MT HOOD PERSONALITIES

A Commitment to Ceremony

Mt Hood's Devoted Wedding Officiants

Kurt and Michelle Winner know a lot about life’s journeys.  After all, they each came a long way to their eventual home on Mt. Hood.  They’ve enjoyed becoming a part of the community over the years with their commitment to their calling as wedding officiants, launching couples lovingly upon their own journeys in married life.

You could say they learned well about life’s many walks early on.  Michelle was born and raised in multicultural Hawaii, in a family that had once ranched on that state’s Big Island, and established her first career there in commercial interior design.  Kurt is from New York and New Jersey and is also accustomed to a wide mix of people plus the dynamic pace of the big city.  When they came together, they realized they shared a yearning to see what the Northwest was like, experience its wide-open spaces, and discover whether this was the place to live life as they most wished.

Following that dream, they came to Oregon, though at the time they knew no one here.  That soon changed!  They settled in a house with what Michelle calls “a drop-dead view of the mountain” and found their lives and hearts opening joyfully to the Mt. Hood community. 

When they felt a calling to become wedding officiants, another journey began for them that unfolded as naturally as the landscape around their beloved new home.  Just over five years ago, a friend of the couple bought and renovated a historical church in Sandy.  Upon completion the beautifully refurbished building turned out to serve best for sacred services of a more individual, less traditional variety.  Meanwhile, Michelle had met Reverend Robert and Diane Figley of the All-Faiths Church in Vancouver, and found a deep and true agreement with their belief that religion, or lack thereof, shouldn’t stand in the way of blessing a couple’s vows.  Under the Figleys’ mentorship, which she recalls with great love and gratitude, her commitment to God and her marriage ministry began.  Not much time passed before Kurt joined her in this blessed work. 

As time passed, three other ministers, whom Michelle personally selected and trained, joined Kurt and Michelle:  Noryne Robinson, Sharon Burbank-Smith, and quite recently, Leigh Ittershagen.  The five share their commitment and love for what they do, and this sincerity and good effort have led to many a fine wedding.  Timberline Lodge and The Resort at the Mountain have been great supporters of their ministry, but part of the fun is making vows happen just about anyplace the bride and groom desire.  In fact, Michelle’s first ceremony took place inside the Spruce Goose!

With so much to give and to do, and so many weekends to work, Kurt and Michelle truly enjoy the “off time” they do have.  Kurt, a gifted chef, loves to cook, and together with Michelle writes the food column for the Sandy Post.  Michelle, with ranching blood in her veins, loves horseback riding when she can. She also sits on the Board of Directors for the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers’ Association, and is currently organizing the global membership drive.

Who wouldn’t want to be launched into married life with such positive energy?  One of the greatest satisfactions for the Winners is receiving updates from the couples they have married as they travel along their own life journeys.  After all, as Michelle says at the end of every ceremony, wedding ministry is “Just love. For love is the greatest gift you have to give."

Historical Church Wedding Officiants
503-668-0107 or 503-816-1558
Email: minister@historicalchurch.com
www.HistoricalChurch.com

 

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 « Back to this issue...