A note from Rev. Shawn: A Season of Gratitude

Rev. ShawnOctober 1, 2024

There’s always been for me something about autumn, with its glorious foliage and crisp, cool air, that has summoned me to feelings of deep gratitude, to an intense and abiding appreciation for the gift of simply being alive. A feeling made all the more urgent, when everywhere about us, the leaves, who’ve done their good…

Refugee Team News – September 2024

Refugee TeamSeptember 14, 2024

The waiting list is closed until September 2027

Make this place your home

Rev. ShawnSeptember 1, 2024

I’ve heard it said that when you move to a new city, you must leave and return there for it to finally feel like home. This has certainly been my experience. I’ve felt this to be increasingly true every time I’ve come back to Vancouver after each trip out of town over the past year. But this…

Opportunity at VanU: Caretakers needed

Our SpaceAugust 28, 2024

VanU is in need of more casual Caretakers to help facilitate event rentals and keep our buildings and grounds looking beautiful throughout the busy Fall season and on throughout the year! This is an excellent opportunity for students, creatives, and underemployed people that offers great flexibility, competitive pay, and a respectful, jovial work environment. Previous…

A note from Rev. Shawn

Rev. ShawnAugust 21, 2024

Mid-August greetings, one and all! I hope you’re having a wonderful summer, taking in all the gifts of renewal this time of year has to offer. As I return from my summer break, I’m deeply grateful to have had time over the past few weeks to recharge my own battery and discover the charms…

Summer book club: How to have anti-racist conversations

BlogJuly 9, 2024

This bookclub will study Dr. Roxy Manning’s book "How to Have Antiracist Conversations: Embracing Our Full Humanity to Challenge White Supremacy.” Sessions are planned for Tuesday evenings online, Aug 13 and 27, Sept 10 (this date subject to change), and Sept 24. Dr. Roxy Manning will be a guest at VanU in the Sunday service…

Thank You Donna Brown, Choir Director Extraordinaire!

BlogJuly 9, 2024

On June 2, 2024, Donna Brown, VanU's choir director of 25 years, led the choir for the last time. There was singing and laughing and speeches and cake! Van U received a new gong in Donna's honour to commemorate her years of service. We look forward to seeing Donna sitting beside us in the congregation…

Update from the Wild Salmon Action Team

EnvironmentJune 27, 2024

The long campaign to remove the open-net pen fish farms that threaten our wild Pacific salmon is generating some positive results! To find out about a recent win in federal court, and about an investigation into the integrity of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, click here. While floating open-net pen fish farms continue to…

Notice from our Tech Team: Beware of fake emails

BlogJune 25, 2024

Please be advised that another wave of scam attempts have been emailed out to Vancouver Unitarian members and congregants in recent days. Please take extra care to protect yourself. Rev. Shawn and our office staff will never request money or gift cards directly via email. If you feel even slightly suspicious, please call the office…

Vancouver Unitarians call for Permanent Ceasefire in Israel/Gaza and release of hostages

Resolutions, Social JusticeJune 11, 2024

The Vancouver Unitarians' congregation formally endorsed the statement by the Canadian Unitarian Council and Unitarian Universalist Ministers of Canada calling on the State of Israel and on Hamas to agree to a permanent ceasefire and the immediate release of all hostages. The statement calls on the Government of Canada to stop shipments of weapons to Israel…