Capital Unitarian Universalist Congregation

This homily will be presented via a TED talk, with Benjamin Zander. Benjamin Zander is a conductor, composer,  leading interpreter of Mahler and Beethoven.  He is known for his charisma and unyielding energy — and for his brilliant pre-concert talks. His two infectious passions: classical music, and helping us all realize our untapped love for it — and by extension, our untapped love for all new possibilities, new experiences, new connections.

The old economic order is discredited, but it has not gone away. People vote for it, even though it no longer benefits the majority.

Ben Dolf will argue that we must do more than offer a critique, build alternative models or suggest remedies. We must write a story. A story to help us escape the present deadlock and to enable the majority to embrace a better and more democratic system. Ben believes that our story will evoke principles such as those embraced by Unitarians, but also virtues that enabled older generations to create satisfying and healthy communities. We can and must help write that story.

Rosemary will present a TED Talk by Brené Brown.  Brené is a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work.  She studies vulnerability, courage, authenticity and shame.  The questions she answers through this talk are: How do we learn to embrace our vulnerabilities and imperfections so that we can engage in our lives from a place of authenticity and worthiness?  How do we cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection that we need to recognize that we are enough – that we are worth of love, belonging, and joy?

Unitarianism has historical roots in Transylvania. Today’s experiential worship service will be in the style of the Hungarian Unitarians whose Protestant Christian worship includes holy communion. Our speaker, Robert “Robi” Taylor, is a long-time Canadian Unitarian who regularly visits Kolosvar, a partner church.

Join our circle of song as we celebrate music of inspiration and commitment. Dana Seaborn is a musician and singer/songwriter with three CDs of original songs.

Humanism is among the largest spiritual identity groups within Unitarian Universalism. Is our congregation a home for humanists?

Our congregation was formed and maintained by people from the Silent Generation (those born between 1925 and 1942). Like many congregations across North America we have a significant number of Baby Boomers but few who were born since 1964. Who will carry the flame?

We continue our efforts to help write a better story for our future. Some senior members and friends of our congregation will talk about the good things in the lives of their parents and grand parents. What made life healthy and satisfying? What traditions can we revive to adjust to a new economy? We will also ask attendants to send us their own stories of life in times and places where people made things, told stories and worked as a community.

The hymn “Spirit of Life” ends our services but how often have we really thought about the words we sing especially how those words echo our principles.

This service will take a look at some recent conceptualizations of evil and look at whether there are ways to protect ourselves from it.

Jewish scrip-ture forms the basis of three major faith traditions in Canada, and Unitarians continue to take lessons from Torah, the foundational narrative of the Jewish people.

From Karen Armstrong’s bestselling book, “Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life, an exploration about ourselves, our congregation and the world around us.