Capital Unitarian Universalist Congregation

In Liz James’ first UU service, the service leader said “We welcome you as you are:  With your doubts, as well as your convictions.  With your hopes, and your fears. Whatever your faith, whatever your heritage, and whomever you love”.  She wondered if that meant her family, too.  Come hear about Polyamory and Unitarian Universalism…  The challenges, the wonderful moments, and the tremendous opportunity.

Liz James runs the not-for-profit Mirth and Dignity, does guest preaching, and also co-hosts a monthly UU humour podcast with Rev Anne Barker.  In her spare time, she does acroyoga and trapeze (both very badly), gardens, and attempts to improve the moral character of her cat.

This last year has seen a valiant struggle to protect the remaining ancient forests on southern Vancouver Island. Elders for Ancient Trees spontaneously arose as settler elders lobbied MLAs, marched in the streets, sent food, supplies and themselves to the front lines in Fairy Creek/Ada’itsx. The largest civil disobedience action in Canadian history unfolded in the face of strong police violence. Indigenous voices  moved to the centre.  The government drags its heels. A tough year.

A social justice activist for over 50 years in the women’s, labour and political action movements, Jackie Larkin integrates a deep ecological and environmental justice perspective into her life work. An educator and facilitator working with the labour and community movements, she offers programs in leadership development (with an emphasis of equity), strategic planning, facilitation skills and “The Work that Reconnects” programs.  She is one of the leaders of Elders for Ancient Forests.

We are all wayfinders. The traditional oceanic navigational practices of wayfinding provide wisdom, insights and skills that are needed in times of dynamic change.
They are essential when we are beyond any known map or traveled route. Dan brings the metaphors of navigation into daily practices.

Dan is as an international public speaker, coach and guide in a process of personal and professional development. His leadership coaching has  taken him to various cultures and nations: China, Central America, the Caribbean, throughout Canada, the U.S, and on sailboats, surf waves, and hiking trails. www.danhines.ca

Civil society in Canada functions because volunteers do much of the work.  Charities and places of worship are run by volunteers, and so are after-school programs, choirs and sports events.  Today we celebrate volunteerism in our Unitarian community.  Peter Scales is our homilist.

Beltane is a Pagan holiday that celebrates spring at its peak, community gathering and pleasure . It also goes by the name May Day. It is a fertility festival  with bonfires, maypoles, dancing, and rituals .

Patty Disbrow is a practicing witch in the Faerie tradition and European Shaman.  She has been making magic  and traveling “Between the Worlds” since the 80’s.  Her experiences in ritual, community building and teaching have been shared with UUs since joining a Universalist Congregation in the 90’s. Patty lives and loves in Victoria, BC.

When we are faced with tragedy or loss, it is only natural to ask, “Why did this happen?” and particularly, “Why did this happen to me?” In this service Linda Guebert reflects on her journey after the sudden death of her husband in 2000 and shares some of the insights she gained from the experience.

Linda Guebert is a member of Kelowna Unitarians currently serving as chair of the Worship Committee. Her memoir “The Hardest Thing I’ll Ever Do: A Journey of Sorrow, Healing and Hope” was published in 2013.

We invite you to take a deep, deep breath. Join us for a restorative service. Together, we will pause to reflect on the breath that sustains us.

Join us on Zoom

You can also use this link:

https://cuc.ca/events/worship-sunday-service/1652619600/1652626800/

Please note there is no service at Capital on this date.

How the humility of letting go of oneself gives life to those of us in the final stages of their worldly journey”.

Today’s story will feature Liz Forbes sharing the story  of her four days with her daughter in hospice.

I’ve long dreamed of world peace.  And, 17 years ago I discovered Compassionate Communication (commonly known as Nonviolent Communication or NVC) as understood and explained by Marshall B. Rosenberg, PhD.  Through this simple process and clarified language my dream continues to be nourished. Today I share the self-empathy bit of my story.

Lillie has been a member of the First Unitarian Church of Victoria since 2002. Before that she belonged to the Unitarian Universalist (UU) communities in Ottawa and in Vancouver. She has been a UU practioner for 30 years. She attended our Homily Creation Workshop and the Lay Chaplaincy program. She was a Worship Associate and supported the Youth in every way possible. In her other work as a communication coach, she is a member of the Inclusive Leadership Cooperative, is earth-centered, a permaculturalist and a Compassionate Communication (NVC) practioner.

We UUs are reticent about broadcasting our faith.  Di Clift has recently become a UU Lay Chaplain and therefore something of a spokesperson for the faith.  So what are our ‘unique selling points’?  What makes us distinctive? What unites us when we have no underlying dogma? And what are the rewards of being a modern Unitarian?

During Pride month it is fun to look back at how UU’s have supported lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons during the past 50 years.  Come and hear!
Peter Scales is a BC historian and long-time UU.