November Labyrinth
Thanks to D. Rainbow for these photos taken on the Garden Path labyrinth in mid-November. And thanks to John Voth for the new markers. Carex ice dance is a perennial grass which stays green all year and is very hardy.
Category: Our Space
Buildings and Grounds Committee information; renting space at UCV.
Meditate with us
Vancouver Unitarians have a dedicated “Meditation Room” that has been in continuous use for over two decades. Each Sunday morning and Wednesday evening an eclectic group of both Unitarians and interested Vancouverites meet for a 45-minute meditation session.
For the past five years the group has been led by Victoria Oginski who has been meditating herself for over 35 years. As an enthusiastic student of Buddhism, Victoria has gone on long meditation retreats in Burma, studied in Bodh Gaya in northern India where the Buddha attained enlightenment, and Dharamsala, the home of the Dalai Lama.
While the group is loosely informed by the Vajrayana school of Tibetan Buddhism anyone interested in meditation is wholehearted welcome!
On Wednesdays, after the meditation from 6:30-7:15 we take a break and then at 7:30 begin our book study. Currently we are reading (out loud) The Mind Illuminated by Culadasa (John Yates, PhD).
submitted by Carolyn Grant
(Some) Apples are ready for picking – please help yourselves
We have 14 apple trees on the North West side of the property.
They were planted to celebrate our 100th anniversary.
UPDATE: Next up: The King apples are ripe mid-September to early October.
In the meantime, do pick up any fallen apples.
Our apple tree varieties are (clockwise from North West)
Honey Crisp, Scarlet Sentinel, King, Florina, Yellow Transparent, Summerland Red Macintosh, Ambrosia,
Gravenstein, Cox Orange Pippin, Liberty, Sunrise, Golden Sentinel, Shamrock and Jonafree.
In order of ripening:
Yellow Transparent July 10–25
SUNRISE mid-August
Cox’s Orange Pippin late picking straight from the tree recommended.
Scarlet Sentinel – mid to late September
King – September 15 – 25
Florina – late September https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florina_(apple)
McIntosh – not till September 20-30
Ambrosia – mid to late season – October
Liberty – late season
FROM https://www.bctfpg.ca/horticulture/varieties-and-pollination/apple-varieties/
I’m adding more details about the various trees and apples below. A work in progress.
from: https://pickyourown.org/apples_howtotellwhenripe.php
Scarlet Sentinel
King
Sept. 15–25 Yellow with red blush
Red McIntosh
Sept. 20–30 Yellow with red blush
Popular in America since 1811
- Best for: eating, sauce, salad, good as part of a blend for applesauce
- Sweet, mild flavor
Ambrosia – mid to late season
- Sweet, crisp, aromatic flavour reminiscent of pear and low acidity.
- Mostly red colouration, with yellow patches.
- Flesh is cream-coloured, firm meat
- Medium to large in size
- Developed in British Columbia in the early 1990s.
- Believed to be a cross of a Jonagold and Golden Delicious.
- Ripens mid to late season
Gravenstein
- Greenish-yellow with a lumpy appearance
- A good, all-purpose apple,
- Good for applesauce and pies.
Cox’s Orange Pippin – early
- Popular in English markets.
- Medium sized, golden yellow skin, with brownish orange
- often russeted.
- Flesh tender, crisp, semi-tart
- early
Liberty – late season
- A highly disease-resistant introduction from Geneva New York.
- Liberty has superior dessert quality, similar to one of its parents, Macoun
- Best for: eating, sauce, salad
- flavor improves in storage
- late season
Sunrise – mid August
Yellow Transparent July 10–25 Creamy yellow
Jonagold Sept. 15–Oct. 7 Yellow with red stripes
Jonathan Sept. 20–25 Yellow with red blush
Golden Delicious Oct. 1–15 Yellow
Delicious—red strains Oct. 1–15 Red
Please pick the flowers and herbs in the labyrinth
Yes, that’s an unusual invitation, I know, but… I’d love people to take a bit of UCV abundance home with them. The rudbeckia (black-eyed Susan) makes a lovely bouquet to bring some sunshine indoors.
Here are some that I would really like to have picked. It saves me pruning and dead-heading:
Lavender (still quite nice but fading fast). It’s mainly on the outer ring on the east side.
Dandelions- of course – any time!
Mint – There are several kinds of mint – chocolate mint, pineapple mint, etc. Please do cut 6″ pieces or so to make tea or enjoy in salads etc.
Fennel – Nice for a bouquet and also nice with mint for tea, or infused water.
Any time —
Lambs ears – those lovely fuzzy leaves can be picked any time. Not edible (but not poisonous). Kids love to touch them.
Sage – on west side near a tree – pick a bit to take home – I love sage tea, or to flavour other foods.
Take up to 1/3 of…
The glorious rudbeckia/black-eyed Susan – Take the flowers that are in full bloom. I call this pre-emptive dead-heading. Cut the step right to the place where it connects with another stem, so it looks nice.
Please don’t pick without checking with me:
The echinacea was moved last year and just getting established, so I’d prefer it wasn’t picked yet. Leave it for the bees!!
Here are some excerpts and links about kids and flowers:
Some flowers, like the bright yellow dandelion, are very common and children should be encouraged to collect them by armfuls. Other flowers, like the yellow golden paintbrush, are endangered and should be left alone. Not all flowers are created equal but everyone (even kids!) can learn which flowers are good to pick, where to pick them and when to pick them. Learning about flowers and picking them is a wonderful opportunity for you and your child to connect with nature together.
Encourage your child to play with flowers by making:
Walk a sand labyrinth at Spanish Banks East and a picnic
If you’ve never walked a labyrinth in the sand, here’s your chance.
Weather permitting, I will be drawing a labyrinth August 31, 2019 and hosting a ‘walk’ from 1:30 to 3:30 pm at Spanish Banks in Vancouver, British Columbia. from Les.
Please come if you can:
Cost: donation
For directions to the labyrinth, cut and paste the following link into your browser:
In the spirit of reciprocity and gratitude, please bring a gift to offer to the Sacred in Nature such as flowers, coffee beans, etc. These will be used to create a mandala in the centre of the labyrinth.
If you have any questions, please email Les at: walkingalabyrinth@gmail.com
Check his website any time for updates: http://walkingalabyrinth.blogspot.com/
I plan to be there and several of us are planning a picnic
Send me a note if you’re interested: earthspiritucv@gmail.com
Laurie, Mary are confirmed. We expect about 6-8 or so.(Best guess!)
Can we penetrate the darkness?
The featured image for this posting is the detail of a drawing titled “Many suns cannot penetrate the darkness” created in 1989 by the late long time Vancouver Unitarian member Daphne Naegele. Now, 30 years after Daphne created this image and posed this question, we are still faced with it — can Unitarian Universalism help penetrate the darkness? Part of the answer to this question resides in our capacity to sustain ourselves financially. To examine our options, the UCV board has created a task force to examine the many facets of this question over the summer and fall. Get in touch with Sheila Resels or Keith WIlkinson if you’d like to be part of this discussion.
The UCV Board established a Financial Sustainability Task Force (FSTF) in July 2019. The purpose of the Task Force is to review and strengthen the financial sustainability of the Vancouver Unitarian congregation in the face of reduced levels of pledging, possibly static membership growth, and the general decline of religious community across North America over recent decades.
The Task Force includes the following working groups and teams:
- Membership Growth Team
- Member Generosity Team (which includes the Canvass Committee)
- Legacy Team
- Space Use Team
- Transition Team
- Site Development Team
- Investments Committee
- Fundraising Events Team
- Risk Review Team
- Marketing/Fundraiser Initiative Team
- UCV Internal Funds Review Initiative
- UCV (ad hoc) Budget Committee
- Other working groups/teams approved by the Board.
These groups and teams are relatively self-directed and are guided by the recent working document UCV Financial Sustainability Matrix. The working groups and teams are expected to prepare reports in time for the board and the congregation to discuss them well in advance of the 2019 AGM scheduled for late fall 2019 when a vote of the membership regarding possible site redevelopment is anticipated.
For further information, or to provide support to some of these working groups, please contact one of the co-chairs of the Financial Sustainability Task Force (FSTF):
- Sheila Resels sresels@gmail.com 604-737-6097 (Board member)
- Keith Wilkinson keithwilkinsonconsulting@gmail.com 604-838-5643
Redevelopment Mini-Messages – July 9th
Campus Redevelopment Update #1
How do I keep informed? Get Involved?
There are 5 work groups involved in specific topics. Starting September 15 the Planning Committee will host 5 special Sunday forums. For information and participation: Planning Committee: Gordon Gram (gordongram@me.com) Michael Clague (mclague@telus.net).
Campus Redevelopment Update #2
Why redevelop?
Concerned about long-term financial sustainability, the board in November 2016 established a planning committee to explore redeveloping part of the campus (while retaining ownership) with non-market rental housing to generate additional revenues. A business plan is underway to determine if these objectives can be met, for decision in November 2019.
For information and participation: Gordon Gram (gordongram@me.com) Michael Clague (mclague@telus.net).
Campus Redevelopment Update #3
To redevelop or not?
The business plan at the AGM November 17 will be deciding whether not to proceed. Two other groups are examining alternatives to redevelopment: retaining/improving Hewett Centre (Buildings and Grounds Committee); exploring expanded sources of revenue (Keith Wilkinson).
For information and participation: Gordon Gram (gordongram@me.com) Michael Clague (mclague@telus.net).
Campus Redevelopment Up-Date: #4
Why now?
55 years ago members of this church made the most important decision they could: to buy property at 49th and Oak. Now a similar decision is at hand with our AGM on November 17; whether or not to build non-market rental housing and a new Hewett Centre for the financial security of UCV for the next 50 years. 5 special forums planned starting September 15 sponsored by the Planning Committee and Circle of Concern.
For information and participation: Gordon Gram (gordongram@me.com) Michael Clague (mclague@telus.net).
Campus Redevelopment Up-Date #5
What is the redevelopment package?
A 95 unit, 6 story, non-market rental housing, 50% to accommodate families; a new Hewett Centre (financed out of the project). The package is to generate a growing revenue stream for the church into the future.
For information and participation: Gordon Gram (gordongram@me.com) Michael Clague (mclague@telus.net).
Campus Redevelopment Up-Date #6
What are the concerns?
Timing is bad: we will be recruiting a new minister; volunteer and staff resources will be over-stretched; carrying on during construction. What about just up-grading the Hewett Centre? Members can get involved in these and other issues with 5 member work groups and 5 special Sunday forums sponsored by the Planning Committee starting September 15th. For information and participation: Gordon Gram (gordongram@me.com) Michael Clague (mclague@telus.net).
Campus Redevelopment Up-Date #7
What stage is redevelopment at?
The City has given support in principle to apply for rezoning for non-market rental housing and a new Hewett Centre subject to discussions that include the Hornbeam Trees on 49th Avenue and potential up-grades for the heritage – designated Sanctuary. The board will bring a recommendation to the November 17th AGM.
For information and participation: Gordon Gram (gordongram@me.com) Michael Clague (mclague@telus.net).
Campus Redevelopment Up-Date #8
If we decide to redevelop, how do we maintain church programs during a 2.5 year construction period possibly starting Spring 2022?
A transition plan with costs is being developed by John Boyle, Elliott Dainow, and Connie Wigmore.
Campus Redevelopment Up-Date #9
What is the vision?
The following statement was approved in the proposal to prepare a business plan for redevelopment by 64% of members in attendance at the 2018 ExtraOrdinary General Meeting:
At this mid-century point of its life, our vision for the campus of the Unitarian Church of Vancouver for the next 50 years is that of a compelling, beautiful, intergenerational home for Unitarians to worship and to celebrate, one respectful of the original design, one that provides an affordable place to live for a cross-section of our community, and a place for all Vancouverites to gather for spiritual enquiry, to enjoy arts and culture, and to engage in dialogue and action on matters of social justice and the environment.
A wish list for our labyrinths for 2039 or earlier
Here is Mary’s wish list for our labyrinths for 2039 (or sooner) from her homily presented July 7th.
I have a wish list for the future of our labyrinths.
I wish there was a big welcoming sign giving the basics of how and why to walk a labyrinth.
I wish more neighbours would regularly stop by to walk the labyrinth and that some of them would decide to check out what else happens here.
I wish there were benches for resting. And maybe a yellow Friendship bench indicating that someone sitting there would appreciate a conversation.
I wish that when you reach the centre of the courtyard labyrinth, you could actually able to walk into the centre area, not have your way blocked by a big tree root.
Some other wishes
- a late-night lantern walk on the labyrinth–perhaps for Hallowe’en/Samhain
- until or unless we can move the shrubs around, a bird bath at the end of the courtyard labyrinth walk would be lovely
- a labyrinth group who meet regularly for labyrinth walks, planning labyrinth walks and tending the labyrinth.
- more music on the labyrinth. Thank you to Tara for playing her harp on the labyrinth on May 4th – could we have more music? and poetry readings? or?
- picnics on the labyrinth
- a little free library – that includes books or handouts about the labyrinth.
- wooden markers for the plants
Maybe you have wishes? Let us know your ideas!
Labyrinth Rabbit Hole
Curious about labyrinths?
Here are some of the links that Mary Bennett referred to at the service on July 9th about labyrinths and related ideas like eco-philosophy (or ecosophy) and gardening to live to be 100. Come down the rabbit hole (Maze?) to learn more about labyrinths!
Some references
UCV labyrinth web page vancouverunitarians.ca/labyrinth
Lauren Artress https://www.laurenartress.com/
St. Paul’s Labyrinth https://stpaulsanglican.bc.ca/site1/outreach-2/labyrinth/
Matthew Fox http://www.matthewfox.org/
Stephan Harding on Becoming Indigenous
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwG746L3dDg
Schumacher College https://www.schumachercollege.org.uk/
James Lovelock http://www.jameslovelock.org/
350.org https://350.org/
Dan Buettner: TED talk on How to Live to be 100
https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_buettner_how_to_live_to_be_100?language=en
Small is Beautiful https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_Is_Beautiful
World wide labyrinth locator https://labyrinthlocator.com/
World Labyrinth Day (First Saturday in May) https://labyrinthsociety.org/world-labyrinth-day
Veriditas https://www.veriditas.org/
How to draw a labyrinth youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyEwgGuWzCI
Here are some links to other Canadian Unitarian congregations with labyrinths.
Ottawa First also have a labyrinth but no web page as yet.
If you know of others, please send an email to unitarianlabyrinth@gmail.com and we’ll update this page.
Highlights of the Extraordinary General Meeting (aka budget meeting) June 23, 2019
We had a great turn out for the June 23rd budget meeting – 88 members held voting cards, and interested UCV friends filled Hewett Centre Hall.
Business items
Lay Chaplains
Our three lay chaplains were renewed. Laureen Stokes, Cheryl Amundsen and Louise Bunn are trained to conduct weddings, celebrations of life, and other rituals of life transitions on behalf of UCV.
Love Soup
Our dedicated team of volunteers who warm our hearts and stomachs with monthly “Love Soup” offerings from September – June were acknowledged for their combined contribution of $3,756. Of course, a special thanks to Amy Megumi Anderson, the bundle of energy that keeps Love Soup organized.
Budget
The budget of $607,436 was approved (with one abstention). At present, we have identified $537,390 in revenue, so additional fund raising will be required to meet the expenses to run all of the wonderful programs at UCV.
Possible Site Development
Michael Clague, Gordon Gram, and Marg Fletcher reported on the progress of Phase 2 of the redevelopment plans. The full report is expected in time for the AGM which will be held in November 2019, at which time members will vote whether or not to proceed to a Phase 3 business plan. Phase 2 is to provide more accurate financial forecasts and to assess zoning requirements, and explore possibilities of grants which might be available Federally, Provincially, or through the City. In order to forecast costs and feasibility, more detailed plans were required and were on view for the meeting.
Related documents:
Circle of Concern
Rob Dainow reported on conversations held at meetings that have come to be called the Circle of Concern. The top identified concerns were around issues such as timing (during ministerial transition), existential threats (includes keeping the community together during construction) and vision. Click here for details.
A series of congregational meetings are planned starting in September that will alternate between progress reports on Phase 2 and the Circle of Concern group, so UCV members and friends will have ample opportunity to receive information and have their voices heard leading up to the November AGM.
Refugee Sponsorship
Huguette Sansonnet Hayden reported on our plans for sponsoring new refugee families, and shared some success stories of our settled sponsored families.
Ministerial Transition
Léonie Armstrong reported on updates to the plans for the period of ministerial transition. The Board will apply for a two-year interim minister, and during that time, a search committee will be formed to find our next settled minister.
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