"Sacred The Body"
"Here we sit, with our souls tucked away in this marvelous luggage, mostly insensible to the ways in which every spiritual practice begins with the body." - Barbara Brown Taylor
Dec 04, 2018•14 min
First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa
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.
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.
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Episodes
"Hope As If You Mean It"
Rev. Patricia Guthmann Haresch reflects uplon lessons learned with regard to hope related to an incident found in The World of Pooh, "In Which Piglet Is Entirely Surrounded by Water"
Nov 25, 2018•14 min
"Michael Servetus Died For Your Religious Freedom"
November 16th was the UNESCO International Day for Tolerance. In thinking of this day, Rev. Pat recalled a Unitarian historian once noting, "widespread aversion to Servetus' death has been taken as signalling the birth in Europe of religious tolerance". Serviettes (1509-1553) could have simply lived his life as a doctor. Instead he chose to critique the doctrine of the trinity and other orthodox Christian notions which in his time cost him his life. Learn more about Servetus' remarkable life and...
Nov 18, 2018•18 min
"Keeping The Sabbath"
On this Sunday, Rev. Pat Haresch enlightens us on the meaning and the value of the jewish tradition of Shabbat.
Nov 04, 2018•14 min
All Souls: "Is There An End To Love?"
On this Sunday, Rev. Pat Haresch delivers a special short homily for All Souls Day about love and death.
Oct 28, 2018•10 min
"We Can Make A Difference"
On this Sunday, Rev. Pat Haresch talks about giving and how it can be of as much benefit to the well being of the giver as it is the receiver and the world at large.
Oct 21, 2018•15 min
"The Love Ethic"
Rev. Pat reflects on "The Love Ethic" that winds its way through many religions and faiths. Not a corny greeting card kind of love, but a wholehearted tender caring that feeds the hungry, welcomes the stranger, cares for the vulnerable.
Oct 14, 2018•20 min
"Breaking Bread Together"
The Latin roots of the word "companion" come from "com-" for "together with" and "panis" for "bread." At one time, companion meant someone you would break bread with. On this Sunday before Thanksgiving, let us break bread together and reflect on the meaning of bread for us and our families. We are companions/compagnons on life's journey together here at First U.
Oct 07, 2018•14 min
"House of Hope"
Have you ever needed to deliver "the elevator speech" on Unitarianism? You know, when someone on the first floor asks you, "What do Unitarians believe?" and you try to give a clear and concise response by, let's say, floor 14. Perhaps this morning's message from Rev. Pat Haresch will be of some help, based on the ideas that went into the development of the book of the same name by former Unitarian Universalist Association President, the Rev. John Buerhens and former President of the UU Starr Kin...
Sep 30, 2018•19 min
"We Need Not Think Alike To Love Alike"
Although often misattributed to a Unitarian, John Wesley, the English cleric who founded Methodism and was eventually ordained an Anglican priest, raised the questions “Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Rev. Pat will explore these questions this morning.
Sep 16, 2018•15 min
"In Gathering We Are Beautiful Threads Interwoven"
Our inextricable connections with each other are precious and complete us making our congregation and the world better and stronger. Each of us has unique gifts to bring to the greater circle.
Sep 09, 2018•22 min
"Living in a Random Universe"
The Honorable John Reid will talk about the emotional and physical journey through his recent cancer. He will talk about the series of random events that led to his successful operation, the problems afterward, and the difficulties of adapting after treatment.
Sep 02, 2018•18 min
"The Role of the Sage"
The Role of The Sage: The Young Person as Hero and The Quest for Self-Truth - Whether we are family, friends or members of hte same community, our collective responsibility is to ensure that our next generation is prepared for our shared future. Guest Homily delivered by Scott Herbert-Daly
Aug 26, 2018•29 min
"How Privilege Links to UU Principles"
Guy Belleperche will examine privilege as "unearned advantage", expanding beyond the big 4 (white, male, cis-gendered, straight) to include family background, economic health, education, access to and understanding of technology, language skills, culture, and religion.
Aug 19, 2018•15 min
"Embracing Diversity as an Everyday Spiritual Practice"
Our First UU principle calls us to respect each person as unique, with inherent worth and dignity. Accordingly, we seek to welcome diversity... something easier said than done. Being friendly helps but, as Jane Lindsay continues to learn, behaving in a truly welcoming, accepting, and respectful manner can be more challenging.
Aug 12, 2018•21 min
"Unpacking My Christian Baggage"
Many references point to the likelihood that Jesus was a real person who grew up in Nazareth with 5 or 6 siblings and was appalled at the corruption in the Jerusalem Temple and by the Roman Occupation of Israel. Despite a non-violent message of love and acceptance, Christianity has much more complicated associations for many, FUCO member Doug MacDonald relates his own experiences in this guest Sunday Homily.
Aug 05, 2018•15 min
"Can a Skeptic Embrace Spirituality?"
Sunday guest Doug MacDonald asks... Can spirituality withstand the probing questions of a skeptic, who sees a troubled world headed for possible oblivion? Can we as Unitarian Universalists acknowledge reality and find something spiritual beyond it?
Jul 29, 2018•18 min
"Reflections on Dying and Living"
Inspired by Monty Python, Mitch Albom, Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Mary Oliver, Rev. Linda Goonewardene will explore how facing death reminds us of how to live.
Jul 15, 2018•17 min
"In Search of a Spiritual Humanism"
In the recent congregational survey, many members expressed an interest in humanism, while others felt that a focus on humanism is at the expense of spirituality. Phil Nagy proposes that humanism and spirituality are instrinsically related.
Jul 01, 2018•17 min
"The Plight of Canada’s Indigenous Children"
James Bartleman, a member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, was Foreign Service Officer for thirty-five years in Global Affairs Canada, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario 2002 to 2007, has 15 Honorary doctorates, is a former chancellor of the Order of Ontario, Officer of the Order of Canada and author of eight books including four social justice novels on Indigenous issues. Jim will address the issue of why so many Indigenous children take their lives and what he has been doing to address the o...
Jun 24, 2018•31 min
Finding Relevance Through Timeless Tales
Father’s Day is a great time to look at how we connect with children. As we get older we may feel we are no longer relevant and we struggle to connect with the new generation. However, as the silver screen is telling us this year with new Winnie the Pooh and Mary Poppins movies, stories can help us pass on our own history and values. This will be Liz’s final service after serving three years at FirstU, before she departs in late summer. Stories have flowed through Liz's life and will continue to...
Jun 17, 2018•24 min
Saving Souls in Ottawa
I will leave this to your imagination.
Jun 10, 2018•16 min
White Male Privilege
We ran out of Sundays and this one didn't make it in to Black Heritage Month. What can be said about White Male Privilege after the Me Too Movement?
Jun 03, 2018•16 min
Animal Blessings
Len and Liz will offer an animal blessing. Bring your pets. Cats and birds are better in a carrier. Horses, goats and lamas outside please. Leave the rattlesnakes at home.
May 27, 2018•17 min
Our First Principle
Longtime member and current Lay Chaplain Alex Campbell will share the links to Jewish Shavuot and Christian Pentecost which fall on May 20th.
May 25, 2018•23 min
"I Remember Mama"
“I remember Mama" was a television show popular in early television in Canada as well as the U.S. Based on a book, the story went on to Broadway as well as TV. It featured a Norwegian immigrant family in the early portion of the last century.
May 13, 2018•17 min
The Gospel According to Disney
Disney has dominated North American culture since the 1930's. What is it saying to us theologically and is that good?
May 06, 2018•16 min
Living In Covenant
Our religious tradition has been about covenanting between congregation and members since our inception. Let’s talk about it.
Apr 29, 2018•16 min
Indigenous Spirituality
Sharing the pulpit with member at large Bill Van Iterson, Rev. Len De Roche will share his experiences with Plains First Nations Spiritual practices. This will follow the day's Sunday forum on Indigenous issues.
Apr 15, 2018•25 min
Bart Simpson and the Nature of God
Sunday, April 8th, 2018 "Bart Simpson and the Nature of God" - The popular irreligious adult and youth cartoon offers insight into the discussion of models of the divine. Len leads this service.
Apr 08, 2018•19 min
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