The Canadian Unitarian Council was established in 1961 as the national organization for Canadian members of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Since 2002 however, most services have been provided directly by the CUC.
The Canadian Unitarian Council is the sole body for Unitarian Universalist congregations in Canada, and a member of the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists.
Member churches of the CUC are organized into four regions: British Columbia, Western, Central, and Eastern, corresponding to the regions of Canada, from the West Coast to the East Coast, except that the Western region also includes the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, as well as Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
For the purpose of its youth services, the Central and Eastern regions are combined, forming a youth region known as QuOM (Quebec, Ontario, and the Maritimes), making three rather than four youth regions.
Organizationally, the Canadian Unitarian Council is governed by its Board of Trustees, who are responsible to the owners. The Board of Trustees consists of eight elected members, two from each of the four regions.
The business of the Canadian Unitarian Council is conducted during its Annual Conference and Meeting, which includes the Annual Conference, with workshops, and the Annual General Meeting, in which business matters are discussed and voted upon.
There are no central creeds for the Canadian Unitarian Council. However, the body has a document known as The Principles and Sources of our Religious Faith, in which a set of common values are articulated. These are largely social rather than religious in nature, its Principles including the important of human worth and dignity, justice, equity, compassion, acceptance, the right of conscience, democratic process, respect, peace, liberty, and justice for all.
The Sources from which these are drawn include direct experience, the words and deeds of prophets, wisdom from the world's religions, including Jewish and Christian teachings, as well as humanist teachings, and the spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions.
This category is focused on the Canadian Unitarian Council, specifically. Appropriate topics include websites representing the Council or any of its ministries, social justice or other programs, or affiliated organizations, as well as other websites, even outside of the organization, which are focused on the Canadian Unitarian Council. For the most part, sites representing local congregations should be submitted to the appropriate Local & Global category, which would be the one corresponding to its geographical location.
Recommended Resources
The CUC is the national organization for Unitarians, Universalists, and Universalist Unitarians in Canada. The official organizational website provides information about its governance and management, task forces, committees, groups, and board of trustees, as well as its Annual General Meeting. Employment and volunteer opportunities are posted, and reports of past annual conferences and general meetings are included.
https://cuc.ca/
Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice
CUS was organized in 1996 by members of Unitarian Universalist congregations and fellowships in the Greater Toronto region, its purpose being to offer support and protection for local and regional social programs, and has developed into a national organization representing several congregations and fellowships of the Canadian Unitarian Council. Its history, organizational structure, chapters, memberships, and action campaigns are documented.
https://cusj.org/
First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa
Situated on Cleary Avenue, in Canada’s capital city of Ottawa, the congregation is a member of the Canadian Unitarian Council and the Unitarian Universalist Association, and an LGBTQ welcoming congregation, a UU-UNO Blue Ribbon congregation, and a Designated Lifespan Learning congregation. Its location, schedules, and a calendar of events are published to the site, along with community news, administrative contacts, and office hours.
https://www.firstunitarianottawa.ca/
Grand River Unitarian Congregation
The liberal religious congregation is associated with the Canadian Unitarian Council and the Unitarian Universalists. Directions to its meeting place, a schedule of programs and services, and a calendar of events are published to the site. An introductory video on Unitarian Universalism and informational texts on Unitarianism, Unitarian Universalism, and UU history are included, along with library information.
https://www.grandriverunitarian.ca/
A member congregation of the Canadian Unitarian Council, the church serves the Unitarian Universalist community of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. A map shows the location of the church and an information video is presented, along with an introduction to Unitarianism and the CUC, including its principles and aspirations. Upcoming services are highlighted, with schedules, calendars, and sermon archives. Announcements are posted to the site.
http://unitarianscalgary.org/
Unitarian Fellowship of Regina
The Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada congregation is a member of the Canadian Unitarian Council and a Welcoming Congregation. An introduction to Unitarianism is put forth, including its affirmations and inspirations, and principles. Its leadership, administrative contacts, and office hours are posted, and a schedule of Sunday services, children’s programs, and a calendar of projects and other events are included, along with its facility rental policies.
https://reginaunitarians.ca/
The Unitarian Church of Vancouver has been in existence since 1909. An LGBTQ welcoming congregation, the church is part of the Canadian Unitarian Council. Its history, mission, vision, governance, leaders, staff, and ministers are introduced, and its location is published to the site. An overview of its worship services, a schedule of future services, the text and inserts for past sermons, and schedules of services, social justice activities, and other events are included.
http://vancouverunitarians.ca/
