The First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa
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Friday, July 3, 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, July 5, 2026
In-Person and Online
Starts at 10:30am
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Music is Divine
With Jenn Berntson
This Sunday, we'll celebrate the way music connects us to each other
and to our spirituality, and learn more about the songs that hold deep
meaning to our congregation. Join our music director Jenn Berntson
as we sing through a series of hymns chosen by congregation members,
with reflections offered by the individuals who chose them.
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Featured Volunteer Opportunity
Interested in Working with Refugees?
The Refugee Support Action Group needs you! We'll be submitting an application to sponsor a refugee family soon and they may arrive very quickly - within 6 to 10 weeks or even sooner. We're assembling a team of people to help with settlement activities so we'll be ready when they arrive. Tasks include everything from helping find housing, driving to appointments, helping learn English to the coordination of medical appointments. Please contact refugees@firstunitarianottawa.ca or talk to Brent or Eva.
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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 July
Janet Clayton - Email - 613-733-9566
Margaret DeCorte - Email - 613-722-1424
Caring Cards for June: Janet M, Members of Unity Church Unitarian, the Suurland family, Tanya B, and Carl S.
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, coffee shop, in home, hospital, hospice, or wherever is comfortable.
Caring Visitors: caringvisitors@firstunitarianottawa.ca
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Read All About It
Use of Kitchens Notice - A Note from Office Jen
“Integrity is doing the right thing when, even when no one is looking.”
-Charles Marshall
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I feel I must advocate on behalf of some of the staff and volunteers here at FirstU. PLEASE clean up after yourselves. It’s extremely disappointing to clean and prepare space for everyone to congregate in with no regard or respect for the people who do it. It is not their jobs to do your dishes. To clean out your fridges. To put food away so we can keep ants out of the building. Please help us treat every space in this building as sacred.
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Thank you so much.
~ Jen Brennan, Operations Manager​
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FirstU Cooling Station
The church will be open until 8pm today, Friday July 3, as a cooling station. If possible, please call 613-725-1066 to let us know when you will be arriving so we can ensure we have volunteers here to greet you. Light snacks and drinks are provided.
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Budget Forms Due This Sunday
If you are responsible for any activity that produces revenue and/or expense for FirstU, please complete your budget form and send it to OAS@firstunitarianottawa.ca and fm@firstunitarianottawa.ca by this Sunday, July 5. Click here to download the form as a word document. For a printable PDF, click HERE, OR request your budget form from the office.
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Save the Date: Fall Fair 2026
Our 2026 Fall Fair will be held on Saturday, November 14!
As you tackle summer projects, garage sales, cottage cleanups, and flea markets, please keep Fall Fair in mind!
We need:
• Quality items in good to excellent condition
• Items with real value
For those who love thrifting, keep a judicious eye out on our behalf for undervalued treasures you spot at sales.
Remember:
• Jewellery (including broken) accepted anytime at the office
• All other donations accepted the week before Fall Fair only
Questions? Email directorff@firstunitarianottawa.ca
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Proposed Changes for Fall Fair
The Fall Fair Team has some changes in mind for this year’s Fall Fair: Firstly, high-value items, including jewellery, may be sent to auction houses instead of being sold at a Silent Auction. Second, mid-value items will be sold at fixed prices. Lastly, donors may be offered discount vouchers to encourage them to return on sale day.​​
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Upcoming Events
​FirstU Monthly Building Tour
Sunday, July 5
11:45am
Meet in Worship Hall
Join our tour guide in front of the podium in Worship Hall at 11:45am. The tour will show you many aspects of our beautiful building and give you an opportunity to learn more about Unitarian-Universalism as well as the exciting plans for the future of our seven acre campus.
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.
Saturday, July 4
10:30am
Spirituality and Philosophy Group
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Sunday, July 5
10:30am
Sunday Service - Online and In-Person
Children's Summer Programming
11:30am
Hospitality Hour
FirstU Food Cupboard is Open
11:45am
FirstU Building Tour
Recurring Events - Topics and Schedule Changes
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July 8 - Drop-In Games Night - 6:30pm - Room 3 - Please note, Drop-In Games Night will continue through the Summer, happening twice a month, on the following dates: July 22, August 5 and 19, and will continue at twice a month (first and third Wednesdays) as the new Church Year begins.
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Online Group Meditation - Wednesday evenings, online at 7:00pm - On break as of June 24. We'll return on Wednesday, August 5.
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Virtual Discussion Circle - Every other Thursday at 1:30pm on zoom. On break for the summer. Virtual Discussion Circles will return in September.
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Thursday Evening Reading for Growth – 7:00pm on the fourth Thursday of the month - On break until September.
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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.
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Unitarian Universalist nUUs
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.
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News from Our Friends
Weekly Community Sing-Along
Saturdays, July 11 and through the Summer
6:30pm
Café Miracle (141 Beechwood Ave)
Pay What You Can
Ottawa folksinger, Erin Adair, invites you to a community sing-along every Saturday (except June 27 and July 4) at Café Miracle on Beechwood. Sing family tunes, folk songs, and old favourites with other people who love to sing.
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.
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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.
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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.
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Our contact information:
30 Cleary Ave,
Ottawa, ON
K2A 4A1
613-725-1066