Be Here Now – Sunday Service

In a constantly shifting world, what are the spiritual practices that allow us to be present to ourselves and be committed to our spiritual community? What resources and wisdom can we draw from to achieve equanimity in our lives and become more resilient?

• The recorded sermon in this service comes from the “Meaning Making” series. We are one of 15 Canadian Unitarian Universalist congregations who are sharing resources to create an 8-part series on the Roots of Resilience.

About the speaker, Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kūpono Kwong

RevJ(he/they) is the Lead Minister of First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto. Dr. Kwong obtained his master of divinity and doctor of ministry degrees from Claremont School of Theology in California, and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in film studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Born and raised in the Philippines (of Chinese descent), most of RevJ’s adult life was spent in California and Hawai’i. He served several congregations during his more than decade-long ministry including First Unitarian Church of Honolulu (where former U.S. President Barack Obama attended Sunday school), Sepulveda UU Society, Temecula Valley UU Community, Ohana Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) in Honolulu and Resurrection Beach MCC in Orange County, CA. Their non-profit leadership included serving as Executive Director of the Counselling & Spiritual Care Center of Hawai‘i and API Equality-LA.

RevJ values his pluralistic and ecumenical upbringing, from Evangelical to United Methodist, from Episcopalian to Calvary Chapel. They were christened at a gospel church and baptized as a Chinese Mennonite. In Hawai‘i, RevJ was a member of the Honolulu Mindfulness Community, a sangha influenced by Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hahn.

Westwood runs weekly services, September through June, bringing a variety of speakers on a wide range of topics.  Please check back for updates on this Sunday’s service.

There is an opportunity for ‘social time’ in person (with coffee) or online following the service – a time to connect with friends old and new.