Environmental Action Second Sundays for Sustainability

Join members of the Environmental Action Team in a new series of interactive presentations at noon to 1pm in the sanctuary on the second Sunday of each month in 2026. Bring your curiosity and concerns. Dates and topics shown below.

January 11: Emerging Trends and Surprising Solutions

To kickstart our series, let's hear about some new and exciting climate solutions. While there is no silver bullet to solve the climate crisis, we do have all of the solutions we need - and some are sure to inspire. Dave Hunter, a local RegenerateBC facilitator, will walk us through ideas such as clear glass solar panels, microgrids, aquaculture, green bricks, and more! Included will be an update on carbon capture and storage - is it even possible?

February 8: Taking Local Action or "How can we actively participate in greening our communities?"

Working at the municipal level is one of the most effective way to take action for climate and biodiversity. From participating in local projects to engaging with municipal staff and local elected officials, getting involved is easier than you might think. Hear about recent initiatives taken in our local communities and on our own grounds to increase green space, attract pollinators, sequester carbon and improve mental health.

March 8: Food and Stuff: Impactful Individual Actions

Combined, food and other consumer items account for 60% of our individual ecological footprints. Ways to be more sustainable around food include reducing waste and increasing the amount of plant-rich food we eat.  You've heard of the "3 Rs" (reduce, reuse, recycle) - these are great! Let's add re-purpose and re-think to "stuff." This participatory event will involve sharing of food samples and a small-scale "stuff" exchange.



December Outreach: North Shore Women's Centre

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 December, we collected $1,756.75 for the North Shore Women’s Centre (NSWC) a local charity dedicated to improving the social, economic, legal and political status of women. They encourage and support self-empowerment by acting as a resource and a catalyst for change, from feminist perspectives.

The NSWC provides women with access to resources and assists them with life choices, actively addressing violence against women at all levels of the community, challenging sexism and discrimination in the community, and working towards the elimination of the feminization of poverty.

The NSWC welcomes women and gender diverse individuals, including those who identify as trans, Two-Spirit, and/or non-binary. They provide a variety of programs and services, including:

​Learn more about the work of the North Shore Women’s Centre at their website.

Learn more about the payment methods we accept while collecting donations from NSWC. Whichever method you use, please clearly label your donation as going toward the North Shore Women’s Centre or simply “Outreach".

Blue Christmas: 6:30pm Wed. December 17th

6:30 - 7:30pm
Wednesday, December 17th

Please join Kerry Burke, Liz Moffitt and friends in a one-hour gathering in the Sanctuary to share fellowship with those of us experiencing less holiday joy.

There may be many reasons for this: loss of a loved one, ecological or political grief... or sometimes it is just a feeling without explanation.

With music & friendship may the warmth of sharing bring us peace at this dark time of the year.

Wintering Earth Spirituality Retreat: 2-5pm Sun. December 21st

Wintering:
A Mini retreat for the Winter Solstice
At the Vancouver Unitarian Center 
(949 West 49th Avenue)

2-5pm Sun. December 21st

NOTE: Registration for this event is full (as of December 1, 2025).

The Vancouver Unitarian Earth Spirituality group invites you to spend some time with other creative souls on the longest night of the year.

Winter is a time to focus on our inner life, and yet the world sometimes pulls us out and about, spinning us around. 

We'll gather in Hewett Hall, cast a circle of sanctuary to protect us from the busy world outside. We’ll ritually bid farewell to whatever we are eager to leave behind from the past year. 

Then people will choose one of three workshops and spend 2 hours together, whether circle dancing, crafting garlands or reading and writing.  The workshops will be a way to connect with others and possibly make new friends. 

Come and experience the power of rest and retreat and enjoy a time of quiet joy in community with other creative souls.

At 4: 30, we gather in the hall together in a circle for a winter solstice ritual and to release directions and open the circle, followed by a giveaway of pre-loved goods.

At 5:00, go if you must, stay if you will.  (Help with cleanup appreciated.)

What to bring:  

  • Some goodies to share.  Labels re gluten, nuts and dairy are helpful.   Providing serving plates and utensils is much appreciated so we can minimize cleanup. 

  • A giveaway item. (Any leftover items will be donated to the Vancouver Unitarian refugee committee table.)

Depending on the workshop you choose, you will receive confirmation and further instructions from your facilitators.

We look forward to sharing this magical event with you!  All ages welcome.

Take care, 

Mary Bennett

Submit your articles for our December Events List and Winter Newsletter!

We're trying something new with our Winter newsletter this year.  We're going to break it into two parts:

  1. A stand-alone December Events List that features JUST December's activities to be published by the end of November. The deadline for submitting articles is November 16th.  

  2. A Winter Newsletter (published in early January) featuring news and events for January & February. Deadline for submitting articles is January 4th.  

I'm accepting articles for both of these publications now; so if you have anything that should be included in either one, please send it my way. 

You’re welcome to send me your articles for both of these publications anytime between now and the deadlines shown above.

Questions? Email or phone me (604-926-1621)

~ Janni

B&G Work Party 1-4pm Saturday, Nov. 8th

Barrie Forbes & Bob Rentz at our Work Party last weekend

Special thanks to all who helped with last weekend’s Work Party! The group accomplished a lot — but there’s still more to do.

You’re invited to join us for another Work Party from 1-4pm on Saturday, November 8th. We especially need people to shovel and rake — and someone to bring treats and refreshments.

Please dress appropriately for the weather, and bring shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows, and any other gardening tools that might be useful.

Contact Brian McConnell (604-721-1417) with questions and/or RSVPs.

From the Art Team: Looking for Artists interested in showing their art . . .

We are looking to beautify the Sanctuary with art again.  We are beginning with Unitarians and their family members who would be interested in having some of their art displayed in the Sanctuary.  We have heard from a few of you and hope that others are interested. We hope you will contact us before we ask the wider art world.

The art can be for sale or not.  (If any is sold, 20% is donated to NSU and a tax receipt is given to the artist for their donation).

If you are interested, or even curious, talk to one of us (Linda Pratt, Chris Millar, Jennifer Mathews) or text Jennifer at 778 835 4201, or reach out to Janni in the Main Office.