Capital Unitarian Universalist Congregation

An homily based on the title of a book by Richard Rorty that addresses these three subjects.

Christianity is one of our UU sources; gospel music is an enthusiastic celebration of that faith. Join us as we explore the roots of this African-American music and its inspiring commitment to God, community and social change.

This homily will look at thinking and findings about the relative virtues of atheism or a more “religious” belief system for protecting our mental health.

Nobody knows when Jesus was born so why do we celebrate on December 25th?　The truth lies in lore of the Roman Empire and the religion of Mithras.　 Peter Scales will describe how the unnoticed birth of a builder’s son named Yeshua ben-Youssef became the link between the Hebrew prophets, Emperor Constantine, and Canada today.

In this talk I examine a common stereotype of the philosophical inquirer, according to which the philosopher is someone whose motivations are impersonal, dispassionate, objective, and directed at the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, rather than for any personal sake. I suggest that such a stereotype, which in fact assumes several guises, runs counter to the very essence of the subject.”

David Scott is a Canadian & UK trained philosophy professor at the University of Victoria, specializing in the history of metaphysics and in theory of knowledge.

Midwinter is a time to appreciate and celebrate light.　 Let’s celebrate our own UU tradition of a flaming chalice, and sing some seasonal songs!

Kurt Vonnegut’s novel “Cat’s Cradle” gives us a number of interesting messages. 　Sometimes there is more truth in fiction than in fact.

The phrase “The Disappeared Ones” comes from Central and South America. It was originally used to describe the people who were abducted for real or perceived offences against the various military governments and juntas of the Americas, and whose status was never determined. Presumed dead, but never known, they became the martyrs of people striving, usually peacefully, for a more democratic society and transparent government. But the term, in its broadest sense, is applicable in Canada and in the US. There are disappeared among us, even in our own cities and communities, people who are allowed to be invisible among us. Borrowing the phrase Los Desaparecidos, internationally renowned performer, songwriter and lay preacher Joe Jencks will lead a New Year’s service in music and story, inviting re-commitment to Unitarian and Universalist principles, and focusing on how we can take specific action to prevent people from being disappeared in our own societies. Considering homelessness, addiction, mental illness, disability, racism, and justice for veterans, you are invited to come join together in a spirit of renewed commitment to our liberal religious movement, and to each other.

How can we deepen our spiritual practice through laughter? Laughter is wonderful physical medicine, but what about mirth as a way to enlightenment? In the sometimes bleak mid-winter let’s look at how laughter can help us live in a more meaningful way.

One settler’s experience thinking through colonialism and decolonization in 21st century Canada, from academics to Idle No More and beyond.

Emma is a settler feminist living on unceded Lekwungen territory. She has a BA in Gender & Canadian Studies and an MA in Indigenous & Canadian Studies. Her interests include decolonialism, feminism, and theatre for social change.

That one’s memory is not as good as it used to be is the most common complaint of middle-aged and older adults.  Dr. Friesen will describe changes that occur in memory in healthy aging and how it may be distinguished from pathological changes that may occur as we age.  She will also discuss ways to optimize memory functioning at all ages and how to minimize memory loss in late life.

Peter will briefly describe how — and more importantly why — this congregation was formed back in 1996. In the second half of the service we will remember Belsonia “Bel” Bogatin Paul, one of the leaders of our little group.