Festive Cheer Box Fundraiser

There has been a great response to our Festive Cheer Fundraiser. Thank-you!
The deadline for orders was December 1^st.   We will be preparing over 70 boxes of various sizes. 
Please note copies of Ted Kloosterman’s cookbook are still on sale.
Contact Sheila Bjarnason (Sbjarn@gmail.com) if you have any questions about your order or would like to purchase a cookbook. 
LAST CALL- We could still use a few more baker to help with loaves, cookies and bars.

Bequest from the Stout Family

In honour of Sally Stout Upton, founding member and the wife of our first minister the Rev. Donald Stout, her children have made a generous bequest of $2,100. Stout Upton passed away last year and despite the tragic death of Rev. Stout while in ministry with us, always held UCM in her heart as a cherished home for herself and her children.

We are grateful for the generosity of Karla Stout, Elaine Stout Aziz, and Craig Stout. 

Let us hold Sally Stout Upton with love and light. 

Holiday Ideas Welcome!

Knowing that we will have to manage our winter holiday without the usual family gatherings and beloved traditions, we are looking for your tips and ideas about physically distant festive fun. What are you doing to connect with family and friends while staying apart?

Idea of the week: If you usually hold a tree decorating party with family or friends, book a mutually agreeable time on zoom to decorate trees together. 

Send any ideas to Tisa at admin@uucm.ca.

We Need You! Christmas Request

Unitarian Congregation in Mississauga Christmas Eve Service

As part of our Christmas Eve service I’d like to hear from you – on video!  Please record you and your family speaking about what you value about the winter holidays.

Sit by your Christmas tree or festive decorations. Or outside. Dress in your Christmas sweater. Be creative. We would love to see our UCM kids and youth so make it a family video! Or you can each send in a video.

Please answer – what do you value most about the holiday? What matters most? It might be time with loved ones, festive parties, family recipes, presents (it’s okay if you love the gift giving)! Or time for contemplation, beautiful carols, space to breathe. You don’t need to speak for long, just one thing you sincerely value about this season of light.

These will be shared in our Christmas Eve service and livestreamed on our youtube channel. Video directions are below. If you want to share something for the service but can’t manage the technical side, please contact me. If you have a web cam on your computer, I can send you an easy way to share.

Deadline is Tues December 15^th.

Thank you so much for contributing to a memorable Christmas Eve service!

Rev. Fiona
 

Christmas Video Directions

• Make sure there is enough light so your faces are clear. Set the scene with holiday decorations if you can.
• Test your microphone and sound levels, be close enough to the microphone so that you can be easily heard.
• Keep the camera as steady as possible, use a tripod or stand if you have one.
• Leave five seconds at the beginning before speaking and leave five seconds after speaking then stop recording.
• Review your video before sending, make sure you are happy with it.
• Label your video with your family name and holiday (i.e. HeathChristmas)
• If you can access our sharepoint system, upload your video to the public photo library and let Tisa know. Otherwise, please go to https://wetransfer.com/ and send the file to admin@uucm.ca. This is a free site that is simple to use.

Please send to Tisa by Tuesday, December 15^th.

Are you struggling? 

If you experience a hard time during this pandemic lockdown and need to talk, please reach out to Rev. Fiona. She will listen and support you. You can send an email, call or text her cell phone, or reach out on facebook. Don't suffer in silence. 

Ready to Become a Member?

Anytime you feel ready to join UCM as a member feel free to contact Rev. Fiona at minister@uucm.ca or Susan Haugen, Membership Chair, at membership@uucm.ca .

We hope to hold the New Member Ceremony on December 20th.  

Missing UCM folks as the Holidays draw near?

With the holiday season fast approaching people are more apt to want to be social with others. If you want to keep in touch with other UCM member and friends please use our Zoom account. Just call or email Tisa in the office with your preferred date and time and she can set up the meeting for you. Use this as a chance to talk about a book, watch a YouTube video together or just wish someone holiday greetings.

Zoom Helpers Needed 

Do you miss the good times at UCM on a Sunday morning? If you enjoy chatting with people and are comfortable with Zoom, consider becoming a Zoom Greeter. We are looking for a couple of people who can act as virtual greeters - welcoming people during the pre-service and managing the break out rooms after the service.
 
If you understand computers, we are in need of Zoom Support - people who can manage the powerpoint and play the audio and video files. Training will be provided and we use a detailed script for guidance on Sundays.
 
Please contact Rev. Fiona at minister@uucm.ca for more details.

Social Justice Notes

The Compass Food Bank and Outreach Centre's Winter Survival Programme

As winter 2020 approaches, The Compass Food Bank and Outreach Centre is prioritizing its Winter Survival Programme once again by assembling kits of warm clothes and other essentials for Mississauga’s most vulnerable people.

“This year, because of the pandemic, we’re all vulnerable to misfortune if we don’t take care, but when it comes to our homeless, the need for help is critical,” says David Onuoha, Program Lead for the Winter Survival Programme. 

“The pandemic has made it harder to keep in touch with our regular clients because we can’t offer our indoor programmes,” says Onuoha. “We also know that this winter, we will see more job loss if businesses have more restrictions placed on them due to covid-19. It’s critical to us that no one goes without a winter jacket and other much-needed items this winter.”
 
A study by The Region of Peel found a total of 922 persons were experiencing homelessness in Peel in April, 2018. But that’s not the whole story. Studies by the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness and The United Way say there are between 169,000 and 195,000 people in Brampton, Caledon, and Mississauga that experience poverty or are on the brink of becoming homeless. 

For more information: wintersurvival@thecompass.ca

Anti Racism

For a list of anti racism articles, videos and books, go to the Nurturing Inclusivity section of the UCM website:  https://uucm.ca/nurturing-inclusivity/

Read about Amnesty International Letter and Other Petitions

Find out about The Compass

Check out  https://uucm.ca/social-justice/ to learn more about how you can help.

Nurturing Inclusivity: 

This year our educational focus is “Nurturing Inclusivity”, deepening our understanding of systemic racism and the inherent bias that has been internalized in Canadian society. 
 
We are seeking to deepen our understanding of the impact of racism on racialized people, so that we may develop as Unitarian Universalists.  As a community, we are working to enlarge our circle in ways that are welcoming of people of diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds.  This work can be uncomfortable, but it is also rewarding; an opportunity to grow in spirit and develop meaningful connections with others. Please check our Nurturing Inclusivity webpage and our Event webpage.

The Reverend Mark Mosher DeWolfe Sermons

We have created a collection of webpages on our UCM website featuring The Reverend Mark Moshe DeWolfe sermons. This is such a wonderful opportunity to showcase his sermons as many Unitarians all through Canada and the States admire him. You will be able to listen, read and see some annotated or handwritten sermons in PDFs. We have approximately 50 sermons to upload so come back and check frequently. Enjoy!
Please visit www.uucm.ca/mark-dewolfe-sermons/
Brigitte Twomey

Covenant of Right Relations

We, the members of the Unitarian Congregation in Mississauga, affirm a Covenant of Right Relations. As Unitarian Universalists, we come freely into community, guided by our seven principles and nourished by the six sources.

In good faith, we covenant to:

• Assume good intentions, recognize impact
• Listen deeply and seek understanding.
• Appreciate each person’s contributions.
• Communicate directly with people when differences exist.
• Speak to and about people with empathy and respect.
• Seek peaceful and constructive resolutions to conflict.
• Ask for help when we need help in dealing with situations.
• Forgive each other and ourselves when mistakes are made.

Affirmed at the Annual Meeting, June 2016.

A Message from the Personnel Committee 

Our Safe Steps policy helps the congregation be attuned to right relations between members. The policy, which is currently being updated, ensures that we take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of adults and children alike.
 
During this pandemic time we are reminded that many people are facing stressful home situations. We hear reports in the media about increases in intimate partner assault and child abuse. Financial stressors and tight living situations mean that tempers can flare more easily. If you are in a situation where you feel you might need some help, here are some local agencies that can help:
 
The Children’s Aid Society for the Region of Peel, now assisting families with children up to the age of 18: (905) 363-6131
Assaulted Women’s Helpline: (416) 863-0511
24/7 Crisis Support Peel Line: (905) 278-9036
 

Youtube livestreaming of the Sunday Service is back 

If you have trouble logging onto Zoom, you can watch the service on our youtube channel. To view a livestream you must subscribe to our UCM channel. The livestream begins around 10:25am and ends with the benediction. It is available for a short time on Sunday and then is removed. Clips from Rev. Fiona's reflections and prerecorded videos will be uploaded later in the week.

Don't forget to watch past services on the channel (every view helps our profile!) and send links to friends who might need this life sustaining community.

Upcoming CUC Events

How Shall We Gather? Hybrid In-Person & Zoom Gatherings
Saturday, December 5, 2020, 1 pm ET
More information is available at https://cuc.ca/events/how-shall-we-gather/1607173200/1607180400/

Connect and Deepen
December 6, 4:00 pm ET  
More information is available at https://cuc.ca/events/connect-and-deepen-november-2020/1606060800/1606066200/

Gathered Here
Thursday, December 10, 2:00 pm ET  
More information is available at https://cuc.ca/events/gathered-here-october-and-december-2020/1602165600/1602171000/

S M I L E!

There has been a lot of discussion over the last few months about how we are missing simple things like a gentle touch, or a hug, or even a playful nudge. However, there is also another aspect of our new reality that there hasn’t been a lot of discussion about – the challenges of living in a world where we are masked. 
 
To give a brief background, there is a facial expression called the Duchene Smile, where the corners of the mouth turns up, the cheeks rise, and the eyes slightly narrow causing crows’ feet to appear. This smile demonstrates warmth, sincerity, credibility and shows others not to fear us. In short, it makes us feel good.

If you have been out in public lately, you probably know where this is going. Wearing masks, mask our smiles and changes our fundamental feelings of safety. A recent study shows that we receive any information with a more pessimistic slant if it is delivered by someone whose lower face is covered. We are more liable to assume negativity, less engagement, and even an exponentially worse diagnosis if our physician is masked. It also means that we miss many of the nuances of expression that indicate, “I’m sorry”, “Forgive me”, “I’m confused”, and even “I like you”. Our hard-wired communication systems depend on all these indicators and is short circuited if they are not available.

So, what can we do about this? Well if it is safe, don’t wear a mask if you want to fully communicate with someone – social distance can be an option. Where that is not responsible, try to be aware of what you can do with your eyes and your voice that can help. We have lots to learn from our veiled sisters about how to communicate effectively under those conditions. They suggest exaggerating inflection in our voices and paying attention to how our eyes express our mood. Finally, don’t forget the rest of our body language like stance, hand movements – for example, palms open and facing up is less threatening than closed fists.
 
In closing there is a simple way of dealing with this – wear a button with a picture of yourself is full Duchene Smile! It seems that we have the ability to cut and paste a smile from another location unto the mask. If you deal with others while wearing a mask – this is important.  It will make others feel better and you will feel better too.

UU at Home

One way to stay connected with Unitarian Universalism is to create a UU space in your home that you can turn to for exploration or contemplation. This might be a shelf or corner table or a box.  It can be as simple or as elaborate as you like, just a chalice and tea light, or decorated with other images and objects that have meaning for you. You might have a book of poems or essays near by or use a favourite website or twitter handle.  Use the UUA Worship Web app or sign up for the weekly Braver/Wiser message.  Families can use these UU World activity pages. Take time every day or once a week to light the chalice, to sit and breathe and be, and care for your spirit. Or find a special "sit spot" outside and visit it often to build your connections to all that is.  Unitarian Universalism is about belonging to the earth and celebrating the mystery - we celebrate together on a Sunday morning but you can also experience this in your daily living through practicing intention and attention.

I look forward to hearing about your "at-home" explorations!

Rev. Fiona

Contributing to UCM

Those of you who would like to make a contribution to UCM at this time can do it one of several ways. You can go to the UCM website (www.uucm.ca) and donate through PayPal or credit card. Just choose the Pledge or Donate link (it’s orange) on the home page.  Or you can do an Interac e-transfer through your bank to payment@uucm.ca (please note that payment is singular). Choose a password that is easy to interpret, e.g., short form of our congregation or first name of our minister. Or you can mail a cheque into the office.
 
If people need to suspend their PAD agreements at this time, they should send an email to donations@uucm.ca or call Joan Hill, our Finance Chair, at 905-891-3951.

Minister's Discretionary Fund

Rev. Fiona manages a small fund that is available to help congregants in short term need with costs like groceries or a bill payment. If you need a little extra help during this economic crash, please reach out to the minister.

Those with stable finances are welcome to contribute to the fund, please note Minister’s Discretionary Fund on your contribution or contact Joan Hill for details.

Blessings,
Fiona

Audio Reflections are now on the Website and YouTube

We have created another way you can stay connected with UCM while we are in virtual mode for the next little while: Rev Fiona's reflections for the past three months have all been posted to the UCM website as audio files!  
 
Our new digital sound system which we purchased last Fall creates excellent quality audio recordings of our Sunday services. UCM members Rya Khan and Marc Xuereb are creating edited recordings of Rev Fiona's reflections each Sunday.

Brigitte Twomey has redesigned a portion of our website that enables you to listen to a reflection while reading the full text. Go to the Reflections Archive on our website (https://uucm.ca/reflections-archive/) to see the latest recordings along with the text of the reflections. The reflections have also been added to our UCM YouTube channel. 
 
On a related note, we can also create edited recordings of portions of the services on demand for members. Just ask Rya or Marc if want a recording of the choir's performance, for example or a special section of the service that spoke to you.

Marc Xuereb

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