The First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa
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Connect with Friends
Getting involved is easy at FirstU
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Getting more involved in congregational life is a great way to deepen your social and spiritual connections to your church community. You can keep up with your community's events and announcements by subscribing to our FirstU publications. Joining a social or activist group, a committee, or a council at FirstU makes it easy to make new friends, ​and get to know your favourite acquaintances better.
Visit our Adult Learning and Growth page to find out about our spiritual enrichment and personal growth workshops and events. Click on Make Change to get involved with one of our many activist groups, or check out our Volunteer With Us page for ways to share your skills and learn some new ones. Check out the Getting Connected Guide page to find out about social, spiritual, activist, discussion, and creative groups you can join. Love our Meditation Gardens and want to get involved? Join our Gardens' Facebook group.
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Read on for a list of recurring group events, and consult the calendar or check the eUU to confirm scheduling.
Contact the church office (613-725-1066) for more information.
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Caring for Each Other
As part of a community, we are all responsible for supporting and helping members who are in need. The First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa has groups - including the Caring Network, the Mental Health Support and Action Group, and our Caring Visitors - who work to help us care for each other. Click here to learn more.
If you need to talk to someone from one these groups, contact the church office at
613-725-1066 OR:
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Recurring Group Events
Weekly Group Events
Taoist Tai Chi
Tuesdays - 1:00pm - Fellowship Hall
Tai Chi is a series of gentle movements that improves circulation, strengthens the bones, and develops good balance. Our Tai Chi series will continue through July and August. Each two-hour session is led by experienced instructors from "Friends of Tai Chi" and includes a tea break. There is no fixed fee for these classes,
​a donation basket will be available. Questions? Use the grey button to contact us about Tai Chi.
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Knitters Group
Wednesdays - 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. We use donated yarn to 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.
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Online Group Meditation
Wednesdays - 7:00pm - On Zoom
Join us on Wednesday evenings for online meditation plus readings from teachers like Thich Nhat Hanh. Use the grey button to let Colleen know if you would like to receive a friendly email reminder on Tuesdays.
Click HERE to join the meditation session Meeting ID: 851 8209 4896 Passcode: 574355
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Singing Spires
Fridays - 12:15pm - Worship Hall
Join us in this informal weekly get together to sing and strum folk tunes and favourites from the 60’s through 90’s. Bring your guitar, ukulele or other instrument, or just come to sing. Song sheets / overhead provided. This is a fun, social and relaxed group; musical skill and singing is for all levels. Email Friday Spires for information, and to confirm you're attending.​
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After-Service Conversation
Sundays - 11:45am
The Lounge
Join us in the Lounge for a conversation about themes and insights from this morning's service. Grab some food from Fellowship Hall, if you wish, then join us in the Lounge for coffee and the conversation. Check the eUU for changes to this schedule.
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Bi-Weekly Group Events
The Mess We Are In - Discussion Group (Biweekly)
Every Other Wednesday - 6:30pm
Rooms 2 and 6​ (varies by date)
Join us every other Wednesday as we come together to make sense of today’s chaotic political and social landscape. Through thoughtful discussion of a range of excellent books, we’ll explore topics spanning historical injustices that still shape our world to the forces driving contemporary politics. Together, we’ll seek to answer how did we get here, what needs to change, and how can we do this work thoughtfully and effectively? Email messwearein@firstunitarianottawa.ca to find out our next meeting's date and location.
FirstU Virtual Discussion Circle
Every Other Thursday - 1:30pm - On Zoom
Discussion circles are held biweekly, with a different topic each time. No pre-registration is required, just drop in by clicking on the link. We look forward to seeing you! Contact Andrew for the next date and discussion topic!
ZOOM LINK Meeting ID: 827 6010 0867 Password: 917560
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Men's Breakfast Group
Second and Fourth Friday of the Month - 8:00am - Fellowship Hall - $10
Gentlemen are invited to join the Men’s Breakfast Group for coffee, socializing, and breakfast, followed by a talk by an informed and engaging guest speaker. Register by the Monday immediately before the Breakfast you want to attend, by submitting this form.
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Monthly Group Events
Drop-In Games Night
First Wednesday of Every Month - 6:30pm - Room 3
​Drop-in Games Nights are held at FirstU on the first Wednesday evening of each month. We gather in Room 3 to play Euchre, Backgammon, and Chess. Everyone from novices to experts is welcome. There is even a "teaching table" for newer players. Please feel free to bring a snack to share if you like, but mostly feel free to bring a friend! And, of course, bring along a deck of cards, a board, or other game pieces, if you have them.
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Virtual Bridge
First Friday of Every Month - 7:00pm - On Zoom and Bridge Base
Join us online for a fun game of bridge, using Zoom and Bridge Base Online, on the first Friday of every month.
Email Barb to RSVP and get the links and ensure your spot, by the Thursday immediately before our game.
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Mah Jongg
Second Monday of Every Month - 10:00am - Room 3
Do you know how to play Mah Jongg? Come and join other seasoned players in Room 3 on the second Monday of every month. We play American Mah Jongg, with 3-4 people per table, using the 2025 game card. Please bring your card. If you can bring a game, please let Barb know when you RSVP using the grey button. A follow-up email will be sent to players who RSVP to confirm their spot.
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Drumming Spires
Third Friday of Every Month - 11:00am - Fellowship Hall
Come find your rhythm connection in this recreational community drum circle. Please bring a small drum, coffee canister, or percussion instrument. No experience needed! Please accompany children who attend. Use the grey "Friday Spires" button to email us for information and to confirm you're attending.
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Mental Health Support and Action Group
Third Sunday of Every Month - 12:00pm - Room 6 and Online
The Mental Health Support and Action Group meets on the third Sunday of every month for an hour of supportive listening and sharing. An additional thirty minutes are available after 1:00pm for those who wish to collaborate on group administration and on planning the future foci of our group.
ZOOM LINK Meeting ID: 873 3523 6995 Passcode: 417892​
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In-Person Bridge
Third Sunday of Every Month - 2:00pm - Room 3
Join us in Room 3 for a fun game of bridge, on the first Friday of every month. Email us using the grey button to RSVP and ensure your spot, by the Friday immediately before our game, and watch the eUU for changes to our schedule.
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UU Pride Social and Support Group
Third Sunday of Every Month - 7:00pm - Online
UU Pride runs monthly events for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks and our families and friends. Some of our events are in person, and some are online. Email us to find out about our next event!
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FirstU Trivia Night
Third Monday of Every Month - 7:00pm - On Zoom
Join us for our monthly 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 friends!
ZOOM LINK ​Meeting ID: 826 4527 6924 Passcode: 976057
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yUUth Group
Third Friday of Every Month - 6:30pm
Youth ages 11-17 are invited to join our yUUth Group meetup on the third Friday of every month. We usually meet at the church (but sometimes go bowling or do something else off-site), share a meal, and play games together. Email our Director of Religious Exploration for details on this month's activity!
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Thursday Evening Reading for Growth
Fourth Thursday of Every Month - 7:00pm - On Zoom
Join us, on the fourth Thursday of every month, for a lively discussion of our latest non-fiction book! Use the grey button to contact Ken for the zoom link and our next title!
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Friday Afternoon Reading for Growth
LAST Friday of Every Month - 1:30pm - On Zoom
Join us on the last (usual fourth, sometimes fifth) Friday of every month for a thoughtful discussion of our latest book.
We choose older books that are reliably available through the Ottawa Public Library. Use the grey button to contact Clea for the zoom details and our latest book selection.
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Get All the FirstU News
eUU Weekly Newsletter
​Our weekly email bulletin arrives in your inbox on Fridays, through a free subscription.
The eUU provides Sunday service and RE information, upcoming FirstU events, congregational news, Unitarian Universalist information, and news from our friends.
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The Parkway Spire Magazine
A quarterly, printed magazine about congregational news and events. Additional description of Spire general content.
​Click HERE to read the latest edition.
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FirstU Members can Contribute to the Parkway Spire!
Are you a member? Have an editorial, essay, poem, or photograph you'd like to share? Submit it for consideration to the Parkway Spire. Maximum 450 words. Check the calendar for submission deadlines.
Email an unformatted copy (.docx is fine), before the next submission deadline, to: spire@firstunitarianottawa.ca ​