When the people who attend a church have conflicting fundamental beliefs, what is church for? How does belonging to a community of diversity shape us, and how do we shape the community with our presence? Can we give thanks for feeling weird and uncomfortable? Can that feeling encourage both agency and acceptance? The Choir will sing. … Continue reading Thankful for Complex, Compassionate Communities
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by negative things that happen, to rebel against things we don’t like, to push back on others to compel them to act (or even believe) in certain ways. We criticize others – our family and neighbours, this group or that, sometimes society as a whole – and this can lead … Continue reading On the Plus Side
Ubuntu, a word from several Bantu languages including Zulu and Xhosa,can be translated as “I am because we are.” Ubuntu points to the bind (compassion) between interdependence and community. Steven Gilchrist lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife and twin children. He is the pastor of Jubilee Fellowship Church, guest faculty for Reformed Theological Seminary, and … Continue reading Ubuntu
The human voice is a miracle; the vibrations of two tiny, mucosa covered sinews coupled with laryngeal structures designed for chewing and swallowing become a vehicle for communication, self expression, and even transcendence. At this Sunday service Shannon will offer a brief chat about the miraculous singing voice, and we will sing together. (Probably in … Continue reading The Sunday Singing Circle
Mike Tutthill defines community development as “two or more people achieving something together,” and notes that in fancy terms we might call this capacity building. Some of his earliest and favourite family memories are of community work in rural Manitoba. This, and his later experience of working in AIDS Service and 2SLGBTQ+ community organizations shape … Continue reading Pathways to Community Development: An All Ages Service
During this time of turmoil and uncertainty in the world, we sometimes wonder how should we respond, how should we think, and how should we be as caring people? What is real, and what is manufactured malaise? And what really is ‘the real world’? Join Steve as he wades into this worldwide weep. Service Leader: … Continue reading Rediscovering Our Place in the Real World
This is a CUC (Canadian Unitarian Council) service prepared with readings and music suggested by the CUC for live presentation, and with a pre-recorded sermon by Rev. Shawn Gauthier. In the 1930s, our spiritual forebears bravely asked “whether the organised religious movement known as Unitarianism has any real function to perform in the modern world.” Come … Continue reading Unitarians Face a New Age
The events of January suggest that the U.S. and the entire world are standing on a precipice. Domestic peace and order have been disrupted in Minnesota and civil rights have been set back more than half a century. As this happens, threats to America’s neighbours escalate and its leaders covet our resources while belittling our … Continue reading Elbows Up! Arms Out! Hands Ready!
The tension between hope and despair is always with us, as Canadian science communicator Elin Kelsey notes at the beginning of Hope Matters: Why Changing the Way We Think Is Critical to Solving the Environmental Crisis. The lyrics of They Might Be Giants’ song, Birdhouse In Your Soul, grapple with this tension, as they sing … Continue reading Birdhouse in Your Soul
Please join us for a somewhat casual, relaxing service as we consider and experiment with the benefits of creativity, we will be making some art as we strive to design the new year with peace and beauty. Further details will be provided in the weeks ahead. Free mandala templates to print and colour are available … Continue reading Creating the New Year
