Sociocracy workshop
Sat, October 5, 1:30-3:30

John Braithwaite Community Center, Harbourview Room, 145 West 1st St., North VancouverThis workshop will be facilitated by Leonie Smith, founder of The Thoughtful Workplace and co-founder of Necessary Trouble Collective (with catherine strickland) and a certified Sociocracy trainer. Leonie has decades of experience working in and with non-profit organizations helping them to integrate principles of inclusion, accessibility and nonviolence.

This workshop is free for all UUSS members and we strongly encourage you to participate, even if you are not currently in a leadership position in the community. Our ability to adopt and integrate the principles of Sociocracy into how we govern ourselves - inclusion, equity, decentralization, empowerment and consent - relies on all of us learning and participating to our fullest ability.

If you have any questions, please reach out to catherine.

This will be an in person and remote event. You can register on the website.  Zoom link

Join other UUSS members as we take a field trip to Vancouver Unitarians on Sunday, Oct 6th. 
We will be attending the worship starting at 11 am featuring Dr. Roxy Manning, author of "How to Have Antiracist Conversations" in dialogue with Rev. Shawn Gauthier. 

Then, after the service, many of us will be participating in Roxy's 3 hour workshop "Antiracist Conversations: Dismantling Racism with Fierce Compassion". In this workshop we will learn practical tools and strategies to foster meaningful dialogues about race and systemic oppression.

You can learn more and register for this free workshop by clicking the link below. This will take you to the VanU page with additional information about the workshop and the registration form.

We hope to see you there!

INTO CIRCLE MEALS!

Joy Silver is once again inviting us all to participate in potluck lunches and dinners once a month in each other’s homes.  All you have to do is fill out the survey.  Joy will organize the lunches and dinners from four to six guests.  The more participants, the more circulation and opportunities for new folk to know us.

Carpooling can be arranged.

Any offerings to host a Potluck Dinner in October?  Your choice of date.

UUSS SAVE THE DATES

NEXT MONTHLY SERVICE
Sat October 19th at 5:00pm
Celebrating the sacred circle of life - The interdependent web of all existence after death

NEXT MONTHLY SERVICE
Sat October 19th at 5:00pm
Celebrating the sacred circle of life - The interdependent web of all existence after death

UUSS Craft Workshop
Sunday, Dec 1 @ 10:30am
Mollie Nye House, 940 Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver
This is a crafting experience for all ages open to members and friends of UUSS.

Are you interested in joining a book club? Last year a group met to read Karen Armstrong’s book Sacred Nature. Some book club suggestions:

1. Heather Cox Richardson’s Democracy Awakening

2. A literary fiction book club with a different book each month

3. A book, or books, related to our 8th principal such as White Women: Everything You Already Know About Your Own Racism and How to Do Better

4. A book, or books, about nature and/or environmental issues such asSacred Nature

If you would be interested in participating in a book club and/or have a suggestion for a book that you think would be a good starting point, let Cara know. We can have more than one group and can meet virtually or in person.

Second UUSS Monthly Gatherings start in November!!

Sunday, Nov 3, 11:00am -1:00
Mollie Nye House, 940 Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver

This is a gathering for connection and conversation. This month's theme: We’re supposed to be a “welcoming community of spiritual seekers”.  Spiritual seekers?  What on earth does that mean to you?  A short presentation by John Slattery followed by small group discussions. Soup lunch to follow. RSVP so we know how much soup to have on hand!

Congregational Conversations

Pastoral Care for Lay Led Congregations
Friday, October 25 @ 10:00am

Open to everyone, this session will focus specifically on the unique challenges of pastoral care when there is not full-time professional ministry available. What are your strengths? What help do you need? Where can help be found? What creative options have you tried? more info.

Communications Needs & Resources
Wednesday, Nov 20 @ 10:00am

Deciding Together 
October 5 @ 10:00 am 

The Decision Making Exploration Team is inviting your input on how the CUC makes decisions nationally at Annual General Meetings (AGMs). more info.

• Provides a brief overview of the current process, the report’s recommendations, and an opportunity to provide feedback.
• Maximizes available time for participant input.

Connect and Deepen
Saturday, Oct 26 @ 1:00pm

Connect & Deepen is an online community for adults interested in meaningful reflection, conversation, and shared ideas for living our values. This is a welcoming space that encourages spiritual as well as philosophical exploration, with an eye to putting these explorations into action. more info.

SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

Did you know that almost 300 congregations are hosting a UU Climate Justice Revival!

On September 28-29,congregations will host UU Climate Justice Revivals to collectively reimagine a spirit-filled and liberatory future. Through conversations, worship, and advocacy, congregations will work together to realize climate justice and collective liberation in our communities. Congregations will receive everything they need to host a revival in their communities, including discussion guides and materials for all ages, training, worship resources, and advocacy actions designed to transform our communities through climate justice.

At the Revival, congregations will:

• collaboratively create  representation of the challenges of climate change
• Identify a vision for a flourishing future and actions we can take to make that vision a reality
• undertstand their role in the interdependent ecosystem of creating climate justice and collaborative liberation

Full Moon Gathering
October 17, 2024  4- 5pm 

Let's gather to honor the Hunter Supermoon! Register here

TOMORROW!!
Saturday, Sep 21st at 5:00pm
"Water Communion"

Please join us for the first service of our new church year. We will celebrate with a Unitarian Universalist water communion homecoming ritual in a service lead by your Worship Team.  Please bring some water from your home or from your summer adventures. We will enjoy food and fellowship at a potluck after the service.

Visitors are encouraged to also bring lanterns or lights of their own.  Here is the ink: 
https://stillmoonarts.ca/2024-renfrew-ravine-moon-festival/

Also tomorrow

Saturday, Sep 21 @ 1:00pm

Celebration of Life
for Chris Edgar

On June 5, 2024, after a short illness, Christopher Michael Edgar passed away peacefully, surrounded and supported by the family he loved so much. He was the beloved son of Patricia and David Edgar, husband to Tricia, Dad to Lauren, big brother to Karen and part of the Edgar and Wadsley extended family as nephew, cousin and uncle.

Barb Moore will be leading the service at Boal Chapel, North Vancouver.

THIS Sunday, Sep 22 @ 4:00pm

Inquiring Souls is back for another exciting year!   

You are invited to join Bill Richardson and Jessica Motherwell McFarlane for tea, snacks and question-  storming from 4:00- 5:00.

There is an online  attendance option too.   Please RSVP to  jilly.watson@shaw.ca if you wish to attend. 

INTO CIRCLE MEALS!

Joy Silver is once again inviting us all to participate in potluck lunches and dinners once a month in each other’s homes.  All you have to do is fill out the survey.  Joy will organize the lunches and dinners from four to six guests.  The more participants, the more circulation and opportunities for new folk to know us.

Carpooling can be arranged.

John and Joy are offering to host a lunch on Thursday, September 26th, from 11:30-1:30. Any offerings to host a Potluck Dinner in October?  Your choice of date.

Soul Matters are small groups that meet consistently on a monthly basis to companion each other on our individual journeys of discovery and growth. We do this using a packet of materials researched by a group of highly skilled UU professionals. The method used is deep listening as taught by the Quaker teacher and activist Parker Palmer. The method promotes a “heart” over “head” experience, and a chance to get to know our fellow group members on a very deep level. Small groups are a time-proven way to increase connections in spiritual community. And you may just find that the practice of deep listening translates well into more meaningful interactions in other areas of your life.

This year’s monthly themes are The Practice of….Invitation, Deep Listening, Repair, Presence, Story, Inclusion, Trust, Joy, Imagination, Freedom. But regardless of the topic, I find myself surprised at what I discover about myself through this process.

Soul Matters groups are starting up again. There is plenty of space. Current groups that meet in-person on the third Wednesday morning, a weekend, and on Zoom on the fourth Monday evening are all seeking and welcoming new participants. And new groups either in-person or virtual are always possible. Please let Anne Mayall know of your interest or questions. Email annemayall51@gmail.com, or call or text 778-686-3643.

The planning team for the Sunday gatherings on the North Shore (happening soon!) would like to know: how many of us own personal copies of the UUA blue book "Singing the Journey."

If you have one that you are willing to share email jilly.watson@shaw.ca to let her know.

The planning team for the Sunday gatherings on the North Shore (happening soon!) would like to know: how many of us own personal copies of the UUA blue book "Singing the Journey."

If you have one that you are willing to share email jilly.watson@shaw.ca 
to let her know.

Are you interested in joining a book club? Last year a group met to read Karen Armstrong’s book Sacred Nature. Some book club suggestions:

1. Heather Cox Richardson’s Democracy Awakening

2. A literary fiction book club with a different book each month

3. A book, or books, related to our 8th principal such as White Women: Everything You Already Know About Your Own Racism and How to Do Better

4. A book, or books, about nature and/or environmental issues such asSacred Nature

If you would be interested in participating in a book club and/or have a suggestion for a book that you think would be a good starting point, let Cara know. We can have more than one group and can meet virtually or in person. 

Congregational Conversations

Connect and Deepen: Caring, Saturday Sep 21st at 1:00pm

Connect & Deepen is an online community for adults interested in meaningful reflection, conversation, and shared ideas for living our values. This is a welcoming space that encourages spiritual as well as philosophical exploration, with an eye to putting these explorations into action. Registration here.

SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

Imagine Canada is hosting a free webinar, Reconciliation in Action: The Role of the Charitable & Nonprofit Sector, on Thursday, September 26th at 11:00AM. The webinar aims to provide practical guidance around how the nonprofit sector can be actively involved in reconciliation efforts. During this action-oriented session, panelists will discuss how charities and nonprofits can take concrete steps towards supporting Indigenous-led initiatives and addressing systemic barriers.

Sept. 25, Oct. 2, and Oct. 9, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm: Getting into Climate Action: Solutions, Inspiration, Hope! 
You may be familiar with the RegenerateBC material, but would like a deeper dive? Or you think your friends and colleagues would benefit from hearing more about climate solutions and action? Perhaps share this invitation with someone who prefers to participate from home? 

Sept. 26, 6:30 - 8:00pm at the Capilano Library. RegenerateBC will offer Climate & Media Connections: "How to Find Joy in Climate Action" based on the work of Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and other contributors to the All We Can Save Project. 

Did you know that almost 300 congregations are hosting a UU Climate Justice Revival!

On September 28-29,congregations will host UU Climate Justice Revivals to collectively reimagine a spirit-filled and liberatory future. Through conversations, worship, and advocacy, congregations will work together to realize climate justice and collective liberation in our communities. Congregations will receive everything they need to host a revival in their communities, including discussion guides and materials for all ages, training, worship resources, and advocacy actions designed to transform our communities through climate justice.

At the Revival, congregations will:

• collaboratively create  representation of the challenges of climate change
• Identify a vision for a flourishing future and actions we can take to make that vision a reality
• undertsand their role in the interdependent ecosystem of creating climate justice and collaborative liberation

If you are interested in helping our congregation be a part of this historic event, please email catherine.

NEXT SATURDAY!
Saturday, Sep 21st at 5:00pm
"Water Communion"

Please join us for the first service of our new church year. We will celebrate with a Unitarian Universalist water communion homecoming ritual in a service lead by your Worship Team.  Please bring some water from your home or from your summer adventures. We will enjoy food and fellowship at a potluck after the service.

Visitors are encouraged to also bring lanterns or lights of their own.  Here is the ink: 
https://stillmoonarts.ca/2024-renfrew-ravine-moon-festival/

Saturday, Sep 21st @ 2:00pm
Celebration of Life
for Chris Edgar

On June 5, 2024, after a short illness, Christopher Michael Edgar passed away peacefully, surrounded and supported by the family he loved so much. He was the beloved son of Patricia and David Edgar, husband to Tricia, Dad to Lauren, big brother to Karen and part of the Edgar and Wadsley extended family as nephew, cousin and uncle.

Barb Moore will be leading the service at Boal Chapel, North Vancouver.

INTO CIRCLE MEALS!

Joy Silver is once again inviting us all to participate in potluck lunches and dinners once a month in each other’s homes.  All you have to do is fill out the survey.  Joy will organize the lunches and dinners from four to six guests.  The more participants, the more circulation and opportunities for new folk to know us.

Carpooling can be arranged.

John and Joy are offering to host a lunch on Thursday, September 26th, from 11:30-1:30. Any offerings to host a Potluck Dinner in October?  Your choice of date.

This Friday, Sep 20th @ 8:00am

This Friday, Sep 20th @ 8:00am

The planning team for the Sunday gatherings on the North Shore (happening soon!) would like to know: how many of us own personal copies of the UUA blue book "Singing the Journey."

If you have one that you are willing to share email jilly.watson@shaw.ca to let her know.

 The planning team for the Sunday gatherings on the North Shore (happening soon!) would like to know: how many of us own personal copies of the UUA blue book "Singing the Journey."

If you have one that you are willing to share email jilly.watson@shaw.ca 
to let her know.

Are you interested in joining a book club? Last year a group met to read Karen Armstrong’s book Sacred Nature. Some book club suggestions:

1. Heather Cox Richardson’s Democracy Awakening

2. A literary fiction book club with a different book each month

3. A book, or books, related to our 8th principal such as White Women: Everything You Already Know About Your Own Racism and How to Do Better

4. A book, or books, about nature and/or environmental issues such asSacred Nature

If you would be interested in participating in a book club and/or have a suggestion for a book that you think would be a good starting point, let Cara know. We can have more than one group and can meet virtually or in person. 

Congregational Conversations

Emerging Needs, Wed Sep 18th at  10:00am

Join us for a conversation about your needs:  What’s going on for you right now and what do you most want to connect around this fall?

Please register using this form. You'll find the link for the conversations and information about other scheduled sessions there. 

Online Goodbye and
Appreciation Event, Thursday Sep 19 at 4:00pm 

Two valued members of the CUC staff team, Casey Stainsby,  Youth & Young Adult Program Manager, and Rev. Danie Webber, Youth and Young Adult Ministry Specialist,  will complete their work with the CUC soon.  Casey is leaving to allow her to focus more fully on her studies in preparation for UU ministry. The First Unitarian Church of Hamilton has called Danie to be their minister.  

This event will be an opportunity to celebrate them and share some stories about their impact on their CUC roles and to offer our appreciation.  Join us on Zoom as we celebrate these Youth and Young Adult leaders.

If you haven’t already added your comments to the virtual going away cards you still can.  To make an addition to the card for Danie or Casey, follow the links.

Connect and Deepen: Caring, Saturday Sep 21st at 1:00pm

Connect & Deepen is an online community for adults interested in meaningful reflection, conversation, and shared ideas for living our values. This is a welcoming space that encourages spiritual as well as philosophical exploration, with an eye to putting these explorations into action. Registration here.

Soul Matters are small groups that meet consistently on a monthly basis to companion each other on our individual journeys of discovery and growth. We do this using a packet of materials researched by a group of highly skilled UU professionals. The method used is deep listening as taught by the Quaker teacher and activist Parker Palmer. The method promotes a “heart” over “head” experience, and a chance to get to know our fellow group members on a very deep level. Small groups are a time-proven way to increase connections in spiritual community. And you may just find that the practice of deep listening translates well into more meaningful interactions in other areas of your life.

This year’s monthly themes are The Practice of….Invitation, Deep Listening, Repair, Presence, Story, Inclusion, Trust, Joy, Imagination, Freedom. But regardless of the topic, I find myself surprised at what I discover about myself through this process.

Soul Matters groups are starting up again. There is plenty of space. Current groups that meet in-person on the third Wednesday morning, a weekend, and on Zoom on the fourth Monday evening are all seeking and welcoming new participants. And new groups either in-person or virtual are always possible. Please let Anne Mayall know of your interest or questions. Email annemayall51@gmail.com, or call or text 778-686-3643.

Did you know that almost 300 congregations are hosting a UU Climate Justice Revival!

On September 28-29, congregations will host UU Climate Justice Revivals to collectively reimagine a spirit-filled and liberatory future. Through conversations, worship, and advocacy, congregations will work together to realize climate justice and collective liberation in our communities. Congregations will receive everything they need to host a revival in their communities, including discussion guides and materials for all ages, training, worship resources, and advocacy actions designed to transform our communities through climate justice.

At the Revival, congregations will:

• collaboratively create  representation of the challenges of climate change
• Identify a vision for a flourishing future and actions we can take to make that vision a reality
• undertsand their role in the interdependent ecosystem of creating climate justice and collaborative liberation

If you are interested in helping our congregation be a part of this historic event, please email catherine.