Unitarian Church of Edmonton (UCE)

A colleague told me that some of her young congregants prefer to text (or use some other message format) and dislike phone calls. The young person attributed it to ‘social anxiety’ around direct communication. How do we find each other in this new world? 1 Welcoming Words by Rev. Brian J. Kiely 0:00 2 Prelude “Little Breath” by Meredith Monk 2:29 3 Opening Words 4:19 4 Kindling the Chalice 5:17 5...

Before we can think a lot about finding each other, we have to find ourselves. To be truly present with the people we love, we need to know where we stand, what our limits are and where we are prepared to extend ourselves. Partly that means acknowledging history, so we will note Remembrance Day as well. 1 Welcoming Words by Rev. Brian J. Kiely 0:00 2 Prelude “What Are We Hiding From” sung by Marti...

“We are together in this holy moment, and were grateful for the winding road that brought us to this place.” Those are the words of the prelude, and the theme of this service. We’ll look at the winding road that brought UCE to the place it’s at now, and the ways we found each other along the journey. The Unitarian Church of Edmonton is a liberal, multi-generational, religious community. We celebra...

With only three months to go before my final service at UCE, it’s time to think a bit about what that means for me and for the congregation. I won’t be suggesting a future course for you, that’s no longer my place, but I can discuss the transition from my perspective. 1 Welcome by Rev. Brian Kiely 0:00 2 Opening Words by Mark Morrison Reed 1:25 3 Kindling the Chalice, Oberlin Ohio UU Fellowship 2:...

This weekend we welcome members from the congregations of Western Canada for the annual Regional Fall Gathering. The ministers have a tradition of sharing the service with the sermon being done by the local host. Rev. Anne Barker, Edmonton Rev. Charlotte Cowtan, Winnipeg Rev. Debra Faulk, Calgary Rev. Karen Fraser-Gitlitz, Saskatoon Rev. Lara Fuchs-Holm, Winnipeg Rev. Brian Kiely, Edmonton Rev. Fu...

In a month when we start thinking about what lies ahead, it’s good to pause and take stock of where we have been personally and as a congregation. 1 Welcome by Rev. Brian Kiely 0:00 2 Prelude “Linus and Lucy” by Vince Guaraldi Trio 2:07 3 Opening Words by Richard Fewkes 5:31 4 Kindling the Chalice 6:21 5 Hymn of the Month “One Flame” 6:49 6 Story for All Ages “Good Thing or Bad” by Rev. Brian Kiel...

It is said that “The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with One Step”. Once we join hands and hearts in common endeavour, there will be no limit to what we can achieve together. 1 Welcome by Gordon Ritchie 0:00 2 Prelude “Be Ours a Religion” by Theodore Parker and Thomas Benjamin 1:46 3 Opening Words “In Our Circle Again” by Shari Woodbury 2:52 4 Kindling the Chalice “Take from Life Its Coals” by...

Core elements of Unitarian Universalism: The Seven Principles The Unitarian Church of Edmonton is a liberal, multi-generational, religious community. We celebrate a rich mosaic of free-thinking, spiritually-questing individuals joined in common support and action. We welcome diversity including diversity of beliefs from divine believers to humanists, from pagans to atheists and agnostics. We belie...

The UCE Social Justice Working Group is committed to supporting the calls to action that came from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This service continues this commitment. 1 Prelude “Moon Drumming Song” by the North End Winnipeg Women's Centre drumming group 0:00 2 Opening Words 1:54 3 Welcome, Rev. Audrey Brooks 2:19 4 Introduction, Social Justice Working Group and Truth & Reconciliation...

Today we install the Board of Trustees that will guide our church in the next year. And while my title is a bit pretentious, it’s important to remember that the ground of this congregation is its people, especially those willing to serve and lead. Erin Vandermolen-Pater will be our guest musician, courtesy of Larry and Louise Charach. The Unitarian Church of Edmonton is a liberal, multi-generation...

In these days of polarization about nearly everything, it seems the world is out of balance. The Taoist philosophy of seeking balance and harmony might be a useful base on which to build. 1 Welcome by Rev. Brian J. Kiely 0:00 2 Prelude “Harp Orient Music”, Tai Chi Music - Chinese Songs New Age & Classical Relaxing Music for Tai Chi Chuan, Reiki & Yoga 3:15 3 Opening Words by Mo Tse 4:45 4.1 Kindli...

It can be difficult to be part of a religion that has no creed. What connects us? Inspires us? Guides us? I think it is a set of ideas and principles based on a common theology. The Unitarian Church of Edmonton is a liberal, multi-generational, religious community. We celebrate a rich mosaic of free-thinking, spiritually-questing individuals joined in common support and action. We welcome diversit...

As the calendar page turns, let us regather and note the start of the new church year. It’s time to reflect on the summer (such as it was!) and shake hands with people we might not have seen for a while. 1 Welcome by Rev. Brian Kiely 0:00 2 Prelude “Gymnopedie (piano) No. 3 - Lent et grave” by Erik Satie, Frank Glazer piano 2:05 3 Opening Words “Come, Gather In” by Andrea Hawkins-Kamper 4:21 4 Cha...

This Pride Service is hosted by our Youth to celebrate diversity and the value of all peoples. UCE Youth: Violet, Nakai, Lillyanna, Lily, Kadance, Elora, Alya, Alex 0:00:00 1 Welcome by Kadance 0:01:12 2 Prelude “Love Train” by The O’Jays 0:04:19 3 Opening Words & Kindling the Chalice “Inherent Worth and Dignity” by Steve Stock, read & lit by Lily 0:04:44 4 Hymn 1053 “How Could Anyone” 0:06:03 5 S...

My favourite question has long been “What’s next?” Where do we go from here? How do we set a course for sailing into the future? Special thanks for our guest musician Margaret Fisher (French Horn) who is a member of Orchestra Borealis. 00:00 1 Welcome 02:22 2 Prelude “Amazing Grace” arr. by Paul Basler, played by Margaret Fisher & Gordon Ritchie 04:46 3 Opening Words 05:16 4 Hymn 361 “Enter, Rejoi...

Many people have made their way to Unitarianism because they were dissatisfied when given pat answers about the existence and nature of God. But many of us are still curious. Is there a concept of the divine we can support? David Pohl, “We Come to This Time and This Place”, https://www.uua.org/worship/words/reading/we-come-to-this-time 00:00 1 Welcome 02:53 2 “Being Green” sung by Kermit the Frog...

A Mother’s Day service that looks at our basic curiosity about our origins as children and then as more thoughtful adults. Guest Musician: Maria Jenkins 00:00 1 Welcome by Rev. Brian 02:35 2 Opening Words #596 “Metta Sutta” 03:16 3 Kindling the Chalice, and Mother’s Day Candle 05:22 4 Hymn 95 “There Is More Love Somewhere” 07:24 5 Story for All Ages--“Amelia” by Gail Sphar, read by Rev. Brian 14:0...

Curiosity makes us ask questions. Whether deeply personal or expansively global, our questions can be the catalysts to a better version of ourselves, our communities or our world. 00:00 1 Welcome 02:04 2 Prelude “Asking” sung by Chorealis 05:29 3 Opening Words Opening Words “Let Us Look First to the Response of Love” by Maureen Killoran 06:06 4 Kindling the Chalices January 2019 Global Chalice Lig...

The banners in our sanctuary reflect our commitment to seek “wisdom from the world’s religions that inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life.” Today we unveil a new banner that represents Indigenous spirituality. It has been created for us by our friends at the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society and is a long-awaited addition to our sanctuary. This banner will remind us of our commitment...

This morning is Easter Sunday. While few UUs celebrate the magical resurrection of Jesus, there is still much we can learn from the stories we tell about him. If nothing else, he deserves our respect for his wholehearted living. 00:00 1 Welcome by Violet 02:08 2 Prelude “O’ She Will Bring” by Circle of Women 05:47 3 Opening Words by Elizabeth Strong, read by Lily 06:25 4 Kindling the Chalice by Di...

Caution has its place, but I am not sure it is wise to let our lives be only governed by caution. Sometimes we have to just dance the Hokey Pokey and put our whole selves in. 00:00 1 Welcome 02:10 2 Prelude “Take a Chance on Me” by ABBA 06:22 3 Opening Words by Ma Theresa Gustilo Gallardo 07:19 4 Kindling the Chalice by Barnaby Fader 07:41 5 Hymn 347 “Gather the Spirit” 10:24 6 Kindling Children a...

We are whole where we would doubt our own goodness, richness, fullness and depth, where we would doubt our own significance, our own profoundness. We meet together this morning to celebrate the joy of human community seeking a wholeness that extends beyond ourselves. 00:00 1 Welcome by Karen Mills 01:19 2 Opening Words “We Gather Here as Individual People” by Barbara Hamilton-Holway by Karen 02:23...

I am something of a moderate and fascinated by history. Many more passionate folks than I are concerned that our nation and culture is not changing fast enough regarding any number of concerns. Me? I marvel at how we have gotten to where we are. Special thanks to our musical guests of Orchestra Borealis, Victoria Clarke (cello) and Darolyn McCrostie (piano). 00:00 1 Welcome 02:23 2 Prelude “Arioso...

Social Justice presents Black History Month with guest speaker Deborah Dobbins of the Shiloh Centre for Multicultural Roots. Guest musicians are members of Pepperseed Steel Orchestra. 00:00 1 Welcoming Words 01:01 2 Prelude “Romance” 04:26 3 Opening Words 05:05 4 Chalice Lighting 05:31 5 Hymn 30 “Over My Head” 07:37 6 Sharing Our Abundance 07:54 7 Pepperseed Steel Orchestra: “Stand by Me” 12:20 8...

“On the Path” is the name of a UU adult program that was popular a couple of decades ago. It encourages people to view their spirituality in terms of a Journey, one that may never end as long as we live. 00:00 1 Welcome 01:11 2 “Salute to the Four Directions” by Ali Hammington 02:58 3 Hymn 163 “For the Earth Forever Turning” 04:36 4 Kindling the Chalice 05:08 5 Children's Chalice Lighting and Rece...