Cynthia Johnson, MS, Ordained Clergy

Warmest welcome and blessings!

Now kick off your shoes, relax - maybe grab a cup of tea and let's chat.  I know it's difficult to find a spiritual family and people with whom you share a connection. It was easier when everyone belonged to the neighborhood church, and the minister who had baptized you was also around to perform your wedding ceremony.

Things have changed. Many of us have realized that the neighborhood church did not fill the yearning of our souls. We found our path to God to be somewhat different than our childhood teachings.

I was raised "literally" in the church. My father, Rev. J. Howard Link, was a United Methodist minister in MD and DE for over fifty years. His father, Dr. John N. Link, was also a United Methodist minister. I became a lay speaker at age 18, and often filled in for local ministers. Everyone encouraged me to join the seminary.

But I didn't want to be a Methodist minister. 

I explored many different traditional religions; but none fit well. I eventually drifted back to Methodist, simply because it was familiar. Let's face it; I knew the songs!

After my first child was born I made a startling discovery. My vague uncertainties about the Methodist church exploded into the overwhelming conviction that my child did not belong there. After Jerry Falwell's bizarre ramblings about the Teletubbies I would have nightmares about our Associate Minister ripping my daughter's beloved Tinky-Winky from her hands. We left the church.

We soon found Unitarian Universalism. Rather than hold to any one dogma or belief system, UU believes that everyone is deserving of respect and everyone must find his or her own path to God. I liked that. I liked that a lot. It was a huge jump, leaving mainstream religion, but I immediately felt as if a heavy yoke had been lifted from my shoulders.

It freed us to make other changes, as well. Ten years later we have a history of unassisted homebirth, home schooling, alternative/herbal healing, and instinctive parenting. We've also, as a family, been growing spiritually. It's one thing to accept that everyone must find their own path to God, it's another quest to discover your own path to the divine. It's a joyous journey, and I am so happy to be making it with my wonderful husband and children. Life is good.

Life is also funny. The more comfortable I became with myself, the more I realized that I was denying my basic instincts. I love working with people, helping them find the words that have meaning to them. I love speaking to a group, drawing many people to a single focus. I love watching my words resonate in peoples' eyes as they reflect on their own joys and journey. I love celebrating what I believe to be the pivotal human experience; the family.

And so I followed my heart, and my father, and became an ordained minister with the First Nation Church.  My ministry is different than his, and that's ok. My first wedding ceremony was for my best friend; and I realized I had finally found my true calling.

My ministry isn't about a church. It's about creating the ceremonies that will strengthen and celebrate your family milestones. It's about finding the words that will live forever in your heart.

It's about the circle of love, the circle of family and the circle of faith.

Namaste,

Cyndi