The First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa
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We are an open, affirming, and welcoming congregation
We embrace Two-Spirit, gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, queer, asexual, intersex, and questioning (2SLGBTQ+) people into our spiritual community.
We work to promote acceptance, inclusion, understanding, and equity for 2SLGBTQ+ people and families in Ottawa and society at large.
We fight homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and other forms of hatred and oppression.
Who We Are, What We Do
Our Embracing Diversity Committee works to promote equity, inclusion and diversity within the congregation. We design and oversee the implementation of an annual plan of educational, advocacy, outreach, and community-building activities, and recommend policy/procedural/structural changes in Congregation operations.
We host an annual Pride service, present film screenings and have hosted an interfaith panel of queer clergy for Pride Week.
We present workshops like "Beyond Tolerance" on creating safer spaces, and our home-grown intro to pronouns workshop.
The committee has supported fundraisers for community organizations like Ottawa's Ten Oaks Project, and organized workshops for congregants about power, privilege and unconscious bias. Upcoming plans include continued collaboration with 2Slgbtqia+ choirs and other community groups, creating a Welcoming Guide to provide FirstU's teams, groups, and committees with guidance on furthering their inclusivity, and inviting Branch Out Theatre to present their workshops at FirstU.
Get Involved!
Interested in making our church more accessible, physically and socially? Want to learn more about our Embracing Diversity Committee?
Our Congregational Focus:
Cultivating Compassionate Communities
We focus on Cultivating Compassionate Community by putting our values of inclusivity, justice, diversity, and the inherent worth and dignity of all, into real action to support the holistic wellbeing of marginalized people.
What does our new congregational focus, Cultivating Compassionate Community mean?
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Deepening our welcome and support for marginalized and underserved folks.
Who are the marginalized and underserved people Cultivating Compassionate Community aims to more deeply welcome and support?
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The proposal approved at our October Congregational Meeting focused on two groups: people experiencing anti-2SLGBTQ+ oppression and marginalization, and people with mental health challenges.
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At our Feb 14 brainstorming event (garage), with 32 very-engaged congregants, folks suggested some additional people in and/or outside our congregation, such as ones experiencing ageism, hunger, and racism. Some participants urged simply showing caring for everyone in the congregation.
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At the same time, congregants at the brainstorming clearly said we need to focus our efforts, to “set a small number of priorities and do them well”.
Where do we begin?
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Our initiatives will concentrate 2024 work on things inside our congregation. Generally speaking, work focused beyond our walls will come later.
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Important aspects of our internal work, such as educating ourselves, will better equip FirstU to be a beacon of support and teach us all to be effective allies in the broader community.
How is Cultivating Compassionate Community being organized?
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Since the focus touches a wide-range of groups in the congregation, and is not led by one group in the Social Justice Action Network, we have put in place a Core Team. Its current members are: Carl Sonnen, Rev. Eric Meter, Jane Lindsay, Julia Defalco, Lisa Sharp, Sharen Bowen, and Nina Strang
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A variety of groups and teams in FirstU have identified representatives to join a sounding board / advisory Circle for CCC. It will meet about quarterly
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One way or another, all of FirstU’s groups and programs are invited to join us this year in our journey.
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The Core Team has begun to draw on ideas from the February 11 brainstorm to develop a proposal of attention and activities for 2024. It will refine this proposal with the Circle.
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If you would like to join the Core Team or the Circle, please let us know by talking to or emailing a Core Team member.
We are excited to continue to bring this focus to life with all of you. Stay tuned for updates. Please remember,
it’s never too late to share ideas with us – just write a note and drop it in our “idea box” at the back of Worship Hall.
Cultivating Compassionate Community: FirstU History on Video
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UU Pride is a social group for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks. We host social events just for us,
as well as events that are open to our families friends, and allies. Jump to our Upcoming Events section to find out about our next events!
"...justice, equity and compassion for all" -second UU principle
If you're part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, we'd love to meet you!
Email diversity@firstunitarianottawa.ca to join the UU Pride group!
2026 Pride Activities at FirstU
Pride Parade 2026 Lead - Is It You?
Would you love participating in the Pride Parade with FirstU?
We need someone to take the lead for our contingent, which includes:
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Registering our group and being a point person
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Organizing carpooling
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Going early for the parade to check in
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Marching on parade day with our contingent
Mentorship prior to the parade is available!
Contact Nina at diversity@firstunitarianottawa.ca for more information!
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2025 Pride Activities at FirstU
In 2025, FirstU tabled at a Capital Pride Street Fair booth on Bank Street between Gloucester and Nepean, as well as marched in the Pride Parade as we do every year!
In the slide show on the right, you'll find photos of FirstU members and friends celebrating Pride.
Radically Inclusive Sex Ed Saves Lives!
Free Palistine!
Happy Pride!
FirstU Pride Parade 2024
We had a great time marching in the 2024 Pride Parade!
Check out these photos, captured by one Parade Brigade member, Patricia!
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FirstU Pride Parade 2023
Friend of the congregation, Jay-Dee Purdie, snapped these photos of our 2023 Pride Parade Brigade,
including a first appearance by Uni the Unicorn!
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FirstU at Capital Pride 2022
We had a great time at the Pride Parade this year!
Check out some of our photos!
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Upcoming Events - Pride Season is HERE!
Orientation Session for Street Fair Volunteers
Sunday, August 16
12:30pm (TBC)
Room 3 (TBC)
Volunteering for a shift or two tabling at the Capital Pride Street Fair? Not sure what to expect? Join us in Room Three on Sunday, August 16, at 12:30pm, where we'll walk you through the ins and outs of staffing an info table.
FirstU Pride Service
Sunday, August 23
10:30am
Worship Hall
Join us for our annual Pride Service, as we celebrate queer joy and discuss the challenges faced by today's 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
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UU Pride Social Group
Pride Parade Prep - Open to All
Sunday, August 23
12:30pm
Fellowship Hall
Join us after our annual Pride service to get ready for Ottawa's Capital Pride Parade! Decorate T-shirts, make posters, or create crafty giveaways to help populate our Community Fair booth. Bring your friends and other supporters as we get ready to march - or cheer from the side-lines - on August 30th!
No registration required & all are welcome to participate!
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FirstU at the Capital Pride Street Festival
The Weekend of August 29-30
Noon - 8:00pm (both days)
Bank St between Slater and Gladstone
The Capital Pride Street Festival returns to Bank Street this year, and FirstU will be part of it! The Street Fair features community organizations, political groups, a craft fair, events and performances, and other programming, all celebrating the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Last year, the Pride Street Festival was a great opportunity for FirstU to meet new people who might be looking for additional community and a Something More to add to their lives, and let them know about what we do as UUs. Our troupe of FirstU volunteers are excited to get out, do some face-painting for Festival attendees, and enjoy the day while we make some new friends!
FirstU and UUFO in the Pride Parade
Sunday, August 30
12:30pm (meet at the rally point)
1:00pm (Parade begins)
Downtown Ottawa - Location TBA
The Pride Parade on Sunday August 30th is a great opportunity to dress festively and get to know other FirstU Marchers! Allies are very welcome. Meet by 12:30pm at our designated spot (to be confirmed), the parade starts at 1:00pm. Rainbow umbrellas act as portable shade. Mobility aids and devices encouraged, if you have them - we'll be on our feet for a long time. To keep up to date on parade logistics email diversity@firstunitarian.ca and watch this space!
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