Tag: ritual

Stories From the Front Lines of Ceremony: The Work of Lay Chaplains

•

The Lay Chaplains share stories and lessons working with couples, families and friends at times of transition, creating rites of passage.

Cheryl Amundsen has been a member of UCV since 1998 and has just finished her first year as a lay chaplain. She is a recently retired Professor Emerita at Simon Fraser University.

Laureen joined UCV in 2017 and became a lay Chaplain in 2018.  She is an engineering technologist by day, an instructor at BCIT by night and an occasional photographer, walker, and knitter in her free time.

Louise Bunn is a long-time member of UCV and is beginning her 3rd year as a lay chaplain.  She is also involved with the Youth Group and the Earth Spirit Council.

Summer May Be Ending, but September Holds a Lot in Store for Us

•

Image result for quotation summer's lease shortSummer’s lease hath all too short a date.

― William Shakespeare, Sonnets

And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.

― Kahlil Gibran

September offers many opportunities for our members and friends to participate in circle dance, ritual and labyrinth walking.

Start off  the month off with our 1st Tuesday Earth Spirit Circle which will feature picking herbs for tea and sharing our stories about tea. (Tuesday, September 4 6-7pm).

Sacred Circle Dance returns after a semi-hiatus over the summer. The regular 1st Tuesday and 2nd Mondays will start up again (and this year, we’ll stick to the 2nd Monday schedule even on holidays in October and November.) As well, Mairy and Mary enjoyed introducing new folk to circle dance over the summer, so are going to continue to offer a gentle circle dance every 4th Monday 7 – 8:30 pm. These gatherings are especially for those who are new to circle dance or want some extra practice. We practice four dances each time and we repeat each dance three times. So it’s easy on the brain and the body.

In September and October, we’re planning outdoor Sunday afternoon events on the labyrinth with herbal tea and various activities. Come on Sunday September 16th and celebrate the autumnal equinox with us. These events are family-friendly. Bring your kids if you like.

Last but not least, the first session of Paganism 101 will be on Tuesday, September 28th. Louise Bunn who co-wrote the curriculum will be the lead facilitator.

Can you pitch in?

We always appreciate offers of help from spontaneous help with putting the chairs or such back in place or being part of a planning team to put together a ritual. Contact us if you’re interested by email or in person.