Small Groups

Our programs and small groups provide ways to nurture your spiritual growth, to find community, and to actively participate in the varied programs we offer. Learn more about out other courses and programs.

We welcome all, members, friends and visitors, to engage in all of our programs. Come and learn, explore, and experience the many groups and activities here at First.

For information about Small Groups, please contact Angela Klassen, Director of Lifespan Religious Education (DLRE) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at 416-924-9654 ext 223.

These small groups will be meeting during the winter of 2012:

Living in Spirit Groups

Using diverse readings, silence, and thought provoking questions, members of Living In Spirit Groups speak from personal experience to gain and share wisdom and understanding.

Young Adult Group

The Young Adult group is for folks 18 to 35 and new faces are always welcome. Our main event is a monthly brunch after service on the first Sunday of the month at Scallywag’s, just at St. Clair and Yonge. We’re looking forward to planning some other gatherings through the next season such as a game night and some circle worship. Also, there are monthly happenings with the Young Adults from Don Heights and Neighbourhood congregations. If you are a young adult, or you know one who would be interested, contact Sarah at 416-876-8781 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Sign up to be kept in the loop on goings on at Toronto-wide Facebook group and Toronto First Google group.

Youth Group (Ages 13-20)

We are a fun loving group doing a variety of things including movies, cooking, sleepovers, youth conferences, food drives and more. This helps build leadership, community and bonded friendships and enables us to make a difference in the world. Trained advisors supervise all activities. If you are a high-school aged youth looking for a happening group doing fun and meaningful activities, please join us.

Meets Sundays at 11:45 am. For more information, contact Portia This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Soul to Soul

“Soul to Soul” - Using the session guide of the same title, recently released by the authors of “Heart to Heart”, Soul to Soul will be offered in three different series throughout the coming year.

Series 1 begins Tuesday, February 21st and will continue March 6, 20 and April 3 from 7:00-8:30 pm. Series 1 topics are: “thick stories”, compassion, boundaries and trust.

Ready to register? Want to join but the times aren't convenient? Please contact Angela Klassen, our Director of Lifespan Religious Education, at 416-924-9654 ext 223 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to confirm your place in a group or to dsicuss alternative time options.

Noon Seminars

(Formerly “Brown Bag Seminars”) We meet on the third Thursday of the month. From 12 noon to 1:00 pm to enjoy conversation and the individual lunch they bring. Coffee and tea will be available. At 1:00 pm, there will a variety of presentations over the year. The programs will include lectures, stories and slides of member’s travels, documentary films, as well as other programming.

Noon Seminars resume on January 19 with Fred Lautenschlaeger speaking on The Vatican and UUs.

Contact Gillian Burton This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Issues and Ideas: Mini Book Talks

If you’ve ever wished to explore faith matters further by reading, why not drop in on our book review circle. Two facilitators will initiate discussion of a selected topic by each presenting a 15 minute review of a relevant book from our collection, followed by questions and discussion open to all. You’re not expected to read the book beforehand though perhaps you will want to afterwards. Sample topics are Unitarian history, defining the sacred, peace and social justice, interfaith dialogue, feminist perspectives, mysticism, science and religion. We hope to see you in the library. If you have a topic in mind or a book you’d like to review, contact the coordinator This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Jewish Awareness Group

A group for those who wish to share elements of their Jewish heritage and provide opportunities for others to experience Jewish traditions.

For dates, times and location contact Merrilee Brand This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Exploring the Christian Tradition from a UU Perspective

The purpose of this group is to read and discuss topics relating to Christianity from a Unitarian perspective. This has included investigations of the “historical” Jesus, readings in comparative religion, contemporary theology, and literature and films with a Christian theme. Held on the third Sunday of each month in members’ homes.

Contact Bill Parsons at 416-920-2344.

Our Pagan Grove

Learn and share the life of paganism.

Second Friday of the month 7:30-9:30 pm; For meeting location and information, contact Chris Moore This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Kate Chung This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

WomynSpirit

WomynSpirit is a “Neo-Pagan Eco-Feminist” circle begun by womyn who met at Unicamp 21 years ago. All womyn are welcome to join in our gatherings. Upcoming meetings may include sharing chants for the wheel of the year, a video night, and rituals focused on the rhythms of nature and issues in the lives of the participants. Rituals, facilitated by volunteers, may include meditation, sacred circle dance and chanting and are followed by sharing of snacks. We also sponsor occasional courses in feminist spirituality (most recently, “Cakes for the Queen of Heaven” and “Rise Up and Call Her Name”), and join in organizing an annual Samhain weekend festival, the Womynspirit Festival.

Call for the date and time of our upcoming gatherings. Contact Christine Cover This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Let’s Sing! – Choir at First

Come share your love of music and your desire to sing by joining the Adult Choir, led by our Director of Congregational Music, Dallas Bergen. The choir sings music of many styles and genres, honouring our seven principles and the sources of our faith.

No experience is necessary; all we require is a positive attitude and a commitment to making your best effort to attend rehearsals and services. The choir sings at approximately three services per month and rehearses most Thursdays at 7:00-9:00 pm.

Thursdays, 7:00-9:00 pm. Contact Dallas at 416-924-9654, ext 225

Sacred Circle Dancing

“Come, come whoever you are!” In the spirit of community we dance for hope, for healing and for fun. No dance experience necessary. Newcomers are always welcome.

Sacred Circle Dance takes place on the fourth Friday of the month from 7:30-9:30 pm in Shaw Hall.

Refreshments provided. Suggested donation $5. For more information contact Margaret This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Bridge Group

Join a friendly game of bridge every Tuesday afternoon with UU members and friends at First Unitarian. Contact Peter Brydon at 416-536-4123.

Conversational French

Join this lively weekly conversational group conducted in French. Every Friday 1:00-3:00 pm resuming January 13. Contact Claude Marchand at 416-923-0829.

Book Group

Discuss great books in a relaxed setting. Wednesdays in the Library at First from 1:30-3:00 pm

• January 18 - “Green Grass, Running Water” by Thomas King. A genial , wild tale with a serious heart involves the creation of a creation story and the mission of four ancient Indians.
• February 15 - “Sarah’s Key” by Tatiana Rosnay. Pivotal to this novel is the key to the cupboard in which Sarah has hidden her younger brother from the French police.
• March 21 - “The Boy in the Moon; A father’s search for his disabled son”. Walker Brown was born with a genetic mutation so rare that doctors call it an orphan syndrome. Only 300 people in the world have this mutation.

Facilitated by Simon Pearson; For information, contact Wendy Ounpuu at 416-481-8413

Yoga

Classes include Asanas, Pranayama breathing, relaxation and meditation for physical and spiritual growth. A contribution of $30 for ten yoga classes will be requested to support our congregation.

Every Monday 7:00-8:00 pm. Contact Hanna Heger at 416-633-5449 or Taizo Shinkoda at 416-423-4454

Women’s Group

An informal, friendly and supportive discussion group for members and their friends

We meet the second Saturday of each month. 10:00 am-12:00 noon. For information contact Gillian Bramwell This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Men’s Group

A supportive environment to discuss life’s concerns.

Held on the second Saturday of each month from 10:00 am-12:00 noon. Contact Stan Yack This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Neighbourhood North-East Group

Meets in members’ homes for a potluck dinner and genial conversation.

For dates and times contact Dorene Jacobs This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Neighbourhood East Group

Meets in members’ homes for a potluck dinner and lively discussion approximately every six weeks.

For dates and times contact Iris Ward This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Social Justice Committee

UUs in Canada have been in the forefront of the social justice movement for 150 years and we are still working to make our world a more compassionate, peaceful place for all. We have many exciting social justice initiatives underway that you can participate in and we warmly welcome anyone who is passionate about bringing our shared values to the world.

Meets on the third Monday of every month at 7:00 pm. For information, contact Ted This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Amnesty International

Amnesty International Group 142 participates in the Demand Dignity campaign promoting every person’s right to live with dignity. The group’s focus is the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples as outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Meets the third Wednesday of every month at 7:30 pm.

Letter and petition signing on the fourth Sunday of every month at 11:30 am. For information, contact Ted This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

UU - United Nations Office (UU-UNO)

Our beliefs are put into action on a global scale through our work at the United Nations via our UU-UN Office in New York, which has been representing us there for half a century. This is how we work to achieve a livable future for our children and all children. It is the most important legacy we can give them.

For information about how you can become involved with this important work, please contact Eryl Court, UU-UNO Envoy for our Congregation, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at 416-368-3270

Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice (CUSJ)

The Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice is a national faith-based organization founded in support of Unitarian values. The Toronto First Chapter of CUSJ consists of members and friends who involve themselves in local, regional, national and international debate and action in matters of social, economic, environmental and political justice. For the date of the next meeting contact Margaret Rao This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Green Team

Working collaboratively with congregational members, the Green Team provides guidance and implements programs to help the congregation adopt environmentally responsible practices. All members and friends of the congregation are welcome to join the Green Team. Contact us This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Central America Construction Expeditions

Our Construction Expeditions in Honduras are a great opportunity to put your Unitarian values into action and help make a real difference in the lives of hard working families struggling to make better lives for themselves.

You will experience living conditions in the developing world and gain perspective on life in Canada. You don’t need to speak Spanish or have construction skills to join a team of twelve people from across Canada – just reasonably good health and a willing heart.

The three trips this winter are to build schools in Honduras:

• January 14-28
• February 11-25
• March 10-24

Contact Richard Kirsh a 416-767-5837 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

We Agnostics : Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

Alcoholics Anonymous has a 75-year tradition of helping those of us with an addiction to alcohol, to learn to live a life of sobriety and sanity. Especially during the early stages of recovery, its Christian-based spiritual program, can be a challenge for those with a more liberal faith. “We Agnostics” will maintain a tradition of free expression and will conduct its meeting so alcoholics may express any doubts or disbeliefs they may have and share their own personal form of spiritual experience, their search for it, or their rejection of it. Our only wish is to assure suffering alcoholics that they can achieve sobriety with the support of AA without having to accept anyone else’s beliefs or having to deny their own.

Tuesdays at 8:00 pm in Shaw Hall. For further information, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .