The First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa
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Friday, July 31, 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 2, 2026
In-Person and Online
Starts at 10:30am
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Sit With Me: The Power of Presence
With guest speaker Paul Julien
There is a power to listening that goes beyond words.
To sit with someone while providing a presence, so that in the stillness of that space, they may tune into their own inner voices; their own inner wisdom. This practice of deep listening is at the very core of Spiritual Care, and its sacred teachings can be heard by all who are open to perceive.
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Children's Summer Program
This summer, children will explore the wonder of our interconnected world through The Great Web of Life,
a hands-on, 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.
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A Conversation on Calling and Ministry
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​Warm greetings from the Settled Minister Discernment Task Force: Alex Campbell, Ally Hobson, Erin Keene, Lee Rose, and Lisa Boulay.
We invite you, as members of The First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, to join us on August 16, when we will be leading the service, “A Conversation on Calling and Ministry.” This service will mark the official beginning of our congregational discernment process as we listen together for the wisdom, hopes, and commitments of our beloved community and consider whether to call Rev. Lara as our settled long-term Minister.
The August 16 service will be the first of several opportunities for reflection, conversation, and listening as we consider this important step in the life of our congregation. More details about the discernment process will be shared during the service, as well as through the e-UU and email. We hope you will join us, in person or online, as we begin this journey together. We look forward to gathering with you and hearing the voices of our community.
In service to you,
Lisa, on behalf of the Settled Minister Discernment Task Force
Featured Volunteer Opportunity
Special Event on August 19
We are hosting a Ceremonial Groundbreaking for the future Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services building on Wednesday, August 19, at our campus, which will include many special guests. We need some help with set up, parking directions, reception and clean up. If you can offer a couple of hours that morning (11:00am to 1:00pm) or afternoon (3:00pm to 5:00pm) please 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 July
Janet Clayton - Email - 613-733-9566
Margaret DeCorte - Email - 613-722-1424
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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
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Read All About It
Main Door Church Access: Enter, Rejoice and Come In Through the Lower Level Doors
Please note that the main doors have been removed for restoration and the entrance will be closed for the next few weeks.
UU Pride - Volunteer With Us
Ottawa's Pride season is coming fast, and there are many ways to get involved!
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Our annual Pride Service is on Sunday, August 23. After the service, join us in Fellowship Hall to decorate posters for the Pride Parade and our Street Festival booth.
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Join our FirstU Marchers for the Pride Parade on Sunday August 30th! Allies are very welcome. Meet by 12:30pm at our designated spot (tbc).
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Fill out this form to volunteer for a shift at our Pride Street Festival info table on August 29 and 30. Most shifts are 2.5 hours. An optional orientation session will be held in early August.
Email diversity@firstunitarianottawa.ca to get involved or stop by our info table this Sunday, July 26!​​
Call to Action: Preventing Gender-Based Violence
How can we prevent boys and men from committing gender-based violence? The Men’s Breakfast Group has started an initiative to answer this question.
The mission is to foster actions within FirstU, the City of Ottawa and surroundings, and provincially and federally, that will prevent more of this violence before it happens. We hope to identify fourteen actions before the FirstU remembrance of the 1989 Polytechnique shootings that will take us from compassion to action.
The Canadian Football League star – Nathan Rourke - proudly promoted his efforts, on CBC’s The National, to inspire boys to go from bystanders to interveners to prevent gender-based violence. Canada has a National Framework on Gender-Based violence, which includes the prevention of dating and intimate partner violence. The Men’s Breakfast Group is exploring how to get more programs on bystander intervention.
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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.
Saturday, August 1
10:30am
Spirituality and Philosophy Group
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​​Sunday, August 2
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
12:00pm
Choir Practice
Recurring Events - Topics and Schedule Changes
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August 5 - Drop-In Games Night - 6:30pm - Room 3 - Drop-In Games Night will continue through the Summer, happening twice a month, and will continue, twice a month (first and third Wednesdays), in September.
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August 5 - Online Group Meditation - Wednesday evenings, 7:00pm - Online - To receive the zoom link, contact adultlearning@firstunitarianottawa.ca in advance.
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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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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