Capital Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Darwin (1809-1882) was an English naturalist, geologist and biologist, best known for his contributions to the science of evolution. What kind of a man was Darwin, what was his family like and how did he come to be on the Royal Navy survey ship Beagle?

Barrie Webster is the past president of the Victoria Secular Humanist Association.  He has also held leadership positions with the Memorial Society of BC.

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At every juncture in our lives, we are asked to be attentive to that still small voice inside that guides us on our way. This is the journey of discernment which is revealed to us slowly over time and it is our responsibility to stay curious about how these callings will play out. Nicole will share how she has come to discern her call to ministry as a Unitarian Universalist military chaplain and how your own life’s journey is helping you bring your gifts and talents in service to the wider world.

Nicole is a member of First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto and a Canadian seminarian studying at the University of Toronto. She joined the Canadian Armed Forces and has served in a variety of roles. Nicole is drawn to the contemplative and mystical traditions of finding wisdom in the quiet whether that is out in nature, on her yoga mat, and in the silence of her own heart.

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In this powerful pre-recorded service from The Unitarian Church of Vancouver, six members of the congregation talk about the impacts of studying the book “Me and White Supremacy.”

In the Gospels called Luke and Matthew, the angel Gabriel tells two Jewish ladies, post-menopausal Elizabeth and virgin Mary, that they will become pregnant despite obstacles.  Their sons, John and Jesus, were worshipped from birth onward: John as a baptizer and Jesus as a healer.  How did Christians get from this story to the elaborate shopping, decorating and feasting rituals of Christmas 2021?
Peter Scales, a member of our congregation since 2004, loves the humanistic, pagan and historic rituals surrounding the darkest nights of the year.

Join us as we joyfully celebrate the season with carols and song, stories and poems.

In our social bubbles, each of us has experienced so much during Pandemic Year 2021.  As a congregation, Capital UU has continued to experience as much spiritual community as possible under the BC health orders.  45 Zoom services, Zoom board and committee meetings, in-person picnics and pub nights, and dozens of friendships maintained by walking, coffee-ing and dining.  Looking back, we have much to celebrate.  What are our hopes for 2022, individually and as a UU congregation?  What do we also hope for in our communities, the climate, food security, etc?
Peter Scales fondly remembers his mother every New Years Eve leading the family to look back, then look ahead.

This is the story of how personal tragedy taught me to live joyfully. Let’s see if we can approach a very uncertain New Year with joy….

In a long life Di has been many things, including a neuro-chemist, teacher, singer, hypnotherapist, mother, grandmother, immigrant, and all round eccentric.

Of his book, Ralph says

“My hope is that the pages that follow will give younger people
an insight into what these platinum years are like for those of us
who are over eighty. I hope they give us a bit of the feel, the taste, the
beauty and the pain of it all-that we’ll come to think of old as a good
thing to be. Platinum is even more precious than gold, but softer and
more easily marred.”

Ralph Milton was publisher of Wood Lake Books from 1980 to 2000. He has written hundreds of magazine articles and is the author of over twenty books. He holds two honorary doctorates (Doctor of Divinity and Doctor of Sacred Letters). Milton lives in Kelowna, BC, with Beverley, his wife of 63 years.

Ralph’s work has taken him to many different countries, mostly in
Africa and Asia, where he worked ecumenically with a wide variety
of churches and faith groups: Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and others.

As an observer and participant in marine ecological recovery, I am constantly impressed with the forces of the natural world. Presently this world is wrecking havoc as it strives to reach equilibrium caused, in large part, from human interference with natural cycles. I am intrigued with this time we are in, when we have opportunities to learn from processes and glean lessons on how to behave better towards all living beings. Thank you for this opportunity to share my musings to date.

Nikki Wright has served as the Executive Director of SeaChange Marine Conservation Society since 1998.

Who are we? And where are we going on this tiny planet of ours, this bright sparkle of life in a Universe so ridiculously vast? Are we rushing towards a civilizational cliff, our eyes set on material gain – or are we turning in a new direction, towards a future many have dreamed of, but few have found?

Guy Dauncey is an ecotopian futurist who works to develop a positive vision of a sustainable future, and to translate that vision into action. He is the author of Journey to the Future: A Better World is Possible, and he is currently completing a new book titled The Economics of Kindness: A Ten-Year Transition to a Green Cooperative Economy. He is co-chair of the West Coast Climate Action Network. His website is www.thepracticalutopian.ca.

This presentation focuses on the importance of community-based planning and participatory planning in order to weave the threads of community visioning into a diverse, inclusive and vibrant fabric of placemaking. I will discuss the critical elements required for placemaking to be woven with a social equity lens in order to create decolonizing, safer, and welcoming spaces within our communities.

NO SERVICE AT CAPITAL THIS SUNDAY … INSTEAD…

As part of CUC Month, we offer a national Sunday Service on February 6th as the Sharing Our Faith service. Coordinated by Revs. Victoria Ingram and Meghann Robern, the service takes place at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET.

The service is titled “Celebration and Contemplation: The Path of an 8th Principle” – Unitarians and Universalists have been on the forefront of social change and justice-seeking for hundreds of years. In November 2021, congregations of the Canadian Unitarian Council once again stepped forward, this time to commit ourselves to dismantling racism and systemic barriers to full inclusion for all people. Be part of celebrating this commitment to foundational social change as we contemplate the steps we take to move forward in our commitment to justice in ourselves, our denomination, and our larger society.

Join us live on Zoom or the CUC’s Youtube channel; the service will be made available early the following week for your congregation’s use if you are unable to attend.