Lisa Hardy-Gardner

I became ordained online to expand my ability to serve others during some of life's most meaningful moments. As a licensed social worker and community advocate, I have spent my career supporting individuals and families through seasons of joy, transition, and loss. Becoming an ordained minister allows me to officiate weddings, provide premarital guidance, and offer faith-centered support while honoring each couple's unique story and values.

I am from New Haven County Connecticut, where I have dedicated my career to serving individuals, families, and communities through social services, and faith-based outreach.

I hope to create a ministry that walks with people through every season of life. In addition to officiating personalized wedding ceremonies and providing premarital counseling, I hope to offer faith-centered grief counseling, bereavement support, pastoral care, and encouragement to individuals and families navigating life's transitions. My goal is to help people experience healing, hope, and restoration while strengthening marriages, supporting families, and serving my community with integrity, compassion, and Christ-centered love.

My approach to ministry is rooted in respect, compassion, service, and the belief that every individual and family deserves to have their beliefs, values, traditions, and life experiences honored. I welcome the opportunity to serve people of all faiths, spiritual traditions, cultures, and backgrounds, as well as those who do not identify with a particular religion.

I strive to create meaningful, personalized ceremonies and supportive experiences that reflect each individual's or family's wishes. By taking the time to understand what is most important to those I serve, I am able to provide services that are culturally responsive, respectful, and inclusive while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, dignity, and care.

What makes my ceremonies special is that they are personal, heartfelt, and centered on the couple's unique journey. I take the time to get to know each couple so their ceremony reflects their love story, values, faith, and vision for marriage. Drawing from my experience as a licensed social worker and counselor, I also emphasize healthy communication, mutual respect, and building a strong foundation for a lifelong partnership. My goal is for every ceremony to be meaningful, memorable, and a true reflection of the couple's commitment to one another.

My ministry is dedicated to serving individuals, couples, and families through every season of life with compassion, respect, integrity, and cultural humility. I believe every person's story, beliefs, traditions, and lived experiences are unique and deserving of honor. Whether I am officiating a wedding, celebrating a milestone, supporting a family through grief, or providing counseling and guidance during life's transitions, my goal is to create experiences that are meaningful, authentic, and deeply personal.

I believe that truly serving others begins with listening. I take the time to genuinely get to know the individuals, couples, and families I serve not only learning about their personal journey, but also understanding the values, cultural traditions, faith or spiritual beliefs, family customs, and meaningful practices they wish to incorporate into their wedding ceremony, funeral or memorial service, counseling sessions, vow renewal, or other significant life events. Every ceremony and service is thoughtfully designed to reflect what matters most to those I have the privilege of serving.

I am committed to creating welcoming, inclusive, and culturally responsive experiences where every individual, couple, and family feels seen, heard, valued, respected, and affirmed. I proudly serve people of all faiths, spiritual traditions, cultures, races, ethnicities, abilities, family structures, identities, and backgrounds, as well as those who do not identify with a particular religion. My approach is rooted in cultural competence, humility, and a deep appreciation for the diversity of the communities I serve.

Whether celebrating the beginning of a marriage, honoring the life and legacy of a loved one, supporting someone through grief and healing, or providing guidance during life's most important transitions, my mission is to walk alongside each person with empathy, professionalism, and unwavering respect. My hope is that every individual and family leaves feeling supported, empowered, and confident that their story, values, and traditions have been honored with care and intention.