First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa

First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa•podcast.firstunitarianottawa.ca

The First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa invites all those who seek after greater understanding and who are willing to work with others to build a better world to join us: for services on Sundays, for numerous volunteer efforts in our community at various times, and on this itunes account at any time, from anywhere.

This podcast acts as an online home for the broadcasting and archiving of Sunday Sermons and other events taking place within the walls of our Congregation at 30 Cleary Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Last refreshed: July 28th, 2025 at 3:51 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

Radical Hospitality

In a world where many people are increasingly feeling unwelcome, how can we extend the hand of hospitality, love and peace into the world?

Nov 20, 2016•18 min

"A Bear In War"

As part of today's Time for All Ages, Director of Lifespan Learning Liz Roper retells the story "A Bear In War" Stephanie Innes (Author), Harry Endrulat (Author)

Nov 13, 2016•11 min

Getting Understanding

We read in the Hebrew scriptures, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Proverbs 4:7.” In fact, all of the world’s major traditions (and most of the minor ones) teach that wisdom is an end goal of spiritual practice. On "All Soul's Day," we'll explore the deep meaning of wisdom … and how we can cultivate understanding to bring about a more just, peaceful and compassionate world where "all souls" are loved and cherished.

Oct 30, 2016•23 min

Senior's Program: October 2016

Senior's Program for October 2016 - Ellen Bell delivers a Service Talk titled "The Lighter Side of Unitarian Life" followed by an After Service Presentation by Angela Beale on the "Beauties of The Red Mansion"

Oct 27, 2016•1 hr 7 min

UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People

Our congregation voted to make aboriginal rights a top social justice priority. As part of that effort, we will have one of the authors of the UNDRIP speak about the process of creating this document, and its philosophical and ethical implications. Mr. Saganash is uniquely qualified to educate us on this important topic, for he is not only a lawyer and a Member of Parliament – but also a Cree.

Oct 23, 2016•29 min

Begin With The End In Mind

A summary of our community building activities at FUCO and an exciting vision for the future of Unitarian Universalism.

Oct 16, 2016•25 min

Thanksgiving Bread Communion

During this time of thanksgiving, we reflect on the many blessings in our lives, and the power of gratitude to transform sadness into joy. Our DLL will lead us in a Dough Kneading and Bread Communion created to help us focus on the positive and release the negative in our lives.

Oct 09, 2016•14 min

Awakening

Chris Nihmey is an inspirational teacher and speaker who underwent profound transformations while learning to live with mental health issues. Through humorous and poignant personal stories he will share how, through great adversity, we can learn that everyone is worthy of love and respect simply for being who he or she is today.

Oct 02, 2016•28 min

Senior's Program: September 2016

Senior's Program for September 2016 - Rev. Frances Deverell delivers a sermon titled "How Change Happens"

Sep 29, 2016•10 min

Out of The Flames

Miguel Servetus (1509 · 1553), was a Spanish ·heretic· burned at the stake by John Calvin for his ·blasphemous· book, On the Errors of the Trinity·, which was published in 1531 and quickly banned by the emperor. Tracing our theological roots back through history, we see that the ideological battle between the orthodox Calvin and the non-doctrinal Servetus, continues today.

Sep 25, 2016•32 min

The "G Word"

How do we identify: a/theist; U*U/Other; Religious/Spiritual/None-of-the-Above? How do shared and divergent identities shape our priorities and determine who is "in" and who is "out" at FUCO and beyond? How does our self-identity affect our daily lives, and the ways we invest the time, talent and treasures of our beloved, covenantal community?

Sep 18, 2016•32 min

The Investature of FUCO Interim Minister Reverend Dr. Paula Cannon Gabe

This service will set the stage for what promises to be an exciting year of Interim Ministry at FUCO. Being a Covenantal Community is a fundamental aspect of our U*U identity. Thus, we will explore covenants as sacred promises to guide our lives; and we will hold a brief investiture ceremony to acknowledge that we are gathered to support one another in our free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We will also get a ·sneak preview· of the Interim Ministry Period, which promises to be a ...

Sep 11, 2016•25 min

Shaping Community With Song

By embracing our own unique voices, we can strengthen our self-identity, express ourselves more powerfully and foster deeper relationships with our community. Let·s sing and breathe together, discovering the power of voices united as one.

Sep 04, 2016•13 min

Senior's Program: August 2016

Senior's Program for August 2016 - Barry Read reads a meditation on our seven UU principles.

Aug 31, 2016•10 min

The Words We Don't Say

Despite our best efforts and intentions, the soial construct of race still defines how our world is structured, who holds power, and how we form relationships with each other. In this service, we'll explore it together, through reflection and exercises that will help us examine ways that race affects us all and our work for "justice, equity and compassion in human relations." Asha is a lifelong UU who grew up at First Unitarian. She has many years of experience facilitating anti-racism and anti-...

Aug 28, 2016•28 min

The Hyphenated Unitarian

Although our Unitarian Universalist roots are clearly Christian, and we claim our Christianity as one of our sources, anything to do with Christianity has become somewhat suspect and even abhorrent for some Unitarians in recent years. Listen here for why Alex refers to himself as a "Christian Unitarian". A member at First Unitarian for a number of years, Alex was a Worship Associate from the start of the program until his appointment as a Lay Chaplain three years ago.

Aug 21, 2016•26 min

Finding Our Way Back

Pilgrimage is an ancient spiritual practice. What might the discipline of travelling to holy places mean for contemporary religious liberals?

Aug 14, 2016•21 min

Playing Faithful Word Games

“I will pray for you”, “I am sending healing vibes”. Which emotions do these invoke in you, do they differ? We all play our word games in today’s society - what rules are we playing by and are we playing to win? These are important things to ask ourselves when we discuss faith, religion, philosophy in our diverse world within and without of our congregation.

Aug 07, 2016•27 min

Death is Sudden

Are you ready to accept your own death? Have you done your own theological work? Doug Cousins talks about this jarring experience with the death of his wife Valerie, earlier this year.

Jul 31, 2016•21 min

Senior's Program: July 2016

Senior's Program ft. special guest Patricia Stockwell

Jul 26, 2016•19 min

Glimpsing India

Guest Keith Shackleton will challenge us to reflect on how the post-carbon economy will affect us, our grandchildren, and the entire world. From his extensive experience, he will suggest viewpoints and facts that will be thought provoking and which may inform changes in our thinking and actions. Keith has been a member of First and the UUFO (alternating) since 1982. He has worked in social work and international assistance (with USC Canada) and taught in the Green Business Management program at ...

Jul 24, 2016•20 min

How We Might Deal with the Arrival of the Post Carbon Economy

Jul 17, 2016•16 min

Human Beings: Duties and Responsibilities

Guest Speaker Albert Dumont will speak about his life experiences and the many injustices which have impacted him, his family, his community and his nation. He will speak, as well, about First Nations offenders and of the seeds which led to their incarceration. Albert is an elder and spiritual advisor who works with First Nations inmates in the prison system.

Jul 03, 2016•23 min

Senior's Program: June 2016

Senior's Program, June 2016. Senior's Program for June 2016: The service speaker was Alex Campbell, and his topic was "Living Our UU Faith Seriously". The after-service speaker was Blair Erskine, and his topic was "My Trip through the Northwest Passage".

Jun 30, 2016•43 min

Learning to Glide, When Flying High is No Longer Possible

For a long time now, we have been flying high, as individuals and as a society. Metaphorically, in the sense of living well while drawing down the earth's ecosystems; and literally, in the way we just hop on a plane for the smallest of reasons. How much longer can we or should be flying so high, and what might we gain from learning to glide instead? David Chernushenko is an educator, public speaker, filmmaker and, since December 2010, a city councillor.

Jun 26, 2016•14 min

The Free Flow of Information

Guest speaker John Read will focus briefly on his 40 years of experience with democracy here and abroad, in many of its forms. He will deal with the declared aims of democratic processes, the strengths and weakness of these systems and look at the dangers facing democratic systems. Among many positions, John has been the Information Commissioner for Canada, the Chief Electoral Officer of the UN for Eastern Slavoinia, a member of the Provisional Election Commission for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Pre...

Jun 19, 2016•30 min

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