Rev Sally Mabelle, M.Ed.

Sally Mabelle is a NZ registered marriage celebrant who can support you in creating your ideal ceremony for your significant rites of passage. As a Unitarian Universalist interfaith Sufi minister, Sally is ordained in the lineage of Sufi Ruhaniat International, She served as a lay worship leader for the Auckland Unitarian Church for 12 years before moving to Taupo and holding our first fellowship gathering on the 21st February, 2022. Sally ‘Azima’ Mabelle is a certified dances of universal peace leader with 30+ years experience as a personal and professional development mentor, teacher, and voice specialist (see www.nzmusicteachers/sally-mabelle for more on her voice coaching and www.sallymabelle.com for professional ‘voice of leadership’ mentoring and training. Sally is a lover of international culture and draws on many different sources for her inspiration, Although she was baptised and confirmed in the Christian tradition, she has since expanded her practice to include Hindu and Buddhist-inspired mantric meditation and Sufi practices and prayers, along with her Celtic earth-centered, seasonal celebrations.

Rites of Passage

Marriage Ceremonies

We encourage couples to choose their own music, readings and words of commitment. These may come from many religious traditions or from none. If requested, the worship leader can provide examples of music, words and commitments, and symbolic elements of a service.

Funerals

A Unitarian Universalist celebrant can assist next of kin in creating a funeral service, always with respect to any instructions left by the deceased. When a person is preparing for their death, we can offer pastoral care and work with the person directly to plan for the funeral service. Usually, one or more family members would also participate in such planning.

The celebrant will work with the Funeral Director appointed by the next of kin and prepare the service in consultation with the family member(s). The service can be conducted at the chapel of the Funeral Director, in a Crematorium chapel, or at the grave side.

If people cannot attend from interstate or overseas, a memorial service can also be arranged at a later date. For overseas or interstate family and friends, online services can be an option.

What distinguishes a Unitarian Universalist service from a traditional religious ceremony is that the celebrant will not presume to tell those gathered what happens after death. The service will typically include some music and/or singing (whole group or solo), an eulogy, some readings, and a time for silent prayers or reflection,

Baby blessings

Welcoming a child into a family and a circle of friends is an act of celebration and a commitment to the wellbeing of the child. The traditional Christian term for this kind of ceremony is ‘baptism’ however we believe the term baby blessing is more inclusive of other traditions and allows parents to help create their own unique way of welcoming their child into the family and community.

By working together with the family concerned, we can produce a ceremony that reflects the values of the parents and their wishes for their child.

The form and content will depend on discussions between the child’s parents or guardians and the celebrant.

Other Services

There may be other occasions when it is appropriate to mark a significant life event. This could include a separation service in the case of divorce, an acknowledgement of a person’s sexuality, or gender alignment, or marking a retirement. In each case, we will work with the person concerned to devise a form of service that will acknowledge the event and its significance in a form that is appropriate to the unique situation.

Preparing for and Conducting a Naming Ceremony, Wedding Blessing, Funeral or other Rite of Passage.

In all cases, our celebrant will arrange to meet the person or parties to plan and prepare for the ceremony. Where appropriate, the support we offer will also include the opportunity for a follow up visit to reflect on the service.

Our Fees

The fees we charge cover the expenses of the celebrant and make a contribution to the costs of maintaining our Fellowship as a community service. It is important that costs be discussed at the outset, and to note that additional costs may arise if additional work by the celebrant is required.