Don Heights Unitarian Congregation has two Ontario-licensed, Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) - trained Lay Chaplains to perform weddings and other special occasions such as celebrations of life and memorial services, baby dedications, naming ceremonies, spiritual rites and rituals. Our Lay Chaplains work with individuals, couples and families to create meaningful sacred ceremonies to celebrate and commemorate life’s transitions. We pride ourselves on providing a custom service to match your needs and wishes and being respectful and welcoming of all faiths, cultures, creeds, genders and identities.
Sheila White is our Don Heights Unitarian Lay Chaplain and is also our Music Director. A professional communicator, Sheila has officiated many special events and meetings during her 30-year career as a communications director working in government and community relations. She is noted for her abilities in this regard and for creating warm, comforting and entirely personalized services for all of life’s important occasions and milestones.
2014 African Canadian Achievement Award
2017 Canada 150 Medal
2020 Urban Hero Award
2022 Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal
Contact: [email protected]
Janis Daly - bio to follow -
Contact: [email protected]
As licensed and recognized Lay Chaplains, our “LCs” are qualified to serve as Officiants for all types of occasions: anniversaries, milestones, vow renewals, as well as pet dedications and memorials.
Weddings
We believe that love, friendship, support and commitment are the touchstones of every marriage. A Unitarian wedding ceremony is a uniquely tailored and personalized celebration to send two people on their life’s journey. A memorable ceremony honours and celebrates the joining of families, the commitment between two people and the blessing of the couple’s future together. Let’s co-create a ceremony that expresses your deepest intentions. Our skilled Lay Chaplains have a wide variety of readings, sample services and suggestions. They will facilitate your vows, readings and any special elements. They will ensure the services are relevant and reflect your personal circumstances and beliefs. You are also welcome to incorporate readings and words of your own choice. Our Lay Chaplains can perform these ceremonies at any location of your choice. There’s an option to use our accessible, ground floor, sanctuary space at 18 Wynford Drive. We work to ensure that you experience a personalized, significant and unique service whether it is faith-based or civil, and regardless of sexual orientation.
Funerals and Memorials
We offer compassionate warm support in planning a memorial service that is meaningful for all participants, celebrating the end of life and respecting room for heartfelt grief. Our Lay Chaplains relieve you of the worry of planning the perfect end-of-life tribute.
“When you are full of sorrow, look into your heart and you will see, you are weeping for that which has been your delight.” - Kahlil Gibran
Child Dedication Ceremonies
Together with you we create a meaningful and memorable occasion to mark the arrival of a new child, a milestone in a child’s life, or a naming ceremony that is as special as the child. Working with you, the Lay Chaplain will design a service to involve the significant people in your child’s life, the active inclusion of siblings and any other children who are an important part of your child’s life in a celebration of the unique contribution that child brings to the family, community and the larger world. Let us craft the meaningful ceremony capturing the miracle of your child’s life. “Today we give you a flower, which symbolizes the beauty of life.”
Gender Dedications
In times of your personal transformation we preside over declaration services that celebrate gender and sexual identity. Our services are reflective of your vision. We welcome inquiries about designing such rites of passage.
“May we all be held in all our days, by hands and hearts encircling us with love.”
Feedback:
“I just want to say that I, as well as my family, were deeply moved by the wonderful memorial you provided today for our brother.”
“Thank you all once again for such a fitting tribute. Bravo to all of you it was simply brilliant.”
“Everyone loved it. Thank you so much.”
“I talked with so many friends and one gal said it was the best service she has ever attended in her life.”
“It was such an appropriate tribute to the person he was.”
“Thank you for all your effort putting it together. You have a natural relaxed ability of just hitting the right note. You went above and beyond!!”
“I loved how the service flowed and everyone I spoke with afterwards said it was perfect how you captured his vibe.”