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. 11
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
The deadline for the next newsletter is December 16.
December 11 — Rev. Brian J. Kiely
"Dark of Winter"
One of my favourite hymns for this time of year begins, "Dark
of winter, soft and still, your quiet calm surrounds me." Finding
that quiet calm can be hard at this time of year, but it's key to
finding meaning in the season.
December 18 — Rev. Brian J. Kiely and
Rosemary Manning
"Mitten Tree Christmas"
This intergenerational service is part of the tradition of this
church. We come and share and celebrate in a unique way our concern
for people who don't have the blessing of winter warms through giving
hats, mittens and scarves (and cheques for USC Canada) to be donated
through local institutions.
December 23, 6:30 p.m. — Rev. Brian J.
Kiely and members of the Pastoral Care Team “Blue Christmas”
For many, Christmas is a difficult time, especially those grieving
a recent loss or a change in their life. And some of us will also
be mourning the burden of Christmases long past. In this service,
we share the burdens of loss and grief, and then restore ourselves
with a free supper of homemade soups and bread and pies for dessert
all served by a team of volunteers. "Come, come whoever you
are" and bring a friend.
December 24, 7:00 p.m. — The Kiely Family
"Santa's Christmas Eve"
Join us for a relaxed welcoming of Christmas, a chance to take a
little time for your self and your spirit in the midst of the noisy
hubbub. Listen to the stories, relive memories and enjoy the music.
December 25, 10:30 a.m. — Rev. Brian J.
Kiely
"The First Noel"
It's rare that we get to celebrate Christmas morning in this church.
In fact, the last time I was in church on Christmas morning was
well back in the last century! For those who wish to stop by, this
will be a simple service of music and readings from the Gospels
and other texts suitable to the day.
January 1, 2006 — Beth Jenkins
"Don't Just Do Something, Sit There"
A service of quiet reflection, drawing on the Quaker practice of
nurturing the soul and discerning the truth through silence.
January 8, 2006 — John Pater
“The Stories of Our Lives”
We will reflect on both the fictional (novels, movies) and non-fictional
(news events) stories that we encountered in 2005, and ask how those
stories interact with our own life story. Bring your own memories
of the year past and the stories (fictional and factual) that touched
you.
Winter Solstice and Christmas at Westwood The Westwood Unitarian Congregation is located at 11135-65
Avenue.
December 21, 7pm, 9pm, 11pm
“Embracing the Darkness, Celebrating the Light”
An ancient tradition, winter solstice is a celebration of the darkness
and of the promise of light on the shortest day of the year. At
Westwood, this pivotal event in the natural cycle is celebrated
with candle lighting, singing, chanting, music, meditation and readings,
followed by hot apple cider and home-baked goodies. Musicians include
local artist and composer Gordon Ritchie on the Celtic harp, and
Westwood’s choir Harmonia.
The 7pm service is family-oriented, while the 9pm service is more
meditative, and the 11pm service is the most pagan in orientation.
An offering will be received in support of Building on Biodiversity,
a unique and highly successful project to support urban agriculture
and maintaining traditional crops in El Salvador.
December 25, 10:30 a.m.
“Christmas Morning at Westwood”
We will use a typical order of service for Christmas Day, with one
exception! Candles of Celebration and Concern and the sermon/address
will be merged to create "Candles of Christmas." Anyone
may come up, light a candle, and express what Christmas means to
them, in a way that is right for them — song, poem, story,
or just telling. So if you are looking for ways to help make Christmas
Day meaningful in a way that fits with you, consider joining us
on Christmas morning.
Special Congregational Meeting
Sunday, January 22 at 12 Noon
A Special Congregational Meeting of the Unitarian
Church of Edmonton will be held in the Sanctuary on Sunday,
January 22 at 12 Noon.
Business to be discussed will be motions
that would permit the Board to purchase an electronic sign
for the front of the building and an awning for the main
entrance with the funds received from the dissolution of
the Western Canada District.
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.
Evelyn Porter
Secretary, Board of Trustees
The Western Canada District of the Unitarian Universalist Association
dissolved in 2002. As determined by a resolution at that meeting,
the equity was divided among the 10 congregations and fellowships
in proportion to the recorded membership of each society as of January
31, 2002. As a result, UCE has now received a cheque for $10,805.41.
We were encouraged to put the funds in the endowment fund. Instead,
the board is recommending that we put the money into something that
is special and long lasting as a legacy to the WCD. And there is
a great need now for some things for our church.
Now that we have two renters, our small signage on the front of
the church is not very visible from the street. The board recommends
that some of the money go towards an electronic sign out front that
can be updated weekly from inside the church. The sign could state
the service time, leader, topic, directions to get to the church
entranceway, etc. or whatever is needed. We have a quote for a 72”
x 44” electronic sign for $6600. A city sign permit is about
$200. We would put the new sign on the present sign’s base.
This does not include installation which we hope to be done with
sweat equity from our members.
Then, as you know, once you go around the corner, our main church
entrance is not very obvious for people who have never been there
before. Also, the exterior doors need some protection from the elements
or they won’t last long. So the board recommends that a portion
of the money go towards an awning with the UCE sign and logo on
it. We have an estimate of $2039 for this. This includes installation.
We will have to complete the electrical hookup with member’s
sweat equity.
There will be a congregational meeting at 12 noon on Sun. Jan
22 to consider the following motions:
Moved, that the Board be authorized to spend up to $7500 of the
funds received from the dissolution of the Western Canada District
on the purchase and installation of an electronic sign for the front
of the church building.
Moved, that the Board be authorized to spend up to $3000 of the
funds received from the dissolution of the Western Canada District
on the purchase and installation of an awning for the main entrance
of the church.
Planning our services for this month, I couldn't help but be aware
of the wonderful Christmas gift I am getting this year. This is
the last set of services I have to plan for awhile. As most will
know, I start my sabbatical leave following the Christmas Day service
and make my return to the church on Easter Sunday. There is something
liturgically amusing about the Christmas/Easter timing, but perhaps
I shouldn't go there.
Instead I will reflect on the gift of rest and renewal. I have
always believed that Christmas should be a chance for rest and renewal.
Many parts of our society seem to pick up the pace in September
and race through to the following summer. Christmas can provide
a little break, a time to catch the breath and get set for the next
round of activity.
Finding time for rest at Christmas is often a little challenging.
The parties, concerts, eating, shopping and family visits can provide
a whole new set of stresses. I invite you to take a little time
now to plan a couple of things that are just for you. Even if it's
just taking a book and going to the coffee shop, or locking the
door and having a long luxurious bath.
And the services we have planned will work towards providing a
sense of peace and comfort this December. Whether it's the unburdening
of grief at the Blue Christmas service or the quiet reflections
of “Dark of Winter", the joyful music of "Lessons
and Carols" or even the uplifting and boundless energy of "Mitten
Tree", there should be something to help you through.
Me? I guess I'll have time for a few restful and renewing things
starting Christmas Day.
Many of you have been nice enough to say in a kindly way that
it's good that I get this break, that you want me to continue as
your minister and that you want me to be my best. I thank you for
that. I hope to continue to serve this congregation for many years
to come. We have, I believe, something rare in churches no matter
what the denomination. We have,'a good fit.' I have seen talented
ministers and good congregations suffer some very hard times because
the fit was not good.
As I start my leave, a clear goal is to take time to figure how
to make that fit even better. I hope to take good reflective time
to figure out how to keep my work and my message fresh and relevant
for you. Just as the congregation is working through a long range
planning process trying to articulate its vision and goals for life
in this building, I need to ponder and study how best to serve the
changing needs of UCE. I think, I hope we will all be well served
by this leave.
So, thanks, in advance, for this lovely Christmas gift.
See you in church for now, and then again after a while
Brian
We are reaching the end of another year. November is almost over,
and December starting. All around the world people have traditions
of taking some time to celebrate, get together with families and
friends, exchange gifts, share food and do those things that reconnect
us in our communities. It may be that when the weather was warmer
(I'm speaking of Canada here), we went our own ways.
But as the weather gets darker and colder, we become aware at some
level that we are interdependent upon our friends, families and
communities to make it through.
In Canada, we celebrate Thanksgiving in October, as a Harvest
Festival. But we get a second chance to think about gratefulness
and giving thanks by experiencing at a thoughtful distance our American
neighbour's Thanksgiving. I for one am grateful for that. It helps
me lead into December. I have a second chance to be mindful of the
blessings in my life, and in my community.
We have a tradition in this church of the Mitten Tree. We have
a large tree, which celebrates our Nordic Heritages. We throw warm
winter items on the tree for those in our city who don't have some
of the blessings we do. It is fun and yet serious too. I was thinking
how in our Jewish Tradition at this time of the year we are encouraged
to do a mitzvah, a good deed. In my mind I am now thinking of our
tree as a Mitzvah Tree.
It has been found that people who regularly practice mindful gratitude
experience more happiness, more creativity, more satisfaction with
their lives, more compassion and understanding of other people-empathy.
I'd like to suggest that those coming to the Mitten Tree Service
bring along on a piece of paper something they are grateful for,
something they never thought of being grateful for before, and an
idea for giving a blessing to someone else.
Events in the RE Classroom
Tasha Ellis has been the teacher in the classroom for the 4-8's.
the children are working on building a Unitarian City. When it is
finished, the congregation will be invited in for a tour and an
explanation. If any of the adults have an idea for what makes a
utopian community in the Unitarian sense, please drop by and make
a suggestion.
The children in the 8-13 group have been working on some special
projects to do with Spirit Play. (See our upcoming event to get
a hint).
Future Events in RE
Spirit Play Workshop
On January 28, we will be having a Spirit Play Workshop for anyone
who is interested in learning what Spirit Play is. There are aspects
of Spirit Play that go beyond what can be done with it in the RE
Program. It can be used in Chalice Circles, seminars and workshops
and meetings. Come and learn and enjoy. There will be a sign-up
sheet in the foyer.
Unconditional Parenting
As part of our ongoing education sessions on parenting issues, we
are planning a series of afternoon workshop on special topics of
interest. At the RE Parents Meeting on November 27, we will be discussing
and deciding which ones we will be having and when. The first will
be based on a book by Alfie Kohn "Unconditional Parenting"
which explores the question "What do kids need-and how can
we meet those needs?"
Songs of Protest
This event is scheduled for the weekend of April 8. There will be
guest musicians who will lead workshops of learning protest songs
from whatever era they choose. In the evening there will be a Public
Concert. And on the Sunday, the Intergenerational Service will centre
around Songs of Protest. This is still in the planning stages, so
anyone who'd like to join us in developing and organizing it, please
call me.
Gratitude of the Month
YOU! I am grateful for the interest you show in the RE Program and
the children. Things show up in my office. People engage me in thoughtful
conversation. When I ask for help, I get help. Thank you.
Recently, I went to the U of A Students’ Union Revolutionary
Speakers Series to hear Professor Thomas Homer-Dixon. He is an associate
professor in the University of Toronto’s Department of Political
Science and the director of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Centre for
Peace and Conflict Studies. Professor Thomas Homer-Dixon won the
2001 Governor General Award for his book “The Ingenuity Gap”.
At the lecture, he focused on the three major problems facing the
modern world and the challenges they present to human ingenuity:
decreasing natural resources, climate change and “mega-terrorism.”
He said that these problems are made more difficult to correct because
of the supremacy of economics which makes human being cost-benefit
calculators. This prevents societies from dealing with long-term
problems like global warming or decreasing supplies of fossil fuels.
The solution, he said is increasing human ingenuity before they
become insurmountable problems. He said that potential solutions
to these crises are scientific search, human ingenuity, changing
the way economic markets work, and political will, but noted that
each brings other problems. During the question period, someone
asked Thomas if answers to these value questions could be found
in churches and religions. Thomas said that traditional religions
only give people answers. The only religion that encouraged people
to question and search for answers to the big questions is Unitarianism.
I was so pleased to hear this endorsement of Unitarianism as a questioning
religion. As a result, I bought and donated two of his books to
UCE’s library in case anyone wishes to read further.
As former Edmonton Unitarian whom many of you may remember, Marya
Nyland has asked Alan and me to be a dog sitter in Victoria over
Christmas while she and Philip go to Europe. I am sorry to miss
all the Christmas activities in Edmonton. However, I will think
of you as I am walking the dog along the ocean!
I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and all the best in
2006!
The following positions need to be filled for this special Christmas
event on December 23rd. Applications close on December 18, 2004.
Soup makers, Pie makers, Bread givers, Waitpersons (experience
preferred), set-up crew, clean-up crew, and a person willing to
deliver leftovers to the Youth Emergency Shelter. Benefactors (money
donations) are also most welcome.
Remuneration - the joy of giving cheer and comfort to members
of the community to whom the Christmas season is not always a time
of joy and happiness.
If you would like to volunteer your talents, there is a sign-up
sheet on the Adult Program Table, or you may contact Shona Wehm
through the church office, 454-8073 chadmin@uce.ca
for more information.
EDMONTON INTERFAITH
CENTRE FOR EDUCATION AND ACTION
This is your invitation to the December
General Meeting and Annual Festive Open House of the Edmonton Interfaith
Centre on Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at 11148 84 Avenue
(The Ashbourne: A Garneau United Community).
There will be entertainment and foods representing many different
cultures. We welcome gifts of finger food to share with those present.
An RSVP is welcome but not essential.
For this special occasion, both front and back lane entrances
to the church will be open.
Parking behind The Ashbourne is limited, but there are parking
lots close by, south of the centre, off 112 Street and behind Wendy’s,
to the north of our building, off 85 Avenue.
If you would like more information on this or other Interfaith
Centre activities, please phone the Interfaith Centre office, 413-6159
or email intfaith@telus.net. We look forward to sharing the season
with you.
The Social Justice Committee meets on the second Sunday of the
month from 12 noon to 1:30 pm in the sanctuary. Everyone is welcome
to join us. The next meeting will be on Sunday, December 11th.
There is a great concern now that our provincial government plans
to adopt private health care.
Leaked government documents have indicated this. As well, a private
insurance company with many corruption charges against them, AON
has been hired to provide information to the government. If you
are concerned about this, please pick up one of the action sheets
in the foyer or on the social justice wall (across from the bathrooms)
for further information and to act on this issue.
There will be a labelled box in the church to put blankets and
coats in. Caroline Foster and Audrey Brooks will take the coats
and blankets to the Boyle Street Community Services in the inner
city for dispersal to homeless people.
Rev. Francis Deverell , Saskatoon UU minister and head of CUC
Globalization Project will be our guest minister on Sun. Jan 20.
She will lead a social justice workshop for us on Sat. Jan. 21 from
1 to 4 pm. Francis authored a book on Unitarianism and social justice
called 'Finding Our Common Voice'. She will explain how the Canadian
Unitarian Council adopts social justice positions and policies and
the monitoring groups that already exist. As well, she will familiarize
us with Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice (CUSJ). This workshop
is $10 and we encourage all members of the congregation to attend.
There is a sign-up sheet in the foyer. Hope to see you there!
For your gift giving this year, please consider making a donation
to Change for Children, a local, effective non-governmental organization.
The gift can be made in the name of a family member, friend or co-worker.
The recipient will receive a card advising them that you have made
a donation in their name. You will receive the charitable receipt.
Minimum donation is $20. Contact Change for Children, #221, 9624
- 108 ave. Edmonton, phone 448 - 1505 www.changeforchildren.org
Festival of Lights/channukah Concert and Dance with a holiday
story (by storyteller Allan Merovitz), latkes (potato pancakes)
and other delicacies, and great music by the exciting band KlezMerovitz.
Come and dance, listen, sing, eat, celebrate freedom with friends,
family, congregation and community.
Last Spring many of us loved the rich klezmer music of KlezMerovitz.
As promised: a return engagement. Friday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets are $15/ $10 for students and seniors. Call the office at
454-8073 to reserve. Tickets will also be on sale on Sundays.
Our talented quilt maker Linda Stolee has donated an exquisite
queen sized quilt for a raffle. Tickets are a mere $2 each or 3
for $5. The draw will be on Sunday, December 18th after church.
All proceeds will go to our capital fund for our beautiful new home.
Buy your tickets from Donna Hamar. Better yet, take a book to sell
to your family and friends. A photo of the quilt is also available
for you to take to show buyers. The tickets are also available at
the Spirit of Solstice Yule Market
Your new entertainment book will make a great Christmas present
for you or your friends! See Jennifer Hinchcliffe or Shirley Edgar
through the church office, 454-8073 chadmin@uce.ca .
Still only $40.00.
FREEMAN
PATRICK MEMORIAL READING AND REFERENCE LIBRARY
The Library Committee is ready to accept donations to add to the
Library collection. Books are accepted under the following guidelines:
Reference: This includes dictionaries, encyclopedias, atlases,
almanacs, and general knowledge collections.
UU Related: Books about the Unitarian Universalist denomination,
local, national, and international. Meditation manuals, Philosophy,
etc.
UU Religious Studies: Books on theory, curricula.
World Religions: Books on other religions and scriptures. Religious
history books, scholarly works on religion.
Social Awareness: A small section of mainly current works on social
justice issues e.g. poverty, peace initiatives, Unitarian Service
Committee, etc.
If you have books to donate, please make a list of the Titles
and Authors, and either give it to a member of the Library Committee
or place it in the Library mail box in the Work room.
Committee members: Ruth Patrick, Jane Calderin, Mike Keast, Mary
Campbell, Louise Charach, Jim Appleton, and Shona Wehm.
In October, 50% of the loose collection for two Sundays went to
the charity YESS, a total of $216.04. The Red Cross in Pakistan
received 100% of three Sundays loose collection for a total of $846.94.
A few years back the Maturely Challenged Group was active in the
church. I would like to start a group that works around the same
idea. All would be welcome, and we would get together outside of
church once a month to enjoy an activity. Activities could include
but are not limited to movies, bowling, mini-putt and games nights.
It will be a enjoyable way for people to get out and get to know
others. If you are interested in participating please contact Mike
Keast through the church office, 454-8073 chadmin@uce.ca .
I will put together a list of people to be notified about upcoming
events. The first event will most likely be a bowling night on Jan
27 or 28. More information will be provided in January in the newsletter
and Orders of Service.
The National Social Justice Coordinator is running a survey on
the state of social justice work among UU youth in Canada. This
survey is fairly short, and tries to discover what social justice
issues are important to Canadian youth, what social justice projects
are already being run, and how your Regional and National Social
Action Coordinators (SACs) can support you better in your endeavours.
All youth(even those that don't attend regularly) and youth advisors
in your congregation should fill out the survey - we want feedback
from all the youth of Canada! You can get a copy of the survey to
print off (online version coming soon) by visiting the NEW Youth
Social Justice Website: www.cuc.ca/youth/socialjustice
Christine Michell
National Social Justice Coordinator
I The International Association for Religious Freedom is a registered
charity based in the United Kingdom which has the aim of working
for freedom of religion and belief at a global level.
Since 1900, IARF has been encouraging interfaith dialogue and tolerance.
There are over 90 affiliated member groups in approximately 25 countries,
from a wide range of faith traditions including Buddhism, Christianity,
Hinduism, Islam, Shintoism and Sikhism, among others. Unitarians
are a very prominent part of this organization. The IARF is holding
its 32nd World Congress in a Buddhist Monastery about 300 kilometres
south of Taipei in Taiwan from March 26 to 30, 2006. The International
Association of Liberal Religious Women (IALRW) promotes equality
for women and economic and social justice and meets just before
the IARF conference.
If you are interested in attending this conference, please contact
Sylvia Krogh, Alan Boyle or Gunnar Thorvaldson, all of whom have
attended previous congresses and plan to attend this one.
An affectionate UUA Jack Russell terrier is looking for a friend
to mind him for about 12 days during the last 2 weeks of January
2006. Angus is 10 years old, is house trained and prefers to snooze
much of the day. He would like to take you for a walk once or twice
a day and given him some attention. He needs to howl at the moon
or stars before you go to bed at night. His kennel, day bed and
bowl will be supplied as well as his daily rations. He does like
to lie at your feet or by your side. Appropriate remuneration is
available. If interested, phone Jim Logan through the church office, 454-8073 chadmin@uce.ca .
The bookstore has finally found a permanent home! We are at the
north end of the foyer on the east wall across from the bathrooms.
And we need more pocketbooks–not boxes full, try one bag.
Books you think UU’s would like to read.
Charting UCE’s Future Progressing
with the Long-range Planning
Thank you
In October, the Long-range Planning team declared that it was
time to look around, look within, and look forward. You have taken
up our challenge with enthusiasm and vigor! You have written you
dreams on the stars (OK, they were cardboard), shared your experiences
and your lunch in discussion circles, interviewed, puzzled (literally
and figuratively), and reflected. Your participation in planning
UCE’s future is critical; we can’t emphasize this enough.
Thank you so much for actively engaging in this process.
What’s next?
As we move into December, we are getting ready to take what we’ve
learned so far into the second stage of the process. Here are our
next steps:
1. Keep the questions coming until December 18th. Since October,
we’ve been sharing our ideas and dreams as answers to a
series of questions. In November we asked:
a. How does UCE meet your spiritual needs?
b. What distinguishes us from other faiths?
c. What would happen to you if UCE wasn’t here? What would
happen to Edmonton?
d. What inspired you today?
2. Review your answers to the questions. Watch for a series
of “question and answer” posters. These will help
pull our ideas together.
3. Decorate gingerbread! On December 4, answering our question
will involve icing, cookies, and sprinkles. Join us in the social
hall immediately after the service for the fun. All ages are invited.
Everyone is welcome to join. Weather and other factors occasionally
change the location so if you are new to our group please let us
know so that you can get all the updates. All walks start at UCE
at 9:30 unless otherwise specified and we generally carpool to the
walking location. Many of us like to “lunch” afterwards.
For more information, contact Dorothy Keeler or Helen Ready through the church office, 454-8073 chadmin@uce.ca
Friday Dec 2 - McKinnon Ravine (lunch at Gwyneth
Foster-Newell)
Leader - Gwyneth Foster-Newell
Friday Dec 9 - Riverdale (maybe the date for
the Friendship Lunch?)
Leader - Audrey Brooks
Friday Dec 16 - Christmas Lights tour? Maybe
we’ll switch it to a late afternoon walk.
Leader - Donna Hamar
The Spirit of Solstice Yule Market
Saturday December 3, 2005
10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
at the Unitarian Church of Edmonton
10804 119 Street
Handcrafted treasures
Fair Trade goods
Local artisans and micro-entrepreneurs
Live musical performances
Workshops
Children’s Activities
Adults $2, Students/Seniors $1, children under 12 free
Please bring a new pair of mitts or toque or scarf to donate
to the Unitarian Church’s “Mitten Tree”
Tickets for the UCE Quilt Raffle will be available.
Look for the blessing
Look for the lesson
Look for the meaning
Look for the purpose
Look for the pony!
Gratitude, abundance, a gift in life
The wonder, the joy, the beauty
The morning sun, the fresh air
The strength of my legs on this long walk
This cup of coffee
The hug from my friends
The little cat who greets me and sits on my lap.
These are the blessings.
What is the lesson?
Haven’t I learned enough?
What is the meaning?
Is there a purpose?
Is there a god?
Is there a pony?
Schroedinger’s cat!
