Rev. Shawn Gauthier Few people would actually defend perfection as a goal for most if not all aspects of life. While excellence can be compelling, perfection can be elusive and ultimately unfulfilling. Yet, too many of us remain in its grip. This Sunday, Rev. Shawn will invite us to reflect…
The Lay Chaplain Team This Sunday service falls on Imbolc, the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, when the first signs of the awakening earth are seen, the first stirrings of spring to come. The Lay Chaplain Team and friends will lead the service in Celebration…
Rev. Shawn Gauthier In this service, we’ll reflect on the meaning of the various promises we make to one another, as individuals and as part of an enduring community. From vows made at the altar to commitments made through a congregational covenant, what does it mean for us to keep…
Rev. Shawn Gauthier Love is, indeed, a many-splendoured thing. This Valentine’s Day weekend, we will celebrate love’s many varied forms. The service will involve a marvellous mix of music and powerful poems that speak to the love found in many different types of relationships. Download the Order of Service Weekly…
VanU Partner Church Team Since before COVID we’ve been working closely with our Partner Church in Africa to fund their ambitious effort to erect a church in Rutana Burundi. The church structure is now complete but they still need money for finishings. We hope your donations this year will allow them to…
Janet Pivnick Wisdom comes from many sources. In this multigenerational service, we’ll consider the stories of two spiritual elders and their legacy of wisdom. St. Frances of Assisi has been a source of insight for many Catholic and non-Catholic followers, and Frances David has had profound influence in our own…
In March, many of our small groups will be discussing this month’s theme: Seeking Wisdom. We’ll launch this theme with an all-ages service focusing on wisdom derived from spiritual elders and exploring the sources that we each draw on for wisdom. There will be a light lunch after the service followed…
Janet Pivnick, Madeline McPeck and Taylor Starkman Intergenerational sharing can bring so much richness into our lives, widening our understanding and bringing new perspectives. Although Unitarian congregations have a reputation for attracting mostly boomers, we also have wonderful young adults in our midst. Today we will hear from two of…
Mei Jia Lam and Jin He For over two thousand years, Hakka people (meaning sojourners, guest people, outsiders), have journeyed through migration, upheaval, and renewal, traveling countless routes and growing new roots wherever they arrive. In this service, we will share intergenerational reflections on our shared Hakka ancestry, including some wondering,…
Rev. Shawn Gauthier Sometimes, while trying to be helpful, people say the darndest—and most damaging—things in the wake of loss or human suffering. These are typically attempts to make sense of what has happened, to find some deeper meaning amid the heartache we feel. But, it’s worth asking: Is there…
Rev. Shawn Gauthier We find ourselves at a pivotal moment, both as a country and as a congregation. In these tumultuous times, with so much in flux, how are we at VanU being called to put our values into action? Download the Order of Service Related Reading Sermon text Weekly…
Rev. Shawn Gauthier This Sunday, we celebrate Passover and Easter in a decidedly Unitarian key, with readings and music to open us to the renewal of this season. Rev. Shawn’s sermon will draw on the themes of freedom and hope found in the ancient stories that define these holidays and…
