Born on the stages of Victoria’s premier performance venues, Lust Life has spent more than three decades redefining what a jazz band can be. Since its beginnings in 1994, the group has evolved from a classic jazz ensemble into a genre-blending collective that celebrates musical artistry without boundaries.

At the heart of Lust Life is a deep respect for the jazz tradition. The Great American Songbook provides a rich foundation, but the band’s sound reaches far beyond it—drawing inspiration from Latin rhythms, blues, swing, jump jazz, funk, pop, soul, and contemporary grooves. Every performance is thoughtfully crafted to connect with audiences, creating an atmosphere that’s vibrant, uplifting, and unforgettable.

Lust Life resists easy categorization. Their signature West Coast sound is sophisticated yet approachable, timeless yet refreshingly modern. Rich harmonies, expressive vocals, inventive improvisation, and irresistible rhythms come together to create performances that are as emotionally engaging as they are musically adventurous.

Visit their website: https://www.lustlife.ca/

Hosted by our Reverend of Jazz, Shana Lynngood. All are welcome. Admission by donation. All your donations go to the musicians and are very much appreciated.

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Inner Life, Outer Living

Homilist: Rev. Shana
Service Leader: Ian Warrender

Much of what I read during our break this summer examined the relationship between the inner life (introspection and reflection on our lives) and how we live out our days. One of the challenges, of course, is that we don’t often have, or take, much time to look inward. When we do, do we feel alignment with who we feel ourselves to be and how we are living? Do others see the person I think I am?

Music:  TBA
Board Member on Duty: TBA

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This 3 session exploration is designed for newcomers and invites us to look at what motivated you to come to UUCV, and what you hope to grow/deepen by being a part of a spiritual community. What is at the core of your spirituality at this point in your life, with this congregation?

These sessions will be offered seasonally—Fall, Winter, and Spring—sign up by contacting Rev. Shana (via email rev.shana@shaw.ca, or via text 250-891-6331).

Fall session— #1: September 24th 5:30 to 7pm in person and September 30th 7 to 8:30 on Zoom, #2: October 21st 7 to 8:30pm on Zoom and October 22nd 5:30 to 7pm in person, #3: November 25th on Zoom from 7 to 8:30pm and November 26th from 5:30 to 7 in person

Winter session—#1: January 20 and 21, #2: February 17 and 18, #3: March 24 and 25
Spring session—All 3 session are in April — 7 and 8, 21 and 22, 28 and 29

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Moving through Conflict Together

Homilists: Rev. Melora and Members of the Responsible Relations Team, Jeanne VanBronkhorst & Kent Haden 
Worship Associate: Johnathan Savard

Conflict is an integral part of any thriving community. Conflict done well illuminates what we value and what we fear. When we can move together through conflict with respect, we open ourselves to new insights and deepen our connections with each other.

This service will introduce to the congregation our newly formed UUCV Responsible Relations Team.

Music: Chalice Choir
Board Member on Duty: Nikki Martzke

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Beginning Again – Ingathering Sunday

Homilist: Rev. Shana
Worship Associate: Karen Christie

As we begin a new program year together, it’s a good time to reflect on where we are as a community. When we start again, it’s a chance to both appreciate where we have been and what we are building on. It’s also a chance to think about what we might want to do differently—or more, or less of in the year ahead.

Music: TBA
Board Member on Duty: Margaret McKelvie

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Singing the Sources

Homilist: Liz Graham
Worship Associate: Dan Klimke

Christianity has the Bible, Islam has the Koran, and Jews, the Torah.  Come for a service exploring the diverse sources that our Unitarian Universalist faith draws from in an hour of hymns and readings.

Music: Jennifer Mitchell, piano
Board Member on Duty: TBA

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Intergenerational Dance Party

Homilist: Rev. Shana
Worship Associate: Dan Klimke

It’s become an August tradition to have a service in which we gather to dance together, share our highlights and lowlights of the summer months, and reconnect by enjoying one another’s company on the dance floor. We’ll move to the music, pause to light candles, and offer a few words of appreciation for summer’s gifts.

Board Member on Duty: Shirley Travis

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Blessing of the Animals

Homilist: Rev. Melora
Worship Associate: Jesse Invik

Come one, come all! Come bipeds, come quadrupeds! Dogs, cats, gerbils, lizards, fish, teddy bears — all are welcome! In this service, we honour the gifts that animals bring to our lives. Bring your pets (appropriately leashed or caged), beloved stuffed animals, or mementos of your pets (e.g., if your cat would not enjoy such an outing, bring their photo and their favourite toy or collar). There will also be a time to remember the pets we have lost; bring photos and mementos of any beloved animal companion you would like to remember with a candle lighting.

Music: Jennifer Mitchell, piano
Board Member on Duty: Jim Hemstock

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This year’s themes are:

• Agency and Acceptance (October)
• Change and Stability (November)
• Humility and Pride (December)
• Responsibility and Integrity (January)
• Power and Powerlessness (February)
• Expectations and Surprises (March)
• Forgiveness and Repair (April)
• Community and Individuality (May)

And once again, due to popular demand, we will be offering small groups to engage with the material –

• Receive the packet – with questions for reflection and suggested spiritual exercises
• Attend your small group once/month to do a deep check-in and share your experiences and reflections on the material.

Folks who were in groups last year appreciated that these groups were a good way to deepen connection with others in the congregation and to give yourself time to intentionally reflect on things that matter.  

We have 4 groups to offer. Choose the time, date, and location that works best for you.

1. In Person

   Home of Jeanne & Ann, Esquimalt, 511-100 Saghalie Road

   3rd Mondays*, 1pm-3pm
   
   Facilitators: UUCV members, Jeanne VanBronkhorst and Leslie Stafford

• Oct 19
• Nov 16
• Dec 14* (Note: this is the 2nd Monday)
• Jan 18
• Feb 15
• March 15
• April 19
• May 17

2. In Person
   

   UU Community of Victoria, Farmhouse Common Room [to be confirmed]

   Tuesdays, (Oct-Dec 2026, 2nd Tuesday of the month. Jan-May, 2027, last Tuesday of the month), 1pm-3pm

   Facilitator: Rev. Melora

• Oct 29
• Nov 26
• Dec 10
• Jan 21
• Feb 25
• March 18
• April 29
• May 27

3. In Person

   Home of Jenny Heston, 3266 Cook Street, Victoria

   3rd Tuesdays, 7pm-8:30pm
   
   Facilitators: UUCV members, Jenny Heston & Jeanine Hartman

   • Oct 20
   • Nov 17
   • Dec 15
   • Jan 19
   • Feb 16
   • March 16
   • April 20
   • May 18

4. Zoom

   Tuesdays (Oct-Dec 2026, 2nd Tuesday of the month. Jan-May, 2027, last Tuesday of the month), 7pm-8:30pm

   Facilitator: Rev. Melora

   • Oct 13
   • Nov 10
   • Dec 8
   • Jan 26
   • Feb 23
   • March 30
   • April 27
   • May 25

Space is limited, and these filled up quickly last year – so sign up now to secure your spot.  Email rev.melora@victoriaunitarian.ca  with “Meaning Making” in the subject heading, and specify which group you’d like to join.

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Summer Musings

Homilist: Rev. Shana
Worship Associate: John Hopewell

Summer is often a time of slower pace and long days that can lead to contemplation. What have you been reflecting on this summer? How might you carry the observations of summer into the other seasons of the year?

Music: Jennifer Mitchell, piano
Board Member on Duty: Katherine Maas

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Hours will vary depending on the number and type of events booked. Split shifts may be required. You will be guaranteed to be offered a minimum of 10 hours a month.

Abilities necessary include: Physically able to move heavy furniture, good communications skills, basic computer skills including Word & Excel, reliable transportation. A criminal record check will be required.

Hours: vary depending on the number of events booked, usually 2-8 hours per event; frequent split shifts required
Wage: $26.81 + 4% in lieu of vacation

Closing date: September 5, 2026. We will reply to each applicant in early September.

If interested, please forward your resume and cover letter to uucvhr@victoriaunitarian.ca

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Unitarians Face A New Age

Homilist: Rev. Shawn Gauthier (Video)
Worship Associate: Lynne Bonner

In the 1930s, our spiritual forebears bravely asked: “whether the organized religious movement known as Unitarianism has any real function to perform in the modern world”. Come and hear their bold response, and Reverend Shawn Gauthier’s equally powerful invitations to us all.

This will be a video service provided by the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC). This sermon was recorded in November 2025 at Vancouver Unitarians.

Rev. Shawn Gauthier is the Settled Minister at Vancouver Unitarians. Previously, he served for 16 years as the Minister at the First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto. Rev. Shawn loves to travel, to take in theatre and classical music, and to explore alongside his husband Bob.

Board Member on Duty: Liz Graham

View the Service

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Passages of Poetry and Pride

Wilder Simpson, Homilist
Dan Klimke, Worship Associate

Wilder is a transgender man whose poetry explores what it means—and how it feels—to live authentically and vulnerably in such a harsh and beautiful world. He will share poetry during this service that explores themes of love, loss, grief, transformation, joy and pride. His message will blend the human and spiritual experience, tenderly call in community, and offer permission to find freedom and pride in authentic self-expression.

Wilder Simpson is a poet, an athlete, a creative mind, a presence within a large and loving family, and an academic currently completing a Bachelor of Athletic and Exercise Therapy at Camosun College. He finds access to an unnamable presence of Love that underlies every aspect of his human experience.  Poetry is one way that Love moves through him.

Board Member on Duty: Katherine Maas
Music: Jennifer Mitchell, piano

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