%20(1)-05.png)
About Me...
My name is Rebecca Menzies and I live in one of the most scenic parts of Scotland, the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides! I have lived here for over 4 years now with my partner and my cat, Poseidon.
I’m not an Islander though, I was born and raised in Auld Reekie, another beautiful part of the world. I was lucky to be brought up in a family that encouraged the arts and so learned music at an early age as well as honing my skills as a baker!
I have 3 wonderful children and although they are all grown up now, they make me so proud every day of my life. They still live in Edinburgh so I frequent there regularly. I still have the pleasure of having my Mum still with me and at the grand old age of 87, she is still plodding along just fine.
When I left school many moons ago, I studied to be a chef. I specialised in pastry work and have been known to enter the odd competition now and then. Once my children started school, I trained as a nurse because split shifts didn't work with young kids.
I mainly worked in infectious diseases and later led an addictions team in a forensic nursing setting for inmates. It was challenging but rewarding, and I have no regrets. It was my first real experience of seeing how privileged my upbringing had been and how some people just did not have that luck, and that to me, is just what it was, luck, or the lack thereof. Equity in health and social care seemed a distant reality and it was important to me to try and change that. I went on to work with criminal justice, Social work and child protection in the community.
I have always had an understanding of Humanism, even though I did not identify as such until a few years ago. My Uncle was a Humanist Celebrant in Yorkshire and he regularly spoke at family events. He always had a way with words and he was funny too.
I became disillusioned with the Church of Scotland upbringing I had received and with my experiences working with those much less fortunate than me, I began to feel almost an anger of the teachings of organised religion, it no longer offered the forgiveness, acceptance, kindness and love it proclaimed to, but Humanism did.
As a nurse I was privileged to spend time with people at all stages of their life and often, their deaths. Each and every moment lived has so much value and that is why I ventured to the Humanist Society Scotland, so that I could make spending those special moments with people, an official role. To be able to offer comfort, kindness and acceptance to all people at those very special moments of their lives, to tell their stories and share their memories.
I am looking forward to the people I have yet to meet and learn about, the stories I have yet to hear, the memories I have yet to make and the emotions I have yet to feel and I hope that I will be able to experience that with you.
I am available now for bookings for funerals and memorials and I will be available for Wedding bookings at the start of 2027! Watch this space!
Weddings
Humanist weddings are warm, personal and completely tailored to you as a couple. Your ceremony can take place in a location that is special to you, whether that is a beach, a croft, a village hall or a scenic spot overlooking the Atlantic. Together we will create a ceremony that celebrates your relationship and the life you are building together.
Funerals
A humanist funeral is a respectful and heartfelt way to celebrate the life of someone who has passed away. The ceremony focuses on their story, their character and the memories shared with family and friends. Each service is carefully written to honour the individual and provide comfort and reflection for those attending.
What is Humanism?
I was a humanist for years before I ever knew what humanism was. That seems a strange concept now that I am where I am on my humanism journey.
I just felt that I didn’t ‘fit’ anywhere. I knew that I always wanted to be kind, and I always knew that some things deeply saddened me and I have known for a long time that one of those things was religion.
I loved history as a child, I suppose I still do. Visiting a castle or learning about the Tudors were two of my most favourite things to do. It became very apparent through taking part in these activities that religion was really quite a scary concept. I’m constantly dismayed at the number of people over the centuries who have lost their life due to the
religion they chose to follow or were unfortunate enough to be born into. To me, a god, couldn’t allow that, wouldn’t allow that. The human suffering we see on a daily basis all over the world, offers me no affirmation that one exists, however you may choose to worship. What does give me hope is the kindness and love displayed by man when nobody is watching. The selfless acts some humans perform that go unrecognised or unnoticed. Our nurses, our Police, our fire fighters, our care givers, and our volunteers. Those who risk their lives or dedicate their time to make the world a better place, they are who I am thankful for, every single day.
But what is so amazing about humanism is the fact that it means so many different things to different people. An ethical world view that focuses on scientific enquiry, compassion, and not supernatural beliefs. The recognition that individuals possess the responsibility to create meaning in their own lives and the autonomy and accountability when faced with the consequences of doing so. The ability to solve problems through their own efforts while showing the moral equality needed without the dogma of organised religion.
Humanism is about human rights, treating each other with respect and empathy, it is about human-centred rather than divine- centred values.
And it has a history too!! As far back as the renaissance in the 13th and 14th century! ‘The Studia Humanitatis’ which promoted the idea that studying the humanities led to a more educated and refined humane existence. It was about the development of human virtue and the balance between contemplation and action.
As a Humanist I would also go as far as to say that I consider myself quite spiritual, not in the religious sense obviously, but in the connections I have with people I am close to and the world that I live in. The love I have for the environment that constantly fills me with awe, and the deep love I have for animals. You can’t deny those feelings you experience that make your life meaningful.
Whatever humanist views you feel you align with, you can be assured that you will find like minded individuals in a humanist setting and organisation. Head over to the Humanist Society Scotland where you can learn more about humanist values and very importantly, humanist campaigns.