The First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa

Since ChatGPT was released in November of 2022, the world has been swept by a firestorm of AI-driven changes. This powerful new technology has fuelled prophetic predictions that range from utopian optimism to existential dread, leaving many with an unsettling feeling of uncertainty. This Sunday, FirstU member Marc-Etienne Brunet will examine AI through the lens of our shared covenant, providing insights from his role as an AI researcher, and raising questions for the communit

2SLGTBQIA+ communities have been modelling the co-creation of support systems that move beyond biology for generations. What started as vital bonds for those rejected by families of origin has bloomed into networks of friends, partners, mentors, and often ex-lovers, that challenge us all to think bigger and feel deeper when we consider the word: family. Click here to view the service in full Use the 40:03 timestamp to jump directly to Fish Stark's Reflection.

This service is the first of several opportunities for reflection, conversation, and listening as we consider this important step in the life of our congregation, and will mark the official beginning of our congregational discernment process as we listen together for the wisdom, hopes, and commitments of our beloved community. Click here to view the service in full Use the 34:56 timestamp to jump directly to Fish Stark's Reflection.

Two hundred fifty years ago, Thomas Paine wrote that "we have it in our power to begin the world over again." The scientist Stuart Kauffman gave us a newer name for the same hope: the adjacent possible — the better world that already exists in potential, hovering at the edge of this one, waiting for us to take the single step that makes it real. Humanists have never believed that a better world descends from on high or arrives all at once. We believe it is built, here, by ord

There is a power to listening that goes beyond words. To sit with someone while providing a presence, so that in the stillness of that space, they may tune into their own inner voices; their own inner wisdom. This practice of deep listening is at the very core of Spiritual Care, and its sacred teachings can be heard by all who are open to perceive. Click here to view the service in full Use the 33:44 timestamp to jump directly to Paul Julien's Reflection.

This Sunday service will be filled with music. We will come together in harmony, embracing the spirit of community. Come and sing along, play along with rhythm instruments and immerse yourself in this shared experience with familiar and meaningful songs. Click here to view the service in full Use the 26:26 timestamp to jump directly to Jodi McIntosh's Reflection.

As we launch into our Summer Service series, Lee Rose will share a reflection on the Adjacent Possible, exploring how life unfolds not through giant leaps, but rather through a series of incremental steps – with each experience, relationship, and act of wonder expanding the horizon of what can come next. Click here to view the service in full Use the 39:37 timestamp to jump directly to Jonathan Dench's Reflection.

In the 1930s, our spiritual forebears bravely asked “whether the organised religious movement known as Unitarianism has any real function to perform in the modern world.” Come and hear their bold response, and Reverend Shawn Gauthier’s equally powerful invitations to us all. Click here to view the service in full Use the 33:29 time stamp to jump directly to Reverend Shawn Gauthier's (pre-recorded) Sermon.

As we launch into our Summer Service series, Lee Rose will share a reflection on the Adjacent Possible, exploring how life unfolds not through giant leaps, but rather through a series of incremental steps – with each experience, relationship, and act of wonder expanding the horizon of what can come next. Click here to view the service in full Use the time stamps in the description to jump to our various guest speakers' Reflections.

As we launch into our Summer Service series, Lee Rose will share a reflection on the Adjacent Possible, exploring how life unfolds not through giant leaps, but rather through a series of incremental steps – with each experience, relationship, and act of wonder expanding the horizon of what can come next. Click here to view the service in full Use the 33:28 time stamp in the description to jump to Lee Rose's Reflection.

In this service, we celebrate our annual Flower Ceremony, a ritual of story, renewal and promise. Click here to view the service in full Use the 34:24, 45:29, and 52:12 time stamps in the description to jump directly to The Story, The Meaning, and The Sharing of our Flower Ceremony.

In this service, we explore the perils of perfection and delve into the power of repair. Click here to view the service in full Use the 35:08 timestamp in the description to jump to the Anthem performed by musical guest Tony Turner Use the 40:09 timestamp in the description to jump to Reverend Lara's Sermon