Reverend Akasha Lonsdale, ordained Interfaith Minister and Celebrant

My calling to Interfaith Ministry came suddenly during the Iraq war, but my spiritual journey consciously began at the age of four. Despite my mother being an agnostic and refusing to allow me any involvement in religion so that I wouldn't be "indoctrinated", I always knew there was something more and I was always curious to know what that might be.

Over the years, I have studied many religious and spiritual traditions and what I find is that at the heart of all of them are the foundations for healthy living: love, respect, compassion, integrity, forgiveness, truth, generosity, community and friendship. However, my choice to become an Interfaith Minister rather than be aligned with any particular form of organised religion, is that I love the inclusivity and respect for all faiths and sacred traditions - or none. It was the core tenet of the One Spirit Interfaith Foundation "Many Ways: One Truth" that immediately spoke to my heart.

My journey to this point has been one of deep personal enquiry and development born of painful beginnings, but I am a total believer that we are sent (or create) what we need to really stretch us in life - to overcome obstacles and find the true meaning and purpose for being here. If we are awake to this, we will always see the signposts that lead us where we need to be.

One thing that has been totally consistent throughout my life is my passion for people. As a child I was a "people watcher" and I have always loved understanding what makes people tick, which is no doubt what led me to the different career choices I made, firstly in Human Resources and latterly, psychotherapy. I am now blessed with also being able to consolidate and offer my lifelong learnings, through Interfaith Ministry.

People often ask me "what do you do when you're "off-duty?" Personally, I never consider myself to be "off-duty" because for me Ministry is not a job - it is who I am and flows through every encounter I have, whether that be a passing smile, a general conversation, when I'm shopping, when I'm grumpy - or when I'm enjoying the privilege of creating ceremonies for wonderful people. I love what I do and I look forward to knowing how I might serve you.

Wishing you peace, laughter and fulfilment.