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, May 11, 2025 In-Person and Online Starts at 10:30am
Love We Cannot Live Without
With Reverend Eric Meter
This Mother's Day, let's celebrate unconditional love,
the promise and realities that surround us.
Here's what our UU Kids will be doing this Sunday:
This Sunday, after Time for All Ages, our 2-12 year-old
UU kids will head downstairs to the Rainbow Room
for a special Mother’s Day activity!
This May and June, we’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors. When you arrive, please bring your child's outdoor clothing downstairs to the appropriate room.
Help Our Gardens Bloom
As we near spring, The Friends of the Meditation Garden are looking for gardeners to help maintain the north and south gardens. It's possible to work in a team or independently. Most tools, gloves etc., are provided. They work about two hours per week. The time is flexible but the team usually meets on Wednesday and/or Friday mornings weather permitting. Interested?
Contact MargaretELinton[at]gmail.com.
Want to let the congregation know about a volunteer opportunity? Fill out this online form to let people know!
Have you already completed the FirstU Volunteering survey? If not, please click the embedded link and add your information to the volunteering data base: Participation Survey
The FirstU 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held the afternoon of Saturday, May 3, with nearly 100 members attending either in person, by Zoom or via proxy. The board very much appreciates this enthusiastic turn-out! Key issues discussed and/or decided were:
Receiving updates from Reverend Eric and from Board President, Chuck Shields;
Discussing and approving the 2024 audited financial statements;
Appointing Kelly Huibers McNeely to continue serving as our auditors for the 2025 fiscal year;
Authorizing the board to issue community bonds to support the Odayanhaway, campus redevelopment Project;
Reappointing Lisa Boulay and Guy Belleperche to serve as lay chaplains;
Electing Lisa Boulay to serve on the board and to identify the following officers for the coming year:
Chuck Shields, President
Mary Ella Keblusek, Vice-President
Guy Belleperche, Treasurer
Carl Sonnen, Secretary (in a non-board member capacity);
Approving a resolution to investigate switching to a climate-friendly financial institution; and
Presenting and distributing an updated site plan for the Odayanhaway Project.
We are all interconnected, interdependent and minister to each other in many ways. Our monthly Caring Contacts take your phone calls and emails when you wish to alert us to a need or a concern or have a joy to celebrate. We try to ensure no one is forgotten and that appropriate help is provided when requested.
Read All About It!
Annual Report Deadline Extended
If you’ve not submitted your report yet, you can still do so until May 15. If you are a Committee or Team you really should submit; if you are a Group we welcome your reports too! Send your Reports to Jen at [email protected].
Urgent Appeal – Help Us Bring a Refugee to Canada
The Board has recently approved, conditional upon funding, the sponsorship of Qandagha Kamiri, a young man at risk of being targeted by the Taliban. We need to raise $13,000 from generous FirstU congregants and friends in order to submit a sponsorship application before an application can be submitted! To donate: Write "Refugee Sponsorship" on the donation envelope in your pew, the memo line of your cheque, or in the comment field of an e-transfer to [email protected]. Questions to Eva Berringer.
Summer Spire Submissions Due Next Week!
There's still time to send your articles or photos to [email protected]!Deadline is Friday May 16. Share your ideas and memories in the upcoming June edition. You are helping build a loving community!
It's Tulipathon Time
FirstU is a long-time member of Ottawa's Multifaith Housing Initiative (MHI), and will be participating in this year’s Tulipathon – MHI’s big, annual fundraiser at Commissioners Park at Dow’s Lake. Bring the kids (there will be a bouncy castle and face painting available) and make a day of supporting MHI!
Want to join our team? Contact team captain Maury Provost at 613-231-7391. Make a donation in support of the team, or one of the team-members, by clicking HERE.
Welcome New Members!
The board is pleased to say that, at our April meeting, we approved three new members: Briana Faubert, David Gick and Andrew Poirier. We are very pleased that they have decided to join us on their spiritual and life journeys!
FirstU Food Cupboard
We continue to welcome all donations of canned goods, pasta, dairy products, and cleaning supplies, as well as meat, frozen pizzas, and prepared meals for the freezer. Contact Lisa S for packaging instructions.
Calling All Carpenters
FirstU has received a donation of two Little Free Libraries - one for adult books and a smaller one for children's books. The Ajashki project has completed painting them with colourful designs and we're looking for a carpenter to help us build a bench to support a library box on each end, so the libraries can be placed in the gardens during good weather, and under the eaves in the winter. If you are interested - or know someone who can help - contact maryellakeblusek[at]gmail.com.
Recurring Event Topics
After some disruption in April, the After Service Discussions in the Lounge have returned to their regular spot on the second and fourth Sundays of the month.
The Mental Health Support and Action Group will meet - in Room 6 and online - on Sunday, May 18 from Noon to 1pm.
The next online discussion circle will be on Thursday, May 22, with a topic of "My Perfect Evening".Get the zoom link HERE.
The Men's Breakfast Group will meet on May 23, for a brief report by Peter Larson on his April 2025 trip across Israel and the West Bank. Register by Monday, May 19, by clicking HERE.
The May yUUth Group meetup is now scheduled for May 23.
Daytime Reading for Growth, on May 30, will be discussing Prisoners of the Castle: An Epic Story of Survival and Escape from Colditz, the Nazis' Fortress Prison by Ben MacIntyre.
Click HEREfor a full list of our recurring events.
Upcoming Events
Campus Development Town Halls
Monday, May 12 - 7:00pm - Site Plan Feedback Session
On Zoom
This is the last of two online Town Halls being held to update the congregation on many evolving aspects of campus development. The purpose of the meeting is to answer questions and receive final feedback about the recently drafted Proposed Detailed Site Plan, which we will submit for approval to the City of Ottawa by the third week of May. If you were unable to attend the May 6 overview session, you can watch the recording HERE. Zoom Details: Click HERE to join the May 12 meeting.
Meeting ID: 833 6615 1746 Passcode: 384478
Unitarian GoGos Plant Sale
May 9-10 - 9:00am to 4:30pm
May 11 - 9:00am to 1:30pm
FirstU Parking Lot
The Unitarian GoGos Plant Sale will take place on May 9th, 10th and 11th outdoors in our parking lot. Bring some cash and pick up a variety of outdoor plants, mostly perennials, plus jewellery and baked goods, and support the Stephen Lewis Foundation while you shop!
For inquiries or to join a group, email the office for information.
Friday, May 9 8:00am
Men's Breakfast Group 9:00am (All Day Event)
GoGo Grannies Plant Sale
Saturday, May 10
9:00am (All Day Event)
GoGo Grannies Plant Sale
Sunday, May 11 9:00am (until 1:30pm)
GoGo Grannies Plant Sale 10:30am
Sunday Service - Online and In-Person
Children's Religious Exploration 11:30am
Hospitality Hour
FirstU Food Cupboard Open 11:45am
After Service Discussion Group
Food Cupboard Fundraising Concert with the Beacon Community Band
Wednesday, June 4 - 7:00pm
Worship Hall
You're invited to a performance by the Beacon Community Band, to benefit the FirstU Food Cupboard.
Enjoy rag and jitterbug pieces, a procession of magical and mythical characters and creatures, and medleys of Beatles classics, Canadian folk, and some spooky themes! Admission by donation!
Algonquin Word of the Week
We all know that Ajashki means "Soil" in Algonquin, that Kitigan Zibi means "Garden River", and "Gichi Miigwetch" means "Thank you very much".
Let's learn some more words in Algonquin language.
This week's Algonquin Word of the Week is:
Ninga / Giga
Ninga means "My mother", while "Giga" means "Your mother". There is no simple, independent word for "mother" in Anishinabemowin. A personal prefix or suffix goes with the dependent noun stem ("ga") to make it a full word. You literally can't say "mother" in Anishinabemowin without specifying the relationship contained by the word.
Unitarian Universalist nUUs
Information about events and activities at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ottawa can be found by reading the latest UUFO Friday Notes.
Canadian Unitarian Council Information about upcoming CUC events can be found on their Events Page. Check it out and consider ways you can engage with fellow UUs beyond the congregation.
News from Our Friends
Unitarian House presents:
Annual Summer Clothing and Jewellery Sale
Thursday, May 22 - 11:00am to 4:00pm
20 Cleary Ave (in the Founder's Room)
Come peruse a wide selection of quality ladies clothes including new garments given by Northern Reflections, Reitman's, Ricki's, and gently used donations. Sandwiches and soup will be available for purchase at midday. This sale is cash-only, with all proceeds supporting Unitarian House Residents' Association. Unsold garments will be distributed among local charities.
Unitarian House presents:
Fundraising Dinner and Silent Auction
Thursday, May 29
6:00pm (Cocktail Hour)
7:00pm (Dinner)
20 Cleary Ave
Join us for an evening of fine dining and philanthropy, featuring keynote speaker The Honourable Janice Charette, former Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet. All proceeds will directly support UH’s Financial Assistance Program, ensuring that residents will receive the care they need, regardless of their financial situation. Details and tickets available here OR contact Jennifer Brierley, Administration and Marketing Manager, at 613 722 6690 ext. 234 for more information.
Child Haven International Newsletter
The latest newsletter from Child Haven International is available to read or download by clicking HERE.
Chez FirstU
Tone Cluster presents:
Aspects of Love: A Choral Concert
Saturday, May 24 - 7:30pm
Worship Hall
Tickets are by donation (in advance)
A heartfelt musical journey exploring the different faces of love - romantic passion, heartbreak, self-discovery, and the deep bonds of friendship. With music spanning madrigals to musical theatre, we'll celebrate the complexity and beauty of love in all its forms. Some songs include strong language -- because love isn't always polite. Light reception to follow. Purchase your tickets, at the rate that works for you, HERE.
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Online Meetings
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eUU Submissions
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