Calendar of events

Here you will find all of our congregation’s Sunday Services, Board and Committee meetings and other events. Use the calendar controls to see events for past or future dates. For a quick look at recent Sunday Services, click here!

Jan
13
Sun
Peter Scales “In the name of love.”
Jan 13 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Peter Scales "In the name of love."
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. On the 90th anniversary of his birth, let’s revisit MLK’s universalism; his belief in inherent worth and dignity of all persons; his Christian sense of fundamental love; his non-violence; and the importance of working for social justice.
Jan
20
Sun
Rev. Shana Lynngood “What music can do.”
Jan 20 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Rev. Shana Lynngood "What music can do."

There is a power and connection that music can make with us that is unique. Sometimes when words fail us, music expresses what we seem unable to access in any other way. This morning we will explore the power of musical art form by listening deeply to the resonance and message in several different styles and forms of music. What genres of music move you? How does the listening that music evokes translate into other parts of your life?

**FUCV spirited jazz 2019 details, include the link and as much info in our newsletter as space allows** Jazz vespers services.

Jan
27
Sun
Dar Gareau-Levy “Us and Them.”
Jan 27 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Dar Gareau-Levy "Us and Them."

Each of us have at our core the belief that we are just as worthy as the next person, and yet we are continually being judged by a set of criteria that seems more interested in maintaining a system of privilege than opening doors to diversity. We are all doing the best we can in a world that seems bent on pitting us against each other, and dividing us with resentments and misunderstandings. How can we build a better world?

Feb
3
Sun
Casey Stainsby – Intergenerational Solidarity
Feb 3 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Casey Stainsby - Intergenerational Solidarity

Young Adults (ages 18-35) are the most underrepresented age demographic in Unitarian Universalist congregations. These days, we can also all be categorized as Millennials – a generation with a bad rep and who also face some serious challenges. Let’s change the narrative from one of desperation for young energy, to wondering how UU communities can best support young adults.

Casey is the Canadian Unitarian Council Youth and Young Adult Ministry Program and Events Coordinator. She grew up at the Unitarian Church of Vancouver, and has been active in multigenerational UU communities her whole life. Most recently, she was the CanUUdle Coordinator for three years. Casey also coordinated the Children’s Program for the CUC’s National Conference in 2014, and has served three Unitarian congregations’ religious exploration programs in various roles. Casey is a writer and editor for the CUC’s Truth, Healing and Reconciliation Reflection Guide initiative for several age levels of guides, is an Our Whole Lives sexuality education facilitator, and was a facilitator for Goldmine Youth Leadership School.

Feb
10
Sun
Pat Wictor – Peace is the Opposite of Dreaming
Feb 10 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Pat Wictor – Peace is the Opposite of Dreaming

Everyone wants peace. But all too often our vision is that peace will come when other people finally change to become more like ourselves, while we want to stay the same. What if creating peace requires giving up our dreams?

Pat Wictor is a folk/blues/gospel/jazz singer-songwriter from New York, and has been a member of the trio Brother Sun with past Capital UU speakers Joe Jencks and Greg Greenway. Pat will also bring several songs to this service.

Feb
17
Sun
Nancy Dobbs – Family Day Circle of Song
Feb 17 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Nancy Dobbs - Family Day Circle of Song

“Come sing a song with me” with songs that connect minds, hearts and spirits of people of all ages. We’ll sing as many songs as time allows. “And I’ll bring a song of love” or maybe a few songs of (agape) love for building relationships and community.

Feb
24
Sun
Wally du Temple “Dream Catcher and Reconciliation”
Feb 24 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Wally du Temple "Dream Catcher and Reconciliation"

“Wally du Temple, who was a social worker during the Sixties Scoop of aboriginal children, presents a convincing case for the need of reconciliation with First Nations and also with Mother Earth.”

Mar
3
Sun
Karen Christie and Committee “International Women’s Day”
Mar 3 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Karen Christie and Committee "International Women's Day"
“Join us for a presentation about International Womens Day (IWD) in the context of the seven Unitarian Universalist Principles. Afterwards at the Forum there will be an opportunity to share your views and perspectives on the importance of inclusion and equality. “”Balance for Better”” is this year’s theme for IWD.
Capital UU member Karen Christie formed a small committee to develop this service to mark International Women’s Day, which falls on March 8th. This day is very important to Karen who worked for over 25 years in support of equal rights for women and men. Her homily will be complemented by input from committee members who wish to remain nameless. However, rumour has it that it is worth mentioning Jan Greenwood for her role as service coordinator, and Peter Scales as our congregation’s historian. “
Mar
10
Sun
Lynne Bonner “Loving someone with mental illness”
Mar 10 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Lynne Bonner "Loving someone with mental illness"
“From depression to borderline personality disorder, mental illness is often stigmatized in our culture. The suffering, exacerbated by the stigma, impacts those who love the one who suffers, as well as the one who struggles with mental illness. Struggles with mental illness range from mild to fatal, and are sometimes intertwined with addiction, which further intensifies the suffering for all involved. In this service, we lift a personal story to shed light on the experience of loving someone who struggles with mental illness, and lift up some lessons learned as well – insights that apply to human relationships in general, as well as relationships affected by mental illness.
The service includes an simple ritual that gives all present the option to honour ourselves and our loved ones affected. A skilled listening ear will be available throughout and after the service if difficult feelings come up for any of us, or you wish to find community resources for further support.”
Lynne Bonner is a worship associate at the First Unitarian Church of Victoria, a mother and retired biologist.
Mar
17
Sun
Susan Layng “GVAT Greater Victoria Acting Together”
Mar 17 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Susan Layng "GVAT Greater Victoria Acting Together"

What keeps you up at night? What are the most pressing challenges facing you and your loved ones? Do we see the world as it is or the world as it should be? GVAT represents a commitment to the community of Victoria. We are a partnership of labour unions, faith/spiritual, community, and educational groups who are able to look beyond our differences, and act to advance social, environmental and economic justice. youtube.com/watch?v=7NZq2LsQ3n4

Susan Layng is a member of First Unitarian Church of Victoria. She is a member of the Board of Trustees representing the Outreach Council and is the Lead for the GVAT Core Team. Susan previously spoke to Capital about her experiences working inside an all male federal prison and currently sits on the Board of a local halfway house in Victoria.

Mar
24
Sun
Arran Liddel “Do You Believe in Magic?”
Mar 24 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Arran Liddel "Do You Believe in Magic?"

“The Lovin’ Spoonful sang, “”Believe in the magic that can set you free”” for them that magic was through music. In this service we will explore what that could be for us.”

Arran moved to Victoria from Toronto (though he is Scottish) with his partner, Gen, to be​ near​ the ocean and the trees. Arran is the Director of Spiritual Exploration and Learning at First Unitarian Church of Victoria and is doing a Masters of Divinity, focussing on earth-based spiritualities, at Cherry Hill Seminary. Arran is a member of Capital and one of our Lay Chaplains.

Mar
31
Sun
Dr. Edward Ishiguro “Gut-Brain Communication: The Possibility of Mind-controlling Bacteria”
Mar 31 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Dr. Edward Ishiguro "Gut-Brain Communication: The Possibility of Mind-controlling Bacteria"

The digestive tract is colonized by a complex population of about 30 trillion bacteria, the composition of which is a determinant between health and disease.  This presentation is an attempt (i) to demystify the notion that the gut is our second brain, (ii) to discuss recent research indicating the involvement of gut bacteria in various mental illnesses such as depression and autism spectrum disorder, and (iii) to briefly describe new strategies for treatment of these disorders.

Dr. Edward Ishiguro is Professor Emeritus the University of Victoria in the Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology since 1977. He was awarded Faculty of Science Teaching Excellence Award in 2005 and the UVic Alumni Association Harry Hickman Award for Teaching Excellence in 2006. He is from the UVic Speaker’s Bureau.