Celebrations and Ceremonies
Don Heights Unitarian Congregation has two CUC – trained and Ontario licensed Lay Chaplains to perform weddings and work with couples and families to create meaningful sacred ceremonies to celebrate and commemorate life transitions. We pride ourselves on a custom service to match your needs and wishes.
Lay Chaplain
Sheila White is an Ontario-licensed Lay Chaplain for Don Heights Unitarian Congregation. Sheila is a professional communicator as well as our Music Director. She 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. Contact: [email protected]
Lay Chaplain
Janis Daly is an Ontario-licensed lay chaplain for Don Heights Unitarian Congregation. Don Heights lay chaplains are selected and trained to lead meaningful, honourable and customized ceremonies, for major life events such as:
- Weddings, Vow Renewals
- Memorials, Graveside Services
- Child Naming and Dedications
- Coming-Out Ceremonies
- Other Blessings
Janis would be happy to work directly with you. The ceremony can be at Don Heights Unitarian or anywhere of your choice, indoors or out. Janis will help you design that special service and officiate at your life event. Contact: [email protected]
Child Dedication Ceremonies
“Today we give you a flower, which symbolizes the beauty of life.”
Together, let’s create a service that speaks to the significant people in your child’s life. We encourage the active inclusion of siblings and any other children who will be an important part of your child’s life. Let us share the miracle of your child’s life in a meaningful ceremony.
Funerals & Memorials
“May we all be held in all our days, by hands and hearts encircling us with love.” 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. “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
Weddings
We believe that love, friendship, support and commitment are the touchstones of every marriage. A Unitarian wedding ceremony is a unique celebration of the joining of two people on their life’s journey. The ceremony honours and celebrates the joining of families, the commitment between two people and the blessing of their future together. Let’s co-create a ceremony that expresses your deepest intentions. Our Lay Chaplains have a wide variety of readings, sample services and suggestions. 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. It is important to us that you experience a personalized, significant and unique service whether it be faith-based or civil and regardless of sexual orientation. “I want to be your friend forever and ever, when the hills are all flat and the rivers are all dry. When the trees blossom in winter and the snow falls in summer — not until then will I part from you.”