Unitarian Universalists of the Salish Sea

Financial Update

from our Treasurer

The first thing you should know is that the new Treasurer at FUCV abruptly resigned in the fall, forcing the old Treasurer to come out of retirement. That's why you're reading this update on a random spring day, rather than at the end of the year.

The other impact is that, while I know we've received $7250 in donations since November, I don't know who donated or how much. This is, perhaps, an ideal way to break the relationship between money and power which caused problems in the past. After all, how can money and the threat of its withholding be used as a lever when nobody knows where it comes from? It simply falls like rain from the sky, irrigating the programs and ministries that this congregation is attempting to grow. There may be droughts in the future, but no one can credibly threaten to stop the rain.

But thank you to everyone who donated. You know who you are, and that's what's important. You should've received your tax receipt by now, so if you haven't please let me know and I'll look into it.

We currently have $16,542.42 in the bank, which for those keeping score at home is about $1,500 more than last May. This is an ideal amount of money: enough to cover our expenses for several years, but not enough for an embezzler to retire in a non-extradition country.

Ryan Guenther, Treasurer

What does it mean to belong truly? To the land, our ancestors, our communities, and even ourselves? These are the profound questions at the heart of Annahid Dashtgard’s powerful new book, Bones of Belonging: Finding Wholeness in a White World (2023).

As the CEO of Anima Leadership, a racial justice consulting firm, Dashtgard brings a deeply personal and insightful perspective to the conversation about belonging. Her latest work is a collection of interconnected stories exploring the many facets of belonging—from the land we inhabit to the relationships we nurture and our identities.

We’re thrilled to invite you for a Book Study on Bones of Belonging. Whether you are new to Unitarian Universalism or a lifelong UU, this is an opportunity to reflect, connect, and grow together.

REGISTER HERE

Justice News

From Dogwood

The PRGT pipeline is a Trojan horse. While claiming to be “Indigenous-led,” the investors are trillion-dollar Wall Street companies.

You can help stop it. Use this webpage to call Energy Minister Adrian Dix and tell him not to fast-track another American pipeline.

From The Palestinian

Solidarity Network 

A federal election call possible at any moment. This is our moment to put pressure on federal politicians to keep justice for Palestine front and Centre. 

Palestinian organizations and solidarity partners across Canada have developed a Palestinian platform that you can push all political parties to endorse:Impose a two-way arms embargo on Israel, End Canadian involvement in illegal Israeli settlements, Address anti-Palestinian racism and protect freedom of expression on Palestine, Recognize the State of Palestine, Protect and Fund Gaza Relief Efforts, including UNRWA

Will you take action today, by asking all federal parties to endorse the Palestine Platform? Send an email using this tool.

From Sierra Club

Join Sierra Club's webinar on March 26 @ 6 pm to learn how incredible old-growth forests are in terms of biodiversity, a livable climate, Indigenous stewardship, tourism, recreation and much more. They will provide an update on provincial old growth policies and discuss the importance of supporting Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) and other Indigenous-led solutions for old-growth in B.C.  

Sign up for webinar.

Call on PM Carney to implement a two-way arms embargo against Israel:

Israel just bombed Gaza, killing over 400 Palestinians—including children—and shattering a fragile ceasefire. This comes after weeks of electricity blackouts and food blockades, showing Israel’s intent to keep this war going. Egypt and Qatar have condemned the attack. Now, it’s time for Canada to step up. Our biggest leverage? The millions in military equipment Canadian arms dealers sell to Israel. Prime Minister Mark Carney just took office, and with an election on the horizon, he’s listening. If we flood his inbox, we can force peace onto the political agenda. Send a message to PM Carney now demanding Canada condemn this attack and implement a two-way arms embargo against Israel. Click here.

Support Indigenous land defenders' efforts to block financing for pipelines

Decolonial Solidarity is requesting our help! Do you know anyone who owns shares of RBC or BMO? DS is looking for proxies from shareholders so they can attend this year's Annual Meetings.

This year, with two major gas pipelines seeking financial investment (Coastal GasLink Phase 2 and Prince Rupert Gas Transmission), Indigenous Land Defenders plan to attend both RBC’s annual meeting and the Bank of Montreal’s annual meeting. This is an incredibly important annual action that will ensure bank executives hear about the lack of Indigenous consent for these projects, the clear climate implications, and the economic risks of expanding investment in liquefied natural gas.

If you can help,  please contact Decolonial Solidarity decolonial-solidarity@protonmail.com

Save the Date!  Sunday,

March 30 from 2:30 to 4:00

Call on the BC government to take stronger action on the Climate Crisis- Sustainability and Social Action Zoom Presentation.

Mari Piggott, from British Columbia Climate Emergency Campaign Signatory Engagement Working Group and Tracey Saxby Marine scientist, musician, and award-winning environmental activist, will speak to us about the BCCEC Urgent Call to the BC Government Progress Report. They will also share information on how to communicate with our members of parliament.

We will provide a reminder and the zoom link in a future newsletter.

From the CUC

Congregational Conversations: Hard Conversations (2nd run) (Online)

March 22: 10:00 am PT

Dismantling Barriers: Talking About Bylaws

March 27: 4:00 pm PT 

Celebrating Trans Day of Visibility

Rev. Samaya Oakley of Calgary Unitarians is preparing for the congregation to mark Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, an event she hopes other UU congregations across Canada will honour as well. 

“If I could, I would love to wave my magic wand and have every Canadian UU congregation across Canada do something to visibly say to the trans community in which they’re located that they are welcome,” she says. “Even making sure that their trans flag was outside of their building. Just something to let the trans community know across Canada that Canadian UU congregations can provide a home, If they’re looking for a spiritual home.”

Calgary Unitarians’ service on March 30 will feature a panel discussion of the book Authentic Selves, the Unitarian Universalist Association’s common read for 2024-25, which will be followed by a four-session group discussion over the subsequent weeks. Oakley believes the interviews with trans and non-binary people within the book make it important reading for UUs.

“The subjects in the book share their real lives, their revelations, challenges, and  joys,” she says. “And the common read invites us to explore the nature of living authentically and the ways connections among us help us to thrive.”

Oakley believes that marking Transgender Day of Visibility is a critical action for UUs to take in these times.

“The way I look at it is If we truly are on the side of love, if that is what we profess, then when we say We honour and affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person, then that means we honour the inherent worth and dignity of every single person,” she says. “And that’s why I think it’s so important that we honour this day because it’s a day that celebrates trans lives.”

In addition to marking this day, Oakley encourages UUs to act year-round by supporting organizations advocating for trans rights, considering recertification as a Welcoming Congregation, and making space for a variety of gender options on congregational registration forms.

RAVEN is starting a book club! Join them on April 3, 2025 at 5pm PT (8pm ET) to discuss the book "Valley of the Birdtail" by two esteemed law professors, Douglas Sanderson and Andrew Snobo Sniderman. The book dives into history, reconciliation, power, and how Canada has become what it is today. Register Here:  https://raventrust.com/event/raven-book-club-april-2025/

Looking for youth volunteers for Magical Camp

Magical Mayhem Camp at Vancouver Unitarians (Live Action Role Play Social Justice Theatre Camp) is gearing up to return July 21-25, 2025. We're currently accepting applications for Camp Staff jobs and would love help getting the word out. This camp is delightfully quirky and an amazing container to play and work for a week. Info and application links at:  https://vanu.ca/services/magical-summer-camp/

Camp description:

Magical Mayhem Summer Camp with the Vancouver Unitarian Centre engages children ages 7-12 in creatively addressing social justice issues through the avenue of role play, theatre, ritual, nature magic, and fun. Our guiding value is Radical Inclusivity with love at the centre. Children are honoured here from the gender creative to the neurospicy to families of all backgrounds and identities. We support every child to thrive, be themselves, show up and participate in the way that works for them. Magical camp at Vancouver Unitarians has been running since 2018 making magic for children and adults alike. Full job descriptions at  https://vanu.ca/summer-camp-jobs

Youth Volunteer descriptions at:  https://vanu.ca/magic-camp-volunteer

Volunteer Application Form:  https://vanu.ca/camp-LD-application 

Necessary Trouble Collective is hosting another Community Care and Repair series starting

Monday, March 31. Community Care & Repair (CC&R) is a series of bi-weekly online learning and practice sessions to build the skills and connections we need to create communities of belonging. The skills and practices offered are grounded in principles of nonviolence, emergence, Nonviolent Communication and collective liberation.The sessions run from 5 pm to 6:30 pm Pacific Time. 

In this series we will be focusing on conflict for the first 3 sessions and collaboration for the second 3 sessions. For more information about each session and to register please visit https://communitycareandrepair.sutra.co. Please note, you must register for each individual session in order to receive the zoom link and the materials for the session.