Welcome Reverend Ben 

Rev. Fiona is on Sabbatical Leave and Rev. Ben will be with us until her return April 26th.

Hello everybody,
I'm glad to be with you during Fiona's sabbatical. I look forward to seeing familiar faces from Unicamp and regional and national events, as well as new faces.
I grew up in the Kingston Unitarians and did my divinity degree at Emmanuel College in Toronto. My theology is influenced by my physics background as well as by the relational and spiritual discipline of living and working at an earthy improv dance retreat centre for 5 years. I've learned that, while the world is complex, some simple changes in how we engage can help us to go deep.
In my personal time, I enjoy nature hikes, analytical history, and making up song lyrics with my partner and our 3 cats.

Ben

Rev. Ben begins February 9th and can be contacted at  revben@uucm.ca

Rev. Fiona's Sabbatical 

Rev. Fiona is away from February 1^st until April 26^th.  Her first return service will be Sunday May 2^nd, 2021. All email to minister@uucm.ca and fjheath12@gmail.com will receive an out-of-office reply. Rev. Fiona will review and respond when she returns.  She will not respond to contacts via Facebook or Messenger.

If there is an emergency need to contact the minister (i.e. a death or tragedy) please contact Tisa Zabarylo or our co-presidents Collette Dowhaniuk and Mara Bullock.
For Worship matters, contact Kathy Scott, Worship Chair.
For Spiritual Care, contact Sheila Bjarnson, Caring Circle Chair.
For Adult Spiritual Development, contact Kathleen Sorenson, DLL at dll@uucm.ca
For our website, contact Brigitte Twomey, Web Coordinator.
For other communication issues, contact Tisa Zabarylo, Office Administrator at admin@uucm.ca

If you are unsure who to speak to, please contact Tisa and she will direct you to the appropriate board member or committee chair.

The sabbatical leave is a tradition for Unitarian Universalist clergy. It offers an extended time for study, rest, and renewal — all ingredients necessary for effective ministry. The congregation benefits as Rev. Fiona returns refreshed, filled with new ideas and with rekindled energy. Further, it offers the congregation the opportunity to step up to fill some of Rev. Fiona’s responsibilities, while enjoying the freshness of Sunday services with Rev. Ben. You can read the letter from the Sabbatical Task Force here.

Black History Month - Canadian Version
After the service last Sunday, I received requests to delve further into the challenge of creating a Black History T-Shirt – Canadian Version, so, I have put together such a list.  In no way should this be thought to be anything more than my attempt to tell a short story about some of the amazing folks that we might want to emulate in a specific way. Some are chosen because they were the first, or the best, others because their stories spoke to me, and I hope you will benefit from hearing them as well. It needs to be said that none of these people are saints, I am intentional about pointing to a specific attribute, I encourage you to keep that in mind. Your list might be significantly different, or much the same.  I would be interested in knowing who would be on your list.  Read more

Black History T-Shirt

Canadian Version

Lead like Lincoln
Fight Like Sam
Resist like Marie-Josephe Angelique
Campaign like Alvin
Riot like Thornton and Lucie
Write like Desmond
Protest like Maurice
Litigate like Violet
Make music like Oscar
Serve like William
Throw like Fergie

 Income Tax Receipts for 2020

Income tax receipts for 2020 were emailed on February 14. If you have not received your receipt, please check your “Spam” folder - it was sent from UCM.Contributions@gmail.com. 

Please contact Jane George at the above email address if there are any problems with your tax receipt.

  New Zoom Protocols

Committee meetings and social events on Zoom will now use passcode security.

Attendees will need to enter the code to join the meeting. Chairs and facilitators will need the passcode to enter the meeting, then will use the Host Key to claim the Host function. Tisa will provide updated zoom invitations.

Sunday Services, Hearth Light and other public meetings on Zoom will continue to use the waiting room security feature.

Missing UCM folks?

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 talk with someone.

Youtube livestreaming of the Sunday Service 

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.

Donations to UCM

If you would like to make a financial contribution electronically to UCM, please do so at: https://uucm.ca/donation/
or via bank transfer to payment@uucm.ca

Please indicate whether these funds are for the current year or next year’s Operating Budget or for some other purpose. Thank you for your generosity.

Wendy Shusterman in the news!

Please read the attached article about our very own Wendy Shusterman and for info on how to donate to Pathways for our Christmas Eve Service:

https://www.mississauga.com/opinion-story/10291462-mississauga-woman-adapts-children-s-breakfast-program-despite-covid/
 

Upcoming CUC Events

Upcoming CUC Events   https://cuc.ca/events/

Truth, Healing and Reconciliation – Reconciliation Through Film: Six Miles Deep (please note registration for this event is now closed)
Saturday, February 27, 12:30 pm ET
More information is available at https://cuc.ca/events/thr-film2-2021/1614429000/1614434400/

David Campt Workshop, Parts I and II
Saturdays, March 6 and 13, 2 pm ET 
More information is available at https://cuc.ca/events/workshop1-david-campt/1615039200/1615046400/

Refugee Sponsorship: What’s Involved
Tuesday, March 9, 7 pm ET 
More information is available at https://cuc.ca/events/refugee-sponsorship-whats-involved-2/1615316400/1615321800/
 
Experifailurephenomenon: Online Innovation in Religious Education
Wednesday, March 24, 3:30 pm ET
More information is available at https://cuc.ca/events/experifailurephenomenon/1616599800/1616605200/


Our Regular CUC Events:

Connect and Deepen
Sundays, February 28 and March 14 and 28, 4 pm  ET 
More information is available at https://cuc.ca/events/connect-deepen-feb-april-2020/1614528000/1614533400/

Leaders Roundtables
Saturday, February 27, 3:00 p.m. ET 
This roundtable will explore ways we intentionally welcome people to our online communities: what have people's experiences been and what have they learned?

Saturday, March 27, 3:00 p.m. ET 
More information is available at https://cuc.ca/events/leaders-roundtables-2021/1614438000/1614443400/

Gathered Here
Monday, March 8, 8:00 pm ET  
More information is available https://cuc.ca/events/gathered-here-february-and-april-2021/1613052000/1613057400/

Save the date: Our online National Conference happens May 14 – 16. More information about registration is coming soon.

Download the PDF

Social Justice Notes

The Compass Food Bank  is in need

Donate at:
3121 Universal Drive, 
Mississauga ON L4X 2E2

www.themississaugafoodbank.org

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
 

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