Our Congregation

We gather for Sunday Services. We enjoy fellowship through lively conversation. We act on our UU principles. We share stories of summer at our annual Fall In Gathering Service. We dance the night away. We nurture our children and tend our garden.

You are welcome at the UFL however old or young you are, wherever you were born and grew up, whomever your ancestors were, and in whatever religious tradition you were raised. You are welcome whatever your gender and whomever you love. You are welcome with whatever abilities and limitations you have. We invite you to bring your whole self and join us in our mission to Challenge the Mind, Nourish the Spirit, and Act in the World.

We were designated a Welcoming Congregation in 2001 and in 2021 renewed our status as such. This means we have worked hard to make sure lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people are full members of our faith community. Being welcoming means striving for radical inclusion, and creating spaces that honour every part of our identities, backgrounds and experiences.

Membership

Do you value all that a spiritual community can offer but need the freedom to think for yourself? Do you believe that questions can be as important as answers? If you are looking for a faith that challenges your mind, a community that nourishes your spirit, and you believe that our actions are as important as our beliefs, then you may find your religious home at the UFL.

Several times a year, we offer orientation sessions to acquaint newcomers with Unitarian Universalism and our congregation. We encourage thoughtful discernment through our membership process. New members are welcomed with a simple membership celebration during a Sunday Services. We ask that members affirm the UU principles and agree to our covenant. Members are expected to contribute to the financial health and work of our congregation.

Enriching the community

We are a self-directed group and we support our congregation through our own efforts. We encourage members to enrich at the UFL by becoming involved.

Our Covenant of Right Relations

In the spirit of our Unitarian Universalist Principles we:

Value a free exchange of ideas,

Honour the responsible expression of all voices,

Listen respectfully with open minds,

Respect diversity of belief and opinion,

And seek to resolve conflict directly and harmonioiusly.

(Covenant is Latin for “come together” and means “a solemn agreement” or “promise from the heart” regarding a course of action between parties. Our covenant is a living dynamic document expressing how we relate to one another within our congregation.)

Our Governance

Welcome! Part of our heritage as Unitarian Universalists is self-governance. Each congregation maintains the power to call and discharge a minister, to set its own priorities, draft and fund a budget, and establish a democratic model of governance.

Our Board of trustees is the governing body of our organization. The Board sets policy, recommends by-law changes and oversees our finances. Our president chairs the board, and each board member has responsibility for different facets of the well-being and operation of the Unitarian Fellowship of London. Any interested members are welcome to attend board meetings as observers.

The planning and coordination of events and programs is in the hands of various individuals, committees, teams, and task forces. Members are encouraged to attend our Annual Congregational Meetings where we vote as a congregation to elect our Board members and to make decisions on important issues such as our budget and bylaws.

Our History

In the 1950’s, Christian teachings were a common part of the public school day in Ontario. As one founding member explained, “It all started on a Monday morning” when an elementary school teacher asked one of their children’s classes how many of the students had attended Sunday School. A group of five families decided to find a way to provide an alternative, humanistic equivalent of a religious education for their children.

In 1953 the first five families started meeting in members’ homes. The children met Sunday mornings and the adults in the evenings. In these early days, there was resistance to anything that suggested mainstream religion, such as the use of words like “church”, “congregation”, and “pulpit”.

Within a year, the group was big enough to rent larger space in the community. In 1961 the Unitarian Fellowship of London built its first building on Victoria Street. In 1982 the fellowship hired its first minister. Over time the staff grew to include chaplains, an office manager and a staff member to support our Programs.

In 1997 the group moved to our current location at 557 Clarke Road. While we honour our humanist roots and a significant number of our members identify as humanist, over time our group has become more diverse and includes people with a variety of belief systems. Together we embrace the Unitarian Universalist principles and work together to create a unique, liberal religious community in the London Area.

Time Line of the Unitarian Fellowship of London

Unitarian Universalism

In Unitarian Universalism, you can bring your whole self, your questions, your doubts, your beliefs and your loving heart.

We see the value in coming together, without one 'right' set of beliefs, and with conviction that history has given us many teachers. We do not ask you to check your personal background and beliefs at the door: we invite you to join with us on a journey that honours a variety of understandings.

Unitarianism and Universalism were, historically, liberal Christian traditions. Unitarianism began in the 16th century and valued religious freedom and thought. Universalism developed in the late 18th century and espoused the idea of a loving god who embraced all people.

Over time, these liberal religious ideas spread, evolved, morphed and merged into what is modern day Unitarian Universalism. Over time, our shared Principles that support “the free and responsible search for truth and meaning” have led us to embrace diverse teaching from Eastern and Western religions and philosophies.

Unitarian Universalists believe more than one thing. We think for ourselves, and reflect together, about the important and BIG questions:

What is the meaning of my life?
How shall I live?
Is there something bigger than me?
What sacred texts and sources of wisdom can inform my journey?
What spiritual practices can help ground me?
How can we celebrate diversity and build communities of hope and meaning?

We come together, with shared values, as expressed in our eight Principles to grow and learn together. We come together in worship services, in religious exploration programs, in our search for truth and meaning and the world we dream of. We invite you to visit us, to learn more about us, and to join with us in the journey.

If you want to learn more about Unitarian Universalism, please explore the links at the bottom of this page.

Our Unitarian Universalist Principles

As a member congregation of the Canadian Unitarian Council, we covenant to affirm and promote the following principles:

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 congregation
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 communities.

Our Unitarian Universalist Sources

We believe wisdom comes from may sources. Worshipping in our congregation you may hear a reading or perspective shared from any one of these sources from which our living tradition is drawn:

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 neighbors 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-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature

For more information on Unitarian Universalism the following links will assist you:

Canadian Unitarian Council - our Canadian Association

Unitarian Universalist Association [UUA] - our North American Association

Our Programs

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”

- William Butler Yeats -

Children’s Religious Exploration

**Please Note** The pandemic has impacted our Children's program. Please see link below to "Current Children's Program" below to see what is available at this time.

Unitarian Universalist Religious Education is not about giving children all the answers. Rather, it is about helping children develop the integrity and independent thinking that will help them live compassionately in our diverse society. Our Children’s Religious Exploration Program is offered Sundays from September to June. Childcare is available in the summer.

The program is supported by our Director of Congregational Life and run with the help of our wonderful volunteer committee and teachers. The safety of our children is important and all of the people working directly with our children are required to have vulnerable person screening police checks.

Our program is based on curricula from the Unitarian Universalist Association and other sources that reflect our principles, which are stated here in children's language:

Each and every person is important.
All people should be treated fairly and kindly.
We should accept one another and learn together.
Each person must be free to search for what is true and right in life.
All persons should have a vote on things that concern them.
We should work for a peaceful, fair, and free world.
We should care for our planet earth, the home we share with all living things.

Sundays in Religious Exploration

On most Sundays children accompany their parents or guardians to the main Sunday Service at 10:45 am for the first ten to 15 minutes. Children participate in the opening words, chalice lighting, candles of joy and concern and the first hymn. During the Time for All Ages children participate in a brief story, lesson, or activity. Most months we also have a service where all ages can worship together.

After the Time for All Ages, children attend Religious Exploration activities for approximately 45 minutes. Children are served a nut free nutritious snack. Supervision is available during coffee hour.

Children’s Religious Exploration Activities

First Friends (ages 0-6)

Our childcare provider supervises our youngest children in our bright and spacious First Friends room or outdoors in our Children’s Garden. The program includes, stories, crafts, and free play.

Sunday Religious Exploration Classes (ages 6-16)

Our Sunday program includes a variety of activities including age-grouped classes exploring a selected UU curriculum and whole group activities such as social justice activities, special events, or field trips.

As children enter their teen years, they are encouraged to follow a program balanced between discussion, worship, leadership, social gatherings, and social action initiatives. They will have an active role in the decision making of their program throughout the year.

Learn more about Religious Exploration:

Adult Religious Exploration

The continued exploration of personal and religious values is encouraged through group and individual study.

Chalice Groups are small groups of ten or fewer UFLers who commit to meet once a month, fall to spring. Group members get to know each other more personally during the small group experience, and practice deep listening as folks express their ideas and feelings on discussion topics. Each Chalice Group may choose to do projects to help the UFL and/or the larger London community.

From time to time we offer programs for adult members and interested people from the community. Examples of past course offerings include: UU 101, Building Your Own Theology, UU Bible Study and a Healing Arts series. Check here for current programs.

Our Faith in Action

“I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy.”

- Khalil Gibran -

As Unitarian Universalists we are dedicated to living our faith and are active in social justice. Our Social Action Committee meets regularly throughout the year. Regular activities and events include:

Planning and conducting a number of social justice Sunday Services during the church year. This often involves a guest speaker from an organization in our community.
Sharing produce from our vegetable garden with local shelters. Members also make donations in exchange for vegetables with proceeds going to the London Food Bank
Organizing UFL participation in London’s annual Pride Festival and parade
Partnering and/or supporting other groups who carry out social justice activities.

Our People

Minister
At this time we are making decisions about our future staffing. Until a new minister is hired we will have a number of guest ministers and speakers and lay leaders from our worship team present at our Sunday Services.

Lori Turner-Otte, Director of Congregational Life

If you have any questions about our Children's program or Sunday Services, please feel free to contact Lori at 519-859-1640 or at lorisotte@gmail.com

Patricia Daly, Office Manager
(519) 451-0424
ufl@execulink.com
Office Hours
Monday & Wednesday 10:00 am - 1:00 pm Thursday 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon

Board of Trustees 2021-2022

President: Brian Keith
Vice President: Vacant
Treasurer & Stewardship Trustee: Imran Khan
Secretary: Klarissa Fear-Firman
Trustee at Large: Bev Ball
Trustee at Large: Dan Milligan
Past President: Ed Kotheringer

Board Members

Lay Chaplain Brian Keith

Ceremonies and Lay Chaplaincy

Services we offer

Weddings

Marriage Confirmations

Baby Blessings

Child dedications

Coming of Age Celebrations

Housewarmings

Earth-based or Nature-oriented Services

Memorial Services

Ceremonies to celebrate other Rites of Passage

Milestone Ceremonies

Our Lay Chaplains:

Our lay chaplains perform rites of passage for non-members and for non-Unitarians. Our lay chaplains are neither ministers nor counselors but are members of the Unitarian Fellowship of London. They are approved and registered by the Canadian Unitarian Council and are provincially licensed. Our lay chaplains recognize that different people have different needs and preferences and will work with you to create a meaningful ceremony at the place of your choice. They will recognize and honour your beliefs and wishes. They will meet with you ahead of time and help you to plan a ceremony or ritual that meets with your expectations.

People often choose a Unitarian lay chaplain to officiate their ceremonies when their values and beliefs no longer fit with traditional religious perspectives. For example, many same-sex couples, interfaith couples, and previously divorced couples choose us to help them celebrate their weddings.

Ceremony Fees:

There are fees for the ceremonies conducted. These are discussed in advance with the lay chaplain. The current fee for services is $350.00, with the exception of baby blessings, child dedications and coming of age ceremonies which are $150.00 each.

Your Place or Ours?

The Unitarian Fellowship of London has a large and beautiful sanctuary and smaller suitable spaces depending upon the number of guests expected. We also have fully equipped kitchens. These spaces can be rented separately and must be booked well in advance to ensure availability.

Brian Brian Keith joined the Unitarian Fellowship of London in 2017 after participating in congregations in London, Toronto, Ottawa, England and Scotland. He was raised in the Presbyterian faith in rural Ontario and had a forty year career as a technical writer focussing mostly on high technology. Since retiring Brian is focussing on what is most important in his life - relationships, the meaning of ceremonies to mark significant life passages, and the need for social harmony. Brian is licensed in Ontario to perform wedding ceremonies and has been trained to conduct funeral and child naming ceremonies. He is available by telephone at 226-378-6637 and by email at uflchaplain@outlook.com.

The Unitarian Fellowship of London

We are a Unitarian Universalist Congregation. We are a pluralistic religious community of free-thinkers who value diversity, equality and intellectual curiosity. We gather together to challenge the mind, nourish the spirit and act in the world. As individuals and families we congregate to search for truth and meaning, and celebrate both the awe and mystery in our lives. Social justice, environmental and democratic principles, peace and compassion, are integral to our liberal religious community. We welcome fellow seekers on our journey! You are welcome to attend a Unitarian Fellowship of London Sunday service in the near future to get a sense of our religious perspective.