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Curious to know more about Unitarian Universalism and our Victoria Unitarian congregation?

Join the online discussion on Sunday, April 11 from 12:30. Exploring Unitarian Universalism and our Congregationto learn more about events and activities within our community and to introduce some of the history, stories and theology of Unitarian Universalism to learn about our unique spiritual community.

This is a time to connect with others who are new to exploring this community as well as connecting with Rev. Shana Lynngood and some members of the congregation. 

We will outline the pathway to becoming a member or friend of the congregation. Please email Rev. Shana with your questions and wonderings.

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Sign up now with Rev. Melora, Rev. Shana, or Arran. 

An online course designed by a UU organization. Groups facilitated by Rev. Melora, Rev. Shana, and Arran Liddel, director of Spiritual Exploration and Learning for Children & Youth.  Geared toward people from generally LGBTQ-welcoming congregations like Victoria Untarian who want to deepen their understanding of gender and transgender identities and are invested in creating truly trans-affirming faith communities. Designed for people of all genders and has an intersectional perspective. 

The Discussion Groups: 

Each Group gathers 3 times to discuss the online material.

Please choose ONE group:

Tuesday 1 pm-3 pm, facilitated by Rev. Melora

• March 30
• April 27

Sign up by adding your name to this google sign-up sheet, or email Rev. Melora with subject heading “transgender inclusion” or text/call 250-891-6330

Wednesday 6:30-8:30pm, facilitated by Rev. Melora 

• February 24
• March 31
• April 28

Sign up by adding your name to this google sign-up sheet, or email Rev. Melora with subject heading “transgender inclusion” or text/call 250-891-6330

Thursday 6:30-8:30pm, facilitated by Rev. Shana

• February 25
• March 25
• April 29

Sign up by adding your name to this google sign-up sheet, or email Rev. Melora with subject heading “transgender inclusion” or text/call 250-891-6330

Group for Parents and SELCY Volunteers, facilitated by Arran 

• At a time mutually agreed upon by group; to express interest, email Arran Liddel, director of Spiritual Exploration and Learning for Children & Youth, or phone 778-557-3492

The Online Material   

Time: Whenever works for you!

There are six sessions, which we are combining into 3 sets (we’ll discuss 2 sessions at each of our 3 group discussions). Each session includes a 45- to 55-minute online video lecture by instructors Mykal and Alex, reflection questions, resources to take it deeper, and a short informal quiz. 

• Sessions 1 and 2 are designed to ground you in this work, theologically, spiritually, and historically, and help you explore why we are called as people of faith to dismantle gender-based oppression—as well as exploring how each and every one of us are impacted by it and practices that can help us stay present.
• Sessions 3 and 4 explore gender diversity and the lived experiences of trans people—including the ways that race, class, and other factors influence those experiences—along with trans spirituality.
• Sessions 5 and 6 are all about culture and how to transform it. Expanding the circle of inclusion within a congregation or faith group requires understanding the unique culture of that group, along with how that culture works to include or exclude. 

At the end of this course we will have a number of practices, frameworks, and tools that to help create an action plan for being radically welcoming to trans/non-binary people in our congregation. 

Questions, contact Rev. Melora rev.melora@gmail.com , text/call 250-891-6330

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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to play out, we as Unitarian Universalists and we as a UU congregation will continue to face uncertainty. The best we can do at any given time is to lean into our values as well as draw on the gifts and wisdom of our own people.

Worship:  Sunday morning worship will remain online until phase 4 of BC’s re-start plan which allows for larger gatherings (50 or more people) at a time.  This means we will plan for online worship through May 2021.  This may be revised if, for example, the BC government changes its guidelines.

A survey of church members and friends was undertaken in June to help the Board assess levels of risk tolerance. The results indicated that a majority felt vulnerable to COVID-19, and many were reluctant to take part in any in-person activities, especially indoors. A number of responses expressed concern to avoid setting up in-person church functions which would exclude those who felt unable to attend. Survey results can be found here.

Other Gatherings:  We will follow BC guidelines for group meetings for each phase. We are currently in Phase 3, and need to follow BC’s Protocols for returning to operation.

For more details please click here.

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During the General Meeting of the First Unitarian Church of Victoria, to be held on Zoom at 12:30 pm on Sunday, Jan. 24, members will be asked to approve the 2021 budget.

Two information sessions will be held via Zoom to inform the Congregation of matters considered in establishing the 2021 Budget and to allow for questions. The preliminary results for 2020 budget matters will also be reviewed. One Zoom session will be held after the service on Sunday, Jan. 17 at 12:30 pm: The second Zoom session will be held on Tuesday Jan. 19 at 7 pm.

Information on joining via Zoom is detailed in the E-Weekly.

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Stewardship is the act of taking care of something of value. It is an essential aspect of the life of this congregation.

Why do we need this place? Take a look.

Members and friends of our congregation — old-timers and newcomers — are its stewards. We share the privilege and responsibility of sustaining and growing its ministry through our volunteer time and financial contributions.

We call on each other to be generous stewards; recognizing that ‘generous’ is a relative term for each household. For more information view the 2021 ABC brochure.

Some members elect to make lump-sum payments either in advance or during the pledge year. Please complete the form and click Submit. Thank you.

You may also click here to  download this 2021 pledge form, print and mail to:

The Treasurer,

First Unitarian Church of Victoria,

5575 West Saanich Road, Victoria, V9E 2G1

Or you may click this button to contribute.

 

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Missed the 2020 Holiday Concert?

Click here to view.

Featuring the Chalice Choir and special guests.

Donations will be allocated to our local food banks.

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Solar Options

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Your COVID-19 Advisory Task Force (Kristina Stevens, Jim Willis, Nancy Dobbs, Tiff Tiffany, Steve Sharlow, and Rev Melora Lynngood) has received Board approval to modify our procedures to better reflect our members’ wishes from the survey, the science and recent changes to the provincial guidelines.

Sunday morning worship will remain online until phase 4 of B.C.’s re-start plan which will allow for larger gatherings (50 or more people).

This means we will plan for online Zoom worship through May 2021.  This may be revised if, for example, the BC government changes its guidelines. The updated guidelines approved by the board are at here.

A survey of church members and friends was undertaken in June to help the Board assess the members’ levels of risk tolerance.

You told us that a majority felt vulnerable to COVID-19, and many were reluctant to take part in any in-person activities, especially indoors, until a vaccine is available. For this reason we are planning to continue with online worship services. A number of responses expressed concern to avoid setting up in-person church functions which would exclude those who felt unable to attend. View survey results here.

There were also a small number of responses from people who very much wanted to meet indoors in person for worship and social contact. To facilitate this, we encourage groups to meet in person while worship stays online so that people can get together to watch the online service.

If sufficient volunteers can be found, we will set up in-person viewing of Sunday services on Zoom in the Lion Hall, for those who would like to attend. We are working on the technical and volunteer aspects of holding in person viewing in Lion Hall and hope that it will be ready soon.

Protocols for indoor meetings would be observed. If you are interested in volunteering to support this, please email Nancy Dobbs.

The amended guidelines will permit gatherings of up to 50 people in the Sanctuary, up to 25 people in Lion Hall, up to 7 people in the Farmhouse Common Room and up to 50 people gathered outside the church. These numbers would also permit choirs and musical instruments, preferably outdoors. 

In order to ensure that everyone is familiar with the plan, we will be holding a Zoom online forum to answer any of your questions on Tuesday, October 6 from 7 pm – 8 pm. Please check the e-weekly for the sign-in information.

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