First Unitarian Congregation Of Ottawa

The Rev. Fred Cappuccino will speak on Dealing with 'Difficult or Impossible' People, with help from Massey Lecturer Jennifer Welsh, Senator Bernie Sanders, the Rev Clarence Jordan of Koinonia Community, and Loch Haven (pond).

As Valentine·s Day approaches, we are reminded of the joys of romantic love, which is wonderful. Yet, REAL love requires commitment and maturity to sustain a covenantal relationship once the flames of passion burn less brightly.

Senior's Program for January 2017. This month features Patricia Stockwell with a sermon called "Caring for Ourselves and Caring for Others". And an after service presentation by Anne Raina entitled "Clara's Rib".

USC Canada has a long and commendable history providing assistance on behalf of Unitarians and the Canadian public. In a changing world, USC Canada has always adapted. A bold decision in 2007 -- to do less -- has made the organization stronger and multiplied its impact around the world. Can we learn from these lesson as we move forward in our visioning process at First Unitarian Ottawa?

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) inspired a peaceful civil rights revolution with oration such including his stirring “I Have a Dream” speech. On the eve of our Southern neighbor’s “statutory holiday” of MLK Day, we will explore how living his prophetic vision of liberty and justice for all is still a moral imperative for our faith community today.

Combining knowledge of 12-Step and Indigenous spiritual traditions can help us understand and engage with processing the multi-dimensional trauma of the Doctrine of Discovery. We can consider how this relates to our covenant of being in right relationship with ourselves, each other and the larger community.

In some Christian communities, the litmus test for “right action” is “What Would Jesus Do? In a Unitarian congregation, we have numerous “authorities” to inform our actions. How might we apply Buddhist wisdom to prepare for the New Year?

During this last week before Christmas comes the Winter Solstice · the shortest day of the year, when winter begins and we start turning from darkness to light. And then begins Hanukah, the eight-day celebration of light for our Jewish brothers and sisters. And finally here, in this congregation, we'll celebrate the Eve of Christmas. Light, joy and generosity link these three celebrations - especially that spiritual generosity which Dalai Lama XIV says is "the most natural expression of an inner attitude of compassion and loving kindness".

Times of transition lend themselves to higher levels of anxiety, as things are uncertain. We are in the midst of an Interim Ministry · which is quite different from ·Business as Usual.· Recent political events add another layer of complexity. Still, there is great reason for hope and even optimism, for love is more powerful than fear. Together, we have the power to realize our goals by harnessing the power of covenant and community.

In a world where many people are increasingly feeling unwelcome, how can we extend the hand of hospitality, love and peace into the world?

As part of today's Time for All Ages, Director of Lifespan Learning Liz Roper retells the story "A Bear In War" Stephanie Innes (Author), Harry Endrulat (Author)

We read in the Hebrew scriptures, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Proverbs 4:7.” In fact, all of the world’s major traditions (and most of the minor ones) teach that wisdom is an end goal of spiritual practice. On "All Soul's Day," we'll explore the deep meaning of wisdom … and how we can cultivate understanding to bring about a more just, peaceful and compassionate world where "all souls" are loved and cherished.

Senior's Program for October 2016 - Ellen Bell delivers a Service Talk titled "The Lighter Side of Unitarian Life" followed by an After Service Presentation by Angela Beale on the "Beauties of The Red Mansion"

Our congregation voted to make aboriginal rights a top social justice priority. As part of that effort, we will have one of the authors of the UNDRIP speak about the process of creating this document, and its philosophical and ethical implications. Mr. Saganash is uniquely qualified to educate us on this important topic, for he is not only a lawyer and a Member of Parliament – but also a Cree.

A summary of our community building activities at FUCO and an exciting vision for the future of Unitarian Universalism.

During this time of thanksgiving, we reflect on the many blessings in our lives, and the power of gratitude to transform sadness into joy. Our DLL will lead us in a Dough Kneading and Bread Communion created to help us focus on the positive and release the negative in our lives.

Chris Nihmey is an inspirational teacher and speaker who underwent profound transformations while learning to live with mental health issues. Through humorous and poignant personal stories he will share how, through great adversity, we can learn that everyone is worthy of love and respect simply for being who he or she is today.

Senior's Program for September 2016 - Rev. Frances Deverell delivers a sermon titled "How Change Happens"

Miguel Servetus (1509 · 1553), was a Spanish ·heretic· burned at the stake by John Calvin for his ·blasphemous· book, On the Errors of the Trinity·, which was published in 1531 and quickly banned by the emperor. Tracing our theological roots back through history, we see that the ideological battle between the orthodox Calvin and the non-doctrinal Servetus, continues today.

How do we identify: a/theist; U*U/Other; Religious/Spiritual/None-of-the-Above? How do shared and divergent identities shape our priorities and determine who is "in" and who is "out" at FUCO and beyond? How does our self-identity affect our daily lives, and the ways we invest the time, talent and treasures of our beloved, covenantal community?