January 10, 2021
Rev. Diane Rollert

This is one of those Sundays when what I planned to preach lost its relevance to me. My intention had been to talk about the leases we renew in our lives, the big decisions we are forced to make: like renewing a lease on an apartment, where we get caught between a need to go and the inertia of staying.

January 3, 2021
Rev. Diane Rollert

Four years ago, I told you a story about a book I had read by science fiction novelist Robert Sawyer. The book was Quantum Night. You may remember that I had read it as a (mostly unsuccessful) way to distract myself from all the anxiety I was feeling right after the US election in 2016.

The Chanukah story originally ended as the Maccabees came down from the hills, having won their religious freedom and reclaiming their Temple. Later, the story of the miracle of the oil lasting eight days would be added. The first version told the story of a human victory. The second added a miracle from God.

February 23, 2020
- Rev. Diane Rollert and members of the congregation, with music by Eleuthera Diconca-Lippert and Sandra Hunt

It takes strength, courage and a bit of faith to leave your home far away to begin a new life in a new country. We continue with more sharing from the lives of members of our community, with reflections on perseverance from Rev. Diane, Aldyth Harrison, Fran Nott and others.

February 16, 2020
- Rev. Diane Rollert, with music by Eleuthera Diconca-Lippert and Lillias Lippert

Even when your heart is broken, you have to figure out how to continue on. This Sunday, we'll celebrate the courage of those able to persevere even in the face of heartache.

February 9, 2020
- Petrina Lee Poy and Shoshanna Green, with music by Sandra Hunt and Eleuthera Diconca-Lippert and special guest, kora player Diely Mori Tunkara

Each of us has a story to tell of how we've survived or persevered through difficult times or witnessed the challenges of others. On this Sunday, we welcome Petrina Lee Poy to talk about her own story and the work she does around the world.

February 2, 2020
- Katharine Childs & friends, with music by Sandra Hunt and Eleuthera Diconca-Lippert

As we honour the cold and snow of February's deep season, we seek balance to bring us through the heart of winter. In joy and sorrow, holy water and sacred flame, we remember Brigid, the Celtic goddess of healing and the early spring - and that most elusive of magical woodland creatures, the weather-predicting groundhog!

January 26, 2020
- Rev. Diane Rollert and guests from the Canadian Council of Muslim Women, with music by Sandra Hunt and Eleuthera Diconca-Lippert

On this Sunday, Samaa Elibyari and other members of CCMW join Rev. Diane for a conversation about Muslim women, the veil, and the ways in which we can heal the divide that has grown between Muslim communities and Quebec society.

January 19, 2020
- Rev. Diane Rollert, with music by Sandra Hunt

Throughout our lives, there are times when we need to heal our bodies, our souls or our relationships. On this Sunday, we’ll explore what it means to find the seeds of self-blessing that can lead us to heal our deepest wounds.

January 12, 2020
- Rev. Diane Rollert with Carole McGregor, with music by Eleuthera Diconcoa-Lippert and Lillias Lippert

Where does the healing begin when we work toward truth, healing and reconciliation with the Indigenous people of Quebec? On this Sunday, special guest Carole McGregor, female chief of the Bear Clan in Kahnawake, and Rev. Diane share in a conversation about truth, healing and reconciliation.

January 5, 2020
- Rev. Diane Rollert with music by Eleuthera Diconca-Lippert and Louise Halperin

On this first Sunday of the New Year we’ll gather to contemplate the healing process of letting go of last year’s worries as we share in our annual fire communion. Adults and children of all ages are invited to join us for a magical morning.

December 29, 2019
- Carol Rowan with music by Sandra Hunt and Gary Russell

Carol Rowan came to work in Inuit Child Care while living in Inuit Nunangat because she wanted her children to have access to licensed childcare services informed by Inuit ways of knowing and being. She will share the vision and some of the work in making it happen. Carol Rowan’s Ph.D. thesis proposed thinking with land, water and ice as pedagogical ideas for Inuit early childhood education.

December 22, 2019
- Rev. Diane Rollert, Katharine Childs and others, with music by Sandra Hunt, Eleuthera Diconca-Lippert and Louise Halperin

Something for everyone! A multi-generational, multi-holiday service that includes our annual enactment of the 12 Days of Christmas along with Hanukkah songs and Winter Solstice stories.

December 15, 2019
- Rev. Diane Rollert and Daniel Leising, with music by Sandra Hunt and Eleuthera Diconca-Lippert

It takes courage to visualize a new future, as an individual and as a community. Pursuing that vision may require even more courage, as well as determination and perseverance - without those things, we may never see our vision come to fruition. But if we don't dare to dream - what else will give our lives direction? Rev. Diane will be joined by Daniel Leising, a member of a Unitarian congregation in Germany, who is here on sabbatical for the year. Daniel will share a story about a vision that actually became a reality.

December 8, 2019
- Rev. Diane Rollert, with John Heath and Trudy Blumstein and music by the Yellow Door Choir, Eleuthera Diconca-Lippert and Louise Halperin

When Trudy met her future husband John, she had a lot of assumptions about what it meant to be blind. John blew her away then and continues to amaze her in his approach to life. This Sunday, John and Trudy join Rev. Diane to talk about living with and without sight.

December 1, 2019
- Katharine Childs and the RE Team, with music by Sandra Hunt and Eleuthera Diconca-Lippert

On this first Sunday of Advent, join us for a multi-generational exploration of this Advent season of Faith, Hope, Love and Peace. During this time of waiting, reflection, and honouring the time of gathering night, what visions of possibility might emerge? As winter wraps its cloak around us, what mysteries might be revealed?