Janni working from home . . .

Due to ongoing complications following thumb surgery, Janni has a splint on her left hand/wrist -- and can't drive until the splint comes off.  She will be mostly working from home for at least the next few weeks (if not longer), but will be available by phone (604-926-1621) and email (info@northshoreunitarians.ca) during her regular work hours M-F.  Please call before stopping by NSU (unless you have a key) as the door will be locked when no one is there.

Talking About Climate Hope and Solutions

Facilitators from Regenerate BC will lead a series of 3 workshops on climate communication on three Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 pm:

September 9 - Seeing through climate disinformation;
September 16 - Communicating with family and friends;
September 23 - Strategies for engaging with politicians.

Vancouver Unitarians will host the sessions in their Fireside Room in Hewett Hall at 949 West 49th Ave., Vancouver. The presentations will be live-streamed via Zoom to the projection screen in our North Shore sanctuary, with a follow-up discussion led in person by Michelle Sheardown of RegenerateBC. Contact Marcia Stephenson or the Main Office for more details.

Hope Matters: 10am to noon on 4 Fridays Starting September 12th

This fall, Beacon Unitarian and Century House Seniors are again presenting a four-session series ‘Hope Matters’, an exploration of the critical role hope plays in our climate emergency response. Elin Kelsey’s book Hope Matters, and Joanna Macy’s Work that Reconnects, provides the basis for our work together.

Sessions are held from 10am to noon on these Fridays:

  • September 12th

  • October 10th

  • October 31st

  • December 12th

The series is held in person (in New Westminster) and online.

Registration is now open. Join the series to explore eco-grief, eco-healing and finding your eco joy. Presenters include Karin Roberts (Joanna Macy’s work) and representatives of New West Environmental Partners and the New West Climate Action Hub.

Please use the New West Active Living Guide for registration (both in-person and on-line). Look in the ‘General’ section, then ‘Workshops’, Hope Matters is about 7th in the workshop listings.

The workshop is free of charge.

September's Outreach Recipient: Backpack Buddies

Each month, 100% of our Sunday morning collection plate, unless otherwise noted, is donated to a registered charity whose mission is in line with our values. We call this “Outreach”.

During the month of September, as children across the province head back to school, we will be collecting donations for Backpack Buddies, a non-profit headquartered in North Vancouver. With one in four BC families experiencing food insecurity, Backpack Buddies fills empty cupboards for needy kids each Friday.

In 2012, a mother-and daughter founding team started with delivering just 20 bags of food to an East Vancouver school. Today, passionate volunteers, donors and staff ensure that over 6,000 kids from every corner of BC get the food they need. North Vancouver is one of ten communities served by Backpack Buddies.

Weekly food deliveries are coordinated in partnership with teachers and administrators. Front-line educators advise on the needs of their students and identify children who will benefit most from receiving a bag of food for the weekend.

With over 1.65 million meals passing through their warehouse every year, Backpack Buddies leverages purchasing power to stretch every dollar. Volunteers are welcome to lend a hand.

Read more about Backpack Buddies HERE and the scope of food insecurity in BC HERE. 

Circle Dinners: Sat. November 15th

Our Heart Mind Spirit Team is organizing Circle Dinners for November 15th. Locations and start times will be determined by the Host.

Circle Dinners are opportunities for NSU Members and Friends to gather together over a meal. The host provides the main course while the other attendees contribute side dishes and desert.

Each host determines how many people will be part of the dinner party.

To participate as a host or guest, please sign up here:

The Art Garden: Tuesday afternoons Nov. 18 - Dec. 2

We will continue our Creative Garden journey with the Art Garden with Marga Hanna and Liz Moffitt.

This Garden is the opportunity to use colours, images, and imagination to express your inner self.  There will be an opportunity to talk about your creative offering.  No previous experience is needed. Art supplies will be provided.

In the fireside room

1:30 - 3:30pm on Tuesdays

November 18, 25 and December 2

The Music Garden: Tuesday afternoons Oct. 21 - Nov. 4

We begin our Creative Garden journey with The Music Garden with Kerry Burke and Liz Moffitt

Gardens are filled with beauty and growth.  The music garden will have beautiful instruments and fun insightful activities to give you a wonderful experience.  We will also listen and image to some short music selections for relaxation and inner connection. No previous experience is needed.

in the Fireside Room
1:30 - 3:30pm on tuesdays
October 21, 28, November 4

Creative Garden Events: Fall 2025

This series will offer various creative arts in a fun and relaxed atmosphere allowing participants to access their own creativity in new ways, creating new connections, building community, and peaceful inner joy!

We plan to include experiences with music, art, writing, imaging, and poetry.  Our lives are a journey, and the arts can help us understand and enrich that journey.

Absolutely no previous experience is required!

Here are the two programs that are scheduled so far. . . click on the image or the text below it to see dates and more info for that event.

What is Liberal Religion? - an online presentation Tues. October 14th

Join our Heart Mind Spirit Team for an online Zoom presentation by George Williams, PhD, President of the International Association for Religious Freedom.

10am to Noon
Tuesday, October 14th
on Zoom

This is a FREE event, but please pre-register so we know how many people to expect.

Bio of the Presenter:

George M. Williams, PhD is the President of the International Association for Religious Freedom.  His PhD is from the University of Iowa in the history of religions.  He is a professor emeritus of religious studies at the California State University, Chico.  He is a retired historian of religions, having spent a lifetime studying religions that liberate. He has written and made videos about the Hindu Renaissance, religion in modern Japan, and religion in Hawaii.  He and his wife, Dr. Judit Gellerd, led the Partner Church movement for Eastern Europe before it became part of the UUA.  He founded and directs the Center for Free Religion.

See a more complete bio for George Williams at International Association for Religious Freedom.