An invitation to a Zoom wedding reception — Sunday Feb. 9, Noon Eastern

Preamble

Some 25 years ago, when I first went to Russia, I started an informal email list for friends and family entitled “Marc’s life and travels”. Essentially a travel blog.  I felt a passion and joy in the writing and… almost a sense of destiny in that. What I would call today “sacred purpose”. And some of you enjoyed reading me.

As the years went on, anytime I met somebody I liked and wanted to stay in contact with, I would ask them if I could add them to my mailing list. Almost everyone said “yes”, until this list turned into a kind of contact list of people I felt affinity with and desired a sustained relationship with.

There were changes over the years. The writing was all over the map. As I look back, some of it sounds crazy even to me, so I can hardly imagine how it would sound to y’all. I started a professional writing career and wrote 4 books, and Marc’s life and Travels list turned into my author blog. Understanding that the vast majority of people don’t have interest in the tortured meanderings of my soul and/or my developmental theories, I recently moved much of my transformational writings to my new substack, Authentic Relating and Circling leader. You can subscribe there, if you like, as I will be minimizing duplicate content.

And now I am marrying Sophie. I wrote about that on this blog 6 months ago. It’s been very intense. I have discovered many things about myself, most importantly that I am actually not a very nice person much of the time. I am full of judgments about people and often quite reactive and arrogant. It’s actually not that easy to get along with me.

I wasn’t very easy on her, but she continued to love me. She is actually here with me in Boston now, and two days ago we got married. It’s like a fresh start on life, and an opportunity for me to be kinder, gentler, more humble and more patient to others and myself, than I have been until now. And happier too. Inshallah.

My basic idea remain the same (and I think that Sophie would agree with this): that love radiates out from a center of “two or more gathered in my name”. From there it is infinitely contagious, as it is transmitted from person to person, and no other way. It is the only thing that can save the unfortunate human race. And even if its too late for that, the experiment must be tried.

So, to get the the point: the invitation

I searched my brain for all the people that have been important to me over the years (the original purpose of Marc’s Life and Travels list), in order to invite them to my wedding reception. Many of you I remembered and wrote to you privately. But others, the majority of people who have been important to me, I can’t immediately remember. Or maybe I don’t have your contact information any more.

I know, however, that some of you have been lurking on this list for years. I also know that most of you are here because I have a personal connection with you and I want you in my life. If that’s true for you, I am reaching out to you to invite you to my wedding reception and to celebrate love with me and Sophie.

From this point on, this list will revert to its new purpose, my professional author blog. But for this mail, I want you to know that its probable that if you are reading this, that I cared for you once and that I still care for you, even if we haven’t spoken in some years.

The details of the invitation:

Dear friend and valued member of my community:

Sophie and I would like to invite you to our Zoom wedding reception to celebrate our marriage. 

Place and Time

The reception will take place Sunday Feb. 9 at Noon Eastern (6pm CET) at this link: www.circlingguide.com/zoom

It will last approximately 90 minutes. The room opens 10-15 minutes early. Come and go as you wish, however if you think you may want to speak (which we would love) please plan on arriving early to hear the instructions. We will start at Noon Eastern on the dot. 

Why a zoom wedding reception? 

Sophie’s and my wedding took place on Wednesday in Saugus, Massachusetts. You can see some photos here.  It was a small event attended only by a few family members. We wish to celebrate our union with the larger circle of our friends.

How is it going to go? 

We ask that any guests who feels so inclined, share a brief (1-2 minute) statement or story of why they love either Sophie or myself, and/or how one of us has had a positive impact on you.

The speaking order will be determined by Chris, our MC. To get in the queue, simply “raise your hand” via the zoom software and wait to be called.

Some primary-German speakers will be speaking in German. If anybody feels called to translate a summary of the German speakers, we would like that 🙂

Donations

Should you wish to make a contribution to our New York honeymoon, at which both of Sophie’s children will be present, your instructions are below.

It is by no means necessary or expected for you to make a donation. Your sweet presence is sufficient for us. If, however, you feel called to make a donation:

• For donations in US Dollars please send to PayPal at [email protected], to Venmo @marcbeneteau or (339) 232-4555, or Zelle to [email protected]
• For donations in Euros, send to Sophie Lemperle-McGrath using PayPal to [email protected] or IBAN DE29 1001 1001 2233 2835 45

Much love, and we look forward to connecting with you soon regardless.

Marco and Sophie

PS come see us in Berlin!