Upcoming services

Be Calm. Be Kind. Again. Still. – 

Rev. Melora Lynngood with worship associate Mollie Twidale – 

As we prepare to transition out of the pandemic and begin to figure out how to do church in person again (likely Sept. 12, stay tuned!), how do we want to be with one another? 

How do we navigate our variety of comfort levels – masks, no masks, personal space, hugs, no hugs? (And where are the candles again?)  

Some of us will be ecstatic to leave the pandemic behind and finally be together; some of us will actually miss some features of the quieter pandemic period; many of us will have mixed feelings.  

It will be awkward. It will be strange. It could be wonderful – AND awkward and strange.  

What do you need to maximize the wonderful?  At this point in history, at this point in your life, how do you want to be in the world?

Send an email after 9 a.m. Sunday to obtain the entry code. Then join us online at 10:15 a.m. for the worship service.

Promoting a Death-Positive Culture – 

Tracey Thompson with worship associate Victoria Barr – 

Tracey is a trained death doula from the Institute of Traditional Medicine. She desires to create and hold space for conversations about death and dying, to reduce stigma and hopes that this will lead to a more death-positive culture. This supports all of us to have valuable dialogues in our homes and communities. 

Tracey will discuss the varied roles of death doulas, how to start a personal conversation, and will share how small rituals keep her and her family connected to the memory of her dad.

Tracey Thompson is the eldest of three daughters of church member Glenys Thompson. 

Tracey moved here in 1992 to study at the University of Victoria, completing her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Human and Social Development. 

Over the past 30 years, she has worked in a variety of settings including: schools, hospitals, community originations which included a local crisis line. Currently, Tracey works with the Vancouver Island Health Authority as a Regional Harm Reduction Coordinator in Population and Public Health. This position supports compassionate engagement in the context of the Drug Poisoning Public Health Emergency.

In her personal time, Tracey trained in 2017 as a death doula through the Institute of Traditional Medicine. Her interest and involvement in becoming a death doula parallels her life experience. As friends and sisters were starting families, she was asked to support them during their pregnancy and birth. She felt honoured to discuss with expecting parents their birthing wishes. As requests steadily increased, she paired her experience with education and became a DONA (Doulas of North America) trained birth doula. 

Now she finds herself supporting friends and family in pivotal health transitions, including end of life. Since 2011, Tracey has volunteered with Victoria Hospice and organizes community dialogues with the Victoria Holistic Death Care Community.

Send an email after 9 a.m. Sunday to obtain the entry code. Then join us online at 10:15 a.m. for the worship service.

Letting Go – 

Emily Tietz with worship associate Lynne Bonner – 

Winter yawned into spring, then spring roared into summer. It might be hard to imagine now but, before we know it, summer will give way to fall — a time of letting go in order to make way for fresh life to break through.

What might our lives be like if we followed nature’s lead and periodically took stock of what to let go so that new life can bloom?

Emily Tietz is a member of First Unitarian Church of Victoria. Her career is in the world of educational publishing.

She enjoys exploring the natural wonders of Vancouver Island, or simply strolling with her husband, coffee in hand, watching for seals and otters. After nearly two years in this pocket of the globe she still finds the changing of the seasons endlessly fascinating.

Send an email after 9 a.m. Sunday to obtain the entry code. Then join us online at 10:15 a.m. for the worship service.