On the eve of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessment response in Glasgow, Scotland, we watch as world leaders maneuver words around real action on addressing environmental catastrophe. (*Remember our theme this month is Non-fiction and the art of Truth Speaking!) While the world leaders talk, what can we do to shift our own … Continue reading Think like a Rock! Sensing our Interconnection with Nature
PJ Patten will talk about his own story and art from his graphic memoir Tower 25, which reveals his own challenges of trauma, isolation and becoming sober, allowing him to process his own past in hopes of inspiring greater empathy from the general community for those struggling with homelessness and addiction. He’ll be describing the … Continue reading Tower 25
In researching and writing her children’s book, Shelter: Homelessness in our Community, Lois Peterson straddled the fence between presenting verifiable facts and recognizing that there are varying opinions about the causes of and solutions to homelessness. Lois will share how she struggled to keep her balance while staying true to her own values and presenting the … Continue reading Non Fiction in Truth Telling
Reconciliation is a beautiful word and a beautiful process, filled with dignity, wisdom and honourable human work. The deep kind of work that all our relationships deserve if we are to honour ourselves and the people we respect. There is much to learn about reconciliation from the Indigenous people of this land. Lessons that we … Continue reading Truth and Reconciliation
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
