FirstU Publications 2025-26 Annual Report Click the image to open the Annual Report as a PDF

Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education We believe that everyone should have access to accurate and comprehensive information about their bodies and how to have healthy relationships with themselves and others, in age/stage appropriate ways. This includes representation from broad ranges of the human experience and an inviting space where individuals can have their questions answered in open and honest ways and learn from one another. For this reason our congregation has been committed to running this program since its beginning and at every level. OWL is a positive, comprehensive, and age-appropriate educational program that promotes sexual health. It has four primary goals: to provide accurate, developmentally appropriate information. to increase self-esteem and understand relationships with and responsibilities toward others. to develop interpersonal skills including communication, decision making, and problem solving. to teach responsibility for personal health and safety. OWL at Every Age Below you'll find short descriptions of what each OWL curriculum involves, from Kindergarten and first grade all that way through to three different Adult Owl programs geared towards different stages of adulthood and aging. K-1st Grade Supports parents in educating children about birth, babies, bodies and families. Following a Parent Meeting and Parent/Child Orientation, the 8 sessions engage children with stories, songs and activities and include a weekly HomeLink - a homework project for parents and children to do together. Promotes dialogue between parent and child. 4-6th Grade A ten session program for learning about and discussing the physical and emotional changes of puberty. Participants will read It's Perfectly Normal by Robie H. Harris, and examine topics such as values and sexuality, communication and decision making. Each of the 10 sessions includes a HomeLink - a homework activity for parents and children to complete together. Jr High OWL (7th-9th Grade) A sexuality education program for youth that models and teaches caring, compassion, respect, and justice. A holistic program that over 25 sessions moves beyond the intellect to address the attitudes, values, and feelings that youth have about themselves and the world. Unlike many other sexuality curricula currently available, this program is comprehensive and progressive. In an inclusive and developmentally appropriate manner, it addresses sensitive topics that are typically excluded. (New topics include body image, social media/internet, bullying/bystander responsibilities, and consent education.) Highschool OWL (10-12th Grade) - currently being updated OWL provides a safe setting for teens to explore their attitudes, values, and beliefs about their own and others’ sexuality. This developmentally appropriate, field-tested curriculum addresses important topics through dialogue and engaging activities. It promotes decision-making informed by accurate information and a foundation of personal values and life goals. OWL for Grades 10-12, 2nd ed. includes fourteen 90-minute workshops, each of which include an opening reading, several activities, reflection on what was learned, and opportunities to ask questions. Adult OWL Using values, communication skills and spirituality as starting points, this program explores sexuality issues for adults of all ages. Builds understanding of healthy sexual relationships, affirms diversity and helps participants accept and affirm their own sexuality throughout their lives. These sessions are often run as one off topics or as short series based upon the participants knowledge and interests. This includes Young Adult OWL, Adult OWL, and Older Adult OWL to match different life stages through our journeys. Join the OWL Team Our Whole Lives (OWL) provides healthy sexuality training for people of all ages on a variety of topics including: communication skills, STIs and birth control, online dating, adoption, fertility issues, gender identity, sexual orientation, mental health issues, separation, and much more BUT we need facilitators to do it! Contact our Director of Religious Exploration to find out which programs we are running by emailing dre@firstunitarianottawa.ca .

Campus Planning - Members' Page To see other Campus Planning documents, please visit out public Affordable Housing Page. Site Plan Update - May 2025 Town Halls On May 6, 2025, FirstU held a Town Hall to provide an overview to the proposed Updated Site Plan to be submitted to the City of Ottawa later that month. On May 12, 2025, a follow-up Town Hall was held to provide Congregants with an opportunity to bring their questions and final feedback on the proposed Site Plan. You can watch the recordings of both Tow Halls using the links below: Site Plan Update - May 6, 2025 Site Plan Update - May 12, 2025 ONLINE TOWN HALL: MASTER CONCEPT PLAN MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13 - 7PM - ON ZOOM On February 8 and 13, 2023, the FirstU Board and Campus Planning Committee hosted Town Hall meetings to review the Master Concept Plan for our Campus development. Also attending were representatives of our development partners: Theia Partners, Figurr Architects, Cahdco and Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services. You can watch a replay of the Town Hall here. Click the button below to download a PDF of the Master Concept Plan. If the file is too large for you to download, please contact the office at uuoffice@firstunitarianottawa.ca to pick up or have mailed a copy. Master Concept Plan FIRSTU TOWN HALL ON CAMPUS PLANNING WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2022 On October 26th, 2022, the FirstU Board and Campus Planning Committee hosted a Town Hall meeting to describe the progress in Campus Planning made since our Annual General Meeting in May 2022. Here, you can review a recording of the meeting, or the presentation document itself. Learn about our site visit to a local site in Peterborough, the Integrated Campus Task Force activities, the Design Charette, the upcoming Master Concept Plan, and more! You can watch a replay of the townhall here. To review the presentation documents, use the green button (below) to open the "FirstU Town Hall on Campus Planning" slideshow presentation in your browser. You can then click "Slideshow", in the upper-right corner of your screen, to view it as a slideshow. Campus Planning Town Hall - Affordable Housing Slideshow Presentation "Odayanhaway" Mean "Little Village" To the FirstU Congregation, and members of our campus partners, On behalf of the FirstU Board and the Campus Planning Committee, it brings me great joy to present the proposed Master Concept Plan (MCP) delivered by our campus development partners. The documents above describe the goals and process which guided us this far, the proposed site plan, and generated illustrations of our future campus, our "little village". A great deal of effort has gone into this plan, and we hope you are as excited about its contents as those that previewed it: the FirstU Board, the Campus Planning Committee and the Integrated Campus Plan Task Force. Please bear in mind this vision for the campus is inspirational, but not necessarily final. For example, the appearance of the two new buildings is still very much an early architectural draft. Also please note that the exact locations of the two new buildings are still subject to further discussion with the City Planning department. There is also some room for minor changes to: - the locations of pathways and parking - the size and locations of campus amenities such as the Gathering Space - the content of the "FirstU backyard" (behind 30 Cleary) You likely have questions and concerns. To hear these, we are planning to host several Town Halls for the congregation and our campus partners (see above sections for video recordings of these Town Halls). We expect to have discussions with other neighbours upon congregational approval of this plan. Comments and questions can be sent before or after these Town Halls to me and to Terry K. See the upcoming eUUs for meeting details. Your opinion matters. Congregational approval of this Master Concept Plan is anticipated at a Special Congregational Meeting (likely in March), separate from the Town Halls and from our Annual General Meeting. The approval process is itself complicated, and will be discussed at the Town Halls. Finally I hope that this message finds you well, and I wish you health and happiness for 2023. Sincerely, Brent Nicolle President, First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa Campus Planning Proposal The Board and Campus Planning have received and are in support of a proposal from Cahdco and Theia to undertake a master concept plan for the campus. This proposal will be the subject of a motion at FirstU's 2022 Annual General Meeting Continuation on May 15, 2022. Click Here to Download the Campus Planning Proposal Campus Planning Motion - Passed on May 15, 2022 On April 19, 2022 the FirstU Ottawa Board and Campus Planning Committee held a Town Hall to discuss the FirstU Development Proposal. Click HERE to watch the Town Hall on YouTube. If you missed the January 16, 2022 Campus Planning Town Hall, you can watch it here. Town hall notes from members - Common Themes from Discussion Groups Followup on your Affordable Housing Project Questions "Affordable Housing Development 101" Information from Cahdco Feasibility Study Material (January 16, 2022 Town Hall Findings of Feasibility Study Capital Funding and Financing Briefing Notes Theia's Market Building Proposal Details Examples of Potential Non-Profit Partners

Subscribe to Get the eUU in Your Inbox Friday, September 25, 2026 We acknowledge that our campus is located on traditional, unceded and unsurrendered Algonquin Anishinaabeg Territory, and that the work of reconciliation is a responsibility of our congregation, and all Canadians. Sunday, September 27, 2026 In-Person and Online Starts at 10:30am The Next Right Thing: Just Do It Reverend Lara Cowtan "A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." Lau Tzu What do we do when the way forward is uncertain, overwhelming, or both? The only thing we can: We put one foot in front of the other and do the next right thing. Each month, we share our undesignated offertory 50/50 with a community partner. Click here to learn more about this month's partner. Service Description Click Here for Service and Event Information Children's Religious Exploration This Sunday, after Time for All Ages, our UU Kids will gather for whole group "Welcome to RE” activities. This Sunday's activities will centre on our UU values of Pluralism, Equity, Transformation, and Love! Our new thematic RE program, “Woven Faith”, will start on Sunday, October 4th. Parents: Please join us from 9:30am to 10:15am, this Sunday, September 27, in the NOW Room to discuss our new volunteer initiative and thematic programing. You will have an opportunity to fill out our 2026-2027 program registration. An activity will be provided for the children. Click Here for Additional Children's Programming Information Settled Minister Discernment Process September 27: Please join The Settled Minister Discernment Task Force and Rev Lara for a Fireside Chat after this Sunday's service, in Worship Hall, and online, at 12:30pm. For those of you wishing to join online, click HERE to join the livestream. In preparation for the Fireside Chat you may wish to read a letter from Rev Lara, which is available HERE. If you haven't filled out the Discernment Survey, and wish to, it is available online HERE. Paper copies are available at the Urn of Discernment table at the back of Worship Hall on Sundays. The survey closes on September 30th. If you have any questions, connect with the members of the Task Force at: discernment@firstunitarianottawa.ca Your Discernment Task Force: Lisa Boulay, Alex Campbell, Ally Hobson, Erin Keene, and Lee Rose Featured Volunteer Opportunity Featured Vol Social Justice Leaders Needed Are you passionate about social justice? We have action groups focusing on: food security, affordable housing, climate crisis, mental health, refugee support, LGBTQ+ issues and International Human Rights. Please consider getting involved in one of these groups so they can continue in their great work. Contact Lisa S for more information. Click Here for FirstU's Volunteer Listings Contact Lisa Sharp, Volunteer Coordinator, at: volunteers@firstunitarianottawa.ca This Weekend's Events Hybrid Fireside Chat with Reverend Lara Sunday, September 27 12:30pm Worship Hall and Online Join the Discernment Task Force for a hybrid Fireside Chat with Reverend Lara after the service in Worship Hall. Planning to join us online? Join the livestream by clicking HERE. Caring Contacts FirstU's Caring Team We are all interconnected, interdependent and minister to each other in many ways. Caring Contacts are monthly volunteers who receive phone calls and emails when you wish to alert us to a need, a grief or a concern, or have a joy to celebrate. They prepare cards to be signed on Sundays, and try to ensure no one is forgotten, connecting people with appropriate help when requested. Caring Contacts for September Margaret DeCorte - Email - 613-722-1424 Carmen Contreras - Email - 613-565-3613 Caring Contacts for October Maryan O’Hagan - Email - 613-729-7752 Marianne Wood - Email - 613-725-3452 Caring Visitors are specially trained and certified FirstU Members, available to provide spiritual care and deep listening for those who seek support during a transition or challenging time. Visits can be by phone/zoom, a walk, in a coffee shop, in home, hospital, hospice, or wherever is comfortable. Caring Visitors: caringvisitors@firstunitarianottawa.ca Click here to learn more about FirstU's Caring Team Announcements Read All About It Orange Shirt Sunday September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also called Orange Shirt Day. Our October 4 Sunday Service will focus on one of the Anishinaabeg Seven Grandfather Teachings, and we ask that you remember to wear your orange shirts to the service that day. Environmental Action Group at the 2026 Climate March Ottawa UUs from both FirstU and the Fellowship were among the hundreds of protesters marching to demand our government “stop the burning and defend our climate” during September 19’s 2026 Ottawa-Gatineau Climate March. Also participating was Seniors’ Climate Witness, a group of seniors who had travelled from both east and west coasts in caravans, bringing stories and photos of those affected by the climate emergency to share with MPs. They have continued protests in and near parliament this past week, with our own Three Rivers Singers joining them on Wednesday in musical support. To view photos from the event, click HERE. Donating by eTransfer Please be advised: eTransfers are automatically deposited into our bank account. The memo line on the Etransfer must be filled in stating what the payment is for, in order to be applied to the correct budget area. If no information is provided, it will be deposited into a general account. This means: If it’s your pledge payment you will not get credit for the payment. If it’s a rental payment it will not be applied correctly If it’s a registration fee you will not be registered Michelle receives many eTransfers per month and needs your help to make sure they get to the correct place. Please fill out the memo line. If you are new to the congregation, please make sure the office knows your contact information for tax receipting purposes. The email address for eTransfer donations is fm@firstunitarianottawa.ca . New Refugee Arriving from Burundi The Refugee Support Action Group is pleased to share that Jean Niyongabo, a refugee from Burundi, will be arriving in Ottawa soon. Jean is a young man, in his 30s who speaks some French and very limited English. We're looking for volunteers who speak French and would be willing and available during the day to take Jean on some outings to introduce him to Ottawa. If you're interested, please email us at refugees@firstunitarianottawa.ca or talk to Brent or Eva. 2025/26 Annual Report Now Available There are a few printed copies available in the church office, or visit the Publications Page to read. Become a FirstU Member Have you been engaging for at least three months with FirstU? Do you have questions about the membership process and benefits? Do you want to vote at our upcoming congregational meetings? If so, the Welcome and Membership team would love to chat with you. Please drop a line to welcome@firstunitarianottawa.ca or stop by the Welcome Table on a Sunday. NOTE: The deadline for membership applications to be approved in time for the Oct 18 settled minister vote is Monday October 5. Save the Date! Holtom Lecture with The Honourable Bob Rae Mark your calendars. This year's Holtom Lecture will be held on Tuesday, November 3 at 7:30pm, in Worship Hall, and will feature the Honourable Bob Rae speaking on the subject "What is the Direction for Canada post DAVOS?" Journey Groups Explore the monthly congregational theme to deepen our spiritual and soul matters together. Twice monthly in-person group next meets on Tuesday Sept 22nd 2:00 to 3:30pm. New participants are welcome. Once monthly online Zoom group, hopefully starting Sunday Sept 27th, 7:00 to 8:30pm, dependent on a minimum of 6 participants. An in-person group to meet Wednesday evenings (frequency to be determined by the group), dependent on a minimum of 6 participants. Complete the form to register, and email adultlearningas@firstunitarianottawa.ca to receive the zoom link if you wish to participate online. Facilitators are needed and training is provided. Email adultlearningas@firstunitarianottawa.ca to volunteer as a facilitator. Fall Fair With fall starting officially on the 23rd, our thoughts turn to the Fall Fair. Fall Fair will be held, this year, on November 14, so let’s start planning now: Our web page is now accessible on our website and will provide all the information you need to keep up to date. Start putting aside items to donate to the Fall Fair. Regular donations will be accepted from November 9 to November 12 from 10 am to 7 pm. Click HERE for this year's list of accepted donations. BUT: Please drop off your donations of jewellery for the Fall Fair in the main office anytime. We are already collecting donations for sorting, repairing, and cleaning, so bring those donations in sooner rather than later. Volunteer with Fall Fair. If you've done it before, you know it's fun, and if you're new, it's a great way to meet people. Contact Eva B by email at ffvols@firstunitarianottawa.ca to join. Call to Action: Preventing Gender-Based Violence Provided by the Men's Breakfast Group Compassion-to-Action Initiative Resource for Action highlights strategies proven to prevent GBV. For instance, evaluations of empowering university students to intervene to prevent intimate partner violence confirms reductions of 9-19%. Hamilton Interval House encourages youth to become leaders who promote respect and challenge harmful behaviour by leveraging the influence of coaches, athletes, and sports organizations (including the Ottawa RedBlacks) How could we reach enough young men and boys in Ottawa with proven programs? Upcoming Events Parents' RE Meeting Sunday, September 27 9:30am - 10:15am NOW Room Parents, please join us from 9:30 to 10:15am on Sunday September 27th in the NOW Room to discuss our new volunteer initiative and this year's thematic programing. You will also have an opportunity to fill out our 2026-2027 program registration. Kids' activities will be provided during the meeting. Hybrid Fireside Chat with Reverend Lara Sunday, September 27 12:30pm Worship Hall and Online Join the Discernment Task Force for a hybrid Fireside Chat with Reverend Lara after the service in Worship Hall. Planning to join us online? Join the livestream by clicking HERE. FirstU Food Cupboard Food Drive Sunday, October 11 10:00am This Thanksgiving, share what you can: Please bring non-perishable food items as well as hygiene basics like (ideally unscented) deodorant, shampoo, dish soap, and toothpaste to the service. There will be tables available for your donations, and we'd love to see them filled! Special Congregational Meeting for Vote to Call Settled Minister Sunday, October 18 12:30pm Worship Hall and Online Members! Please make sure to attend this special congregational meeting where we will vote on the question of calling Reverend Lara Cowtan to be our settled minister. Voting will be hybrid. Meeting documents, proxy forms, and zoom link will be available on the website by October 6. Fall Congregational Meeting Sunday, October 25 12:30pm Worship Hall and Online Join us for our annual Fall Congregational Meeting. Voting will be in-person only, so watch this space for information on proxy voting if you are unable to attend in Worship Hall. Meeting documents will be available on the Members' Page as of mid-October. Weekly Cal 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 our This Sunday page or on our YouTube Channel. For inquiries or to join a group, email the office for information. Click Here for Our Weekly, Biweekly, and Monthly Group Events. Friday, September 25 8:30am Men's Breakfast Group 1:30pm Friday Afternoon Reading for Growth Sunday, September 27 10:30am Sunday Service - Online and In-Person Children's Religious Exploration 11:30am Hospitality Hour FirstU Food Cupboard is Open 11:45pm After Service Conversation 12:30pm Fireside Chat with Reverend Lara (Click HERE to Join the Livestream) Click Here for More Events Happening This Week Recurring Recurring Events - Topics and Schedule Changes October 1 - Virtual Discussion Circle - Every other Thursday at 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 the link on the Make Friends Page. We look forward to seeing you! Contact Andrew with any questions. Our topic will be: "Describe the most captivating painting or artwork that you've ever seen" October 6 – Journey Group – 2:00pm - Room 6 - Our Journey Group meets twice a month to discuss a monthly theme. October’s theme is “Courage”. Additional groups will form based on demand for time, type, and frequency. Starting in October, the group will meet on the first and third Tuesday of the month. Contact Amalilly for more information. October 9 - Men's Breakfast Group - 8:30am - Fellowship Hall - Gentlemen are invited to join the Men's Breakfast Group on Friday, October 9, for coffee, socializing, and breakfast, followed by an informative and engaging talk and ensuing discussion. Register no later than Monday, October 5, by clicking HERE and submitting this form. October 22 - Thursday Evening Reading for Growth – 7:00pm on the fourth Thursday of the month. Contact Ken for the zoom link and our first book title of the year. October 30 - Friday Afternoon Reading for Growth – 1:30pm on the last Friday of the month. Contact Clea for the zoom link and our next title. Need to check if a weekly, biweekly, or monthly event has been rescheduled? Click here, or check our month-at-a-glance calendar. Looking for a new social group to join, or need to confirm a zoom link or locate a registration form? Click here for a full list of our recurring events, plus zoom links for those that occur online. nUUs Unitarian Universalist nUUs Canadian UU National Survey The Canadian Unitarian Council invites Unitarian Universalists across Canada to share your perspectives, experiences, and hopes directly with the CUC, with the aim of supporting Unitarian Universalism in Canada going forward into the future. Your insights will guide the next chapter of Canadian Unitarian Universalism. Please fill out the survey HERE. 2026 Mirth and Dignity Retreat: Moments of Joy and Moments of Peace October 8-11 Crieff Hills Retreat Centre (Guelph, ON) From $575 USD Mirth and Dignity, the Canadian not-for-profit behind the wildly popular UU Hysterical Society, is holding a retreat this autumn in beautiful southern Ontario! Spend four days/three nights at the Crieff Hills retreat centre (just outside of Guelph, ON) laughing together, dedicating time to rest and recharging, and connecting with other UUs. Some of your favourite Canadian UUs are going to be there: UUHS founder Liz James, song leader Wendy Luella Perkins, storyteller Katharine Childs, and animator Amber Dawn Bellemare will be leading the programming!! Full details and registration here. Canadian Unitarian Council Information about upcoming CUC events can be found on their Events Page. Check them out and consider ways you can engage with fellow UUs beyond the congregation. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ottawa (UUFO) Information about events and activities at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ottawa can be found by reading the latest UUFO Friday Notes. News from Our Friends Van Drivers for Unitarian House Unitarian House needs volunteer drivers to ferry residents to and from grocery stops along Carling Avenue, between Sherbourne and Pinecrest, on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Arrive at UH to collect residents in the Unitarian House Van at 9am. Depart at 9:20am. Collect residents from the various drop-off points at 11:00am. If you have this two-hour window available on Tuesday or Thursday mornings, and would like to be social while helping our neighbours, this volunteer gig is for you. Contact Ryley at activities@unitarianhouse.ca for details! Submissions Submissions and Zoom Bookings Sunday Announcement Submissions If you would like an announcement made during the livestreamed Sunday Service, please send an email, by Wednesday at noon, to: boardannouncements@firstunitarianottawa.ca . Do allow for time in case there are questions with regard to the announcement. Also note that announcements longer than 50 words will be edited for length and that time-sensitive announcements may be prioritized. Booking Online Meetings Email zoominfo@firstunitarianottawa.ca to book a Zoom meeting and to find help with questions about how Zoom works. Standard requests will receive a reply within 24 hours. Please label urgent requests with 'Urgent' in the Subject line and someone will respond as soon as possible. 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. 60 words or fewer, please. Allison, our Communications Coordinator, works Thursdays and Fridays. WordOut Click Here to Download a PDF of This Week's eUU Visit the eUU Archives Page Visit Us on Social Media: Our contact information: 30 Cleary Ave, Ottawa, ON K2A 4A1 613-725-1066 uuoffice@firstunitarianottawa.ca

Take Action! Are you interested in issues of social justice and environmental sustainability? You’ll find ways to express your beliefs and concerns through the many groups in our congregation working to build awareness of issues and help those in need. Unitarian Universalism has a long history of social action for peace and justice. Our groups welcome new members! Environmental Action Group The Environmental Action Group is tackling the Climate Change Crisis, which was adopted in October 2019 by the Congregation as its principal focus for Social Responsibility activities up to & including 2023. This promotes our UU seventh principle: respect for the interdependent web of all existence. The EAG is leading FirstU activities and programming, with the support of the Social Responsibility Coordinating Team and Council. Refugee Support Action Group Working in partnership with Or Haneshamah, we're continuing the congregation's long tradition of sponsoring refugees and helping them settle successfully into their new lives in Canada. This involves not only providing financial support for their first year, but also helping them find housing, set-up bank accounts, learn English, and so much more. We have recently welcomed refugees from Burundi and Ethiopia and have applications in place for other refugees from Burundi and from Afghanistan. And we're hoping to submit more applications for sponsorships soon. New volunteers are always welcome. Justice and Equality Action Group The Justice and Equality Action Group is an amalgamation of three smaller groups focused, respectively, on Global Justice, Poverty, and FirstU's participation in Unitarian Universalists at the United Nations. The group’s mandate is to educate itself and the community about situations of injustice and inequitable treatment of people, and to work to establish justice and equality. We encourage congregational members to deliberate on issues of social justice, advocate for social change, and join with other people of faith and goodwill. We maintain a connection with and promote the work of the UU United Nations Office (UU-UNO), participate in local actions and campaigns such as Multifaith Housing Initiative's Tulipathon fundraiser, and raise funds for our various projects - most notably the FirstU Food Cupboard - through annual gift sales of fair trade luxury and household products. Truth and Reconciliation Action Group Formerly called the Indigenous Relations Working Group, the newly formed Truth & Reconciliation Action Group includes people from FirstU and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ottawa. Our goals include: raising awareness and educating non-Indigenous people, participating as allies in initiatives led by Indigenous organizations, advocating for systemic change, and fundraising. For more information or to join our group, use the button below to send us a message. Contact the Truth and Reconciliation Action Group Unitarian GoGos Action Group Unitarian GoGos are a dynamic group of about 20 congregants and community members, who have come together to support grassroot organizations in sub Saharan Africa that in turn support African Grandmothers and their communities as they care for their orphaned grandchildren and turn the Tide of HIV/AIDS. This is done in collaboration with the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign, which is a branch of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, an inclusive, anti colonial, feminist organization which has a stellar reputation worldwide in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Unitarian GoGos are part of a regional network of 17 groups in the Ottawa Gatineau area and approximately 200 in Canada and three other countries. The group learns about the impact of HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa and how we can make a difference and plans fundraising events such as a plant Sale in May, dinners or take out from local restaurants, a walkathon, sales of Theatre tickets, bake sales and more. We welcome new members and all are welcome, not just Grandmothers. Meetings of our group are at the church at 1:30 pm on the third Thursday of the month. If you'd like to attend a meeting, join the group, or support a project, please use the contact button below. Contact the Unitarian GoGos

This Sunday's Service Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 10:30am The Next Right Thing: Just Do It! Reverend Lara Cowtan "A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." Lau Tzu What do we do when the way forward is uncertain, overwhelming, or both? The only thing we can: We put one foot in front of the other and do the next right thing. All of our undesignated September offerings will be shared 50/50 with the Ottawa Network for Education School Breakfast Program. Click here to make an offering and to learn more. If you're attending our service online, click the image below to open a PDF of this week's Order of Service. Click Here to Watch the Service Online Click Here for Past Services

2025-26 Annual Report Click the embedded link to download a copy of FirstU's 2025-26 Annual Report. Please note: Until the end of September 2026, or while supplies last, you may request a paper copy from the office. First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa Board of Director's Meeting Minutes For archived meeting minutes from earlier years, please contact uuoffice@firstunitarianottawa.ca 2025 January 2025 February 2025 March 2025 April 2025 May 2025 2024 January 2024 February 2024 March 2024 April 2024 May 2024 June 2024 August 2024 September 2024 October 2 2024 October 16 2024 November 2024 May 5, 2024 - AGM Minutes

September Congregational BBQ Registration Join us after service on Sept 13! Looking forward to everyone's return from summer excursions. Please submit your completed registration form no later than Noon, on Tuesday, September 8. Please bring a salad or dessert to share. A free-will offering basket will be available for hamburgers and hot dogs. First name* Last name* Email* Number of people I am ordering for:* Number of burgers (1 per person)* Number of VEGGIE burgers (1 per person)* Number of hamburger buns (wheat) Number of gluten-free hamburger buns* Number of hot dogs (2 per person)* Number of VEGGIE dogs (2 per person)* Number of hotdog buns (wheat)* Number of gluten-free hotdog bugs* I will bring: Salad Dessert I am available to help with: Set-Up Clean-Up Submit

Membership Information Jump to Our Covenant When you become a member of the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, you become a vital part of our spiritual and social community and can participate in the decision-making that determines the future of the congregation. If you are a newcomer and curious about our faith and congregation or have been coming for a while and are considering membership, we recommend that you take the "Introducing Ourselves," course to help you become acquainted with UU-ism and our congregation. Members' Rights and Responsibilities Congregational member are: expected to contribute a responsible share (what personal circumstances permit) toward meeting congregational financial needs encouraged to take part in the community’s volunteer activities Congregational members have the right to: vote at congregational meetings serve on congregational committees as members or chairpersons serve on the Board of Directors serve as delegates to UU activities and assemblies Interested in applying for membership? Send an email to welcome@firstunitarianottawa.ca! Covenant Our Covenant The Congregational Covenant and Relational Covenant are intended to be living documents reflecting current language and approaches. They will be periodically reviewed to ensure they continue to reflect our best intentions of how we are with each other. First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa - Congregational Covenant Revised and passed at our Fall Congregational Meeting, 2020 We, the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, are committed to living our lives and shaping our church in ways that are compatible with the principles and purposes of the Canadian Unitarian Council and the Unitarian Universalist Association, and do hereby in good faith covenant together to uphold our principles : Nurturing our relationships with each other Aware that we shall not always be of the same mind, we create an inclusive, welcoming, and safe space in which we value each other and everyone's contributions and opinions. We demonstrate our caring and compassion with kindness and empathy. Living our faith We share our vibrant, living Unitarian Universalist culture in ways that are relevant to current and future generations. Understanding that we choose to walk diverse spiritual paths demands of each of us to seek and foster our own and others' spiritual growth. We encourage and support each other in striving towards social and environmental justice by respecting the interdependence of all existence. Celebrating the democratic process The democratic process, with its acknowledged imperfections, is an essential element in our Congregation's governance. We resolve our differences and make decisions through fair and transparent processes. We respect these decisions and when necessary, we advocate for change by honouring the existing structures and working from within. When we encounter challenges, we forgive each other and ourselves and begin again. Embracing Diversity Grateful for the broad diversity among us, we willingly accept responsibility for our own behaviours and our obligations to honour each other. We strive to challenge oppression and discrimination in all its forms. We are committed to upholding social justice principles and working towards inclusion and equity. Ensuring that our congregation continues to thrive We share the work of stewardship within the Congregation which includes resources of time, money, energy, property, ideas, and each of our individual talents and skills. We gratefully embrace all contributions large and small, knowing that whatever we each contribute, will strengthen our relational bonds so that we may live our Unitarian Principles. We freely enter into this covenant and agree to honour its spirit. First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa - Relational Covenant I will strive to honour our Congregational Covenant and the principles of Unitarian Universalism by: Speaking for myself with honesty. Being aware of how my words and actions may affect others. Listening. Assuming good intentions. Remembering that people differ in their perceptions, previous experience and communication styles. Interacting respectfully. Acknowledging other people’s views and confirming my understanding of what is being said. Speaking directly to a person with whom I disagree rather than about them. Engaging a third party to mediate, if needed. Following through with actions on my promises and commitments. Serving as I am able with my time, talents and treasures. Celebrating our diversity by ensuring that all feel welcome and included.

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Click the images on this page to open PDFs with instructions on how to operate our elevator, and our defribrillator, as well as FirstU's 2017 Accessibility Training document. Click the above image to open a PDF of our Accessibility Training slideshow. Click the above image to open a PDF of our instructional slideshow on how to use the elevator. Click the above image to open a PDF featuring maps showing where our defribrillator is located (outside the office on the upper floor) and for clickable links to YouTube tutorials showing you how to use a defribrillator. Elevator (Lift) Training

Our Getting Connected Guide To see all of our groups and committees, download the Getting Connected Guide by clicking the embedded link. You can also find a paper copy to peruse, by stopping by the church office.