First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa
Enter, rejoice and come in!
A collage of photos from the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa

Speaker Series: Winter, 2010


Our Speaker Series is designed to bring a variety of topics of interest to the congregation. Events include lectures, workshops, and ceremonies.

Thursday, January 21, 7:00 p.m., Room 1
TURNING THE TIDE OF HIV/AIDS IN AFRICA
Speaker: Joan Turner

A presentation about Joan's trip to Africa with the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Sponsored by the Unitarian GoGos.

Sunday, February 7, 12:30 p.m.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS: SOLUTIONS
Speaker: Dr. Ian Prattis

Dr. Ian Prattis, professor emeritus and resident teacher at the Pine Gate Zen Community in Ottawa, is the author of Failsafe: Saving the Earth from Ourselves--a meditation on the planet that deals with global warming, anticipates the economic meltdown, and offers solutions to both.

Sunday, February 21. 12:30-2:30 p.m., NOW Room
REFLECTIONS ON A JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD, Part I:
Exploring Eastern Canada on the Slow Road
Speakers: Becky Hogue and Scott Drennan

Last year members Becky and Scott bicycled across Canada and travelled aroundtheworld. Join Becky and Scott for the first in a series of slide shows and discussions about their journey and learn about exploring the back roads of Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador. Other talks to come are:

  • Part II: Have You Ever Been to Sea? Travels by container ship across three oceans and wanderings through Southern Europe.
  • Part III: Buddhas, Waterfights, and Big Walls: Southeast Asia, China, and South Korea.
  • Part IV: Canada's really Big! Western Canada from Victoria to Prince Rupert and the road home to Ottawa.

Donations to the Congregation are welcome.

February/March: To Be Announced
AFTER COPENHAGEN - NEXT STEPS
Speaker: Graham Saul

Graham Saul is currently Executive Director of Climate Action Network, a coalition of Canadian organizations working to prevent dangerous climate change through greenhouse gas reductions and a transition to a clean-energy economy.

March and April
LEARN MORE ABOUT ISLAM
Speakers: Various

Ffind out what the Quar'an really says about jihad, why some Muslim women choose to wear the hijab, and how the various Islamic sects relate to each other and to other religions.

  • Session 1, Monday, March 22, 7:30-9:00 p.m. Led by Imam Mohammed Jebara, this session will provide an overview of the Islamic faith, its basic tenets, and practices.
  • Session 2, Wednesday. April 14, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Includes presentations by two dynamic women, Khadija Haffajee, an Ottawa teacher, and Sheema Khan, author of Of Hockey and Hijab, who will provide their perspectives on being Muslim in Canada.
  • Session 3, TBA Will take a more in depth look at one of the sects of Islam through the Aga Khan Foundation.

Saturday, March 11, 9:30 a.m.
PALLIATIVE HOME CARE
Speaker: Dr. Louise Coulombe

Dr. Louise Coulombe initiated the Community Palliative Care Network in 1996 with the aim of providing palliative care to people wishing to die at home.  The presentation, which will include several individuals who have volunteered in Palliative Care, will be followed by a question and answer time. 

Friday, March 26, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 27, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
ART AS A FORM OF SPIRITUAL EXPRESSION
Speaker: Vivianne LaRiviere, Spiritual Arts Practitioner

Often, we are faced with tough life questions: Who am I? What do I value? What are my challenges? What is my purpose? Who do I wish to become? Using art and spiritual dialogue, this workshop is designed to help with self-discovery. Participants are guided through focused meditation, collective dialogue, and a wide variety of art including poetry, writing, collage, painting, singing, and drumming as a way of discovering deeper meaning and finding healing.

Cost: $95.00 ($80 plus $15 to the Congregation). Please register by March 12. Call the church office at 613-725-1066, or contact Wendy Doyle at adultlearning@firstunitarianottawa.ca.

Friday, April 30, 7:15 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 1, 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 2, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
PERSPECTIVES OF WORLD RELIGIONS WEEKEND
Speaker/Leader: J. W. Windland

 J. W. Windland, founder of the Encounter World Religions Centre, will present a unique overview of the world’s major religions and a more detailed study of the world’s major religions and a more detailed study of Judaism and Buddhism. We will visit a Reform Synagogue, a Buddhist Centre and a Hare Krishna Centre. Cost $55.

Please register by March 31. Call the church office or contact Wendy Doyle at adultlearning@firstunitarianottawa.ca.