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!

Jul
26
Sun
Peter Scales “Understanding UUism As a Faith Tradition”
Jul 26 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

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.

Aug
2
Sun
Dana L. Seaborn “Joy to the World”
Aug 2 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

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.

Aug
9
Sun
Michelle Brown “Universalism: roots and current practices.”
Aug 9 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

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.

Aug
16
Sun
Rev. Samaya Oakley “A Confluence of Ideas”
Aug 16 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

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.

Aug
23
Sun
Susanne Garmsen “Trust”
Aug 23 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

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.

Aug
30
Sun
Jan Greenwood “Come sing from your heart – familiar and popular songs which fill us with joy.”
Aug 30 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

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

Sep
6
Sun
Murray Enkin “A history of religion.”
Sep 6 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

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

Children’s Program

 

Sep
13
Sun
Michelle Brown “Elevation and Awe: Building Blocks of Religious Experience.”
Sep 13 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

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

 

Sep
20
Sun
Peter Scales “Belief-omatic as Spirit Guide.”
Sep 20 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Sep
27
Sun
‘The Humanist Foundations of Unitarianism’, a homily by Pat Duffy Hutcheon
Sep 27 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

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.

 

Oct
4
Sun
Rita Wittman “The Power of Giving”
Oct 4 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

True giving comes from the same place inside you as your deepest happiness. They are inexplicably intertwined. This homily will explore what your generosity does for you and your community.

Oct
11
Sun
Dana L. Seaborn “An Attitude of Gratitude”
Oct 11 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Emerson, our Unitarian predecessor, encourages us to ‘give thanks continuously’.  Thanksgiving Sunday is an appropriate time to count our blessings.  Join us as we cultivate an attitude of gratitude!