It is May. A month to celebrate Beltane, labyrinths, Mothers, Asian Heritage, International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, Ramadan, Shavuot, Ascension and Pentecost – AND our Soul Matters theme for the month of May is “Story”. I will come up with a very special prize for anyone who can write a short story that includes ALL of the things above to celebrate or honour this month! What does it mean to be a people of STORY?
The Canadian Unitarian Council Annual General Meeting is on May 8, and the National Conference May 14-16. Our virtual conference will celebrate how our UU faith and our connections are crucial to Sustaining Our Light through engaging workshops, meaningful connections, and moving worship services. Registration is open until May 9 https://sites.google.com/cuc.ca/cucconference2021/home
A long standing tradition, the Confluence lecture, is shared as the conference keynote event on the opening evening. Our presenter is a minister, chosen by their peers to offer insight into the joys and concerns of our living tradition.
We are delighted that the 2021 Conference Lecturer is Rev. Anne Barker from Westwood Unitarian Congregation in Edmonton. This lecture is available to all, whether attending the conference or not.
The 2021 Confluence Lecture, A New Premise, will ask questions intended to gently interrupt us a little further, to imagine our collective future in a less familiar way. Anne Barker invites you to enter the experiment without a destination already in mind.
This year’s Confluence Lecture is a new concept – it is not a 1 hour lecture. Instead, Rev. Barker has prepared “A New Premise” video for you to view ahead of May 14th. Along with an introduction from the previous lecturer, the Reverend Karen Fraser-Gitlitz, this year’s work will be provided in three parts, each about fifteen minutes long, ending with an invitation for the viewer with:
-
- ideas to ponder,
- activities to try,
- opportunities to interact with the material.
Watch the parts separately – or all at once – whatever suits you best. Explore the downloads for each part of the lecture. We hope that you will come to it with a spirit of curiosity and willingness, so we might work together to imagine a thriving future. Text for each part is available along with the full text of the entire lecture.
On the Friday evening of the conference, Rev. Barker will repeat the introduction, offer a short review to refresh your memory, and open the floor to questions and conversation.
Videos and Materials for the 2021 Confluence Lecture: A New Premise
Watch the introduction by Rev. Anne Barker and Rev. Karen Fraser-Gitlitz
View each part of the video and explore the downloads:
Part 1: What if we were wrong? – View Part 1/ text for Part 1
Part 2: disComfort – View Part 2/text for Part 2
Download: white supremacy culture
Part 3: A New Premise – View Part 3 /text for Part 3)
Downloads for Part 3:
CUC’s Dismantling Racism Study Group National Survey: Dismantling Racism Study Group
Widening the Circle of Concern: Widening the Circle of Concern | Widening the Circle of Concern
Widening the Circle of Concern Study Guide: Widening the Circle of Concern Study/Action Guide
Blessings,
Rev. Lara Cowtan
Interim Minister