Sunday Services
Sundays at 10:30 am September through June
The Perils of Living an Ethical Life
October 18 at 10:30 am
In-person and online
Speaker: James (Jamie) Struthers
Service Leader: Nazeem Muhajarine
In Ecclesiastes, an example of early Hebrew wisdom literature, a man near the end of his life looks back and reflects. He did well. He accumulated wealth. Yet something in society around him was missing. Fast forward to the present day, and our Unitarian Sixth Principle: “The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.” How are these two things connected? And how much are we willing to risk – as a group and as individuals – for this worthwhile cause?
Please join us after the service for a discussion. All are welcome!
Agents of Flourishing
October 25 at 10:30 am
In-person and online
Speaker: Rev. Debra Faulk (video)
Service Leader: Paige Mortensen
How do we practice agency today, in our personal circumstances and as groups in society? What systemic factors make our agency possible (or limit it)? How do we accept our own agency and afford others theirs? How might agency and acceptance contribute to flourishing?
Honouring our Ancestors on Samhain
November 1 at 10:30 am
In-person and online
Speaker: Shawn Sandford-Beck
Service Leader: Earth-Based Spirituality Team
Samhain literally means “summer’s end”—a time to prepare for the upcoming season of darker and colder days. It is the Witches’ New Year, marking the end of the light half of the Celtic year and the beginning of the dark half, when we reflect on the cycles of life and death. We remember our ancestors, family, friends, and community members that are in our hearts. We will be saying the names of those you wish to remember—our Beloved Dead. If you want to send the name in ahead of time, let Pam know at sephira@sasktel.net. Please bring photos of your loved ones and canned goods for the Friendship Inn if you can.
About Sunday Services
All our programs are run by volunteers, with the support of our part-time paid administrator. Most of our Sunday services are created and led by teams from within our congregation, each with its own focus. These teams include:
- Cultivating Caring Communities: Learning about values and caring practices that help us be effective community members
- Green Sanctuary: Celebrating and caring for the interdependent web of life
- Widening the Circle: Developing our understanding of racism/anti-racism and other forms of discrimination and oppression
- Earth-Based Spirituality: Celebrating the sacredness of nature through the seasonal cycle of the year, in story, music and ritual
In addition, we are offering a series of eight services developed by Unitarian Universalist ministers across Canada, “Meaning Making in Liminal Times – Roots of Resilience,” which addresses themes from Intentional Rest to Cultivating Joy.
While every service has some consistent elements, the content and style vary from one Sunday to the next. Some services are informal and conversational; others are explorations of ideas or reflections on how to live life well. While there are often opportunities for participation, it’s never required; we trust everyone will take part as they feel comfortable. The general format of most services involves lighting our chalice (symbol of Unitarianism), sharing milestones, usually music and/or singing, and a brief talk by a member of the congregation or a guest speaker.
After the service ends (around 11:30 am), coffee, tea, and treats are provided in the foyer and everyone is invited to stay and chat. On some Sundays, there is an opportunity to return to the sanctuary to discuss the service topic or engage in a related activity.
Those who attend online are welcome to connect via Zoom a little ahead of the service to get to know other online attendees. We encourage but don’t require you to keep your camera on. After the service, you are welcome to stay online to visit, too.
Missed a service? You can request a recording. We only record the speaker (if they have agreed).