Contemplations on Deepening, Nurturing, Acting

Rev. Fiona has created a book of excerpts from her reflections on UCM's mission to deepen in spirit, nurture community, and act for an equitable, sustainable world.

This small book offers a space to sit, breathe and consider these essential human needs - to tend to our spiritual life, find connections to others, and help heal the world. You might read a piece each morning or dip into the book as needed.

$12.00 each. All proceeds go to the Unitarian Congregation in Mississauga.   

Please order here! Books will be available for pick up by mid-December.

Connecting with the Minister

I am always available with a listening ear for your spiritual questions and life concerns. The best ways to reach me are by email at minister@uucm.ca or by text/phone at 226-791-4068. You can also friend me on Facebook and connect on Messenger. I may take a day to respond, if you don't hear from me in three days, feel free to contact me again. The occasional email gets lost down the list.
 
I take personal time Friday evening through to Saturday lunchtime, and again from Sunday afternoon to Tuesday morning. Email is not checked during these times but I will respond to phone/texts.

Rev. Fiona

Notice of Annual Budget Meeting

The 2023 budget will be presented for approval to the congregation after Service on Sunday January 29, 2023. We request that members stay after the service to be informed about the 2023 budget and vote for acceptance of the budget.

Becky Bridel, Treasurer

Interested in Lay Chaplaincy?

Have you ever considered becoming a UCM Lay Chaplain? This is a chance to lead meaningful rituals for people outside of UCM, from baby blessings to weddings to celebrations of life. There is an upcoming on-line basic training at the end of February by the Canadian Unitarian Council. 

If you are interested in lay chaplaincy, please reach out to our current Lay Chaplain Collette Dowhaniuk or Rev. Fiona. We are looking to train one lay chaplain in the next year, and are now accepting applications.

Help with Communications

Looking to get involved, make a difference and have some fun while you’re at it? 
 
The Communications Committee currently needs a couple of energetic, keen people to join the team. We have monthly virtual meetings (about one hour) and are on-site to help with bigger events. Specifically, we looking for people with an interest in social media, outreach events, media relations/promotion and building community links. Experience isn’t necessary – it’s pretty straight-forward. You just need a willingness to roll up your sleeves and “get it done”. 
 
Interested? Contact Ted Haugen at tedhaugen@hotmail.com.

Social Justice

CUSJ’s monthly public interactive series: "Let's Connect UU Social Justice". will include an invitation to attendees to briefly talk about what they are doing and actions we can help with.  This will be followed by a speaker and a question and answer session. You do not have to be a CUSJ Member to attend. 

Saturday, Jan 28, 2023, 1:00pm Eastern, 10:00am Pacific.

Tamara Lorincz will share her First-Hand observations from COP27, and discussion of the War in Ukraine. If you plan to attend, check out her December 9, Presentation: "Climate, Conflict & the Search for Peace”.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VuwSXYDVTU  
Registration is required. Use the link below to register for January 28. 

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtdu2gqjgsEtMTPFTIC09M_pR-UUr50BfG

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email.  

8th Principle Work

It is so easy to get into ruts and routines in work and community groups. We turn to the people we know to get things done. This week stop and reflect on who you are providing opportunities to - such as networking events, introductions, volunteer jobs, training. Do you approach the same people or people who are most like you most frequently? How can you draw in a more diverse group of people? It may take more time, they may do things differently, but it makes the organization stronger, and you build a bigger community.

Safe Step

In the spirit of healing and growing, we would like to highlight the Safe Steps policy created by the Unitarian Congregation in Mississauga. If you feel like you need to speak to anyone about situations that have happened, the Safe Steps policy can point you in the right direction.

OWL Facilitator Training

Are you comfortable talking about sexuality? Do you want to be involved in the congregation in a different way? Has it been more than 5 years since your last OWL facilitator training?  
 
If so, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is hosting some online training sessions to become or refresh your skills as an Our Whole Lives (OWL) facilitator.
 
Upcoming:

• Grades K-1/4-6 OWL
  • Mondays – January 9, 23 (from 6:00 – 8:30 pm EST)
  • Tuesdays – January 17 (from 6:00 – 8:30 pm EST)
  • Thursdays – January 12, 19, 26 (from 6:00 – 8:30 pm EST)
  • Saturdays – January 28 (from 10:00 – 3:00 pm EST)
  • Registration opens: November 7^th at noon and closes November 21^st  
• Grades 7-9/10-12 OWL
  • Mondays – February 6, 13 (from 6:00 – 8:30 pm EDT)
  • Tuesday – February 21 (from 6:00 – 8:30 pm EDT)
  • Thursdays – February 9, 16, 23 (from 6:00 – 8:30 pm EDT)
  • Saturdays – February 25 (from 10:00 – 3:00 pm EDT)
  • Registration opens: November 28^th at noon and closes December 12^th   
• All Adult OWL
  • Mondays – March 6, 13, 20 (from 6:00 – 8:30 pm EDT)
  • Thursdays – March 9, 16, 23 (from 6:00 – 8:30 pm EDT)
  • Saturdays – March 25 (from 10:00 – 3:00 pm EDT)
  • Registration opens: January 17^th at noon and closes January 20^th

 
Registration cost is $250. Please keep the receipt for reimbursement.
 
The Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) is hosting some in-person training sessions as well.
 
Upcoming:

• Grades K-1/4-6 OWL, Grades 7-9/10-12 OWL, & All Adult OWL
  • May 21-May 24 (all day in Ottawa after 2023 Symposium)

For more details about OWL or to indicate your interest, please contact Family Life Coordinator, Caitlyn Seale, at FLC@uucm.ca.
 
To learn more about what OWL is, https://www.uua.org/re/owl

Standard First Aid & CPR Level C Certification Training

Saturday, April 8^th & April 15th
10:00 – 5:00pm
Great Hall
 
Are you interested in getting certified in first aid or refreshing your skills? Dr. Pulse Training Services will be leading this training. This two-day course covers all the skills in Emergency First Aid plus scene survey, patient assessment, choking, CPR Skills (Level C), AED awareness, bleeding wounds, shock, broken bones, poisoning, diabetes, medical conditions, and heat/cold injuries. Registered candidates receive a first aid e-manual. Successful candidates receive a Standard First Aid e-card valid for three years and CPR Basic Rescuer (Level C) e-card for 3 years.
 
The training is $120. If cost is preventing you from taking part in this training, reach out to Caitlyn by email, flc@uucm.ca to discuss.
 
To register, also reach out to Caitlyn by email, flc@uucm.ca

Voices UUnited

Our UCM Choir, Voices UUnited, is resuming rehearsals If you love to sing, please join us! No previous experience or music reading abilities necessary!

2022-23  Education Focus:  Healing and Growing Monthly Wellness Series  

We will be exploring different forms of wellness as we encourage one another in a year of healing and growing. Each month we will have an all ages family service focused on wellness, followed by activities for children, junior youth and youth, while adults meet in small groups to discuss the wellness theme. Resources on the monthly topic will be posted monthly to the website.

September 2022:        Good Learning - Intellectual Wellness is a hot topic, as we learn how to distinguish fact from fake news and read media with a critical lens.

October 2022:             We are Better Together - Social Wellness means having a robust and supportive social group that offers a sense of secure belonging.  This month we celebrate the value of community.

November 2022:        You are the Earth - Environmental Wellness – taking care of earth - helps us and the planet live with health and harmony.

December 2022:         Loving Hearts - Developing Emotional Wellness means we are able to be vulnerable and open with loved ones, and can name and manage our feelings and handle conflict constructively.

January 2023:             Abundant Life -  Financial Wellness is a necessary evil in this time as we are so dependent on money to live. This month we explore how the way we think about money impacts on our sense of abundance.

February 2023:           Weaving the Web - A system that is functioning in a way that allows people to thrive and focus on their tasks exhibits Organizational Wellness.

March 2023:               You are Whole and Holy - Developing Spiritual Wellness means we feel part of something bigger than ourselves, whether that is God, the universe or the mystery.  We know our core values and beliefs.

April 2023:                  Good Bodies - Physical Wellness focuses on embodiment – on the joys of being in our bodies, moving in the world.

May 2023:                   Happy Minds - In our final theme, we look at Mental Wellness and caring for ourselves even when our brains are struggling with distorted thoughts caused by depression, anxiety or other illness.

Upcoming CUC Events

Rising Together: UU Youth and Emerging Adults of Colour
First Saturday of each month
January 7, 2023
February 4, 2023
4:00 pm  ET (90 minutes)
For Youth (14-19) and emerging adults (18-24) of colour

Registration is ongoing. If you have registered for one iteration of this program, you do not need to register again. However, your RSVP for each event to risingtogether@cuc.ca would be appreciated!

Join us for Rising Together–a welcoming space especially for Black, Indigenous and other people of colour (BIPOC) Unitarian Universalist youth and emerging young adults (ages 14-24). Led by Camellia Jahanshahi, a youth advisor of colour at the Unitarian Church of Montreal, this group gathers monthly for themed worship, discussions, and workshop-style activities. Join us for a chance to meet other BIPOC Unitarian Universalists across Canada and nurture our community with the aim of affirming each other and ensuring we have a confident voice in the broader UU community. 

More information and registration is available here.

Connect and Deepen
2nd and 4th Sundays each month, 4:00 pm  ET (90 minutes)

• January 8, 2023:  How do we give Life to our Promises

Connect and Deepen is a regular, small group ministry. We gather, virtually, for meaningful discussion, connection and reflection. If you are not connected to a local congregation, or just want the opportunity to explore spiritual topics within a guided small group we encourage you to join us.
More information and registration is available here.

Widening the Circle: Reflections on Becoming

Saturday, January 14, 2023, 12:00 pm ET (1.5 hours)
Join the Widening the Circle Team for a listening circle. We’ll take this time early in the New Year to listen closely to one another’s stories—both personal and congregational. How have you been doing in this time of change and transition? What spiritual and self care  practices have held you through it all? What has your congregational community been experiencing? How has the 8th principle process, or leadership changes, impacted the well being of the whole community? This time of centering and sharing is intended to nourish our spirits and help us connect to our larger Canadian Unitarian Universalist community.
More information and registration available here.

UU Connecting
Third Sunday of every month, 7:00 pm ET (90 min)
Sunday, January 15, 2023
Sunday, February 19, 2023 
This monthly event held the third Sunday of every month and led by Unitarian Universalist (UU) young adults Xenia and Zoë, will be a warm and welcoming space for UUs, and those interested in connecting with UUs, to meet, mingle, reconnect, and make new friends.

Gatherings will include time in breakout rooms to meet each other and talk about involvement in UUism. They may have questions to discover shared interests, and may include sharing of spiritual practices and learning about other UU community opportunities. Though it is led by young adults, UUConnecting is open to UU of all ages (those under 18 should have a parent/guardian present with them).
Registration is not required.
You can use this link to join UUConnecting: https://bit.ly/UUConnectingZoom
For those who are phoning in, Zoom’s toll-free number is 1-855 703 8985 Canada Toll-free
Meeting ID: 825 4047 0126
Passcode: 147663

Gathered Here

Monday, January 16, 2023, 8:00 p.m. ET
https://bit.ly/GHMon22-3
Join other 18- to 35-year-old Unitarian Universalists on Zoom for sharing of joys and sorrows, deeper check-ins, prayerful reflections, and an opportunity to process the events of our lives with a spiritually grounded community. Each month we are joined by a member of the Young Adult Pastoral Care Team. 
More information is available here (registration isn’t required).

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.

Has Your Contact Info Changed?
Have you moved recently? Changed your email address or phone number? Please remember to let Tisa in the UCM office know so that we can keep such information current: admin@uucm.ca

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.

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