The First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa
.png)
.png)
Friday, August 21, 2026
We acknowledge that our campus is located on traditional, unceded and unsurrendered Algonquin Anishinaabeg Territory, and that the work of reconciliation is a responsibility of our congregation, and all Canadians.
Sunday, August 23, 2026
In-Person and Online
Starts at 10:30am
.png)
Chosen Family: Intentional Connections
and Radical Acceptance
With guest speaker Amil Reddy
For generations, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities have been modelling the co-creation
of support systems that move beyond biology. What started as vital bonds for those rejected by families of origin has bloomed into networks of friends, partners, mentors, and often ex-lovers, that challenge us all to think bigger
and feel deeper when we consider the word: family.
.png)
Children's Summer Program
This summer, children will explore the wonder of our interconnected world through The Great Web of Life,
an outdoor Religious Exploration program for ages 3–12. Using our gardens and outdoor spaces as a living classroom, children will spend the summer observing, creating, playing, and building connections—both with nature and with one another. Come help us strengthen the Web of Life, one strand at a time.
During our Summer Program, we will be spending a lot of time outside! Please remember sunscreen and hats to protect from the sun, and be aware that there will be a risk of ticks. Please perform a tick check when possible.
%20(1).png)
Odayanhaway Groundbreaking Ceremony
On Wednesday, August 19, about 100 people gathered to celebrate a ceremonial ground-breaking of the Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS) building that will provide 66 affordable and deeply affordable units on the FirstU campus.
​
In addition to the ceremony, which was conducted by elder Grandmother Irene Compton, there were speakers drawn from project partners, local dignitaries and cultural performances. A large number of community partners attended as well.
Rev. Lara and Cathy Connor, the project lead from OAHS, were interviewed for All in A Day, with additional print and video coverage provided by CBC News.
Photos from the Ceremony can be viewed here.
Weren't able to attend the Ceremony? You can watch the full livestream here.
.png)
​
~*~
​
Thank You to All Who Made the Groundbreaking Ceremony Possible!
The FirstU board wants to thank the many people who worked tirelessly to make the OAHS Ceremonial Groundbreaking event on Wednesday a success - despite many challenges with weather and logistics. In particular, we want to thank these volunteers:​​
-
Chuck Shields (huge thanks!) who has worked for months planning, organizing and coordinating the many moving parts of the event;
-
Tarrel Armstrong and Evelyn Algar and the others on the Hospitality team, as well as the Go Go Grannies, who baked and donated many treats for us to serve during the reception;
-
Kris Cormier and the FirstU Choir who took many hours to learn an Indigenous song of gratitude that was shared at the event;
.png)
-
Lisa Sharp and the parking volunteers who managed the various parking spaces and special permits for off-campus parking;
-
Office Assistants, especially Bob Armstrong who sent many of the invitations; and
-
All the attendees who parked off-campus so there would be plenty of room for our guests to park on campus.
And thank you to our staff, who really stepped up under pressure:
-
Operations Manager Jen Brennan, who provided broad support, including campus coordination, food, staff oversight, and being the media contact;
-
Lead Custodian Dee Molena, who managed the project to get our newly repaired front doors replaced just hours before the ceremony began so our guests could enter the church using the main stairs AND with other custodial staff put in many hours in set up and take down both on the grounds and in the building; and
-
AV Coordinator Julia Defalco, who planned and managed the AV for this outdoor event so that we could have quality audio as well as live stream the entire event from our parking lot.
This really was a team effort, and I was very proud with the way our entire FirstU community supported and participated in this event.
Thanks again,
Mary Ella Keblusek,
FirstU Board President
Settled Minister Discernment Process
For those of you who were unable to attend the launch of the Settled Minister Discernment Process (in-person or online), at the August 16 Sunday Service, here is a link to the service.
Stay tuned for an online survey which will be available within the next week. Paper copies of the survey will be available at the service.
Your Discernment Task Force:
Alex Campbell, Ally Hobson, Erin Keene, Lee Rose and Lisa Boulay
.png)
Featured Volunteer Opportunity
Help Make Our Sundays Run Smoothly
Each Sunday morning, it takes a team of about ten volunteers to run our service. Volunteers act as Worship Associates, sing in the choirs, sell books and do other fundraising. We need people to help with coffee hour, operate the elevator, support our children’s programing, and act as greeters. There's a place for everyone and, with Ingathering coming, we'd love to have you join us. If interested, please contact Lisa S.
%20(1).png)
FirstU's Caring Team
We are all interconnected, interdependent and minister to each other in many ways.
Caring Contacts are monthly volunteers who receive phone calls and emails when you wish to alert us to a need, a grief or a concern, or have a joy to celebrate. They prepare cards to be signed on Sundays, and try to ensure no one is forgotten, connecting people with appropriate help when requested.
​
Caring Contacts for August
Elisabeth Morrison - Email - 613-225-6702
Bill Wylie - Email - 613-761-8092
Caring Visitors are specially trained and certified FirstU Members, available to provide spiritual care and deep listening for those who seek support during a transition or challenging time. Visits can be by phone/zoom, a walk, in a coffee shop, in home, hospital, hospice, or wherever is comfortable.
Caring Visitors: caringvisitors@firstunitarianottawa.ca
On the Passing of Reverend Fred Cappuccino
With great sadness we have news that Reverend Fred Cappuccino died on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at the age of one hundred.
There will be a celebration of Fred’s remarkable life on November 7, at 4:00pm
at First Unitarian. A reception will follow.
​
You can read about Reverend Fred's life here. We encourage you to think about the love and joy Fred has sent as ripples out, literally, around the world.
.png)
_png%20(1).png)
Read All About It
Pride Rides
Are you planning to drive from FirstU to the Pride staging grounds near Lebreton Flats, after the service on August 30? Can you offer one or more fellow Pride Parade marchers a ride from church? If yes, contact diversity@firstunitarianottawa.ca to let us know how many people you can carry.
What's a Journey Group?
Journey Groups are small, intentional gatherings where participants explore monthly congregational themes and life's big questions together. They offer a moving and meaningful way to connect with others and yourself while deepening clarity and commitment on your spiritual path. FirstU's Journey Groups will be starting soon, with first meetings scheduled for September 8 and 22 (see Recurring Events). Everyone is welcome to register: Just print out and submit this form. The September Theme information is available here. For more information contact Amalilly at JourneyGroupAS@firstunitarianottawa.ca
​
Spire Submissions Due TODAY
The Spire is a seasonal magazine for members wishing to express themselves through respectful sharing of an editorial nature. Individual viewpoints, personal pieces of prose or poetry, and articles relating to our current issues are welcome (450 words max.) As well as one ‘Feature Article’ (900 words max). Submissions for our September issue are now open and will be received until today, August 21 (extended date). Send your articles to spire@firstunitarianottawa.ca. We’d love to hear from you!
Call to Action: Preventing Gender-Based Violence
Provided by the MBG Compassion-to-Action Initiative
​
Sexual assault charges against 5 players from Canada’s 2018 world junior team were not proven beyond a reasonable doubt (as happens with such charges). Hockey Canada punished the players for breach of code of conduct. Importantly, Hockey Canada is focusing on prevention of sexual assault through training for players, parents and officials in The Shift Forward: Evolving Hockey Culture, which includes education on consent, bystander intervention, and cultural accountability.
%20(1).png)
Upcoming Events
Weekly Calendar
Please contact your regular group leader for meeting details. Contact info can be found on the congregation's calendar.
The link for Sunday Service can be found on our This Sunday page or on our YouTube Channel.
For inquiries or to join a group, email the office for information.
​​​Sunday, August 23
10:30am
Sunday Service - Online and In-Person
Children's Summer Programming
11:30am
Hospitality Hour
FirstU Food Cupboard is Open
12:30pm
Pride Parade Poster Party
Recurring Events - Topics and Schedule Changes
-
August 23 - Online Group Meditation - Wednesday evenings, 7:00pm - Online - To receive the zoom link, contact adultlearning@firstunitarianottawa.ca in advance.
-
September 2 - Drop-In Games Night - 6:30pm - Room 3 - Drop-In Games Night happens on the first and third Wednesday of the month.
-
September 3 - Virtual Discussion Circle - Every other Thursday at 1:30pm on zoom. Discussion circles are held biweekly, with a different topic each time. No pre-registration is required, just drop in. Click here to join. We look forward to seeing you! Contact Andrew with any questions. The topic for our first discussion of the year is: "Groupthink".
-
September 8 – Journey Group – 2:00pm - Room 6 - Our Journey Group meets twice a month to discuss a monthly theme. September’s theme is “Beginning”. Additional groups will form based on demand for time, type, and frequency. Starting in October, the group will meet on the first and third Tuesday of the month. Contact Amalilly for more information.
-
September 21 - Virtual Trivia Night - 7:00pm on the third Monday of every month. Join us for our monthly Trivia Quiz! All you need is a pen or pencil, paper and your "thinking cap". Play alone or team up with friends! Contact Andrew with any questions. Click here to get the link.
-
Thursday Evening Reading for Growth – 7:00pm on the fourth Thursday of the month - On break until September.
-
Friday Afternoon Reading for Growth – On break until September. Friday Afternoon Reading for Growth, at 1:30pm on the last Friday of the month, will start again after a summer break on September 25 with a new varied list of titles. New members are very welcome. Contact Clea for full details.
Need to check if a weekly, biweekly, or monthly event has been rescheduled? Click here, or check our month-at-a-glance calendar.
Looking for a new social group to join, or need to confirm a zoom link or locate a registration form? Click here for a full list of our recurring events, plus zoom links for those that occur online.
.png)
Unitarian Universalist nUUs
CUC Young Adult Retreat at Unicamp!
September 11-13
Unicamp
Join Unitarian Universalist young adults (19 – 40) for a wonderful weekend of community, conversation and outdoor adventures amidst the fall colours. Unicamp provides the perfect setting for a relaxing and rejuvenating retreat with new and old UU friends.
You're welcome to stay for two or three nights, whatever works best for you. Information and registration can be found here.
Questions can be directed to the CUC Youth and Young Adult Coordinator, Summer at summer.christiansen@cuc.ca. If you want to talk to someone local who's going, please contact Nina at diversity@firstunitarianottawa.ca
​
​Canadian Unitarian Council
Information about upcoming CUC events can be found on their Events Page. Check them out and consider ways you can engage with fellow UUs beyond the congregation.
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ottawa (UUFO)
Information about events and activities at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ottawa can be found by reading the latest UUFO Friday Notes.
​
.png)
News from Our Friends
Unitarian House Beer and Wine Garden
Today, August 21
3:00pm - 8:00pm
Courtyard, 20 Cleary
Admission: $10
Join us for an afternoon and evening of great drinks, food, music, and community fun! Enjoy live music by The Good Enuffs and The Real Blue. Your admission fee includes a BBQ supper and a beverage, with additional drinks available for $5. There will be a raffle and a 50/50 draw for those who want to participate. Tickets can be purchased through the Unitarian House website, at Reception, or at the event. We hope to see you there!
Write a Letter in Support of Centre 454
Last summer, Shauna Young – Executive Director of Belong Ottawa – came to speak with us about the important work of her organization through its day programs, which include Centre 454 in Sandy Hill.
Recently the City of Ottawa decided to cease funding the operations of Centre 454, unless they relocate, by January, to a new location outside of Ward 12. Relocating would have a significant, and dangerous, impact on the people they serve, so they are asking for more time to find a suitable location.
Please consider contributing to their letter-writing campaign by clicking here and adding your voice.
Submissions and Zoom Bookings
Sunday Announcement Submissions
If you would like an announcement made during the livestreamed Sunday Service, please send an email, by Wednesday at noon, to: boardannouncements@firstunitarianottawa.ca. Do allow for time in case there are questions with regard to the announcement. Also note that announcements longer than 50 words will be edited for length and that time-sensitive announcements may be prioritized.
​
Booking Online Meetings
Email zoominfo@firstunitarianottawa.ca to book a Zoom meeting and to find help with questions about how Zoom works. Standard requests will receive a reply within 24 hours. Please label urgent requests with 'Urgent' in the Subject line and someone will respond as soon as possible.
​
eUU Submissions
Submit your eUU messages for consideration to publications@firstunitarianottawa.ca no later than Wednesday at noon of the week you want your announcement or event to appear. Submissions may be edited for length.
60 words or fewer, please. Allison, our Communications Coordinator, works Thursdays and Fridays.
​
Our contact information:
30 Cleary Ave,
Ottawa, ON
K2A 4A1
613-725-1066