Past services

February 10, 2019

A Fine Line

Rev. Melora Lynngood with Worship Associate Morgan Reid —

“That dress looks great on you!” What’s the difference between a thoughtful compliment and an unwanted advance?

As Unitarian Universalists who strive to respect the inherent dignity of all people, who are striving to be a people of trust, how do we navigate the complex realm of interpersonal communication in this “me too” era.

February 3, 2019

Trust and Redemption

Rev. Shana Lynngood with Worship Associate Shelley Motz —

The lasting impact of abuse on families and our larger society. This challenging topic may be hard for some among us to explore — please take care of yourself when attending this service.

We begin our theme exploration of trust with this particular focus and look at it in light of its spiritual undercurrents.

How we handle the aftermath of abuse is so important and has so often been overlooked — how can people find redemption? Can they learn to trust again? How are we all impacted by those whose lives have been scarred by abuse? What do trust and redemption look like for us all? Click here to watch the Sunday service.

January 27, 2019

Gandhi: “Desireless Action”

Non-Attachment for Non-Buddhists with Pat Wictor, Dick Jackson and Cathy Baker, and Worship Associate Madelaine Clarke –

Being ready to accept all the possible outcomes of our actions, including those we neither wanted nor anticipated, can be a more empowered and creative way to live.

Pat Wictor is a New York-based singer-songwriter who has been involved with UU ministry in the U.S. for many years. As part of the trio Brother Sun he performed at Island MusicFest in 2015.

This service is a Pulpit Swap with our sibling congregation in Victoria, Capital Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Rev. Shana will be preaching at Capital on January 20.

January 20, 2019

Possibilities for U (and U)

Rev. Melora Lynngood and Worship Associate Oliver Belisle –

It’s been true for a while now. Many mainstream progressive Protestant religions are losing members. Unitarian Universalism (UU ism) isn’t declining quite as drastically as the others – in many congregations, we are holding steady— but we’re not growing either.

Also, we have fewer Gen X‘ers and Millennials in our ranks than other ages. Why? We are a vibrant intergenerational community of progressive people that care for one another and the world we share. We support one another – and learn from one another – as we walk our various and varied spiritual paths. How can we offer this gift in a way that makes it accessible to a wider range of people? What new ways of doing things might we try?

This topic was chosen by the auction winner of the ‘sermon topic of your choice’ at our last ‘action auction.’

This service begins with a Child Dedication Ceremony for baby Bowen Winter Sterling.

January 13, 2019

Open and Willing

Rev. Shana Lynngood and Worship Associate Doug McGinnis –

Part of exploring possibility has to do with how much we think the possible is possible.

Are we set in our ways?

Do we think things are as they will always be? Or, are we open to what may yet be?

What are you open to and what feels set or forgone in your life?

January 6, 2019

What We’ve Done, Where We’re Going

Sonya Ignatieff, Susan Layng and Philip Symons, with Worship Associate Samantha Magnus, explore where we are headed as a member organization of GVAT (Greater Victoria Acting Together). They will review our accomplishments over the past year – training new leaders, conducting listening campaigns and holding our Discernment Day as 22 diverse organizations came together to set our platform for 2019.

Where are we going as we harness the incredible power to make a difference in our communities? The possibilities are endless!

December 30, 2018

The Selfish Act of Giving

Charity and volunteering are almost always framed as altruistic actions, with all the focus on how someone else will benefit from our good deed.

Ryan Guenther and Worship Associate Oliver Belisle explore why, in fact, we often feel guilty about deriving pleasure from something which is supposed to be selfless.

This is completely backwards, doing good should feel good because it’s good, and it’s okay to admit it. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, but a stairway to heaven can be built from selfish acts.

December 24, 2018

Christmas Eve Family Service — Familiar and Mysterious

Service at 4:30 pm for all ages with Rev. Shana Lynngood and Worship Associate Madelaine Clarke —

The Christmas story is so familiar that we have it memorized; and many have even become somewhat numb to its magic and charms because of its annual retelling. And yet, it has within it many mysteries and much beauty. In this intergenerational service, we will explore how to hear the story anew and seek a fresh connection to the message and possibility it contains.

December 23, 2018

Experiencing the Mystery

Experience a sense of mystery in this service built of music, poetry, chanting, and meditation with Rev. Melora Lynngood and Worship Associate Shelley Motz

.

December 21, 2018

Winter Solstice: Winter Quiet Spiral Ritual

Gather in Lion Hall at 4 pm for pizza and join Arran Liddel, Director of SEL-CY, Rev. Melora Lynngood and Worship Associate Oliver Belisle for simple craft activities. At 4:45 pm, we’ll move into the Sanctuary to begin our ritual by the light of a single candle at the centre of a spiral of evergreen boughs.

Each child will be invited to walk the spiral, in candlelight and slowly, magically, the room will grow brighter. The youngest children will go first. The “young at heart” will be invited to participate in the ritual after the children.

Treats and hot apple cider await in the Lion Hall when the ritual is complete, or when the young grow restless.

Children and youth are invited to bring a small special object that gives them comfort or warmth in the winter nights that will be placed in the spiral before the ritual begins (objects will be returned to owners at the end).

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Rev. Melora Lynngood with Worship Associate Morgan Reid —

“That dress looks great on you!” What’s the difference between a thoughtful compliment and an unwanted advance?

As Unitarian Universalists who strive to respect the inherent dignity of all people, who are striving to be a people of trust, how do we navigate the complex realm of interpersonal communication in this “me too” era.

Rev. Shana Lynngood with Worship Associate Shelley Motz —

The lasting impact of abuse on families and our larger society. This challenging topic may be hard for some among us to explore — please take care of yourself when attending this service.

We begin our theme exploration of trust with this particular focus and look at it in light of its spiritual undercurrents.

Non-Attachment for Non-Buddhists with Pat Wictor, Dick Jackson and Cathy Baker, and Worship Associate Madelaine Clarke –

Being ready to accept all the possible outcomes of our actions, including those we neither wanted nor anticipated, can be a more empowered and creative way to live.

Pat Wictor is a New York-based singer-songwriter who has been involved with UU ministry in the U.S. for many years. As part of the trio Brother Sun he performed at Island MusicFest in 2015.

This service is a Pulpit Swap with our sibling congregation in Victoria, Capital Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Rev. Shana will be preaching at Capital on January 20.

Rev. Melora Lynngood and Worship Associate Oliver Belisle –

It’s been true for a while now. Many mainstream progressive Protestant religions are losing members. Unitarian Universalism (UU ism) isn’t declining quite as drastically as the others – in many congregations, we are holding steady— but we’re not growing either.

This topic was chosen by the auction winner of the ‘sermon topic of your choice’ at our last ‘action auction.’

This service begins with a Child Dedication Ceremony for baby Bowen Winter Sterling.

Rev. Shana Lynngood and Worship Associate Doug McGinnis –

Part of exploring possibility has to do with how much we think the possible is possible.

Are we set in our ways?

Do we think things are as they will always be? Or, are we open to what may yet be?

What are you open to and what feels set or forgone in your life?

Where are we going as we harness the incredible power to make a difference in our communities? The possibilities are endless!

Charity and volunteering are almost always framed as altruistic actions, with all the focus on how someone else will benefit from our good deed.

Ryan Guenther and Worship Associate Oliver Belisle explore why, in fact, we often feel guilty about deriving pleasure from something which is supposed to be selfless.

This is completely backwards, doing good should feel good because it’s good, and it’s okay to admit it. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, but a stairway to heaven can be built from selfish acts.

Service at 4:30 pm for all ages with Rev. Shana Lynngood and Worship Associate Madelaine Clarke —

Experience a sense of mystery in this service built of music, poetry, chanting, and meditation with Rev. Melora Lynngood and Worship Associate Shelley Motz

.

Each child will be invited to walk the spiral, in candlelight and slowly, magically, the room will grow brighter. The youngest children will go first. The “young at heart” will be invited to participate in the ritual after the children.

Treats and hot apple cider await in the Lion Hall when the ritual is complete, or when the young grow restless.

Children and youth are invited to bring a small special object that gives them comfort or warmth in the winter nights that will be placed in the spiral before the ritual begins (objects will be returned to owners at the end).

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In a spirit of gratitude and respect we acknowledge the traditional land of the WSÁNEĆ First Nations, on whose lands we gather.