Huntsville

PASTORAL ACTIVITIES FOR WENDY OKE - 2008.

I am a minister in good standing with All Seasons Church and offer my ministry in Huntsville and surrounding areas in Muskoka.  I am an ordained minister with a Masters of Divinity plus a Bachelor of Arts Degree.  As a teacher/Guidance Counselor and therapist I developed a counseling relationship with young people in my town, and I continue to do so in my pastoral work.

I am considered one of the integral elders in our spiritual community, with regular gatherings and councils marking the turning of the wheel of the year. (solstices, equinoxes etc.)  I am involved in many spiritual rituals and meditation sessions.  My focus is on presentations of spiritual artwork and I offer workshops, speaking engagements and presentations of the documentary about the artist.  I participate in monthly small group, interfaith meetings to further the spiritual climate of Muskoka in a practical way.  Part of my contribution is using performance art to deliver the spiritual messages in a non-threatening manner, with music, art, dance that is exciting to the young community as well as an older crowd.  Our group is called The Elemental Performance Group.

Part of my journey includes pilgrimages to sacred sites around the world.  My major trip this year was to Egypt and The Holy Land, following the steps of Moses as he led the Hebrews out of bondage into the Promised Land. 

I was granted a certificate following the pilgrimage to Egypt and Israel, from the Franciscan Order 'Custodia Franciscalis Terrae Sanctae', stating that I had completed the necessary requirements for a Franciscan pilgrim.  The document has my name on it and the date of the pilgrimage, November 2008.  It is all in Latin as it comes from Assisi and says 'In Dei Nomine. Amen.'

Upon my return, I create PowerPoint presentations and show them to interested groups in Muskoka.  I do work as a Spiritual Peacemaker with James Twyman, and belong to MYPEACE TV.  I will be facilitating part of the speaking tour of three peace activists whose homes we visited in Israel and Palestine.

I love the connection and on-going relationship I have built and continue to build with local young couples, some of whom were my husband's and my students at high school a decade ago.  Most of my 130 plus weddings now come from referrals in the area.  During 2008 I officiated at many weddings.    Each year brings more requests.  I am a recognized source for outdoor weddings at sacred places around Muskoka.  

Most couples do not attend a religious institution regularly, and they welcome my availability to come to a sacred place of their choosing and my lack of forceful dogma.  As some of our small town leaders still have residue of homophobia, I am currently offering a workshop overlaying the art of Alma Rumball, with the Emissary Wheel referred to in James Twyman's book The Art of Spiritual Peacemaking. The images are overlayed with the qualities necessary to become a spiritual peacemaker, found on the twelve spokes of the wheel.  The images can be used as meditative mandalas in keeping with the Twyman teachings.

I have become an appreciated minister, comfortable and willing to perform same sex marriages.  I am also open and respectful of all spiritual paths and familiar with many aspects of alternative religious practices.  All Seasons Church has provided popular ceremonies for all couples and the community is very satisfied with my performance.  This is an important service to my community. I am grateful for this opportunity to serve in this way.

Blessings,
Wendy Oke B.A., M.Div.

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