The Canadian
Unitarian Council established the Lay Chaplaincy
Program in the late 1960's. At the time, there were
fewer churches with ministers and often long
distances between churches and fellowships. The CUC
identified a need to have people available to perform
rites of passage within the Unitarian Universalist
tradition. Thus the Lay Chaplaincy program was
developed. It is unique to Canada. Since the initial
inception of the program it has grown such that now
lay chaplains provide rites of passage to many people
in the community who are not members of the Unitarian
Universalist church.
Lay Chaplains
are members of their church or fellowship who are
appointed by their congregation to perform rites of
passage; weddings, funeral and memorial services and
infant dedications. All lay chaplains are licensed by
their home province to perform wedding services and
sign the necessary legal documents. The
non-denominational, wedding ceremonies which the UU
lay chaplains and ministers create are very personal
and can incorporate the varying faith traditions or
spiritual practices of the couple. Memorial services
and infant dedications are similarly very personal.
For many years
the Unitarian Universalist Church in Canada has
performed Services of Union for same-sex couples.
Nova Scotia has recognized same-sex marriage and the
Lay Chaplains and Minister of the UU Church of
Halifax will now be able to perform wedding services
for same-sex couples.
Lay Chaplains
are limited in their mandate to perform rites of
passage only. They are expected to participate in
training events to ensure they provide sensitive,
dignified and well-developed services. There are two
Lay Chaplains in the UU Church of Halifax. The Lay
Chaplains are appointed for a three-year term, which
can be renewed once. A Lay Chaplaincy Committee
oversees the program and meets two to three times a
year to discuss ides and issues.
Please contact
the Church office at 429-5500 if you are interested
in the services of our Minister or Lay Chaplain for a
rite of passage.
