The Unitarian Church of Edmonton
is a Welcoming
Congregation, which
means our community is open to all, without regard to sexual orientation,
race,
gender,
age,
ability, or income. It's nice to have you with us.
The Edmonton Unitarian
Vol 45. No. 9
Published Monthly by the
Unitarian Church Of Edmonton
12530 - 110 Avenue
Edmonton AB T5M 2L5
Tel (780) 454-8073
Fax (780) 452-1641
Email chadmin@uce.ca
Web Site www.uce.ca
Deadline for the November newsletter is October 22, 2004
Sunday Services at the Unitarian Church of Edmonton — Services
begin at 10:30 a.m.
October 3: Brian Rude
"
A Challenge for Fundamental Change"
Brian Rude's experience is based on his
ministry in El Salvador with orphans during the time of the civil war in the
late 1980ties, protecting the children from extreme violence. In 1994, Brian
shifted his focus to AIDS ministry, teaching self-esteem and prevention among
prison inmates. Brian is a Lutheran minister and his home town is Camrose.
October 10: Rev. Brian J. Kiely
“Cosmic Thanks”
INTERGENERATIONAL SERVICE
The Young Members of the Congregation are preparing a service for which you
will be truly grateful. Come prepared to sing, dance and share. It is traditional
in this congregation to bring things for the Food Bank, so please open your
hearts to those who need our help.
October 17: Rev. Brian J. Kiely
“Two Theologies- Part 1”
Historically, Unitarians and Universalists have different views of human nature.
One contemporary theologian believes this is one reason why UU’s are
unsure of who we are and wary of discussing it. The Chalice Circle groups will
lead a sermon discussion following the service.
October 24: Rev. Brian J. Kiely
“Two Theologies – Part 2”
Using ideas growing from the sermon discussions last week, I will discuss how
we might reconcile the historical rift between theologies and explore where
we might go from here.
October 31
“Halloween”
Or for those purists among us
Hallowe’en. This year Halloween falls on a Sunday. The Young Members
of the Congregation will be assisting in a service that looks at the roots
of this day of remembrance and celebration.
Come to Services at The Church of the Renovation
Come to Saturday services at our new building (10804 119th Street).
Services start at 9:30 a.m., followed by a "sweat equity" working
session at 10:00 am
Saturday Services, 9:30 a.m.
October 16: John Pater
“The Soul of Bricks and Mortar”
SPECIAL
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING, October 24 at 11:45 a.m.
A Special
Congregational Meeting of the Unitarian Church of Edmonton will be held in the church auditorium on
Sunday, October 24, 2004 at 11:45 a.m.
Business of the meeting will include:
Legal motion for sale of the current
building.
Be it moved that telecommunication voting by the Board be available under
the discretion of the President and the Minister.
All members are urged to attend. You must be a member for two months
before you are able to vote. Non-members are most welcome although
they may not vote.
The September 12 service on “The Language of Reverence” stirred
a great deal of discussion. It began with a reading from UUA President
Rev. Bill Sinkford. He noted that our Principles – now 20 years
old – have not one word of ‘religious’ language
in them. They describe how we approach religion, but do not talk
the religion itself. Should we try to change that fact? Sinkford
called for a continuing conversation on, “the language of reverence.”
Some folks thought opening up a meaningful discussion of what we
believe is just the right thing to do. Others were concerned
that the majority view would swamp
beliefs held by fewer numbers, but with no less passion. The potential for
lively discussion is clearly here in this hot button topic.
On Thursdays, October 14 through November 18 I will
lead an adult class on the slim book of essays entitled “The
Language of Reverence”. 20 people
signed up that morning, but there is always room for more.
This will be a book
study class, but one with lots of room for conversation. In the
sermon I asked if it was possible to create a document to parallel
the
Principles, something that might be entitled “Things commonly held
among us”. It would not in any sense be a creed, but more a snapshot
of the variety and substance of the things Unitarians in this church believe.
I hope
we can
have some conversation around those ideas as well.
There will be afternoon
and evening sessions for this course, from 1 – 3
p.m. and from 7- 9 p.m. There will be an essay to read each week (from 7
to 38 pages). The book costs $20 although there will be a couple of lending
copies
if you need them. It’s also fine to share a copy with someone else.
Please register by calling the office (454-8073), by e-mailing
me (brikie@aol.com) or by signing up at the Adult Program table on
Sundays.
I’m looking forward to a free exchange of ideas in this course, and I’m
curious to see if those conversations will lead to something that could have
an impact on our wider faith.
September 12 was the opening day for our Sunday Young People’s Program.
Welcome to all the children who attended. We’d like to give a special thanks
to the teachers: Michelle Vander Mollen and Ann-Marie Harder, as well as Joshua,
our able child care provider in the baby room. Also special thanks to Anne Marie
and her family for helping prepare for the WELCOME BACK TEA.
I noticed that all of that lovely big cake was eaten, no left overs.
Also a special thanks to the people who volunteered to be on the RE Committee:
Michelle Vander Mollen, Ann-Marie Harder, Joan Childs, and Mike Keast (my
construction buddy.)
We have an exciting year ahead. Over the next few weeks the children will
be learning the 7 Principles of Unitarianism. I have added a mystery
number 8,
which people are welcome to guess at. There will be a box which you can
enter your
guess and who ever comes closest at the end of the contest period will
win a SPECIAL PRIZE!!!
CHALLENGE!! As the Children are learning the Principles, all are invited to
stop any child and ask them to recite a Principle. If the child does so correctly,
please write down on a slip of paper the child’s name, the principle
and your name and put it in the Principle Box and they will receive an award.
Of course, you will have to know them all correctly yourself in order to know
if they get it right. Show the children that you care about what they are learning
by participating in this challenge. Those who want to participate in the Adult
Challenge will be asked by the children to recite a Principle. If you fail,
you will be asked to pull a consequence from the Consequence Box and do what
is on the slip. (You have the right, of course, to refuse to do the consequence.
We are, after all, a church that recognizes a persons right to do or not do
something (Principle 5). The children are eagerly concocting consequences.
Every week we will have posted the Principle of the Week.
The Youth Program started on September 19 under the direction of Gilbert
Bouchard and Audrey Brooks. We are looking for more youth to join. Lots
of great things
will be going on with them. A special youth advisor will be asked to sit
on the Board of the Church, and the Western Canada Convention has fantastic
program
for Youth that will excite even the most church-weary, over-extended youth
out there.
I know you hate to hear the word VOLUNTEER, so I am looking for a new word.
BUT, we need people who would like to contribute to the health and vigour
of this Church by donating their valuable time, experience, ideas etc.
Can you
make snack once a month? Could you tell a story? Tell your story? Share
a skill? A life changing experience? Play a game? Sing a song? Lead a walk?
Call me.
Don’t make me hunt you down.
This year has certainly started off with a bang! We are in the process of
selling our present building - just the final legal stuff to be done - and
then we will be gone by Dec. 31. The reality is hitting home for
me and I'm becoming in turns all nostalgic, and then teary and sad. For someone
who has been in the same home for 42 years moving is not easy. By the time
you read this the construction will - hopefully - be started on our new building.
We have zoning, development permits. building permits, and health and safety
permits. And some I've probably left out.
Andrew and Dorothy have been working hard all Spring and Summer to achieve
this. My thanks to you, and my awe at the time and effort you have given
us.
Not to be outdone, the Board is now working on some of the more mundane
issues. As you will read in another spot, the Ways and Means Committee
is again active and will be working hard to insure that money raising projects
do not swamp us or send us fleeing to the hills. We have a Canvass Chair
- Alex Kozeluk - who will be starting the preparation for
next year's canvass.
The Capital Campaign follow-up committee is also on its feet under the
leadership of Ruth Patrick. On Sunday the 19th you all passed the motion to
have the
mortgage loans available to members of the congregation and we will have
a casino on
Dec. 20/21 of this year. This will probably be our last crack at a fairly
large sum
of money from casinos as when the one on the Reservation opens it will
affect all the others in a couple of ways. First, they will have smoking so
may attract a bigger number
of players,
and
secondly my understanding is the monies raised there will not be shared
with all of us smaller charities. Maybe our government will look at the
situation
and give us better and stronger means for
raising funds. (Don't hold your breath, tho')
So we're having an exciting time and it will continue. We will be busy.
Isn't that fun?
On Saturday, Oct 2nd, at 3:00 p.m. the Rev. Brian Rude will meet
with members of DCAS and Lutherans Concerned in our Church for an informal
presentation of his work in El Salvador. He is a long time member of Lutherans
Concerned (the equivalent of Vision). His ministry includes the GLBT community
in El Salvador. Brian has powerful stories to tell of his work with HIV/AIDS
education groups, Salvadoran gay drag queens and transvestites, street gangs,
addressing various issues around HIV/AIDS prevention, self-esteem issues, masculinity,
machismo, sexual diversity and expression, as well as addictions amongst others
facing gang members.
Please join us for this presentation and gain an understanding of the challenges
Brian is facing in his crucial work for change in El Salvador.
The Edmonton Women’s Shelter is looking for your help.
WIN House provides (at no cost) the women
and children leaving shelter with household packages to help them start a
new home. These packages include all basic necessities, including sheets,
blankets,
towels, dishes, pots and pans, toiletries, and any other items that may be
needed.
Edmonton Women’s Shelter is asking for
donations of the following items, as they are running very low:
Blankets
Pots and Pans
Small Kitchen Appliances (coffee pots, kettles, toasters)
Cooking Utensils
Baking and Cooking Supplies
If you wish to donate any of the above items, Please call 471-6709 ext. 228 .
For the second year the Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness is
holding “Home fest!” It’s a folk music celebration to end
homelessness in Edmonton. It will be Sunday, November 14 from 4 to 8 p.m. at
McDougall United Church, 10025 101 Street.
Jointly sponsored by the Edmonton Folk Music festival, you can expect great
music on the Mainstage with other events on the Workshop Stag and Song
Circle.
There will be food and free children’s activities. Brian Kiely has the
$5 admission buttons that sold fast last year. Let him know if you wish to go.
You can also check the poster on our Lobby door for a list of other locations
selling buttons.
ALSO, if you want more information on the state of housing and homelessness,
the summary report of the 2003 Edmonton Homelessness Study is posted on
the web at www.moresafehomes.net.
The renovation for our New Church Home has begun, and our dream is becoming
a reality. However, much of the re-decorating and re-furbishing of the larger
space is not covered in the renovation budget. Renovation Planning Committees
and individuals have identified many projects which will require additional
money, and have ideas about how to raise the necessary funding. These activities
need to be staggered, so that we are not all asking for contributions at the
same time.
An expanded Ways and Means Committee has been struck to oversee all fund
raising activities, and the disbursement of funds raised.
If you or your committee has a fund raising idea or plan, please submit
a written, detailed description of the fund raiser to the Ways and Means
committee. Submissions
may be left in the church office or given to a committee member. For further
information contact Shona Wehm, Michelle van
der Molen or Jan McMillan via the church administrator at chadmin@uce.ca
With regret we note the death of Liz Broad this September. Liz had been
ill for several months. She died quietly in a care facility.
Liz has not been around the congregation that much in the last few years.
Older members will remember her as a loyal, strong-willed, and witty woman.
. .you
always knew where you stood with Liz. Those who served with her on the Board
of Trustees of the church will remember her as a strong and supportive force
who took her work and the life of this congregation seriously.
Liz was a nurse by training and in more recent years taught nursing. The
number of students who came to visit during her illness suggests the kind
of care
and attention she gave them.
She lived openly as a lesbian and is survived by partners from two long-term
relationships and their children. Liz was a great animal lover as well.
Perhaps the most difficult part of her illness was having to give away
her three
dogs.
At the family’s request, Audrey Brooks participated in Liz’s memorial
service. It was held in a Presbyterian church. Several church members and friends
were in attendance.
A fun fundraiser and useful too. Buy great products and get 20% donated
to the church. Pampered Chef offers quality kitchen tools available for viewing
at pamperedchef.com. You can through Marg Booker via the church administrator
at chadmin@uce.ca, or you can book a home demo. Get your friends and family to help support
our
church
by
buying
Pampered
Chef.
We’re all looking for ways to save time and money. If you need some
extra help with a big job, call Keri at the Elizabeth Fry Society. The Women’s
Work program can connect you with temporary or permanent workers to meet your
needs. There are no service fees and workers are covered by WCB.
Whether its
house cleaning, yard maintenance, office work, or help with moving, free
prescreening ensures that the right worker is placed with the right employer.
We do the
hard work so you don’t have to! Women’s Work is a community-based
program focused on helping women to overcome obstacles and reach their goals
through employment. For more information, 421-1175 ext. #22.
Yoga is being taught at the church on
Tuesday mornings from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. by a certified yoga instructor, Catherine
Bunton. Please bring a mat or blanket. Mats may be purchased through instructor.
To register or for more information, contact the church administrator at chadmin@uce.ca.
As you’ve probably noticed, a directory arrived with your newsletter
this month. Yay, Linda! Unfortunately, the photocopier likes to flip out a
sheet or two when doing large runs. If your directory is missing a page or
two, please call Linda at the office (454-8073) and she’ll make arrangements
to get you a new one! Thanks for your patience.
Friday Oct 1- Blackfoot Reserve and then to Inge’s
for a bring your own picnic lunch
9:30 at UCE and we’ll car pool
Friday Oct 8 -Whitemud Creek from 41 Ave SW
9:30 at UCE and we’ll car pool
Friday Oct 15 - Stony Plain tour and Multicultural Centre for Lunch
9:30 at UCE and we’ll car pool
Friday Oct 22 - Terwillegar Park
9:30 at UCE or 10 at the parking lot
Friday Oct 29 - Chickakoo
9:30 at UCE and we’ll car pool
Friday Nov 5 - Riverbend walk around new community
9:30 at UCE or 10 at Sobey’s at 142 St and 23 Ave
Friday Nov 12 - Spruce Grove - Bee Maid honey tour
Friday Nov 19 - Whitemud from under Campbell Bridge
9:30 at UCE or at parking lot south and below the Campbell Bridge on Fox Drive
just east of Whitemud - turn into the Equine Centre and keep left
Friday Nov 26 - Mill Creek from Mill Creek pool south
9:30 at UCE or 10 at the parking lot
Friday Dec 3 - Queen Elizabeth Park with lunch at Kinsmen Field House
9:30 at UCE or from the End of the Rail park
Friday Dec 10 - Muttart Conservatory to Riverside - lunch and visit to Christmas
display
9:30 at UCE or Muttart Parking lot
Friday Dec 17 - Ada Boulevard Christmas Lights
9:30 at UCE
Friday Dec 24 - a holiday from walking (Merry Christmas)
Friday Dec 31 - a holiday from walking (Happy New Year)
I’ve decided to send the newsletter to
everyone this month, whether you’re requested an electronic
copy or a printed one. One reason is that the directory is enclosed
and that will not be posted on the net. Those of you who have requested
an
electronic newsletter may have noticed you’re not getting an
email. It seemed redundant as the newsletter is always posted on
our website: www.uce.ca. Next month I will not be sending a printed
copy to those who have expressed a wish for the electronic version.
It will be up to you to check the website!
