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!

Dec
7
Sun
Peter Scales “The Origins of Christmas”
Dec 7 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

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.

 

Dec
14
Sun
David Scott PhD “Philosophy and the Personal”
Dec 14 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

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.

 

Dec
21
Sun
Dana L. Seaborn “The Chalice”
Dec 21 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Midwinter is a time to appreciate and celebrate light.  Let’s celebrate our own UU tradition of a flaming chalice, and sing some seasonal songs!

 

Dec
28
Sun
Murray Enkin OC “Cat’s Cradle by Unitarian Kurt Vonnegut”
Dec 28 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Kurt Vonnegut’s novel “Cat’s Cradle” gives us a number of interesting messages.  Sometimes there is more truth in fiction than in fact.

 

Jan
3
Sat
Joe Jencks “Los Desaparecidos – The Disappeared Ones”
Jan 3 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

The phrase “The Disappeared Ones” comes from Central and South America. It was originally used to describe the people who were abducted for real or perceived offences against the various military governments and juntas of the Americas, and whose status was never determined. Presumed dead, but never known, they became the martyrs of people striving, usually peacefully, for a more democratic society and transparent government. But the term, in its broadest sense, is applicable in Canada and in the US. There are disappeared among us, even in our own cities and communities, people who are allowed to be invisible among us. Borrowing the phrase Los Desaparecidos, internationally renowned performer, songwriter and lay preacher Joe Jencks will lead a New Year’s service in music and story, inviting re-commitment to Unitarian and Universalist principles, and focusing on how we can take specific action to prevent people from being disappeared in our own societies. Considering homelessness, addiction, mental illness, disability, racism, and justice for veterans, you are invited to come join together in a spirit of renewed commitment to our liberal religious movement, and to each other.

 

Jan
11
Sun
Amanda Tarling “Laughter as a spiritual practice”
Jan 11 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

How can we deepen our spiritual practice through laughter? Laughter is wonderful physical medicine, but what about mirth as a way to enlightenment? In the sometimes bleak mid-winter let’s look at how laughter can help us live in a more meaningful way.

 

Jan
18
Sun
Emma Morgan-Thorp “Decolonization for the Settler
Jan 18 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

One settler’s experience thinking through colonialism and decolonization in 21st century Canada, from academics to Idle No More and beyond.

 

Emma is a settler feminist living on unceded Lekwungen territory. She has a BA in Gender & Canadian Studies and an MA in Indigenous & Canadian Studies. Her interests include decolonialism, feminism, and theatre for social change.

 

Jan
25
Sun
Dr. Ingrid Friesen, R.Psych. “Memory and Aging: Is Decline Inevitable?”
Jan 25 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

That one’s memory is not as good as it used to be is the most common complaint of middle-aged and older adults.  Dr. Friesen will describe changes that occur in memory in healthy aging and how it may be distinguished from pathological changes that may occur as we age.  She will also discuss ways to optimize memory functioning at all ages and how to minimize memory loss in late life.

Feb
1
Sun
Peter Scales “The History of Capital and Bel”
Feb 1 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Peter will briefly describe how — and more importantly why — this congregation was formed back in 1996. In the second half of the service we will remember Belsonia “Bel” Bogatin Paul, one of the leaders of our little group.

 

Feb
8
Sun
Jan Greenwood “Integration in Diversity”
Feb 8 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

It is not who or what you believe in that is important, but rather, how you live your life. Based on an event in our congregation and a homily by Unitarian Minister, Rev. Mathew Johnson – Doyle.

Feb
15
Sun
Dr. Robert Dalton “Arts Education in Child Development”
Feb 15 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Dr. Dalton is an Associate Professor, Art Education at the University of Victoria, he received his PhD (Art Education), from Ohio State University and his MFA (Painting), University of Washington.

 

Feb
22
Sun
Rev. Meg Roberts “Everyday Spiritual Practice”
Feb 22 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Many of us want to deepen our spiritual lives but are not sure how to do it. Having a regular spiritual practice helps you connect with what inspires and challenges you—whether that is a divine power, inner wisdom, and/or nature. Rev. Meg will explore what is involved in creating such a practice and benefits that come as a result.