First Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg's Podcast

2024-02-18 Talks
On December 7, 2023, four members of this congregation attended, in different capacities, the All Partner Gathering of signatories of the Winnipeg Indigenous Accord at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Our church is (as of the beginning of 2024) one of 243 signers in this city. Find out what our church people experienced, what they learned, and how we see our future with the Accord, going forward.

2024-09-22 Sermon
Unfortunately the beginning of this sermon was lost due to a computer crash, but we wanted to share as much of it as we could.

For most people, eulogies provide the longest biographical narrative ever written about them, recording details of their lives and perceptions of their character. What’s the story of your life? What has animated you? What do you wish to be remembered for? In the end, each of us curates the stories of our own lives.

Following the service, the church’s Memory Garden was dedicated outside.

October 20, 2024
What are the elements? Well, if you are talking modern science, you are talking about the chemical elements in the periodic tables! But if we look back in time, we see how the elements of earth, fire, air and water have played a huge role in many ancient cultures, often from a philosophical perspective. Some cultures added a fifth element, and more, too! These ideas have carried on to this day, in some religions, and in some modern practices such as meditation, and yoga, for example. In Jill’s talk on October 20th, she will discuss some of these ideas and then will focus specifically on the element of “earth” from a personal perspective, sharing with you some of her experiences with “the earth”, and what her relationship to “earth” means to her on a personal level.

October 13, 2024
Despite possessing an abundance of what truly matters, we often stumble through life as if we were deep in debt. Yet our lives often overflow with abundance when it comes to inspiration, good example, and the finer qualities of our people. We need to acknowledge our abundance and spread it around.

October 6, 2024
In recognition of World Food Day (Oct. 16), social justice activist guest speaker, Brandy Bobier, CEO of Community Helpers Unite, will share her recipe to end food insecurity in Winnipeg. Manitoba Volunteer of the Year for 2024, Carina Blumgrund, will be on hand to offer her insights on the spirituality of generosity she sees in feeding the unhoused in her visits to local tent cities and social service agencies. All ages are invited to join our children and youth after the service to pack lunch bags for those living in encampments.

September 1, 2024
We all struggle with fears, big and small, rational and irrational, but they’re something that we all share. Octavia invites all of us to take a moment and look inward and reflect on our fears, and find solidarity in that your deepest darkest fears are, more likely than not, other people’s fears as well. It’s time that we shed the veneer of superficial confidence and embrace fear and uncertainty. When you embrace your fears they can no longer control you, or your narrative.

September 15, 2024
In 1969, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young galvanized generations with the song Teach Your Children. But teaching children well begins with teaching the adults. In working toward the 94 calls to action set by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, powerful learning experiences include participating in treaty walks, attending memorials, and the multi-faceted world of reconciliation reading. Join us on September 15 as we explore reconciliation through Unitarian Universalist eyes.

September 15, 2024
In 1969, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young galvanized generations with the song Teach Your Children. But teaching children well begins with teaching the adults. In working toward the 94 calls to action set by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, powerful learning experiences include participating in treaty walks, attending memorials, and the multi-faceted world of reconciliation reading. Join us on September 15 as we explore reconciliation through Unitarian Universalist eyes.

2023-06-18 - “Life is a series of surprises,” said Ralph Waldo Emerson, and this certainly seems to be true. While it’s also common to hear people, especially bosses and spouses, say, “I don’t like surprises,” I’ve been surprised by joy so often that I relish the surprises that come my way. From a strain of music to a kind word, and from shared revelry to an unexpected gift, we may find ourselves surprised by joy if we are open to the possibility.

2023-07-16 - How many of us were told long ago that we didn’t have any artistic talent… or that we weren’t good enough?  (I sure was) Today I want to talk about how art should be for the masses; not the mass consumers, but the masses who do art for themselves.