Upcoming Services
WINTER 2026
March 8, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. “A Marriage in Ontario.” Charlotte Innerd with music by Curtis Dueck and Tom Nagy. An archivist delves into a controversial marriage ceremony in a Universalist church in 1920. Come hear a little-known story about the early struggles that eventually set the stage for marriage equality in Ontario. [Don’t forget to change your clocks for this Time Change Weekend!]
March 15, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. "‘What's Love Got to Do with It?’: Thoughts on How Best to Respond to the Ecological and Social Crises of Our Time.” Dr. Stephen Scharper with Joyce Reesor and the Spirit of Life Choir directed by Rich Hrytzak. We are at the confluence of several major crises: climate change, threats to democracy, especially in the USA, and "culture rot," which celebrates greed, violence, and an overwhelming assault on human dignity. After briefly detailing each of these challenges, I hope to unpack the role of love and social compassion as a basis for a creative response.
Dr. Stephen Bede Scharper is a professor, author, editor, columnist, and public scholar with a special focus on social justice, sustainability, and the environnment. Currently Director of the Integrated Sustainability Initiative at Trinity College, he is also associate professor at the School of the Environment and the Department for the Study of Religion at the University of Toronto, as well as the Department of Anthropology (UTM). He also serves as adjunct professor at the Toronto School of Theology and is a Senior Fellow at Massey College.
March 22, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. “In Praise of Slow.” Brenda Moen. In his book In Praise of Slow, Carl Honoré says: “As… technology made it possible to do everything more quickly, hurry and haste seeped into every corner of life. People were expected to think faster, work faster, talk faster, read faster, write faster, eat faster, move faster.” Carl examines the costs of living at a fast pace and the benefits of living slow. He says, “Slow is the opposite: calm, careful, receptive, still, intuitive, unhurried, patient, reflective, quality-over-quantity. It is about making real and meaningful connections—with people, culture, work, food, everything.” In a time where there is so much pressure on us to be fast, embracing a slower pace—when we can—has many benefits for us and our world.
March 29, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. “Connecting From the Heart: GRU and the Muslim Women’s Coalition.” Fauzia Mazhar of KW Muslim Women with Christa Van Daele and Vladimir Djurovic, pianist. Connect. Include. Engage. On March 29, we celebrate those heady Unitarian-Universalist aspirations with Fauzia Mazhar and the Coalition of Muslim Women of KW. Respected in our community for their long time pioneering work in anti-oppression, we explore our mutual commitment to building radically inclusive community beyond our own community, enacting our mutual strengths in the ongoing work of defending democracy.
The follow up discussions to this Sunday’s service involves a lively Tea and Tales event in Whitton Hall. Members of our congregation will have a chance to dialogue directly with the women of the Coalition as well as sample refreshments.
April 5, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. “Rising to the Moment.” Rev. J.P. Rodela. On this Easter Sunday, the start of our annual stewardship drive, we consider how the message of the ancient Christian story calls us to respond to times of uncertainty.
April 12, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. “Interfaith Grand River.” Jay Moore and representatives from Interfaith Grand River return to GRU to share perspectives on faith and diversity. Founded in 2001, IGR brings the wisdom of our many traditions to bear on current issues affecting our community by promoting dialogue, encouraging interaction, and challenging intolerance. For more about this group and upcoming events visit https://www.interfaithgrandriver.org/ .
April 19, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. “The Story of Co-Creation.” Rev Jess and Worship Artists with the Spirit of Life Choir. This morning we celebrate Earth Day in poetry and reflection, story and song.