Capital Unitarian Universalist Congregation

The advent of AI and chatbots has opened a whole new area of ethics. In what ways is artificial intelligence pushing us to strengthen our ethical and theological muscles? What do our answers to these questions say about our understanding of what it means to be human, especially the ways in which this understanding impacts our relations with other humans and with the other-than-human world. 

Speaker bio: Karen Fraser Gitlitz is Saskatoon Unitarians’ parish minister and a professional Art Therapist.  For the past three summers, she has been a participant and a core walker with the Water Walk for the North and South Saskatchewan Rivers, following Indigenous leadership by walking the river in Ceremony for the healing of the water. In all of these activities—ministry, art therapy, and water walking—she has witnessed the healing that arises when we are able to connect to ourselves, our communities, and the land.

Part of the Meaning Making in Liminal Times Series.

As a climate justice organizer, campaign strategist and consultant, Emily Lowan has worked with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ Corporate Mapping Project, and led Divest UVic’s successful campaign through 2020 and 2021.

Emily is completing her degree in political science and environmental studies at UVic, having finished her term as the elected director of campaigns and community relations for the University of Victoria Students’ Society. Emily lives in Victoria, B.C., on unceded lək ̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ territories, and is passionate about supply-side fossil fuel policy and organizing for a just future.

Will it be spring soon? Are you a dragon? Do Unitarians need purification? Join Joy to explore a month that is short yet jam-packed with modern and ancient celebrations and rituals. But most importantly: Will we be our Valentines?

Carl Sagan wrote “A religion that stressed the magnificence of the universe as revealed by modern science might be able to draw forth reserves of reverence and awe hardly tapped by the conventional faiths. Sooner or later, such a religion will emerge.” After a sometimes bumpy evolution of our theology throughout the 20th century, UUism is poised to be this religion for the 21st Century and beyond. Come wonder about the future of our faith together with Candidate for Ministry and Climate Plan Co-Founder Reilly Yeo.

In this time, we are facing multiple climate crises. It can be frightening and dispiriting. How can our values and practices sustain and inspire us – as individuals and as a Unitarian community? How can we get from despair to hope?

Rev. Meg Roberts has served congregations in various parts of Canada during the last 20 years: Edmonton, Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver Island, and now with Beacon in New Westminster and the Tri-cities area in BC. She also does community ministry using interactive theatre techniques with groups who want to deal with challenging social and organizational issues, and find practical solutions.

Karen Enns is a Canadian poet based in Victoria, noted for her 2017 collection Cloud Physics, which won the Raymond Souster Award for poetry in 2018.  Her 2023 collection, Dislocations, takes the reader on a lyrical journey, wrapped in the vicissitudes of seasons and weather—while observing human and other-than-human lives. Enns invites us to peer and is concerned always with the locations and dislocations perspective implies and creates.

Practical Spirituality as a way to live through liminal times.  Come explore what Marshall B Rosenberg meant when he said, “The greatest joy springs from connecting to life by contributing to our own and others’ well-being.

Lou Lentz is a long-time Victoria Unitarian, NVC practitioner, and member of Capital UU’s board.

This presentation, delivered the Sunday before International Women’s Day 2024, will include stories of the leadership journey of Sara from her time in leadership roles as a youth, in her professional career and as a volunteer in governance in Canada and internationally. The importance of gender equity in leadership roles cannot be understated. According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (March 2023), higher rates of [women] representation in leadership are associated with a variety of benefits for organizations. Greater gender equity contributes to wider economic benefits, increased productivity, and improved development results. This means that gender representation is beneficial for everyone, not just women. This presentation will focus on the benefit to society of gender equity at all levels of leadership.

Sara John Fowler has had a varied career in health care including in clinical nursing and leadership roles, and in the international humanitarian sector.  She is the CEO of Mount St. Mary Hospital, a long-term care facility in Victoria, and a Governing Board Member of the International federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society, Geneva. She is a co-founder, through the Canadian Red Cross, of GLOW Red (2018) – the global network for women leaders in the Movement. Sara moved with her family, from the lower mainland to Sooke in 2005.

Our bodies gain information from and engage with the human and non human world in ways our conscious mind is often unaware of.  Let’s explore how developing a deeper relationship with our bodies’ wisdom can support us in navigating challenging transitions.

Arran Morton currently lives in Victoria, BC – though he is from Scotland and came to Victoria via the ‘scenic route’. He loves to be near the ocean, the trees, and (Vancouver) island life generally. His work has focused on love-based community building as well as training and facilitation on issues related to healthy relationships, sexuality, conflict resolution and restorative justice/practices. Arran was the Director of Spiritual Exploration at First Unitarian Church of Victoria until he adopted his daughter in 2021. He is currently the Minister at Comox Valley Unitarian Fellowship.

** Mark your calendars Arron is being ordained at First Church on Saturday April 13th – ceremony at 2, dance at 4, potluck 5pm. Join anytime.

Navigating happiness while the world falls apart. Is this even possible, should it be possible? Inspired by Brené Brown’s writings come and help us create hope in what feels like hopeless times.

* CUUC AGM begins at 11:15, there will be no forum this morning.

This Sunday, which reflects on the central Christian story of transformation, Easter, we’ll think about the central role of the boulder, the stone that blocks the entrance to the tomb where Jesus is buried. What are the stones of our lives? War? Climate Collapse? Are there spaces and places where we are able to move those stones out of the way to seek new life—our own version of resurrection?

Capital UU Congregation musicians and the First Unitarian Church worship team will join with guest musicians Lea Morris and Sylvia Humble.
It should be a memorable and moving joint service filled with beautiful music.

Would you like a ride – please contact Karen Christie – she can take four people picking up from James Bay New Horizons at 9:50.