WHAT DISTINGUISHES
JOURNEYS OF THE HEART MINISTER/OFFICIANT SERVICES
FROM ONLINE ORDINATIONS

Journeys of the Heart was legally incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1996.  Our incorporation specifically applies to the statute of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Domestic Relations Code which identifies those people who are qualified to solemnize marriages as recognized under statute Section 1503(a) and 1503(b).

In July of 1997, Journeys of the Heart applied for and received non-profit status with the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and is recognized as a 503(c)3 incorporation.  While filing an annual tax return for such organizations is not required, Journeys of the Heart does file an annual return in order to ensure proper financial oversight.

Respecting both the letter and the spirit of the Pennsylvania statute governing wedding officiants, Journeys of the Heart is organized in this way:

1     Our ministers (whom we prefer to call “officiants”) are carefully chosen and trained for this work.  We refer to this work as our ministry, even though we choose not to be called “ministers.”

2     Journeys of the Heart officiants are carefully trained to provide a deeply meaningful wedding experience for our clients.  The training and internship period usually lasts six months, although exceptions can be made depending upon prior ministry experience.  Upon completion of training, officiants are provided interim authorization to preside at ceremonies until the annual retreat when a more formal blessing and commissioning ceremony takes places.

3     Each of our ceremonies is carefully designed and created to reflect the religious beliefs of our members (whom we prefer to call “clients”).  This is done in careful consultation with clients in order that we not impose our own religious beliefs upon them but to ascertain what their religious beliefs are, in order that those beliefs may be honored.  We believe that honoring the spiritual beliefs of our clients is, in itself, a profound religious experience. 

It is also our experience that even for those clients who choose secular language, the specifically designed ceremony reflects a nuanced spiritual dimension.  Such spiritual dimension is possible to achieve, whether or not a couple chooses traditional religious language (i.e. God, Jesus, Allah) or non-traditional, seemingly secular language (i.e. the transforming power of love).  Very few couples choose strictly civil (i.e. legalistic) language such as a judge would have available. 

4     No one is denied access to a ceremony due to financial circumstances.

5     Journeys of the Heart keeps an e-mail group of several thousand members.  These members are contacted several times each year so that they know we are thinking about them and as a reminder to them that we would be happy to serve them again if/whenever the need arises.

6     In addition to weddings, we also offer officiating services for funerals and memorial services as well as baby blessing/naming ceremonies. 

7     When we contract with a couple to provide a ceremony, the agreement states:  When a minister/officiant of Journeys of the Heart serves as your officiant, you automatically become a beloved member of Journeys of the Heart.  As such you will be remembered always in our thoughts and prayers.  If you are ever in need of any ceremony for yourselves or your families, your request will be given the highest priority.  In addition, if you ever require an ear to listen or a heart to care, we would welcome your call.

8     Journeys of the Heart has a Board of Directors which meets quarterly to oversee our work, make suggestions and offer guidance where necessary.

9     Journeys of the Heart officiants meet quarterly as a group in order to share expertise, connect with one another and support each other in our shared ministry. Attendance at such meetings is mandatory.

10  Journeys of the Heart also requires officiants to attend one overnight retreat annually for training as well as rest, renewal, and relaxation with one another.  The retreat closes with a “Blessing and Commissioning” ceremony after which each officiant is sent back into the world for another year of work with Journeys of the Heart.  If and when an officiant chooses to leave this ministry he/she is blessed and sent, with love and care from the gathered officiants. 

11  In 2006, Journeys of the Heart offered an alternative monthly meeting, called The Gathering, where our clients were offered an option to join with others and attend a time of traditional meditative prayer.  The Board of Directors authorized The Gathering which was held at Cheltenham Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends to whom a $100 monthly contribution was made for use of the worship space there.  After a trial of 6 months, it was determined that our clients are not seeking a traditional gathering since usual attendance was quite small.

Marguerite H. Sexton

Executive Director

Journeys of the Heart

October 1, 2007