Unitarian Universalists
of the Salish Sea

May 1, 2026

UPCOMING UUSS EVENTS

THIS SUNDAY!!

Sunday, May 3 @ 11:00am 
“Question Storming”
with Jessica Motherwell McFarlane
Molly Nye House
 940 Lynn Valley Rd, North Van

"The question mark is our magic carpet. It carries us to new spaces, new mysteries, new selves. When we question, we grow spiritually — and come alive, fully alive, to all that is possible." — Jessica MM

What happens when we stop rushing to answers and just ask questions? Come experience the full Question Formulation Technique (from the Right Question Institute) — the powerful method behind Jessica and Bill's beloved Inquiring Souls sessions offered over many years to our children and youth during UU religious education.

This deceptively simple questioning method gives everyone a simple structure for asking better questions and putting them to use. Born from the voices of low-income parents who said they didn't know what to ask in their children's school, it has since traveled far beyond classrooms.

The right question can unlock a puzzle or radically change a life. Disengaged students are feeling "smart" for the first time. People with disabilities are shaping their own care. Social services clients are moving from dependency to agency. And in community organizing, people whose voices have been overlooked are asking the questions that drive real change.

One question at a time, this powerful — and fun — questioning technique is becoming a force for social justice. Come join us — and boldly ask what no one has asked before.

Next 2 Saturday Services
have NEW dates

May Service will be on the 4th Sunday instead of the 3rd
May 23rd at 5:00
"Liberating love"

For our Universalist ancestors the belief that everyone is loved by God, that no one is predestined to be condemned to hell, was revolutionary. Now, almost 200 years later, we are living through a rise of a secular form of predestination: people are condemned for being immigrants, or trans, or some other aspect of their life and identity. Whole nations are being denied their basic humanitarian needs.  Now is the time to remember the belief of our Universalist ancestors in the liberating power of love and the right of everyone to live in peace.  Please join your Worship Team on May 23 to explore the liberating power of love. 

June Service will be on June 13 instead of June 20

"Flower Communion and Pride"

UUSS AGM will be held after the June Service on June 13th.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Hearts for Tumbler Ridge
Count for this week

Heart-Makers - 71
Made last week - 277
Made to-date - 1,277

Goal by August 15th = 2,400 

Hello Beloveds,

Hopefully you know that we hosted an in-person healing session for our community on Saturday, April 18th. We recently emailed you a summary of that experience. The gathering helped us to release and process some of the lingering hurt, anxiety and distress that prompted us to leave NSUC and start our own community. 

We are offering the same experience over zoom for those of you who could not make the in person event. The session will be led by catherine strickland and Lindsay Hindle from 7:15 pm to 9 pm on Thursday, May 7th on Zoom. Here is the link. The link will also be shared by email with those who register, so please RSVP if you plan to attend.

This event will be followed by two separate opportunities to work with your grief. One will be an Emotional Freedom Technique session with Lindsay, and the second will be a Nonviolent Communication process led by catherine. You are welcome to join either or both.

Looking forward to doing this vital and spiritually nourishing work with you all! 

warmly,
UUSS Healing Team

Saturday, May 9 @ 10:00am
Navigating Conflict with Guest Speakers, Necessary Trouble Collective with our very own catherine Strickland!

In families, workplaces, friendships, and partnerships, tension is inevitable.When people care deeply, differences surface. When values matter, disagreement follows. The question is not whether conflict appears — but how we move through it. On May 9, RAMP! invites you to a practical, trauma-informed workshop. Register here.

Upcoming AGM Update

CUC Annual General Meeting 
Saturday, May 23 | Online and in person in Toronto

This is how congregations shape the national direction of Canadian UU life: through voting, dialogue, and shared governance. Delegate registration deadline is May 10. An updated bylaw motion will be circulated in early April
  Register your delegates now.

Be an Overnight Angel at CanUUdle – May Long Weekend 

What a joy it is to share that our Vancouver UU Community will be part of something truly special this May long weekend! CanUUdle, the National Unitarian Universalist Youth Conference, is coming, and young UUs from across Canada will be gathering together at VanU in community, faith, and friendship. We are so grateful to be part of welcoming them.

To help ensure that our youth guests are safe, supported, and cared for throughout the night, we are looking for warm-hearted volunteers to serve as Overnight Angels on Friday May 15, Saturday May 16, and Sunday May 17.

If you are able to offer one shift (or more!) over the weekend, please contact Rev. Christopher Wulff at 778-686-3693 or cwulff@gmail.com. We will do our best to match you with the shift that works best for you.