The Sacred Center

Soulful Celebrations & Ceremonies is the name of my officiating ministry.  "Holding space" ... whether it's teaching Sacred Yoga or officiating a special ceremony, holding space is what I do. As an ordained Interfaith Reverend, I cherish the opportunities I am given to gather souls together to honor special moments and events on the journey of life. I serve people from all walks of life.  The list below is a sampling of the services I offer.  I would love the chance to speak with you to see how I can help create a unique and meaningful experience.  Officiating prices and references available upon request.  Please scroll down to read some testimonials and see some recent photos!

 ABOUT ME: I am Reverend Shelley Dungan, a graduate of One Spirit Interfaith Seminary in New York City where I became an ordained Interfaith Minister.  I am the director of The Sacred Center, a ceremony officiant, a yoga instructor, a spiritual director, wisdom teacher, a mother of 4 and devoted to making my corner of the world more loving and inclusive.  

I earned a Bachelor of Art degree in Communications from the University of New Haven, not realizing then that this coursework would serve me well much later in my life. I received my yoga instructor training at Sacred Rivers Yoga in Glastonbury CT, with further advanced studies and certifications at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. I have enjoyed training and mentoring numerous yoga teachers over the years as well.  I am a Reiki Master, Healing Prayer Minister and a certified Spiritual Director .

During my years as a yoga instructor, I realized that what I wanted to offer my students is a deeper level of healing by placing more emphasis on the spiritual aspect of yoga rather than physical. My belief is  that the physical benefits are still gained when the emphasis is placed on the spiritual aspect but, if physical gain is the primary focus, spiritual growth is limited. This belief encouraged me to open Valley Yoga & Healing Center in Simsbury, Connecticut which reflected my philosophy of the sacred invitation that yoga offers us all. 

In 2013, I sold my yoga studio and moved to Middletown, RI, happily residing near the awe-inspiring ocean and tranquil natural environments abundant on beautiful Aquidneck Island where my family and I spent the previous 15 summers.  I am the delighted mother of four grown children who continue to teach me more about myself than any other relationship in my life.  

With my children grown, and as Reverend Shelley, I have the honor to officiate weddings, baby blessings and end of life celebrations. At these celebrations, and any other ceremony I am asked to officiate, my personal goal is to bring God's Love, Light & Healing to all. As an Interfaith minister with Christian roots, my service is to couples, families, singles, seekers, those who desire to find better health, wholeness and a loving spiritual community.  I minister to those who have lost their way or need to find a tribe of like-minded people seeking spiritual growth beyond the limitations of structured religion.  

I offer individual spiritual mentoring, small group gatherings, prayer support and much more. It is my life purpose to lead, guide and inspire others as we all walk the road toward wholeness together.  It is also my hope to bring compassion, strength and Presence to all that I do. 

Peace Be With You,

Rev Shelley

I wrote this prayer for us,

Beloved Creator, Divine Source of Love, in whom we live and move and have our being, You are beyond our mental comprehension yet felt with the presence of each and every breath we take. Your presence is made known wherever there emerges kindness and compassion. Our intention is to allow your love to soak us and fill us to overflowing, to welcome your unconditional love and acceptance and guidance. By your grace grant that we may feel connected to You, to ourselves, to one another and to our experience of being alive.  Despite our preference for comfort, may we be able to honor both the shadow and light within our human experience. It amazes us that in this moment people and animals everywhere in this world are engaged in the Universal Breath, all of us breathing in and breathing out as one. The plants are also a part of this Universal Breath as they breathe in our exhalation and breathe out oxygen...providing our next inhalation! One planet... breathing together…every moment of every day…surely all is sacred, all are equal, all is Love.

Amen

"Working with Shelley as our wedding officiant brought so much peace and joy to our entire experience. We so appreciated how she beautifully guided us through the process and co-created our ceremony with us. It brings back such great memories to think of it!"

-Sean & Dani

Katie & Ty

"Shelley helped make our wedding day the best ever.  She was so kind, reassuring and easy to work with.  After meeting with us, she wrote the sweetest and most meaningful sermon that she surprised us with at our wedding.  She really hit the nail on the head and we were so touched by her words.  They were so heartfelt and spot on.  I felt like we were in great hands with Shelley, which means a lot to a nervous bride to be!  I would recommend her services to anyone looking to get married!"

-Katie & Ty