A human life is sacred
It is sacred in its being born
It is sacred in its living
It is sacred in its dying 

Many people today experience a need to mark transitions that occur throughout life but because they do not participate in the traditions of their parents and grandparents, they may not know how to go about doing this.  They want assistance in creating and carrying out a meaningful and personalized ceremony or ritual.  These include:

Weddings, Funerals, Memorials and Child Blessings

and any and all significant life transitions such as coming out, the loss of a pet, a divorce, coming out or retirement. 

The Unitarian Congregation of Guelph promotes freedom of choice and welcomes members of the larger community to explore the unique ceremonies we offer to celebrate life's milestones.  In order to facilitate these services the Unitarian Congregation of Guelph is served by our Lay Chaplains.  Lay chaplains are appointed by the congregation, provincially licensed and trained in the provision of meaningful, personalized ceremonies.  Lay chaplains consider the learning and service they offer to be part of their own spiritual development. They are committed to the inherent worth and dignity of every person and the Unitarian Principles will speak to you of openness, acceptance, sensitivity and generosity of spirit. 

Meet Our Lay Chaplains

ASPEN HEISEY

Aspen Heisey has been a lay Chaplain with the Unitarian Congregation of Guelph for 4 years. She has had an eclectic career, as a chef for Outward Bound, hospice worker, workplace mediator, and yoga/dance instructor. She is a founding team member with Floworks Training.  Her ability to wear many hats and keep grounded is a gift to everyone who gets to work with her.  In addition to her role in Floworks, Aspen teaches Yoga Meets Dance™, is an active community volunteer, and spends whatever time she can skiing, hiking, or playing her flute in the woods.

"When chosing an officiant, it was important for my husband and I to find someone that would be able to provide us with vows that would be diverse enough to speak to our audience and reflected who we are. We appreciated that we could customize every aspect of the ceremony.
From our the first time that we met Aspen, my husband and I knew that she would complement our big day and be able to put us at ease.  During our wedding rehearsal and ceremony Aspen exhibited grace, class, and compassion. We have had several wedding attendants ask us if we could provide her contact information because they too were so impressed."  (Colleen McDuffe)                     

MELINA BONDY

Melina Bondy became a Lay Chaplain in 2008.  She works for the Unitarian Congregation of Guelph as their Spiritual Development Coordinator and also teaches yoga.  Her influences and teachers include Starhawk, Thich Nhat Hanh and her wonderful mother.  She loves sharing music, meditation and laughter with her friends and community.  She feels honoured to help people create meaningful, unique and uplifting ceremonies. 

"The ceremony ended up being so nice and very specifically stated what we needed it to.  Thank you so much for helping us take this huge step in our lives.  Our guests found it all very moving.  It was great working with you.  We hope that you get to marry many other couples and help make their day as special as you did ours."   (Otto and Aaron)

Your Place or Ours?

The lay chaplains will conduct your ceremony at an agreed upon location in Guelph or the surrounding area, such as private homes, gardens, rented halls or the Arboretum.

Fees for Rites of Passage

• Wedding Ceremony or Ceremony of Commitment - $250
• Funeral or Memorial Service - $300
• Child Naming - $125
• Burials - $125
• Wedding Rehearsals - $50
• Rental of Congregational Building $50
• Rental of kitchen $50

Fees for other ceremonies and travel expenses will be negotiated with the Lay Chaplain at time of booking.  For enquiries please contact the office at 519-836-3443.

More Information

For more information about the lay Chaplaincy program, please visit the CUC site at:
http://www.cuc.ca/ceremonies