Classes and Groups

 

For more details about the classes and groups click here

Transgender Inclusion in Congregations Course
Sign up now with Rev. Melora, Rev. Shana, or Arran

This is an online course, designed by a UU organization, with groups facilitated by Rev. Melora, Rev. Melora, and Arran.  The course is geared toward people from generally LGBTQ-welcoming congregations or faith groups who want to deepen their understanding of gender and transgender identities and are invested in creating truly
trans-affirming faith communities. It is designed for people of all genders and has an intersectional perspective. (what is intersectional? Click here for great short video)

The Discussion Groups (to discuss the online material)
Each Group gathers 3 times. Choose ONE group:

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

  • February 23
  • March 30
  • April 27

Sign up by adding your name to this google sign-up sheet, or email rev.melora@gmail.com 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 Anchorrev.melora@gmail.com 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@gmail.com 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, contact Arran Liddel , director of Spiritual Exploration and Learning for Children & Youth, arran@victoriaunitarian.ca 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.

Want to know more? Check out this video about the course.

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

 

UU Anti-Racism Program – sign up now

Beloved Conversations is a deep, thought provoking, heart-opening Unitarian Universalist online program on race and ethnicity. 

Twenty-eight congregants joined Rev. Shana, Rev. Melora, and Arran (director of kids’ programs) in engaging in this rich program last fall.  Now a spring semester is being offered – to new and returning participants alike –  This is your chance to join in!

“…this is a program for Unitarian Universalists who are seeking to embody racial justice as a spiritual practice.  We believe that we are here to heal the impact of racism on our lives in order to get free together. Beloved conversations is intended to be a tool in your toolbox, for you as an individual, and [as] a part of a congregation, to eradicate white supremacy, to work to become anti-racist, and to make our faith a welcoming place for everyone.  … We are welcoming people into this work no matter where they find themselves in their understanding of race and racism and what their experiences have been in the world.”
– Rev. Kierstin Homblette Allen, co-creator of Beloved Conversations

Program includes:

  • Individual study and learning with check-ins with “critical friends”
  • Bi-weekly learning pods to share experiences
  • Monthly ‘meaning making sessions’ that center your theology of race, how learning shapes our faith/spirituality and racial identity development.

Registration runs Feb 1 through Feb 26

The program runs March 16 – end of May/early June.

The fee is $250 USD, but there are full and partial scholarships readily available and easily accessible – no one should feel they cannot take the course for lack of funds.  If you are thinking, “I’d love to take this course, but $250 is steep for me, but I don’t feel like I should take scholarship funds from others who may need it more,” contact Rev. Melora– an anonymous donor in our congregation has offered to pay the fee for a fellow congregant if that would help them make the decision to take the course. 😊
Questions? Ask Rev. Melora, 250-891-6330 rev.melora@gmail.com

And please let Rev. Melora know if you do register, so she can be in touch with you about congregational follow up conversations.

More information about the program can be found here:
meadville.edu/beloved 
In the Beloved Conversations Virtual section of our website, you can find:

 

Pandemic Fatigue Reflections
Tuesday, February 16, 12:30 – 2 pm
Thursday, February 18, 6:30 – 8 pm

Join Rev. Shana for a chance to reflect on this time of pandemic. It has been nearly a year since our world was altered by more time at home, masks, and physical distancing. How has your mood and your experience of this time been? How have you been coping? Have there been any unexpected gifts of this time? We will begin with an opening time of centering, have a time to hear from each person gathered, and close with meditation/prayer.

We will gather on Zoom. No need to RSVP, Zoom links for each session will be made available the week of.
There are two times available: Tuesday, February 16th from 12:30 to 2pm and Thursday evening February 18th from 6:30 to 8pm.

 Exploring Unitarian Universalism and Our Congregation
Online discussion Sunday April 11, 2021 from 12:30 – 2:30pm (max)
Curious to know more about Unitarian Universalism and what our congregation at First Unitarian is up to in Victoria?
For newcomers, searchers and anyone wanting to learn more, the purpose of these online gatherings are two-fold: sharing information about events and activities within our community so that you can discern and decide how to get involved, and to introduce you to some of the history, stories, and theology of Unitarian Universalism so that you have a sense of what is unique about our spiritual community and ways we may be similar to other congregations and communities.
This is also a time to connect with others who are new to exploring this community as well as connecting with Rev. Shana and some members of the congregation. We will outline the pathway to becoming a member or friend of the congregation.
Please contact Reverend Shana Lynngood at rev.shana@victoriaunitarian.ca or 250-891-6331 with your questions and wonderings.

 Zoom Sing
Coordinators: Nancy Dobbs and Jewel Spooner
nandobbs@telus.net or jewelspoon@telus.net
1st and 3rd Fridays of the months – 3 to 4pm
Informal, relaxed, campfire vibe with words provided.
Email Nancy Dobbs: nandobbs@telus.net for the Zoom link.

Beloved Conversations – Zoom

For Info contact Rev. Melora: 250-891-6330 rev.melora@gmail.com.

New online version UU program on race and ethnicity. Program will be released in 3 phases.
Classes now full. More opportunities in the SPRING.

Monday Evenings Pub Night – Zoom
Grab your favourite bevy and join us for an online Happy Hour social gathering.
Coordinator: John Hopewell – Monthly 1st & 3rd Monday – 7pm – 8pm.
More Info: Email John hopewell@telus.net

Soul Matters – Zoom
Coordinators: Anne Vaasjo and Mary Burcher
Last Tuesday of the month – 6:30 – 8:30pm
Soul Matters is a spiritual self-exploration series.
Questions? Email your phone # to Anne: annevaasjo70@gmail.com or Mary: mary.burcher@gmail.com 
It is offered on a 1st come, 1st served basis. Group is full. Stay tuned for more meetings.

Depression/Anxiety Support Group – Zoom
Saturdays, 10 – 11:30 am
Contact John Tiffany (Tiff) at johntiffany0705@gmail.com for Zoom Link.

The Chalice Choir – Zoom
Thursdays 7:30 -8:30 pm
Newcomers are always welcome.
For more Info: contact the music director Nicholas Fairbank: info@fairbankmusic.ca.

Zoom Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Group – Zoom
Saturdays, 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
More info: Earle Anthony: earleanthony@shaw.ca