Category: Community

Community social gatherirngs; mens and womens groups; covenant groups, neighbourhood groups and news from the communications, membership and care and concern committees.

Nametags help us make connections and build community

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When you volunteer at the literature stall (the lit stall) after Sunday service, people come up to you with questions. Not all the questions are about copies of sermons.

“Can you help me with the name of that person, the one over there with their back to us?”

“Sorry, I can’t. Are they wearing a nametag?”

“No, that’s the problem. I spoke with them last Sunday. Now I can’t remember their name. And I don’t like to ask them.”

“Maybe they’re like Wendy Bryan (pictured, right) when she is at a no-nametag gathering.”

“How do you mean?”

“Wendy always says, ‘Thank you for asking. It’s Wendy Bryan. And feel free to ask me again the next time we meet. I won’t have remembered you asked me.’”

Nice. But hey.

That person you spoke with last Sunday and who seems to be avoiding you now may simply be too embarrassed to admit to you they can’t remember your name.

When you volunteer at the lit stall after Sunday service, people come up to you with questions. Not all of these people are wearing nametags. Asking for a friend: If you have a nametag, could you please wear it? And earn a silent thank-you from that friend.

Wearing your nametag helps us all. Nametags help us make connections and build community.

Karen Bartlett and Nancy Strider are wearing yellow nametags at the welcome table (picture, above left) by the entrance to Hewett Centre. If you’re a visitor, ask whoever is at the welcome table wearing a yellow nametag to direct you to the lit stall and to the sermon discussion table.

 

The above is a lit stall post. In the bulleted list below are the three latest posts with that tag.

If you haven’t read it already, please see the post about lit stall posts for more information.

Talking About Trans and the UU World Article

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You may have come across through email or facebook the responses to an article included in the most recent issue of UU World called “After L, G and B”.

Posted here are various statements in pdf form that you can download and read. We’ve also made some hard copies that will be available on Sunday morning on the bulletin board.

The UCV Genders & Sexualities Alliance (GSA) will be discussing further educational and awareness gatherings we might sponsor, such as the Transforming Hearts Collective six-session program called Transgender Inclusion in Congregations.

In the meantime, do consider how we as a congregation might mark March 31, the Transgender Day of Visibility, and save the date of May 3 for the film screening of “She’s A Boy I Knew” at UCV. 

Resources

UU World Article: After L, G and B

Tips for Talking About the Article

UU World Apology from Editor

CUC Statement on behalf of CUC, UU Ministers of Canada and Religious Educators: In Solidarity with Trans and Nonbinary UUs

Trans Day of Visibility Guide from City of Vancouver

Trans Style Guide by Zr. Alex Kapitan

WUNGers, a Neighbourhood Discussion Group on the West Side

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by Sheila Resels.
On the fourth Tuesday of every month I head over to Jeannie Corsi’s welcoming home. I am pleased because I know that I’ll be spending a stimulating afternoon with interesting folks. So, who are we?  And, why do we gather in this manner?  And, what in the world is WUNG?
Well, WUNG is the acronym for Westside Unitarian Neighbourhood Group (coined by Keith Wilkinson). It’s a neighbourhood group that is open to Kits-ish people as well as those further south (Kerrisdale and Dunbar) and west (Point Grey, UBC). We’ve been meeting monthly for a year now, averaging 12 folks each session. Approximately 30 people have participated. As Eva Allan, a regular attendee said, “It is always interesting and a great way to get to know better our westside UCVers”.
The Neighbourhood Groups define themselves. At our first meeting at Melody Mason’s home, we decided to select discussion topics that we were interested in and with which there was some expertise within our group.  We’ve had informative, engaging presentations on Civil Liberties, Naturopathic Medicine, World Federalism, Philosophy,  Earth Spirituality/Paganism, Compassionate (Non-Violent) Communication and Proportional Representation, to name but a few. Joan Balmer, another regular WUNGer, enthusiastically summed it up when she exclaimed, “I’m so happy we are exploring these important issues”. Not only do we have animated talks on important issues, we also simply hang out occasionally. December’s Holiday Celebration was a fine time as we sipped on wine, nibbled on appies while enjoying our Unitarian community.
Yes, I do look forward to my fourth Tuesday of the month as I head off to Jeannie’s home. Based on how quickly registration fills up each month I think others do too.  Appreciatively, Sheila (Resels).
If you’d like more information about Neighbourhood Groups in the Metro Vancouver area, give me a shout at sresels@gmail.com.
There are several Neighbourhood groups in the Metro Vancouver area in New Westminster, Richmond (south of the Fraser), East Vancouver, and Fairview/False Creek.  Each group develops its own ideas about when, where, how and why to meet.  Some groups will decide to have a focus for discussion; and others might be purely social. And in true Unitarian style, likely many gatherings will be both.

Interested in becoming a member?

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New to UCV “Signing Breakfast”

  • On Sunday, March 31, 2019, we will be hosting breakfast at 9:30 am in the Fireside Room. We’ll be finished in plenty of time for everyone to get to the service after.
  • This opportunity to sign the membership book is designed for those who have attended the “New to UCV Workshop”. UCV Leaders and committee representatives will describe some of the many activities and ways to get involved at UCV.
  • For those wanting to sign the membership book, Rev. Steven Epperson will witness your signature.
  • For additional information, contact Dianne Crosbie at dcrosbie@uniserve.com or contact the office at 604 261-7204.

Our by-laws allow members who have joined 3 months prior to a general meeting to vote. Joining in March means you will be eligible to vote at our budget meeting in June.

While attendance at the New to UCV workshop is highly encouraged, we recognize people’s schedules sometimes do not allow it. According to our by-laws members can join at any time by having the minister or a board member sign them into the register of members.

About lit stall posts

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Posts tagged as lit stall posts form an occasional series of items of possible interest to literature stall (lit stall) volunteers and to people who visit the lit stall. You can see a list of all posts with that tag – and a snippet view of each of them – when you click here.

To check out a placeholder for background information about the lit stall, click here.

Please say what you have to say about any of this in person when you next visit the lit stall in Hewett Centre after Sunday service. Or email me.

note: a planned update to the Library and Archives page includes a link to this post

 

Chalice Choir in Bellingham

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Notes by Leslie Hill, Pictures by Keith Wilkinson

On Sunday, February 24, 2019, Choir Director Donna Brown and twenty members of the Unitarian Church of Vancouver’s Chalice Choir met at the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship at the invitation of BUF’s choir director, Kevin Allen-Schmid. During the service we sang ‘I Dreamed of Rain’ and with the BUF choir sang ‘One Day’, an anthem to peace. In the afternoon we attended an Interfaith Coalition Music Festival. We joined choirs from eleven other faith communities, from Jewish to Catholic, Methodist to Muslim. The UCV Chalice Choir’s reprise of ‘I Dreamed of Rain’ was sandwiched between singers from the Unity Spiritual Center and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

The Interfaith Coalition Music Festival was raising money to help house the homeless in Bellingham. After every group had sung, we had a rousing sing-along with the audience, a brief and stirring address by Rev. Seth Thomas of St. James Presbyterian Church and concluded with a grand massed choir plus audience finale of ‘One Day’, featuring solos in Hebrew and Arabic.

It was an inspiring musical day and with any luck the UCV congregation will notice an additional spiritual shine on the faces of the Chalice Choir the next time we sing.

Massed choir and guests, First Congregational Church, Bellingham, WA

Chalice Choir on deck

Market Green, Fairhaven, WA

Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship Sanctuary

“It’s happening @ BUF”

Whisk away to a relaxing June weekend!

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Camp Sasamat is 45 minutes away from UCV set on acres of forest at Sasamat Lake in Port Moody.
Come for an afternoon float, campfire sing-a-long, choral workshop, trail walk or fellowship by the water. All meals provided. Accommodations include accessible cabins and showers. All ages welcome and many bring friends and family.
This year’s choral workshop will be led by Kathryn Nicholson (music director for the Helena Choir).
Gabriella Harvey, Jazzfly Video Productions
www.jazzfly.com
Our guest speaker will be Gabi Harvey with a talk entitled:  “Tale of a South American Traveller: A Happy Journey of Exploration”.
https://tricitieschamber.com/ambassador-gabriella-harvey/
Jazzfly Video Productions
www.jazzfly.com
May 31 – June 2, 2019
Sponsored by Beacon Unitarian Church

Happy International Women’s Day

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We are celebrating International Women’s Day with several one-off events as well as the recent launch of two monthly women’s groups.

And a new website page where you can find out about news and events that relate to women’s groups and women’s issues. http://vancouverunitarians.ca/community/small-groups/womens-groups/

From Sheila Resels

Women’s Groups – A Promising Beginning

Last Monday evening we had the first session of our *Wednesday Evening Women’s Group”. Twelve folks are registered. Ten attended. We met in the Fireside room. A welcoming crackling fireplace greeted us all. As it was our first meeting, I was curious to see who these women were? Some I had briefly met.  The bulk I didn’t know. When we did our round of introductions I learned we came from all walks of life. A teacher, a creative consultant, a journalist, a food specialist, a publisher…to name but a few. An inter-generational group that ranged from 26 to 78 years of age.  Each of us with a fascinating past. As I got a glimpse into these lives I wondered about the stories yet to discover.
We all had one thing in common. We were interested in connecting with one another,  in discovering ways to empower women, to discuss current women’s issues and, above all, to support one another.
Although our gathering consisted of determining ground rules, selecting topics and other logistics, the most fascinating parts were the individual stories, the enthusiasm in the air and the sense of possibility for this journey we were embarking upon. Together.
One of our participants, Naomi, summed it up well when she said, “Truly, it is through shared experiences and stories that we grow, reflect and expand who we are. In life and in the context of this group we all shift through life through our interactions with others and thus we assume many roles that include: teachers, mentors, students and leaders.”
A second Women’s Group will have their first meeting this Friday afternoon. It too has 12 registered women (the maximum). What a privilege to meet yet another group of women. To explore, discover and play with.
To be continued…
Sheila
*The Women’s Groups were born out of a discussion group that took place at the 4th Annual Women’s Gathering. Two women’s groups are well underway. A list being created for a third group. Contact Sheila at sresels@gmail.com if you are interested in participating.

For further Unitarian Women’s Events:

Pledging Ahead! Why Do We Do It?

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Most Unitarian Universalist congregations/communities/churches rely on pledges from members and friends to help them plan the year ahead. Ultimately, it’s donations, rentals, investment earnings, and bequests that pay for all of our costs, but pledging helps the board to predict revenue and to plan expenses for the year ahead, adding or subtracting services depending upon our predictable overall revenue. Donations in the form of honoured pledges is UCV’s biggest source of support, so please help your board and congregation by pledging generously. Your 2019 Canvass Committee asks you to prepare now for pledging during April!

Please watch for the Pledge Packets that will be distributed in mid-March by email to members and friends with an email address on file, and by slow mail to everyone else.

Or…donate online now! All your gifts are appreciated!

In faith,

Your UCV Canvass Committee (Cathy, Eleanor, John, Keith, Lynn)

Mystery Pals – They’re Back!

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Make a Friend at Church

Back after an amazing 2018 launch: create connections across generations!

The mystery only lasts a little while, but the friendship can be much longer.

Sign-up to be a Pal to someone older or younger than yourself—we would love to have everyone involved and will match any pair from different generations (roughly 20 years apart). To facilitate anonymity, each pair will be identified by a Canadian Civil Rights Activist  with a corresponding “mailbox” envelope in the Hewett Centre Hall.

Celebrate May 5th after the service with a Mystery Reveal Party.

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