2020 Canvass Campaign Update

As of November 12^th, the amount pledged was $78,550 (45% of our revenue goal) from 23 members and families. We thank those members for their generosity and commitment.
 
We still have over 60 pledges to come. We encourage everyone to read the Suggested Fair Share Contribution Guide when you are considering your pledge this year. Please pledge electronically at  http://uucm.ca/pledge-operating/  as soon as possible or drop your pledge form off at the church.  Payments are encouraged by pre-authorized debit or other bank transfers on line. Completion of the campaign by the end of November will allow us to finalize budget planning for next year and implement all of our essential programs.
 
Reminder that if you currently contribute through monthly pre-authorized debits that we ask you to please complete a new pledge form for 2020 as your monthly debits do not continue into 2020, UNLESS you advise us to do so through your new pledge.

Questions?  Contact us at donations@uucm.ca

All of our gifts lift us up. We thank everyone for their gifts of time, talent and money.

(Your Canvass Committee)
We still have a long road ahead with over 70 pledges to come. We encourage everyone to read the Suggested Fair Share Contribution Guide when you are considering your pledge this year. Please pledge electronically at  http://uucm.ca/pledge-operating/  as soon as possible or drop your pledge form off at the church.  Payments are encouraged by pre-authorized debit or other bank transfers on line.
 

Your operating pledge shows your pride in and support for this community. It ensures that all essential activities are provided for – staff salaries at fair compensation, committee initiatives, music, outreach, youth and adult education, office expenses, building and grounds maintenance, and upcoming major projects (e.g. replacement of roof, re-paving of parking lot)
 
Completion of the campaign by the end of November will allow us to finalize budget planning for next year and implement all of our essential programs. Questions? Contact us at donations@uucm.ca
 
All of our gifts lift us up. We thank everyone for their gifts of time, talent and money. (Your Canvass Committee)

We Need a New Lay Chaplain!

The Lay Chaplaincy Information Session is fast approaching!  Saturday, November 23 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm in the Great Hall. If you have any curiosity about the Lay Chaplaincy program, or an interest in serving as one or maybe joining the Committee, please join us!
 
For more information, please contact Ellen Newman hekate1618@gmail.com (905) 965-0271. 

Nurturing Inclusivity: 2019-20 Focus

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 will look at how we live with in a system of “white supremacy” and how we can challenge that bias.  
 
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.
 
Plan to attend these foundational workshops and services in November.

Nurturing Inclusivity

As a follow up to our multi-age service, we wanted to build on our discussions around group belonging and inclusivity. 
There are essentially two key steps to becoming more inclusive:

Step 1: Awareness
Experts tell us that our unconscious mind makes a majority of our decisions. It creates blind spots — unconscious biases that can narrow our vision and potentially influence our behaviours. We need to become aware of any blindspots we may have. 
 
Step 2: Action
We need to consciously use strategies to minimise any blindspots and actively include and leverage diversity of perspectives. 
 
Each week we will provide you with "inclusion nudges" to give you the opportunity to become more aware of unconscious bias, and how to actively include and leverage diversity of perspectives.
 
Inclusion Nudge 
Action: If you tend to go the same places and have your 'own' spot, why don’t you sit somewhere different the one day this week? Literally get a different point of view. 

White Allies in Anti-Racism Workshops

Our educational focus this year is on "nurturing inclusivity", learning how we can deepen our understanding of systemic racism and oppression and broaden our congregation culture to better welcome people of diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds.  Check out our Workshops in November.

In this workshop series, we will unpack racism in Canada and explore ways to become allies in the struggle to dismantle the racial barriers in our congregations and the larger community. Please note the workshop takes an explicit view that transforming ourselves and our society into a racially just place implicates a responsibility in white folks to engage more robustly. Youth are encouraged to attend.  

Mississauga Climate Action Group Update
Mississauga Climate Action (MCA) congratulates the City of Mississauga staff for their hard work, and dedication to developing the Climate Change Action Plan. MCA commends the action they are taking so that our community and municipality are in a strong position to make a difference and be prepared for climate change.

Mississauga could be a leader for the green shift happening throughout Canada and the world but we must invest and plan for a green future.
MCA reviewed the Plan in detail, and while it is a good first step, there is much more we can do. A strength from Mississauga’s Plan is its willingness to seek an active and meaningful partnership between the city and community. However, it does not meet the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s target of net zero emissions by 2050.

MCA’s recommendation is to pass the Plan in December, but a five-year review is too long and should be expedited to a bi-annual review in order to adapt to and integrate new climate technology and solutions that reverse climate change. The climate emergency urgent and there is no time to lose.

There are ways you can communicate to the city that taking climate change is important to you; You can take the City of Mississauga’s Climate Action Survey here and you can share your thoughts on the 2020 municipal budget here.

MCA events coming up:
Wednesday, Nov. 20^th, 7 p.m. – Unitarian Congregation of Mississauga – 84 South Service Rd.
Lisa Kholer, Executive Director of Halton Environmental Network will discuss the way to influence climate action at a municipal level by forming a municipal climate collective. She will share success stories and her insider knowledge of how the climate crisis can be effectively addressed.  Lisa is a fabulous source of knowledge and a reassuring voice in this time of climate chaos, as well as a potential partner in future climate action. Please plan on attending a bringing a friend!
Wednesday, Nov. 27^th, 7 p.m. – TBD
Wednesday, Dec. 4^th, 9:30 a.m. – Mississauga City Hall – 300 City Centre Dr.
Mississauga City Council will vote on the Climate Change Action Plan and MCA will be in attendance to submit our deputation and recommendations for the Plan and next steps.
We would like to fill the council chambers with members of the public who support the city taking urgent climate action. If you would like to join us, please register on our Eventbrite page https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-council-vote-on-climate-change-plan-tickets-80267047901.
MCA continues to work towards a sustainable future for our community and children and will support the Climate Change Action Plan. We are encouraged by the smart and hardworking staff at Mississauga City Hall and we look forward to our continued friendship and collaboration.

Together, we will make a difference.

Quilters Wanted!
Do you love to sew or quilt? A local mosque is creating a peace quilt made by all faiths. The block is ready to go, it just needs sewing together. The quilter is then invited to participate in a sewing bee to construct the quilt. 

If you are interested, please let Rev. Fiona know. The quilt piece pick up is next Tuesday November 19th.

https://Invitation_to_a_Peace_Quilt.doc
 

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
 

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.