Copy
The words "First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa - Your Weekly eUU" appear in white text against a black background overlaid with rainbow streamers
Friday, August 26, 2022
 
A blue-green square ft the words "Click HERE to Read the eUU in your Browser + Rotate Your Phone for a Clearer View" in white text.
We acknowledge that our campus is located on traditional, unsurrendered and unceded Algonquin Anishinabeg Territory; and that the work of reconciliation is a responsibility of our congregation, and of all Canadians.
 
Sunday, August 28, 2022
Online AND In Person (masks required)
Starts at 10:00am
A violin rests amid the roots of a mature tree, with younger plants nearby.

The Spirituality of Aging and Growing Old Gracefully
~ Jennifer Brierley


Jennifer Brierley will speak from her extensive study on Aging and from her experience
of working with and for older folk as they "Grow Old Gracefully".

Find out more, and grab the service link, by clicking the green button below!
Click HERE for Service, Children's Religious Exploration, and Hospitality Information
No "Time for All Ages" during service this Sunday. Instead, we'll meet in Room 4 at 10am to explore why we need bugs to grow a healthy garden. Then we'll move to the Children's Garden to catch and study our friendly bug neighbours.
A white card covered with cartoon drawings of bugs presents the CRE information. The card appears against a green background featuring black line drawings of a bee and a ladybug.

Pride Sunday Tech Trouble


The word "Oops!" appears in white script, inside a scribbled white circle, against a raspberry background.We are so sorry. Owing to a scheduling miscommunication, there was no video technician available for last week's service. Consequently, no recordings were available in the service, and nothing was livestreamed to our YouTube channel.

We apologize to the contributors, including Kris, Harmony, Jenn, Mary, Brent, Deirdre, Lee and Rabbi Liz, whose prepared works were not available to the in-person congregation or who had to step in at the last minute to provide extra assistance, as well as to all the at-home congregants who could not view the service at all. We are taking steps to prevent further issues and to see if any content can be recovered. We will notify everyone if it becomes available.

Campus Development Update


A row of colourful houses drawn against a clear blue skyOn Wednesday, about 24 representatives from FirstU (including the Board, Campus Planning Committee and the Integrated Campus Plan Task Force) and our campus partners (Unitarian House, River Parkway Children's Centre and Or Haneshamah) met with our development partners (Theia, Cahdco and Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services).
We discussed and brainstormed the potential locations of new buildings and amenities such as a playground, an outdoor gathering circle, parking and pathways.  A lot of great ideas were literally laid out on the table in this design charette and we thank all those who participated.

FirstU to Host the 2023 National CUC Conference


A hammer and nails lie on a series off colourful wooden boards.This week, the Board agreed to host the 2023 National Conference of the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC).

The conference will take place in person over the May 2023 long weekend at an Ottawa conference centre, and the concurrent youth conference CanUUdle will take place on our campus.

We will need organizers and helpers. To volunteer or find out more, please contact Maury Prevost at uuconnections@firstunitarianottawa.ca (formerly "dat@firstunitarionaottawa").
In This Email - Click the Heading to Jump to the Section

Congregational Focus: Environmental Action

A blue banner with the words "'I want you to act as if our house is on fire. Because it is!' ~ Greta Thunburg, Davos, January 2019" overlaying it in white text. The banner is flanked by green leaves and backed by a sunshine graphic.
August's climate actions and activities include a visit from
Foodsharing Ottawa and Eco Debates featuring Ottawa's mayoral candidates.
Click the green button below to check them out!
Click HERE for This Week's Events PLUS Actions You can Take to Protect the Web of Life

The UU Eight Principles appear in white text against a dark green background

Read All About It!


An auction gavel appears, sitting on a laptop keyboard.Unitarian GoGos Silent Auction
August 22 - September 4
The Unitarian GoGos are raising funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation! Bidding is now OPEN! Visit their online auction to bid on quilts, ceramics, cupcakes, and even a B&B stay! spoil yourself or find a gift for a loved one, and support a worthy cause. Click HERE to view available items.

Three different pizzas displayed in front of a wood fire oven.Lunch at Biagio's! (Patio or Take-Out)
Wednesday, September 7 - Noon
$40 per person
Join the Unitarian GoGos for lunch at Biagio's in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Savour delicious Italian food, pick up your Silent Auction purchases, and enjoy some good company - all in support of an excellent cause!
Download the menu HERE.
Contact gogos@firstunitarianottawa.ca to register.
For further information contact Sheila at 613-513-4056

Bunch berries growing on the forest floor. The words "Ajashki Means Soil in Algonquin Language" overlay the image in white script.CUC Profile on the Ajashki Garden Project
We are delighted to announce that the CUC has done a profile piece on the Ajashki Garden Project. Click HERE to read the profile piece.

White pots of hydroponic baby lettuces, being tended by a pair of hands.Harvest Fresh Greens on Sunday!
The Ajashki project has an indoor garden located in the Volunteer Room, which is growing lettuce, chard, kale and basil. We would love to share the harvest with the congregation. A volunteer will be available after the Sunday service to demonstrate how to harvest without damaging the plants. Please bring a re-usable container for your greens.

A Black person in an orange sleeveless turtleneck and short, natural hair reads a book with a red cover.Friday Reading For Growth Book Club
The Friday Reading for Growth book club is a small, friendly, non-fiction book club. We meet on zoom on the last Friday of the month (1:30 - 3pm) and choose books covering a wide range of topics. This Fall's choices (available at the Ottawa Public Library) are: September: Pastoral Song: A Farmer’s Journey (James Rebanks), October Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents (Isabel Wilkerson), November: Putin's Kleptocracy: Who Owns Russia? (Karen Dawisha).
Drop in and try us out: Contact Clea Derwent to join.

A blond kid with their face covered in colourful paint.OWL Camp - THANK YOU
Earlier this summer, we ran a very successful OWL (Our Whole Lives) day camp for twenty 10-14 year olds. Our heartfelt thanks to these motivated organizers and facilitators for pouring their time and energy into this well-received project:
Amy Bérubé, David Chernushenko, Guy Belleperche, Jodi McIntosh, Justine De Jaegher, Lisa Sharp, Margaret Linton, Marie-Odile Junker, Meghan Dunn, Stephen Gabe and Neo Yaxley.

An October calendar with the 4th circled in red.Good Trouble, Necessary Trouble - Save the Date!
Tuesday, October 4th at 7pm: Join us to talk about "Good Trouble, Necessary Trouble" as we try to change our world. All are invited to attend our next Leadership Council event on October 4, at 7 pm. There will be a special workshop by our Widening the Circle Rumble Group introducing a new program at First U. What is a Rumble Group? Come Find Out!  More details to come. All ages welcome.

Four teens taking a selfie together in front of a woodsy lake.We are in the early stages of planning Coming of Age in the new church year. To make this happen, we need your help!
If you are interested in being a facilitator or a mentor, please email Neo.

Weekly Calendar


Please contact your regular group leader for meeting details. Contact info can be found on the congregation's calendar.
The link for Sunday Service can be found on the website homepage or on our Youtube Page.
For inquiries or to join a group, email the office for information.

Saturday, August 27
7:00pm
FirstU Trivia Night

Sunday, August 28
10:00am
Sunday Service Online AND In-Person
CRE
11:30am
Summer Online Hospitality Hour
12:00pm
PRIDE PARADE
1:30pm
Mental Health Support and Action Group

Click the pic, below, for more events happening this week!
The words "Click Here for More Events Happening This Week" and a stylized picture of a wall calendar all appear in white against a dark green background
A wall of bricks painted in the rainbow colours of the pride flag. The words "Blessed are the queer / Disciples of Truth, / Living, breathing, sacred / Reflections of / Divine Love. ~ HP Rivers" overlay the image in white text. Happy Pride. See you at the Parade.
Share the eUU with your friends using the share buttons below
Share Share
Tweet Tweet
Forward Forward
Click HERE to download a printable PDF of this week's eUU

Caring Contacts for August


Alexandra Devine - 613-224-5695
Bill Wylie - 613-761-8092

We are all interconnected, interdependent and minister to each other in many ways. Our monthly Caring Contacts take your phone calls and emails when you wish to alert us to a need or a concern or have a joy to celebrate. We try to ensure no one is forgotten and that appropriate help is provided when requested.

Wooden blocks printed with white letters spell out the words "BE KIND" against a light blue background

Celebration of Life for Don McDiarmid

Sunday, September 11 - 2pm
UUFO

A photo of Don McDiarmid - an elderly white man with a neatly trimmed white beard and glasses, wearing a broad-brimmed cloth hat and a blue denim shirt. He is sitting on a lawn chair outdoors.Please join us for a service to celebrate the life of Don McDiarmid, a longtime member of First Unitarian and a founding member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ottawa. The service will be held at the UUFO, 400 MacArthur Ave. (in-person only), on Sunday, September 11th, 2022 at 2pm.

Upcoming Events


A question mark made of colourful dots against a dark yellow backgroundTrivia Quiz Night
Saturday, August 27 - 7:00pm
Join us for our Trivia Quiz!  Questions are diverse, fun, and taken from several sources, and there is no need to feel embarrassed about getting an incorrect answer: players score themselves!  All you need is a pen or pencil, paper and your "thinking cap".  Play alone or team up with a partner or two! 
For more information, contact Andrew Drake.
ZOOM LINK     Meeting ID 841 2565 4674     Passcode 222371

The FirstU congregation at the Pride Parade in 2019Capital Pride Parade!
Sunday, August 28 - After the Service
Everyone at FirstU is encouraged to come march in this year's Pride parade! Gather downtown after our Sunday Service (car-pooling from/to 30 Cleary available).
Dress Up, Have Fun, and Show Your Pride! Allies welcome!
Gather at Staging area 4 - between James and Florence on Kent street. Remember to bring water and snacks, dress for the weather, and bring a portable camp chair if you can easily carry it while marching (it will be a while before the parade starts moving).

A paper cut-out of a head facing sideway. The head is surrounded by crumpled paper in various colours and has a brain-shaped drawing on it in which the words "mental health" have been written in marker. The background is black.Mental Health Support and Action Group
Sunday, August 28 - 1:30pm
Online
We offer a listening presence and mutual support for each other. We welcome you if you have mental health challenges and/or are a caregiver, or share an interest in these issues. The second part of our meeting is to discuss our advocacy work. For more information and Zoom link, please contact Rev. Linda Goonewardene and johnnie gall at: mhsag@firstunitarianottawa.ca

A white lotus flower floating on dark waterWednesday Evening Mindfulness Meditation
Wednesday, August 31 - 7:30pm
We support our individual and group practice of meditation, sharing perspectives and intentionally cultivating attitudinal behaviours like beginners' mind, loving kindness, compassion, trust, patience and letting go ~ all keys to mindfulness. All are welcome.
ZOOM LINK     Meeting ID: 816 9549 3510     Passcode: 203029

Colourful paper speech-bubbles held in people's hands.FirstU Virtual Discussion Circle
Thursday, September 1 - 1pm
Discussion circles are held weekly, with a different topic each week. This week, we plan to discuss: "GROWING UP: HOW DID I KNOW WHEN I BECAME AN ADULT?". No pre-registration is required, just drop in by clicking on the link. We look forward to seeing you! If you have ideas for future discussion topics, please email Andrew.
ZOOM LINK     Meeting ID: 638 009 136     Password: 897007

Unitarian Universalist nUUs


A number of people, aged 18-35, standing in a row on a forest trail.2022 UniCamp Young Adult Retreat
Registration Open
September 9 -12
The Young Adult Retreat is back! Join UU young adults (18 – 35) for a wonderful weekend of community, conversation and outdoor adventures amidst the fall colours. UniCamp provides the perfect setting for a relaxing and rejuvenating retreat with new and old UU friends. Register by September 5. More information on UniCamp available HERE.

An image of the Nile River Goddess statue (white ceramic, arms raised) appears against a magenta and aubergine background of bare trees. Whirling stars appear behind her.Rise Up and Call Her Name: A Woman-Honouring Journey into Global Earth-Based Spiritualities
Starts Saturday, September 24 - 3pm
Join the Canadian Unitarian Universalist Women's Association (CUUWA) online to explore this 13-session curriculum focusing on goddesses and Earth-honouring aspects of spiritual and religious practices. For more information, contact Margaret Linton. Final date for registration is September 12.

Information about events and activities at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ottawa can be found by reading the latest UUFO Friday Notes.


Canadian Unitarian Council
Information about all the upcoming CUC events can be found on their Events Page.

News from Our Friends


A traditional rainbow pride flag and a trans pride flag hanging side by side. An image of a Torah scroll appears in the foreground.Pride Shabbat with Or Haneshamah
Saturday, August 27 - 10:30am
McNabb Park in Centretown
You're invited to join Rabbi Liz, Ottawa's first openly gay rabbi, and our friends from Or Haneshamah at their Outdoor Pride Shabbat service on Saturday August 27. Be ready for a lively, song-filled Shabbat celebration, including some special musical guests, and followed by a picnic. Bring your yummy things, lawn chairs or blankets, and a friend or two!

Chez FirstU


Six men in heavy sweaters and dark pants, and one woman in a traditional Finnish skirt, appear against a dark wooden wall, holding musical instruments including fiddles, a guitar, and a mandolin.Hot Fiddles from Cool Scandinavia - FRIGG
TONIGHT - Friday, August 26 - 7:30pm
Live at 30 Cleary
Frigg has been conquering the world with a fusion of western folk music styles leaning strongly towards Nordic folk music, for which the world music media has coined the term nordgrass, referring to the bluegrass influences of the group. The tight interplay of fiddles, mandolin, guitar, and double-bass, spiced with sparkling, humorous live-energy, has made an impact on listeners all over the world.
They'll be performing at FirstU TONIGHT, August 26!
Advanced tickets available HERE (kids 12 and under are free).

Sunday Announcement Submissions


If you would like an announcement made during the livestreamed Sunday Service,
Please email the Board of Directors at bod@firstunitarianottawa.ca by Friday at 10am.
Do allow for time in case there are questions with regard to the announcement. 
Also note that announcements may need to be edited for length and that time-sensitive announcements may be prioritized.

Joys and Sorrows


If you would like a stone placed in the water for you during the Joys and Sorrows portion of an upcoming Sunday Service, please email Reverend Ellen by Friday at 10am.

eUU Submissions


Submit your eUU messages for consideration to publications@firstunitarianottawa.ca no later than Wednesday at noon of the week you want your announcement or event to appear. Submissions may be edited for length.
80 words or fewer, please. Allison, our Communications Coordinator, works Thursdays and Fridays.

Our contact information:

30 Cleary Ave, Ottawa, ON K2A 4A1
613-725-1066

firstunitarianottawa.ca
uuoffice@firstunitarianottawa.ca  
Email Copyright © 2022 First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, All rights reserved.

unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences 

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp