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The First Unitarian Congregation
of Ottawa
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Friday, November 6, 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, November 8, 2026
In-Person and Online
Starts at 10:30am
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The Tracks of Our Tears
Reverend Lara Cowtan
A contemplative service on holding the deep blessings of grief in our lives.
Each month, we share our undesignated offertory 50/50 with a community partner.
Click here to learn more about this month's partner.
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Children's Religious Exploration
This Sunday, after Time for All Ages, our UU Kids will go downstairs to continue our "Woven Faith" curriculum:
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In the Rainbow Room (ages 2-5, with Rita) we will be exploring a new item shown to us by Ellery Churchmouse.
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In the Chalice Room (ages 6-8, with Esther), we will be reading “Jamie is Jamie” and helping our community by cleaning some of our toys.
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In the Wonder Room (ages 9+, with Jodi), we will be learning about the history of the UU Covenant and making a collage.
If your family attends the RE program but you do not receive the Weekly RE newsletter, please sign up to receive it by emailing REA@firstunitarianottawa.ca.
2027 Pledge Campagne
Our annual Pledge Campaign is about 40% of the way to its financial target, but there are many people we haven't heard from yet. If you haven't pledged yet, please check out our Annual Giving page to learn more and to submit a pledge online, or send an email to pledge@firstunitarianottawa.ca.
Fall Fair
We are here! It is donation week leading up to Fall Fair day.
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Please, everybody, get your things together and bring them to the church from Monday to Thursday between 10:00am and 7:00pm, daily. There will be volunteers at the west door to receive your offerings. Click HERE to double-check our donations list.
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We are looking specially for works by Canadian artists or First Nations artists. Let’s have a good selection for the art auction.
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And please pick up or print a poster to post in a place near you. Send out an email to friends and family, inviting them to come on Saturday. Let’s build a great Fall Fair!
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Featured Volunteer Opportunity
Fall Fair Needs YOU!
Join the fun and help with this important fundraiser. There are still a number of volunteer opportunities available. We're particularly looking for:
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For the day of the sale (November 14), people who know how to use, or are willing to learn, Square for electronic payments.
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Bakers! Cookies, squares or small loaves for our "Baking & Jam" booth, and muffins for the Lunch Room - all welcome and appreciated.
Check out the Fall Fair page for details and more opportunities. Or contact Eva at ffvols@firstunitarianottawa.ca.
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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 November
Barb Ryan - Email - 613-710-3131
Stan Pope - Email - 613-614-3750
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.
On the Passing of Vodinh Cappuccino
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Vodinh, son of Bonnie and the late Fred Cappuccino, on October 30.
On behalf of our community, we offer our sincerest condolences to Bonnie and all members of the Cappuccino family.
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Read All About It
Congregational Meetings
Thank you to all our members who participated in the Special Congregational Meeting on October 18 and the Fall Congregational Meeting on October 25. We had an excellent turnout for both meetings, especially given that there were two meetings so closely scheduled together! For those who were unable to participate, we thought you might like to see the minutes of both meetings so that you will be up to date:
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Please click HERE for the October 18 Special Congregational meeting minutes
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Please click HERE for the October 25 Fall Congregational meeting minutes
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Please click HERE for the recording of the October 25 Fall Congregational Meeting and use the 54:56 jump link in the description to hear an important update about our Odayanhaway Campus Development project.
Please Note: The minutes and recordings of both meetings are accessible from the Members' page.
Settled Minister Discernment Process
We are very pleased and excited to announce that on October 18, the members of the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa voted overwhelmingly to call Reverend Lara Cowtan as our settled minister, and she has joyously accepted! We are all thrilled to be moving forward in shared ministry together. You can view a recording of the whole meeting HERE.
Reverend Lara begins speaking at 40:26.
December Spire - Submissions OPEN!
The Spire is a magazine meant for editorial comment, personal pieces (opinion articles, poetry), etc. It's read by the broader community, including other Canadian Unitarians. The deadline for the December issue has been extended to November 24. With Fall Fair in between, please consider submitting your articles ahead of time, if possible. Articles should be 450 words or fewer. We will also publish one 'Feature Article (900 words or fewer)' accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Please, send your submissions to spire@firstunitarianottawa.ca
Unitarian GoGos Fundraiser
The Unitarian GoGos have a fundraising event coming up in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation's work for AIDS-affected Grandmothers in Africa.
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GoGos Cheese Sale - This year, the GoGos are partnering with Abbaye de Saint-Benoit-du-Lac to bring you seven cheeses for $45. Full details here. Cheese makes a great host gift for any party you have coming up. The deadline for orders is Monday, November 9, 2026. Order by emailing Linda at gogos@firstunitarianottawa.ca
Little Free Libraries
FirstU has two Little Free Libraries - one for adults and one for children. Located outside the west (elevator) door, they operate on a leave-a-book / take-a-book basis. There is currently a need, in particular, for more children's books. If you have some (fiction or non-fiction) books available to donate, please place them in either of the Little Free Libraries, or in the donation tubs beneath them. If you have a larger number of books to donate, please contact Andrew to arrange a pickup.
Call to Action: Preventing Gender-Based Violence
Provided by the Men's Breakfast Group Compassion-to-Action Initiative
One in seven women who graduate from post-secondary education experience sexual violence during their academic career. In 2022, student leaders from Canada’s post secondary institutions agreed to a ten-point action plan for universities and provincial and federal governments. These included workshops throughout academic careers on active bystander intervention and comprehensive consent education - which have been scientifically proven to diminish perpetration among young men.
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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.
Friday, November 6
8:30am
Men's Breakfast Group
Saturday, November 7
10:30am
Spirituality and Philosophy Group
4:00pm
Celebration of Life for Reverend Fred Cappuccino
Sunday, November 8
10:30am
Sunday Service - Online and In-Person
Children's Religious Exploration
11:30am
Hospitality Hour
FirstU Food Cupboard is Open
11:45am
After-Service Conversations
Recurring Events - Topics and Schedule Changes
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Groove Dance Fitness for women on Monday nights cancelled until further notice.
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November 12 - 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 by clicking the link on the Make Friends Page. We look forward to seeing you! Contact Andrew with any questions. Our topic will be: "If you could have a fictional character for a friend, who would it be?"
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November 16 - Virtual Trivia Night - 7:00pm - Details and zoom link HERE.
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November 17 – Journey Group – 2:00pm - Room 6 - Our Journey Group meets twice a month to discuss a monthly theme. November’s theme is “Healing”. Contact Amalilly for more information.
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November 20 - Men's Breakfast Group - 8:30am - Fellowship Hall - Gentlemen are invited to join the Men's Breakfast Group for coffee, socializing, and breakfast, followed by an informative and engaging talk. Register no later than Monday, November 16, by clicking HERE and submitting this form.
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November 26 - Thursday Evening Reading for Growth – 7:00pm on the fourth Thursday of the month. Contact Ken for the zoom link and our next book title.
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November 27 - Friday Afternoon Reading for Growth – 1:30pm on the last Friday of the month. Our November selection is In the Realm of the Hungry Ghosts, by Gabor Maté, a moving account of his work with addicts, and his theory of the real causes of addiction. Contact Clea for the zoom link.
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
All Saints Anglican - Village Fair
Saturday, November 14
9:00am - 2:00pm
347 Richmond Road
After you've visited our Fall Fair at FirstU, why not pop by All Saints Anglican, in Westboro, to explore their "Village Fair" church bazaar too? Full details here or check out their poster.
Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition (ISARC) presents:
PERSISTENT RESISTANCE: Preparing Ourselves for the Long Haul
Wednesday, November 18
9:00am to 2:00pm
In Toronto and Online
FREE
The cost-of-living emergency continues to deepen, while government responses fall far short of what Ontarians need. As faith communities, advocates, and community partners, we know that building a more just and equitable province requires more than short-term solutions. It calls for sustained solidarity, creative advocacy, and a commitment to keep going, even when change feels slow.
ISARC religious leaders' forum is an annual event that brings social justice advocates around Ontario together to learn, and strategize around issues of justice and equity in our province. It is open to everyone—not just religious leaders!
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