Author: Mary Bennett

Stand Up to Racism

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From Rev. Steven Epperson, Parish Minister

Photo and story from the UUA President

Stand Up to Racism Metro Vancouver

Please join me at the anti-racism rally at City Hall this Saturday sponsored by Stand Up to Racism Metro Vancouver. The rally begins at 12:45 pm.

(Facebook Event click here.)

Thanks, Steven

Some thought on “False Equivalence”  (Rev. Steven Epperson)

Given what many of us have been reading/seeing in the media this past week regarding events in Charlottesville, Virginia , I wanted to share some thoughts. On Tuesday, August 15th, the sitting President of the United States said: “You had a group on one side that was bad and you had a group on the other side that was also very violent.”   Subsequently, I’ve read the expression “false equivalence” to describe his remarks.

When I hear the expression “false equivalence,” the first thing that comes to mind is messed up ways of thinking/reasoning.  False equivalence is a mistaken belief that since two very different things (or arguments) may share a common trait that means they are basically similar/equal.

Examples:

1)            A dog race is about to start.  The two hounds running (a greyhound and a dachshund) are equal favorites to win. Ridiculous? Yes. That’s false equivalence at work where sharing a trait—dogs that are hounds—means there are no other essential differences between them. Under false equivalence, each has an equal chance to win the race.

2)            “Gang bangers cover their heads with hoodies.  Nuns cover their heads with habits.  Therefore, nuns are no better than gang bangers.”  Just because both cover their heads does not necessarily mean they are equally as likely to rob a gas station at gunpoint.

3)            Racism says other races are essentially different.  Anti-racism says other races are not essentially different.  False equivalence states both are absolutist claims. Therefore, there is no difference between them.  Put simply, this mistaken way of thinking/arguing claims apples and oranges are the same fruit simply because they both have seeds.

Examples of false equivalence are seemingly without end (e.g. “creationism and evolution both explain how we got here, so teach both sides,” etc, etc.).  False equivalence is contributing to a slippery world of BS and “truthiness.”   In fact, far-right protesters went to Charlottesville primed for violence in word and act; most counter-protesters adopted an entirely defensive posture. An adult should know the difference.

Let’s value and use our Unitarian Principle of a “free and responsible search for truth and meaning;” that search means knowing there’s a difference between an apple and an orange, a neo-Nazi and an antifascist, and that the difference means something; that it matters.

 




	






	

		
Library Books on Atheism

		

	
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Library books related to atheism


    

  • 8: In Defense of Atheism – The Case Against Christianity, Judaism, Islam by Michel Omfray
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  • 210:  Religion for Atheists by Alain de Botton
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  • 210: Godless Religion – Finding the Profound by Robert Bietkus
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  • 4: Spirit Matters by Michael Lerner
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  • 8: The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins
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Living Labyrinth Update August 2017

		

	
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Our living labyrinth has been very thirsty in recent days. Without water for nearly a week, I found that the thing about plants growing long roots when you don’t water regularly really is true. I moved a few calendula seedlings and their root was very long, reaching (unsuccessfully) for a drink.


Calendula


There are calendula at all stages from full bloom (and seeds) down to tiny sprouts. The name calendula is related to the word calendar. Timed right for planting and without a really cold winter, we should have calendula blooms all year ’round. Feel free to pick flowers and put in salads or make a massage oil. The more the flowers are picked, the more they put out.


 


Hardy Perennials


The cranesbill geranium are flourishing in this area. They’ve at least doubled since last year. As I was tending some areas that were crowded a few weeks ago, I accidentally dug up a few small pieces with roots and they seem to be taking hold, even though summer, especially a dry summer is not the best time for propagation.


The unusual flowers and stems on the lamb’s ears are past their prime, so I cut them back in several places.




Succulents


The low-growing sedum is spreading and has pink flowers in some spots. It seems its only problem is too much water, but it can tolerate even the clay soil we still have in various spots.


The Blue Spruce Sedum. has burst into flower in several spots and is faring well.


Sempervivum (hens and chicks) is doing well and spreading.  I’m told they’ll spread on their own but you can also plant leaves to spread. I’ll try it and report back.


From reading about the differences between sempervivum and echeveria, I’ve concluded that the tall stalk with flower is sempervivum. They say the plant will die leaving the chicks to carry on. It seems likely the flowering which can be unusual was from the stress of poor soil and/or lack of water. Sempervivum is hardy through frost and echeveria not so much.


As both are sometimes called hens and chicks and they’re quite similar it’s hard to tell the difference.


I’d love to have an even greater variety of succulents, as they’re perfect for the sunny, dry conditions, so if you have any that are spreading, please bring us some.


Perennial Grasses


Carex ice dance is doing well although some of the smaller plants have withered through lack of water. It would be nice to have some other perennial grasses. I prefer the ones that stay green all year.


Herbs


We have rosemary, sage and three new lavender plants (these on the farthest east circuit).  The lavender was donated by a neighbour who had several in a window box and they outgrew their tiny home. Feel free to pinch a bit off to enjoy the scent as you walk. You may find a few chives and mint too, although they will likely be moved. If you want some chives or mint, just ask me though, as they’re spreading in the vegetable garden and I’d love to pass some along. There’s some garlic chives too.


Thyme


Around the central hawthorn tree is a growing blanket of woolly thyme. And on the boulevard Patti sprinkled some creeping thyme seeds a couple of years ago and even without any watering or weeding, they’re holding their own against the grass.


Primulas


The primulas are past their prime but are alive and well and resting for the season.


 


Self-seeding Annuals


There’s a variety of flowers that have self-seeded.


Spring Bulbs


We have tulip bulbs drying to plant in September and may divide up some of the snowdrops and grape hyacinths at that time. It’s a very hopeful and cheerful place once the spring bulbs of snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils, tulips and grape hyacinths burst through to wish us happy spring.


Fall Bulbs


We were given some fall bulbs that are planted on the south-eastern area. Hope to see them soon.


Strawberries


The strawberry plants didn’t get enough water to provide much in the way of fruit, but the foliage is quite nice and the ones planted last year are sending out runners. I’ll move some of the borage from the vegetable gardens as it’s recommended as a companion plant that attracts pollinators.


Falling Leaves


You can see that leaves are already dropping once August is here. The thin crunchy ones are great for the black compost bins as bedding for our worms. The thicker ones take a long time to decompose, so put those in the City’s green bins.


Soil Quality


Slowly the quality of the earth is improving as our red wriggler worms do their thing with the compost. Still in some areas the soil is very clay and water does not drain well.


About the Living Labyrinth




The living labyrinth is a double processional style and on the east side of the Unitarian property, adjacent to Fremlin. You can come any time to walk it alone or in a group.


Several church members have taken to walking it before church on Sundays as their meditation.


Want to help?


If you’d like to help tend the labyrinth, donate plants or just pull a few weeds, contact Mary Bennett. There’s much to be done, and you’d be very welcome to join our team, whether you’re involved in the church or not.


 


Photos by Gail Stephan.

	






	

		
Michael Bomford

		

	
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Michael led a Sunday service in 2017 on “The Wicked Problem of: What’s for Dinner?” 


Michael Bomford is a faculty member in the Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems program at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. His work focuses on organic and sustainable agriculture systems suitable for adoption by small farms operating with limited resources.


from Kwantlen Polytechnical University website:


Dr. Michael Bomford


Faculty, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems


Mike has returned to BC from Kentucky, where he spent 10 years at Kentucky State University (KSU), leading research, extension, and teaching programs related to organic agriculture, with an emphasis on small farms. Before going to Kentucky, he completed a PhD at West Virginia University, conducting companion planting research on a newly-certified organic farm. He grew up the son of a District Agriculturalist among the expansive grain farms of BC’s Peace River region and earned degrees in plant science and agricultural pest management at UBC and SFU.


A passionate teacher, Mike helped launch a new Sustainable Agriculture degree program at the University of Kentucky in 2006; followed by a new Master of Science in Environmental Studies at KSU in 2010; and a new Bachelor of Agriculture, Food and Environment degree at KSU in 2012. In 2013 he was given his College’s Outstanding Teacher award and the USDA’s Honor Award for Excellence. He looks forward to applying this experience at KPU during the growth and development its new Sustainable Agriculture degree program.


Mike is very interested in the intersection between food and energy. He has explored energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with farming and food systems, and experimented with renewable energy production techniques for small farms.


 

	






	

		
Bryan Gick

		

	
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Bryan Gick is a member of our congregation. Professor and Head of the UBC Linguistics Department, a Senior Scientist at Yale’s Haskins Laboratories, and a recently named Guggenheim Fellow. 




Author of over 100 published articles and author/editor of several books, including The Oneida Creation Story, Gick’s research spans fields from neuroscience to philosophy, pediatrics to electrical engineering, with the goal of understanding how human bodies and brains create spoken communication.


Degrees of Freedom Worship Service


 

	






	

		
Tamiko Suzuki

		

	
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Tamiko Suzuki is Outreach coordinator with the Environment Committee. She enjoys being part of a group of people with passion and energy to make a difference in the world. She found it was inspiring to see people setting up the Oak Street Farmers Market because they wanted local organic food while others organized or took part in marches because they supported causes such as fighting pipelines, mines, and climate change.  With her connections to young activists (both my kids are activists) she hopes to be a bridge between young and old environmentalists and raise awareness of what the UCV is doing to a greater audience.


Outside of church, Tamiko works in Pathology at Children’s Hospital. She enjoys skiing, cycling, Zumba and International folk dance.

	






	

		
John Voth’s Art Show at Enigma Restaurant – Artist Statement

		

	
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John Voth’s


Exposed:  The Inner Beauty of Wood


now on exhibit at Enigma Restaurant


Around eight years old, in Northern Saskatchewan, came my earliest inspirations:  wind-carved snow sculptures were endlessly fascinating, and Jack Frost painted ever-changing scenes that kept building on our windows.  I had no concept of anything called “art.”  Spring brought further delights, and my imagination had a field day with the myriad forms leaves suggested.  Seasonal changes of clouds and northern lights completed the picture. When I was twelve, we moved from the northern hinterland to the “metropolis” of Lethbridge, Alberta.  I was blown away.  There I saw my first movie:  wow!


World War II, work, and survival took over.  Then an exploration trip to Vancouver resulted in my marriage with Lesia:  we have celebrated our 67th anniversary.  By the mid-60s, after I finished my degree in Education, I finally had some time for artistic endeavours.


One of my first sculptures, Beginnings, sits outside the south end of the Unitarian Church of Vancouver.  “How did the human species evolve?” was my question.  Tools!  Opposing digits were key to manipulating tools, hence my stylized homage to the opposable thumb.  Three-dimensional art-forms intrigue me.


I retired early from teaching, and quickly moved on to other projects:  while ripping out old cabinets during remodelling – yet another passion – I saw the beauty within the ruptured plywood.  In 1988, I developed a new technique of sculpting plywood:  I made 6-inch wide chisels from discarded whole-log chipper knives, which I use to expose the interior layers of 7-ply plywood.  I use acrylics to stain and further enhance the wood’s organic beauty.  Never before has the inner beauty of wood been exposed like this!


Approximately fifteen years ago, my wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease:  I did not have time to continue with art.  However, now I have much help, so am free to allow my creative juices to flow once again!


Enigma Restaurant presents


Exposed: The Inner Beauty of Wood


by John Voth


now on exhibit through September


reservations:  604-222-6881         4397 West 10th Avenue

[email protected]                    Vancouver, B.C.


Mon – Thurs: 11 AM – 10 PM

Fri:  11 AM – Late

Sat:  10AM – Late

Sun: 10AM – 10PM

	






	

		
Overdose Prevention Society

		

	
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OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES FUND


The Overdose Prevention Society is the organization receiving funds from our Outreach Opportunities Fund from the beginning of June until the end of September.


OPS was founded in September 2016 by three women who were concerned about how little was being done about the growing fentanyl crisis in Vancouver. In potential violation of the law, they set up a drug injection site in an alley in Vancouver’s downtown Eastside to combat the many overdose deaths and have saved hundreds of lives. Their peer-based services are beneficial to the health authority, to the community, and to the participants themselves and ensure access to health and welfare services to excluded, vulnerable and marginalized people.


One half of all Sunday morning offerings are sent to the organization chosen by the Outreach Opportunities Fund Committee.


Here’s the group’s gofundme page with lots more information and an opportunity to donate directly.

	






	

		
Unsung Heroes – Amy (Megumi) Anderson and Chris Pearce

		

	
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Unsung Hero Award 2017


Statement from Rev. Steven Epperson on presenting the awards.


Every year, in our service of the Living Tradition, we celebrate the shared ministry of our congregation, knowing that this is how we make our spiritual quest, our moral convictions and need for meaningful fellowship vibrantly real and concrete.  And so we rise, in turn, in acknowledgment and appreciation for the myriad ways in which we serve and bless one another.  


Most years, we try to recognize persons who have contributed to our beloved community in special ways that tend to fall outside the limelight.  And we honour them by extending an Unsung Hero Award—we ask them to step into the limelight for a moment to receive our special thanks.  (more…)