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Friday, February 3, 2023 We acknowledge that our campus is located on traditional, unceded and unsurrendered Algonquin Anishinabeg Territory, and that the work of reconciliation is a responsibility of our congregation, and of all Canadians.   If reading the eUU on your phone, please hold your phone lengthwise and read in “landscape” form. Sunday, February 5, 2023 Online AND In Person (masks required) Starts at 10:00am How Do You Spell Change? ~ Reverend Eric Meter Some of us seem to relish change. Others avoid it at all cost. But, like it or not, change is a given. As this community is facing significant changes - the LRT and our possible campus expansion for starters - how can we best navigate the way forward? Click HERE for Service & Fellowship Links Children's Religious Exploration This Sunday, OWL-K1 participants will meet in the NOW Room. Those with children not registered in OWL can still access childcare/programming in Room Four starting at 10am. Please Note: Messy Church is canceled for February. Click HERE for Children's Programming Information Message from Reverend Eric Dear Members and Friends of FirstU,  I want to let you know that Neo Yaxley is no longer our Director of Religious Exploration. For over four years she served us, our families and our children, with heart and grace. And, as you well know, these were trying years for all of us, especially programs for young children.  I trust you will join me in wishing Neo well in the next chapter of her life. We will miss her.  I've been in close touch with our other childcare staff and our volunteers in our rejuvenated programs: Coming of Age, Our Whole Lives and Mystery Pals. The start of CoA will be delayed slightly, but the other programs are continuing as planned. The volunteers that are making that possible deserve our thanks and support.  Plans for the next steps in how we can best staff our Religious Exploration program have begun and will be communicated to you as soon as is possible.  The future remains bright for us at First U, both upstairs and downstairs in our programs for children and youth.  In shared faith,  Rev. Eric COVID Task Force Update Party Like it’s 2023! After almost THREE YEARS the COVID Task Force is delighted to announce the lifting of most of our current restrictions, effective immediately:   Eating and drinking will now be allowed in the building! (In allowable spaces) No more room capacity restrictions! Masking in the pews during service or large events is still mandatory. Choirs will continue to be required to mask, however singers/musicians/accompanists on stage, to a maximum of 4, may remove their masks as long as all participants are comfortable and agree. Masking is recommended in small group meetings, however if all participants feel comfortable and are in agreement, masks may be removed. We DO continue to encourage masking whenever possible, if you are not actively drinking or eating. We are still responsible to be respectful and careful around each other, but let’s enjoy feeling a little normal again!   Affordable Housing Master Concept Plan The proposed Master Concept Plan for our Affordable Housing development is now available! You can download it to read or print from our Affordable Housing page, or obtain a printed copy by contacting Jen in the office at 613-725-1066. There will be two Town Halls - one in-person on February 8, the other on Zoom on February 13 - to discuss the Master Concept and answer any questions you may have. In particular, we encourage you to come to the in-person Town Hall as it will give you the chance to meet the board and staff of Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS), our partner for the Indigenous affordable housing building. Click HERE for further details.   Our Scheduling Software is Changing Please bear with us as we change over (and learn how to use) the new online scheduling software, Espace. The changeover should be complete by the end of February. You can continue to book space and view the online calendar as per usual; stay tuned for updates on how this will be a superior program than the current ServiceU.   Welcoming Kirk Adsett We are very pleased to announce that Kirk Adsett has joined FirstU as our Interim Music Director while Jenn Berntson is on maternity leave. Learn more about Kirk HERE.  Contact Kirk at music@firstunitarianottawa.ca In This Email Click the Heading to Jump to the Section Children's Religious Exploration Message from Reverend Eric COVID Task Force Update Affordable Housing Master Concept Plan Our Scheduling Software is Changing Welcoming Kirk Adsett Congregational Focus: Climate Action Caring Contacts for February Read All About It! Upcoming Events Weekly Calendar Save the Date Unitarian Universalist nUUs News from Our Friends Chez FirstU Sunday Announcement Submissions Joys and Sorrows eUU Submissions Congregational Focus: Climate Action   This week, the EAG brings you a letter-writing campaign, an invitation to review a "climate friendly living in multi-unit residences", and more information on the Ontario government's Bill 23. Check them all out by clicking the green button below! Click HERE for This Week's Events PLUS Actions You can Take to Protect the Web of Life Caring Contacts for February Evelyn Algar - 613-728-5761 Agnes Davis - 613-737-6527 During "Heart Month", our Caring Network thanks you all for continuing to care for each other with a warm smile, a happy greeting or a caring phone call or visit, no matter what comes up in our changing lives. Caring is for everyone! January Caring Cards: Family of Rev Brian Kopke, Elizabeth B, Joan C, Residents and staff of Unitarian House, Fred C, Jenn B, and Shawn P. 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! Many in our congregation, our friends, and loved ones have mental health challenges. Mental health first aid provides support to a person experiencing mental distress or who is in crisis. A 12-hour Mental Health First Aid course will be offered at FirstU on Saturdays, April 1st and 15th, from 9:00am to 4:00pm. The course is offered through the Mental Health Commission of Canada and is highly recommended. Click HERE to download more information (PDF). Email mhsag@firstunitarianottawa.ca to register. Reminder From the Parkway Spire Team The March edition of our quarterly newsletter will be published soon, and February 15 is the submission deadline. Please send your personal essays, newsy articles, photos, and committee updates (max 450 words) to spire@firstunitarianottawa.ca. Volunteers Wanted for Concert Events Terry Kimmel is seeking volunteers who like music and are willing to serve drinks and goodies at intermission during the Harmony Concerts music events this year at FirstU. We need elevator operators, too. The next event is coming quickly, on February 4th, when Grouyan Gombo performs. There are 8 events scheduled throughout the year with follow-on events in March, April and May before a summer break. Terry would like to have 5 or 6 volunteers per event. Email Terry to volunteer. In exchange for volunteering you get free entry to live music at FirstU. Shredder Needed! As we clean out he archives we have scads of documents to be rid of.  If you’d like to spend a few hours at times of your convenience, please email Jen or call the office at 613-725-1066. There MAY be coffee and treats available to keep your energy up… Seeking delegates for Canadian Unitarian Council AGM on May 19 - Deadline Coming Soon! The CUC Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday, May 19, from 1pm-4:30pm. It will be a hybrid meeting, but we're encouraging our delegates to attend in person at Algonquin College. If YOU are a member of FirstU and are interested in, or wish to consider, serving as one of our six voting delegates, please contact uuconnections@firstunitarianottawa.ca by February 20th. Friday Reading for Growth February's book pick, Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein (copies available at Ottawa libraries), explains why breadth of skills and  learning are more important than depth for creativity and in making connections and  adaptations. We invite you to join in a friendly zoom discussion on February 24, at 1:30pm. Contact Clea Derwent for the link. Choir Seeking New Members All three of our choirs (Chalice, Three Rivers, Fusion) are now meeting at their regular weekly times. Chalice Choir is actively searching for more members - this is a great place to start if you are new to choir singing or new to FirstU. You can learn more about our choirs HERE. Email Kirk at music@firstunitarianottawa.ca with any questions you may have. Upcoming Events Virtual Bridge Friday, February 3 - 7pm On Zoom (and BridgeBase) Join us for a round of Online Bridge (using Zoom and BridgeBase.com) this evening! New members are always welcome! Contact bridgehost@firstunitarianottawa.ca for details and to sign up for future online bridge games. In-Person Town Hall on the Master Concept Plan Wednesday, February 8 - 7:00pm Worship Hall Join us for an in-person Town Hall meeting on the Master Concept Plan for our affordable housing units. Please check the Affordable Housing Page on our website for more information, and to view the Master Concept Plan online. FirstU Virtual Discussion Circle Thursday, February 9 - 1:30pm On Zoom Discussion circles are held weekly, with a different topic each week. No pre-registration is required, just drop in by clicking on the link. We look forward to seeing you! This week, our topic is "Gratitude". If you have ideas for future discussion topics, please email Andrew. ZOOM LINK     Meeting ID: 638 009 136     Password: 897007 Evening Non-Fiction Reading Group Thursday, February 9 - 7pm on Zoom Our Non-Fiction Reading Group will be discussing Lifespan: Why We Age and Why We don’t Have To, by David A. Sinclair PhD, which is a controversial look at how long our lives can be extended in the future. Even if you have not read the book, you are invited to attend to be part of the lively discussion or to just listen. Contact Katharine Elliott by email, or at 613-864-8881, to get the zoom information. 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 the website homepage or on our YouTube Page. For inquiries or to join a group, email the office for information. Friday, February 3 7:00pm Online Bridge Saturday, February 4 10:30 Spirituality and Philosophy Group 7:00pm Grouyan Gombo Concert Sunday, February 5 10:00am Sunday Service Online AND In-Person OWL-K1 and Children's Religious Exploration 11:30am Fellowship Hour - In Person and Online 1:00pm CUC National Service Save the Date Coming of Age - Orientation and Family Potluck Sunday, February 12 - 6:00pm in Fellowship Hall Note Date Change Originally scheduled for Sunday, February 5, our first evening together is now scheduled for Sunday, February 12th. All  participants in this year's Coming of Age program are invited, with their parents and siblings, to our Orientation Event and Family Potluck (siblings not in the program will have a separate craft/activity offered). Bring a dish to share (no nuts), meet your mentors, and learn the ropes of Coming of Age! Please Note: This event goes until 9:00pm. Plan your homework accordingly. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Jodi. Online Town Hall on the Master Concept Plan Monday, February 13 - 7pm on Zoom Members of FirstU are invited to a Town Hall for our Master Concept Plan, to be held on Monday, February 13, on zoom. Please check the Affordable Housing Page on our website for more information, and to view the Master Concept Plan online. ZOOM LINK     Meeting ID: 860 2024 0465     Passcode: 568754 Review of Motions for Canadian Unitarian Council AGM Saturday, February 25 - 2:30pm (hybrid) On Saturday, February 25th at 2:30-3:30pm there will be a meeting for members of FirstU and the Ottawa Fellowship to provide feedback on motions submitted for the CUC Annual General Meeting in May. You can find the motions and related information by clicking HERE. Vyda Ng, Executive Director of the CUC, will lead the meeting. It will be a hybrid meeting, with capacity for about 12 people to participate in person in the Lounge at 30 Cleary Ave. If you plan to attend in-person, please send an email to uuconnections@firstunitarianottawa.ca to let us know. For those attending via zoom, the link is below: ZOOM LINK     Meeting ID: 899 2836 8296     Passcode: 589278 Trivia Quiz Night Monday, February 27 - 7pm on Zoom Join us for our Trivia Quiz!  Questions are diverse, fun, and taken from several sources, and there is no need to feel embarrassed about getting an incorrect answer: players score themselves!  All you need is a pen or pencil, paper and your "thinking cap".  Play alone or team up with a partner or two! For more information, email Andrew. ZOOM LINK     Meeting ID: 841 2565 4674     Passcode: 222371 Unitarian Universalist nUUs CUC National Service: Covenanting Through Transitions Sunday, February 5 - 1:00pm Covenanting through Transition is a national worship service that asks us “How do we stay in covenant through all of this in our communities? How do we stay in it in a good way when it is hard and people aren’t always their best selves or are disappointed?” Click HERE for more information. Register for the zoom link HERE. UU@UN Intergenerational Spring Seminar April 1-3, 2023 - In person (Minneapolis) and online Join youth (14+) and adults for a weekend of hybrid programming and activities, including a virtual keynote from Andrea Ritchie on police abolition. The theme is "Demilitarization and Abolition: Resist Policing and Empire". Note that the Spring Seminar is being held in Minneapolis (not New York City) this year. Click HERE to register by March 15! 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 Since we don't have our on-site bulletin board for personal notices, we are allowing them in the eUU during COVID. As such, here are messages from Meg DeCorte. Two-Bedroom Condo at 75 Cleary Ave Rental Available April 1st Immaculate 2-Bed, 2-bath Condo in Upscale building. Available April 1st, 2 Ensuite baths, 1 Parking included, 1 extra possible. Gym, Garden, In-Suite laundry, Large Entertainment room w/ wifi, Rooftop BBQ & garden overlooks Ottawa River Parkway. 900 sq. ft, Private balcony, Extra large on-floor secure storage unit, On-site Canada Post parcel locker, Daytime superintendent, Hardwood, Granite, Silouette blinds included. Heat pump, Energy efficient, Excellent transit, Perfect for hospital staff, DND, Tunney's Pasture employees. $2400/mo, One year lease. Very convenient to the congregation! For photos or if interested, contact Meg DeCorte at: 613-722-1424 Chez FirstU Harmony Concerts presents: Grouyan Gombo Saturday, February 4 - 7:00pm at FirstU Montreal’s Grouyan Gombo is one of the great bands that has emerged out of a three-decade long history of Cajun and Zydeco bands in Quebec and Ontario. They present a savory gumbo of southern and northern traditions. Their sound constitutes a unique blend of Cajun, folk and Creole tunes, grooves and songs, including lots of originals. Swing by FirstU on February 4 for an evening you won't forget. Details and tickets available HERE. Share the eUU with your friends by using the share buttons below Share Tweet Forward Click HERE to download a PDF copy of this week's eUU Sunday Announcement Submissions If you would like an announcement made during the livestreamed Sunday Service, Please email the Board of Directors at bod@firstunitarianottawa.ca by Friday at 10am. 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. Joys and Sorrows If you would like a stone placed in the water for you during the Joys and Sorrows portion of an upcoming Sunday Service, please email Reverend Eric by Friday at 10am. 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. 80 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 firstunitarianottawa.ca uuoffice@firstunitarianottawa.ca  Email Copyright © 2023 First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, All rights reserved. unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

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