Capital Unitarian Universalist Congregation

This service is about listening to and singing along with some of our favourite tunes, mixed with some piquant quotations for our enjoyment and pleasure. Ben Dolf will do the cooking; if you would like to contribute to the fare, please do contact him.

Unitarians have been held in some degree of suspicion by other religious groups because of a perceived lack of conviction.　 And yet, our UU lyricists write about the fire of commitment setting our mind and soul ablaze.　 Dr. D L Seaborn will fan the flames of commitment by sharing some inspiring facts, ideas, and stories.

In a sermon to his UU ministerial colleagues, the Rev. Dr. John W. Baros-Johnson proposes that we understand Unitarian Universalism as a faith tradition: Faith and Meaning; Meaning, Language and Conversation; and Conversation and Tradition.　 He concludes, “The task of the conversation of faith is to develop our ability to discern more lovingly and caringly the speaking of the gods amidst the cacophony of the everyday.” A sermon by Rev. Dr. John W. Baros-Johnson.

How do we define joy?　 Is it the same as happiness?　 Or does it affect our lives in more subtle and profound ways?　 Join us as D L Seaborn (joyfully!) shares a homily by Unitarian minister Rod Richards.

Our Universalist heritage is both the rational heart and the deep well of wisdom in our tradition. We’ll look at the two aspects of the second U in UUism.

Over the last three years the Confluence Lectures at the Canadian Unitarian Council’s Annual Conference and Meeting have built on each other, starting with Rev. Shawn Newton’s The Risk of Relevance in Calgary in 2013. Join Rev. Samaya Oakley for an exploration of the ideas presented and what it means for us as Canadian Unitarians as we move forward into the future.

Samaya Oakley currently serves as the Developmental Minister at the First Unitarian Fellowship of Nanaimo. She also serves as the Executive Director for a Winter Weather Shelter the Fellowship offers during the winter season. Previous to that she was involved with the youth program at the North Shore Unitarian Church for 15 years. Samaya currently serves as the Secretary on the Executive for the Unitarian Universalist Ministers of Canada. She also is an Integrity Team member of the Liberal Religious Educators’ Association that serves to educate its membership and Board on identity issues. She has been a part of the Weaving our Worship facilitation team and the Lay Chaplain’s Deepening, Maturing and Growing retreat. She is involved regionally, nationally and continentally. She is in preliminary fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association. She completed her studies at Vancouver School of Theology in their Masters of Divinity program. Samaya has certificates in Business Administration and Life Skills Coaching.

Among Unitarians’ seven foundational Principles, the second Principle affirms our belief in “justice, equity, and compassion in human relations.” In turn, these values can help mutual trust flourish among people. In this way, trust is intertwined with the values celebrated by the above Principle. What helps cultivate trust between people? What does it mean to be trustworthy? What factors stand in the way of trust? What are the similarities and differences between mutual trust between individuals and collective societies trusting each other, and how important are they? Come and participate in exploring this topic of trust on a number of levels.

A singing service. Come join us and raise your voice in song.

How did religion start, and why? How did it develop, and where is it going?

Children’s Program

In our Universalist roots lies a conviction that humans are naturally religious — whether believers or unbelievers. Recent scientific studies show the role of human emotions in the religious impulse.

Children’s Program

There is power in a promise and it is a foundation of being a Unitarian. We keep our seven principles and we make commitments. As we start this new year of Sunday Services what commitments do we need to renew to ourselves and our community. We will explore promises as part of our journey as a faith community.