My name is Judith Warren and I am currently filling the role of Vice President on The UFL Board of Trustees. I am also the Board contact for both Worship and Personnel. This is my second year of a two year term on the Board. I have served on the Board twice before, once as president.
I grew up in the United Church but left in early adulthood feeling that I didn’t really belong there but not sure where I did belong. My husband and I raised our two daughters as agnostics. While I did feel something was missing in my life, in truth, as a nurse working rotating shifts and weekends all while raising children, fitting in something else on a Sunday morning was not something I wanted. The whole idea was overwhelming.
At the invitation of Beth Guthrie, I started to attend the UFL regularly in about 2003 and joined soon after. I felt immediately at home. I felt a real sense of belonging. I love that I am invited to to explore my own growth as a spiritual person with openness and curiosity. I feel enriched by the diversity of everyone here, by their multiple beliefs, multiple traditions and multiple life experiences. I love that we are on a journey together to find meaning beyond our own survival.
Since joining the UFL, I have learned that disagreement is an invitation to look at something differently. I have learned that dialogue is as much about listening as it is about speaking.I have learned that the strength of our congregation depends on our commitment to being in community with all of our different and passionate beliefs. I am so grateful for the sustaining warmth which the UFL community provides.
Matthew’s Bravo award for the Chalice
On 7 June 2026, Matthew Lise was presented with a Bravo Award by the Unitarian Fellowship of London. The nomination read approximately as follows “Week after week, Matthew’s tireless efforts behind the scenes ensure that our sanctuary is welcomely prepared and ready for worship. Thanks to Matthew for being the “hands and feet” of our congregation and setting the place up so that others can enjoy their UFL experience”. At the UFL, Matthew also serves as an enthusiastic volunteer with the Movie Night Team and actively participates in Sunday services. In addition, Matthew volunteers for a number of programs within the greater London community. In summary, Matthew provides selfless service, demonstrates dedication, and is a great role model for others. Bravo to Matthew on this well-deserved award!
2026 U U Pride Celebrations
The Pride Celebrations Committee (PCC), Jeff Dixon, Ann Klinck, Mark Konrad, Raghul Ramakrishnan, Bill Ratcliffe, Lori Turner-Otte and Jerrod Whitman have begun to plan the 2026 U U Pride Celebrations for the week of July 12-19. Plan to share the joy with fellow Unitarian Universalists and the general public, some of who are U U, but do not know it yet.
Reflect on the following quotes for a reason to participate in U U Pride Celebrations. “Equality is the soul of liberty. There is, in fact not liberty without it.” (Frances Wright) “The devastating repercussions of hate-filled language manifest in very real ways for today’s LGBTQ youth.” (Cheyenne Jackson) “We are gay and straight together, And we are singing, singing for our lives. We are gay and straight together, And we are singing, singing for our lives.” (from hymn #170, We are a Gentle Angry People by Holly Near, in Singing the Living Tradition hymnal) “When you reduce life to black and white, you never see rainbows.” (Anonymous)
This year there will be two hybrid Pride Worship Services. There will be a fulsome joint Pride Worship Service on Sunday, July 12 with Christa Duvall of PFLAG and Elliot Duvall of Trans*London followed by a briefer Pride Service on Sunday, July 19, at a different time of 10:00 am. The early start time is to allow Pride Parade walkers to gather for the 12:00 pm Parade start. Note that there will be a PFLAG/Trans*London bbq following the joint July 12 Pride Worship Service. U Us are welcome.
The traditional U U Pride booth at the Annual 3 Day Outdoor Festival returns to Victoria Park, Friday, July 17 to Sunday, July 19. Global Importune along with Informational materials. children’s crafts and candy handouts will be features of this year’s U U Pride booth. Be a part of this major outreach activity for our Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Experience the joy of connecting with other LGBTQ+ supporters. Contact Bill Ratcliffe, wratcliffe@sympatico.ca tel. 519-471-7500 about volunteering or sign up for a shift in the booth, on the sign-up sheet on Sundays, starting mid June.
Sunday, July 19 from 12:00 pm., the Pride Parade will start at the Western Fair District. Plan to be a part of this longstanding tradition for our Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Catch the Pride spirit. Contact Bill Ratcliffe, wratcliffe@sympatico.ca tel. 519-471-7500 about marching or sign up as a Pride Parade walker on the sign-up sheet on Sundays, starting mid June. Cars will be left at designated spots with walkers being driven to the start of the Parade and returned to their cars, in groups. Note that this is 30th Annual Pride Parade. Our Unitarian Universalist faith community has been participating for 24 years.
In closing, Joy is in the details. The biggest takeaway from exploring Pride is to allow people to self-identity without assuming that you know. Let’s continue to strive for this aspiration. As Maya Angelou suggests, “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
Bill Ratcliffe,
Chair, Pride Celebrations Committee
On 6 June 2026, members of the Unitarian Fellowship of London attended the five-year commemoration vigil and march for “Our London Family”. “Our London Family” refers to the four members of the Afzaal family – Salman, Madiha, Yumnah, and Talat – who were tragically killed in an Islamophobic terror attack in London, Ontario in 2021. The vigil was held at the site of the attack on Hyde Park Road. Community leaders shared words of remembrance, healing and hope before joining in a spiritual march to Oakridge Secondary School. Participants valued the opportunity to connect with others in mourning loss of the Afzaal family, and to stand together against religious intolerance and hatred in our community.
This year Ann and Jennifer applied to the West Trust Grant, a fund that helps Canadian UU congregations promotes UUism. The UFL was awarded $900 for a project focused on improving our digital outreach. We are part way through this project which includes a number of components such as ads on social media and improvements to our website.
Video was created by Normand, Ann and Jennifer
Video Transcript
Are you feeling disconnected? Searching for the warmth of community?
Do you no longer feel a connection with your faith community?
Are you an atheist, agonistic, or a seeker unsure of your beliefs in this ever polarizing world around us? Unitarian Universalism may provide the community that you are seeking.
At the Unitarian Fellowship of London you are welcome no matter: your background, your beliefs, your abilities and your challenges no matter whom you love, your gender identity or how you define family.
We are a free thinking and progressive faith community.
Unbound by creed or dogma, we are guided by the common values expressed in our 8 Unitarian Universalist principles.
At the Unitarian Fellowship of London, our accepting and loving faith community supports and respects each person’s journey on their individual search for truth and meaning. We believe that we are all connected.
Our actions matter.
How you live your life matters more than what or who you believe in. We are called upon to respect our planet and help create a peaceful, free and just society for all.
We believe that wisdom comes from many sources. We encourage and value questions. We recognize there isn’t only one answer to life’s mysteries.
Learn more about Unitarian Universalism at the unitarian fellowship of london dot org or We invite you to come to our Sunday services where we define worship as holding up that which is worthy. starting at 10:45 at 557 Clarke Rd in London Ontario.
You may find the community you are looking for.
#unitarianfellowshipoflonon #religion #spirtual #faithcommunity #unitarian #uu #cuc #UnitarianUniversalism
Please submit any information to the office email by the third Friday of each month to be included in the next edition of the Chalice.
