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 47. No. 1
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 January 20.
January 1 — 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.
We will start the New Year with a light and simple brunch after
the service on January 1, 2006. Please bring an easy-to-serve appetizer
or dessert to share. Things that won't need cutlery or large plates
will help to minimize the work of set-up and clean-up. Coffee and
tea will be available as well as juice and a bowl of punch. Contact
Beth Jenkins through the church office, 454-8073 chadmin@uce.ca .
January 8 — 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.
January 15 — Dan Newell
“Living the Present”
Perhaps you, like I, have allowed past experiences to contaminate
present events with regret, or allowed worry over possible futures
to invite anxiety into the very things that might bring enjoy. I
would like to consider a couple of ways to protect against these
sorts of intrusions and allow the present to be enjoyed as a 'present'!
How can we, in our present behavior and relationships, elicit hope
and shape our sense of meaning and perspective?
January 22 — Rev. Frances Deverell
"Democracy Eh?"
We affirm and promote the right of conscience and the use of the
democratic process in our congregations and in society at large.
Why is democracy a central religious principle in our movement?
What is the significance of this unique religious principle for
our social action priorities? Rev. Frances Leigh Deverell is the
minister of the Unitarian Congregation of
Saskatoon.
January 29 — Ricardo Acuna
“Water: The (Mostly) Untold (Bigger) Story"
Its not just water, its the whole agenda behind it that begs for
awareness and action. Service leaders: Audrey Brooks, Sharon Ingraham
and Joanne Olafson - Social Justice Committee.
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.
The end of the year! Can you believe it? It is the time when we
look back at where we have been, what we have done. We measure our
lives against our dreams and aspirations. We wonder about the year
to come and what it will be like.
At this dark time of the year, we gather round our hearths (for
those who don’t know what a hearth is in these modern times,
get out your dictionary.) put on lights and warmth, have special
treats and drinks. We think of our friends and families. We remember
to be grateful for what we have received and to be thankful to those
who share our lives.
In the Religious Education Program, we are coming to the end of
our first quarter. The younger children were in a group lead by
Tasha Ellis. They have been working on building a utopian community,
using our year’s theme of “Peace”. The older children
were working on the concept of peace within themselves and with
the people around them.
Scott Harrison installed our cupboards and sink in the Baby Room.
Thanks, Scott. It really helps.
Kate Childs and Meredith Swytink Binnema have been loving and
nurturing caregivers to the babies of the congregation.
Our RE Committee has given generously of their time in developing
and creating the RE Program. They also did a magnificent job of
sorting and clearing out the RE Storage Room. Thank you Joan Childs,
the chair, Christina Keast, Scott Harrison and Audrey Brooks.
And Mike Keast, Gaylord Madill, and Bryce Missal have worked on
various projects for us whenever we have needed their help. Thank
you!
We have had a few intergenerational services like the one at Halloween
and the Mitten Tree Service. People have been saying that these
service are truly intergenerational, in that the message has deep
meaning for people of all ages. We also had our first glimpse of
“Spirit Play”, when Brian Kiely told the story of our
Unitarian “Promises”. I hope that little taste has whetted
your appetite for what is coming up in the New Year!
Spirit Play
On January 28th we will be having a daylong workshop on Spirit Play.
Christina Keast, Brian Kiely and myself were trained in Spirit Play
in October and are very excited about it’s usefulness in our
congregation. Spirit Play was created by Dr. Nita Penford who was
a former Director of Religious Education in Massachusetts. Her program
has been developed as a way of responding to the big questions in
life, those wonderings that excite / challenge / confuse / delight
us as human being trying to make meaning in our lives. Based in
Montessori theory and growing out of Jerome Berryman’s Godly
play, Spirit Play creates sacred space for a community of children
in a uniquely Unitarian Universalist way. This workshop is open
to all: those who are wondering about what we will be doing in the
children’s program, those who want to contribute in some way
to the children’s program, those who would like to see the
application of Spirit Play to their own spiritual practice and those
who are just curious. There will be a sign-up sheet in the foyer.
Childcare will be provided upon request. And, of course, you may
ask Christina or myself questions at any time.
Unconditional Parenting
As a result of some of the parent meetings, it was suggested that
we offer workshops of interest to parents or caregivers on how we
can foster in a mindful way the values and principles that shape
our Unitarian beliefs. We have chosen this faith because we see
its importance to us as human beings. Whatever path we have come
through to get here, we who have children or have contact with children
would like that our children have the support of our beliefs to
become the human beings they were meant to be. This course is based
on a book and DVD entitled “Unconditional Parenting”
by Alfie Kohn. We will be offering it in February, on a Sunday afternoon
after service. There will be a sign-up sheet. If you require childcare,
let me know, and we can arrange that it be provided.
Friday Night at the Movies
On the third Friday of the month, we are having our movie evening:
A time of getting together, sharing movies and having the rare opportunity
of discussing the philosophic or spiritual message beneath the movie.
Our theme of the year has been PEACE: peace within yourself, your
families, your community, your world and your environment. Each
movie relates in some way to that concept. I bring the popcorn and
beverages. You may bring whatever you wish. If you haven’t
had the opportunity to eat supper, please bring it along so you
can join us. The movie of the month will be: SHREK
Upon discovering that Sylvia was going to spend Christmas in Victoria,
I had two thoughts: 1) I have to chair the Board meeting, and 2)
I have to write the newsletter message (!) After thinking about
what to write and looking back over the last year, all I can say
is:
WHAT A RIDE!!!!
Last year at this time we were packing up our old home and watching
our new home come into being. The Church of the Renovation was becoming
UCE. We were wondering where we would put everything…and when
we were going to have floors! I remember going through the big pile
of everything in the back looking for toilet tissue and finding
the coffee. It was great; making new friends and rediscovering lost
treasures that even some of the founding members had forgotten about.
As much as the Board runs the church, it is all of you who really
keep it running and thriving. So to every one of you, a heartfelt
thanks is in order.
The Board has spent the last four months working on ways to balance
our budget and try and fill our budgeted deficit. The rental of
the chapel space to the NDP was a good start, and now the two-month
rental of the back hall area will also help out significantly.
After the way the last year has gone some quiet time might be
in order, but I have a feeling it is going to be a year of growth.
I know the Membership Committee is looking to attract new members;
the Long Range Planning Committee is working on a plan for where
we want to go; and the Social Justice Group is going full steam
ahead and making a mark in the community. It is shaping up to be
another great year.
In fact, as this is going to print Brian is getting ready to take
a much-deserved sabbatical from all his building walls, dry walling,
taking calls and making sure those who deserved the thanks received
it, as well as continuing to deliver wonderful sermons. He has always
stepped back from the limelight, but we would not be where we are
today if not for Brian’s guidance. For that reason I just
want to say, “Thanks Brian. Have a good rest and come back
re-energized!”
From the Keast Family to yours, Happy Chrismahanukwanzakah
The Sabbatical Committee met Dec. 14 to discuss its main responsibilities
during Brian's upcoming sabbatical. The main role of the Sabbatical
Committee is coordination of communications so that ministerial
functions continue to run smoothly.
Care and Connections will provide pastoral care and the Lay Chaplains
will perform rites of passage (weddings, memorials, infant dedications.)
The Worship Committee has scheduled speakers for each of the Sundays
in January, February, March and the first two weeks of April.
The Sabbatical Committee will also act as a response team should
anything unexpected occur. The members of the Sabbatical Committee
and their areas of responsibility are listed below. All may be contacted
through the church office, 454-8073 chadmin@uce.ca .
Beth Jenkins Worship Committee Sabbatical Committee Chair; general
questions and issues;
Audrey Brooks Care and Connections Pastoral care questions and
issues;
Rosemary Manning Director, Religious Education Liaison to Board
(RE office phone 454-5816);
John Pater Worship Committee Worship schedule and related issues;
Stefan Sicking Ministerial Relations General questions and issues;
Copies of our Hymnal, “Singing the Living Tradition”,
are available from Bernie Keeler. If you are purchasing a copy for
your own use, the price is $55.00. If you are buying one to donate
to the church — say as a memorial to a loved one or a celebration
of some event — the cost is $50.00 and includes a bookplate
to your specifications. Contact Bernie through the church office, 454-8073 chadmin@uce.ca
Linda Stolee’s lovely crafted quilt will soon be leaving
the church and will likely grace a bed of Cindy Nidzielski’s
choosing. Cindy’s ticket was the lucky draw - picked after
the Mitten Tree Service, December 18, 2006 by Bo Williams.
This was a most successful raffle, involving almost the entire
congregation in ticket selling, ticket purchasing, and promotion.
Many sincere thanks to each of you - and though you did not win
the prize, our church benefited tremendously. The proceeds were
$991.75 after expenses.
A very special and sincere thank you from all of us to Linda. Your
donation was a beautiful piece of work, and your labour of love
a most generous gesture. We shall miss it gracing our sanctuary.
For those of you who were not aware, Linda had donated it for the
Goods and Services Auction. The committee decided that a raffle
would bring in proceeds that better reflected its true value.
FRANCES DEVERELL'S WORKSHOP: An opportunity for
Those Who DON’T Think “Words are Nothing”
Are you aware that we Canadian U*Us as a whole have published
positions and recommendations on euthanasia, aboriginal rights,
drug law reform, gay rights and more? Done before they became fashionable,
they continue to be monitored and can be used as resources for congregations
and individuals. This was all accomplished from the bottom up, often
through using the principles and process found in “Finding
Our Common Voice”, a manual for congregations to help them
be effective in the area of social justice. This manual was written
by Rev. Frances Deverell, minister of the Saskatoon Unitarian Congregation.
Frances quietly blew many socks off with this regional conference
workshop just last October at CUC Western District. If you want
to make sure the larger Unitarian organization is in harmony with
your personal beliefs, and find out how to tie easily into important
work, this is the place to start. Even if you just want to learn
and feel encouraged and proud, this workshop will definitely boost
you. Everyone welcome.
Presenter: Rev. Frances Deverell
When: Saturday, Jan. 21 from 1_4pm
Where: The Unitarian Church of Edmonton
Fee: $10 (waived on request)
Sign up in the church foyer. Hope to see you there.
The SAG (still working on that name) will be getting together
on Jan 28 at 7:30 p.m. For our first event we are going to try bowling–hopefully
the cosmic bowling to make it more fun. The details are still being
worked out, but if you are interested in attending please contact
Mike Keast through the church office, 454-8073 by Jan 14, so we
can book the lanes and the alley. When replying let me know your
preference on 5 pin or 10. We'll also see if we can come up with
a cool sounding name! Even if you can't make it, feel free to suggest
an activity for February, and I'll even let you take over the planning
/hosting for it!!!
Creating Our Vision
Whole Congregation Event
UCE Auditorium,
Saturday, January 14
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Lunch and childcare provided
Our work together on this day will form the backbone of our congregation’s
new vision statement. This vision will guide our activities for
the next five years. Because it will have such an impact on our
congregation, we need everybody’s input.
Through playful activities and conversation we’ll find out:
What do you like best about UCE now? When have we been our “best
selves” as a church community? How should we take these good
qualities into the future?
This will be a day of inquiry and activity for ages 8 to 108.
(There will also be childcare for anyone who wishes). We’ll
feed you lunch so you can feed us your ideas.
Please come and let us know what is important to you. Share your
vision.
Questions? Contact Karen Mills through the church office, 454-8073 chadmin@uce.ca .
Thanks to so many of you for all your contributions and purchases
at our 2005 Auction! We are pleased that we made almost $5000 at
the event (final figures are not yet in). We also delivered several
gifts for Christmas events to the Boyle Street Co-op.
All those attending the wonderful dinner of Montreal smoked meat
with all the trimmings had a fun filled evening.
And what a team of volunteers we had to pull it all off! The set
up crew on Saturday afternoon were Clair, Chelsea, and Alex Horne,
Donna Hamar, Gwyneth Foster-Newell, Blaise Szekely, Jan McMillan,
Sheila and Allan Parr, Audrey Brooks, Ramona Whyte, Mary Ayers,
Dorothy Keeler and Annabelle Bourgoin. Lise Cloutier and Sue Paulsen
also joined the Hornes for last minute food prep and cleanup. Jim
Logan set up and ran the bar and Auctioneer Ernie Korchinsky once
again goaded us on to larger bids at the live auction. Natalie Szekely
did an excellent job of recording and collecting from the successful
bidders both Saturday night and Sunday morning. Alex and Chelsea
Horne also entertained our little folk, Andrew and Sarah Harder-Tessier.
This was a successful event which took at least 20 willing volunteers
working many hours to pull it off. A sincere thanks to all of you!
The fun and fellowship of working together is indeed the best
part of our annual auction. And our connections continue throughout
the year as we get together to arrange and participate in services
offered. Jan McMillan and Blaise Szekely
Changes in mainline churches
The expectations around church have changed dramatically over the
past couple decades. At the LREDA (Liberal Religious Educators Association)
conference in October, Rev. Lawrence Peers offered some insights
into how changes in our culture are changing our churches. He saw
three general overarching changes that influence our society today.
We live in a world that is:
Post-modern — we have a lack of faith in science explaining
everything and are looking for alternative views.
Post-Christian dominance — There is a general acknowledgement
that Christianity is not the only religion.
Post-denominational — We have a lack of "brand loyalty"
when it comes to church. Just because the past generation all
belonged to a certain denomination no longer means the future
generations will remain in that denomination.
He also detailed more specific changes. We are changing:
From civic faith, where going to church was an obligation, to
human transformation. Rather than assuming that church attendance
is a mandatory part of good citizenship, people ask "How will
this answer the questions in my heart?" People now come to
churches with an (often unarticulated) desire for transformation.
They are on a personal search.
From assuming the goods to delivering the goods. We can't take
for granted any childhood church experience or sacred text knowledge.
Churches are now often responsible for the formative religious experiences
of adults. They are also one of the few places people can learn
about participation in a community. The days where everyone knew
how to organize a potluck are gone.
From givers to receivers who give. People now give out of gratitude
or to support shared values rather than from a feeling of obligation.
As churches, we need to recognize that receivers can give in a different
way.
From board culture to ministry culture. Instead of "filling
chairs" for positions, we need to gather people according to
their talents and passions.
We are moving from an administering to an affirming focus.
Budget: From ends to means. Churches are seeing budgets just as
one means to reach their larger goals. This, in turn, means defining
the "ends" differently.
From democracy to discernment. Rather than making sure a "voting
block" is lined up before the question is called, the focus
has shifted to encouraging open dialogue and asking, "What
do we really want as the outcome?" People are looking for the
chance to speak fully about their own experience. This shift requires
people to really listen to others with openness to changing their
own opinion.
From fellowship to hospitality. This change reflects the difference
between meeting each other (already familiar faces) to showing hospitality
to the stranger. It shifts the perspective from our own comfort
to that of the person coming through the door for the first time.
It recognizes that inviting different perspectives can be transforming.
Membership growth: From passive to active. Because attendance
is no longer assumed to be mandatory, churches are focussing their
resources on actively recruiting new members. Churches that connect
with an individual's hurts, pains and aspirations and show how the
church meets those needs have success. Churches must demonstrate
how they can answer the questions in peoples' hearts and help them
on their searches.
From education to formation. Rather than graded children's classes,
people are now looking for ongoing, lifelong learning. We must ask,
"How do we create opportunities for formation all over the
church?"
Karen Mills
Lifespan Learning Service Consultant
Western Region
A very BIG THANK YOU to Rosemary Manning, Bonnie Kyle, and Audrey
Brooks for the wonderful evening in celebration of the Sacred Feminine
on December 2nd. I and my two guests really appreciated the richness
of the gathering which was loaded with moving stories, jocularity,
yummies, music, connecting conversations, art, drumming... et cetera,
et cetera!! The evening fanned the flames of the sacred feminine
within us and among us. I'm sure as we drove home we appeared to
passersby like glow-light in the dark.
Special thanks to you, Rosemary, for bringing us together in this
way!
Is one of your New Year's resolutions to have more joy in your
life? How about adding music? Why not join Chorealis, the choir
at the Unitarian Church of Edmonton? This fun-loving group of singers
meets in the sanctuary every Thursday night from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
With co-directors Karen Mills and Gordon Ritchie, they enjoy singing
many types of music. You don't need to audition or read music —
you just need a good attitude. Our first rehearsal of the 2006 is
on Thursday, January 5. We'd love to see you there!
Does the caterpillar feel pain
As she transforms herself into the butterfly?
Does she feel the loss of
What she once was
As she breaks the chrysalis?
Does she fear the new world she is entering?
Does the rose miss being the bud
Tightly furled
As she opens her petals
Slowly into the warm summer sun?
Do you know when you have changed?
Is it gentle, like climbing a hill
You only see how far you’ve come
When you look back.
Or is it like
Falling off a cliff
You didn’t see the drop ahead
And you don’t know if you’ll
Fly or you’ll fall.
Friday Jan 6 - Whitemud Ravine from Campbell Bridge - coffee/lunch
at the ski hill - leader Helen R
9:30 at UCE or 10 at the last parking lot south of Fox Dr from the
entry to the equine centre
Friday Jan 13 - Twin Brooks - leader Audrey B
9:30 at UCE and we’ll car pool - dog friendly
Friday Jan 20- Explore the trail below the new Anthony Henday Bridge
- leader Dorothy K
9:30 at UCE and we’ll car pool - dog friendly
Friday Jan 27-- Terwillegar - leader Sheila P
9:30 at UCE or 10 at the Terwillegar parking lot - dog friendly
Friday Feb 3 - Spruce Grove - leader Jolien P
9:30 at UCE and we’ll car pool - dog friendly
Friday Feb 10 - Clifford E Lee Conservation area - leader Jan M
9:30 at UCE and we’ll car pool - dog friendly
Friday Feb 17 - Queen Elizabeth Park to the Kinsmen centre for
coffee/lunch - leader Shirley E
9:30 at UCE and we’ll car pool
Friday Feb 24 - St Albert to Big Lake - leader Dorothy K and lunch
at Keelers
9:30 at UCE or park at Dorothy’s - dog friendly
Friday Mar 3 - Gold Bar to the ACT centre for coffee/lunch and
return - Marlo M
9:30 at UCE and we’ll car pool or Gold Bar parking lot
Friday Mar 10 - Mill Creek Ravine South from the swimming pool
- Sharon I
9:30 at UCE or 10 at Shirley’s - dog friendly
Friday Mar 17- Emily Murphy Park to Hawrelak (bring your bird
seed for the chickadees!) - leader Lise C
9:30 at UCE or Emily Murphy parking lot nearest Groat Bridge
Friday Mar 24 - Hermitage - leader Helen R
9:30 at UCE - dog friendly
Friday Mar 31- Muttart to Mill Creek ravine with lunch at Muttart
(visit the displays if you wish) - leader Donna H
9:30 at UCE or 10 at the parking lot - dog friendly
Friday Apr 7 - Field trip to William Watson Lodge this week so
no Friday walk except for those who plan it themselves when they
meet at 9:30 at the church.
