Capital Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Speaker: Kim Dawson

This three question song lyric sticks with me. What do you believe – really believe deeply – is your purpose in life? Why are you here on this planet at this specific time? I want to explore the idea that we all have something to contribute – by choice or by force. We have something to “do” during this lifetime. I want to question two contradictory assumptions inherent in this idea. One is the backward-looking scientific, objective belief in a reality we hold in common. Another is the forward-looking, subjective belief in an uncertain, creative, and ever more complex, equally real sci-fi future. How do we manage this paradoxical journey through time? Bottom-line: Be they short or long, these lives will pass. As individuals who reckon with what our species has done, what are we? What is left of ourselves and what is right with us when these temporary bodies go?

Bio: I have always been inspired by trying to understand what’s going on, so I pushed education to the hilt earning a B.Sc. from UBC and an M.A. and Ph.D., all in neuroscience from the University of Waterloo. Since then, I have enjoyed trying to keep up with exciting new brain imaging studies and unified theories that pertain to understanding our place and time in this life and the role of psychotherapy in personal development. After a wedding and a two-year stint counselling young offenders with substance use, I started a career in clinical psychology that continues to this day. Valuing nature, I have taken two paths. As co-founder of the compassionate charity Warm Hearts Pet Safe Havens, I work with my wife Jan to help women and pets escape abuse. As a licensed psychologist, I offer integrative self-therapy through animal-assisted and transpersonal pathways.

Prose, poetry, music and song are contributed by the writers and musicians of members and visitors to Capital Congregation. Writing can be original work or your favorite poem, reading or quote. Visual artists have space to display their work and talk about it in the forum.

Many people attending Capital are life-long poets, musicians and artists. Whether you are a professional or do it as a hobby this open mic is for you to have 2-3 minutes.

Speaker: Rev Debra Faulk

How do we practise agency today, in our personal circumstances and as groups in society? What systemic factors make our agency possible (or limit it)? How do we accept our own agency and afford others theirs? How might agency and acceptance contribute to flourishing? This service is from a monthly Meaning Making services, by the Canadian Unitarian Council.

Bio:  Rev Debra Faulk, Minister Emeritus, now lives in an intentional community on Vancouver Island on the traditional land of the Lekwungen People, known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. Debra continues to do consulting work and guest preaching. Other delights include the garden, cooking and wondering.

Speaker: Peter Scales

Unitarian-Universalists do not have a holy book, nor do we have fixed ideas on divinity (if any), the afterlife (if any) and sin (if any).  We are however joined by 8 principles that guide us in our congregational life.  There were not always 8, and our principles have changed over time.  What are these principles, and is there a principle behind them?  Come and learn!

Bio: Peter Scales tries to be thoughtful about the principles, and he has a few favorites. Peter is a historian, lay chaplain (officiant), multi-uncle, and the Chairperson of the board of CUUC.

Speaker: Ann Nightingale

During September and October there is an unnoticed flood of a small predator through Greater Victoria. The Northern Saw-whet Owl is arguably the cutest owl in our area, and more numerous than all the other owls found in the region. Find out about this secretive migrant from Ann Nightingale, a volunteer with Rocky Point Bird Observatory.