North Shore Streamkeepers Event: 12:15pm Sun. April 26th

Following the Earth Day service, please join us in the Sanctuary at 12:15 to hear from Dave Lovely, a North Shore Streamkeeper.

Dave will provide us with an overview of the Streamkeeper's work. These folks are hands-on in the restoration of our North Shore streams, many of which have now returned once again to bearing salmon and welcoming other species. Providing habitat in our urban environment benefits us all in countless ways. The group is a force in action and they welcome new volunteers! Presented by the NSU Environmental Action Team.

Walking/hiking with NSU Friends

New walking/hiking groups are meeting the second Saturday of April, May and June (rain or shine) to explore the beautiful trails of Lynn Valley — and you’re invited!

Where: Meet at the seating area outside End of the Line Cafe (bus 228 to the end of Lynn Valley Rd or street parking).

When: 1pm on April 11th, May 9th, and June 13th (the second Saturday of these 3 months)

Why: Walking and talking in nature -- what could be better in spring?

Intensity - pick from two groups:

  1. One led by Marcia Stephenson, which will go to Rice Lake (one hill but no stairs).

  2. One led by Jennifer Williams (lots of stairs and uneven terrain).

Bring water, although drinks can be purchased at the cafe and people may want to hang out afterwards.

Questions? Contact Marcia, Jennifer, or Janni in the Main Office.

April Outreach: Pacific Salmon Foundation

Each month, we raise funds for a registered charity whose mission is in line with our values. We call this “Outreach”.

During April, we collected $957 in donations for the Pacific Salmon Foundation. They work with First Nations, Government, NGO partners, industry, and all salmon supporters to achieve our vision of healthy, sustainable, and naturally diverse populations of Pacific salmon for the benefit of ecosystems and people for generations to come.

Learn about our May Outreach.

(Donors will receive an end-of-year tax receipt for their donations to our Outreach campaigns).

Dancing with Darkness: Songs & Poems of Leonard Cohen - April 11th

Dancing with Darkness:
Songs & Poems of Leonard Cohen

with Kerry Burke (guitars, vocals) & Matthew van der Giessen (bass, cello, vocals)

7:30pm Sat. April 11th
$20/person

(proceeds go to North Shore Unitarians)

at North Shore Unitarians
370 Mathers Ave, West Van.

Leonard Cohen offers insights for thriving in a world of darkness. Through vivid imagery and beautiful music, we will explore relationships, politics and spirituality, finding the crack where the light shines through.

Purchase tickets using the button below, or pay cash at the door.

Questions? Contact Janni in the Main Office, or Kerry Burke.

purchase tickets

March Outreach: Wild Bird Trust of BC

Each month, we raise funds for a registered charity whose mission is in line with our values. We call this “Outreach”.

During March, we collected $984 for Wild Bird Trust of BC, whose mission is to provide wild birds with sanctuary through ecological protection and restoration, and support communities with education, culture, and reconciliation programs. 

(Donors will receive an end-of-year tax receipt for their donations to our Outreach campaigns).

A Spring Creative Garden Event: Creative Writing

This event is led by ElJean Wilson, who wrote: “People make music in groups. Artists work in studios together. Writing is more solitary. But I love to write with others, in person or in a Zoom room. As companion’s pens move and keyboards click, flow comes more easily to me. I’ve led others in writing together a number of times, and I look forward to writing with you this spring as part of the Creative Garden program.

No prior writing experience is needed. ElJean will provide the inspiration and prompts to get your creative juices flowing!

There is no cost for this event, but please RSVP here. Bring bring pen & paper for writing (or a laptop for typing) and meet us in the Fireside Room for any or all of these dates/times:

  • 1-3pm Tuesday, March 24th

  • 1-3pm Tuesday, March 31st

  • 1-3pm Tuesday, April 7th

Questions? Contact ElJean Wilson or Janni in the Main Office.

Your Input Wanted for our March 8th Service

March 8th Participatory Service: Your Input wanted!

Next week (Sun. March 8th), Kathryn Nicholson and others will be presenting a service called, "The Transformative Power of Music: A piece of music.  A two-minute story.  A shift in perspective."  

In this participatory service, congregants will share a piece of recorded music that, for them, became a container, vehicle and/or catalyst for remembering, reflecting, perhaps processing important life moments.  If a piece of music has stirred, challenged or transformed you and you'd like to share a story about it next Sunday, contact Kathryn Nicholson.

Ikebana Flower Arrangement Workshop

You’re invited to participate in another “Creative Garden” event:

Ikebana

1-3pm on Wed. March 18th & Wed. April 1st.

(It’s best to attend both sessions)

Ikebana is the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement, often known as the "way of flowers".

Dating back to the 6th century, it is a disciplined, meditative art form that uses, alongside flowers, elements like branches, leaves, and stems to emphasize minimalism, line, shape, and form, rather than just raw color or volume.

Sessions will be led by Judith Radford & Julia Covell, as part of our Creative Garden program.

There is a one-time cost of $5/person.

Participants will need to bring the following items with them:

  • Shallow bowl such as pasta bowl

  • Sharp scissors or small clippers

  • Small cloth for drying scissors and wiping up spills

  • Newspaper for collecting plant debris

  • Box, larger than your bowl, that will hold your finished creation for safe transport

  • Kenzan (floral frog) if you have one, otherwise it will be provided.

  • (Session 1) Plant materials such as twigs, leaves, evergreen boughs, dried plant material, moss—anything that catches your eye while you are out and about.

  • (Session 2) Plant materials such as flowers, greenery, leaves.

Registration required. (20 participants max). Sign up online (HERE) or on the bulletin board in the stairwell.

Register