UCV members and friends may be interested in exploring some of the following on-line learning events in the wider CUC and UK Unitarian communities.
1. Exploration of World Religions
8 Sep 2020 to 18 May 2021, twice a month, Tuesdays, 6:30-8:00 pm Pacific (see dates below)
In a unique partnership between South Fraser (SFUC) and Calgary Unitarians (UCC), the Revs. Debra Faulk and Samaya Oakley, and UCC member Lynn Nugent, are pleased to offer an exploration of nine of the major world religions/faith traditions this coming year – one a month from September through to May. This program is open to Unitarian Universalists in Western Canada. You’ll be able to participate several ways:
- Attendance at the monthly Sunday service when we will have a guest speaker from the faith tradition we are exploring in the program;
- Each of the monthly Soul Matters/Reflections packets will contain a spiritual practice, readings and resources from the traditions under consideration, and
- Twice monthly gatherings where you’ll be able to delve deeper into the history and current practices of that tradition. We ask for a commitment to attend as many of these sessions as reasonably possible.
- Our twice monthly gatherings will meet on Tuesdays from 6:30-8:00 pm Pacific/ 7:30-9:00 Mountain.
Together we’ll be exploring:
September – Judaism – September 8th and 22nd;
October – Wicca – October 6th and 20th;
November – Hindu – November 3rd and 17th;
December – Christianity – December 1st and 15th;
January – Bahai – January 5th and 19th;
February – Buddhism – February 2nd and 16th;
March – Sikhism – March 2nd and 16th;
April – Islam – April 6th and 20th;
May – Indigenous Spirituality – May 4th and 18th.
As there are significant expenses for the resources being used, we are asking for a free-will donation of $10.00 per session on a sliding scale basis. We suggest you use the CUC’s green bottle sliding scale model to determine your contribution.
https://cuc.ca/about-cuc/support-subsidies/sliding-fee-scale/
To register simply click on the World Religions Exploration Program link.
Please contact anyone of the following for more information:
Rev. Debra Faulk – debra@calgaryunitarians.ca 403-702-6486
Lynn Nugent – adultprograms@calgaryunitarians.ca
Rev. Samaya Oakley – minister@surreyunitarians.ca; 604-323-4341
2. Discussion Group on White Fragility
27 September 2020 at 3 pm (plus 3 additional sessions in Oct, Nov, Dec)
Sponsored by South Fraser Unitarians
You’re invited into a group that will examine and discuss the ideas Robin DiAngelo presents in her book entitled White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism (Beacon Press, 2018). Written with white people in mind, participants are invited into the work of learning skills to disrupt racism as a Unitarian Universalist faith commitment and practice. Together we’ll explore paths to come to terms with our own and others’ fragile, defensive, and coded responses when a conversation turns to race. 
Over three sessions, we’ll examine ways that conversations about race, either interracially or among white people, can—whether one is aware or not—reinforce racial hierarchy. We’ll engage in a series of questions, activities, and reflection and sharing opportunities to find, in your stories and experiences, ways in which they have upheld and reinforced the culture of white supremacy.
Join us on Sunday, September 27th at 3 pm for an organizing session where we’ll set dates and times for our three sessions (October, November, and December). In order to prepare for the discussion circles, you’ll need a copy of the book.
For more information, contact Rev. Samaya Oakley, minister@surreyunitarians.ca; 604-323-4341
3. Hucklow Summer School – audio recordings from 2020 and previous years
Hucklow Summer School (HSS) is a Unitarian religious education gathering held each August at the Nightingale Centre, Great Hucklow, in the Peak District of the United Kingdom. Hucklow Summer School focuses on matters of religion and spirituality and intends to draw out and develop the potential of all participants. This year’s theme is ‘Speaking the Truth in Love’: Having the Courage of our Convictions in a Post-Truth Age. The 2020 events run from 22 Aug through 28 Aug, most for 90 minutes starting at 11 AM Pacific time. The talks are free but pre-registration is required. Although you may be too late now to pre-register, if you want to try, send an email to hucklowsummerschool@gmail.com. Meetings will be via zoom with passwords required.
If you see this posting too late to enrol in the live 2020 events, you can listen to the audio recordings from this and previous years. All the 2020 talks are being recorded and made available on YouTube and via the Summer School podcast stream and website (which contains over 10 years of audio recordings of past theme talks). Check the HSS website for these audio recordings. https://www.hucklowsummerschool.co.uk/talks/
We sat outside, ate the lunches we’d brought (or purchased from across the street) and walked one or more labyrinths.
Several of us enjoyed being on UCV grounds on Sunday afternoon.
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