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 46. No. 3
Published Monthly by the
Unitarian Church Of Edmonton
10804 119 Street
Edmonton AB T5H 3P2
Tel (780) 454-8073
Fax (780) 452-1641
Email chadmin@uce.ca
Web Site www.uce.ca
Deadline for the April newsletter is February 18, 2005
All services now take place in the new church, 10804
119 Street. The main entrance is on the south side of the building.
Until the Sanctuary is completed, services will be held in the Chapel
at the east end of the church. All services begin at 10:30 a.m.
Until the Sanctuary is completed, services will be
held in the Chapel at the east end of the church. All services begin
at 10:30 a.m.
Mar 6: "Hats! Hats! Hats!" Marg Roche
We all have many hats. Normally we're referring to our roles in
life. If we stretch that a bit further we can relate it to our abilities.
In the past year I have learned about the abilities of many members
and friends. And have seen them learn new ones. So, this raises
the question for me "Do you know who you are?"
In Her Voices will be our musical guests. They are a female a cappella
choir. Elizabeth Seale (a UCE member) sings in this group.
Mar 13: "Appreciative Inquiry" Rev.
Brian J. Kiely
Now we are in our new home, it is time to start thinking about a
long range planning process again. Appreciative Inquiry is a planning
tool that encourages us to build on strengths. So let's talk today
about what's good in this church.
Mar 20: "Joyful Generosity" Rev. Brian
J. Kiely
Once a year we ask our members and friends to pledge financial support
to the church for the coming year. Today we'll ask for your pledges,
but more importantly we'll ask for your joyful generosity.
Mar 25, 3:00 p.m.: "Good Friday Vespers"
Rev. Brian J. Kiely
This will be a quiet and meditative interlude, a time for pondering
the part of life that is tinged with mourning and grief.
Mar 27: Easter Sunday "Spirit and Nature"
Rev. Brian J. Kiely
Many believe that the environment is in crisis, or at least approaching
it rapidly. This service will look at the spiritual qualities of
environmentalism.
On February 20 we held our first service in the new Sanctuary.
It was a celebration of sights and sounds, and a good test of our
new home. Below is a reading we shared responsively:
“This house is for the ingathering of nature and human nature.
It is a house of friendships, a haven in trouble, an open room for
the encouragement of our struggle.”
This place where once industry and commerce flourished has been
transformed.
We have made it a home for liberal religion, a haven
for those who seek truth, and a resting place for those on personal
journeys.
We pause now to offer thanks and blessings for those who paved
the way for this moment and for those who will come after.
We give thanks for those who brought liberal religion
to this city nearly 100 years ago, and laid the foundation for the
church we inherit today.
We bless the names of those who started this congregation just
over 50 years ago. We thank them for their legacy of a strong and
self-sufficient community.
They built a congregation and a building. We honour
the grief many feel at leaving that church behind. Some built it.
Some kept it thriving. All loved it.
It was a good home and served us well. It will be remembered fondly.
We bless those who searched this building and who
raised the funds for purchase. We thank each other for generously
supporting the project. We gazed on an empty shell and dreamed this
place into being.
We thank the members and friends who gave thousands of hours of
sweat equity. They helped transform this place, and in so doing
may have transformed themselves as well.
We bless the many leaders who gave themselves to
this project so completely. They guided us through the twists and
turns of this enormous endeavour. With tact, diplomacy and a willingness
to make hard decisions, they made this day possible. Without them
we would not be here.
We honour the architects and builders who developed our dreams
into a vision and then made it concrete.
May all who enter this place be blessed, whether
they be members or friends, brides or grooms, grieving families
or newborns being named,
Whether they be momentary visitors longtime friends or newcomers
finding their way to a spiritual home.
“May nothing evil cross this door, and may
ill fortune never pry”.
May all who enter this sanctuary find peace and safety, laughter
and tears, challenge and comfort. Above all, may we all find here
what we most need.
I have been in the position of Director of Religious Education
here for the last 6 months. It has been a wonderful adventure so
far with everything that has been going on, like the move to a new
church which is still under construction. Trying to build a Program
which meets the needs of Unitarianism as a global philosophy, our
Congregation and the particular families and individuals at the
same time takes dedication and a focus on both the larger issues
and the minutiae of day to day operations.
So, I have been thinking. (People who know me, have come to dread
that phrase. A psychiatrist I knew made gentle fun of me once by
saying that he could imagine me at 5 years old saying that. And
guess what? He was right, I did.) I have been researching a great
deal and engaging in conversation with quite a few people about
what Religious Education means and its place in a Congregation.
I am attaching excerpts from Sylvia Bass-West's February letter
which captures many of the issues and some solutions. (She is the
Director of Lifespan Leaning for CUC)
When there has been a great deal of change and an expenditure of
energy on big project, such as the building of our Church, there
is sometimes the desire to just rest, say "I've done my part
for now" and "Wake me tomorrow!" However, just as
it took time to get us to this point in the physical space our Church
is now in, it will take time, effort and commitment to fulfill the
Purpose of this Church. A Church is not the building, which is only
the outward expression of and container for the beliefs and desires
of the people within. Our Church is who we are: our dreams and hopes
for a better world, a place where like-minded people can come together
to receive the nourishment they need to live their lives, a community
of care and connection, a reservoir of encouragement and strength
as we pursue our "search for meaning and truth"
How do we create that real community? Of course, it already exists.
However, it is like a garden. Every winter one goes through the
gardening books and dreams and envisions what it can be. Then we
plan for what we will do. And then we do the preparing and digging
and planting and nurturing. And we have to do this EVERY YEAR!
This is what I would like to see for our Religious Education program.
I see a place where all of the members of the congregation, regardless
of age, feel they receive nourishment, where they have fun, where
they learn and contribute, where they make a difference, where they
get their needs met.
In order for this to happen for next September, we have to start
work now. I have application forms for people who would like to
help out in the RE Program. There is room for all kinds of people
and all kinds of contribution. Please ask me for a form and we will
start the process.
Rosemary Manning, DRE
Sylvia Speaking, February 2005
I am always looking to dialogue with religious educators and other
congregational leaders in an effort to find ways for helping congregations
place lifespan religious growth and learning at the very heart of
a congregation.
I believe that for many, opportunities to share our own thoughtful
understanding of our principles and our values in a UU congregational
setting - whether by teaching in a Sunday morning children's religious
education (RE) program, mentoring in a Coming of Age program, facilitating
an OWL class, leading adult faith development, new member or enrichment
classes, or being present as an advisor for a youth programs and
discussion - can be a very personal and meaningful act of ministry.
Each one of these opportunities allows us to discover and share
who we are and how we live as Unitarians and Unitarian Universalists.
I am using this month's message to focus on "teachers"
in a religious education program. There is likely a better word
than "teacher", but it is the one we are familiar with.
Teaching in RE can become a spiritual practice if we allow ourselves
to ignore the "I can't teach" message inside our heads,
or the "my kids are grown now, I already did that" message.
While teaching in RE we explore our own life experience, innate
wisdom and personal perspectives using UU curricula as a starting
point. (Curricula can be many things. Written resources reflecting
UU history and identity to be sure, but our local congregations'
heritage, traditions and stories, our commitment to social justice
issues, responsibly interacting with one another in our world, discovering
connections with an other faith tradition, learning about stewardship,
or the interconnected web - all these are curricula) We are given
permission to 'make curricula our own' in a respectful, engaging
and integrated way. We can tell our stories as they relate to the
"lesson" And we can hear the children's stories! We make
connections in so many creative ways, and we do so across the generations.
We all recognize that there is a tension between the often desperate
need for teachers and the wish for teaching to be a good match with
the gifts a "volunteer" may bring. I believe having two
teachers in a class allows for the gifts of one to complement the
gifts of another. One may be more suited to planning and presentation
of the "lesson" while another may be more in tune with
the "mood" or "energy" of the group. And having
two teachers in a class addresses safe community as well.
However, above all, teachers need to feel connected to the overall
shared ministry of their congregation. Some ways to help make this
happen might be:
Offer "circle of friends" or "small group ministry"
opportunities for deeper connections for teachers.
Host annual teacher retreats somewhere away from the church setting
in the early fall and mid-winter, so that teachers can get together,
eat together, learn together, share together and laugh (or even
cry) together. Oh yes, and offer child care at the retreat! And
invite your minister to attend!
Have good recruitment and application processes and quality, thorough
orientation and training opportunities where everyone receives the
materials they need about child and adolescent development, ideas
for classroom worship, games and activities, information on safe
congregations, basic overview on multiple intelligences and learning
styles.
Whenever possible also have resource and enrichment materials available
year round though your church's lending library.
Borrow resources from the CUC Lifespan Learning Library.
Offer leadership development opportunities by bringing in a behavioral
specialist, learning styles expert or storyteller, or encouraging
teachers to attend workshops put on by the libraries, other faith
communities, or your local volunteer association.
Encourage attendance at lifespan learning specific trainings, CU*UL
school, CUC regional fall gatherings and the annual conference in
May. Perhaps you can even provide some subsidies or a tax receipt.
Host congregational volunteer appreciation events where RE teachers,
mentors, youth advisors and adult programs facilitators are invited.
Have Sunday morning's sermons available by paper copy, e-mail or
audio (or video!) tape so that teachers do not need to miss out
entirely on the worship experience of a Sunday morning.
Honour your teachers with a worship service welcoming them at the
start of the year and thanking them for their ministry at the end.
Encourage teachers to connect denominationally - though e-mails
lists or by attending conferences or even visiting the CUC web site.
Next Month in RE at UCE
We are starting the Mystery Buddies again.
This is one of the most fun and meaningful act ivies we have, which
is rewarding and is looked forward to by the Children. For those
not familiar with the Concept, this is how it works.
We pair up an adult and a child. But each does not know who the
other is. They are given a codename, drawn from our Unitarian history
or religious heritage. Each week they send letters and small gifts
to each other, they share information about themselves which are
placed in our Mystery Buddy Mail Boxes. I will have a list of ideas
about what kinds of things you might want to do, share, make, give
to/for each other. At the end of the program, there is a special
event where we celebrate and find out who our Mystery Buddies are.
(Ask me for an enrolment form or pick one up at the back.)
We are also exploring our Unitarian Sources. We are hoping to make
visits to some other places of Worship, such as a Buddhist Temple,
a Synagogue, a Mosque. We are going to be exploring some elements
of Native/Earth Based religious beliefs, such as doing a modified
Vision Quest, to discover our Animal Spirit Guides.
My office should be open this month. I have tremendous resources
that I would love to share with you. And I am looking at running
some courses for people interested in Religious Education issues,
parenting and children for next year. I need some direction as to
what you want so I can get them going for us.
"Ministry" and "Magic" are not words you'd
usually associate with
making coffee
passing the collection plate
greeting visitors
offering a ride to church
sending a card to someone who's going through a difficult time
repairing furniture or fixing a leaky tap
washing up dishes after a potluck or Sunday service
many other things we take for granted until the support isn't
there.
These seemingly "ordinary" tasks support our church
community - and that dignifies them as acts of ministry. But - and
here's where the "magic" comes in - there are no "magic
pixies" or "shoemaker's elves" to do these things
for us. In the past, some of our beloved church curmudgeons and
several modest "elves" have done this work.
We are in a new building now, and the ranks of curmudgeons and
"elves" have been thinned by death, ill health, and fatigue.
It's time to consider how we will perform these - and many other
- ministries of connection and support.
You are invited to a facilitated discussion to consider:
What's working, what's not working and what needs to change
in our new location?
How do we put our "best foot forward" for newcomers
and guests?
How do we use the skills and abilities of individuals and committees
to best serve the congregation and its members and friends?
Which group(s) or committee(s) are best equipped to co-ordinate
or provide some of these services / ministries
When and Where:
Sunday, March 13
11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Unitarian Church of Edmonton, 10804 - 119 Street, in the large
classroom
(Orders of Service / Announcements to give details/updates)
Coffee, tea and juice provided by the Worship Committee. Please
bring a bag lunch, if you need other sustenance. Contact John Pater
or Beth Jenkins if questions, or if you'd like to provide input
but can't be there in person.
We made it! We had a wonderful first service in our new Sanctuary.
The Choir was fantastic as always. (Why do I want to get up and
dance?) Congratulations Brian you wrote a wonderful responive reading.
And the turn-out was great.
This past year has seen many ups and downs, highs and lows. But
I don't think I have learned so much in one year for a long time.
Many of us ventured (or were pushed) into new areas of life. For
me it included dealing with renters, the Board facing decisions
about money raising, where to put what or what to put where, care
of a building, how to approve construction and more and more.
Thank you to everyone who helped me with this learning. It has
also been a treat to see others develop new skills - laying floor
tile for example. One of the most enjoyable times was sweat equity.
Hard work, yes. But the camaraderie and the enthusiasm and the plain
joy of being and doing was unbelievable. Thank you, thank you, thank
you.
Tom Harpur’s “The Pagan Christ” stirred considerable
controversy in the Christian world when it was published last year.
Harpur asserts that almost every part of the Gospel stories of Jesus
can be found in Egyptian and other Middle Eastern religions from
centuries before Christ. If the facts about Jesus are suddenly in
so much doubt. What about the message?
Join Brian Kiely and Intern Minister George Buchanan for a five
week look at “The Pagan Christ”. Copies should be available
in most bookstores and the public library. Sessions will run Tuesdays
in March, from the 1st through the 29th from 1:00 to 3:15 p.m. and
7:15 to 9:30 p.m. Please call Brian to register (455-9797) or sign
up at church.
Are you new to our church? Do you want to know a little more about
it? Join Rev. Brian Kiely, some of our church leaders and the Membership
Committee for a two-part orientation session. We’ll meet following
the services on April 3 and 10 from 12 Noon to 2 p.m. each day.
The Membership Committee will provide a simple (and free!) soup
and sandwich lunch. Come learn more about our Unitarian and Universalist
roots, our Principles and this congregation.
Sign-up at the Adult Program table after services, or call the
office at 454-8073 to register. And if you can only attend one of
the sessions, you will still be very welcome.
ELLA, in cooperation with the U. of A. Faculty of Extension, presents:
Programs for Older Adults, Spring Session, May 2- May 20, 2005.
Do you have a thirsty brain? Are you looking for fun, friendship,
and food for the soul? Then Edmonton Life Long Learners Spring Session
is for you!
Pick up the dark green brochures on the literature table at the
church and check out the ELLA website at www.extension.ualberta.ca/ella/
for program details. You’ll find two Unitarians among the
presenters!
The following poem was sent to me over the internet. You can view
the very attractive presentation at www.theinterviewwithgod.com
It’s a very thoughtful piece, even if the humanists among
us might have to do some translating. The simple lessons in the
poem are worth pondering no matter what your religious views.
Enjoy
Brian
The Interview with God
I dreamed I had an interview with God.
“So you would like to interview me?” God asked.
“If you have the time” I said.
God smiled. “My time is eternity.”
“What questions do you have in mind for me?”
“What surprises you most about humankind?”
God answered...
“That they get bored with childhood,
they rush to grow up, and then
long to be children again.”
“That they lose their health to make money...
and then lose their money to restore their health.”
“That by thinking anxiously about the future,
they forget the present,
such that they live in neither
the present nor the future.”
"That they live as if they will never die,
and die as though they had never lived.”
God’s hand took mine
and we were silent for a while.
And then I asked...
“As a parent, what are some of life’s lessons
you want your children to learn?”
“To learn they cannot make anyone
love them. All they can do
is let themselves be loved.”
“To learn that it is not good
to compare themselves to others.”
“To learn to forgive
by practicing forgiveness.”
“To learn that it only takes a few seconds
to open profound wounds in those they love,
and it can take many years to heal them.”
“To learn that a rich person
is not one who has the most,
but is one who needs the least.”
“To learn that there are people
who love them dearly,
but simply have not yet learned
how to express or show their feelings.”
“To learn that two people can
look at the same thing
and see it differently.”
“To learn that it is not enough that they
forgive one another, but they must also forgive themselves.”
"Thank you for your time," I said humbly.
"Is there anything else
you would like your children to know?"
God smiled and said,
“Just know that I am here... always.”
Ways and Means and the Renovation Steering Committee can now delete
some items from the immediate and larger Needs Lists, thanks to
the generosity of many people.
UCE has received a grant from the CUC Sharing our Faith Fund of
$2600.00 towards the cost of a new phone system. Materials and construction
of coat rails for the cloakroom and for the renovation of the Family
Washroom from Andrew Mills. Terry Anderson has donated a commercial
dishwasher for the future expanded kitchen. Furniture and Wall Hangings
were donated by Elaine Mills. There are also other donations pending
but not confirmed as yet.
The following items are still needed as soon as possible:
Up date security system $2,000.00.
($1000.00 has been donated to date). There are many new entrances
to the building which must be
integrated into in the security system.
Repair paving in Bernard’s parking lot
$2,000.00-$3,000.00.
A section of our neighbour’s parking lot was dug up to lay
the new sewer system for our washrooms.
Dishwasher - new or used for snack bar
$700.00 - $1000.00.
(or we will doing a lot of hand washing of dishes).
Furniture (armchairs) for Library
Rolling cart/s for moving chairs/tables
$300.00 each
Needed to prevent damage to the floors when moving chairs/tables
and other heavy items within the building - this is urgent.
Change 2 existing door locks to match new door
locks $200.00
Children sized tables and chairs for R.E. classrooms
- new or used.
Boot trays for front entrance.
Needed to protect our the floor from wet or dirty footwear.
Landscaping
Fill in back loading dock
Finish parking lot
(remove fence, paint lines, garbage disposal area, does not include
repaving).
Signs for parking (handicap etc.)
Note: The last four items must be completed according to Architect’s
plan in order to pass the renovation completion inspection required
by the City of Edmonton.
We can make these wishes come true. If you have a fund raising
project please forward it in writing to Ways and Means (c/o church
office). If you are able to donate an item, or wish to make a financial
contribution for a specific item, please contact the Church Administrator
at chadmin@uce.ca
or 454-8073.
JOIN US FOR A HOMECOMING
FELLOWSHIP DINNER, MARCH 19
Homecoming is the theme for this year’s annual Fellowship
Dinner. After six years we have finally moved into our church home.
Let’s come together as a community and celebrate that fact,
honour the recipient of the W.H. Alexander Award for outstanding
service and enjoy an evening of great food, pleasant company and
dancing.
The date is Saturday, March 19 at the Chateau Louis Hotel. The
no host bar opens at 6:00 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m.
Tickets for the Fellowship Dinner will be on sale following each
Sunday service. Tickets are $25 per person with children under 10
free. For more information contact the Church Administrator at chadmin@uce.ca
or 454-8073.
Do you have items in your house you no longer use or need? Plan
to donate them to a giant Sale/Bazaar to be held at the church in
May. The date has not been confirmed yet. The Sale/Bazaar will be
advertised to the community at large. Proceeds from this Sale will
go towards items needed for our new church but are not covered in
the Renovation budget.
Start looking for items you can contribute. Please do not bring
items to the church now, but wait until a storage area has been
set up. There will be more information in the next Newsletter.
If you are willing to be part of the organizing committee for
this Sale please contact Arlene Zajic through the church office
at 454-8073 or chadmin@uce.ca.
Our Whole Lives (Elementary) Training
March 5 & 6, 2005 Winnipeg, MB
Info: Mona Zaharia mzaharia@shaw.ca
VIUC All Island Worship Service: ‘Sowing Seeds’ with
Karen Fraser.
April 17, 2005 1:30 p.m. Fulford Hall, Saltspring Island, BC
Info: Sharon Fulton sfulton@telus.net
Do you know about the Eliot experience? Eliot is a week long camp
for UUs and their friends at Seabeck WA, or at Naramata Centre on
the Okanagan Lake in B.C. It is both a conference and a holiday
for individuals, couples and families. - a one-of-a-kind experience
of play, community and worship. At Naramata, July 2 - 9, the adult
program will feature Rev. Stefan Jonasson from Manitoba, while the
children and youth have their own programming.
Afternoons are free time filled with offerings of workshops, art,
swimming and music. The Naramata Centre even boasts its own labyrinth,
not to mention the many vineyards between Naramata and the next
town! There is lots of music around the campfire pit at the beach,
as well as a lantern parade on the last night. Once you have tried
it, you will want to come back year after year!
In order to support more people coming to Naramata, the Eliot
Board is offering a $200Cdn discount to the first nine families
(minimum one adult, one child) who are first-timers to this camp!
Eliot Institute also has ample funds to support others who need
financial assistance. Don't be shy about applying for scholarship
funds. Naramata is a unique experience.
Don't miss it!
For application forms and more information about Eliot at Naramata
as well as the camps at Seabeck, visit the web-site at www.eliotinstitute.org
or call 206-374-2497
