By J. Davis
As an ecumenical minister, Kraus has officiated at services for all beliefs and lifestyles in a variety of locations.In the 20-plus years since graduating from the New Seminary Theological College in New York City, she has enjoyed meeting and counseling the many couples who are referred to her by others who have appreciated her services.Born and raised in New York, Kraus attended Baruch College, where she got her first degrees in psychology and business administration. For the last 20 years, Kraus has been a Flushing resident, and she volunteers at the Flushing Council of the Arts at Flushing Town Hall, as well as a supportive member of the Queens Botanical Garden. Recalling some of the wedding ceremonies at which she has officiated, Kraus said they went from elegant to exotic to eccentric. The elegant wedding was a mature couple – she an European princess and he an English baron who were married in the opulent Presidential Suite at the Waldorf=Astoria. The more exotic ceremony was a Chinese wedding with 600 guests when an all-black clad bride and groom married under the arch at Washington Square at midnight. At another wedding, everyone except the groom was amused when a group of noisy peacocks decided to join the wedding party, Kraus recalled.And Kraus has seen a wide range of ages in the couples she weds. The youngest bride was 15 when she was married with her parents' consent. The oldest was a 75-year-old first-time bride who married the mature pastor of her faith, Kraus said.Halloween, with all its observations, is a very popular wedding day choice, as are New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day, Kraus said.Besides officiating at weddings, the reverend is a certified hypnotherapist and is also certified to lead women's group counseling. Kraus has also served as vice president for the Association of Interfaith Ministers and on the board of directors of the Queens Woman's Center.Kraus is divorced and has a son, and she enjoys the arts and paints in several mediums when she has free time. Listening to opera recordings is one of her favorite forms of relaxation, she said. In addition to marriage ceremonies, the reverend offers other services for couples: Renewal of vows, pre-nuptial counseling, baby naming and blessings, as well as commitment services and memorial services. She can be reached at 718-762-5881.
