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Getting involved At FirstU is easy |
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 Social Justice 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.
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.
Visit our Adult Learning and Growth page to find out about our spiritual enrichment and personal growth workshops and events. Click on Social Justice 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.
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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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: |
Recurring Group Events
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WEEKLY GROUP EVENTS
Taoist Tai Chi Tuesdays at 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.
a donation basket will be available. Questions? Use the grey button to contact us about Tai Chi.
Knitters Group
Wednesdays at 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 continue meeting through July and August every week, and hope you'll drop in and join us! 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.
Wednesdays at 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 continue meeting through July and August every week, and hope you'll drop in and join us! 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 at 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
Click HERE to join the meditation session Meeting ID: 851 8209 4896 Passcode: 574355
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Singing Spires
Fridays at 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.
BIWEEKLY GROUP EVENTS
FirstU Virtual Discussion Circle (Biweekly)
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 andrewdrake235[at]gmail.com for the next date and discussion topic!
ZOOM LINK Meeting ID: 827 6010 0867 Password: 917560
Men's Breakfast Group (Biweekly)
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.
After-Service Conversation
Second and Fourth Sunday of the Month - 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.
FirstU Virtual Discussion Circle (Biweekly)
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 andrewdrake235[at]gmail.com for the next date and discussion topic!
ZOOM LINK Meeting ID: 827 6010 0867 Password: 917560
Men's Breakfast Group (Biweekly)
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.
After-Service Conversation
Second and Fourth Sunday of the Month - 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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MONTHLY GROUP EVENTS
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.
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.
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
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 (unless otherwise stated - check the eUU) |
Drop in at FirstU's monthly by-us-for-us social and support group for gender and sexual minorities. Join Nina online, at 7:00pm on the third Sunday of every month! Email them, using the grey button, to get the zoom link.
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
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 work of fiction. 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.
Get All the FirstU news
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eUU Weekly Newsletter
Our weekly email bulletin arrives in your inbox on Fridays, through a free subscription. Read the eUU to get Sunday service information, congregational news, and to hear about upcoming FirstU events. Submission Guidelines - Items in the eUU:
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The Parkway Spire Magazine
A quarterly, printed magazine about congregational news and events. Check the calendar for submission deadlines. If you are a member and wish to submit an article for consideration, please email an unformatted copy, maximum 450 words, before the deadline, to: [email protected] |
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