditional ministry, I learned of an organization called the
Universal Brotherhood -- a non-denominational organization that
ordains individuals who wished to pursue an independent ministry. In
1992, I became ordained through this organization and began my
ministry. Soon recognizing the need for more structured study and
formalized credentials, I enrolled in a newly created academic
program for the preparation of Interfaith Ministers -- the first of
its kind -- at a school known as The New Seminary located in New
York City. I graduated with honors and was formally ordained as an
Interfaith Minister at New York City's St. John the Divine. |
As my ministry evolved, I quickly
discovered that there were many, like myself, who certainly
considered themselves very spiritual, but who did not necessarily
belong to a church or a particular religion. These people found few
options when they sought to marry to or have a baby blessed or have
any type of meaningful life ceremony. In the case of a marriage,
couples could either choose a Justice of the Peace or return to the
church. The church will frequently take them back only if they
comply with certain church rules or outwardly adopt specific
denominational teachings.
I have also noted that although many
couples are happy with a Justice of the Peace, others desire a
ceremony expressing more substance than a Justice of the Peace can
deliver. I continue to observe great dissatisfaction with the
ceremonial options being offered, particularly with what is not
being offered, and am constantly discovering more and more couples
looking for a ceremonial guide who can create a ritual that reflects
a wide and blended variety of personal, spiritual and religious
beliefs.
I deeply love this work. It is my
very personal expression of the sacred, and it shows in my
ceremonies. Interfaith Ministry is at the forefront of a new, more
liberal, soulful, and more heartfelt approach to wedding ceremonies.
I invite you to express the depths of your love and commitment
though the artful weaving of your unique spirituality through the
tapestry of an interfaith ceremony. |
