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Evans Ewing, Mandy

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Location: Glasgow
Region: West of Scotland
Covering areas: Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, Dunbartonshire, Ayrshire, Argyll & Bute, East and North Scotland
Phone: 0141 569 1469
Mobile: 07836 366 291
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

About Me

Background & experience
I have been a Registered Celebrant since spring 2001 and was one of the first twelve to be authorised as a Marriage Celebrant in 2005.

I am Humanist Chaplain for the University of Glasgow.

I have served on the HSS BOT and Glasgow Group Committee.

I am a Director of ‘Emerge – The Foundation’, a CIC implementing the pioneering ‘Coming of Age Project’, and am a co-founder of The (Scottish) Constitutional Commission.

I have run my own business for 10 years offering Life Guidance, Coaching and Consultancy.

I am a Social Worker to trade. I also work in the arts, and currently dance and work with Indepen-dance, Scotland’s premier mixed ability dance company.

What humanism means to me
To me, Humanism means focusing on common values, and on the universal qualities, abilities and aspirations that unify all human beings regardless of creed or class, and, valuing the unique contribution that each of us makes to this magnificent mandala that is life - because we are one human family.

Funerals

My approach to Funerals
“Death is the one thing that connects us all. It reminds us that what's really important is who we've touched, how much we've given. It makes us realize that we have to be good to one another.” (Peter Petrelli). I feel very strongly, that as far as is humanly possible, the death of someone we have known and loved should be marked in a way that is inclusive for all those who gather to lament a death and celebrate a life. This final rite of passage allows us to acknowledge and reflect on the significance of a person’s life within their circle of love and existence, and on the gifts and lessons from knowing and loving them. “Every blade in the field, Every leaf in the forest, Lays down its life in its season, As beautifully as it was taken up.” (Henry David Thoreau).

Namings

My approach to Namings
I feel deeply honoured and privileged to do this work whatever the nature of the ceremony. Our words, our intentions and our actions are important things that shape lives so a ceremony to name a child and welcome them to the world is a wonderful way to let them know explicitly that they are loved, wanted and valued, and wish them well on their journey through life. Every ceremony, as with all ceremonies, is bespoke; for Baby Leo, as well as making good promises, and celebrating his being heartily and joyously, and with cake and bubbly, we sang ‘heads and shoulders, knees and toes’ !

Same Sex Affirmations

Same Sex Affirmations
Love is love. In ‘The Art of Loving’ Erich Fromm said: ‘The only way of full knowledge lies in the act of love; this act transcends thought, it transcends words. It is the daring plunge into the experience of union. To love somebody is not just a strong feeling--it is a decision, it is a judgment, it is a promise.’ It is a great honour to help anyone express their love for, and commitment to, another, with ceremony. Same Sex Affirmations allow for greater rite and articulation of feelings preceding, following, or without the legal obligation of, civil partnership registration.

Weddings

My approach to Weddings
I see my role as a Celebrant as a facilitator, to help people express themselves, their love and their life in a way which is most meaningful to them. In weddings, as with all ceremonies, people choose the elements and expressions that are important to them, and along with the necessary legal obligations, these are woven together like an individual tapestry to create a tailored and distinctly personal celebration of love and joining together of two people in marriage.

What I love most about conducting weddings
The feelings of such joy, meeting so many beautiful and wonderful people dressed up and looking gorgeous and happy, the new experiences, the champagne, and, most of all, the satisfaction of helping people express their love, commitment and good intentions for one another.

My advice to you
Love is patient and love is kind.

My favourite piece of wedding poetry
There are so many wonderful things to choose from, of every ilk – deeply moving, funny, irreverent, tremendously thoughtful, and more. My favourite changes.

Today I particularly like this . . .:

From WHERE WE BELONG
Then you rose into my life
Like a promised sunrise.
Brightening my days with the light in your eyes.
I’ve never been so strong,
Now I’m where I belong.
(Maya Angelou)

I would advocate highly that you to seek out a truly wonderful, and slightly longer, piece called ‘The Invitation’ by Orion, Mountain Dreamer.

And I have always loved this for any occasion:
May the sun bring you new energies by day;
May the moon softly restore you by night.
May the rain wash away any worries you may have
And the breezes blow new strength into your being.
And then, all the days of your life,
May you walk gently through the world
And know its beauty.
(Apache Blessing)

My favourite piece of wedding music
Och, self-indulgence . . .
1) ‘Breathe Easy’ – The Sugababes
2) A medley of Waterboys tunes played on the flute by an adorable girlfriend
3) ‘Celebration of our Love’ (tune: Cwm Rhondda)
4) ‘Fields of Gold’ by Eva Cassidy, sung beautifully by Alison

My most unusual location for a wedding to date
Hard to decide between someone’s front room, halfway up Goat Fell on Arran or the stunning beach at Eriskay, a historic location where Bonnie prince Charlie first stepped foot on his return to Scottish soil and the film ‘Whisky Galore’ was sited !


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