Sonya Bergeron (she/her)

Sonya Bergeron
Unitarian Universalist Lay Community Minister
Wedding & Memorial Officiant

My spiritual journey, much like the evolution of Unitarian Universalism itself, has unfolded through curiosity, exploration, and change. Unitarian Universalism began with Christian-centered roots in early U.S. history and has grown into a faith tradition that is open, affirming, and spacious enough to hold many ways of understanding meaning, mystery, and belonging. Along the way, it has been shaped by influences including Unitarian Transcendentalism, Universalist Spiritualism, and Humanism.

My own path mirrors this evolution. I was raised Christian and remained so through my youth and early adulthood. Over time, I explored other religious traditions and came to understand that my beliefs are not fixed, but continually emerging. I have come to value openness, humility, and growth over certainty—and to hold meaning with care.

While pursuing interfaith chaplaincy, I earned a Master of Divinity from a Buddhist seminary. During my studies, a teacher and counselor encouraged me to explore Unitarian Universalism. I found myself deeply resonating with its openness—a tradition that welcomes complexity, questioning, and lived experience without requiring theological agreement.

Grounded, Inclusive Ceremonies for Life’s Meaningful Thresholds

I am endorsed as a chaplain by the Religious Naturalist Association. Religious Naturalism centers
our attention on the natural world—the one world we know—guided by the understanding that life
unfolds according to the laws of nature and that careful observation is our most reliable way of
learning about it. This orientation invites us to release a focus on the supernatural and instead attend closely to our human experience: our bodies, our senses, our relationships, and the ways meaning arises through connection with one another and the world around us. It values presence,
embodiment, and the wisdom that emerges from lived experience.

I am also endorsed by the Humanist Society as both a chaplain and a celebrant. I resonate deeply
with the Humanist Manifesto and its affirmation of the inherent worth and dignity of every person. All of humanity is worthy of love. As social beings, we express that love through shared knowledge, mutual care, compassion, and responsibility. None of us exists in isolation; we are made possible through our belonging to one another.

At the same time, I hold an awareness that our understanding of life’s mystery is always partial.
Scientific discovery continually reshapes how we understand ourselves and our place in the universe. While our senses offer us a way into the world, we know there is always more beyond what
we can perceive. For these reasons, I value holding understanding lightly—remaining curious, open,
and willing to be changed by what we learn.

Wedding Ceremonies

As a wedding officiant, I work with couples who want ceremonies that are meaningful, personal, and
grounded in their lived values—without requiring shared religious beliefs. Drawing from Unitarian
Universalism, Humanism, and Religious Naturalism, I collaborate closely with couples to create
ceremonies that reflect who they are, how they love, and what they hope for their shared future.

My approach to weddings emphasizes:

• Authentic storytelling and shared meaning
• Respect for diverse spiritual, secular, and cultural backgrounds
• Thoughtful, inclusive language that honors partnership and mutual care
• Presence, warmth, and attentiveness on the day of the ceremony

Whether a couple identifies as spiritual, secular, interfaith, or questioning, my intention is to create a ceremony that feels honest, inclusive, and deeply their own.

Memorials, Funerals, and Celebrations of Life

My work with memorials and celebrations of life is grounded in compassion, presence, and respect
for the many ways people understand life, death, and meaning. As a Humanist and Religious
Naturalist chaplain and celebrant, I focus on what we know and feel directly: relationships, stories,
embodied lives, and the lasting impact a person has on the world around them.

I create memorials that are honest, gentle, and meaningful—spaces where families and communities can honor a life, acknowledge loss, and feel supported as they remember together. My work makes room for grief, memory, love, and uncertainty, without imposing theology or requiring shared beliefs.

Each ceremony is shaped with care, attentiveness, and deep respect for the individual being
honored and for those who gather in mourning and remembrance.

My Intention

Across weddings and memorials alike, my intention is the same: to offer ceremonies rooted in
dignity, connection, and care—honoring the fullness of human experience at moments of profound transition.