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Preamble: The ACCN views the role of the modern Australian civil celebrant as a complex one.
The independent civil celebrant in a democratic society has a unique opportunity to:
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- inspire individuals, couples and families to build more harmonious supportive relationships
- provide a framework through which individuals, couples and families can be supported during times of major changes in their lives
- acknowledge times and roles past, articulating achievements, in learning from mistakes and moving on from failures and successes
- provide a vision of future roles and relationships, offering guidance to encourage and support change for optimum health of all concerned
- inform and informally educate on issues related to marriage, family and community life, loss and grief, managing change, "civilised" behaviour in a modern day context, human/citizens rights and responsibilities
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Historically the role of religious celebrants in relation to their congregation has been one of family and community worker. In some cases, teacher, educator, psychologist, counsellor, social worker, community developer, human rights activist.
Much of the intent of the religious celebrants work is to support human beings in finding the "right" relationship with themselves, with others, with their community and their world, including their "God" however that is defined by the specific religion.
For some religions, that "God" is not conceived of an a single being, nor even personified at all. The 'God" may be the "good" ie a set of principles for living for right living, for living the "good" life or "God" may be "love" ie the wanting of the best for another being's health and welfare physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually.
People's needs for love, affirmation, respect, inspiration, support, relationship, community and opportunities to mark important life occasions have not disappeared, with their decline in religious affiliation.
Rather the evolution of civil celebrancy, in the ongoing growth in the type and context for civil ceremonies, is a refection of this need.
For civil celebrants the challenge is to:
- find the common ethical relational threads under-pinning religious teachings that uphold the dignity of all human beings and living things
- be able to articulate these in a language that does not discriminate on the basis of religion or creed, or no religion at all, and
- inspire individuals, couples, families and communities to live to the fullest and best potential, and to be able to serve their communities with creativity, sensitivity, humility and understanding.
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Australia is one of the world leaders is the development of civil celebrancy.
"Our Space - Many Voices One Goal" aims to encourage all celebrants to work for the common good according to those values all nations agree to be good.
The Australian Celebrants and Celebrations Network welcomes original works on celebrancy related topics or suggestions for articles
that can inspire or challenge celebrants to continue to develop their understanding and skills.
Let us hear your voice ... submit an article for your next Our Space e-Magazine
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