First Unitarian Chaplains

We believe that families and couples, whether interfaith or without a faith community, should have access to spiritual ceremonies to mark important life events. We provide ceremonies for rites of passage: weddings, child namings, funerals and memorial services, commitments, and rededication of vows. Our lay chaplains are members of our Congregation who have been selected carefully for this important role. They are specially trained to provide these ceremonies and are provincially licensed marriage officiants.

Our Unitarian community since the 1500s has encouraged the individual search for truth and meaning. We invite you to attend a Sunday service at First Unitarian Congregation to get a sense of our religious perspective.

Individualized Ceremonies: Our Lay Chaplains recognize that people have different needs and preferences. They will meet with you to design individualized ceremonies which reflect your values and personal spirituality. We can suggest material to draw on as you plan your ceremony but you can use your own readings, poems, or songs if you wish. We can also incorporate service elements from other faiths.

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Community

First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto includes and welcomes bisexual, gay, lesbian, transsexual, transgendered persons, same sex-couples and same-sex parents to our membership. Our lay chaplains have created many traditional and non-traditional weddings for same-sex couples.

The location is your choice.

These ceremonies can take place in a variety of locations in Greater Toronto Area. We have conducted ceremonies in private homes, public or home gardens, rented facilities and on the Toronto Islands. There are many possibilities. The venue should be private enough to ensure that your ceremony can be conducted with dignity and the degree of formality which is comfortable for you.

First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto has a large sanctuary, a chapel/library seating about twenty, and a small stained glass tower available for rental. While we do have a social hall which can also be rented, its availability may be more limited and it does not have full kitchen facilities. To inquire about or book space, call our Office Administrator, (416) 924-9654, Ext. 221 or e-mail us at administrator@firstunitariantoronto.org.

How to contact our chaplains

You may use the Online Request Form or call our Chaplain Coordinator at (416) 924-9654 ext. 301, e-mail chaplains@firstunitariantoronto.org to obtain further information about our Lay Chaplains and to be put in touch with them. Fees for ceremonies are discussed in advance with the Lay Chaplain.

Lay chaplains who perform weddings and other rites of passages.

Biographies of current chaplains

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