Capital Unitarian Universalist Congregation

That is the translated title of a wonderful book by the German scientist, writer and TV personality Hoimar von Ditfurth. He wrote a number of much discussed books on science, ecology and peace. Oddly, his most influential book has not been translated into English. It talks about our place on this earth, our seeming inability to take care of it and about coming to terms with its destruction, without falling prey to inaction and fatalism. Ben will talk about the subtle messages of this author and the role this book has played in his attempt to come to terms with a world that is not behaving as it should.

Rituals are a part of life, from daily routine habits like making coffee to life milestones that inspire us to celebrate. This talk will illuminate how we have an opportunity to harness the power of consciously designed rituals to affirm any aspect of our life, including self growth, transition and manifesting desired dreams our outcomes.

“The Songlines” is inspired by a book of the same title by Bruce Chatwin. He ventures into the desolate land of Outback Australia to learn the meaning of the Aboriginal’s ancient “Dreaming-tracks.” Along these timeless paths, among the fortune hunters and redneck Australians, racist policemen and Aboriginal holy men, Bruce discovers a wondrous vision of our place in the world. In the book Bruce muses upon war, peace, wandering and many other issues. My Homily will hopefully interest each one of us to ask the question, “What is my “Songline” or “Dreaming track” just what is it that guides us through the labyrinth of our lives.

Our 1st principal states we believe in the worth and dignity of every human being. Can this include convicted felons? Susan will take us on an exploration of what it was like to work with Federal incarcerated inmates, our parole system and life after prison. Her message encourages us to open ourselves to the possibility of Healing and Hope in an otherwise lost and forgotten segment of our society.

Due to the EGM, the “Homecoming” service planned for Sept 11 will be postponed to October 30.  In its place, Dana Lynn Seaborn will present a service on UU Water Communion.  DLS spent over a decade living on the water, and has more recently taken up surfing.  Even as a child, she was known in her family for being the one who, at every summer park visit, always managed to fall into the duck pond!  Share her enthusiasm for water!  Come & explore with her the origin and meaning of our UU Water Communion.

Unitarian head and Universalist heart is a common shorthand for describing these two streams of our history. For just over a year I’ve worn a chalice necklace. What have I learned about how l live my faith with my head and my heart during this time?

Our 4th principle affirms and promotes a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. When we say that the search is free and responsible, UUs have a duty to learn and apply reason.

Uganda is recovering from a de-colonialization process that has disrupted traditional cultural governance and brought about a series of wars which were marked by extraordinary brutality. But wars end and stolen children return from battle. Can they find a home?

Based on a day long experiential workshop this is a unique and powerful service in which Amanda will lead us in re-creating an ancient First Nations community and then allow history to unfold around us.  Come join us for an extraordinary and moving Sunday Service.

Janet Vickers will read from her second trade book of poems – Infinite Power (Ekstasis 2016). Infinite power, in her eyes “is not a zero sum game but a journey / a stone thrown in a lake”. The danger of our age is that we have lost contact with that power, made it something to possess like a personal bank account. In writing these poems she hopes for a reconnection to that sacred universal relationship.

Raincoast Conservation Foundation was our September Capital Connects recipient. Hear about their work on salmon conservation and how salmon are a foundation species for BC’s coastal ecosystems. Helping to conserve them fits into Raincoast’s big picture goals to protect the magnificent predator-prey relationships that exist on BC’s coast, especially regarding grizzly bears.