Lay Chaplains

Emily Cummins-Woods

613-344-0297

Maureen Farr-Eagan

613-541-0896

Kingston Unitarian Lay Chaplains

These Lay Chaplains are:- members of our congregation - licensed by the Province of Ontario to officiate at weddings - trained by the Canadian Unitarian Council

Lay Chaplains officiate at rites of passage:- weddings, memorial services, child naming and other ceremonies celebrating life's transitions

We welcome those who want a simple civil marriage service, a traditional ceremony, or one that is non traditional, and reflects special beliefs, traditions and personal choices

For a wedding, our role includes:- up to two meetings to become acquainted and plan a personalized service.

We provide many resources to help plan a ceremony that recognizes and honours your traditions and values.

On your wedding day:

- officiate at your service

- sign the register and licence along with the wedding couple and two witnesses

- keep a record of the marriage

- send your marriage licence to the Registry Office.

We respect diversity and believe that legal marriage should be available for all.

Unitarians have celebrated same sex unions for more than 30 years, and have been on the leading edge to make legal marriage available to everyone.

For a funeral or memorial service:Many people find themselves without a Minister or Officiant at the time of a death. KUF Lay Chaplains are available to meet with the bereaved to plan and conduct a meaningful service, at a location of your choice.

Our fees:

- Marriage ……………………….$250

( travel outside the city & rehearsals are extra )

- Memorial or Funeral …….$250

- Child Naming…………………..$140

- Other rites of passage…on request

($75 of these fees go to the Unitarian Fellowship)

Locations for services:- may be held in a location of your choice

- in your home, a park, backyard garden

- at a restaurant, a hotel, B & B, or a hall

(our KUF hall is available for a rental fee of $50 for 3 hours)

We welcome your enquiries. Lay Chaplains may be contacted- through the KUF office at 613-544-8777

- direct phone calls or emails - see above under photos

- email kuf@kingston.net

Resources and links:Lay Chaplains will provide you with choices of wording and readings for services, and also recommend the following web sites for ideas:

www.firstunitariantoronto.org ( click on weddings & ceremonies, then on wedding guide www.uuottawa.com/chaplainweddingselectionbookletmain.htm

BIOS:

* Maureen has been a Lay Chaplain since 2004. She brings her past experience as an art and english teacher and as a Life Skills coach with the Y.W.C.A. to her current role. She has been the celebrant at well over 100 weddings, memorials and child dedications, and enjoys getting to know people from all walks of life and helping with personalized, meaningful services.

Maureen is also a wife and mother as well as an artist, poet and gardener. She enjoys sharing her terraced limestone yard with couples wanting a small wedding in a natural setting. Her warm, caring and understanding nature puts others at ease. Maureen finds being a Lay Chaplain the most rewarding experience so far in her life.

** Margo Rivera, is a psychologist on the faculty of Queen’s University and has worked for thirty-five years as a psychotherapist with adults and children who are trauma survivors. Margo believes that rituals are important in creating a meaningful modern life. She has been privileged to work with many individuals, couples, and families in creating and celebrating personalized weddings and memorial services that reflect their beliefs, experiences, and traditions. Margo lives in a cottage on Lake Ontario, and her dock is a popular spot for small weddings.

Margo Rivera

613-389-2388

mr14@post.queensu.ca

**see "bio" below

*** Emily,Cummins-Woods, our newest member, brings a wealth of interesting life experience and training to her role as lay-chaplain. She has travelled a lot, living and working in several countries. Emily hails from Montreal, where she earned a degree in comparative religion, and one in social work. She has really enjoyed working with couples and families, and especially so now by helping them create meaningful rituals to take them through life’s milestones. She has already performed many weddings of all varieties, and is able to perform them in English, French or both.

*see chaplains’

bios below