These small groups are open both to members of the congregation and to those comfortable with Unitarian-Universalism. Presumably, no one comes to a religious community just to join a committee or participate in corporate worship. Click any one of these for details:
Spirituality Group
Spirituality Group members are currently meeting in person at someone’s home and also on Zoom from 2 pm to 4 pm on the first Sunday of the month. We maintain social distance in accordance with our church protocols on Covid 19.
The meeting format includes opening readings, expressions of joys and concerns through lighting of a candle, and a 15-minute silent meditation before a free-wheeling discussion on a mutually pre-chosen topic.
Spirituality Group members examine their own humanity in the context of our place within the great mystery, our relationship to each other and to nature, all the while acknowledging the “spirit” within. The goal is a gentle journey together towards deeper understanding. Members develop trust, share deep personal stories and keep such things confidential. Everyone is most welcome.
Please email Nancy Dobbs: nandobbs@telus.net for the Zoom Link.
Depression & Anxiety Support Circle
We are a confidential peer-led support group. Weekly zoom meetings are a mix of structured sharing and informal conversation, to provide a safe space, as well as foster warmth and humour wherever it can be found, during our 90 minutes together. For more information, or to put your name on our email list,
please email Pat: kinradep@gmail.com or Lies: eweijs@ryerson.ca
Tibetan Buddhist Meditation
Led by Tibetan Buddhist teacher Lama Tara, the Tibetan Buddhist Meditation group meets every Saturday from 1:30 to 2:30 pm on Zoom. Texts provided. Normally divided into two parts: the first half hour is for silent meditation, the second half is reciting from a text provided, the compassionate meditation practice called Chenrezig.
The second Saturday of each month is designed for beginners. We welcome donations to the teacher. Email Earle Anthony for more more information.
Monthly Monday Pub Night
Pub Night will continue to meet at 7 PM on the first Monday of the month at Lure in the Delta Ocean Pointe Hotel, 100 Harbour Rd, Victoria, BC. Please contact John Hopewell for further details.
Song Circle and Zoom Sing
Coordinators: Nancy Dobbs and Jewel Spooner
Fridays from 1:30-2:30
SONG CIRCLE: Everyone welcome to hybrid format singing in the Sanctuary and on Zoom. Two Fridays a month- 1:30-2:30. Check the newsletter, E-weekly or contact Nancy Dobbs for the schedule. Led by Nancy Dobbs and Jewel Spooner with tech support from Bernhard Spalteholz. Our Song Circles are Informal, relaxed, with a campfire vibe… songs of peace and joy; familiar, new, folk, world songs, lighthearted, chants…all with words provided.
Please email Nancy Dobbs nandobbs@telus.net for more info and/or a Zoom link.
Neighbourhood Groups
All members, friends, and newcomers may join a Neighbourhood Group. Groups meet monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly and, sometimes, occasionally.There are no rules to join, no tests to pass. All you have to do is live in one of the neighbourhoods.
If you don’t know which group could be yours, please phone the office, 250-744-2665. to find out more please visit this link: https://victoriaunitarian.ca/program/neighbourhood-groups/
Monday Unitarian Walkers
We need to keep our bodies active and moving, preferably walking on one of the many beautiful trails of South Vancouver Island. And it’s great fun hanging out with our fellow Unitarians.
So join us, the Monday Unitarian Walkers, an inclusive group which welcome ALL interested Unitarian members and friends who can walk steadily for 1-2 hours.
If you are interested in joining these weekly walks, please contact: Sylvia Krogh skrogh@shaw.ca, 778-350-6216 or Nancy Dobbs, nandobbs@telus.net, 250-652-5438 to be put on the email list.
After two and a half years of pandemic-related isolation, are you interested in deepening connections with a small group in the church community? Interested in exploring the worship themes a bit more deeply with 6 to 8 members of the congregation each month? In a community of this size, it can be hard to get to know people well—these groups will focus on a mix of personal sharing (about 5 minutes of “checking in” at the beginning of each gathering) followed by a chance to delve deeply into where the theme connects with your life, intersects with some of your deepest held beliefs, and echos more universal themes of being human. Efforts will be made to group people by geography so commutes can be minimized and groups can choose to use Zoom as a tool for meeting as well. If you are interested, please be in touch with Jeri Dause (jkdause@gmail.com). Include your name, neighborhood group, and indicate whether you would be willing to organize the first meeting of your group. Jeri will also be present with a sign-up sheet at the church service on September 11.