About Reverend Russ
I am an ordained Interfaith Minister and Chaplain. I feel called to serve those who prefer an independent relationship with spiritual issues.
To be “spiritually independent” is to hold the notion that Truth is a thing unto itself. For me, nothing is True simply because it is be found in religious scripture. Religion and scripture are great sources of comfort and guidance for some people. Yet at times people experience conflict between the very real life questions about meaning or purpose and the demands of formal religion.
I hold that love, truth and morality are not the property of any religion. To me, their greatest realization is found in our own hearts, if only we will look there.
It is my way to listen from the heart, because that is where I find that God speaks to me most clearly.
Mission
With an abiding trust in The Divine, and working from the spiritual heart of meaning and mystery, I will accompany those who are at the milestone events in their lives, be they great joy or great sorrow.
Vision
The meaning of life is quite simple. We are here to learn how to love and, far more importantly, how to be loved. Loving another, or even God, is limited by how ready one is to be loved. Solving this mystery of how to be loved is the first and most important task in this lifetime. It is the key to everything - lasting happiness in marriage, or even finding the strength and courage to cope with the pain of loss.
Interfaith Minister and Chaplain
I am an ordained, Interfaith Minister and Chaplain, registered with the State of Hawaii.
I have chosen to identify as “Interfaith” because it allows me to serve people of all faith traditions, as well as those of none. I do both ceremonial and hospice work. For me this is sacred work and not just another side gig. I feel things deeply and bring that to all of the work I do. I have been married more than 35 years, and still celebrate every day I have with my life partner. Every day is still a blessing and that is the intent I will bring to every ceremony I do.
To be “spiritually independent is to hold the notion that Truth is a thing unto itself. For me, nothing is True simply because it is found in religious scripture. Religion and scripture are great sources of comfort and guidance for some people. Yet at times, people experience conflict between the very real life questions about meaning or purpose and the demands of formal religion.
I hold that love, truth and morality are not the property of any one religion. To me, their greatest realization is found in our own hearts, if only we will look there.
Ordained by the Chaplaincy Institute of Berkeley, California, I have done service work with the Ministry of the Golden Gate, the San Francisco Night Ministry, as well as the work of hospital and hospice chaplain. I have walked into hospital rooms of the dead, dying and their families, providing prayer and solace in the way they best need. I have borne witness to suffering and brought comfort to those in the worst hours of their lives. My work is one of compassion and giving back to Life.
I support love between two people
All faith traditions
Those of no faith tradition
All Gender preferences
LGBTQ friendly of course.
Why Choose Reverend Russ
I work directly with you to customize your ceremony. We start out with a template that works well for most people. You can work with the standard vows I have or write your own. For blended families, I’m happy to include the children in the ceremony if that works for you.