On the west side of the Manitoba Legislative Building, there stands a monument to the “Famous Five” – five Alberta women, including former Manitoban Nellie McClung, who petitioned the courts to recognize women as “persons” – something that seems obvious to us, but which was not recognized in Canadian law until 95 years ago – … Continue reading Decreed on Paper, Cast in Bronze
“Enunciate, Norma. Speak to the back of the church.” Those words stayed with her for a lifetime. In this heartfelt and personal reflection, Linda Drosdowech shares the story of her mother, Norma, who was a lay chaplain here at the UU church, and is known by many as someone who married them, grieved with them, … Continue reading The Legacy of Voice: Carrying Her Love Forward
Have you ever heard of Vannevar Bush? Douglas Engelbart? Tim Berners-Lee? Well, you’re not alone. These three men, living at very different times, with varying degrees of Unitarian Universalist connections, greatly influenced the development of technology in general and the Internet specifically. Join Larry as he outlines their path from modest beginnings to becoming giants … Continue reading How Unitarian Universalists Invented the Internet
We can feel fortunate to be living in an era when we are finally beginning to understand our shared history and Indigenous history in a more balanced light. Come listen to great peace stories we were never told, that connect directly and indirectly to Winnipeg. Service Leader: Steve Lennon Service Coordinator: Jill Moats Welcome and … Continue reading Peace Stories We Were Never Told
It is said that Hákon the Good, king of Norway in the 10th century, decreed that his subjects should brew a measure of ale before the Yuletide and then keep the feast “as long as the ale lasts.” In this way, Yule grew from three days to a dozen. As we gather on the day … Continue reading As Long as the Ale Lasts
“The wisdom inherent in ancient knowledge provides a framework within which to understand and apply the powerful but fragmented insights acquired by modern science,” according to David Suzuki. We are awash in data and information (as well as misinformation), and our accumulated knowledge is greater than ever, but wisdom seems to be in short supply. … Continue reading Wisdom of Our Ancestors
Something Way Down Deep – There was a time when “All Souls Church” was a popular name for Unitarian and Universalist congregations – perhaps the most popular. Winnipeg home to a congregation bearing this name, and we still have several All Souls Churches in the U.S., although none remain in Canada. This label was inclusive and expansive at the … Continue reading Something Way Down Deep
“History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes,” says an old maxim. There’s always a danger in comparing current events and figures to those of the past, but sometimes comparisons may help us to better understand what’s happening – politically, ethically, and even emotionally. And understanding the character of public figures and movements (or their … Continue reading Echoes of Nero
In ancient Rome, the state sought to pacify the people by feeding large groups of citizens and then distracting them with entertainment—such as feeding Christians to the lions and other such “sports.” In his Satire, the Roman poet Juvenal called this practice “bread and circuses.” How much has really changed since then? Service Coordinator: Jill … Continue reading Bread and Circuses
A bend in the road is a recurring motif in Lucy Maud Montgomery’s stories about Anne of Green Gables. “Oh, there’s another bend in the road at their end,” she writes in Anne of the Island. “I’ve no idea what may be around it – I don’t want to have. It’s nicer not to know.” … Continue reading Another Bend in the Road
