Unitarian Congregation of Guelph

Chalice Cafe: Covenanting Together
2023-03-19 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Toronto) | 122 Harris St / Zoom
Join us Sunday for our Chalice Café, where we’ll be discussing Covenanting Together. Many of us have different reactions to hearing about Covenanting.. However, it’s an important facet to how we agree to come together, and maybe more importantly how we agree to disagree. Come with your ideas, opinions and suggestions on how we covenant within our congregation and the wider community! Childcare will be available on site for this service. For the Zoom link, please email admin@guelph-unitarians.com

Trans-Inclusive Women's Day service
2023-03-12 11:00 - 12:00 | 122 Harris St / Zoom
Please join us via Zoom or in person at 122 Harris Street Guelph for this trans-inclusive Women’s Day service with jei tiffin (they/them) where we will honour the strength of women!
Childcare will be available during this service.
Email admin@guelph-unitarians.com for the service link.
(Don’t forget daylight savings time!)

A Life of Virtues: Wonder
2023-03-05 10:30 - 12:00 | 122 Harris St / Zoom
Join us this Sunday at 10:30am as we venture (Virtually) to Grand River Unitarian:
A Life of Virtues: Wonder. Introducing our Sabbatical Minister, Rev. Victoria Ingram. With music by the Spirit of Life Choir, Directed by Rich Hrytzak. We try to live a good life in the time we have on Earth. Sometimes we are virtuous, sometimes we give way to our vices. In this series, Rev. Victoria explores the ways we might choose to be more principled and honourable in our day-to-day life. Today, we start with opening ourselves to curiosity and awe.
Once the service is done, likely at 12:00 PM please feel free to join us at the sanctuary or online for our own joys and sorrows, and discussion
Note Special Time of 10:30am!
Please email admin@guelph-unitarians.com for the service links.

Songs of Joy and Hope
2023-02-26 11:00 - 12:00 | 122 Harris St / Zoom
Join with us to sing songs that lift our hearts and bring light during this dark season. There’s even a rumour of requests if we have time!

Hope in the Dark
2023-02-19 11:00 - 12:00 | 122 Harris St / Zoom
How do we maintain hope during times of challenge or crisis? How is hope different then optimism? On what do we pin our hopes when all seems lost? Borrowing inspiration from Rebecca Solnit’s book, Hope in the Dark, we will reflect together on the elusive but important idea of HOPE. Service Leaders: Hannah Schell & jei tiffin, with help from Maureen Blackwood and others.
We are happy to announce that onsite childcare will be provided for this service!

AGM
2023-02-16 19:00 - 20:00
Members and friends are invited to join us in person or via Zoom for our AGM.

The Revolution will not be "Telev... Zoomed"
2023-02-12 11:00 - 12:00 | 122 Harris St / Zoom
February is Black History Month. As Unitarians we go into this month with much to be proud of: Our newly adopted Eighth Principle, a long history of fighting for justice and equality, our own martyrs and heroes in the struggle for Civil Rights. But what are the practicalities of the Long Walk to Freedom, in fighting the scourge of racism? Would we be prepared for that brave new world? Where we deal not with abstract ideals but with new realities, new joys, new freedoms and new challenges. Join us on Sunday for “The Revolution Will Not be Telev…..Zoomed” a talk about our ideals as Unitarians and their possibilities and challenges. Email admin@guelph-unitarians.com for the link.

"Coming Out as UU"
2023-02-05 11:00 - 12:00
Join us online or in person for a “chalice cafe” style gathering. Our topic this week will be how we inhabit our UU identity – is it something you share with people? What do you say if someone asks about it? Because we believe in freedom of belief, we tend to be non-evangelizing and this might lead to saying nothing at all, even when our UUism is relevant. This informal service will include lighting the chalice and sharing our joys and sorrows. Please email admin@guelph-unitarians.com for the service link.
We are happy to announce that onsite childcare will be provided for this service!

Second Aspiration: Radically Inclusive
2023-01-29 11:00 - 12:00 | 122 Harris St / Zoom
Join us as we link up virtually with our fellow Unitarians at the Unitarian Congregation Of Niagara for their service led by speaker Brian Jones, with the topic: “Second Aspiration – Radically Inclusive”. View via Zoom at home or at our sanctuary at 122 Harris Street Guelph. After the service at 12:15 we will have our own Joys and Sorrows and Discussion Circle through our Sunday Service link.
We are happy to announce that onsite childcare will be provided for this service!
The link will be sent with the Sunday Service link this week to everyone who receives our newsletter.

Movement and Meditation for Grief with Yogi Shaninder
2023-01-22 11:00 - 12:00
Join us Sunday morning for this service led by jei tiffin and Margriet Van Haren with guest Yogi Shaninder.

Write For Rights
2023-01-15 13:00 - 14:00
Every year around Human Rights Day (December 10th but we’re doing it January 15), Amnesty International supporters around the world take part in our Write for Rights campaign — sending millions of letters, emails, tweets and petitions in support of people whose human rights are being denied. And every year, we change lives.
Amnesty International is accepting letters until the end of January 2023. Will you join UCG in learning more about the plights suffered by people worldwide? Will you join us in writing letters of support?
The letter writing bee will take place after the service on January 15 at 1pm via Zoom and in person. Vegetarian soup and refreshments will be offered.

The Ideal of “Beloved Community”
2023-01-15 11:00 - 12:00 | 122 Harris St / Zoom
Canadian and American Unitarian Universalists sometimes invoke the ideal of the “beloved community” but it’s not always obvious what we mean, and we risk it becoming a meaningless platitude. Exploring this ideal, where it comes from and what it means, challenges us to better attend to our community and the larger, wounded world. Join us on Sunday morning for a service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. whose legacy is celebrated this week in the U.S.
Note that childcare will be offered during the service, and soup will be available, with donations going to Child Haven International.

Examen Your Year: A Service of Music and Reflection
2023-01-08 11:00 - 12:00
How was your 2022? What were the highs? What were the lows? How do you want to move forward into 2023? Join us in using a 500-year old Jesuit reflective tool to look at the year that was, and move forward with a fresh perspective. Live music will help make our joys higher and sorrows lighter. Our community grows from our shared experiences.
Margie Johnson and Andrea Scapinello are two long-time UCG members and service leaders. They are excited to share this service with you!
Please Note: The service includes personal reflection and sharing (if you choose to share). If you join virtually, please bring supplies for writing.

Congregational Levee
2023-01-05 19:00 - 20:00
Let’s start the new year with a party! We can celebrate all that we have achieved in 2022 and look ahead to our dreams for 2023. We will hear from the focus groups that are gathering steam and add our thoughts to the momentum. It will be a hybrid coming together, because that’s our super power now. Maybe our theme song for the evening will be “Stayin Alive.”

Closed today
2023-01-01 11:00 - 13:00
Happy New Year! Please note that there will not be a service today.

No Service
2022-12-25 11:00 - 13:00
Happy Holidays! UCG will be closed today. Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah!

Christmas Eve at UCG
2022-12-24 19:00 - 20:00
Please join us for a very informal sing-in/sing along on Christmas eve, from 7 to 8 pm. via zoom.
Everyone is invited to tell a short story that is meaningful to them on this day, or bring forward their favorite song. You can also send us a Youtube link if you like. Email: sundayservices@guelph-unitarians.com And where possible, we will all sing our hearts out!

Winter Solstice Service
2022-12-18 11:00 - 12:00 | 122 Harris St / Zoom
The wheel of the year takes us into the longest nights, shortest days. Join us in exploring the power of honouring our fatigue, and opening to compassion, the door to hope and renewal.

Co Housing with Karim Rizkallah
2022-12-11 11:00 - 12:00 | 122 Harris St / Zoom
“How do we live well?” has become a guiding question for Karim Rizkallah since a housemate asked it on a kitchen floor one evening many years ago. As a Jack of some trades, Jill of others, and Master of none, Karim dabbled in a variety of studies and travel for a decade or so until his path led to Toronto, where his wanderlust faded and his love of community building grew, always trying to answer that question.
There he worked at the Centre for Social Innovation for almost a decade, connecting deeply with the co-working pioneer’s sharing culture, human centered design, grassroots financial innovations, and most of all an incredible community of people.
Karim has lived in a series of increasingly intentional community homes in several countries, most recently co-purchasing a house with five friends in Toronto.
Drawing from many sources of wisdom and his own experience, Karim goes over the themes that have been most interesting, challenging, surprising, and frequently asked about around coliving, cohousing, and intentional communities generally, such as: people, communication, governance, finances, trust building, conflict, re-examining priorities, and humility.

Songs of Hope and Joy
2022-12-04 11:00 - 12:00 | 122 Harris St / Zoom
Join us on Sunday for a Chalice Cafe based around “Songs of Joy and Hope”. The invitation is to share with us music that brings you (And hopefully others!) joy and hope in this troubled world. The invitation to share is via:

Send us a you tube link or song title at Sundayservices@guelph-unitarians.com and we will try to include it. If you are comfortable perhaps you could give a brief introduction to the song and what it means to you.
We would also welcome your own musical contributions, in person or online.

In between the music we will share positive affirmations.
The goal is to share music that makes us happy and to spread hope and joys to all.

The Wisdom of the Herd
2022-11-27 11:00 - 12:00 | 122 Harris St / Zoom
Many of us are plagued by the fast pace of our current society and this time of year can be particularly chaotic. We can put undue pressure onto ourselves and our children.
Join us Sunday November 27 for something quite different. Slowing down enhances our capacity for connection and joy. It makes room for creativity and self-expression. Stefanie (Stef) Ly of Joystone Pathways will be speaking about how spending time in nature with horses allows us to slow down. Getting on “horse time” creates an opportunity for quieting the mind and coming into our heart (through co-regulation). What might we learn through the great modeling of a herd of horses and their clear communication of their authentic selves.
We regret that there will be no childcare for this service.

National Worship Sunday Service: Living into Covenant
2022-11-20 12:30 - 15:00 | 122 Harris St / Zoom
We Unitarian Universalists are a covenantal people. Our faith tradition believes in the power and possibility of covenant – a set of shared promises, agreements, and understandings to hold us together. How does a vision of covenant hold us together when we disagree? How does our faith community covenant overlap and diverge from the other covenants of our lives (being a partner or parent or friend or citizen of the world?)? How is all of this impacted by how well we are keeping a covenant with ourselves, our own well being? Join Revs Shana Lyngood and Anne Barker in exploration and reflection.
Please note time change:
We will meet on Zoom or at Harris St at 1245 for our opening and the sharing of Joys and Sorrows. We will then join the Canadian Unitarian Council for the service at 1:00 pm. This will be followed by a facilitated discussion.
You are welcome to gather in person or via Zoom at 1230 to connect with others in the “Sunshine Room”
We regret that no childcare will be available for this service.

Radical Inclusion Service: Polyamory
2022-11-13 11:00 - 12:00 | 122 Harris St / Zoom
Polyamory: Love, Consent and Communication
Polyamory (also known as Consensual Non-Monogamy, Ethical Non-Monogamy or Radical Relationships) is a relationship model practiced across Canada and around the world. Our talk will discuss the nature of polyamory and the legal, social, economic and emotional challenges/benefits of sharing love beyond a framework of monogamy.
Speakers:
Zoe Duff – a director and spokesperson for the Canadian Polyamory Advocacy Association (CPAA) since 2010, Facilitator of Vancouver Island Polyamory Social and Discussion Group since 2000. Practicing polyamory since 1999 and author of “Love Alternatively Expressed: the scoop on practicing polyamory in Canada. Originally from Mississauga, Ontario, Zoe resides in Victoria, BC, with her co-partners of 14 years, Jayson and Danny.
ly Sildra – a board member of the CPAA and Director of the Polyamory Edmonton Association. As a highly community-minded individual, she has worked diligently in partnership with the Pride Centre of Edmonton, the Alberta Sex Positive Education Centre, and other local organizations towards building community and supporting those who identify as polyamorous. She has been practicing polyamory since 2009 and is a lifelong Edmontonian.
We regret that there will be no childcare for this service.

Two-Spirit Presentation
2022-11-06 11:00 - 12:00 | 122 Harris St / Zoom
Laura Couchie will share the history and context behind what “Two Spirit” means and how it used to describe gender and relationships across many Indigenous people and communities. Connections to Indigenous language, culture and ways of life will be shared to illustrate how colonialism has impacted gender and relationships in Indigenous communities.
Bio:
Laura is Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) from Nipissing First Nation, redtail Hawk Clan. She is also of German and Scottish ancestry. Laura studies Mohawk and Ojibwe languages and is working toward an Honours Degree in Onkwehonwe Language. Laura has 15 years of social work experience and spent many years doing Indigenous Education in the community and in schools. Laura published a book of poetry in 2018 and is also a Beadwork Artist. In the past, she enjoyed many years as an Actor/Dancer/Performing artist and last year served on the final jury for the Hamilton Arts Awards.
For the Zoom link, please email Holly at admin@guelph-unitarians.com

Samhain
2022-10-30 11:00 - 12:00 | 122 Harris St / Zoom
Leaves are falling. Frost shrivels foliage, so plants decay. Their wrinkled bodies promise enriched soil for Spring. Let us join nature’s cycle, honouring loss and birth. Truly, change is the only constant and grace depends on our ability to accept and celebrate, to resist clinging to what was, so we can rest and prepare. Together, we have wisdom, because the love we share helps us be at peace. Come with your memories and hopes for the ancient ritual of Samhain, the Day of the Dead, Hallowe’en. The green team: Rebekah Jamieson, Diane Ward, Linda Reith

Thanksgiving Service
2022-10-09 11:00 - 12:00 | 122 Harris St / Zoom
You are invited to co-create our gathering on Sunday, October 9 at 11:00 am. Think of this as a Sunday Service Potluck where you bring your favourite elements of a service to share. This might be a children’s story, songs, special readings or stories about gratitude that are meaningful for you. We will gather in a ‘circle’ ie horseshoe in the sanctuary so that those on Zoom are included as well to reflect on and celebrate all that we have to be thankful for. You can bring your ideas with you Sunday morning or send them to Lorna at lwyllsun@gmail.com.
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Thus gratitude becomes a quality of our hearts that allows us to live joyfully and peacefully even though our struggles continue.” Henri J. M. Nouwen

Unicorn Rebellion
2022-10-02 11:00 | 122 Harris St / Zoom
Chris Paul (Rainbows) Farias is a Creative Director and Partner at Unicorn Rebellion, a creative agency working with good people to do good things. They are an author/illustrator, speaker and queer activist. They also have the bylaw-maximum number of chickens in their backyard!
Chris will be speaking about queer inclusion and belonging.

WHISPER, WIND AND WISH: A SERMON BY REV. JESS OF GRU READ BY LORNA WYLLSUN
2022-09-25 11:00 | 122 Harris St / Zoom
This service marks the beginning of an experiment the Sunday Services Committee is inviting you to participate in as we attempt to continue providing meaningful content and experiences while also continuing to care for our precious human resources. You will receive more information about this over the coming weeks.

For now please join us Sunday morning at the usual 1100am in person or by Zoom. We will create a sacred container in the usual manner and hear Lorna Wyllsun read a service presented by Rev Jess from Grand River Unitarian. “Whisper, Wind and Wish.” Rev. Jess. An invisible whisper nudges summer into fall. What is the world calling you toward?

We are happy to announce that nursery care with Teah will be back this week! We look forward to seeing you!

WATER COMMUNION
2022-09-18 11:00 - 23:00 | 122 Harris St / Zoom
Despite a tendency to avoid “Churchy” language there are some rites that are standard fare among Unitarians.

After the Summer break the Water Communion marks our communing together once again. As described by the UUA:

“During the appointed time in the service, people one by one pour their water together into a large bowl. As the water is added, the person who brought it tells why this water is special to them.”

If you are attending the Communion in the Sanctuary please bring your water in whatever container you see fit. if you are comfortable you can share with us why it is special. Those of us joining online to tell us about their water and why it is special.
Please feel free to send any photos or videos related to water that you have to Sundayservices@guelph-unitarians.com . It’s a brave new virtual world and we will try our best to integrate these into the service. Looking forward to seeing your lovely faces live or virtually on Sunday September 18th at 11:00 AM.

Please note that we will not have nursery care during this service. We apologize for the inconvenience.

More Information ►

NO SERVICE TODAY.
2022-09-11 11:00
Our Sunday Services Committee is busy making plans for the year to come.
Want to join in?
Contact Carey and Hannah (care of Holly) at admin@guelph-unitarians.com
