We are brave, curious, and compassionate thinkers and doers. We are diverse in faith, ethnicity, history and spirituality, but aligned in our desire to make a difference for the good. We have a track record of standing on the side of love, justice, and peace.

We have radical roots and a history as self-motivated spiritual people: we think for ourselves and recognize that life experience influences our beliefs more than anything.

We need not think alike to love alike. We are people of many beliefs and backgrounds: people with a religious background, people with none, people who believe in a God, people who don’t, and people who let the mystery be.

We are Unitarian Universalist and Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Humanist, Jewish, Muslim, Pagan, atheist and agnostic, believers in God, and more.

On the forefront of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer inclusion for more than 40 years, we are people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

We welcome you: your whole self, with all your truths and your doubts, your worries and your hopes. Join us on this extraordinary adventure of faith. Get involved!

If you are a newcomer to the Unitarian Fellowship of Salt Spring Island, you may have questions. This section is a brief guide to who we are and what we believe. You will find a warm welcome here.

Who attends the Unitarian Fellowship of Salt Spring Island?
We are a congregation of approximately 16 adult members, drawn from all parts of our island and walks of life. Our religious community thrives on diversity, and many of our members were raised in other religious traditions and bring with them a variety of spiritual perspectives. We are single or married, with or without children, of various sexual orientations. Our meeting facilities are handicapped accessible. The Unitarian Fellowship of Salt Spring Island welcomes diversity in its congregation. Our doors are open to all who wish to join us. We are a Welcoming Congregation, welcoming and affirming bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgender persons and their friends. We are an anti-poverty congregation with a team of members actively engaged in helping our community challenge social barriers and access to services, particularly for the homeless on our Island.

What are worship services like at the Unitarian Fellowship of Salt Spring Island?
Our worship services begin at 10:30 a.m. every Sunday through the regular program year, September through June. No services are held during the summer months.

What do Unitarian Universalists believe?
The Unitarian Fellowship of Salt Spring Island is a member congregation of the Canadian Unitarian Council, which includes other congregations throughout Canada. With its historical roots in the Jewish and Christian traditions, Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion — that is, a religion that keeps an open mind to the religious questions people have struggled with in all times and places. We are a “non-creedal” religion: we do not ask anyone to subscribe to a creed. This means that Unitarian Universalists believe different things: some believe in a personal God and find great meaning and support in prayer; others pursue a non-theist path, using Buddhist meditation practices or yoga or some other discipline to deepen their spiritual lives. Humanists among us sometimes describe themselves as atheists or agnostics. UU Christians follow the path taught by Jesus of Nazareth, and those who arrive among us from a Jewish background retain their Jewish identity while whole-heartedly embracing their new religious home.

How can one religious community hold so many people with different beliefs?
We thrive on our religious differences, because we believe that in the search for spiritual wisdom and maturity there is no such thing as a final answer: we keep learning and deepening our understanding all our lives. We therefore strive to create within our walls a lively and engaged religious home that will support the spiritual journeys of our members and guests through meaningful worship, religious education classes, Small Groups Ministry discussions, exploration of a variety of spiritual disciplines, and socially engaged ministry in the wider world.

Who can attend Unitarian Fellowship of Salt Spring Island worship and events?
Guests are very welcome at all our worship services and nearly every other activity offered by our congregation, including Small Groups Ministry sessions, adults’ religious education classes, social activities and the work of our various committees. Congregational meetings are held throughout the year, and guests are also welcome at these gatherings but may not vote. Participating in activities in addition to the Sunday services will help you get to know more people and feel a part of this community – so please join in any activities that appeal to you!

Who supports the Unitarian Fellowship of Salt Spring Island financially?
Members and friends support our congregation through an annual contribution which is often called a “pledge.” Once each year, generally in the fall, a stewardship campaign is conducted in order to raise funds and plan the budget for the following congregational year. There is no fixed or required amount to pledge, but each annual financial commitment is gratefully received in order to maintain membership in our Unitarian Fellowship.

How can I get involved?
Come to our worship services on Sunday, and then stay for some social time and coffee! We try hard to recognize and engage newcomers, but if we should miss you, please be brave and speak to folks so we can make you welcome! Let us know your particular interests and talents, and we’ll do our best to help you connect with others.