Truth and Reconciliation

This Thursday September 30^th is the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities, recognizing that public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
 
Thursday is a day to reflect on these painful truths so that we may heal and reconcile our relationships with the indigenous people of Canada. It is a day to wear an orange shirt, as a symbol that we remember the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
 
If you would like to do more or learn more, there are Truth and Reconciliation resources on our website in the Nurturing Inclusivity section.
 
Locally, there will be activities during the day at Celebration Square in Mississauga and Brampton is hosting an indigenous speaker on-line at 10:00am. The City of Toronto has a long list of resources and events.
 
If you able to spend a bit of money and time, the Nahanee Creative group in British Columbia has short webinars and workbooks on topics related to decolonization: https://www.nahaneecreative.com/

If you only have a few minutes on Thursday, spend time with a spiritual practice – journal, meditate, light a chalice – and breathe and be. Renew your spirit, and, as Richard Wagemese says "keep what's true in front of you...you won't get lost that way."
 
May we walk the path to truth, healing and reconciliation.

Blessings,
 
Fiona

Fall 2021 Update

Here at UCM we are eager to be together in person and at the same time wary of the Delta variant of COVID-19. So we are having a soft re-opening and we will evaluate our protocols and make a decision about on-going in person services.

Services will continue to be available as a Zoom experience or livestreamed on YouTube. Registration is required for in-person services as we need to limit numbers, you are asked to mask and be vaccinated. Children and youth will meet outside for the time being.

We look forward to connecting - in person and on-line!

Fall Multi-Platform Services
 
October 3rd  In-Person, Zoom, YouTube
October 10th  In-Person, Zoom, YouTube
October 17th  Zoom, YouTube
October 24th  Zoom, YouTube
October 31st  In-Person, Zoom, YouTube

Festive Fair Returns Nov. 20

The Festive Fair welcomes you back on Saturday Nov. 20^th with most of the features you love – the local Artisan tables, Silent Auction, Treasure Trove, Festive decorations and music. We will not have a Cosy Café, but instead a large Bake Table for take out. Greeters will control numbers in the Hall, provide masks, sanitize common surfaces and take contact info. No choirs, but good music.

We would welcome volunteers to do baking (contact Paula McNaughton p_mcnaughton@yahoo.ca), help with Greeting and Sanitizing (contact Candice Rice Candicerice132@gmail.com), and volunteers for Treasure Trove. If you have gently used items (no bigger than a bread box), and currently popular books, please contact Judy Benger at judy.benscheu@sympatico.ca. If you have new items for the Silent Auction or suggestions for businesses to approach for donations, contact Sheila Bjarnason at sbjarn@gmail.com. If you’d like to put up posters, contact John Rowell at johnrowell99@gmail.com.

Let’s make this Festive Fair a magical start for the Holiday Season!

Social Justice

Speaker Series: Confronting Racism

Wed. Oct. 27, 2021 7:30 pm
Delia Opekokew
Legal Chronicles with the Indian Residential Schools Inquiry and First Nations Treaty Land Claims

Tickets $10.00 at Eventbrite plus small fee.

Wed. Feb. 9, 2022 7:30 pm
Martin Ejidjra
Tackling Institutionalized Racism within school boards and other organizations

Wed. Mar. 30, 2022 7:30 pm
Dany Assaf
Author of Say Please and Thank You & Stand in Line – My Experiences as a Muslim Canadian

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

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

Mark your Calendars for these Fall Series

Fiona:
Wellspring Sacred Arts, September 2021 - June 2022
 
Looking for a small group experience? Do you have a love of the arts? Interested in developing your creativity? Join next year's Wellspring Sacred Arts course. Sacred Arts has focus on a wide variety of arts - from poetry to stand up comedy to architecture - exploring their form as well as our personal experience of the art form. Sacred Arts includes an invitation to develop your own creative side.
 
Wellspring is a UU organization for spiritual deepening. Wellspring courses meet twice a month from late September to early June and asks each participant to engage in regular spiritual practice, work with a spiritual director and study provided resources for each session. Sacred Arts encourages creative practice and provides greater insight into the transformative nature of art.
 
If you are interested in Wellspring Sacred Arts please contact Rev. Fiona as soon as possible. 

Kathleen:
The Most Human of Things
One of the few things that we all have in common is death. Yet, we often shy away from discussing it. This fall we will have a short three-part series that deals with The Most Human of Things. It will include a “Death Café” where no topic is taboo, an introduction to Green Burial, and a workshop about Medical Assistance in Dying.  This will occur in Sept/Oct and everyone is welcome to join in. Please contact Kathleen Sorensen.
 
Young Adult (18-35) Wellspring
If you fit in this cohort, or know anyone who does, let me know if you are interested in joining in our eight week Wellspring course this fall. We will explore the UU sources through media resources and conversations. It will be on-line and we will find a time that suits those who are interested. Drop me an email and I will add you onto the Google Poll to find what best suits everyone. 

Kathleen     DLL@uucm.ca

Dismantling Racism & 8th Principle Forums

Sep 19 - Nov 7
The Dismantling Racism and 8th Principle forums are a 4-session introspective journey building momentum towards being truly inclusive, deepening our understanding of what it means to dismantle racism, and practicing how to show up in a way that honours what we have been asked to do by our members of colour. 
 
We regard this as necessary work to prepare for the Special Meeting on November 27, 2021. These forums are also a way for congregations to engage fully in conversation without having to organize their own discussions, and to hear from others across the country.
 
Forum dates and times
All forums take place on Sundays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm ET. Click on the title of each forum to access details about that session.

What are the forums?

• Forum II: Oct 3          Affirming the Need, Strengthening Our Resolve | Zoom link
• Forum III: Oct 17       Transmuting Resistance | Zoom link
• Forum IV: Nov 7        Embracing the Work Ahead (with an update of any amendments to the motion) | Zoom link

Preparation for the forums
The CUC’s Social Justice team of Erin Horvath and Amber Bellemare have videos to aid you in preparing for the forums. As part of our commitment to creating safe and brave spaces, these conversational videos explain our approach, contextualize the container we are creating, and set up a clear understanding of how we expect all of us to behave in this vulnerable space together. The videos are presented in digestible chunks from 6 to 36 minutes, with a total of about 1 hour of viewing.
 
We ask that you view or listen to these videos BEFORE your participation in the forums. If you are not able to access the videos before the forums, we invite you to show up as a silent observer until you’ve had a chance to go through all the videos.
 

• Video 1: Introduction (6 mins)
• Video 2: Responsibility Covenant & Why It’s Important (37 mins)
• Video 3: What’s Ok and Not Ok (in the forums) (10 mins)
• Video 4: Assumptions in Approaching the Forums (8 mins)
• Video 5: Chalice Bundle Explanation (11 mins)

 
The complete Forum Resource Package can be found here, within the CUC Special Meeting folder. These forums have been planned in consultation with the CUC's Elders, Sharon Jinkerson Brass and Stephen Paquette.
 
Why are the forums focused on internal work and reflection?
The CUC is committed to dismantling racism. This has been approved as a strategic priority for several years by congregational delegates at the CUC’s Annual General Meetings. One of our 5 Aspirations is to be “Radically Inclusive” and we have yet to realize that goal. 
 
The results of the survey undertaken by the Dismantling Racism Study Group in 2020 indicate that the level of diversity in our congregations is lower than that of our current national population, and that there is a lack of commitment to racial justice work, with racist behaviours being noted in our congregations. BIPOC UUs shared stories of being excluded, feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome, and being disillusioned by a faith community that professes to be inclusive but lacks action.
 
We understand that change can be uncomfortable. Dismantling racism means changing our attitudes and behaviour, and threatens the status quo, but internal work is necessary for transformation. Racism in our congregations is real. Dismantling it is hard, challenging work, AND we are capable (Rev. Mark Morrison Reed & R. Edward Freeman)
 
It is our hope that the forums will help us to work together through our discomfort and be honest about the state of racism in our congregations. 
 
What about amendments and feedback on the proposed 8th Principle motion?
Roundtable conversations were held over the summer to discuss thoughts, concerns and affirmations on the motion, with a lot of individual suggestions being sent to the CUC Board and Executive Director. While all input is welcome, the CUC is an association of congregations and the formal avenue for suggesting changes or amendments to the motion is through your congregation. 
 
Please refer to this document for the congregational feedback tool. We have also provided platforms for youth and young adults and individuals to share thoughts. 
 
What’s next after the forums?
The CUC’s Special Meeting takes place on Saturday, November 27, 2021 with the vote on the motion taking place at that time. 
 
Further information will be forthcoming about delegates and registration, the Special Meeting agenda, and any relevant details pertaining to the 8th Principle process.
 
In faith and hope,

Vyda Ng
Executive Director
Canadian Unitarian Council | Conseil unitarien du Canada

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.

Bequest Received
We are very grateful to have received a bequest from the estate of Jim and Marion Pattison. Jim joined UCM (Unitarian Congregation of South Peel as it was known then) in the early 60’s. He was a strong supporter of UCM and was for many years a member of the Finance and Canvass teams. His thoughtfulness and good judgment regarding UCM financial matters were much appreciated.  

Joan Hill for the Finance Committee

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

Shelter in This Place

"2020 was a year unlike any other. A year of masks and marches. A tale of two pandemics, COVID-19 and the deep rooted pandemic of white supremacy and structured racism." This year's inSpirit meditation book is an anthology of poems and reflections from Unitarian Universalists and includes a piece by Rev. Fiona, an adapted excerpt from her reflection Dandelion Kindness.  

Shelter in This Place can be ordered through inSpirit, the UU Bookstore.

Upcoming CUC Youth Events

Upcoming CUC Youth Events 

Below are a number of opportunities for youth and young adults to engage with the 8th Principle process that is going on in Canada at the national level. This is a historic moment we are in, and we hope that everyone who wants to will have a chance to be part of the conversation! 
For background on what the 8th principle is and what's going on around it in Canada, see the attached document “The 8th Principle Process: Next Steps”.

Youth and Young Adult Feedback Form
YaYAs are invited to provide feedback on the proposed 8th principle motion by October 20th as individuals or on behalf of groups by using this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfWpIzMr4OtPUv4Gl7kCq9GDlHiFLXlU96YgPZfJQkTmBBb-A/viewform

Other 8th Principle Conversations 
Youth and young adults are also encouraged to participate in the series of Forums being hosted by CUC staff for UUs of all ages across the country in September and October, and any conversations happening at their local congregations.
 
Important Dates: 

• Jun 26 | Jul 31 | Aug 28 | Sep 25 | Oct 30 @12-1:30 pm ET: 
  • CUC Roundtables will be held on the last Saturday of each month for conversation and questions about the proposed 8th Principle and process
  • Congregations schedule times for conversations
• September 19 - CUC Hosted Forum 1 (7-8:30 pm ET)
• October 3 - CUC Hosted Forum 2 (7-8:30 pm ET)
• October 17 - CUC Hosted Forum 3 (7-8:30 pm ET)
• October 20: Deadline for Feedback from congregations to CUC 
• October 20-November 5: CUC Board and the DRSG will consider the feedback and craft any changes to send to member congregations
• November 6: official notice of meeting sent out with all pertinent information
• November 7: Final CUC Hosted Forum (7-8:30 pm ET) to discuss updates or changes
• November 27 - CUC Special Meeting (12-2:30 pm ET)

Upcoming CUC Events

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

UU BIPOC Space
Saturdays September 18, and October 16, 12pm ET 
A space for UUs who are Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour, ages 18 and up, to gather safely to share experiences, stories, and be change-makers. Join Rev. Fulgence Ndagijimana and Vyda Ng to share what is on your minds and in your hearts.
Details here. 
Join on Zoom at http://bit.ly/UU_BIPOC

Leaders Roundtable 
Saturdays, September 25, and October 30, 12:00 pm ET 
Join Vyda Ng and CUC Board members in reflection about accountably dismantling racism and being radically inclusive, one of our 5 Aspirations. These specific roundtables on this topic will run on the last Saturday of each month until October 30. After that date, other timely topics will resume. Connect on Zoom.

Connect and Deepen
Sundays, September 12 and 26 and October 10 and 24, 4 pm ET
Connect and Deepen is a regular small group ministry in which participants gather, virtually, for meaningful discussion, connection and reflection.
More information is available at https://cuc.ca/events/connect-deepen-feb-april-2020/1614528000/1614533400/

Gathered Here
Monday, September 13, 8:00 pm ET and Thursday, October 14, 2:00 pm ET
Join other UU 18-35 year-olds on Zoom (a video-conferencing platform) 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. 
More information is available at https://cuc.ca/events/gathered-here-sept-nov-2021/1631563200/1631568600/

8th Principle Process: Forums
Sundays, September 19 and October 3 and 17, 7 pm ET
The CUC will hold a series of 4 forums to bring congregations together in respectful conversation. The forums are cumulative and each one will build on the one before it, and participants can attend these as a series or as stand-alone sessions, although we encourage you to attend all four, especially congregational leaders and delegates. The forums will focus on reflection and embracing action to prepare us for making a significant decision at the Special Meeting on November 27th.
More information is available at https://cuc.ca/events/8th-principle-process-forum-1/1632078000/1632083400/

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.

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
 

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

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