Unitarian Church of Edmonton (UCE)

Religion EN ↓ 323 episodes

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 believe in the compassion of the human heart, the warmth of community, the pursuit of justice and the search of meaning in our lives. We gather with gratitude on traditional Cree lands that are now a part of Treaty Six and shared by many nations. A treaty is an inher...

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Unitarian Church of Edmonton (UCE)

Episodes

“Journey to This Land,” Rev. Brian J. Kiely, 17 Mar 2019 18.03.2019 47:01

On a day when Irish descendants celebrate their roots, I want to think a bit what it means to risk all and immigrate to Canada. It’s a delicate subject these days since, as a society, we are contemplating the impact of colonizers. But today I want to consider the journeys more than the politics. 00:00 1 Welcome 02:01 2 Prelude “The Minstrel Boy” by The Coors 04:22 3 Opening Words “Come into This P...

“Sharing Our Faith,” Rev. Brian Kiely and UCE Youth, 10 Mar 2019 11.03.2019 46:43

Sharing Our Faith is a chance to celebrate and mark our national connections with the Canadian Unitarian Council. We have a wonderful community, but we also exist as a nationwide network of fellow religious liberals. We will take a special offering this day for the Sharing Our Faith Fund: a granting body that we hope will assist us in financing some upcoming projects. 00:00 1 Welcome by Romeo 01:1...

“Taking the First Step,” Chorealis, 3 Mar 2019 04.03.2019 45:20

A journey of a thousand miles may begin with a single step, but what makes us take that first step and what keeps us going on the journey? 00:00 1 Welcome 01:32 2 Prelude “Gathering Here” by Gordon Ritchie Chorealis 03:01 3 Opening Words “Invitation to Join the Journey” by Lyn Cox (adapted) 04:40 4 Kindling the Chalices “We Need One Another” by Erik Walker Wikstrom 05:23 5 Intro: Hymn “Lift Up the...

“The Worth and Dignity of Every Person,” Rev. Brian J. Kiely, 17 Feb 2019 17.02.2019 51:56

I have always maintained that following our first Principle is the toughest thing Unitarianism asks of us. If we do it well, the Principle will keep asking us to go deeper and deeper in confronting our hidden biases, privileges and even sense of self. 00:00 1 Welcome 01:07 2 Prelude introduction 01:49 3 Prelude: “It Ain't Necessarily So” by Oscar Peterson 04:21 4 Opening Words: Rev. Richard Gilber...

“Understanding Racism,” Rev. Brian J. Kiely, 10 Feb 2019 11.02.2019 16:08

Racism is a relatively new phenomenon in human history, though distrusting ‘others’ isn’t. Today I look at what racism actually is. 00:00 1 Sermon (already in progress) “Understanding Racism” 14:57 2 Meditation, Langston Hughes 15:19 3 Closing Words Quoted Material Lori Lakin Hutcherson, “My White Friend Asked Me on Facebook to Explain White Privilege. I Decided to Be Honest” https://www.yesmagazi...

“One Race,” Chorealis Taizé Service, 3 Feb 2019 03.02.2019 54:54

Chorealis presents its annual Taizé-inspired service. Come be reminded, through meditative readings and song, that although the people of the world have different religions, different languages and different coloured skin, we all belong to one human race. Gordon Ritchie, Karen Mills, Yvonne Mireau, Kim Lang, Robert Begg Guest musicians Sherri Roy, oboe, and Diana Nuttall, cello 00:00 1 Welcome 01:...

“Buddhist Influences on Unitarianism,” Rev. Brian J. Kiely, 27 Jan 2019 28.01.2019 21:08

From the 19th century onward, Buddhism played a significant role in the development of some parts of Unitarianism. Indeed, we played a small role in bringing that faith to North America. Readings Opening words, William F. Schulz, “Come into this place of peace...” Thilini Ariyachandra, “An Invocation of Metta/Compassion”, https://www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/online-resources/prayer-index/buddhist...

“Spreading Enlightenment,” Rev. Brian J. Kiely, 20 Jan 2019 20.01.2019 22:16

The Buddha spent the five decades following his Enlightenment spreading the word of his inner peace and devising a path for his followers. Today we will delve into some of the elements of his message. 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 acti...

“Awakened Prince,” Rev. Brian J. Kiely, 13 Jan 2019 13.01.2019 25:23

This month we will look at the religion of Buddhism in some depth. This week we will start with the man who became the Buddha. 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 believ...

“The Mystery of Christmas,” Rev. Brian J. Kiely & Corinne Jackson, 9 Dec 2018 09.12.2018 17:40

Whether it is the story of the nativity or the legends of Santa Claus, we wrap our winter festivals in mystery. Is there something in the human make-up that requires such non-rational outlets? Readings Sarah Movius Schurr “Emmanuel” https://www.uua.org/worship/words/meditation/immanuel David O. Rankin “Advent” https://www.uua.org/worship/words/meditation/advent The Unitarian Church of Edmonton is...

“Annual Carols and Lessons,” Chorealis, 2 Dec 2018 02.12.2018 21:42

Today we celebrate three major festivals; the first Sunday of Advent, the beginning of Hanukkah, and the Celebration of Chalica. Join Chorealis for some cool tunes and heart warming stories. Readings Megan Rule, “The Joy That Winter Always Brings Me” https://thoughtcatalog.com/megan-rule/2017/01/the-joy-that-winter-always-brings-me/ Daniel Gregoire, “The Craft of Winter Solstice” https://www.uua.o...

“Reclaiming Liberalism,” Rev. Brian J. Kiely & John Pater, 25 Nov 2018 23.11.2018 23:51

Is there a future for classic liberal views in our society today? How might we reclaim those values and promote them? Or should we even bother? Readings CNN, “Trump's mood takes a foul turn” https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/14/politics/donald-trump-mood-pissed-white-house-intrigue/index.html David Frum, “The Real Lesson of My Debate with Steve Bannon” https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2018/11/b...

“The Threat to Liberalism,” Rev. Brian J. Kiely & Kat Hartshorne, 18 Nov 2018 17.11.2018 23:50

The results of the US midterm elections are in. The attack on liberal values there, here and elsewhere in the world where populism holds sway is real and significant. How does this affect communities like ours? Reading Group Think: Irving Janis, Yale University https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupthink Reference “The Enigma of Reason” by Hugo Mercier and Dan Sperber https://www.goodreads.com/book/s...

“Unitarians and the Liberal Tradition,” Rev. Brian J. Kiely, 11 Nov 2018 10.11.2018 25:11

We have traditionally characterized ourselves as liberals, but what does that mean? What is the root of that idea and how does it describe our religious tradition? Readings Heather Janules, “Called by Loss, Called by Peace”: https://www.uua.org/worship/words/opening/called-loss-called-peace The Unitarian Church of Edmonton is a liberal, multi-generational, religious community. We celebrate a rich...

“Snowflakes and Sailors,” Chorealis, 4 Nov 2018 04.11.2018 22:28

Liberal thinkers are often accused of being unrealistic or soft. This service will look at why nothing could be further from the truth and why sometimes having things be hard is good. Fred Cappuccino, “A Divine Spark” Rev. Josh Snyder and Rev. Barbara Gadon, “Love Affirmation” Charles Magistro, “It's Not Easy Being a UU”: http://peterboroughunitarian.ca/files/2013/06/The-Spiritual-Practice-of-Bein...

“Making the World Safer,” Rev. Brian J. Kiely, 21 Oct 2018 22.10.2018 14:43

Obviously this is too large a topic for a sermon, but today I will discuss what we can do to make our own small part of the world safer and better for ourselves and those around us. Save the World Project: http://www.savetheworld.org/ Robert Gilbert: “The Courage of Patience,” “To Save the World or Savour It” Langston Hughes: “Dreams” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxuzMjSQQok The Unitarian Churc...

“Safe Community,” Rev. Brian J. Kiely, Will Adair, & UCE Youth, 14 Oct 2018 14.10.2018 29:13

In this all-ages service we will look at the steps we take to protect our children, our youth, our elders and all our members in this congregation. 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 belie...

“Sanctuary,” Rev Brian J. Kiely & Ali Hammington, 7 Oct 2018 08.10.2018 27:04

In ancient times it was said that someone escaping the law could claim sanctuary in any church and be kept safe. Today the meaning of the word has become more diffuse. I will look at the broader idea of Sanctuary. Amy McKenzie Quinn, “Welcome to This Common, Sacred Space”: https://www.uua.org/worship/words/opening/5450.shtml Dennis McCarty, “Litany of Compassion”: https://www.uua.org/worship/words...

“One Vision, Many Hearts,” Chorealis, 30 Sep 2018 30.09.2018 24:14

Chorealis kicks off our 2018-19 season by looking at ways we might put UCE’s vision into practice. How can we best foster one shared vision while honouring the diversity or people and ideas we know makes our world richer? Readings David S. Blanchard, “Why Did the UU Cross the Road?” Gary Kowalski, “Degrees of Separation” Susan Manker-Seale, “Out of Our Yearning” BILIDA, Karen COULL, Adrienne MILLS...

“UCE Vision Statement,” Rev. Brian J. Kiely, 16 Sep 2018 17.09.2018 17:33

Continuing a month-long look at vision, this morning we consider a statement the congregation collectively approved a couple of years ago. It states how we see ourselves and where we hope to go. Jennifer Leota Gray, “Drawn Together”: https://www.uua.org/worship/words/chalice-lighting/drawn-together Our Vision: The Unitarian Church of Edmonton A liberal religious, multi-generational congregation. W...

“What Next? A Community Conversation,” Rev. Brian J. Kiely, 16 Sep 2018 16.09.2018 18:35

Let’s have a conversation this morning. Having looked at where we have come from, let’s look at how we might shape the years ahead. Carole Martignacco, “The Everything Seed”: https://www.uua.org/re/tapestry/children/loveguide/session1/everything-seed Robert Walsh, “It Matters” Richard Jefferies, “The Present Moment”: https://philosophy.nz/richard-jefferies/ The Unitarian Church of Edmonton is a li...

“Unitarian Vision: How Did We Get Here?” Rev. Brian J. Kiely, 9 Sep 2018 09.09.2018 19:53

Ours is a living faith that is always changing. Today let’s look at the journey through our philosophical history noting the pendulum swings from humanism to spirituality. “What is a Unitarian Universalist Church?” https://www.questformeaning.org/clfuu/uu/ Sophia Lyon Fahs: “It Matters What We Believe” https://www.uua.org/worship/words/reading-responsive-reading/it-matters-what-we-believe We gathe...

“Why I Walk the Labyrinth,” Bonnie Kyle, 13 Jul 2008 14.07.2008 52:02

1 Announcements 0:00 2 Prelude 1:53 3 Opening Reading 661 “The Heart Knoweth” 5:47 4 Hymn 188 “Come, Come, Whoever You Are” 6:39 5 Sharing Our Abundance 8:38 6 Reading by William Wordsworth 11:01 7 Sermon “Why I Walk the Labyrinth” by Bonnie Kyle 11:55 8 Meditation 36:21 9 Hymn 352 “Find a Stillness” 41:09 10 Closing Words 43:26 11 Postlude 45:11 The Unitarian Church of Edmonton is a liberal, mult...