Member Testimonies

First Unitarian has become something of a home base, and the Unitarian Universalist faith the language I use to make sense of the feeling of walking a hundred roads as one. Since becoming a member, I’ve learned from Buddhist Monks and Wiccan Priests, talked at length with Indigenous elders, sat at Shabbat tables and danced with dervishes, but First is always the place I come back to, to put it all together. I’ve never been particularly good at sitting still. For people like me, who spend so much of our time wandering, having a home to come back to is truly an extraordinary feeling.

— Juensung Kim, June 2020

Testimony of Ted Wood, December 11, 2022

Good morning. I’m Ted Wood and I’m a member of Amnesty International. Amnesty International is a global movement of over 7 million people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities, who […]

Testimony of Nacia Miller, November 13, 2022

Hello. My name is Nacia Miller and I’ve been a member of First since 2017. I’m currently a member of the Board of Trustees and am on the Capital Campaign […]

Testimony of Stan Yack, April 17, 2022

Good morning.  My name is Stan Yack. I’ve been coming to Toronto First for 30 years.  I grew up in a Jewish family, and I’m still a bit uncomfortable telling […]

Testimony of Margarete Wiebe, November 28, 2021

My testimony today is partly on behalf of the Green Sanctuary Group, (GSG) of which I am a member, to keep you as a supporting congregation informed about our chosen […]

Testimony of Margaret Bryant, November 14, 2021

Good morning. My name is Margaret Bryant and I am a member of First Unitarian of Toronto. I am a third generation Unitarian.  I was raised on stories told by […]

Testimony of Robbie Brydon, September 26, 2021

Shé:kon sewakwé:kon, Robbie Brydon yónkyats, o’serón:ni ní:’i. Hello, my name is Robbie Brydon, I’m a white Settler and have been part of this community for almost 30 years. I speak […]

Testimony of Rilla Clark, May 2, 2021

Good Morning Everyone, As a new member of First, I have been asked to answer the question that Team Generosity has posed to all of us: “what do I receive […]

Testimony of Catherine Lake, March 14, 2021

Life Suspended One warm September Saturday, our car was stopped on the 401 highway with thousands of westbound travellers. My Karen and our six-year-Nigel onboard, the speeding traffic had abruptly […]

Testimony of Terri Marks, February 14, 2021

What Black History Month Means to Me Thank-you for this opportunity to share a reflection on what Black History month means to me. Did you know that Black History month […]

Testimony of Richard, June 16, 2019

When did you know? When did you first know she was right for you?  Was it when you first met her?  Was it when she smiled that special smile?  Was […]

Testimony of Margaret Kohr with Rosemary Kohr, November 18, 2018

Why I say “Yes” to First There are so many ways I could tell you about why I say “yes” to First. But to keep it simple, I say “yes” [...]

Testimony of Moara Sarah Barrett, October 21, 2018

Good Morning, Everyone. I have been attending First for almost three years, now, and I’d like to share a bit about my experience singing in the choir. When I first […]

Testimony of Doug Buck, March 4, 2018

Good morning; I’m Doug Buck, a member of this congregation. York University, where I taught, ran on committees — so it was easy for me to fit right in at […]

Testimony of Margaret Bryant, May 14, 2016

Good morning. I am Margaret Bryant and I’m a member of this congregation. My husband Dominic and I were married at First, and our daughter Alix attends the Grade Five/Six […]

Testimony of Ariel Hunt-Brondwin Oct. 19, 2014

Hello.  My name is Ariel Hunt-Brondwin – I am a member of this congregation and it is my deep joy to share a part of my story with you all […]

Mark Jorgensen and Barb Wentworth

“My biggest compliment for Mark is how he has kept his sense of humour…” Watch Ainsley Kendrick’s loving yet informative interview with Mark Jorgensen and Barb Wentworth to learn more […]

Testimony of Dallas Bergen, September 21, 2014

Reflection I am usually pretty comfortable speaking publicly, but I won’t lie… I’m feeling pretty nervous about doing this… addressing what is quite possibly the MOST polarizing, MOST incendiary topic […]

Testimony of Bruce Schwartzentruber, May 27, 2012

Note: Bruce died unexpectedly on (died November 10, 2014). He is sorely missed by his many friends in the congregation and in Roncy Village. Good morning! My name is Bruce […]

Testimony of Agnes Vandergang, New Year’s Eve, 2000 (died December 10, 2005)

Part I Good morning.   My name is Agnes Vandergang, and I have been a UU, and a member of this congregation, for more than 12 years.   During that […]