Sunday, July 28, 2024 Online AND In Person Starts at 10:30am
UbUUntu and Mandela's Optimism With Alex Campbell
Ubuntu is a basic principle of African spirituality, as epitomized in the lives and optimism of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu...two of the four Nobel Peace Prize Laureates produced by South Africa since the 1950s. This Sunday, our guest speaker asks: Can our UU Principles perhaps be perceived as an expression of Ubuntu?
Due to recently announced road works on Richmond,
vehicles will only be able to enter or leave our campus using Richmond Road's westbound lane. Please give yourself extra travel time when you come to church this Sunday. Click HERE for more information.
Please join us for Coffee Hour following the service.
Grab a green mug to let us know if you're feeling new
or would welcome meaningful conversation.
Our Outdoor Summer Program is in full swing! Open to children ages 2-12, we'll meet in the Rainbow Room at 10:30am, then explore our church yard and the nearby NCC land with lots of free play, art projects, and activities focused on nature.
On July 19, the city announced that, starting Saturday, July 20, traffic will not be able to travel along Richmond Road until the end of 2027. Instead, traffic will be diverted to Byron Avenue (see map below).
Some specifics of how this affects access to the FirstU campus:
We are still using the "Kristy Restaurant" detour for entry to and exit from the campus
The configuration of Richmond Road and Byron Avenue near Cleary Avenue will change multiple times due to LRT construction in the months ahead
Vehicles will only be able to enter or leave our campus using Richmond Road's westbound lane. Eastbound traffic on Richmond around Cleary will be rerouted onto Byron Avenue
There will always be a way in and out of our campus, but your route may change; please watch for updated signage
We all know that Ajashki means "Soil" in Algonquin, that Kitigan Zibi means "Garden River", and "Gichi Zibi" means "Great River". Now let's learn some more words in Algonquin language.
This week's Algonquin Word of the Week is:
Mìn
Mìn means "berry” and, by itself, is used to specify the fruit called "blueberry" in English. Maybe you recognize "mìn" from other words we learned in the past month: mskomin and gozigwàkomin. Do you remember which berries those are?
Help the Meditation Garden Grow
The Friends of the Meditation Garden always need gardeners. We work cooperatively to maintain the north and south gardens; a weekly list of tasks is shared along with suggested work dates for group work. Independent work occurs at any time. Most tools are provided. Email Margaret L or visit our Volunteer With Us page for details.
Want to let the congregation know about a volunteer opportunity? Fill out this online form to let people know!
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.
Wednesday Meditation on Hiatus for August
The Wednesday Evening Mindfulness Meditation Group will be on their summer vacation break in the coming month of August. Best wishes to all FirstU congregants and friends for an adventure-filled safe summer! All are welcome to join in as we begin sitting together again, via Zoom, on Wednesday, Sept 4th at 7:00pm.
Perform with the House Band in August!
Join the FirstU House Band and perform on Sunday, August 11th! We will be singing: Simple Gifts; Turn,Turn, Turn; and What a Wonderful World.
There will be rehearsals during that week.
For more information, contact: [email protected].
The September issue of the Parkway Spire is coming sooner than you think!We'd love to have your personal essays, newsy articles, poetry and photos to share with the congregation. Please email your submissions (max 450 words), by August 15, to [email protected]. If you have a longer piece (max. 700 words) that we might use as a Feature Article, do send it along. We look forward to hearing from you!
Save the Date! Fall Fair 2024 is Saturday, November 16 Fall Fair is FirstU's biggest fundraising - and FUN-raising - event! Mark your calendars and tell your friends about this year's Fall Fair on Saturday November 16, from 9:30am to 2:00pm. Be sure to start saving items to donate to the Fair. You can get a list of items we are looking for HERE.
FirstU needs a Dehumidifier for the Lower Level
If you have one kicking around we would be delighted to have it! Contact Dee at [email protected] if you have one to offer. Thanks in advance!
FirstU Food Sharing
Our food cupboard welcomes home-grown veggies and fruits. If you can share some of your garden's bounty, please drop it off in the refrigerator in the Grow Tower room. We also accept home baked goods to go into the freezer in individual servings. Click here for a list of items we always need.
Out with the Old, In with the New
Our own Susan McEwen has designed our new Stairwell Mural. Here are pictures of Susan in the process of painting the mural AND the finished image! (Check it out in person on Sunday!)
Upcoming Events
Summer Pick-Up Choir
Sunday, July 28 - 9:45am
Summer Choir will be running every Sunday in July at 9:45am. This is a "drop-in" choir and everyone is welcome. Show up at 9:45am on Sunday morning, and learn an anthem to be sung in the service that day. No singing experience necessary!
Taoist Tai Chi
Tuesday, July 30 - 1:00pm in Fellowship Hall
Led by Friends of Taoist Tai Chi, Ottawa
Tai Chi is a series of gentle movements that improves circulation, strengthens the bones, and develops good balance. Many have found their health greatly improved by regular practice. We welcome anyone to participate, beginners included. Each two-hour session will be led by experienced instructors from "Friends of Tai Chi" and will include a break for tea. No advance registration needed just drop in. There is no fixed fee for these classes, a free will donation basket will be available. Email [email protected] with any questions.
Drop-In Art Morning
Wednesday, July 31 - 9:00am - Room 3
Adults! Join us, every Wednesday, for three hours of creating and conversation! Drop in with your art supplies and pursuits. Please no oil paints. There is no storage so projects must go back home with you. No charge, free will offering basket will be available.
Knitters Group
Wednesday, July 31 - 1:00pm - Room 3
This group welcomes knitters and crocheters of any level, from beginner to expert, who enjoy creating hand-made items in a friendly, supportive setting. Using donated yarn, we make a variety of goods to sell at Fall Fair, Mitten Tree, and other events in support of the church, and to donate to special community projects.
Online Meditation Group
Wednesday, July 31 - 7:00pm on Zoom
Join us on Wednesday evening for our final online meditation sitting of the Summer. As usual, the sitting will include readings from teachers like Thich Nhat Hanh. Let Colleen know if you would like to receive a friendly email reminder on Tuesday. We'll be taking a break for the month of August and will return on September 4. Click HERE to join the meditation session Meeting ID: 880 7343 6250 Passcode: 259109
Saturday, July 27 1:00pm (obituary notice says Noon to 4:00pm, the actual time of the formal service begins at 1:00pm)
Memorial Service for Don Paskovitch
Sunday, July 28 10:30am
Sunday Service Online AND In-Person 11:30am
Coffee Hour
FirstU Food Cupboard is Open
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.
News From Our Friends
Child Haven Spring Newsletter
Child Haven International is happy to announce the availability of our online version of the CHI Spring 2024 Newsletter. You can read it by clicking HERE.
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If you would like an announcement made during the livestreamed Sunday Service, please send an email, by Friday at 10am, to [email protected].
Do allow for time in case there are questions with regard to the announcement. Also note that announcements may need to be edited
for length and that time-sensitive announcements may be prioritized.
eUU Submissions
Submit your eUU messages for consideration to [email protected] no later than Wednesday at noon of the week you want your announcement or event to appear. Submissions may be edited for length.
80 words or fewer, please. Allison, our Communications Coordinator, works Thursdays and Fridays.