Our Mission
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ottawa is a spiritual community of people with shared values and diverse beliefs. We are guided by the warmth of love, the light of reason, and the call of justice. We come together to nurture meaning, hope, and reverence for the earth as we pursue a more just and compassionate world.
Who are we?
We are …
A congregation for those who appreciate all that a spiritual community has to offer, but who need the freedom to think for themselves;
A welcoming space for spiritual exploration and development … we accept that your path is your own, and that you must follow it in your own way;
A centre for deep thought and philosophical inquiry … our weekly services touch both the mind and the heart;
A gathering of compassionate and well-informed individuals working together to create a better world for all;
A “church home” where we share the joys and sorrows of our lives with one another, and where we are all supported throughout life’s crises, celebrations and passages.
At the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ottawa, we celebrate Shared Values and Diverse Beliefs. We come from a wide variety of religious and secular backgrounds, each drawn to the UU approach to religious community. Here you will find theists and atheists, humanists and Buddhists, agnostics and those who have yet to label their personal spiritual journey.
Our shared values call us to work for justice, equity, and compassion in human relations. Central to our statement of faith and practice is a commitment to find ways to express our concern for social justice, and to strive individually and collectively for a community and world that is governed by non-violence, justice, equity and compassion.
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ottawa is affiliated with the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) and through the CUC with the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA in the U.S.) and the International Council of International Council of Unitarians and Universalists (ICUU).
Within this broader community of Unitarians, we share, uphold, and seek to adhere to our Unitarian principles and honour the spiritual sources which inspire them.
Whatever your heritage, whatever your faith, whomever your love — at UUFO, you are welcome!
Unitarian Universalist Principles and Sources
Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. As free congregations we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support.
Principles
As Unitarian Universalists we covenant to affirm and promote:
- The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
- Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;
- Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
- A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
- The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
- The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
- Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
- Individual and communal action that accountably dismantles racism and systemic barriers to full inclusion in ourselves and our institutions
Sources
The living tradition which we share draws from many sources:
- Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
- Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
- Wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
- Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbours as ourselves;
- Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit;
- Spiritual teachings of Earth-centred traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
UUFO is a member congregation of the Canadian Unitarian Council. Read more about Unitarian Universalism at cuc.ca/unitarian-universalism
We Are Canadian Unitarian Universalists
Nick LePan, President
2024-2025 Board of Directors
Bahram Nabatian, Treasurer
Nanci Burns
Katie Lunn
Hoppy Roy
Governance and Structure
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ottawa (like all UU congregations) is an independent organization, which means although we share connections with other UU organizations and churches, we are self governed.
The Board of Directors is the governing body of the Fellowship. The board is made up of members in good standing and is elected by the congregation at the Annual General Meeting each year.
Our Fellowship is primarily run by volunteers, ably supported by our part-time Programs and Administration Coordinator, Sarah Baxter; Music Director, Joe McDonald; and Sunday Morning Zoom Hosts, Allison Armstrong and Anne Hamilton.
Committees, Clusters, and Working Groups
Our Fellowship relies on volunteer committees, who are guided in their missions by the board of directors. Clusters also offer members of the community different ways of contributing and engaging with the people and issues important to our Fellowship as a whole. Our active committees include:
- Welcome and Membership Committee
- Caring Circle
- Worship Cluster
- Inspiring Activities Cluster
- Social Action Groups:
- Affordable Housing Group
- Climate Action Group
- ReconciliAction Circle
- Refugee Support Committee
- Rassemblement Francophone équipe de planification
Shared Ministry
As a lay-led congregation, many hands contribute to creating the caring community we seek. There are many opportunities to engage with congregational life, through small group activities, potlucks, workshops, discussions, and groups and committees that contribute to the functioning of growth of our shared community.
UUFO History
The founding of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ottawa begins in 1967 when the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa moved from downtown Ottawa to the west end and agreed among themselves that eventually they would support the establishment of a Fellowship in the east end of the city.
In 1995 Rev. Fred Cappuccino was asked to put together a committee to establish this new East End congregation. Regular Sunday Services began on March 17, 1996 and by May 26, Charter Membership Sunday, 49 people had signed the Membership Book. The Fellowship was officially incorporated as the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ottawa on May 1, 1997. Our Anniversary has always been a call for celebration on or near March 17 every year since.
In 1999 Rev. Cappuccino asked to be relieved of his ministerial responsibilities as he wished to give more time to Child Haven International. He has remained our Minister Emeritus. Our early years saw a number of part-time ministers leading the Fellowship: Bonnie Lee helped deepen our spiritual core through Sunday Services and other adult programming as well as develop a strong children’s program. Bonnie’s creativity and energy helped us grow and expand into new areas of thought and social action through 2005.
Leela Sinha acted as part-time “interim minister” until Rev. Frances Leigh Deverell joined us on a one year half-time contract as a consulting minister. Following a congregational vote in January 2007, Rev. Frances was called as our settled minister and in September 2007.
In 2008 our membership peaked at 88. We achieved a “Welcoming Congregation” designation in 2008. Participation in annual Pride Parades has always been important to us. We held Sustainability Fairs and supported environmental issues through letter writing, demonstrations, Green Corner Newsletter articles, and presentations. On-going adult education programs, children’s religious exploration, social action programs and social activities prospered. In the fall of 2009, Rev. Frances announced her intention to retire on January 1, 2010.
In the winter of 2010 we faced a year of transition to a lay-led congregation.
In 2011, we welcomed our first student intern shared with First Unitarian Congregation. We have had four interns over five years and each has added to the depth of worship and programming as well as offering expertise in other areas of congregational life.
For those first 17 years, we met in various rented locations. “A Home of Our Own” was a goal of the congregation from the beginning. Over the years the Property Task Force encouraged contributions and held fund-raising drives for our Building Fund. We also searched for possible sites. With endorsement from the congregation, a UUFO Capital Campaign was launched in 2010.
This gave the Board the financial backing to enter into negotiations with Heartwood House (a non-profit, charitable organization providing affordable rents to 18 community agencies) to purchase a building together. A congregational vote was taken in August, 2012 which overwhelmingly supported this purchase.
Our Inaugural Service was held in our current Sanctuary at 400 McArthur Ave. on September 29, 2013 with Rev. Fred Cappuccino leading the day!
Since then, we have been primarily a lay-led congregation, welcoming ministerial interns in collaboration with First Unitarian Congregation. For two years in 2016 we welcomed Rev. Rod Solano-Quesnel as our Developmental Minister, before returning to our lay-led format.
Our Building – A Partnership with Heartwood House
Our building at 400 McArthur Avenue in the neighbourhood Vanier, Ottawa, is the site of our ongoing collaboration with Heartwood House, a non-profit organization based on the principle of “better together.” Through this partnership, member organizations of Heartwood House have affordable access to our space, during the week, when they would otherwise usually be empty. Our partnership allows us to co-own our property, both organizations benefiting from access to shared resources.
UniHeART Gallery
The UniHeART gallery is located in our foyer. It is a joint project between Heartwood House and the Fellowship. We exhibit approximately 6 artists’ work in 2 month periods from September to June.
Whoever you are, at UUFO you are welcome.