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?
  • 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?
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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”.
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Where do we begin?
  • Our initiatives will concentrate 2024 work on things inside our congregation. Generally speaking, work focused beyond our walls will come later.
  • 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?
  • 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
  • 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
  • One way or another, all of FirstU’s groups and programs are invited to join us this year in our journey.
  • 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.
  • 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.
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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

"Meet FirstU's Embracing Diversity Committee"
Virtual Interfaith Dialogue // Dialogue interconfessionnel
"Queer Joy and Resistance" - Pride Sunday 2023

​30 Cleary Ave   K2A 4A1   
613-725-1066  
[email protected]
"We acknowledge that our campus is located on traditional, unsurrendered
and unceded Algonquin Anishinaabeg Territory; and that the work
of reconciliation is a responsibility of our congregation, and of all Canadians. 
"Our goal is to educate ourselves and all who have ears to hear,
to be of service to those who are at risk, and to advocate for justice.

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