J. Russell

As an anti-religious spiritual person I wanted to be able to officiate ceremonies for folks in my myriad non-traditional communities; artsy, queer, pagan, etc. because they couldn't find providers in the predominantly conservative area we lived.

I have long-lived relationship with the Rocky Mountains and the south. I'm currently building familiarity in the Great Lakes.

I generally serve people like me who had a hard time finding alignment with abrahamic religions. As a minister I am able to use a familiar role to facilitate celebrating benchmarks in our lives more often, and with greater esteem using rites and ritual. It's a tragedy of individualism that we don't use these often enough to mark the passage of time and occasions in our lives to connect. Greater connection is the key to our health.

Through my upbringing I was ushered to church with Mormons, Southern Baptists, Catholics, and Christians. I kept what felt beneficial to me and set aside the rest. My current spiritual practice is that of an Animist, Druid, and hedge witch. I'm a student of the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids, and follow Aidan Wachter's work. I am a counselor who primarily serves neurodivergent people with backgrounds of hardship, who have a non-traditional sexuality or relationship or family of some kind. All this and more means that the folks who find me want to be honored for exactly who they are, which they may not have experienced before, on very important days. I became a minister to do that.

Distance from my area will determine the fee and whether or not it could be a day trip or would require a room. Apologies in advance, but I cannot accept a shared room or bunking or situation. I love a rustic wilderness/camping ceremony, it does require more advance planning and gear!

People often dread funerals or even weddings and blessings because they're pretentious or drag on for too long. We needn't let tradition and expectation hamper our lives. Let's put together a ceremony that fits your spirit and the energy you want for your proceedings.