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The First Unitarian Congregation
of Ottawa
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Friday, October 16, 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, October 18, 2026
In-Person and Online
Starts at 10:30am
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Courage and Covenant
Reverend Lara Cowtan
A celebration and exploration of our shared ministry
and the deep commitments that call us forward.
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 where we'll continue our new "Woven Faith" curriculum.
In the Rainbow Room (2-6 with Rita) we will be exploring a new item shown to us by Ellery Churchmouse. If possible, please bring toilet paper or paper towel cardboard tubes for our craft.
In the Chalice Room and the Wonder Room our 7-8 and 9+ UU Kids will be one class (with Esther), where we will be reading What’s New, Daniel?, and going outside to build a nature mandala.
yUUth Group: Please check the "Upcoming Events: Topics and Changes" section for information about our next yUUth Group meeting.
Next Week: On Sunday, October 25, our UU Kids will be upstairs in Worship Hall with the rest of the congregation for a multigenerational service with Jodi!
2027 Pledge Campaign
Our annual Pledge Campaign, with the theme of Strengthening Our Ties,
is now underway. You can learn more about it, and find out how easy it is to pledge online at our Annual Giving page or by email to pledge@firstunitarianottawa.ca.
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Settled Minister Discernment Process
Special Congregational Meeting:
Vote to Call Settled Minister
Sunday, October 18
12:30pm
Worship Hall and Online
Members! Please make sure to attend this special congregational meeting where we will vote on the question of calling Reverend Lara Cowtan to be our settled minister. Voting will be hybrid. Meeting documents, proxy forms, and zoom link are available on the Members' Page.
Connect with the members of the Task Force at: discernment@firstunitarianottawa.ca
Your Discernment Task Force:
Lisa Boulay, Alex Campbell, Ally Hobson, Erin Keene, and Lee Rose
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Important Message to Members
If you didn't get two emails from FirstU yesterday (one reminder about the Settled Minister vote on, one about the Oct 25 Fall Congregational Meeting), and they are not in your Spam folder, then you should contact the church office to see if we need to correct the contact information for you on our end.
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Featured Volunteer Opportunity
Help Our Children’s Programs
Our Religious Exploration program provides programming for children from age 3-17. Volunteers are needed
to hang out with children, help with snacks, and supervision. All helpers must obtain a vulnerable sector check.
Interested? Contact Lisa Sharp
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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 October
Maryan O’Hagan - Email - 613-729-7752
Marianne Wood - Email - 613-725-3452
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
Canadian UU National Survey and Conversation
The Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) is inviting Unitarian Universalists across Canada to share their experiences, hopes, and perspectives. The invitation says: “We are here to listen and learn. When we understand who we are — and who we are becoming — we can show up with greater care for the congregations and members we serve.”
FirstU has signed up to have an interactive, online conversation with CUC staff and board members on Thursday, November 5 at 5:00-7:00pm. We encourage all interested congregants to join FirstU leadership for this conversation and, in advance of November 5, to complete the survey for individuals. The survey is available HERE. Please allow 30 minutes to complete it.
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Having a strong national organization is in the best interests of FirstU, so we’d like to have broad participation in the survey and conversation. FirstU people participating in the November 5 conversation will be entered in a draw for some CUC gear, such as shirts and tote bags.
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Read All About It
FirstU Finance Deep Dive Sessions
Join Treasurer Guy B, and Finance Manager Michelle, for two deep dives into FirstU's finances during the week leading up to our Fall Congregational Meeting. These will be held on Monday, October 19, at 10:00am and on Wednesday, October 21, at 7:00pm. If you want to take part in a more detailed discussion of the budget than we have time for at the fall meeting, please attend the meeting of your choice. Click here to find the zoom link for both meetings.
Unitarian GoGos Fundraisers
The Unitarian GoGos have two fundraising events coming up in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation's work for AIDS-affected Grandmothers in Africa.
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Biagio's Italian Kitchen Dinner - Join us for a fundraising dinner on Tuesday, October 27th, 2026, starting at 5:30pm. Cost is $45+Donation. Your meal includes bread, salad, lasagna, and dessert. Details here. Register by Thursday, October 22 by emailing gogos@firstunitarianottawa.ca
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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
Fall Fair
Our fabulous Fall Fair is one month away. Lots to do!
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There is an URGENT request for jewellery to be brought to the office now to allow time for cleaning and repairs
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Electronics are welcome now also. Phone the front desk - 613-725-1066 - to make sure someone is available to receive them
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A special shout out for Indigenous art that will be part of the silent art auction.
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The CUBE storage container is almost here. As of Thursday, October 22, the CUBE will accept your donations
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Finally, now is the time to volunteer! There are lots of specific requests to choose from. Check the volunteer section on the Fall Fair webpage or email ffvols@firstunitarianottawa.ca. You may also sign the volunteer sheet on the bulletin board outside Worship Hall or talk to Eva directly in Fellowship Hall after service. She will be wearing a yellow apron
Welcome New FirstU Members!
The FirstU Board is very pleased to welcome the following new members to the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa:
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Approved in September: Casey and Wren Lottman
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Approved in October: Brandon Milk and Sandy Franklin, Emily and Jesse Belanger, Jim Freeh, Keith Marble, Angela and Justin Counter, Linda McDonald, Karen Partanen, and Ziyi Qian
Thank you for joining, and we look forward to getting to know you better!
Zoom Links
When a recurring zoom link is provided to you, please ensure you record the last date it works so that you will remember to request a new link. Thank you!
"How Did You Hear About Our Event?"
Are you a group leader or event point-person? If you see new faces at your event, especially if you don't recognize them as a regular Sunday Service attendees, ask how they heard about it. Then email publications@firstunitarianottawa.ca to let us know how our outreach efforts are working!
Municipal Elections Update: Ecology Ottawa’s All Candidate Environmental SurveyIn early September, Ecology Ottawa asked every mayoral and City Council candidate to share their position on 10 key environmental issues facing Ottawa. Check here to see how candidates for mayor, and City Council responded.
Donating by eTransfer
Please be advised: eTransfers are automatically deposited into our bank account. The memo line on the Etransfer must be filled in stating what the payment is for, in order to be applied to the correct budget area. If no information is provided, it will be deposited into a general account. This means:
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If it’s your pledge payment you will not get credit for the payment
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If it’s a rental payment it will not be applied correctly
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If it’s a registration fee you will not be registered
Michelle receives many eTransfers per month and needs your help to make sure they get to the correct place. Please fill out the memo line. If you are new to the congregation, please make sure the office knows your contact information for tax receipting purposes. The email address for eTransfer donations is fm@firstunitarianottawa.ca.
Call to Action: Preventing Gender-Based Violence
Provided by the Men's Breakfast Group Compassion-to-Action Initiative
Wearing the White Ribbon is a pledge to never commit, condone, or remain silent about male violence to women. It started in the aftermath of the Ecole Polytechnique massacre. It works to transform harmful social norms, promote healthy masculinities, and build active allyship. Among its programs, it offers interactive training sessions and educational programs in schools, universities, and workplaces. It is raising awareness about misogyny on the web, through My Friend Max Hate and Algorithm Sickness. How can we use their resources?
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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, October 16
1:30pm
Afternoon Discussion Group
6:00pm
The Mess We Are In Book Club
Saturday, October 17
10:30am
Spirituality and Philosophy Group
Sunday, October 18
10:30am
Sunday Service - Online and In-Person
Children's Religious Exploration
11:30am
Hospitality Hour
FirstU Food Cupboard is Open
12:30pm
Special Congregational Meeting
Recurring Events - Topics and Schedule Changes
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October 16 - Drumming Spires - Cancelled this month. See you on November 20!
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October 19 - Virtual Trivia Night - 7:00pm - Details and zoom link HERE.
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October 20 – Journey Group – 2:00pm - Room 6 - Our Journey Group meets twice a month to discuss a monthly theme. October’s theme is “Courage”. 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.
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October 22 - Thursday Evening Reading for Growth – 7:00pm on the fourth Thursday of the month. Our next book is No Beast So Fierce, by Dane Huckelbridge, about a tiger stalking and attacking humans between 1900 and 1907, and the hunter sent to kill her. Contact Ken for the zoom link.
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October 23 - Men's Breakfast Group - 8:30am - Fellowship Hall - Gentlemen are invited to join the Men's Breakfast Group on Friday, October 23, for coffee, socializing, and breakfast, followed by an informative and engaging talk by Christiana Epp Duschinsky on the topic "A Historian Goes West". Register no later than Monday, October 19, by clicking HERE and submitting this form.
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October 23 - yUUth Group - Please note the date change. Our yUUth Group will be meeting on Friday, October 23, at 6:30pm in Room 2.
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October 29 - 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: "What bugs you the most?"
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October 30 - Friday Afternoon Reading for Growth – 1:30pm on the last Friday of the month. Our next book is The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World, by Melinda Gates. Contact Clea for the zoom link and our next title.
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November 1 - After Service Conversations - Please note that, because of the scheduled congregational meetings, there will be no After Service Conversations on October 18 or 25. The conversations will resume on November 1 (the day that Daylight Savings ends).
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
Inspiration and Dedication:
30 Years of the Ottawa Friends of Tibet
This Saturday, October 17
10:00am (all day event)
Saint Paul University (223 Main St)
Ottawa Friends of Tibet invites members and friends of FirstU to join them as they celebrate their 30th anniversary and the hard work of founders Jurme & Angela Wangda, helpers Fred and Bonnie Cappuccino, and many committed volunteers. Tickets and details here.
Community Deathcare Expo: A Victorian Death
This Saturday, October 17
11:00am to 2:00pm
All Saints’ Westboro Anglican Church (347 Richmond Rd)
Free to Attend
Community Deathcare Ottawa invites you to a community gathering exploring death, mourning, burial, remembrance, and care through a Victorian-inspired lens. Move through demonstrations, conversations, creative activities, and spaces for quiet reflection as we connect historical practices with contemporary choices around dying, grief, burial, and remembrance.
Full details here.
Unitarian House Winter Clothing and Jewellery Sale
Thursday, October 22
11:00am to 4:00pm
20 Cleary Ave
Cash Only
Peruse a wide selection of quality, gently used clothing donated by friends of Unitarian House as well as Reitman’s, Northern Reflections, Cleo and Ricki’s. All proceeds support Unitarian House Residents' Association. Unsold items will be distributed among local charities. Sandwiches/soup available for purchase at mid-day.
Hearts & Crafts 613 Seeks Craft Supply Donations
Hearts & Crafts 613 is an arts program created by former patients, to bring meaningful activity and connection to mental health in-patients at the Royal Ottawa Hospital over the holidays. Donate your used craft supplies to make this initiative happen! Find a list of most-needed items HERE. To arrange a pick-up, email heartsandcrafts.team@proton.me.
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