The Heart of Truth – 

Rev Shana, Homilist with Mollie Twidale, Worship Associate – 

With the rise of AI and Google searches and social media, the amount of misinformation and disinformation that we are exposed to everyday is at an all time high. 

How do we sift through it all to find what is real and true? 

How do we stay grounded in our own lives and see clearly the lives of those around us? 

Can we rely more on our intuition and deep understanding of what it means to love?

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The Just and the Right – 

Rev Shana, Homilist with Karen Christie, Worship Associate – 

In this auction requested sermon, I will explore where the just and the right intersect and overlap, and those moments when they are not aligned. 

In seeking justice for all people, how do we understand the paradox that (sometimes) in order to pursue justice and equality we have to question long-held assumptions about what is right?

With Chalice Choir

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Masculinity: A broader vision – 

Rev Melora with David Tietz and Johnathan Savard, Worship Associates – 

Narrow ideas about gender limit us all, including those who identify as boys and men. 

In this service, we consider how men can move beyond inherited norms and discover greater freedom in living as whole human beings. We explore what it means to grow beyond constraining expectations and into lives marked by care, compassion, patience, and connection.  

Rev. Melora will offer an opening reflection, followed by reflections from UUCV members and worship team members David Tietz and Johnathan Savard.

Cantabile Handbell Choir

Wassail! (after service)

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Reilly Yeo, Guest Homilist
with Lynne Bonner, Worship Associate

In her incredible book “The Word for World is ‘Forest,’” Ursula K. LeGuin says “In diversity is life, and where there’s life there’s hope.” Our forests – particularly old-growth forests of extraordinary complexity – are some of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. Come celebrate their spiritual richness, and learn what My Climate Plan and other organizations are doing to protect them, restore hope, and restore the sacred balance.

Reilly is a co-founder of My Climate Plan, a beneficial membership organization helping people and their communities prepare for and respond to climate change. As an interfaith chaplain, her work addresses the spiritual causes and consequences of climate change, and the larger polycrisis that defines our time. She lives on the unceded territories of the Swenghung, a Lekwungen-speaking people, with her partner Jamie and their two children Avery and Elyse.

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Questions More than Answers – 

Rev Shana, Homilist – 

Mollie Twidale, Worship Associate

We modern humans are often most focused on facts and data and information. Without in any way disputing the importance of the ways we come to know, I sometimes think we give the value of questions short-shrift. 

How many times have you come to a significant revelation when you were asked an open ended, meaningful question? 

What are the questions that the new year is asking you or asking of you? We’ll turn to Zora Neale Hurston and Rilke for wisdom.

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Longing – 

Rev Melora, Homilist – 

David Tietz, Worship Associate

What do you long for? To what extent do you long for what others have (or seem to have)? 

What longing might underlie the new year’s resolutions you made (or considered making) this year?  

What spiritual longings stir within you?  

How might your longings serve as guides toward greater fulfillment rather than unattainable sources of frustration and discouragement?

(Chalice Choir)

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Wonder over Cynicism – 

Rev Shana, Homilist – 

Johnathan Savard, Worship Associate

As we move deeper into the new year and our theme of awakening wonder, this morning we’ll explore how much cynicism and criticism get in the way.

It is hard to marvel at the beauty of the natural world or the blessings of our lives when we lead with jaded hearts and “seen-it-all” cynicism. How can we create openings in our lives and ourselves for awe and wonder to enter? How can we truly appreciate what is all around us?

(Bare Bones Band)

View the Service on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/100064729476321/videos/1451169009683244

Or on YouTube https://youtube.com/live/5QEaGmnkNJk

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Spirituality Goes Underground – 

Jesse Invik, Homilist, – 

John Hopewell, Worship Associate

Starting this month’s theme of wonder, Jesse Invik will bring us to a place of wonder for him and give us a glimpse of spirituality in a world most of us seldom have the opportunity to visit: the great underground world of caves on Vancouver Island. 

Vancouver Island is home to more caves than the rest of Canada combined, and it is in these caves where Jesse feels most at home, and closest to a feeling of spirituality. 

Using pictures, poetry and descriptions of his own experiences, Jesse will attempt to transport us to this weird and wonderful world where time stands still.

View the Service

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Music of Presence – 

Edie DaPonte, Homilist – 

Lynne Bonner, Worship Associate – 

For a third consecutive year, the Edie DaPonte Trio comes to offer us jazz for reflection on the Sunday between Christmas and New Year’s. How do the lyrics of some songs encourage you to reflect on what has been and what may yet be? What is in the process of becoming for you? Come enjoy the music of Attila Fias, piano, Joey Smith, bass, and Edie Da Ponte, vocals.

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Visions of Peace – 

Rev Shana Lynngood, Homilist – 

Jana Kotaska, Worship Associate – 

The story of Jesus’ birth is surrounded by visions and visitations. 

Angels appear to speak of the arrival of a spiritual role model and exemplar to usher in a new age of possibility and peace. 

The amount of faith and hope shown by all those who hear the tale of what Jesus’ birth signifies is nothing short of stunning. What new visions might we welcome into our midst? How might we be harbingers of peace and goodwill?

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Classical Music Sunday – 

Riccio Strings, Guest Musicians – 

Lynne Bonner, Worship Associate – 

Join us for a classical music Sunday. Rest in the midst of the busy holiday season with music that soothes and stirs the soul.

Riccio Strings—https://ricciostringquartet.ca/members/

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Winter Quiet Solstice Ritual – 2 services! – 

Jen Rashleigh and Leanne Hopkins FamilyPrograms, with Rev. Melora Lynngood –

Ian Warrander, Worship Associate –

Music: Mini-Chalice Choir with Christine Taber, Music Director –

In person only

 Whether you choose the family service or the later service, join us for a simple candlelit spiral ritual, with music in the sanctuary, to honour the solstice and join in a peaceful pause. This event will be in person only, due to the challenges of video in low lighting. See below for zoom option.

 Family service (bring the kids!)

4:00 pm Gathering with snacks and Solstice activity, Lion Hall

4:30 pm Processional begins!

We line up with the youngest first, so they get a front row seat to the magical glow of candlelight.

 In Between Solstice Social

Around 6pm, maybe as early as 5:30

Mac & cheese (with gluten-free and vegan options) & warm toasty drinks for all (those who just attended the family service as well as those preparing to attend the 7pm service). Lion Hall

Evening Service

7:00 pm Processional begins.

A gift! After the 7pm service, anyone & everyone is welcome to take home cedar & sequoia boughs for home decor.

Solstice Zoom Gathering  — 

Jen Rashleigh, Family Programs, with Rev. Melora Lynngood

Online only

 Join in some simple grounding contemplative time together on this longest night, as we reflect on the past year and prepare for the new year.  A meditation with some sharing and candle lighting.

https://zoom.us/j/92379906276?pwd=xy3TO91nCdwbdjeKzHRHX07F3U7Nv0.1

Meeting ID: 923 7990 6276

Passcode: 072543

By phone audio only +1 778 907 2071 Canada

or find your local number https://zoom.us/u/adkbVEOCo0

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Modern Monastics – 

Rev Shana Lynngood, Homilist – 

Jesse Invik, Worship Associate – 

I have long been fascinated by the glimpses I have had of monastic life. It seems so deep, profound, but ultimately far too removed from life in the world. Perhaps, my understanding is short-sighted. 

What is it about cultivating the inner life that can help shape our interactions with the outer world? Can we bring the silence and beauty of retreat out into how we address collective problems? How does stepping back help us to then lean in? How do we use the darkness of winter to hibernate and create what’s next?

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Care for Self, Care for World – 

Rev. Shana Lynngood, Homilist – 

John Hopewell, Worship Associate

We begin our exploration of this month’s theme, communities of care, by looking at the concentric circles of caring. 

In these times, I have been puzzling over the tension between caring for oneself and caring for the larger world. We are told they are opposites.

Caring for self is selfish and limited in all of the worst kinds of ways. Caring for the larger world, especially in this moment of crisis is essential. What if we can do both? What if they are integrally related? 

How does caring for ourselves help us to care for others and the planet? Can we do all three at once?

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Journeying Into Poetry — 

Sarah Weaver, Homilist — 

Karen Christie, Worship Associate — 

In our search for truth and meaning as Unitarian Universalists, we sometimes look to poetry, and its ability to suggest ideas and concepts “beyond words”. This quality means poetry can inspire us with its language and imagery, and also intimidate with its nuanced elusiveness. Sarah reflects on her own journey into poetry, what she is learning from writing poetry, and how poetry helps her cope with some of life’s challenges.

Sarah Weaver is a member of the Capital Unitarian Universalist Congregation, and served for several years on the Board. With a background in environmental work, her writing is grounded in the natural world. Both her poetry and creative non-fiction have been published in literary journals such as Island Writer. Sarah also enjoys photography, and blogs about what inspires her at https://linesfromthecoast.blogspot.com/. Her author website is https://sarahweaver.ca/

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