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. 4
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
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.
Daylight Savings Time Begins April 3
April 3: Rev. Brian J. Kiely
“April Fools”
…because the world is far too serious to take seriously all
the time. Our guest musician will be pianist Mitch Spratt
April 10: John Pater
“Spiritual Geography”
Our spirituality and theology is nurtured and grown not only by
what we read, think and feel, but also by the landscapes we travel
through and live in. We'll explore how our prairie, Canadian and
northern geography plays a role in shaping our spirits
April 17: Rev. Brian J. Kiely
“Good Enough”
Some Unitarians believe that the only Hell there is, is the one
we make for ourselves. Sometimes we hold ourselves to impossibly
high standards and make ourselves miserable as a result. I think
we have to learn that at any given moment, we are good enough as
we are. Our guest musicians will be the Chorealis Workshop Choir
with conductor David Wilson and accompanist Gail Olmstead.
April 24: Rev. Brian J. Kiely
“Celebrating Volunteers”
It has been an exceptional couple of years for volunteers in this
church, so let’s celebrate the work we have shared and the
people we have shared it with.
Lunch After Service
A group of Unitarians usually go out for lunch at one of the surrounding
restaurants after church. See Jennifer Hinchcliffe, Marge Roche
or Lise Cloutier to find out the restaurant chosen that Sunday.
Everyone is welcome.
Quiet Time in the Sanctuary
Now that we have a Sanctuary with doors, the Worship Committee would
like to create a quiet and meditative space on Sunday mornings.
Beginning April 3 we will close the doors of the Sanctuary at 10:10
a.m. and start playing some gentle and relaxing music. People are
welcome to enter the Sanctuary and enjoy the atmosphere, but we
ask you to keep conversations outside in the gathering space. At
10:25 we will ring the bell in the usual invitation to worship and
open the doors. Please let us know what you think of this new arrangement.
John Pater and Beth Jenkins for the Worship Committee
At the Fellowship Dinner we presented the W.H. Alexander Award
to Andrew Mills for his exceptional effort as our building Project
Manager over the last two years. Andrew visited the building nearly
every day during the construction process, meeting with contractors
and making sure the work was done properly. And countless times
I encountered him in the hallways at odd hours with some tool or
part in his hand going ahead and doing the job himself.
In the Design 21 phase of rebuilding he directed a huge team of
volunteers, not only telling us what to do, but often showing us
how to do it and smiling encouragingly all the while as we demonstrated
our varying levels of (in)competence.
Though it took many people and many skills and countless thousands
of hours to get us to where we are, I am confident most will agree
that Andrew’s contribution stood out above all. Andrew, we
thank you.
But our praise cannot stop there. As they decided on the Alexander
Award this year, the Board realized the problem we had singling
out just one volunteer in a year when there were so many outstanding
efforts.
The entire Renovation Steering Committee led by the indefatigable
Dorothy Keeler often met weekly to keep things on track. In addition
the committee members: Michael Keast, Ruth Patrick, Marg Roche,
Morris Simons, Michelle Van der Molen, Warren Wenzel, Shona Wehm
and Arlene Zajic often took responsibility for sub-committees as
well. The Board recognized their remarkable teamwork and persistence
with a plaque.
And even still, that’s not enough. So many people turned
out and gave so much of their time doing jobs around the church.
It seemed at times as if one of Alan Boyle, Gaylord Madill, Dorothy
Keeler, Mike Keast and Maurice Bourgoin was always on site doing
something. Add to that Mary Ayres, Beth Jenkins, Audrey Brooks,
Stella Clarke, Arlene Zajic, Lyn Evans and others who seldom missed
a work party. Not everyone could be on hand all the time, but there
were dozens of people who helped out when they could and others
who found ways to help out even when they couldn’t do construction
work. We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the Search
Committee and the Capital Campaign team and the Board who kept things
running. And let’s not forget the people on other committees
who struggled with reduced resources to keep church programs operational.
And the beleaguered spouses who kept the families running while
one partner was running around with hammer or paintbrush!
As John Pater reminded us in several services, the congregation
IS the people, not the building. If it weren’t for the amazing
number of people who contributed time, talent and money, there simply
wouldn’t be a building.
We are well into the Mystery Buddy adventure. This year we are
looking at the sources of UU and have picked great names like the
Dalai Lama and Rami and Isis. The children really look forward to
seeing what is in their boxes and preparing things for their buddies.
We will be having the Mystery Buddy Findout Party on April 17.
All are welcome! There will be games and potluck and a special cake
and music and dancing! It will be held right after the service.
The number of children keeps increasing. We are at the point where
we will be opening a separate class for the 4-6 year olds. We are
looking for a teacher immediately. Please ask me for an application
form or give me a suggestion of who you believe would be great and
should be given the nudge. Remember, this term is quite short (now
to the end of June). However, we are starting the process for the
fall as well and would love to start training people, and giving
them the tools to do a great job. We have had an influx of 11 year
old boys so I’m thinking a special group for them might be
considered.
A project we will be working on is painting the children’s
cubbies, painting the inside of the case in the little one’s
room with a scene to make it a special place, and if the aesthetics’
committee agrees, sanding and painting the benches in the entrance.
We are starting a competition to come up with great designs. Could
be a Unitarian Theme, could be something from the sources or quotations
or chalices/symbols. If people would like to do a brainstorming
session, we could do that too. Then, when we have picked the winning
design, we need sanders, helpers, painters and encouragers (not
to speak of cookers and carriers.) All ages, all talents encouraged
to join.
If a dog were the teacher
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up an opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be
pure ecstasy.
When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
Take naps. Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing
and pout...run right back and make friends.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle
them gently.
The Annual Congregational Meeting of the Unitarian Church of Edmonton
will be held in the church auditorium on Sunday, April 24, 2005
at 11:45 a.m.
Business of the meeting will include staff and committee reports,
election of officers and members of the Board of Trustees, election
to congregational committees, setting of ways and means priorities,
election of delegates to the CUC Annual Meeting, and, consideration
of an Operating Budget for the period of July 1, 2005 through June
30, 2006.
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.
Our new W.H.Alexander award recipient is Andrew Mills. This comes
as no surprise with all the work he has done in the past years.
Andrew managed to listen to all of us as we each had our pet projects
and he never lost his temper. He was at the church of the renovations
almost daily. Working first with Design 21, who he found for us.
Then with the architect and contractor for our beautiful building.
He made sure we got what we wanted. I learned a great deal from
Andrew. Not the least of which was the "walk-around" with
the contractors to be sure everything was as we wanted. Shona Wehm,
Ruth Patrick and I now know what to look for and ask for when we
move into new places.
Do you enjoy our new Sanctuary as much as I? We have, for awhile,
elbow room. It is becoming as calming for me as the other was. I
also enjoy seeing all the members and not having the two groups.
Our growing group of toddlers are beautiful. The smiles and giggles
of little ones make my toes tingle. It's so nice to have so many.
And, when they get cranky I don't have to look after them.
Back to our new building. Thanks to Dorothy Keeler and her crew
for all they've done and continue to do. The putting away is slow
due more to lack of shelving than elbow grease, but it is coming.
We can even see how our future kitchen will be with the impromptu
set Dorothy has arranged. Thank you, Thank you.
Thanks also to Blaise Szekely for his tireless efforts to arrange
more funding for us in the way of debentures and mortgage. We get
to make money as we help the church. Not bad. Thank you, Blaise
Teilya, Lily and I would like to offer our warmest thanks to all
participated in the Naming and Dedication service of Elora Annie
on February 27. Thanks especially to those who brought gifts of
food or who helped out with set up and clean up. And of course very
special thanks to Lay Chaplains Pam Willerton and Denise Wenzel
for their wonderful service and to Gordon Ritchie for his magical
music.
Planned Parenthood Association of Edmonton is looking for some
committed people to join the Board of Directors. If you have 5-10
hours a month, are interested in Healthy Sexuality throughout one's
lifetime (our mission), if you would like to join other interesting
individuals in guiding this organization, or if you would just like
more information about the board, please contact: Larry Brockman
(Executive Director, PPE 423-3737) ; or Michelle Van Der Molen (Board
President, 2005/06...477-7576).
The former Aesthetics Committee, which was an advisory body to
the Renovation Steering Committee, has now been made a Standing
Committee of the Board. Its task is to process requests to hang
signs and artifacts with the building. Consequently the Board requests
that nothing be hung until it has been approved by the committee.
It would be extremely helpful if these requests could be given
in a brief memo. The mailboxes are in the workroom where we have
the duplicating machine (the Aesthetics box is on the lower left
side).
Some concerns have been expressed that familiar items have not
yet been hung. This delay is due to several factors.
First, the RSC found a number of deficiencies in the construction
work and the company had to be given time to do the finishing touches.
Secondly, plans were cancelled for a picture rail–due to
lack of funds-which would have facilitated the hanging of some items.
Alternative steps have to be taken and still protect the walls.
Thirdly, since money is not available for new bulletin boards,
ways have to be found to adapt our old ones to our new building.
This is now under consideration.
If any of you have suggestions or are handy with tools and ladders,
and would like to assist the committee please contact us, through
the mailboxes. We will do our best to take advantage of your support.
All members and friends are invited to
join some distinguished guests in a special service dedicating our
new building on Sunday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m. Chorealis is working
on a special program and there will be musical guests. For the reception
that follows we are asking people to volunteer to bring a plate
of baking or other finger food snacks. Please sign up on the sheet
in the Lounge or contact Marg Roche through the church, chadmin@uce.ca
or 454-8073.
It's happening Thursday April 7th, 2005 at Eastglen High School
(11430 - 68 street). Three high school bands are raising money for
Project HOPE (a Change for Children project) to build a school in
Guatemala.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students. That gets you in
to see The Specifics, Deard'n Mean, and Rhyth.
Show starts at 7:30 and doors open at 7:00. Contact Nigel c/o the
Church Administrator at chadmin@uce.ca
or 454-8073.
The following people have agreed to let their names stand for
positions in the church at the annual meeting.
President: Sylvia Krogh. Sylvia is currently vice-president. She
has been president of the Unitarian Single Adults, canvas co-chair,
adult advisor to the youth group, member of the ministerial committee,
board, etc. She met her husband, Alan Boyle, at the Unitarian Church
10 years ago.
Vice-president: Michael Keast. Michael has been one of our most
active members since joining the church four years ago. He is currently
on the board and has sat on the nominating committee, RSC committee
and religious education committee, was involved with the canvass
committee and served as weekend work crew leader for the sweat equity
group.
Board trustees (2 positions open): Jean McBean, long-time member
and our current treasurer, and Karen Stevenson. Karen joined UCE
as a member two years ago. She sings in Chorealis, has played guitar
for services and conducted summer worship services.
Ministerial relations committee: (2 positions open): Geoff Pallett
and Ann-Marie Harder. Geoff is just completing his first term on
the committee. Ann-Marie was a candidate for this committee last
year, but her name was one of several inadvertently omitted from
the ballot.
Nominating committee (3 positions open): Joan Childs, Reinie Heydemann,
and Christine Mowat.
Secretary: Evelyn Porter has another year left in her term.
At press time for this newsletter, the committee was unable to
find a member willing to stand as treasurer. This two-year position
is critical to the operation of our church, but does not require
accounting or banking skills.
Other candidates for all positions are welcome.
Susan Ruttan, Stella Clarke, Jolien Pauw, Helen Ready
The Nominating Commitee
There are still more than 27,000 nuclear bombs in the world. About
95% of these are in the USA and Russia. 5000 are on high alert status
ready to launch on warning. If a nuclear exchange between Russia
and the USA started, either accidentally or intentionally, and they
unleashed just 4 percent of their bombs, in a matter of minutes
tens of millions of people would be killed, and the entire northern
hemisphere reduced to something worse than any refugee camp we have
ever seen, and without external aid, relief or medical supplies.
In the south, people would gradually fall under the cloud of a nuclear
winter. There have been many nuclear accidents and some have brought
us to the brink of war.
The 1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT),
signed by almost all of the world’s governments, contains
a commitment to the goal of nuclear disarmament by the Nuclear Weapon
States (USA, Russia, UK, France and China).
At the sixth NPT Review Conference in 2000, the Final Document,
agreed to by all signatory states, contained an “unequivocal
undertaking by the Nuclear Weapon States to accomplish the total
elimination of their nuclear arsenals leading to nuclear disarmament
...” plus a 13-step Programme of Action for the next five
years.
Since making this promise, there have been few signs that Nuclear
Weapon States are treating realisation of the Program of Action
as an urgent matter. Their determination to keep and continue
to develop their nuclear arsenals is a major stumbling block for
efforts to preserve the Non-proliferation Treaty.
Canadian Unitarian Council
Conseil Unitarien du Canada
<http://www.cuc.ca/>
Your signed Declaration, along with thousands of similar Declarations
from Canada and around the world, will be prominently displayed
at the 2005 NPT Review Conference in New York when the world’s
leaders gather at the United Nations to review their treaty obligations.
DECLARATION FOR A NUCLEAR WEAPON-FREE WORLD
Name..........................................................................
Address......................................................................
....................................................................................
• I do not accept that nuclear weapons can defend me, my country,
or the values I stand for.
• I therefore demand that negotiations are started leading
to the abolition of nuclear weapons under strict and effective international
control.
Signed........................................................................
PLEASE MAIL BY APRIL 20th 2005, TO
Canadian Unitarian Council Peace Monitor Group
Chairperson: Helmut Kuhn
2451 Ogilvie Rd., Ottawa, ON. K1J 7N3
Nuclear weapons do not make us secure. They are about insecurity,
doubt and fear. Most people want to live in a world free from the
nuclear threat. This hope has the backing of law.
• The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is part of international
law,
• In 1996 the International Court of Justice onfirmed that
nuclear disarmament is a legal obligation,
• In 2000 the Nuclear Weapon States pledged to eliminate
their nuclear arsenals. These pledges are not being honoured.
You can help the law prevail and make the world safer by signing
this Declaration for a Nuclear Weapon-Free World.
ƒs in co-operation with Physicians for Global Survival, Canada
<http://www.pgs.ca/>
and the World Court Project UK <http://wcp.gn.apc.org/>
All our circles have room for new members and there is a schedule
of meeting times at the end of this column. First, however, I want
you to hear "first-hand" one person's Chalice Circle experience.
Judy Hancock and her husband, John Cserny, attend the Tuesday evening
group.
Judy says:
"My husband, John Cserny, and I came to UCE hoping to meet
a community of like-minded individuals where we could share our
spiritual journey. In joining a Chalice Circle we have found that
community.
"The openness, respect, and reverence of the Circle provide
a safe and nurturing container for exploration, for delving into
the deep questions of life and how best to live it. Varying points
of view help us to look at life from new angles and consider new
ways of being, while honouring our individuality and our right
to grow at our own best pace. We have found a warmth here and
a sense of belonging. We look forward to our meetings and often
wish they happened more frequently.
"We have found the services at UCE to be inspiring and
uplifting, and the Chalice Circle gives us a more intimate spiritual
experience that compliments the services beautifully."
If you are interested in joining a group and discovering experiences
similar to Judy's, please contact Karen Mills c/o chadmin@uce.ca
or 454-8073.
Chalice Circle Meeting Schedule
Tuesday - 7 to 9 p.m.
Wednesday - 2 - 4 p.m. (an art-based group)
Thursday - morning
Friday - 7 - 9 p.m. (Circle of the Sun)
Sunday - 2 - 5 p.m. (multigenerational meeting with a potluck supper)
The Womens’ Wellness Program at Grey Nuns Community Hospital
is inviting submissions for the publication of an anthology of womens’
writing. The working title for the book will be The Voices of Everyday
Women. Women of all ages are encouraged to share a story, poem,
some art or a music score, by sending their work to editors Audrey
Brooks, or Alice Winkel, C/O 9916-154th Street, Edmonton, T5P 2G7.
Deadline for submissions is the end of June. There is no specific
theme, creating something "from the heart" about something
that wants to be expressed is the only criteria.
When the Aesthetics Committee realized the chairs in the Sanctuary
were scratching the new floor it became necessary to replace the
old glides with felt glides quickly. A small local business —
Casterland, 4148 - 99 St., phone 432-5575 — filled the need
at short notice and gave the Church a substantial discount.
Marshall Paxton, from Casterland, came to the Church and advised
the Committee on the best products to make all our furniture and
rolling items safe for the new floors. Marshall then volunteered
his expertise and time, changing the casters on the identified items
himself.
The “Needs List” identifies all those items not covered
by the renovation budget but still needed to complete the total
renovation of our new building. The Needs List was originally compiled
by the Renovation Steering Committee and is now being added to by
the Aesthetics Committee. It is updated monthly and this will continue
until all renovation has been completed. The long version of this
list is on view at the Church with only the immediate needs listed
in the Newsletter.
Thanks to the generosity of friends and members many more items
have been taken off both the immediate and larger Needs List. Now
that we are occupying our new space we are identifying other items
which have now been added to the Needs List.
Ways and Means, Renovation Steering, and Aesthetics Committees
acknowledge the donations made in the past month: Dan Sorochan -
cart for moving chairs; Bill Brumbalow and Evelyn Zajic - contributions
towards the dishwasher; Bill Scotten - chairs for the Chapel area,
Larry and Louise Charach - chairs for the Library, Mike Keast and
Sweat Equity - finishing parking lot, Kristi Harcourt - handicap
signs for parking, and Chris Zobel - large easel.
The following items are still needed as soon as possible:
Up date security system - $3,000.00. ($1000.00 has been donated
to date). There are many new entrances to the building and the fire
alarm system must be integrated into 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 - used commercial under counter model - $2700.00 ($1000.00
donated to date). Having a dishwasher similar to the one in our
previous home will speed clean up when holding dinners/potlucks
etc. Otherwise someone would need to stay for several hours after
a function to wash and put away the dishes. It would be useful to
have this before official opening - May 1st, so all donations large
and small will be gratefully accepted.
Felts and Casters - $700.00 All chairs/bookcases/rolling items
need to have the appropriate protection on their base in order to
minimize damage to our new flooring. Much of this work has already
taken place, but we need the money to pay for the new hardware.
Many small donations will reduce this amount. (Large donations also
gratefully accepted).
Portable Scaffold This is needed for maintenance work in the Sanctuary
Change 2 existing door locks to match new door locks - $200.00
Landscaping - Note: The last item must be completed according
to Architect’s plan in order to pass the renovation completion
inspection required by the City of Edmonton.
Together we are making these wishes come true.
If you have a fund raising project please forward it in writing
to Ways & Means (church office). Verbal suggestions are easily
forgotten. If you are able to donate an item, or wish to make a
financial contribution for a specific item, please contact Shona
Wehm c/o chadmin@uce.ca
or 454-8073.
A singing workshop will be led by Alison Nixon, Music Director,
North Shore Unitarian Church on Saturday May 28 at the 2004 Beacon
Family Camp. Come for the day or from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon.
This is an informal opportunity for Unitarian choir directors and
singers to meet, sing, exchange ideas, and enjoy a beautiful camp
setting complete with swimming beach and canoes. Sasamat Outdoor
Centre is 20 minutes drive from Coquitlam, and about 90 minutes
from the Vancouver International Airport. On Sasamat Lake with private
beach, swimming and canoes, music, heated cabins, walking trail,
and fully catered. A time to relax for all ages. Newcomers to U*U
welcome. Room for 90 campers so register early. Some billeting is
possible for out of town visitors arriving early. Adult full camp
$90, day $50.
Co-Dean and Registrar Dan Theal, 604-420-2830, for registration
forms and brochure.
Co-Dean Peggy Lunderville, 604-522-3001. Beacon Unitarian Church
email beaconchurch@telus.net.
Naramata Eliot, the week long Unitarian conference and holiday
for individuals, couples and families, takes place July 2 - 9, when
a group of Unitarians will come together and form an intentional
community. Every Eliot camp is unique, and develops its own "spirit"
during the course of the week. One of the ways this spirit evolves
is through group singing. We are very pleased to announce that Joyce
Poley, well-known among UU's as a singer, songwriter, worship leader,
and workshop facilitator, has agreed to act as camp Song Leader,
encouraging everyone to participate in the singing during morning
worship and evening firelight. She is a skilled leader, and will
no doubt have everyone singing in harmony from the very first day!
The adult program will feature Rev. Stefan Jonasson from Manitoba
(more info on web-site - see address below). So don't forget to
send in your registration for Eliot soon! 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 registration forms and more information about Eliot at Naramata
as well as the Eliot camps at Seabeck, WA, visit the web-site at
www.eliotinstitute.org
or call 206-374-2497.
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
New Building Dedication: Unitarian Church of Edmonton
May 1, 2005 7 p.m.
Info: Reverend Brian Kiely brikie@aol.com
Beacon Sasamat Family Camp: A singing workshop led by Alison Nixon.
May 27 to 29, 2005
Info: Peggy Lunderville lunder@direct.ca
Canadian Unitarian Universalist Leadership School (CU*UL)
July 28 – 31, 2005
Mount Royal College, Calgary, AB.
Info: Jan Schwarz cuul@cuc.ca or http://www.cuc.ca/CUC_calendar.html
Western Region Women’s Gathering
July 1 - 3, 2005 Lumsden, SK
Info: Ruth Patrick mruth.patrick@shaw.ca
Eliot at Naramata: Letters of the Spirit with Rev. Stefan Jonasson
July 2 – 9, 2005 Naramata, BC.
Info: http://www.eliotinstitute.org
