Visitors' FAQ
Who are Unitarians?
Unitarians are a people on a spiritual journey. We each have our own individual path to follow, but do this in community with one another, enriching and encouraging each other as we travel. Though Unitarian Universalism has its roots in the Christian tradition, we believe that there is no one creed or holy scripture. We find inspiration from many sources and are united in our pursuit of a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Our common cause is our Eight Principles.
This church was founded in 1956, and has been a voice for liberal religion in the Waterloo Region since that time. We welcome all seekers!
Come, come whoever you are;
Wanderers, worshipers, lovers of leaving;
Ours is no caravan of despair.
Come, yet again, come.
~adapted from Rumi
What happens on Sunday morning?
Our services are held at 10:30 on Sunday mornings and last approximately approximately 75 minutes. You may recognize some aspects of our service, as we draw on Christian tradition while integrating this with other spiritual and humanist forms. We open with the lighting of our chalice, a symbol of our Unitarian Universalist faith, sing hymns and hear readings. Our minister, Rev. Jessica Rodela, or a guest speaker, delivers a message to uplift, inspire, and encourage. A tradition cherished by this congregation is our Candles of Hope, where anyone may go forward and light a candle to commemorate a joy or sorrow in their life. We would be honoured if you joined us for coffee and tea in our fellowship hall afterwards.
Our Sunday services are livestreamed on YouTube. Contact the Office Manager at manager AT Grand River Unitarian DOT ca if you have questions.
View our Newcomer Orientation video to see what you can expect on a Sunday morning at Grand River Unitarian Congregation.
What should I wear?
We are intentional about "come as you are," so casual clothes are fine.
What do the children do?
At in-person services, a staffed nursery is available beginning at 10:15 AM for children from birth to three years. Children (JK through Grade 6) spend the first 20 minutes minutes in the adult service. They are invited to the front of the sanctuary for a special story; then the adults sing them out to their Sunday FUUnday Time. Your children are welcome to stay with you in the adult service if they wish to do so. After the service, the children can be picked up from from the classroom area at the back of the fellowship hall, downstairs.
Is there a youth group?
Yes! High school aged youth (age 14-19) meet many Sundays after the service at 12:30 PM. Working with several adult advisors, they plan activities, programs, and fundraisers. Periodically they host a "Souper Sunday" where they sell soup and desserts after the service and split the proceeds between funding their own activities and charitable donations. They also lend money to entrepreneurs in developing countries through KIVA, participate in regional youth conferences, have discussions about Unitarianism and philosophy, visit a haunted farm at Halloween, and lead one Sunday service a year. Plans for a Junior Youth Group are underway. Contact the Office Manager to find out more.
Where are you?
299 Sydney St., Kitchener, ON, N2G 3V8. Directions and map
How can I join?
If you have found a spiritual home in our congregation, we invite you to deepen your connection to us by becoming a member. While we have many longtime “friends” who participate on Sundays just as fully, membership in the congregation allows you to have a voice in church governance, chair committees, and represent the congregation at regional or national Unitarian Universalist events. Throughout the year, we offer gatherings and programming designed to orient newcomers to Unitarian Universalism. For details about our membership process and expectations, please read our Membership Path Letter.
Upcoming events and opportunities to connect at GRU are published in our weekly newsletter, and you are always encouraged to introduce yourself to our minister.