Capital Unitarian Universalist Congregation

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.

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.

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!

Join Rosemary as she explores life’s ups and downs through the lens of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. The characters and story are rich with redemption and forgiveness, reflection and new beginnings. We are all on a metaphorical journey, some like Harold are trying to save someone, others looking to figure out who they are, and some just trying to keep it together. It’s never too late or too early to embark on a new journey.

In an inclusive and family-friendly sacred song circle, Barbara will teach us chants from around the world. Barbara has taught sacred song to the Vancouver Island Unitarian Church, The West Shore Unitarian Congregation and gives a service once a month at the Salt Spring Island Unitarian Fellowship.  She was in the first graduating class of the renowned Community Choir Leadership Training program, offered by the leaders of the Gettin’ Higher Choir. This will be a very uplifting and joyful service, don’t miss it!

Where is the line that separates the biblical injunction against suicide from respecting a person’s integrity and rational choice? Discussions of capital punishment and physician-assisted suicide rarely mention the decision to self-deliver when life becomes unbearable.  Award-winning documentary “How to Die in Oregon” (available at the public library) deals directly with euthanasia.  In today’s homily, speaker Peter Scales hopes to illuminate the morality and legality of self-delivery.

We will look at Tolerance and Acceptance as they relate to our Unitarian and world history. How do these concepts look in today’s world and what do you think about them?

Someone recently told me that after reading the work of poet David Whyte they were convinced that rather than seeking balance in life, the goal should be to live in a way that feels whole. What are our lives committed to? To whom to give our time and energies? How can we have a full sense of who we are show up in every facet of our lives?

There are valid reasons to avoid talking about religion. And times when the silence is uncomfortable. A look at uneasiness about admitting to religion.

Join with Rosemary as she explores the humour and wisdom of Sufis. Some are more liberal than others, but they have one thing in common: They laugh a lot. Over the centuries, from this sustained laughter has emerged the mythical Mulla Nasruddin. What are these hilarious stories and mysteries embedded in the Mulla? The Mulla is described as a village idiot and sage rolled into one. Come and find out what the Mulla has to say!

“Get real! ” we sometimes hear.　 Are Unitarians too idealistic? Dana Lynn Seaborn will share a homily by a California UU minister who explores this relevant topic.

Many historical and contemporary festivals come together in the third week of December. Peter will talk about the roots of Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanza, to help us all make sense of the season.