Being a chaplain sometimes has real-life consequences. I’ll let Sarah tell the story…
As she wrote, “I graduated from Edinburgh University in 2013. Each graduation ceremony includes a speech from one of the university chaplains and I was lucky enough to take part in a ceremony where Tim, as honorary humanist chaplain, was giving the address. I remember it was a great speech, which captivated the audience and made a real impression on those in attendance. A couple of years later I began to plan my wedding in Edinburgh, upon finding out that humanist ceremonies are legal in Scotland I knew that we had to ask Tim to be our celebrant”.
Kyle and Sarah’s love for each other survived four years of separation, five thousand miles of distance and hundreds of hours of Skype calls. As they wrote, “So many people’s relationships crumble over long-distance, but ours only got stronger. While other couples had hugs and kisses, we had words, and we both
became very good at expressing our feelings and emotions”.
became very good at expressing our feelings and emotions”.
They certainly did, and they created a very moving ceremony. After it, Sarah and Kyle sent me these photos by the talented Anna Urban, and this note. “We just wanted to say thank you for the wonderful ceremony last week. Everybody loved it and has said it was the best ceremony they have ever been to. Even my very catholic relatives thought it was a beautiful and personal ceremony. Thanks again, Sarah and Kyle“.
It was a pleasure, Sarah and Kyle. All I can do is reiterate the old Irish blessing that all your guests spoke at the end of the ceremony:
May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind always be at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your faces
And the rain fall soft upon your feet.
And may a slow wind work
These words of love around you
An invisible cloak to mind your life.
I love her dress!