Dear Members and Friends of UCM

I will be leaving my position as Director of Lifespan Learning at the end of July. This transition brings with it both joy and sorrow. Joy because I’ll be moving on toward becoming a Parent Coach. For the past 18 years I have worked part-time as a parent educator.  In this capacity, I ran workshops and presentations for groups of parents in schools and other organizations. This fall I will begin a year long certification process to enhance my skills. My goal is to work directly with parents to explore, examine, and discover solutions. This I believe has always been my life purpose to change a small piece of the world…one family at a time.

The sorrow comes from leaving you in my role as Director of Lifespan Learning. These past six years, I have had the opportunity to tell you stories, joke, laugh, plan, and most importantly watch your children grow. I have grown with them! Frank Oppenheimer said “the best way to learn is to teach” I have learned about colonization and the history of my First Nations peoples. Through the Welcoming Congregation Refresher Program, I have gained knowledge about the many issues facing our LGBTQI communities and the importance of continually to strive to create a safe, inclusive space. I have explored how to engage locally and globally to support refugees and other displaced people. Currently, I am learning how to reduce my carbon footprint and take action to protect our water and the environment. My best teachers have been each of you. Throughout the years, this congregation has taught me valuable lessons in compassion, kindness, generosity, and love.
 
Kitiwam asimina kawapamitan (I will see you again)
Pamela

Potential New Refugee Effort?

Would you or someone you know be Interested in sponsoring yet another refugee family in 2019-20? We have just received word that the federal BVOR (Blended Visa Office Referred) refugee program is again offering, in conjunction with two private charities, a 100% funded financial support program for church or private groups to sponsor pre-approved refugee families. 
 
UCM sponsored the Jalouk family through this program in Novemeber 2018, and it has been a great success so far (e.g. no need for fundraising, and we gathered extra support from outside of UCM). There are so many deserving families still waiting in overcrowded apartments and UNHCR camps, unable to legally work or send their children to school.
 
If you are interested in helping a new committee effort, or if you know someone else who has shown interest in refugee support, please contact John Rowell at johnrowell99@gmail.com

Potential New Refugee Effort?

Would you or someone you know be Interested in sponsoring yet another refugee family in 2019-20? We have just received word that the federal BVOR (Blended Visa Office Referred) refugee program is again offering, in conjunction with two private charities, a 100% funded financial support program for church or private groups to sponsor pre-approved refugee families. 
 
UCM sponsored the Jalouk family through this program in Novemeber 2018, and it has been a great success so far (e.g. no need for fundraising, and we gathered extra support from outside of UCM). There are so many deserving families still waiting in overcrowded apartments and UNHCR camps, unable to legally work or send their children to school.
 
If you are interested in helping a new committee effort, or if you know someone else who has shown interest in refugee support, please contact John Rowell at johnrowell99@gmail.com

Warning!
A warning that there is a new email phishing scam being employed against faith communities, misleading congregants into sending money. People set up fake accounts that imitate the minister's account, and send messages to email addresses they collect from the church website or published newsletters. "https://www.govtech.com/blogs/lohrmann-on-cybersecurity/phishing-scams-targeting-pastors-whos-next.html">This is a helpful description of how the scam has developed and how to avoid it.

Be exceedingly cautious if you receive a message from a leader in your congregation asking for rushed money.

Request for Bicycle Donation

Do you have a bicycle to donate? The Iraqi family we are supporting is settling in well.  Both parents have already found part time jobs, all four children are attending school. Their eleven year old son would really like to bicycle to school. He is a smallish boy, compared to his peers, so an adult size bike would be too big for him. A juvenile size bike, 24” wheel, would be best for him.

Please contact Kathy Geczi, kgeczi@rogers.com.

Thank you very much.

UNICAMP - 5 Reasons to Register for Kid's Camp!

Hello everyone! Allow me to introduce myself, if we haven’t met before. I’m Yvette Salinas, the new Executive Director of Unicamp. After years of serving as Religious Educator, these last few months I’ve been focused on ensuring Unicamp Children’s and Youth Programming is just want UU children need! The final piece missing is the children, of course! In celebration of Unicamp’s 50^th Anniversary, here are 5 reasons you should consider Unicamp for the special child(ren) in your life! 
Don’t delay - Register NOW for this summer's camps! For information on Children's Camps and Youth Programs, visit our website (www.unicampofontario.ca) and click on 'Programs' or check UCM website. Check our programs for families and for adults, too -- including special celebrations for Unicamp’s 50th Anniversary!

Calling All Performers!
Calling all performers! If you are not able to join the choir but would still like to contribute to the services, please consider donating your talent to perform during musical gifts. Please let Abigail know if you are interested and she can put you on the list. Any type of performance involving music is welcome - singing, playing an instrument or dancing.  abigailfreeman@rogers.com
 

Green Sanctuary Congregation

Play the ‘Carbon Footprint’ Game! Everyone is invited to join us to cut Carbon at Home. Almost 40% of each person’s carbon foot print comes from their home. Read more on our Environmental Justice page.

CUC Online Book Club 

Would you like to be part of a cross-country book club for Unitarians? We are facilitating groups of 6-8 to find each other and agree on a first book and a time frame to meet using zoom technology (provided by the CUC). More details can be found here: http://vancouverunitarians.ca/canadian-unitarian-book-group/

Or email Mary Maler in Montreal who initiated this idea mmaler@videotron.ca or Mary Bennett in Vancouver maryinvancouver@gmail.com

Opportunities Abound

As a thriving community, UCM has much going on. If you have time, please consider sharing your energy and gifts with us. There is a place for you! There are opportunities to help with the garden, the green sanctuary work, and much more. Please speak to Rev. Fiona or visit our Volunteer Opportunities page.

Sexual harassment excludes women from public life
Renu Mandhane, Chief Commissioner, Ontario Human Rights Commission

Le harcèlement sexuel : un acte qui relègue les femmes à la marge de la vie publique

Par : Renu Mandhane, commissaire en chef, Commission ontarienne des droits de la personne

Looking for Inspiration
Each week Rev. Fiona posts a spiritual practice for people to try at home. Sometimes it is an ancient practice such as meditation, others focus on the earth or universe with contemporary practices.  You can find the practice posted each Thursday at emptychalice.com or on the UCM facebook page.