AFCC National Conference 2022

25 Jul 2022 | Celebrants

Leaves of Love

Blessings from the celebrant community At the recent Australian Federation of Civil Celebrants National Conference held in Adelaide, I conducted an enactment of a naming ceremony. The celebrants participating were encouraged to write a blessing for the family prior to the start of the enactment. I invited them to imagine…

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25 Jul 2022 | Ceremonies

A Natural History of Love

A Natural History Of Love —Diane Ackerman “Love. What a small word we use for an idea so immense and powerful. It has altered the flow of history, calmed monsters, kindled works of art, cheered the forlorn, turned tough guys to mush, consoled the enslaved, driven strong women mad, glorified the humble,…

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28 Jun 2022 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

Dropping into Life

Dropping into Life: The invitation at diagnosis and through recovery As a guest facilitator of the Renew and Rise Festival last year I was delighted to be a part of an inspiring and creative team. The online festival was hosted by Mel Greblo, a dear friend and colleague. Mel has invited…

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23 Jun 2022 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

The Impermanence of Being Here

The Impermanence of Being Here—this was my first choice that I performed at the Bellingen Readers and Writers Poetry Slam 2022. My first ever poetry performance, my first ever poetry slam.  I know that may sound strange given that I’ve read lots of poetry at lots of ceremony and for…

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Bellingen Readers Writers Festival

11 Jun 2022 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

Poetry Slam—Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival 2022

Bellingen Readers Writers Festival 2022 If I had known what a Poetry Slam was, I wouldn’t have performed. One of my Bellingen friends suggested that I enter the Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival Poetry Slam. The rules looked straightforward—three, three minute poems, no props, no music. I signed up without any…

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25 May 2022 | Poetry

Join me at the Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival 10-12th June 2022

It was an act of grace signing up for poet, Mark Tredinnick’s ‘What the Light Tells’ Poetry Masterclass late last year. Completing his inspiring workshop series is responsible for me being a part of this years Bellingen’s Readers and Writers Festival. I’ve signed up for the Poetry Slam on Friday…

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04 May 2022 | Celebrants

The Creative Oasis

Tonight I was working online with a fabulous group of inspirational, brave, creative, willing and responsive celebrants from the The Celebrant School, Te Wänanga Korowai Aroha in New Zealand. Kathrine from The Celebrant School organised three sessions that I facilitated online called the Creative Oasis—writing practices for celebrants. The participants shared notes,…

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28 Apr 2022 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

Tears, Grief and Forgiveness

The sky is a mass of pink cotton-balls as the evening closes in—the lorikeets have gone their way and there is a solitary bird singing just outside my window. I sit here in my lounge room as the chill sets in and I wrap my scarf around my neck. I’ve…

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Tribute to Nana

10 Mar 2022 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

For the Love of Nana…

Tributes from Grandchildren to Their Beloved Nana The love between a grandparent and a grandchild can be richly encompassing and nourishing. Jenny loved and adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Here are the three beautiful tributes that were shared on the day of Jenny’s graveside funeral—spoken with tears of love…

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28 Feb 2022 | Healing

Living with Uncertainty

With the current crises happening around the world and, more locally, with the intense flooding along the east coast of Australia, it can be a challenge to stay connected to what nourishes and supports us. As I was walking the headland this morning with my partner I felt deeply tired…

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