Vancouver Unitarians

Potluck Book and Lunch Club
2026-08-27 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-23 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Vancouver) | https://vanu.ca/potluckbooks
Friendly readers gather online for an hour and a half on fourth Thursdays sharing their notable reads and recommendations from the past month.
The broad-ranging meetings might include books on global governance, social justice and climate action, self-help and spiritual inspiration, the best of fiction, biography, art, memoir, and more. A written Book Report follows, featuring all the books mentioned including the reader’s comments.
You’re welcome to drop in any time. Nan Gregory is the de facto contact person and host nangregory [at] shaw [dot] ca . When she’s not around, someone else picks up the slack.
Please click on the JOIN MEETING button below to join.

Sunday Service
2026-08-23 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-08-16 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-08-09 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-08-02 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-26 11:00 - 12:00 | Sanctuary, 949 W 49th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 2T1, Canada
Weekly services

We gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within, among, and beyond us, calling us to our better selves, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion.

After service, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!

Meditation and Chi Gong
2026-08-23 09:00 - 10:45, 2026-08-16 09:00 - 10:45, 2026-08-09 09:00 - 10:45, 2026-08-02 09:00 - 10:45, 2026-07-26 09:00 - 10:45, 2026-07-19 09:00 - 10:45, 2026-07-12 09:00 - 10:45, 2026-07-05 09:00 - 10:45 and 1 more date | Meditation Room, West 49th Avenue 949, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 2T1, Canada
On Sunday mornings, we have two offerings in our Meditation Room.
First, there is Chi Gong from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. This practice is Chanting to clear organs and/or Chanting to clear chakras as originally taught by Dr. Steven Aung. Facilitated by Victoria Oginski.
You are also welcome to join us from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. for silent meditation.
For the past nine years, the group has been led by Victoria Oginski, who has been a dedicated meditator for over 45 years. She is a Buddhist and has studied with many extraordinary Buddhist masters over the years in Canada, Nepal, India, and Tibet. Although informed by Buddhist principles, the facilitation is more universal in approach and everyone is welcome.
There is no formal fee, but please consider dana (donation) to VanU or the Refugee Committee.

Enjoy the Powell Street Festival with fellow Unitarians
2026-08-01 12:00 - 15:00 | Oppenheimer Park, Dunlevy Avenue and E. Cordova, Vancouver, BC, V6A1G6, Canada
The Powell Street Festival is one of the largest and the longest-running community arts festivals in Canada, located in Vancouver’s historic Japanese Canadian neighbourhood, Paueru Gai – today known as the Downtown Eastside. The Powell Street Festival Society also offers year-round programs, and collaborates with local organizations, artists, and communities.
You’re invited to attend with fellow Vancouver Unitarians for a guided tour of the Powell Festival with long-time VanU member, Megumi. This is the 50th annual Powell Festival, and the fifth year VanU members have attended as a group. The event is free and open to all!
We will be meeting at 12 noon on Saturday, August 1, at the corner of Dunlevy Ave and E. Cordova St (the main entrance to Oppenheimer Park). Contact megumianderson46[at]gmail[dot]com if you are interested in attending with the group or just show up on Saturday.
Megumi highly recommends attending the Sumo Tournament, the JODAIKO (all women Taiko Drummers and the Best Taiko Team) event and the Tea Ceremony. All of these events are on Sunday.
Megumi wishes to express her deep appreciation to Mr. Shig Hirai. Shig was the founder and owner of Fujiya Japanese Delicatessen Grocery Store. He was born near Powell Street in 1937 passed away this past November. Shig donated enough funds for the continuation of the Sumo Tournament for the next 50 years!
The Powell Street Festival schedule lists over 88 programs and events. Even more information can be found on the Powell Street Society Festival website.
This recent Tyee article highlights the upcoming festival and its 50 year history.

Wednesday Meditation (via Zoom)
2026-07-29 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-07-22 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-07-15 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-07-08 18:30 - 20:30 | Virtual
For this online event on Wednesday nights, we start with a talk about meditation given by Victoria Oginski, how-to, purpose and pitfalls.
The second half is a shared silent meditation, based on traditional Buddhist techniques. Victoria Oginski, has been a dedicated meditator for over 45 years. She is a Buddhist and has studied with many extraordinary Buddhist masters over the years in Canada, Nepal, India, and Tibet.
Although informed by Buddhist principles, the facilitation is more universal in approach and everyone is welcome. There is no formal fee, but please consider dana (donation) to VanU or the Refugee Committee.
To join us online, please contact victoriaoginski[dot]gmail[dot]com for a link.

Sunday Service: Loving Fahs, Carson, and Hitschmanova
2026-07-19 11:00 - 12:00 | Sanctuary, 949 W 49th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 2T1, Canada
Loving Fahs, Carson and Hitschmanova
Karl Perrin
Download the Order of Service
Related Reading

We gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within, among, and beyond us, calling us to our better selves, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion.

After service, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!

Sunday Service: How Did We Get Here - Stories From Our Congregation
2026-07-12 11:00 - 12:00 | Sanctuary, 949 W 49th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 2T1, Canada
How Did We Get Here – Stories From Our Congregation
The VanU Question of the Month Team
Download the Order of Service
Related Reading

We gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within, among, and beyond us, calling us to our better selves, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion.

After service, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!

Connected to the Land: Our Food Tells Our Story
2026-07-05 12:30 - 14:00 | Fireside Room, West 49th Avenue 949, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 2T1, Canada
Please join us for an engaging presentation by Palestinian Chef Izzeldin Bukhari of Sacred Cuisine from East Jerusalem.
He will talk to us about Palestinian food, with a special focus on vegetarian and vegan dishes from the Somi tradition. Izzeldin is a Sufi Muslim, with deep roots in Gaza where he used to go as a child to visit his Grandmother, and he cooks a lot of Gazan food.
Izzeldin is also an ardent environmentalist because of his interest in what goes into growing and nourishing the food that then feeds our bodies and souls.
This forum is sponsored by the Social Justice Team. The event is FREE and no tickets are required.
Snacks brought by SJ Team members will be served. Please note that Izzeldin will not be cooking, but will be open to questions.

Sunday Service: Lost in the 21st Century
2026-07-05 11:00 - 12:00 | Sanctuary, 949 W 49th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 2T1, Canada
Michael Clague
An intergenerational reflection from the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries in prose, art and poetry.
Download the Order of Service
Related Reading
Weekly services

We gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within, among, and beyond us, calling us to our better selves, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion.

After service, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!

Fourth Sunday Book Club
2026-06-28 12:30 - 14:00 | Family Room, 949 West 49th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 2T1, Canada
The Vancouver Unitarians’ Fourth Sunday Book Group meets after the Sunday service on the fourth Sunday of each month (except July and August). We meet at 12:30 pm in the Family Room (admin building) and online at vanu.ca/fourth-sunday-books. Everyone is welcome.
If attending online, please come back to this page at the time of the event, and you will see a JOIN MEETING button below. Click on that button to join the meeting.

Sunday Service - A Unitarian Uncyclical about AI
2026-06-28 11:00 - 12:00 | Sanctuary, 949 W 49th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 2T1, Canada
A Unitarian Uncyclical on AI – Paul Prescod
Artificial Intelligence is the defining technology of our century. Join us as we grapple with its environmental, economic, ethical and even spiritual dimensions.
Download the Order of Service
Related Reading
Weekly services

We gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within, among, and beyond us, calling us to our better selves, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion.

After service, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!

Celebrating Summer - Coffeehouse Pot Luck and Talent Show
2026-06-26 17:00 - 20:00 | Hewett Hall, 949 West 49th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 2T1, Canada
As the summer break approaches, let us gather and celebrate all that we have accomplished since fall with our Coffee House tradition–an evening where we enjoy the many talents in our congregation.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP here by Wednesday, June 24th, so we can make sure there is enough food for everyone!
Those with culinary talents to share can sign up to bring a summer picnic favourite here: Celebrating Summer Potluck Sign-up.
If you would like to share a performance, please sign up here: Coffee House Performers
And if you can help with set-up or clean-up, I have a list for that too:
Celebrating Summer Volunteer Sign Up

You can contact Jennifer at catpal79[at]gmail.com with any questions. I hope to see you there!

Elders' Circle - Fridays
2026-06-26 10:00 - 11:30 | https://ucv.im/elders-circle-meeting
This Elders’ Circle is a small group that explores various topics and meets on the 2nd and 4th Fridays, from 10am to 11:30am.
For more information about this small group, please click here.
Joining the meeting
At the corresponding time and date, please click on the blue Join Meeting below.
This button will only appear 15 minutes before the meeting starts.

A Monthly Ritual and Movement Group
2026-06-25 19:00 - 21:00 | Fireside Room, West 49th Avenue 949, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 2T1, Canada
To restore body and spirit in tune with the rhythms of nature (our Unitarian sixth source*)

Each gathering will include

Opening and closing ritual (cast circle, call directions)

Sharing circle

Meditation

Poetry

Circle dances – lots of circle dances

When?

June 25

Time: 7-9pm

Please register here: https://forms.gle/6HuuY7ubweWWpfWi9
