About Rev. Donna:  I graduated (with honors) from the New Seminary located in Manhattan NY and ordained with the graduating class of 2004  at St John the Divine.

I am currently working on my BA through Empire State College, which should be completed at the end of 2008; at which time I will to go on for my master's degree. My focus of study is interdisciplinary: counseling & writing. I am the mother of 4 grown boys, the step-mother of one grown girl and the grandmother of 2 little boys.

What drew me to Interfaith is my love for religion, and spirituality. When I first heard the word "Interfaith," my first reaction was that of surprise; shock perhaps. ...At last I finally fit in. ...I spent a lot of years wandering and searching. ...I loved everything I became involved in, yet nothing felt quite "complete." I walked in confusion feeling somewhat like a duck out of water. I wanted to take all of them into my being; ...at least "something" from all of them. ...And as I learned, I began to see how the core of each religion was indeed the same. ...The core I speak of is goodness and unconditional love. The more I learned about the concept of Interfaith, the more I knew I was home. When I took my vows as an Interfaith Minister, I vowed to always be a student of Spirit, to keep an open mind and especially an open heart.

What I draw most from all the faiths is their deep love and respect for nature. Interfaith is not about converting. ...It is about inclusion and acceptance for all faiths and fellow man while standing firmly on the ground of my own path. That is unconditional Love. It is the Christian message. It is the Pagan message of both Eastern and Western traditions. It is my prayer that all of humanity, each and every individual open their hearts.

My Personal Vows as an Interfaith Minister

I vow to always be a student of Spirit. I vow to keep an open heart; ...even when I can't keep an open mind. I vow to let Spirit work through me. I vow to do my best to aid those in need. I vow to keep humility in my heart. I vow to keep all paths to Spirit brightly lit. To vow these things is to know peace and light in my heart. ...

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My own thoughts on 'Interfaith'. ...I set foot on this journey to find something with-in myself and for myself; but where I have ended up is that of wanting to understand and offer something to humanity on the whole. ...Even though I myself feel more grounded in certain faiths than others, it has become my mission to understand my fellow man's connection to the Divine, and to see the journey from his prospective also; ...and to really know there are many roads that lead from here to there, and from there to here.

In today’s world, when the daily sense of grief for the planet and its’ inhabitants becomes overwhelming, I draw on the inspiration and teachings of my favorite teachers. ... They are who I call Mother Nature, Father Sky, Brother Sun, and Grandmother Moon. They are rhythmic, constant, and steady. That steadiness is a source of joy and calm, as well as inspiration for me. No matter how much we take from them, they continue to give without condition; And too, to share this world in this human manifestation with so many courageous and loving souls whom I consider heros, provides me with a source of inspiration every day; Not only historical figures, but people who walk their talk as I live and breathe, as well as members of my family, my friends, and spiritual network. To name them all would be impossible; instead I burn one candle in honour of them as I write this

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 Caption: Chris performing the nuptials of his cousin Tara and newly pronounced husband Eric aboard a boat off the shore of North Carolina.

About Rev. Chris: I am a graduate of the New Seminary, an interfaith seminary located in Manhattan. I was ordained, along with 78 other ministers at the Synod House of St. John the Divine Cathedral in NYC on June 12, 2005. I like to think of my arrival as an ordained minister at this place and time, as the beginning of the next step on my spiritual journey, and most certainly not the end of anything. I consider it to be a great honor and responsibility to be a "minister", whose mission is to serve this precious planet and all beings that live upon it, as well as to foster the growth the feeling of connectedness between all life in the universe. As evidenced by the large numbers in my graduating class, and the existence of numerous other Interfaith seminaries worldwide, Interfaith is a growing movement in today’s ever polarized world. I am proud to be involved in such a movement, ready and willing to minister to all who seek my services and counsel, regardless of their core belief system. I know that I have been called to this work by the Divine loving presence of the universe, called by many names, and I am ready to continue this journey of service, with compassion and love.

Personal Statement of Ministry

My ministry as the manifestation of my spirituality will be an ever-evolving and ever-changing one as I continue my dedication to deepening my relationship with the Divine. It will consist of laughter, joy, and music as well as having an open heart ready to serve all those who come to me in need. The care for our beloved Mother Earth will be front and center in my approach to every day, with an eye toward future generations. I will strive to keep my awareness expanding for myself and all whom I may encounter as I walk this path. It will be an ongoing celebration of the connection between all things and the mystery of life.

As for the practical application of my ministry...

 I am open to performing all types of services and celebrations, with hopes of many collaborations with my wife, Rev. Donna Favicchio. I would like to focus on spiritual counseling as the cornerstone of my ministry. Personal Vows of Ministry I vow to walk with humility, compassion, honesty, and integrity as I venture on this path of service, always remembering that I have been called to this path by the loving Divine presence that is the source of all things. "

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