Capital Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Learn the stories of Mexican nationals deported or self deported back to Mexico from the USA. Concerned citizens and visitors in San Miguel de Allende have been inspired to organize help. Unitarian Universalists started the group “Caminamos Juntos” (we walk together) to help these deportees.

Leigh Waters is an Victoria artist and arts administrator who sought out the desert climate of Mexico for health reasons. She has visited 2 areas of Mexico and has an interest in local organizations who do social justice work in those communities. Leigh is always open to meeting Mexicans and getting to know their life stories.

Come join us this Father’s Day as we explore the story of Abraham, the founding father of the three Abrahamic faiths – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. What are the elements of this story and how are they still relevant for us today?

Dr. Jane Dawson is an Associate Fellow at the Centre for Studies in Religion and Society at the University of Victoria. She is working on a project exploring how the symbolic elements in the stories of the Bible can help us reflect on our own life experience.

Unitarian Universalists in Canada are committed to truth, healing and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Learn more about this nationally and locally.

Cathy Baker and Dick Jackson have been sharing their mutual love of music and group singing for several years with the Capital UU community. They have served as music program directors for our Islands-regional Summer Camp and have led monthly music with the Salt Spring Unitarians. Dick and Cathy have recently become the co-directors of Victoria’s own well known and loved Gettin’ Higher Choir. On Canada Day, come join us as Dick and Cathy lead a circle of song and explore how singing together can inspire, empower and remind us how to be our best selves, as individuals and as members of our overlapping communities.

Murray Rankin will share with us about his work in Ottawa on behalf of Victorians and Canadians.

Join Nancy Dobbs for a morning of singing in community. We’ll be singing as many songs as time allows, mostly from the Teal Hymnal. You’ll leave our song circle humming the songs that have touched your mind and/or spirit.

Nancy Dobbs led the Children and Youth Choirs at First Unitarian Church of Victoria for 20 years. She took the Community Choir Leadership Program from Denis Donnelly and Siobhan Robinsong in 2012. In the fall of 2018 she will be leading weekly intergenerational singing (preschoolers to extended care residents) for Peninsula Recreation.

In this presentation of music and spoken word, Dale will share songs that bring him meaning and inspiration. There’ll be familiar favourites interspersed with some beautiful lesser-known pieces, and the congregation will be encouraged to join in.

Dale Rasmussen is a respected pianist, singer, guitarist and mandolin player. He’s founded and directed a number of pop and jazz choirs in Vancouver, Kamloops and Victoria, and he’s a popular seminar leader at music workshops throughout BC. Over the years Dale has performed with jazz, pop, roots and children’s music groups, and he currently has an ongoing piano gig at the Fairmont Empress Hotel. He and his partner Mark arrived in Victoria in late 2013 and are part of First Unitarian’s Gordon Head Neighbourhood Group.

During this music filled presentation, explore the ideals of the ever-lasting effect music can have on a person’s life through first-hand experiences.

Jazmin Saunders-Scales is a seventeen year old soprano. She has been singing since she was very young and has already gained experience in the performing arts and on stage. When she was younger, Jazmin attended the Capital Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Aside from singing, Jazmin now provides childcare at First Unitarian Church of Victoria.

A local Unitarian Univeralist historian will share the history of the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) from its beginnings to the most recent national conference this spring.

Christine Johnston has been a UU for the past 55 years, participating in CUC activities since 1965 including serving on the CUC Board, and receiving the Knight Award in 2014.

We’ve all heard people say things like “Life isn’t fair,” or “That’s life!” Many Buddhists claim that “Life is suffering.” While these statements may be accurate to some degree, they certainly don’t paint life in a very flattering light. What if, instead of viewing life as a chore to be endured, we regarded it as art? What if, instead of regarding ourselves as victims of life, we regarded ourselves as artists tasked with creating a masterpiece? How might our lives change if we adopted this outlook? How might the world change?

Ollie Belisle is a husband, father of three, and spiritual explorer. In 2015, he joined the First Unitarian Church of Victoria where he volunteers in a number of capacities. In his spare time, he makes YouTube videos and writes about a variety of topics revolving around psychology, self-help, and philosophy.

Koreans want a Peace treaty to end 65 years of war between the US and North Korea. They are working together to lay the groundwork for peace and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and they need our support to do it.

Dr. Ashford is a retired Family Physician and Palliative Care Specialist. She is Past Co-President of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War. Her award winning book, Enough Blood Shed: 101 Solutions to Violence, Terror, and War, has been translated into Japanese and Korean. She has led two medical delegations to North Korea and recently returned from a week in Korea with Women Cross the Demilitarized Zone.

When you think of sacred music, country is not what springs to mind for most folks. For Arran, however, country music has served as a significant companion and guide. Accompany him as he shares how this unexpected and joyful soundtrack has deepened his meandering spiritual journey.

Arran moved to Victoria two years ago from Toronto (though he is Scottish) with his partner, Gen, to be​ near​ the ocean and the trees. Arran is the Director of Spiritual Exploration and Learning at First Unitarian Church of Victoria and is doing a Masters of Divinity, focusing on earth-based spiritualities, at Cherry Hill Seminary.