Capital Unitarian Universalist Congregation

A Meditation On Liberal Religion and a Call to an Ecological Consciousness A sermon by UU minister James Ishmael Ford.

Join us in a unique Unitarian celebration of spring and community. (Please bring a flower, one found by the roadside or on a boulevard.)

Our survival depends on integrating our feelings, intuition, and rational mind with love and respect of the natural world. This service lays out practical steps to deepen our personal connections with the world outside and within. In a later service, Re-enchanting the Collective, we plan to look at how our congregation and similar groups can provide the support the community needs as we approach more difficult times. The service will be offered by Ben Dolf, a member of the congregation.

Drawing on our first source – Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder…　Rosemary will explore with us some of the teachings and writings of mystics through the ages. These could include Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwich, Meister Eckhart, Etty Hillesum or Mary Oliver. The mystics have been a special area of interest and study for Rosemary this past semester at the Vancouver School of Theology.

Aging and Spirituality – Does church attendance, or having a spiritual side without attending public services, contribute to longevity?  If a congregation of 40 people has two centenarians and half a dozen people aged 90+, would that prove anything?  Peter will describe recent published research, and give examples.  Today is Elsie Farr’s 100th birthday!

Gloria Steinem (2012 Humanist of the Year) considers ‘Religion vs Spirituality’ in this homily read by D L Seaborn.

What are you afraid of?　 How do you manage your fear?　 When have you been ‘courageous?’　 What would it mean to you to engage in courage as a spiritual practice?

According to sociologist Penny Edgell Becker, there are different types of congregations. Family congregations. Social action congregations. We’ll look at the characteristics of each of Edgell Becker’s four types, why we might be drawn to them, and the challenges they face.

The members of our congregation as well as those of other, similar organizations, will have an important role to play as we deal with the climate and economic crisis facing　 us. Alone and in small groups we can can act as nodes of joint inquiry, reflection and thoughtful action to deal with it in a democratic, just and sustainable manner. What can we do to face this challenge without taking on too big a task and how can we continue to prepare ourselves for it? Ben Dolf will explore some ideas by building on his talk on exploring the personal domain.

Capital received its “Welcoming Congregation” status in 1999. July 5th is the end of Pride week in Victoria and the Pride Parade. Join Rosemary as she explores the ‘T’ in LGBTQ, the letter getting a lot of press these days.

This service is about listening to and singing along with some of our favourite tunes, mixed with some piquant quotations for our enjoyment and pleasure. Ben Dolf will do the cooking; if you would like to contribute to the fare, please do contact him.