November 30: CUC National Service Join Camellia Jahanshahi, Rising Together Facilitator and Dismantling Barriers Lead, with Nicoline Guerrier, Eastern Lead, for “Turning Towards One Another,” an exploration of ideas of solidarity and our potential for future connections as UU's. This is a recorded service, supported by John Rowell of the Worship Team.
Introduction to Beloved Community: Welcome as a Spiritual Practice In this session you'll learn tools and practices for congregational culture shift, brainstorm next steps for creating trans-affirming culture shift in your congregation or faith group, and find out about additional resources that can support you in your next steps. Trans Inclusion in Congregations This course is for individuals, groups, and congregational teams who want to take their knowledge and skills to the next level in terms of trans identity and how to create congregations that are fully inclusive and affirming of the full breadth of gender diversity. Over six 2-hour sessions you will deeply explore the intersection of trans identity, spirituality, and faith community, and gain the grounding, context, and skills to transform yourself and your congregation. The course is for everyone from novices on trans identity to those with decades of life experience. Rather than simply offering a “trans 101,” this class pushes participants to the next level of congregational welcome, relationship-building, and skills-building. It counters mainstream narratives about who trans people are; supports understanding of non-binary identities (such as genderqueer, agender, and Two-Spirit); and employs a deeply intersectional approach. Congregational teams are particularly encouraged to participate. Watch this video to hear course leaders Rev. Mykal Slack and Zr. Alex Kapitan share more about the course, why and how it came to be, what to expect from taking it, who the course is for, and how it works when a congregation purchases it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEU5Ri8lxQ4 Course details The course is composed of six 2-hour sessions, each of which includes a 45- to 55-minute lecture by Rev. Mykal Slack and Zr. Alex Kapitan, as well as reflection questions and resources for discussion that take the conversation deeper. Rev Rita will facilitate each session, which will be offered both in-person at...
Introduction to Beloved Community: Welcome as a Spiritual Practice In this session you'll learn tools and practices for congregational culture shift, brainstorm next steps for creating trans-affirming culture shift in your congregation or faith group, and find out about additional resources that can support you in your next steps. Trans Inclusion in Congregations This course is for individuals, groups, and congregational teams who want to take their knowledge and skills to the next level in terms of trans identity and how to create congregations that are fully inclusive and affirming of the full breadth of gender diversity. Over six 2-hour sessions you will deeply explore the intersection of trans identity, spirituality, and faith community, and gain the grounding, context, and skills to transform yourself and your congregation. The course is for everyone from novices on trans identity to those with decades of life experience. Rather than simply offering a “trans 101,” this class pushes participants to the next level of congregational welcome, relationship-building, and skills-building. It counters mainstream narratives about who trans people are; supports understanding of non-binary identities (such as genderqueer, agender, and Two-Spirit); and employs a deeply intersectional approach. Congregational teams are particularly encouraged to participate. Watch this video to hear course leaders Rev. Mykal Slack and Zr. Alex Kapitan share more about the course, why and how it came to be, what to expect from taking it, who the course is for, and how it works when a congregation purchases it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEU5Ri8lxQ4 Course details The course is composed of six 2-hour sessions, each of which includes a 45- to 55-minute lecture by Rev. Mykal Slack and Zr. Alex Kapitan, as well as reflection questions and resources for discussion that take the conversation deeper. Rev Rita will facilitate each session, which will be offered both in-person at...
Community Create collaborative artwork that reflects shared values, collective identity, and a sense of belonging. This session emphasizes connection, listening, and mutual support through group creative processes. "Healing through the Arts" is a creative workshop series designed to nurture mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being through artistic expression. All sessions encourage expressive freedom without judgment, focusing on feeling rather than perfection. Each session invites participants to explore different themes—like mindfulness, emotional release, and self-discovery—using accessible, hands-on art activities. No artistic experience is needed—just a willingness to create, reflect, and connect. Sessions run select Saturday mornings from 9:00am to noon in Founders’ Hall. There is a one-time $30 charge for materials and a “Pay What You Can” at each session for instruction. You can attend as many sessions as you like. You can register for the sessions and make payments at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/healing-through-art-tickets-1639509590319?aff=oddtdtcreator Some scholarships are available (see Family Life Coordinator Caitlyn Seale). Sessions are open to the community, so feel free to bring a friend. All sessions are conducted by UCM member Dominika Dittwald. She is a teacher, visual artist, filmmaker and photographer committed to using creative expression for wellness and personal growth. A certified teacher and art therapy practitioner, her goal is to help individuals and communities connect with their inner creative life force. You can view her work at https://www.ddittwald.com/artworkshops
December 7: No Rehearse Pageant The great Unitarian religious educator the Rev. Sophia Lyon Fahs wrote “Each night a child is born is a holy night,” and she meant, too, that each and every child is a holy being. Join us this Sunday as Rev. Rita, Family Life Coordinator Caitlyn Seale, Service Associates Jean Mackie and Emma Willemsma, and vast cast of characters and voices organize a no-rehearsal pageant and hymn sing, with our blessed children and all young-at-heart bringing to life the story of Jesus’s birth in ways uniquely Unitarian and Universalist. And we get the gift of Voices UUnited, too! Following worship, join together for a German Cultures and Cuisines Christmas Potluck, brought to you by Family Life Coordinator Caitlyn Seale and your Board of Directors. Bring a dish to share or lend a hand. Recipes are available.
For an hour after service, this time is for young adults (18-35) to get to know each other and build community.
The holiday season is not easy or joyful for all of us, especially if you are grieving, marking tragic anniversaries, struggling with personal situations, turned off by commercialism, or feeling lonely or alone. Join Rev. Rita at 3:00p for a “Blue Holidays” time of quiet, soft music, and reflection.
December 14: Joy as an Antidote Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said: "Discovering joy does not...save us from the inevitability of hardship and heartbreak. In fact, we may cry more easily, but we will laugh more easily too. Perhaps we are just more alive. Yet as we discover more joy, we can face suffering in a way that ennobles rather than embitters. We have hardship without becoming hard. We have heartbreak without being broken." Let us look at joy as an antidote to the bitterness and brokenness of this world. Join Guest Minister Rev. Pat Trudeau to explore this topic together.
December 21: Hail the Light! A Winter Solstice Celebration Join Service Leaders Ellen Newman and Devin Kreuger as they weave elements of UCM's beloved Sourcefire Yule Ritual from years past into our morning service to mark the turning of the Wheel from Dark to Light. Join us for music, meditation, reflection, and dancing - including crowd favourite "The Bells of Norwich". Enjoy some hot apple cider after service! Service is supported by Family Life Coordinator Caitlyn Seale and Service Associates Colleen Good and Rosana Salvaterra.
For an hour after service, this time is for young adults (18-35) to get to know each other and build community.
