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. 2
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 February 17.
February 12 — Ruth Patrick
“Gifts from Away”
Many of us come from other churches and traditions. What do we bring
with us that is a gift to this Unitarian-Universalist community?
This sermon was written more than a decade ago by a UUA staff member
Reverend Deanne Starr. We will be challenged to reflect on what
our past provides to our present faith.
Chorealis will be singing.
February 19 — VanDerMolen-Pater family
“A Family Affair”
This intergenerational service will feature music, poetry and stories
bringing together Valentine's Day and Family Day.
February 26 — Karen Stevenson
“Sustaining Wonder”
Building on the strengths of seemingly contradictory disciplines,
Ecotheology is an emerging field of study drawing theologians and
scientists together to explore solutions to environmental problems.
Today we will explore how Ecotheology may guide us in the development
of an ethical compass on right relations with our environment.
NEW
EDMONTON CITY POLICE CHIEF MIKE BOYD VISITS OUR CHURCH
By now, you are all aware of the defacing of our church doors on
Jan. 22nd. Special thanks to Dorothy Keeler, Bryce Missall, Jan
McMillan and Horst Konrad who diligently cleaned it off. Special
thanks to the congregation who continued with the service and didn’t
let it interfere with our worship time together. And having Saskatoon
Rev. Frances Deverell speak on democracy was very appropriate at
this time.
When someone spray painted a black swastika and another offensive
symbol on the outside wall of Beth Shalom Synagogue on Dec. 24,
people of many faith groups gathered at a press conference to deplore
the vandalism and support the synagogue community. We are proud
that Jim Logan was there representing the Unitarian Church and spoke
out against it. (Jim is past president of the Edmonton Interfaith
Centre.) That same multi-faith support occurred when the incident
happened at our church. Phone calls and letters of support came
in from all over the community.
Edmonton City Police Chief Mike Boyd, his assistant, Joe Rodgers,
and the Hate Crimes unit members, Const. Dave Huggins and Const.
Robinder Gill visited our church on Tuesday, Jan. 24th. Also attending
were: Edmonton Interfaith Centre President Bikkar S (Randy) Randhawa
(Sikh), Rabbi David Kunin (Jewish), Rev Don Mayne (Christian - United
Church), Shaukat Moloo (Edmonton Council of Muslim Communities),
Netta Phillet (Jewish), Dean Chan (Westwood Unitarian Congregation)
and Allison Kydd (Edmonton Interfaith Centre Coordinator). Reverend
Brian Kiely, Sylvia Krogh, Audrey Brooks and Rosemary Manning also
attended.
Police Chief Mike Boyd told us that his top priority is to investigate
and find out who is responsible. He wants the community to know
that things are being done. He called on the community to assist
the police to obtain a successful conclusion.
The interfaith community expressed appreciation that we had publicized
the incident instead of covering it up. The problem continues unless
it is dealt with. Because the interfaith community were so supportive
of us, I am including info about the organization so you can individually
join it and support it. This is another opportunity for Unitarians
to be leaders in the community by speaking out against hate and
discrimination and doing what we can to prevent it.
There are times in our lives when we need a wake up call. We are
constantly reading and seeing news reports about events in the world
that are scary or horrendous. It is natural to block them out or
to feel that it happens “out there” or to “them”
not us. One of the things that mark us as Unitarians is our willingness
to stand up for social justice issues. Living in a democracy like
Canada, we are allowed to speak out for what we believe in. We can
create the kind of world we want for ourselves and our children.
However, there are times like Sunday, January 22, that we are
made aware in our guts and not just our minds, that there are those
who do not agree with what we believe in and what we stand for.
Coming to church on Sunday to participate in a service on democracy,
we had the experience of seeing the doors of our church painted
with a swastika and the words “white power”. Our door
handles were covered with tar. We had a small experience of what
it is like for people who are always the target of hatred.
As this church often does, and what for me makes this truly my
heart’s home, is that we talked about it, we experienced it,
we planned what to do about it and then we got out the cleaning
materials and cleaned the doors ourselves!
Frances Deverell, our guest minister from Saskatoon, had a service
topic of “Democracy, Eh?” and Audrey Brooks told the
children’s story about an election for school president. It
gave the children an opportunity to question and experience what
standing up for your beliefs means, and why some people might not
see things the way you do. In our classroom, the children were able
to discuss what a bully does and what their motives might be. We
talked about how bullies are often the people who are most afraid
and who feel weak and therefore try to find targets to express their
anger. We talked about what they could do if they are bullied. And
we discussed that most important quotation that “all that
is necessary for evil to succeed is for good people to do nothing.”
We talked about what a swastika is and how it once was a sacred
symbol of faith from another religion, but now transformed by the
Nazis into a now hated symbol of oppression and fear.
Even though what happened at the Church was a shocking experience,
it can be viewed as a call to action. We in our sheltered community
are not immune to forces going on in the world. We can stand up
and continue to be a beacon of light and hope and energy for the
future. Our children are the ones who will continue the work that
has been going on for as long as there are people who care about
the kind of world we live in.
This year we have had the theme of “Peace”. Peace
in our selves, peace in our families, peace in our communities,
peace in the world, peace with our world. How appropriate!
Upcoming events in the Religious Education Program fit in with
this theme. I invite you to explore with us these questions.
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, January 29 Parents Meeting 11:45 – 12:45
Sunday, February 27 Unconditional Parenting Seminar 12 PM. –
4 PM
April 8, 9 Songs of Protest Event - Saturday all day, concert in
the evening
April 28,29,30 OWL Training (Our Whole Lives: course on sexuality)
Registration required.
Please call or email me for more information on these events.
There will be materials in the foyer. Christina Keast, Joan Childs
and Scott Harrison are members of the RE Committee. They are wonderful
people to talk with. You will be hearing from us about what the
Religious Education program is doing and asking for your help.
I hope that you all had a good New Year as we did celebrating
with friends in Victoria. Ex-Edmonton Unitarians who asked to be
remembered in Edmonton are: Marya Nyland, Dorothy and Dennis Jones,
Terry Wolfwood and Gerd Weih, Vicki Forsch, Ted Chambers, Elaine
Hanson and David Person and Hy and Jean Evans. Christine Johnston,
a member of the CUC board, organized the New Years Day service at
the Victoria Church. She asked Alan to do the reading (in his best
Scottish accent!) and me to light the chalice after being piped
in by Mel Johnston (who usually pipes in the banner procession at
CUC conferences). So it was fun being able to celebrate New Year’s
with other Unitarians.
I know that I have written this before, but I feel the need to
repeat it. The Board decision to accept the NDP as tenants has nothing
to do with politics and everything to do with generating rental
income for a specified period of time. The NDP as our tenants does
not mean an endorsement of their policies just as our other tenant,
Design 21’s producing of casino lighting does not mean an
endorsement of casinos or gambling. We know that there are supporters
of all (or none) political parties within our church and we really
appreciate that diversity within our congregation. That appreciation
of freedom of thought is an important part of what makes us Unitarians.
If anyone knows of any other possibilities of renting the designated
social hall, please let me know. It would be nice to generate some
more income in order to eventually be able to afford to renovate
it, pay our upcoming mortgage, etc.
Re: the $10,805.00 that we received from the dissolution of the
Western Canada District. At the Special Congregational meeting,
the congregation voted in favour of using some of that money to
erect a canvass canopy over the outside entrance doors. The congregation
voted that the electronic sign proposal be referred back to the
board for further study. A task force has been set up to explore
more ideas in regards to a possible electronic street sign and/or
making it easier for newcomers to find us. If you would like to
be involved in that task force, please contact me.
EDMONTON INTERFAITH CENTRE
FOR EDUCATION AND ACTION
Edmonton Interfaith Centre For Education and Action http://www.edminterfaithcentre.ca/
11148 84 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 0V9 phone 413-6159
The Edmonton Interfaith Centre for Education and Action is a unique
co-operative of faiths working together for a common purpose. The
faiths represented in the organization are: Aboriginal, Bahai, Buddhist,
Christian, Eckankar, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Scientology,
Taoist, Unitarian, and Zoroastrian.
The Centre works to promote respect, friendship and harmony among
people of various faiths. The Centre also develops programs for
various parts of the community which help us to live together as
good neighbours. Please consider supporting them by becoming a member
– only $20.00 per year.
Joy and I were shocked to see on our TV news this evening, an
account of the desecration of your church. I would like to say that
we were totally unprepared for news of this sort but, unfortunately,
it has been the lot of minorities throughout human history; I often
wondered how long it would take for the wing-dings to target us.
If there is a bright side to this, one might take some comfort in
knowing that Unitarians in Canada have come of age: we frighten
extremists on the right.
Please extend our heartfelt sympathy to all members of the Unitarian
Church of Edmonton on our behalf.
Sincerely
Art and Joy Johnston
Art and Joy were longtime members and leaders at UCE.
They now live in Nanaimo, B.C
Elections for board and committee positions are coming up at the
Annual General Meeting this spring. Members are encouraged to think
about whether they'd like to stand for a position. The job of board
president, board vice-president, and board secretary will all be
open. The secretary's job is
a two-year job, the other two a one-year appointment. We will also
choose two new members for the board, three members for the nominating
committee and two members for the ministerial relations committee.
All of these are two-year appointments. For more information, talk
to any member of the nominating committee: Susan Ruttan, Stella
Clarke, Jolien Pauw, Joan Childs, Christine Mowat and Reinie Heydemann.
Our 2005-06 Church Year is on its way through the last half.
I expect that means that about half the money pledged during the
2005 Campaign has been delivered and about half the amount of the
Church Budget has been paid. The hope is not to spend more than
we have in our “Piggy Bank”.
The past Church Year has not been too much different from other
years in many respects, except that we relocated, dislocated and
sometimes seemed to be “discombobulated”! What was wonderfully
unchanged was the fantastic support and giving of the UCE membership
in thousands of hours of work (sweat equity) and thousands of dollars
in “money”! This sort of support will allow us to survive
and grow!! Pat yourself on the back for all your contributions and
if you would sooner have someone else do that, ask me, or some Member
significant to you to do that!!!
So, what do I, Canvass Chair, ask of you in 2006-07 Pledge. The
answer is, Pledge!! Fill out a Canvass card!! Give what you are
able, and if you can, see if you can add a bit for inflation or
for whatever!! Make a Pledge on your Canvass Card and be sure to
return it to the Church on or before March 26th, 2006. You’ll
feel good about telling us what you can do and the Church Finance
Committee will know what needs to be done to the Budget.
Your Canvass Card will be available at the Church on Canvass Sundays
as indicated in Canvass Brochure 2006…. If you didn’t
read the Brochure, Canvass Sundays are on March 12th, March 19th,
and March 26th at the Church.
The 2006 “Canvass Brochure” should be in your hands
well before the Canvass Sundays. It gives you much information that
has been assembled by some very knowledgeable writers on the Canvass
Committee. Please read the 2006 Brochure. This should help UCE attendees
to understand why we need to give and why we should want to give.
I felt somewhat left adrift last canvass… the church advertised
me as “Canvass Chair,” and even appended my phone number,
987-2174. Alas, nobody phoned me! Things seemed to go well regardless
of my felt lack of attention. I have always found “canvas
chairs” rather comfortable…. at least to sit in !!
I do have a “twinge” of guilt about at least one matter.
Feedback has indicated that some of our good UCE people feel that
they are contacted only when the Church needs “Money!”.
It is likely that it is a “for sure” that people are
contacted not only when but because the Church needs money. I believe
we all need to be contacted and connect with our Church at all times!!
No matter how hard we try we are not perfect in our contacts and
communication skills. Elaine and I will also volunteer to contact
UCE attendees and/or visit them for fellowship totally unrelated
to “money!”.
To conclude, “give as you can” and the Church and you
must work hard to meet your needs and the needs of UCE. Thank you
for your past support however large or small… together we
create a “Community”.
The largest committee in the church, the Social Justice Committee
sponsored a very successful election forum with all the six candidates
in Edmonton Centre federal riding attending. The church was standing
room only. Many people who attended found out for the first time
where we were located. Paul Burnell and Clarence Collins did a great
job as parking attendants directing people where to park.
Alexander (Sasha) Trudeau attended, filming the forum as well
as Sophie, (the wife of one of the 5 men held in Canadian jails
on security certificates who have not been allowed to have a trial)
when she queried MP Anne McLellan about her husband. Apparently,
Sasha will be making the footage into a
documentary in the future, so our church may be in it! As well,
a long line of attendees asked very pertinent questions about election
issues. John Pater did a masterful job of moderating and keeping
things orderly. Great work John! Lise Cloutier and Lilas Lysne kept
everybody in refreshments.
The Social Justice Committee hosted two church services this month.
Saskatchewan Unitarian Minister Frances Deverell spoke passionately
about democracy and proportional representation. And although it
hasn't occurred at the time of this submission, Ricardo Acuna of
the Parkland Institute will be speaking on 'water issues' at the
last church service this month.
As well, Rev. Frances Deverell presented a very informative workshop
on social justice issues for 23 participants from UCE and Westwood.
She made us aware of the 10 resolutions that have already been passed
by CUC and especially the resolution on democracy. They are all
available on the CUC web-site for your perusal.
Joanne Olafson and Audrey Brooks have developed a social justice
survey on bright yellow paper! We would really appreciate it if
congregation friends and members would fill it out, as it will give
us guidance to our future direction.
Just for your information: The Elizabeth Fry Society has an ongoing
need for donations of gently used women's clothing. The address
is: Elizabeth Fry Society of Edmonton. 10523 - 100 Ave. 432-1175
www.elizabethfry.ab.ca
If you have an interest in social justice issues, please join
us. The social justice committee meets somewhere in the church at
12 noon on the second Sunday of the month.
Planned Parenthood Edmonton is holding its annual fund raiser,
A Choice Affair, on February 25th. A concert by MARIA DUNN, good
food, and a silent auction combine to provide a truly wonderful
night. Tickets are $25 per person and are available from Michelle
Van Der Molen and Docia Lysne. Come and support the continuing efforts
of Planned Parenthood to promote and affirm reproductive choice
and healthy sexuality for all. Michelle VanDerMolen
Thank you to the people who volunteered their time, food, and
financial support to the meal for the Blue Xmas service. So many
people volunteered again this year that this is a collective thank
you to
everyone. Your help and support brought warmth and fellowship to
all who were present on December 23rd, 2005.
Matthew Boucher from the Boyle Street Community Centre sends a
special thank you to all who brought in blankets and outdoor clothing
for our decorated Christmas bin. Also, several people purchased
items at our auction that were donated for Christmas gifts for functions
held there. As well, the centre was especially pleased to get all
the warm hats, scarves and mitts that decorated our Mitten Tree.
Sunday, February 5 and 12 from 12:30 to 2:30 in Classroom 2. Please
bring a bag lunch to enjoy together from 11:45 to 12:15. Presented
by Karen Baxter.
Workshop I: Art of the Chakra
A Chakra is a centre of spinning energy. Through the Chakra, we
are able to receive and transmit social, sexual, and spiritual energy.
This first workshop will give you the opportunity to understand
and see your seven personal energy points using art. No artistic
ability is required for the course, just a sense of fun and adventure.
Workshop II: Balancing the Chakra
Why balance the Chakras? We balance the chakras in order to help
balance our lives. Like anything in life we should do things in
moderation. We should not under do or over do any one thing in life
--- from eating to sleeping or even sex -- no one can live in extreme.
After you have taken Art of the Chakras, you can advance to this
course on balancing. Here we will work in pairs to learn chakra
balancing on each other. Come find out how wonderful you can feel
when all your chakras are in balance.
We've spent a year of seasons moving into and getting accustomed
to our new church home. It's been an exciting, busy and tiring time.
We deserve a party! So let's get together and celebrate with some
good food, music and dancing. As usual we'll also honour this year's
recipient for the W.H.Alexander Award for outstanding service to
our community.
The date is Saturday, March 11 at the Chateau Louis Hotel. The
no host bar opens at 6:00 pm, dinner is at 7:00pm.
Tickets for the dinner go on sale starting February 12 and will
be available before and after each Sunday service. Tickets are $25
per person, with children under 10 free. For more information contact
the VanDerMolen-Pater family through the church office, 454-8073 chadmin@uce.ca
An 8 week intensive course sponsored by The Morning Challengers
Toastmasters International will be held at the Unitarian Church
of Edmonton starting February 7th from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
You will learn to speak confidently in public, present your ideas
clearly and effectively and you will develop self esteem. The cost
($10.00) includes a soft covered workbook and coffee. Sign up on
the program table.
Last May a number of members attended a workshop called 'Dreams
and Dollars'. In it, we were encouraged to create a 'culture of
generosity' in the church. One suggestion that the Board adopted
involves sharing our wealth. Each Sunday, the unidentified loose
cash offering is shared with a
local charity. Half will go to the church, half to the named charity.
So far, Unitarians have generously donated to the following:
UUA/UUSC Pakistan Relief $371.79
Youth Emergency Shelter $214.06
Canadian Red Cross $621.94
St. Stephen's College $54.45
Edmonton Gleaners Assn (Food Bank) $251.74
L'Arche (aka No Room at the Inn) amount not yet known
The following charities have been designated for the immediate
future:
January - Bissell Centre
February - Hope Mission
March - Child Haven
April - Mustard Seed
May - Change for Children
June - Africa We Care
Bernie Keeler, our book-keeper sends the following advice: We
can't accept cheques made out to us which are intended for another
charity. The Canada Revenue Agency's Charities Directorate is very
sticky about this. If you want to make out a cheque in support of
the charity of the week, you should make the cheque out to that
charity and drop it in the plate and we could forward such with
our own cheque. Just be aware that it would defeat the purpose of
the 50/50 split.
If you have suggestions as to future worthwhile charities, please
notify Sylvia Krogh.
This Church has a history of shared ministry when it comes to
pastoral care. We are growing older together and need each other’s
gentle hands to take care of each other. I often see and am moved
by how this is done at UCE, both before and after church services
and through home visits, phone and email contacts and giving rides
to those who need it. Thank you to all who do this shared ministry
with Care and Connections.
Good wishes for those who have health concerns: Jennifer Hinchcliffe,
Lorna Wells and Jack Scot, Sharon Ingraham, June and Morris Simon,
Stella Clarke, Eryn Labelle.
Please let Audrey Brooks know of any members or friends who could
use a call from Care and Connections.
Care and Connections Coffee
Party
Tuesday February 7th
1:00-3:00 p.m.
Come and join us in the sanctuary to talk about what we do
and how you can help.
The objective of the annual W.H. Alexander Award is to allow the
Unitarian Church of Edmonton to honour a person or persons for extraordinary
services provided to benefit the Church community.
Rules:
Nominations must be made in writing by members of the Unitarian
Church of Edmonton and must include reasons for nominating the
person or persons.
Members of the board may not submit nominations.
Persons who have been staff members or members of the board
within the preceding year are not eligible to receive the award.
Past staff members and members of the board are eligible if
the services for which they are recommended were not performed
during the period when they held these special positions.
Members of the board will select the winner of the award from
among the nominees at a regular board meeting. The final decision
must be supported by a majority of the board members.
There is no limit on the number of times a person may be nominated
for, or win, the award.
Nominations must be submitted to the Board by March
8, 2006. Nominations may be put in the President’s mailbox.
Five Alaskan UU fellowships invite other UUs to our eco-cultural
programs in June, July and August 2006. See the REAL Alaska! Alaskan
UU's provide B & B accomodations in their homes in Anchorage,
Seward, Fairbanks, Juneau and Sitka, lead tours and hikes and host
parties. Visit with Tlingit, Inupiat and other Native Alaskans.
See whales, sea otters, sea lions, seals, bears, moose, caribou,
wolves, puffins, eagles and other birds in the wild from the Arctic
Ocean to the Inside Passage in the south, and visit Denali and other
national parks. Rev. Dick and Mary Weston-Jones, leaders. Visit
website www.wuurld.org, e-mail
dick@wuurld.org, or phone toll-free 1-888, 998-8753 for a brochure.
Taking reservations now.
There is a small fund started for refurbishing the
sanctuary chairs. If anyone is willing to contribute to this, please
email your pledge to UCEChairs@gmail.com or call Linda Stolee at
454 - 8073 or deposit your cheque with her at the office.
Sara McEwan, Director of Regional Service WEST sara@cuc.ca Toll
Free 1-866-877-7787
Lay Chaplaincy Training – Designing and Leading Rites of
Passage
March 10/Friday – 12/Sunday, 2006, First Unitarian Fellowship
of
Nanaimo, BC
Info: www.cuc.ca/lay_chaplaincy
lcc@cuc.ca
CUC Annual Conference & Meeting - Riding the UU Tide
May 19/Friday -22/Monday, 2006, Saint John, NB
Info: Mary Bennett mary@cuc.ca www.cuc.ca/conference
Combined Elementary Our Whole Lives (OWL) Training
April 28/Friday – 30/Sunday, 2006 Unitarian Church of Edmonton,
AB
Info; Sylvia Bass West sylvia@cuc.ca
Healthy Congregations Facilitator Training with Peter Steinke
June 8/Thursday – 10/Saturday, 2006 Port Moody, B.C.
Info: Sara McEwan sara@cuc.ca
Eliot Institute – Spirit & Virtue: An Interfaith Appreciation
with
July1/Saturday – 8/Saturday Naramata, BC Harold Rosen
Info: www.eliotinstitute.org
Canadian Unitarian*Universalist Leadership (CU*UL) School
July 20/Thursday – 23/Sunday, 2006 Carleton University,
Ottawa
Info. Dianne Heise bennett@nonline.net or cuul@cuc.ca
CUC Fall Gathering: Western Region
Saskatoon, SK TBA. Fall 2006
Info: Sara McEwan sara@cuc.ca
Unitarian Women’s Retreat - Vancouver Island
October 20/Friday - October 22/Sunday 2006 Nanaimo, BC
Info: Janice Hocking tjhocking@shaw.ca
CUC Fall Gathering: BC Region
October 27/Friday – October 29/Sunday, 2006 Kelowna, BC.
Info: Sara McEwan sara@cuc.ca
Want to add events to this calendar?
Contact Sara McEwan, CUC DRS West sara@cuc.ca
Now is the time to register for Eliot at Naramata 2006! Mark your
calendars for July 1 - July 8.
Our theme speaker, Harold Rosen, who offered a fascinating and insightful
presentation at Winter Eliot in 2004, will speak on "Spirit
and Virtue: An Interfaith Appreciation”. He served as a Unitarian
minister for many years and became a Bahai in 2000. His master's
degrees in religion, philosophy and education, as well as his ministerial
career, have prepared him to be a bridge-builder between diverse
communities of believers and skeptics. His experience in the interfaith
and multicultural arena has tested his ideals of unity-in-diversity.
He teaches classes in Continuing Studies for the University of British
Columbia and Simon Fraser University and in Community Learning Programs
in many Unitarian and other religious venues.
The Eliot Board is once again offering a $200 CAD discount to
the first 10 new families to register for this summer's camp. What's
more, ALL campers will receive a $30 CAD discount if 120 campers
are registered by April 15, 2006, so be sure to spread the word
and register soon.
To get more details or to register, visit our website at www.eliotinstitute.org
or contact registrar@eliotinstitute.org. If you do not have Internet
access, call 206-374-2497.
