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!

Sep
24
Sun
Rita Wittman “I’m Your Man – The Life and Times of Leonard Cohen”
Sep 24 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Rita Wittman "I’m Your Man – The Life and Times of Leonard Cohen"

Leonard Cohen was Canadian singer, songwriter, musician, poet, novelist, and painter. His work explored religion, politics, isolation, sexuality, and personal relationships. Come, immerse yourself in the words and music that touched the hearts and minds of so many of us in celebration of his September 21st birthday.

Oct
1
Sun
Pamela Thompson “Building Peace in the World: It Begins with You!”
Oct 1 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Pamela Thompson "Building Peace in the World: It Begins with You!"

In these challenging, tumultuous and uncertain times, you may feel helpless, sad, fearful, angry and/or uncertain of your future, that of your family, and the planet. You may think there is little or nothing you can do to help build peace in the world. I believe there is much that you can do, and it may be easier than you think. Pamela will share practical strategies that will help you find inner peace and enable you to begin helping to build peace in the world one person (or more!) at a time.

Pamela Thompson, BN, MSc. is a keynote speaker, certified life & business coach, facilitator, global health & management consultant, & author of the #1 Best Selling book “Learning to Dance with Life: A Guide for High Achieving Women”. She has a diverse background and experience as a nurse, university professor, project manager and consultant on 5 continents. Pam supports women and organizations to embrace the art of change. Trained in conflict resolution and mediation and having lived and worked in a number of conflict zones, Pam’s larger mission is to help build peace in the world. She is President of Creative Life Coaching Inc pamela-thompson.com

Oct
15
Sun
Dana Lynn Seaborn “Changing your mind: how the new science of brain plasticity can change your life”
Oct 15 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Dana Lynn Seaborn "Changing your mind: how the new science of brain plasticity can change your life"

There was a time when neurologists’ credo was, “Diagnose and adios.” Learn of recent discoveries about the adaptable brain which bring hope for us all. Even injured, elderly, and diseased brains can heal and adapt. Come wrap your head around that!

On the topic of neurology, D L Seaborn is an autodidact who likes to think she has at least half a brain.

Oct
22
Sun
Melaney Black “Nuclear Power: Too Costly, Too Deadly”
Oct 22 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Melaney Black "Nuclear Power: Too Costly, Too Deadly"

Melaney Black will delve into the topic of nuclear power.

 

Amnesty International is our Capital Connects Recipient for October. A portion of donations we receive this month will be shared with this charity. Amnesty International turns knowledge of human rights violations into global awareness and action.

Oct
29
Sun
Sarah Kendall “Finding Enough Strength”
Oct 29 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Sarah Kendall "Finding Enough Strength"

Author Sarah Kendall shares wisdom learned reclaiming her life after a stroke. Discover what her journey has to teach us all.

Sarah Kendall is the author of a book of poetry “Let me show you chocolate lilies”.

Nov
5
Sun
Peter Scales “What if the birds all die? Rachel Carson and “Silent Spring””
Nov 5 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Peter Scales "What if the birds all die? Rachel Carson and "Silent Spring""

In September 1962 — 45 years ago — American marine biologist Rachel Carson published “Silent Spring,” an argument against the pesticide DDT and other synthetic pesticides. Carson’s work led to the banning of DDT, the creating of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and to kick-starting environmentalism in North America. We owe the Unitarian 7th principle in part to Rachel Carson. How could one slim book make such a dramatic impact? Come and hear!

Nov
12
Sun
Colin Nelson “Inequality & Inequity”
Nov 12 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Colin Nelson “Inequality & Inequity”

Colin has spent several years in developing countries, Antigua (West Indies), Palestine, Mexico, Honduras, Peru, Guatemala and 10 times in Tanzania. He has come to some conclusions about the causes and possible cure of poverty in the so-called developing countries — particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. He would like to present his ideas to you, and looks forward to your input and corrections if you do not agree, and reassurance if you do agree with him. All input welcome in the forum.

Nov
19
Sun
Nicole Tremblay “LGBTQ2 Seniors – through the ages”
Nov 19 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Nicole Tremblay “LGBTQ2 Seniors - through the  ages”

We will discuss what life was like for LGBTQ2 seniors in decades past and how this shapes their fears and needs as they age. I will also talk about my experience in the health care system advocating for more inclusive and affirming services for LGBTQ2 seniors.

Nicole has master’s degrees in social work and public administration. She has worked with individuals and families across the lifespan supporting personal growth and systems change. She worked for the past 12 year at Island Health – 10 as a Clinical Educator.

Nov
26
Sun
Christine Johnston “Lotta Hitchmanova”
Nov 26 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Christine Johnston "Lotta Hitchmanova"

Learn more about the founder of the Unitarian Service Committee of Canada in celebration of her November 28th birthday.

Christine is a member of First Unitarian Church of Victoria and a Canadian Unitarian Council Knight Award recipient.

Dec
3
Sun
Lisa Greenly “When life’s big questions get asked at Christmas”
Dec 3 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Lisa Greenly "When life's big questions get asked at Christmas"

A Christmas story that reflects on the strength of the human spirit and speaks to the personal nature of the holidays.

Lisa is a gifted storyteller, and a pragmatic dreamer. She loves to weave together aspects of her open spirit, heart, and hands into an inclusive strategy for living life to its fullest.

Dec
10
Sun
Dar Gareau-Levy “Radical Acceptance and the Stigma of Difference”
Dec 10 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Dar Gareau-Levy "Radical Acceptance and the Stigma of Difference"

Unitarian Universalism has always been a welcoming faith. We spread the word that diversity is more than welcome in our church. But now that those doors have opened and we are being taken up on our offer, how well are we doing at integrating those differences? Sometimes it’s easier to be accepting of those who are very different from ourselves than those we call our own people, simply because these other people’s lives don’t overlap much with ours.

Join us as we explore how we can make that transition from ‘Radical Hospitality’, to ‘Radical Acceptance’ with the least amount of collateral damage.

Dar grew up in Ketch Harbour, a small rural town in Nova Scotia. Got a Bachelor of Fine Art at the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, and lived for 8 years in Wittenburg Nova Scotia with her partner, raising sheep and growing their own organic veggies. While in Nova Scotia, Dar worked in a fish plant, in an auto body shop, in a restaurant kitchen, as a chambermaid, and as a light-table artist for a small printing company.Here in Victoria Dar created her own business, Get It Done Yard Maintenance and Odd Jobs, where she finally got to put into practice her own principle of fair and honest work for honest pay without the middle man.

Dar writes: I’m no stranger to the stigma of difference and the difficulty of fitting in. As a non-binary transgender, a lesbian, an educated person from a working class background, and someone who is highly emotionally sensitive, I’ve had plenty of opportunity to think deeply about these things, and from the moment I stepped into a UU church and heard the message of love and acceptance I knew I had a purpose in life.

** Tickets for the play “What does reconciliation mean to YOU? – šxʷʔam̓ət (home)” will be available for sale this Sunday for $15. For more details, or to purchase tickets online for $17, visit theatreforliving.com/present_work/sxwPamet/itinerary.html. This Victoria production is sponsored in part by First Unitarian Church of Victoria.

Dec
17
Sun
Jim Rogers “What the stones remember”
Dec 17 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Jim Rogers "What the stones remember"

Stonehenge has endured for 5,000 years. For centuries mankind has marveled at its
creation and wondered about its purpose. Only recently have some of the mysteries that
have shrouded these sites begun to be unravelled. Come, hear about these latest
findings as we attempt to look at this unique creation through the eyes of our Neolithic
ancestors and consider the relevance of their beliefs in our present world.