Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) Annual General Meeting & Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia, May 15-17, 2020

Hosted by the Universalist Unitarian Church of Halifax, this conference promises to have a unique Atlantic flavour.

The theme for Conference 2020 is MAKING WAVES! Building on the imagery of The Ripple Effect, the CUC’s campaign on water and its related environmental issues, this theme inspires UUs to make waves that practice radical inclusion, challenge the status quo, and push us to remain relevant into the future.

• View the Invitation HERE 

• Registration info HERE. 

• Find out more about special opportunities for music-making at the Conference, Nova-Scotia style HERE.  

• Interested in representing NSUC as a delegate to the CUC AGM on May 15th?  See AGM info HERE and read the Motions HERE. 

• We will screen the AGM in the NSUC Sanctuary by video-conference in real time.  All are welcome to attend! 

• Questions?  Contact John Slattery or Liz Moffitt.

Outreach Report - December & January

During December, 100% of the donations in our offering plate (unless otherwise marked) was applied to our Pastoral Discretionary Fund, which is used by our Minister to support a variety of needs within our congregation, as well as within the greater community. We raised a total of $2,652 for this cause during December.

In January, 100% of the donations in our offering plate (unless otherwise marked) was given to the North Shore Women’s Centre, which provides a variety of support services for women in our community, including including a Health and Wellness Program, Family Law Clinic, Basic Computer Training, Annual Girls Empowerment Camp, support groups, and more.. We raised a total of $1,644.65 for this worthy cause.

In February, we will raise funds for Rainbow Refugee, a Vancouver based community group that supports people seeking refugee protection in Canada because of persecution based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression (SOGIE) or HIV status.

Outreach Report

Each month, 100% of our Sunday morning offering plate, unless otherwise marked, goes to a non-profit organization whose mission is in line with our principles. During November, we raised funds for Sheway, a Vancouver-based organization that provides comprehensive health and social services to women who are either pregnant or parenting children less than 18 months old and who are experiencing current or previous issues with substance use.

In December, our collection will be for our church’s Pastoral Discretionary Fund, which our Minister uses to provide relief for a variety of needs both within our congregation and in the greater community.

Winter Newsletter Available!

Our Winter Newsletter is available now! It contains information about our Christmas Eve service, holiday office closures, upcoming events, and more! Read it HERE or pick up a printed copy on the foyer table.

Symposium Recognizing the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz

Join a carpool to attend the UBC Symposium and/or see one of the opera performances “The Passenger” at the Chan Centre (UBC) during the week of January 27th - February 2nd.  A follow-up discussion will be offered by the NSUC Heart, Mind, Spirit Team on Tuesday, February 4th at 7:15pm in the NSUC Sanctuary. Click HERE for more information.

Information about the UBC Symposium beginning on International Holocaust Remembrance Day January 27th available HERE. Info about the UBC opera performances is HERE.

Contact Marcia Stephenson with questions.

Outreach Report

Each month, we donate 100% of our Sunday morning offering plate (unless otherwise marked) to a different charity.

During October, we raised a total of $1,389.30 for the North Shore Multicultural Society. Special thanks for all who gave generously to this cause.

In November, we will collect funds for Sheway, which provides support for pregnant or new mothers who have dealt with substance abuse issues.

Potluck and "The Gift" Film Review, Sunday November 24th

Sunday, November 24th

5pm Potluck

6:30pm Film

In celebration of what we anticipate to be a successful Stewardship Campaign, we invite the whole family to join us on Sunday, November 24th for a Potluck at 5pm in our Fireside Room, followed by the film “The Gift” at 6:30pm in our Sanctuary. See the trailer HERE.

The film is an intimate exploration of real-life gift economies.  It reflects on the creative process, the reasons we labour in service of our gifts, and a celebration of the imagination. Inspired by Lewis Hyde’s beloved classic “The Gift: Creativity & the Artist in the Modern World”, GIFT is a tribute to something that can’t be measured or counted, bought or sold.

This event is open to the general public. The Stewardship Team will provide baked goodies and non-alcoholic refreshments for the potluck; please bring a food dish to share.

"2020 Envision CONNECTION" Stewardship Campaign begins!

Our annual Stewardship Campaign (formerly called “Canvass”) was launched on October 20th and runs through November 17, 2019. The results of this campaign will help us to plan for our 2020 Budget.

Donations from congregants are our primary source of funding for our operating expenses (including building maintenance, staff, programs, and utilities). So we encourage you to pledge generously.

Click on the following links for more information:

• Stewardship Brochure

• Pledge Letter

• Online Pledge Form

• Paper Pledge Form to download & print

• Payment Options & Instructions

• Frequently Asked Questions

If you have questions, contact Treasurer Mark Pezarro or Janni in the Church Office.

Outreach Update

Each month, we donate 100% of our offering plate (unless otherwise designated) to a charity whose mission is in line with our values. We call this “Outreach”.

During the month of September, we collected $1,733.90 for the St. James Music Academy, whose mission is to inspire Vancouver’s inner city youth to bring social transformation through the power and joy of music.

In October, our offering plate (unless otherwise indicated) will be donated to the North Shore Multicultural Society, which helps immigrants and refugees integrate successfully into life in Canada.

Truth, Healing & Reconciliation

7-9pm in our Sanctuary

two Wednesday nights each month

November—March*

*Exact dates are shown on the Church calendar or are available from the Church Office

If you are committed to evolving your capacity to engage with Truth, Healing and Reconciliation between Canada’s settler population and Indigenous Nations, please join us for this series being offered by Catherine Strickland, Pat Meyer and

Indigenous Educator Sierra Tasi Baker.

The series provides the history and present realities of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada, so that we may develop relationships based on dignity, respect, and justice. It includes learning opportunities about the Residential School System and the broader context of colonization in which it occurred, including historical and present-day examples of injustices faced by Indigenous people.

The material will be both intellectually and emotionally challenging. Please commit to attending all sessions and to completing homework in between. Pat and Catherine will offer support and community in this journey for the duration of the program. Space is limited to 12 participants.

Register HERE.