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It is high wedding season and we thought it was
a good idea to tell you all about the |
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HUMANIST CANADA
OFFICIANT PROGRAM
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Our History
The Humanist Canada Officiant Program has been marking significant life events since 1996, focusing on solemnizing marriage. Why marriage? Marriage is a legal contract between individuals and is governed by each province in this country under either a Marriage Act or Vital Statistics Act. Marriage provides government-granted privileges for taxes, healthcare, inheritance, court testimony and child custody. Therefore, it requires a trained and responsible individual to carry out the task of solemnizing that union.
Provincial legislation sets the rules for marriage registration, how solemnization takes place, and who can be appointed to solemnize a marriage. There is a lot of other stuff in there, but those are the critical pieces. Note that in the legislation, the following are the individuals allowed to conduct a marriage ceremony in Ontario;
- clergy, and
- civil officials (judges, justice of the peace and town clerks)
When the ORG granted Humanist Canada the honour of solemnizing marriage, it was an important item needed to offer complete ceremony services to non-religious people that religious organizations have had the privilege of providing under the legislation.
It all began with the Humanist Association of Ottawa (HAO). That organization made several applications to the Office of the Registrar General (ORG), and in 1993 the HAO was accepted with two caveats attached.
- Only HAO members could be appointed.
- HAO needed to be incorporated.
The applicants at HAO, Simon Parcher and Colin Downie approached Humanist Canada because being able to expand the number of people offering services would benefit everyone. The Board agreed and then completed the second condition set forth by the ORG to become incorporated. Thus the impetus for becoming a corporation was realized, and we were on our way to appointing people to provide rites of passage.
As you can imagine, this was quite a significant event for Humanist Canada when the ORG approved us as an organization to provide these services. Humanist Canada is the first non-religious organization to be given the authority to solemnize marriage in the country. The British Columbia Humanist Association has made several attempts in BC and has been turned down by that province.
Our Officiants offer rituals and ceremonies to celebrate;
Weddings
Wedding Vow Renewals
End-of-Life Celebrations (funerals, memorials,
graveside committals)
Namings; child and transgender
Coming of age – any age
Divorce and new beginnings
If there is something to be celebrated, a Humanist Canada Officiant will work with you to make it a reality.
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This month, we bring you two profiles from our officiant members.
They each have a very different practice as
Ambassadors of Humanism. |
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Officiant Member Profile #1
Bryan Causarano
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Hello! I've long identified as a humanist and recently became a member of Humanist Canada, and so happy to have joined this national organization! Years ago, after many years of identifying myself as an atheist (which never felt entirely right), I heard Stephen Fry speak on humanism and thought, "oh, I am actually a Humanist!". I immediately saw myself in humanism - my core beliefs in science, equity, and compassion - and was excited to find language that captured a fuller view of the world and a more affirmative stance than "atheism" can capture alone.
I was sparked to join Humanist Canada after a touching request by my cousin to officiate her wedding. I've never been asked to officiate a wedding before and consider it a massive responsibility and a huge honor. My father is a retired Superior Court Judge who used to perform civil ceremonies at the special request of family and friends, and who officiated my own wedding ceremony 10 years ago, so I feel like I have had a window into the special nature of this role, its importance, and the preparation involved. In my own life, marriage has been an incredible teacher - I have learned, and continue to learn and grow so much through our married commitment as a couple, and would be so thrilled and honoured to bring these insights to this special role as an Officiant.
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Officiant Member Profile #2
Sue Lefebvre |
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My name is Sue Lefebvre, I am a wife, a mother and a Social Worker and my passion is being a Humanist Officiant. I absolutely love it! I certainly love doing Weddings, but my real love is Funerals/Celebrations of Life.
I have long had an interest in helping people overcome the worst – which can be any variety of things, depending on their circumstance. This is something to which I am well suited as my personal history is peppered with trauma and loss. I was adopted at 18 months then my adoptive Mother died when I was 14 years of age. I left home at 17, married at 19 and divorced at 26. My father died when I was 21 - suddenly I was alone and an orphan. This ushered in 10 years of introspection, psychotherapy and personal growth. During which time, I worked through my early losses and gained a great appreciation for the resilience of humanity. I went on to remarry, and after a series of miscarriages, delivered my son, who is now 26.
Professionally, I have a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), a Master of Social Work (RSW) and I am a Professional Certified Coach. As my practice naturally shifted towards grief and loss, I completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Death, Dying and Bereavement. I am now a Grief and Loss therapist because we are all touched by grief, but many don’t know how to find their way out of it.
I have been a Humanist Officiant since 2019 and business has steadily picked up since I began. There is a lot of competition for clients, but there is also a lot of reward. It is really quite special to see joy beaming on client’s faces when the ceremony is done and they are pronounced. However, sometimes I am saddened by seeing that many people are completely overtaken with the idea of having a wedding, and not so much with cherishing the act of marriage.
As mentioned above, I have a great love for Celebrations of Life/Funerals. They give me an opportunity to use all my social work skills while promoting the idea of Humanism. My clients, usually distraught families but sometimes lone spouses, are genuinely grateful for my work. Without exception, they have all expressed gratitude for my help. Which is exactly what I set out to do!
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve my Community as a Humanist Officiant.
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I'm sure you have more questions about the Officiant program, so let's continue ........ |
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There are costs associated with becoming a Humanist Canada Officiant. The fees paid by applicants, candidates and officiants are the most significant contributors to the Humanist Canada revenue stream. The costs to become and continue being an officiant are:
- Membership Fees: All officiants must maintain their membership in Humanist Canada throughout their career and hopefully beyond. Depending on your membership level, this is between $40 and $60 annually.
- Application Fee: An application fee to offset the cost of administering applications and reference checks. The price is $150.
- Training Fee: There is a fee for training candidates. This fee is $495.
- Officiant Professional Dues: There is an annual fee to maintain your appointment with Humanist Canada and that fee is $300 annually.
- Attendance at the annual officiant conference once in a two year period.
(Fees are subject to change from time to time.)
A Humanist Canada Officiant is held in high regard, and people have come to know the quality of the services we offer and the type of people we are. If you are interested in being a Humanist Canada Officiant, and you are a member – apply to the program; if you aren't a member, become a member today.
We'd love to be a part of your journey to providing meaningful ceremony services to your community. If you have more questions, need more information or to apply to the program you can send your inquiry by clicking the button below.
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MEMBERS CONNECT
WEEKLY at 6 pm EDT |
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The Members Connect get togethers have been taking place for a few months now and are attracting all kinds of members. Here they have general discussions on a wide range of topics. It is aplace to connect with your fellow members, catch up on the latest news, share your concerns and accomplishments or just tell us what is on your mind these days.
Our weekly meetings take place every Wednesday, 6.00 – 7.00 pm EDT, on Zoom.
* This event is for current Humanist Canada members.
Log into your account to register.
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Webinars will resume in September.
Check out the next newsletter or your email for details! |
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Coffee Chat:
CALL FOR SPEAKERS! |
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We hope you are enjoying our coffee chats!
Also, are you knowledgeable and passionate about a topic?
Would you like to exchange your views with other HC members?
Or perhaps you know someone with an eye-opening story they'd like to share?
We are always looking for new and interesting topics and the best place to find them is with you! Consider being a coffee chat guest. Email a brief proposal the Program Director, Anna Popovitch.
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2022 CAPITAL PRIDE FESTIVAL PARADE
Centretown, Ottawa
August 28th at 1 pm |
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If you’re in the Ottawa area, show your colours as part of a Humanist Canada contingent in Ottawa’s Capital Pride Parade on Sunday, August 28th at 1 pm. It promises to be a fun day with Officiant and DJ, Bill McElree, spinning tunes, President Martin Frith and a host of members walking in the parade. It’s an excellent opportunity to demonstrate Humanist Canada’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in our capital. Click below to get more information.
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BAHACON CONFERENCE
Sunbridge Hotel & Conference Centre, Sarnia, Ontario
August 26th to 28th, 2022 |
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Join your fellow Humanists, agnostics and atheists at the BAHACon Conference taking place in Sarnia August 26th to 28, 2022. There is a great line up of speakers and Humanist Canada will be there with t-shirts, books and other items for sale.
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! |
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3RD INTERNATIONAL HUMANISM CONFERENCE
ON SOCIAL JUSTICE
TORONTO
September 24th and 25th, 2022
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There is a great lineup of speakers and it is sure to be two days of thought provoking presentations. Our member and Humanist Chaplain, Srishti Hukku, will be speaking on Humanism and women's rights!
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ABOUT HUMANIST CANADA
Humanist Canada endorses Humanism as a life stance. We promote the separation of religion from public policy and foster the development of reason, compassion, and critical thinking through education and community support. We are funded entirely through memberships and donations. Your involvement is incredibly significant and goes a long way to contribute to lasting change for a better society.
If you are not a member of HC, join Humanist Canada to continue your journey with us! You can also support our programs, including our webinar series and Public Humanities courses by clicking the donate button below.
Your membership and donations help us do the work we do and spread Humanism throughout Canada and we thank you for your support.
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