Category: Recent News

The monthly e-newsletter selects about 5 news posts with this category. Priorities are news relevant to a wide number of people and especially of interest to visitors or new folk.

Steven Tribute Booklet and Final Service Video

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On June 21st, Steven delivered his final sermon at UCV and we presented him with this tribute booklet. You can read and download tribute booklet below and watch a short video below with clips of his final service.

***PLEASE NOTE: We have discovered that the online version of the tribute booklet to Steven was not the draft that we printed- the printed draft included many more tributes. So, we have corrected the online version to reflect the one that was printed and given to Steven Epperson. Apologies for any stress this may have created. If you still do not see your tribute, please send it directly to Marie. Stay well, Diane Brown, UCV Board President***

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Reconciliation Working Group

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The Reconciliation Working Group is an active sub-group fo the Social Justice Committee.
The group is continuing to work on how we acknowledge the Indigenous territories our UCV campus is on. We hope to offer learning opportunities related to Indigenous issues including the CUC’s Truth, Healing, and Reconciliation Reflection Guides for congregational members 16 and over.  This program supports Canadian Unitarians and Universalists to explore the following areas:
 

Engagement and Locating Ourselves:

Where we ask: What social identities do each of us have, what culture(s) do we come from? How do we relate inter-culturally? How do we relate to the land we call home?

Understanding:

Where we learn about colonization, in particular the Indian Residential School (IRS) System, and its impacts on the lives of Indigenous peoples in the past and present.

Connection:

Where we seek to update our understandings of Indigenous societies and learn about current issues. Where we learn how to be in solidarity, and, when ready, reach out to local Indigenous leaders.

Healing and Reconciliation:

Where we ask: What does healing and reconciliation mean to Indigenous peoples? What does it mean to us as Unitarian Universalists? What are the next steps for building connections and making commitments?

How to Get Involved

The intensive learning experience offered through the THRGG orientation process (approximately eight 2.5-hour sessions) is designed for face-to-face gatherings so we will examine the feasibility of offering this beginning sometime in the autumn, depending on the COVID-19 guidelines.
We are currently looking for one or two members who would be willing to be part of a facilitation and planning team over the Summer and Fall of 2020. We are looking for people with strong facilitation skills and a willingness to be part of a THRGG orientation process. We would welcome a young adult to this team. If you are interested or want to find out more, please fill out the form below!

Aw, Canada! Canada Day 2020 – with UCV’s Patrick Dubois

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Images – screenshots from YouTube

Canada Day 2020…

2020 Jul 1st Wednesday Click for UCV’s Patrick Dubois’ Musical Tribute for Canada Day 2020!

But alas! Canada Day still has the taint of past and current colonial injustices. What can we, as Canadian Unitarians, do to help make Canada Day a time of celebration for all people living in Canada and not just a settler’s celebration?

Here are some thoughts from one of our indigenous leaders:

“Speaking to CTV News Channel Wednesday, (1 Jul 2020) National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Perry Bellegarde admits that Canada has a long way to go in achieving equality for Indigenous peoples, but urged the community to embrace a positive message of hope. “There is a huge divide that must be closed, and we can only close that divide… by working together and have kindness and love and respect for each other as human beings,” he said.“We need more and more First Nations people around decision making tables… once you get more people around those decision-making tables we see ourselves in the system and that will lead to better legislation and better policy moving forward.”

Up next is a post about possibilities for next year, 2021, to continue the long process of addressing our colonial injustices.

 

Can You Identify Scam Emails?

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COVID-19 has given rise to new online scam attempts that target vulnerable people and seniors. We have seen an increase of scam emails pop up within our own community and we want to ensure that congregants feel safe to engage online at this time.

There are many online resources for helping to educate about scam emails. Please make sure you educate yourself as these attempts are getting more sophisticated. Have a look at this 10-minute video about identifying scam emails.

UCV Scam Email Attempts

In the example below, you can see an actual scam attempt made with an account that was created to impersonate Rev. Steven Epperson. Notice that they even have a profile photo of Steven. These can be difficult to distinguish from actual correspondence, however, there are a few tell-tale signs here.

1. Sender Email Address

The email address looks legitimate, however, our staff emails only come from vancouverunitarians.ca, not gmail.com. This email came from revsteven.vancouverunitarians@gmail.com which is suspicious.

2. Unusual Behavior

Steven has never emailed me directly to ask for a favor before. It doesn’t seem completely out of the question, but this is not usual behavior.

3.  Subject Heading

The all-caps subject heading that is irrelevant to the content of the email makes this stand out as odd

4.  Contact Details Exclude Phone Number

This particular scam is an impersonation of someone I know, which means that they don’t want to offer me the opportunity to contact them directly. The fact that the phone number does not appear in contact details is a red flag.

Checklist for Identifying Scam Emails

The checklist below can help you identify scam emails, It was is taken from this website.

What To Do If You’re Still Unsure

  1. If it is coming from someone claiming to be someone you know, call them and double-check before opening any links or attachments!!
  2. If it is someone you’ve never heard of before, google search the company or person and see if you can find a phone number or other direct contact
  3. Never open an attachment or click a link unless you are sure of the sender
  4. Never give people gift cards or money transfers without first talking to them in person, or receiving a direct link to secure payment from an email address you know and trust.
  5. Learn how to report phishing attacks and spam through your email provider so the email addresses will be red-flagged and shut down.

 

UCV COVID-19 Go-Slowly-Forward Plan

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Unitarian Church of Vancouver Coronavirus
(COVID-19) Policy

 

In this Coronavirus (COVID-19) policy, you’ll find our go-slowly-forward plan and all essential guidelines staff and congregants must follow for Summer 2020.
Until Further Notice: Entry into any UCV building is strictly prohibited, without first advising the UCV Office, and signing in.

Policy brief & purpose

Our UCV policy includes the measures we are actively taking to mitigate the spread of coronavirus. Please follow all these rules diligently, to sustain a healthy and safe space and to ensure the health and well-being of our broader community. It’s important that we all respond responsibly and transparently to these health precautions. 

The UCV coronavirus (COVID-19) policy is subject to changes with the introduction of additional governmental guidelines or new outbreak concerns. If changes are made, we will update the public and congregation by posting updates to ucv.im/covid as well as sending a direct update via email. To ensure you are receiving all of our latest communication, please make sure you have signed up for the order of service email and the monthly e-bulletin. If you are unsure if you are signed up, or would like to update your contact information, please email info@vancouverunitarians.ca. 

Scope

This coronavirus policy applies to all staff and long-term renters of UCV who physically work in our offices, as well as congregants, members and friends who may visit the space or wish to rent rooms for social activities. 

Measures We Have Taken

Over the past few months, we have taken the following protective measures at UCV:

  • Moved all Sunday Worship Services online at ucv.im/live to reduce the risk of outbreaks.
  • Closed all buildings to members and the public with only essential access for staff and the worship service live-streaming team. Grounds have remained open with physical distancing in effect.
  • Moved to Zoom-based fellowships, community events and religious exploration.
  • Supported staff to make safe choices about when/how to be onsite or to work from home.
  • Implemented a disinfecting and cleaning protocol to ensure regular sanitization onsite. 

 

UCV Go-Slowly-Forward Plan

The Covid-19 Response Team at UCV is made up of the minister, board members, administrative staff, and representatives from Buildings and Grounds, Religious Exploration, and Communications. Together we have weighed and reviewed the public health policy contained within the BC Restart Plan, the CDC Guidance for Faith-Based Organizations, and the Worksafe BC Safety Plan Development Guide. 

We recognize the importance of our community experience, as well as our need as human beings to gather together and make contact face to face. We also respect and uphold the incredible and diligent work of our public health leaders, scientists, and frontline workers who have been at the forefront of protecting our needs and safety. 

With these perspectives in mind, we have established small steps towards re-opening our church, which will ensure our ability to keep up with the latest information, adjust our protocols as necessary, and respond with care and diligence if concerns arise. 

We have developed this policy to address the immediate future only. This document is in effect for Sept-Dec 2020. We are actively monitoring updates from the province and will continue to update our policy as we know more. 

June 2020

We made a firm decision to keep UCV’s buildings closed to the public for all of June 2020. Worship service live-streaming crew, limited staff and caretakers have had essential access only. Worship services continue to be online-only. 

July and August 2020

We began to allow room bookings for Hewett Hall (main space only). Available time-slots were allocated to groups with priority given first to congregants and members of UCV. External rentals were considered but none were organized. Worship services remained online-only for the entire duration of the summer.

September 2020

Fall 2020 changes to the COVID-19 policy include:

  • Increased capacity for Hewett Centre – Main Hall Now available for rentals up to 15 guests for a duration of 2 hours.
  • Sanctuary now available for rentals up to 30 people (25 guests, 5 staff) for a duration of 2 hours. (Please note: Each singer is required to be 15 feet away from any other person. As such, group singing is not permitted in indoor spaces due to increased droplet spread) 
  • Available Rooms – The only rooms available for rentals are Hewett Center – Main Hall and the Sanctuary, all others remain closed through December 2020. 
  • Mask are now mandatory for indoor activities – Through December 2020, masks are mandatory in all indoors spaces at UCV
  • Services continue to be online only We will continue our live-streaming of worship services through December 2020.

General Policies

  • If you have any symptoms of illness, even minor ones, please do not visit the UCV buildings and grounds. 
  • If you have recently returned from areas with a high number of COVID-19 cases (based on CDC announcements), or if you have recently come into contact with someone with COVID-19, please follow the public health guidelines for the standard 14-day self-quarantine.
  • If you normally commute to UCV by public transportation and do not have other alternatives, please consider staying home, and organizing an online event instead. 
  • If you are considered part of a high-risk group, please consider staying home and organizing online events instead. 
  • We ask that all visitors to UCV follow the advice for general hygiene while on campus: 

General Hygiene 

  • Practice physical distancing. Please stay at least 6 feet apart from others.
  • Wash your hands if you touch high-touch areas, if you touch your face or adjust your mask, after using the toilet, before eating, and if you cough/sneeze into your hands (follow the 20-second hand-washing rule). You can also use the sanitizers you’ll find all around UCV.
  • Cough/sneeze into your sleeve, preferably into your elbow. If you use a tissue, discard it properly and clean/sanitize your hands immediately.
  • Open the windows regularly to ensure open ventilation. 
  • Avoid touching your face to prevent infection.
  • Masks are mandatory for all indoor activities

 

UCV Room Bookings (September – December 2020)

The only rooms available for booking in September – December 2020 will be the Hewett Centre – Main Hall and the Sanctuary.

All gatherings must be booked ahead of time through Marcus Hynes by emailing info@vancouverunitarians.ca.

Please note: The Kitchen, Fireside, Lindsey/Priestley, Library, Biddle, Childcare, and Hitchmanova all remain completely closed to both members and the public. Please do not ask caretakers to allow you into these areas. There will be no exceptions. Use of the UCV outdoor grounds, labyrinths and gardens are permitted, with physical distancing in effect. 

Hewett Hall Main Area Booking Policies

  • Events in the Hewett Hall main space may have maximum of 15 guests. 
  • Unscheduled meetings will not be allowed. 
    • If an unscheduled meeting occurs, caretakers will kindly ask the group to leave and will provide them with the contact information for making a proper booking. Time slots must be booked through the office at info@vancouverunitarians.ca
  • There are three options for the room set-up:
    • Empty (no tables, no chairs), with floor markings showing appropriate distancing.
    • Tables and stackable chairs (e.g. 10 round tables) set at appropriate distancing.
    • To ensure proper cleaning, the cushioned chairs from fireside will no longer be available
  • There will be absolutely no access to the kitchen or any coffee, tea, food service amenities.
  • Washrooms will be one-at-a-time to allow for safe physical distancing around sinks and stalls.
  • Time slots will be limited to 2-hour blocks. People may book more than one 2-hour block, but must leave the space after each block to allow for cleaning protocols to be carried out. We strongly encourage booking only one time slot for your event to limit the potential for exposure.
  • A caretaker must be present for all gatherings.
  • Masks are mandatory during indoor activities.
  • Caretakers will be responsible for: 
    • Event check-in, and ensuring that visitors have signed the Logbook for contact tracing (only if groups are unable to do this themselves).
    • Monitoring for COVID-19 protocols (physical distancing, availability of hand sanitizer, trash disposal, soap and cleaning supplies).
    • Enforcing protocols as outlined in this document.
    • Politely requesting guests to leave if they arrive showing symptoms of illness.
    • Cleaning and sanitizing prior to an event, and resetting the space (surfaces, door handles, washrooms, equipment etc.) in between each rental. No visitors will be allowed in the space while this is happening.
    • Turn on fans and ensure windows and doors remain open for the duration of the rental
  • The Hewett Centre – Main Space will not be available for booking at the same time as the Sanctuary
  • All windows and doors must remain open during the duration of the rental to encourage ventilation and air flow
  • If singing is the desired activity, each singer is required to be 15 feet away from any other person. As such, group singing is not permitted in indoor spaces due to increased droplet spread

Sanctuary Booking Policies

  • Events in the Sanctuary may have maximum of 30 people (25 guests and 5 staff)
  •  Unscheduled meetings will not be allowed. 
    • If an unscheduled meeting occurs, caretakers will kindly ask the group to leave and will provide them with the contact information for making a proper booking. Time slots must be booked through the office at info@vancouverunitarians.ca
  • Events seating will be marked out for proper social distancing
  • There will be absolutely no access to the kitchen or any coffee, tea, food service amenities.
  • Washrooms are located in the Hewett Centre – Main Space and will be one-at-a-time to allow for safe physical distancing around sinks and stalls.
  • Time slots will be limited to 2-hour blocks. People may book more than one 2-hour block, but must leave the space after each block to allow for cleaning protocols to be carried out. We strongly encourage booking only one time slot for your event to limit the potential for exposure.
  • A caretaker must be present for all gatherings.
  • Masks are mandatory during indoor activities.
  • Caretakers will be responsible for: 
    • Event check-in, and ensuring that visitors have signed the Logbook for contact tracing (only if groups are unable to do this themselves).
    • Monitoring for COVID-19 protocols (physical distancing, availability of hand sanitizer, trash disposal, soap and cleaning supplies).
    • Enforcing protocols as outlined in this document.
    • Politely requesting guests to leave if they arrive showing symptoms of illness.
    • Cleaning and sanitizing prior to an event, and resetting the space (surfaces, door handles, washrooms, equipment etc.) in between each rental. No visitors will be allowed in the space while this is happening.
    • Turn on fans and ensure windows and doors remain open for the duration of the rental
  • The Sanctuary will not be available for booking at the same time as the Hewett Centre – Main Space
  • All windows and doors must remain open during the duration of the rental to encourage ventilation and air flow
  • If singing is the desired activity, each singer is required to be 15 feet away from any other person. As such, group singing is not permitted in indoor spaces due to increased droplet spread
  • The choir loft is off limits to guests and remains a staff only area.

Employee Reopening Safety Plan 

PPE

  • Masks and gloves are available for staff.
  • Staff must wear masks when disinfecting indoor common areas
  • If gloves are worn they need to be washed with the same frequency as hands.
  • Do not reuse disposable gloves.
  • Staff should use the proper technique to remove gloves so the contaminated side ends up inside.
  • Masks and gloves are located in the Janitors’ Closet, and in the Mail Room. Additional masks and gloves are in the crawlspace in the Admin building.
  • Caretakers should wash the clothes worn during their shift if they have come in contact with numerous people.

Signage

  • Maximum capacity signs will be placed at the entrance of each room.
  • Social distancing reminder signs will be posted at the entrance of each room and additional reminders inside each room.
  • Reminders to those experiencing symptoms have been posted at all building entrances.
  • Traffic flow signs will be taped on the floor, to avoid congestion at entrances. In the UCV office, there will be standing area signs to avoid congestion and encourage social distancing in the reception area.
  • Sanitizing signs “last sanitized by name, date, time” will be filled out after each sanitizing with a wipeable marker on a laminated sheet. For each room. In addition to this a sheet will be initialed for all spaces that have been sanitized during the shift, and how many times it was completed
  • Handwashing signs will be posted in washrooms, and at the photocopier.
  • Washrooms will be clearly marked as one person at a time with floor markings denoting the line up distances.

Cleaning Protocol

  • Hand sanitizer will be provided at each entrance to be used prior to entry.
  • When groups have booked a meeting, the caretaker on-duty will sanitize all entry points, washrooms, and common areas in each room/building a minimum of 2x or every 2 hours.

Contact Tracing

  • Entrance logs will be placed directly upon entry in each UCV building. Contact is compulsory for every individual entering a UCV building, regardless of the reason.
  • Hand sanitizer will be available at this station as well as sanitized pens
  • If employees begin to experience symptoms prior or during a shift, please advise a supervisor and immediately put on a mask. In the event of illness, emergency cab fare will be provided.
  • Supervisors will arrange immediate coverage for the employee who has taken ill..
  • Always call 911 for emergency.

Non-medical information about COVID-19 is available 7:30am-8pm, 7 days
a week at 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319).

Anti-Racism Resources

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In recent days, we have witnessed a surge of public response in support of Black Lives Matter as well as a call to uplift and affirm the inherent worth and dignity of lives that are continually devalued in racist systems. As Unitarians, we are committed to justice, equity, and compassion in all human relations. With this in mind, it is important for us to take accountability seriously and look deeply into the ways racism shows up in our local communities, in our congregation, and indeed within ourselves.

The Unitarian Church of Vancouver knows that antiracism is in alignment with our Seven Principles, we are committed to racial justice and equity and strive to be antiracist. On June 3rd, our Board released a statement which can be read here. As well, the UUA held a #wecantbreathe prayer vigil which can be viewed here. However, we also know that words are simply not enough and it is only through consistent effort and action as a community, that we can ensure we are diligent in our efforts to contribute to lasting change and justice.

Below is a beginning list of resources from various angles for us to use in our anti-racism efforts to learn about dismantling systems of oppression wherever they appear. If you would like to add resources to a permanent “Antiracism Learning” page please email communications@vancouverunitarians.ca

Anti-Racism Statements and Resources

Unitarian Universalist Statements

  1. Statement on Anti-Racism from the UCV Board
  2. Canadian Unitarian Council Statement on Mourning the Deaths of More People of Colour
  3. Black Lives Matter Statement by Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice
  4. A pastoral letter to Black UUs by Rev. Lauren Smith in UU World, 6/4/2020
  5. Stop Calling the Police and Start Eradicating Anti-Blackness UUA statement and call to action, with links. June 2, 2020
  6. An Awful, Magnificent Truth by Rev. Carol Thomas Cissel in UUA’s Braver/Wiser Inspiration
  7. UUA Prayer Vigil #wecantbreate YouTube Video

Mental Health and Self-Care Resources for BIPoC Congregants and Friends

  1. Black Lives Matter Vancouver has a detailed and comprehensive list of legal, community, mental health and wellness services here
  2. Healing in Colour provides a list of therapists who have agreed to a statement of values
  3. Mental Health Issues Facing the Black Community free health guide from Sunshine Behavioural Health
  4. Alica Forneret provides mental health by and for PoC
  5. Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society provides inclusive, accessible, and culturally-based healthcare and social services.
  6. Summit Wellness Group provides a list of 61 BIPOC mental health and addiction resources

Ally Learnings for White Congregants and Friends

  1. Scaffolded Anti-Racist Resources
  2. The 8th Principle project of Unitarian Universalism
  3. Black Lives UU Spiritual Subscription Box
  4. The Church of the Larger Fellowship an American UU congregation “without walls”
  5. Resources based on your current stage of racial identity development

Anti-Racist Parenting

  1. Antiracist Education Resources compiled by Fourth Universalist Society in Manhattan
  2. “How To Be An Antiracist Parent” recording from Fourth Universalist Society in Manhattan
  3. Resource roundup for parents
  4. Anti-racism resources for white people and for parents to raise anti-racist children
  5. Resources for Talking About Race, Racism and Racialized Violence with Kids from the Center for Racial Justice in Education
  6. The Brown Bookshelf: United in Story pushing awareness of the myriad Black voices writing for young readers.
  7. A fabulous list of children’s ebooks from the VPL called “Stand Up! Racial Identity, Racism, and Resistance for Grades K-7”

Canadian General Anti-Racist Resources

  1. Systemic Racism Explained in under 5 minutes
  2. The Story of Slavery in Canadian History at the Canadian Human Rights Museum
  3. The Canadian federal government page of anti-racism resources
  4. Vancouver Mutual Aid Organizations and Resource List
  5. Black Lives Matter Vancouver 
  6. 10 Reasons You Should Support Black Lives Matter
  7. Feminists Deliver: Confronting Anti-Black Racism in Canada (video: a panel of 8 Canadian Women of Colour)
  8. The University of Toronto Anti-Black Racism Reading List

Books

  1. “Policing Black Lives” by Robyn Maynard
  2. “The Skin We’re In” by Desmond Cole.
  3. “Blank: Essays and Interviews” by M. NourbeSe Philip
  4. “In the Black” by B. Denham Jolly
  5. “Queer Returns: Essays On Multiculturalism, Diaspora and Black Studies” by Rinaldo Walcott
  6. “How to Be an Anti-Racist” Ibram X. Kendi
  7. “So you want to talk about Race” Ijeoma Oluo

“We can disagree and still love each other unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist.”
—Son of Baldwin (Robert Jones, Jr.)

 

 

 

In Memoriam – Reverend Andrew Backus

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Rev Dr Andrew Backus died on 22 Jan 2020 at the age of 75. Many Vancouver Unitarians will remember Andy as UCV’s interim minister from 2000 to 2002, just before Rev Dr Steven Epperson began his ministry at UCV.

A memorial service for Rev Backus was held at 2 pm on Saturday, February 15, 2020, at the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth St, Bellingham, WA 98225. Notes of condolences may be sent to Chris Backus at 2746 Broadway St, Bellingham, WA 98225.

The UUA Service of the Living Tradition honours all UU ministers who have died in the preceding year, and will be live-streamed on Thursday, 25 June 2020 from 3-4 pm Pacific Time. A written memorial to Andy is included in this memorial book prepared by UUA in support of this service.

Virtual UUA General Assembly: 24-28 June 2020

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When they attend in person, many Canadian Unitarians find the very large Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) General Assemblies (GAs) to be inspiring and comforting. This year, in virtual mode, UUA’s GA promises to be something quite different!

The UUA lists 11 events that will be live streamed sessions open to the public without prior registration.  Click here to go to the UUA page that gives instructions for live-streaming any of these 11 open events.

The first UUA open event is scheduled for 5:45- 6:30 pm Pacific Time, Wednesday, 24 June 2020. This is the first  of six sessions of the UUA General Business Meeting – perhaps of particular interest to UU policy nerds. Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Co-Moderators Mr. Barb Greve and Elandria Williams will preside over the general sessions in which the business of the Association is conducted.

Other live-streaming events from the GA that Canadian Unitarians may find of more interest include the following:

SERVICE OF THE LIVING TRADITION, GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2020

Thursday, June 25, 2020; 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight; 3:00 – 4:00 pm Pacific Time

The Ministries and Faith Development Staff Group invites you to join us at this service where we honor those who have died, recognize those who have completed active service, and welcome those who have received fellowship, credentialed, or certified status in the past year.

The sermon will be delivered by Rev. Danielle Di Bona. Rev. Di Bona has served Unitarian Universalism for 30 years, and is the 2018 recipient of the Award for Distinguished Service to the Cause of Unitarian Universalism. In her retirement, she serves as the Palliative Care chaplain at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, MA. She has served as a member of the UU Nominating Committee and on the UU Women’s Federation board. She is the former President of the Diverse and Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries, and continues to serve DRUUMM as Chaplain. Rev. Di Bona also serves on the Board of the Church of the Larger Fellowship. She is a Chaplain to the UUA Board of Trustees and Finding Our Way Home.

Dr. Zanaida Stewart Robles, Service of the Living Tradition Music Director, is a fierce advocate for diversity and inclusion in music education and performance. Born, raised, and educated in Southern California, she is in demand as a vocalist, conductor, clinician and adjudicator for competitions, festivals, and conferences related to choral and solo vocal music. She serves on the national board of the National Association of Negro Musicians and is co-chair of the board of directors of Tonality, a non-profit organization that promotes peace, unity, and social justice through choral music performance in Los Angeles.

The service includes a collection to benefit the Living Tradition Fund. Members of the public are welcome.

 

SYNERGY BRIDGING WORSHIP, GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2020

Friday, June 26, 2020; 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, 3:00 – 4:00 pm Pacific Time,

This is a transformative multigenerational worship. Come be inspired and illuminated at a celebration of treasured worship elements, rites of passage and brilliant contemporary musical performances.

 

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP: “BEYOND THE WATER’S EDGE,” UUA GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2020

This event is scheduled to occur twice on Sunday, June 28, 2020:

  • 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time
  • 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time
  • The service will also be available for on-demand viewing at 11:00 a.m. PDT.

“Join us for the largest annual gathering of UUs joining in worship. This powerful, communal worship experience is open to the public. Rev. Joan Javier-Duval will deliver the sermon at the 2020 General Assembly Sunday Morning Worship. She serves as Minister of the Unitarian Church of Montpelier, VT. She is the daughter of immigrants from the Philippines, mother of a kindergartener, and spouse of a proud Vermonter. Beauty, gratitude, and love are at the heart of her faithful striving for collective liberation and a thriving planet.

The worship service will include a collection for the Tomaquag Museum, an indigenous museum featuring an extensive collection and archive of Southern New England tribal communities.”

If you’d like to take part in the whole UUA GA you can register here for US$150 and will then have live access to all sessions including the Opening Ceremonies, Ware Lecture, and nine Featured Speakers.

Other resources are also mentioned in the UUA documentation, including a resource of accessible liturgical music composed by the late Rev Dr Andy Backus. Many Vancouver Unitarians will remember Andy who served as UCV’s interim minister from 2000-2002. Andy died on 15 Jan 2020. An obituary for Rev Backus will be listed separately on this blog and Andy will be remembered as part of the UUA GA Service of the Living Tradition on Thursday, 25 June.

Two poems for Steven

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Some of you have asked about the poems I read for Steven’s final service, so here they are in print.

As some have remarked, it’s ironic that the poem of welcome from 2002 seems more complete now in 2020 when Steven has departed. Only now do we feel how fully welcome he was and is.

In my poem of farewell, I was reflecting on the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part, and the transience of all that we know, including Steven’s time with us, and I wanted to pay tribute to Steven’s annual sermons on science, which ranged from microscopic to galactic in their perspective. So Unitarian in their outlook! I had recently been reading about gamma ray bursts, one received reportedly from a source 12.8 billion light years away from earth, and so the oldest phenomenon humans have detected so far.

A long and interesting journey indeed! The great miracle, the great mystery of which we are a living part, and to which Steven helped us bear witness.

I wrote a second poem of farewell for Steven, too, which may be part of the printed package that was given to him. It’s a bit more complicated so I didn’t read it for the farewell service, but I may post it here sometime in the future. It’s a discussion of farewell, so long, and goodbye and has a particular slant on why “g’b’y” might be the right thing for us to say to Steven, which is what I said at the end of this farewell poem– “G’b’y Steven!”

(The featured image is a detail from a 1989 artwork by long-time UCV member, the late Daphne Naegele, titled “Many suns do not penetrate the darkness”.)

A poem of welcome

on the occasion of Reverend Doctor Steven Epperson’s installation as Parish Minister at the Unitarian Church of Vancouver, 13 October 2002.

 

The welcome we give today is not the welcome we will give tomorrow
for the Guest tomorrow will be known more deeply
and our welcome will be more complete.

Each day our welcome will be larger
and deeper than the day before
and never finished in its giving.

 

A poem of farewell

on the occasion of Reverend Doctor Steven Epperson’s departure as Parish Minister from the Unitarian Church of Vancouver, 21 June 2020.

 

Our time together
has reached its end.
Cosmos has shifted
and still does just what it wants
and still incorporates us.

And if comets or gamma-ray bursts
had eyes and poetic sensibilities,
what would they tell us
about their long and
interesting journeys?

G’b’y Steven!

UCV Board Statement on Anti-Racism

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We, the Board of Trustees, the Parish Minister and members of the Unitarian Church of Vancouver, condemn the murder of George Floyd, an act of inhumane police brutality, that is perpetuated by a culture of white supremacy. We in Canada share that culture, and we must commit ourselves collectively to dismantling white supremacy here at home, acknowledge that our white privilege has come at the expense of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour past and present, and rebuild our nation with justice, compassion and respect for all.