Rev. Brian Berkeley-White

I am an ordained Interfaith Minister and Spiritual Counsellor (graduate of the Interfaith Seminary in London). Until January 2006 I was based in southern Spain, but am currently working from Worcestershire, UK.  I am available to carry out a range of ministerial and chaplaincy services with a non-denominational spiritual orientation throughout much of the UK and, by prior arrangement, in mainland Europe.

Interfaith Ministers are individuals who have a broad spectrum of views on religious and spiritual matters, and who feel called to serve people of any spiritual tradition whatsoever, or of none.  During our Seminary training we studied the world's major religious traditions and a variety of spiritual practices.  Most of us have been on a spiritual quest for many years, trying to discover a path that is not tied to the strict guidelines of any one particular religious teaching, but one which acknowledges a Divine influence operating throughout the Universe - one which does not lend itself to any narrow, dogmatic compartmentalization.

We recognise the golden thread of truth that runs throughout all religions, but are free to formulate our own views according to our personal relationship with the Divine Source, whether you call that source God, Allah, Krishna, Adonai, or any other name.  And, since this is by definition an infinite concept, these are likely to be views that will continually unfold and broaden throughout our lives - and for those of us who accept this concept, then even beyond the confines of this current physical life.  It follows that Interfaith Ministers are individuals who have a natural and respectful acceptance of anyone else's philosophical or religious views, however much they may or may not accord with ours.

Interfaith ministers serve in a variety of ways.  Some work as hospice or prison chaplains, many in various counselling roles. One is Professor of Nursing Care at a teaching university in the north of England.  We come from a wide variety of backgrounds.  As for myself, I served as the official chaplain to the Torre del Mar (Spain) branch of the Royal British Legion throughout 2005.

I am available for wedding and marriage blessing services, baby-naming ceremonies, funeral and memorial services, home blessings, healing services, and spiritual counselling sessions.   I am available, too, for talks or to address meetings where an Interfaith input might be of interest.

Ultimately, whatever you might expect of any other Minister, you may expect of me, except that I'll be working with you, to your needs, and not to the strictures of any given religion - although we can work within any religious framework in which you feel comfortable.  An important point for me to make, however, is that the legal side of marriage must be conducted by a recognised registrar, and this can be carried out before or after the full wedding service.  In such cases it is normally just the very minimum required for legality that is undertaken with the registrar.

NB: I have experience of conducting ceremonies overseas, in Spain and Eire.

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