Adult Learning and Growth
The First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa offers a variety of programs for adults who wish to explore new topics and experiences.
Take a look at the Lifespan Learning Guide for more information, and read on below.
If you're looking for information on established, ongoing fellowship, growth, creativity, and social justice groups, please visit our Get Involved page.
Take a look at the Lifespan Learning Guide for more information, and read on below.
If you're looking for information on established, ongoing fellowship, growth, creativity, and social justice groups, please visit our Get Involved page.
Spiritual and personal growth
|
Women's Pagan Circle
Our trans-inclusive, loosely "Eclectic-Dianic" Circle meets every 6 weeks (except for August) to celebrate the Quarter and Cross-Quarter days together. Trans women, cis women, and non-binary folks are welcome and encouraged to attend. We gather at 7:00pm and start our rituals around 7:30pm, usually in Fellowship Hall. Contact Laurie at lauren.fosterm[at]gmail.com with any questions. |
|
Upcoming rituals include: Samhain: Tuesday, October 29, and Winter Solstice/ Yule: Wednesday, December 18
|
Map Making: Navigating Your Spiritual Journey at FirstU
Tuesdays, October 8 to November 19 (no meeting on November 12) 7:00pm – 9:00pm If you are a new/newish congregant - or a long-time one - Mapmaking will involve you in a range of activities to make connections with others; reflect together on your concepts of spirituality, faith and our Unitarian Universalist principles; learn more about the congregation and its linkages to the broader world; consider what it means to belong to the FirstU community of faith and what you can bring to it; and reflect on your ‘credo’ of who you are and where you in your faith journey. Facilitators are Jane L and Fred B. Email [email protected] to sign up or with any questions. |
|
|
Journey Groups: Reflect, Share, Connect
In Person - 3rd Tuesday of the month, starting October 15 - 1:00-2:30pm Facilitated by Paula T and Chris D. AND Online - 3rd Monday of the month, starting October 21 - 7:00-8:30pm Facilitated by Eva B and Carl S. Journey Groups (previously called Chalice Groups) provide space for reflection, sharing and deep listening . Each session will be based on one of the values adopted by the UUA in June: generosity, interdependence, justice and equity, transformation and pluralism. Each group will have 6 to 10 participants, allowing for deeper connection. |
|
The sessions will be facilitated and participants will have the opportunity to share their perspectives, tell their stories and listen deeply. Participants will receive a packet in advance of each session to encourage learning and self-reflection. To register, please email: [email protected].
|
Introducing Ourselves
Sunday, October 20, 2024 12:00pm – 2:30pm This will be a small group, casual gathering over lunch. You will share with other newcomers what brought you to FirstU, hear and ask about the basics of Unitarian Universalism and get some insight into how First U functions and ways you can get connected here. Brent Nicolle and Rev. Eric Meter will be your guides. Light lunch will be served. For more information and to register, email [email protected] Introducing Ourselves will also be offered on Sunday, April 13, 2025 |
|
Enriching Our Minds and Souls
|
Conversations for Cultivating Compassion
In alignment with our congregational focus, Cultivating Compassionate Community, you are invited to a series of conversations. This series of 5 gatherings, each on a different topic, is based on the work of a non-profit project called Living Room Conversations. Living Room Conversations has created structured conversation guides to enable participants to practice communicating across differences while building understanding and relationships. Rather than debating or convincing, these conversations are about encouraging conversation based on sharing, learning, and curiosity. The first two sessions will take place this fall. The other three will be in 2025 winter- spring. You are welcome to participate in as many or few conversation topics / gatherings as you like. Please register in advance at [email protected] and specify which of the sessions you would like to attend: Conversation for Cultivating Compassion: Aging and Ageism
Conversation for Cultivating Compassion: 2SLGBTQIA+ Exploring Our Understanding
|
|
|
Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Conventional Burial and Cremation
Saturday, Nov. 23 - 10:00 -11:30am Would you like to hear about more environmentally sustainable options than traditional burial and cremation? Join us for this 90-minute information session where knowledgeable speakers from local organizations will outline alternatives such as natural (green) burial, aquamation and other sustainable end-of-life options. There will be an opportunity to ask questions as time allows. Contacts: Carol Card at [email protected] Margaret Linton at [email protected] |
|
|
Grieving the Loss of a Relationship
Monday, November 25 - 7:00-9:00pm Whether losing someone through death or breakdown of a relationship, it is a loss involving many stages of grief. Join us for a discussion on how to get through the many losses of relationship in our lives. Led by trained OWL (Our Whole Lives) facilitators. For more information or to register, contact [email protected]. |
|
Music
|
Beacon Band Fundraising Concert
Wednesday, December 4 - 7:00pm Enjoy the Beacon Band as they play Christmas music, Broadway hits and other favorites. By donation. Funds will be used to support FirstU's Food Cupboard. For information, contact Lisa S at [email protected]. |
|
|
Monthly eUUchre Group
One Sunday a month (check the eUU for details) - 6:30-9:00pm Join us for a social game of euchre! Don't know how to play? No problem! All are welcome and you can learn as you play. No need to pre-register – just show up. |
|
Well being
|
Taoist Tai Chi Practice and Learning Sessions
Every Tuesday - 1:00pm - 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. Master Moy first developed Taoist Tai Chi to improve his own health, and later dedicated his life to enabling others to do the same. 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. Some familiarity with Tai Chi is recommended. Send questions to: [email protected]. |
|
|
Weekly Online Meditation
Wednesdays - 7:00pm on Zoom Join our long-standing meditation sessions by dropping in on Wednesday evenings. We meditate together and share readings from teachers like Thich Nhat Hanh. Click HERE to join the meditation session Meeting ID: 880 7343 6250 Passcode: 259109 Let Colleen know if you would like to receive a friendly email reminder on Tuesday. |
|
