Past services

Arran Liddel & Guest Musicians Holly Arntzen (of The Wilds) and Tom Arntzen with Worship Associate Casey Stainsby – 

Give thanks with a vespers-style service of eco folk music in celebration of this month’s Annual Budget Campaign. 

Music invites us to be fully alive and present in our whole bodies as we worship together in community.

Holly Arntzen, a singer, dulcimer player, and pianist, is an active participant on the Salish Sea eco-music scene with The Wilds Band, active in school music programs and part of a growing movement of Ecomusicology. Tom Arntzen, a pianist and singer, performs regularly at Vancouver clubs and events.

The Arntzen family is a particularly musical one, now in their third generation of performing.

Rev. Shana Lynngood with Worship Associate Emily Tietz –  

The pandemic has pushed lots of collective conversations about what is important in our lives and what work and services that we connect to are essential (often taken for granted in the past, or even seen as unimportant).

This reflection and conversation extends to our congregation as well. What is essential about what we offer to one another in this community that we can’t experience elsewhere? Where else do we combine spiritual nourishment, social connections, and work to make the world a more sustainable and loving place for all people? 

What can we give to continue to thrive as a community in these challenging times? What do 2021 and beyond require of us?

Rev Melora Lynngood with Worship Associate Mollie Twidale – 

We are human. We mess up.

How good are you at accepting failure, rolling with it when you or others make mistakes?

How do we make reparations in relationships and in community when we’ve caused harm?

Rev Melora Lynngood – 

Over past several years, in our congregation, we’ve been learning new language and new concepts that help us better understand the dynamics of racism and help us get better at being anti-racist – micro-aggressions, white fragility, white supremacy culture.

Where are we in this work as a congregation and what are our next steps?

How do we continue and renew our efforts to do the things we need to do to become the ‘beloved community’ we long to become?

Rev Shana Lynngood with Worship Associate Lynne Bonner –

On this Ingathering Sunday (which is an intergenerational service this year) when we kick-off a new program year in the life of our congregation, we will introduce this month’s theme of renewal.

Throughout the Covid pandemic , many of the ways we would normally “fill our wells” may be cut-off.

How do we replenish our spirits in these anxious and uncertain times? How can we learn from one another across the lifespan, as we seek tools and practices to stay connected and grounded come what may?

Dar Levy with Worship Associate David Vest – 

Unconditional Love,  affection and acceptance without limitation is associated with a mother’s nurturing love and with true altruism.

In many religions and spiritual beliefs it is celebrated  as the ultimate goal, and is considered  in our faith as something that all are worthy of …  and yet for many there doesn’t seems to be enough of it to go around.

“In order to for me to speak honestly about  what I’ve come to understand about unconditional love and the need for more of it, I must also speak  about what it’s like to do without, and about my own personal struggle to find it. …Perhaps together we can find a way to bring more of it into this world.”

Stefa Katamay with Worship Associate Samantha Magnus –

Pulpit swap: Rev. Melora Lynngood preaches at Capital Unitarian Universalist Congregation and Capital UU member Stefa Katamay, preaches for us.

The personal and community disruption and losses arising from COVID-19 has led many of us to reflect on what is important. By extension, questions about purpose and meaning arise. 

Although the subject of streams of philosophy, these are questions for all of us to answer for ourselves.

Transition and retirement coach Stefa Katamay will explore some of the pillars of life purpose – our values and what drives and energizes us – and why having a life purpose matters. How can we support one another in our journeys towards purpose and meaning?

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After a career mainly in public health nutrition policy Stefa Katamay left the paid work force to pursue nothing in particular. This led to a four-year sailing learning journey which eventually brought Stefa to Victoria.

As a Certified Executive Coach and a Certified Retirement Coach, Stefa writes about “the places we travel within our own emotional, intellectual and spiritual landscapes” and supports people through their journeys of transition.

service.

 Rev. Shana Lynngood with Worship Associate Lynne Bonner –

Museums are some of Shana’s favourite places on the planet. She says she can spend hours lost in the images of people and places and stories. 

During these Covid times we may find we are having to be creative, even artistic, in how we chart the course of our days which have suddenly become more circumscribed. How have you added colour and texture to your days? 

In the work in progress that is your life what do you most need to observe? Do? Be? What can art teach us about life and vice versa?

Rev. Melora Lynngood and Katie McNiven Gladman with Worship Associate David Vest –

Child Haven International Homes are inspired by the ideals and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi.  

In this service we look at Gandhi’s wisdom about living in diverse community and the ways in which that living informs the practices that guide Child Haven Home

This Sunday’s online ‘Plate Collection’ will be taken on behalf of Child Haven International Homes or you may donate directly to Child Haven here.