Capital Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Uganda is recovering from a de-colonialization process that has disrupted traditional cultural governance and brought about a series of wars which were marked by extraordinary brutality. But wars end and stolen children return from battle. Can they find a home?

Based on a day long experiential workshop this is a unique and powerful service in which Amanda will lead us in re-creating an ancient First Nations community and then allow history to unfold around us.  Come join us for an extraordinary and moving Sunday Service.

Janet Vickers will read from her second trade book of poems – Infinite Power (Ekstasis 2016). Infinite power, in her eyes “is not a zero sum game but a journey / a stone thrown in a lake”. The danger of our age is that we have lost contact with that power, made it something to possess like a personal bank account. In writing these poems she hopes for a reconnection to that sacred universal relationship.

Raincoast Conservation Foundation was our September Capital Connects recipient. Hear about their work on salmon conservation and how salmon are a foundation species for BC’s coastal ecosystems. Helping to conserve them fits into Raincoast’s big picture goals to protect the magnificent predator-prey relationships that exist on BC’s coast, especially regarding grizzly bears.

The start of church year is traditionally ‘Homecoming Sunday’ in Unitarian-Universalist churches. As we age, we come closer to what’s been called the final homecoming. How do we as UUs deal with the challenges of old age? Can we view death with equanimity? Dana Lynn Seaborn will share the wisdom of our predecessors, as well as some entertaining stories and irreverent thoughts.

His private thoughts, both simple and sincere, are still a goldmine for modern humanity.

From time to time, we reflect on where we stand and where we want to go. But right away we run into a common obstacle: if a new path were obvious, we would have chosen it long ago. Ben Dolf will attempt to bring some new perspectives in the hope of opening new horizons. These may enable us to take a fresh look at how people and organisations of goodwill can support each other and the community in the coming years of upheaval and uncertainty.

The Conversation Project helps people talk about their wishes for end-of-life care. Too many people are dying in a way they wouldn’t choose, and too many of their loved ones are left feeling bereaved, guilty and uncertain. It’s time to transform our culture so we shift from not talking about dying to talking about it. It’s time to share the way we want to live at the end of our lives. And it’s time to communicate about the kind of care we want and don’t want for ourselves. The place for this to begin is at the kitchen table—not in the intensive care unit—with the people we love, before it’s too late.

Come join us to explore the various midwinter cultural traditions and sing and have fun!

Phoebe Ramsay spent seven months volunteering in solidarity with refugees in Greece, and will return in January to continue her work. In this, the season of giving, Phoebe will be sharing with the congregation some of the gifts that she received while on the refugee trail, and the stories and journeys they hold. Reflecting on our 6th principle, responsibility to the larger community, she will also be sharing the story of her personal journey, and speaking about finding light and hope in the darkest of places.

In February, Amanda was lucky enough to see the Royal Ontario Museum’s exhibition about tattoos, their history and global prevalence. Love them or loath them they are rich with symbolism and meaning. The cultural and spiritual history of tattoos around the world is a fascinating topic to explore, join us to find out more.

It’s official! We have our words, our ways and our days. Do you have a favourite? Today we’ll explore these things.

Lillie Lentz has been a member of the First Unitarian Church of Victoria since 2002. Before that she belonged to the Unitarian Universalist (UU) communities in Ottawa and in Vancouver. She has been a UU practitioner for 24 years. Most recently she has had training in our Lay Chaplaincy program, was a Worship Associate and continues to support the Youth in every way possible. In her other work as a communication coach, she is always a pagan, a permaculturalist and a Nonviolent Communication (NVC) practitioner.