WANTED: Your Stories of the Supernatural

Last year, Alison Nixon (our Music Director) did a service called "The gift of Atheism" where we celebrated life from an atheist/ agnostic perspective. I would like to do a future service that embraces people’s mystical or supernatural experiences.

If you have had a “Spiritually Transformative" experience of any kind, in any context, Alison would love to hear about it! Please reach out to her by phone (778-688-2912) or email (alisonnixon@hotmail.com). Once she has a group of several people, she will likely have a Zoom meeting or meet after church to share our stories and our learnings. Some of these stories and learnings will then be incorporated into the service.

Movie Night - ARRIVAL (2016)

Join the North Shore Unitarians* for Movie Night: Friday, March 28th. Doors open at 6:45, film starts at 7:15pm.

The featured film, “Arrival” (2016) was directed by Canadian Denis Villeneuve. Nominated for 8 Academy Awards, it's categorized as Sci-Fi Mystery and Thriller Drama; running time is 1 hr 56 min.

Quote from review on Rogerebert.com: "a movie designed to simultaneously challenge viewers, move them and get them talking".

Plot summary on website Rotten Tomatoes (critics' rating 94%): “Linguistics professor Louise Banks (Amy Adams) leads an elite team of investigators when gigantic spaceships touch down in 12 locations around the world. As nations teeter on the verge of global war, Banks and her crew must race against time to find a way to communicate with the extraterrestrial visitors. Hoping to unravel the mystery, she takes a chance that could threaten her life and quite possibly all of mankind."

Light refreshments provided (including popcorn), with beer and wine for sale.

Tickets are $20 at the door (or you can buy them ahead of time from Andrea Fast). Proceeds go to NSU.

See the Trailer.

Questions: contact Andrea (andreafast@shaw.ca) at 604-910-2847.

* Address for North Shore Unitarians: 370 Mathers Avenue in West Vancouver.

Garden Work Party rescheduled for March 29th, 9:30am - 2:30pm

Rescheduled for Sat. March 29th
(weather permitting)
9:30am — 2:30pm

We are asking for a minimum of four sturdy workers to place soil on our new garden. We also need two workers to rake the soil as it is placed, and volunteers to help with beverage and lunch service (as coffee, tea and lunch will be available for our workers).

Please dress for the weather and bring these tools if possible.

  • Your own coffee mug plus:

  • Gloves

  • Knee pads

  • Clippers

  • Lawn rakes

  • Spades (pointed shovel)

  • A wheel barrow, if possible.

Please RSVP by Thursday at noon to both Brian and Jean as we need a count for the tea, snacks, and sandwiches:

Guitar Interest Group - continuing every other week with Kerry Burke

The Guitar Interest Group is continuing every other week with Kerry Burke as the leader. Upcoming dates:

  • March 11th & 25th

  • April 8th

  • May 6 & 20th

The Guitar Interest Group meets at 7pm in the Sanctuary. All skill levels welcome — and you don’t even have to have a guitar to participate!

Contact Kerry Burke if you have questions.

The March 11th session will feature CANADIAN songs, including:

  • Early Morning Rain in C-Gordon Lightfoot

  • Four Strong Winds in G-Ian Tyson

  • Both Sides Now in G-Joni Mitchell

  • Long May She Run in D-Neil Young

  • Anthem in C- Leonard Cohen

  • Angel in C- Sarah McLachlan

  • Bird on a Wire in A-Leonard Cohen

  • My Heart Will Go On in E- sung by Celine Dion

  • Hallelujah in G-Leonard Cohen

Watch this space for upcoming themes at future sessions.

March 8th meeting of the Metro Vancouver Climate Sharing Circle

10am Sat. March 8th via Zoom

At the March 8th Climate Sharing Circle, Teresa Morton (of Beacon Unitarian) will lead a discussion regarding 2 short articles (linked below) regarding how our decisions about agriculture policy and dietary choices affect climate change. 

Get the Zoom link from our March 7th eBulletin, or from Marcia Stephenson.

Marie Bensley's Celebration of Life: 2pm Sat. March 8th at NSUC

You’re invited to attend Marie Bensley’s Celebration of Life at 2pm on Sat. March 8th in the NSUC Sanctuary.

With sadness, we announce the passing of Phyllis Marie Bensley (nee Smith) at Lion’s Gate Hospital, Thursday, February 20th, 2025. Survived by her loving husband Jim of 67 years, sons Doug (Linda) and Tom, and daughter Linda, grandchildren Jennifer, David, Marley, Hayden, Chase and Angus, great granddaughter Layla, sisters Lois (Duncan deceased), Colleen (Nelson) and sister-in-law Betty (John deceased) and their families.

Born in Lloydminster, Sask., Marie grew up in Chilliwack, then trained as a nurse at the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster. Raising their family, Jim & Marie lived in North Vancouver for over 65 years.

She was a person of many interests and always interested in those around her, especially her patients during her nursing career (of which Jim was one!). Gardening was a special love and for several years she was President of the BC Council of Garden Clubs. She was a loyal and active member of the Royal Columbian Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae. Always a willing volunteer within her Unitarian church community, or canvassing her neighbourhood for worthy causes, a best friend said of her, ”she has a heart of gold”.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to a charity of your choice, in memory of Marie, would be greatly appreciated.

"Children of God" talkback session March 30th

We encourage you to purchase tickets to see Children of God at the York Theatre (The Cultch) between March 21-29 at whatever show time works best for you — and then attend a talkback session at NSUC after the Sunday Service on March 30th.

The Cultch calls this “A gorgeous, powerful musical about an Oji-Cree family whose children were taken away to a residential school in Northern Ontario.” and explains:

The story of Rita, a mother who was never let past the school’s gate, and her kids, Tom and Julia, who never knew she came, pushes toward redemption. Children of God offers a blend of ancient traditions and contemporary realities, celebrating resilience and the power of the Indigenous cultural spirit. Inspired by First Nations music, Corey Payette’s moving score also includes echoes of provocative Broadway masterpieces such as Fun Home and Next to Normal.

Children of God takes place in two time periods during the 1950s and 1970s, and is set during a time when it is mandatory by law for all Indigenous children to attend residential schools.

Purchase tickets at https://thecultch.com/ticket/children-of-god/ .

March Outreach Recipient: Youth Programs with Hollyburn Community Services

Each month, 100% of our Sunday morning offering plate (unless otherwise noted) is donated to a non-profit organization whose mission is in line with our values.

During March, we collected $1,851.50 for the Youth Programs at Hollyburn Community Services Society. These programs assist youth who are experiencing barriers, helping them to access emergency services, transitional housing, employment/work experience, and life/social skill development.

Special thanks to all who gave generously to March’s collection.