Life Ceremonies
Life ceremonies, such as weddings, memorials, funerals, and child dedications, give us the opportunity to publicly honour an important event in the company of those who are dear to us. The Unitarian Church is a liberal religious faith that is able to bring personal meaning to a rite of passage, while respecting a wide range of spiritual perspectives.
About Lay Chaplains
In Canada, it became apparent as early as 1970 that the desire for Unitarian life ceremonies and rites of passage far surpassed the availability of Unitarian Ministers. The Lay Chaplaincy program was developed to meet this need for the general public.
Lay Chaplains are chosen by their congregations and officially licensed by the government to perform legally binding marriages. Today, Unitarian Lay Chaplains across Canada conduct some 1,000 rites of passage each year for members of the community at large. Lay Chaplains are appointed by the congregation for two-year terms, renewable to a total of six years.
Our Lay Chaplains provide:
- weddings (officially licensed by the Government of Alberta)
- funerals and memorial services
- child dedications
- other ceremonies
- guidance to couples or families to help them develop a customized service that meets their needs an opportunity for couples or families, including those who do not subscribe to any particular religion, to mark a life passage flexibility as to the location of service, be it in the Unitarian Church, a chapel, or in a more informal venue.
Rites of passage services for members of the Unitarian Church of Calgary are conducted at no charge by our minister.
Our Lay Chaplains
Carl Svoboda is a retired petroleum engineer and a long-time Calgary resident. He has been interested in spiritual development for most of his adult life and has been an active member of Calgary Unitarian Church since 2002. He was elected Lay Chaplain by the congregation and has served in that capacity since January 2011. His motivation for seeking the position was to be of service by facilitating rites of passage in a way that is positive and life-enhancing for those involved. Carl and his wife Christine have two married daughters and two grandchildren. In addition to his engineering training, Carl has a degree in archaeology from the University of Calgary.
Kathryn Burwash has lived in Alberta all her life. She has a Bachelors Degree in Nutrition, a Masters Degree in Marital and Family Therapy, and is a Registered Psychologist. She has worked as a hospital dietitian, homemaker, and counselor, and she enjoys volunteering in her community. Kathryn is a life-long spiritual seeker and looks for the wisdom in a variety of spiritual beliefs and practices. The congregation of the Unitarian Church of Calgary elected her to serve as a Lay Chaplain in May of 2011. She considers it a privilege to walk alongside people during times of life transition. She also enjoys the creative challenge of assisting people to design ceremonies that fit their unique beliefs and values to bring forth meaning in their lives. In her leisure time, Kathryn enjoys reading, walking, travel, needlework, movies, and world music. She is the proud mother of three adult children and calls Calgary home.
Fees
- Weddings: $310
- Funerals/memorial services: $310
- Child dedications: $160
Lay Chaplains may negotiate fees with those who can’t afford the suggested fees or those who would like to offer more.
Contact
Email the Lay Chaplains or call the church office at 403-276-2436.
To view availability for booking rooms in the church, please see our Church Calendar.