Capital Unitarian Universalist Congregation

The Deaf community has its own culture which many of us know little about. Keeping in mind the First Unitarian Universalist Principle: “The inherent worth and dignity of every person”, let us learn more about the factual circumstances in which many Deaf community members live; which factors define this community as having its own sub-culture; and the nature of this culture — e.g. who is considered to belong and, surprisingly, who may be excluded; and the positive and negative effects new technology has on this community.

Our Place is an inner-city community centre serving Greater Victoria’s most vulnerable: working poor, impoverished elderly, mentally and physically challenged, addicted and the homeless. Our Place offers a sense of belonging to Greater Victoria’s most vulnerable citizens. Our Place provides a home, nourishment and hope through living, sharing, learning and worshipping together. Our Place serves over 1,200 meals per day, and provides hot showers, free clothing, counseling and outreach services, plus 45 transitional housing units. Most importantly, it provides a sense of hope and belonging to neighbours in need. Don is the Executive Director of the Our Place Society.

At mealtimes, Christians thank their god, while humanists thank the farmer.　 To whom or what do Unitarians give thanks?　 Where is the divinity – or the farmer – in today’s factory food?

Bill 36, the proposed Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act, would introduce a controversial approach into Canadian law by criminalizing the purchase of sexual services but exempting one party from prosecution. Is this a helpful solution? What other approaches could we have considered?

Rachel Phillips, PhD, executive director of Peers Victoria Resource Society, and health researcher, has taken a very active part in the debate and will shed light on the legal and social tangles this bill appears to create. She will also highlight just how complex an issue our lawmakers are grappling with.

Join us at First Unitarian Church of Victoria (5575 W Saanich Rd,) as we celebrate a Sunday Service together with our sister church and the attendees of the BC Fall Gathering.  Please note there is NO SERVICE at Capital today.  However there will be car pooling up to FUCV. Please speak to Amanda or a Board member for more information.

The nice things about UU principles is that if you are trying to do good you are most likely living out the intent of at least one or two of them. How about a compassionate action that covers all of our UU principles – costs very little money, takes a small amount of time and changes the world. Interested?

Our Third Principle says: “Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations.” To accept another is truly a challenging thing. How often have we tried to change someone? What are the tools available to help us accept? This morning we explore how we can deepen our spiritual knowledge and encourage others to do the same.

An homily based on the title of a book by Richard Rorty that addresses these three subjects.

Christianity is one of our UU sources; gospel music is an enthusiastic celebration of that faith. Join us as we explore the roots of this African-American music and its inspiring commitment to God, community and social change.

This homily will look at thinking and findings about the relative virtues of atheism or a more “religious” belief system for protecting our mental health.

Nobody knows when Jesus was born so why do we celebrate on December 25th?　The truth lies in lore of the Roman Empire and the religion of Mithras.　 Peter Scales will describe how the unnoticed birth of a builder’s son named Yeshua ben-Youssef became the link between the Hebrew prophets, Emperor Constantine, and Canada today.

In this talk I examine a common stereotype of the philosophical inquirer, according to which the philosopher is someone whose motivations are impersonal, dispassionate, objective, and directed at the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, rather than for any personal sake. I suggest that such a stereotype, which in fact assumes several guises, runs counter to the very essence of the subject.”

David Scott is a Canadian & UK trained philosophy professor at the University of Victoria, specializing in the history of metaphysics and in theory of knowledge.