We approach this season of ReOpening with our hearts and minds and souls. Asking ourselves What does it mean to open up after a season or two of being closed, being cut-off from the people we love, missing holy days of celebration and grief sharing, not being able to be touched or to touch others? … Continue reading A Multi-Layered ReOpening
In the season of Sukkot, the Jewish festival of harvest in a time of exile, we reflect on what it means to belong. We ask ourselves: Who are our people and how do we know they are our tribe? What sustains us? The Jews were sustained by God’s protection. Does our living tradition, the covenants … Continue reading ReOpen to Belonging
After a summer of rest and renewal, and a year and a half of social restrictions we begin the 2021-22 year with hope for worshiping, singing and celebrating together in-person again. As the hybrid service model is still a month away, we will be regathering online for this first Sunday Service of the year. Rev … Continue reading Deep Waters: Ingathering Water Ceremony
This summer you are invited to explore worship at many Unitarian congregations across the country. Between June 27th and September 5th, Nanaimo Unitarians can join any number of UU congregations’ Sunday Services. Below are some links, but you can also find others on your own. Not all congregations hold services in the summer, particularly smaller congregations … Continue reading A Summer Bouquet of Sunday Services
Look for the Summer Newsletter (July & August) for summer updates.
Each year when we celebrate the ending of another Fellowship year, we offer a Flower Communion, a uniquely Unitarian ritual. It began in Prague on June 4,1923 by Rev Norbert Capek, founder of the Unitarian Church in Czechoslovakia. He identified a need to unite the diverse congregants of his church with a symbolic ritual, without … Continue reading Summer Blessings – a Flower Communion
If life flows on in endless song, like a river of music, then what moves us to let go and trust the ‘what is’ of our lives? What allows us to accept that whatever flows through our lives, whether that is a beautiful harmony or painful dissonance, is simply just perfect? It’s entirely music, in … Continue reading Where Everything is Music
Today we welcome Westwood Unitarian Congregation’s Director of Religious Education, Ilara Stefaniuk-Gaudet, as they explore some of their experiences living with a lifelong disability. Having also been a caretaker and advocate for many years, Ilara brings passion, concern and a unique perspective to the topic. Ilara Stefaniuk-Gaudet is a visual artist, poet, and story teller. … Continue reading Reclaiming Brokenness: Finding Ground in Challenging Times
Rev. Debra, and delegates Sharon Reeves and Wiley Fargen, share their perceptions of this year’s CUC AGM surrounding the receipt of the Dismantling Racism Task Force report and the subsequent motion from the floor to ratify a new Dismantling Racism 8th Principle. To consider the motion, it was necessary to suspend the meeting rules. Both … Continue reading Wow! and Oops! – The 8th Principle and the Way Forward
The Covid-19 pandemic and Canada’s isolation response caused all religious organizations to close their physical services. Some groups were ready for the change because they had already been broadcasting certain services. Other congregations struggled to reach out. Religious and community leaders know that their function is as much pastoral (caring for the people) as it … Continue reading Lux Eterna
