The waters are rising. As the earth changes with the climate crisis we must learn to adapt and change as well. Rising waters, earthquakes, increased temperatures are forcing people to leave beloved homes as climate refugees. This Sunday at 10:30am I will be lifting up the millions of people struggling due to the climate crisis, joining congregations across North America in this national UU United Nations Sunday. How might we live if we saw all the people as part of our community? How can we stay grounded in our principles as we face the rising tides? We are a sixth principle congregation – supporters of the UU-UNO office and there will be a special collection for their good work. You can also donate on-line.
Donations to the UU-UNO
As a sixth principle congregation we support the work of the UU-United Nations Office through a yearly service and offering, as well as sending youth to their Spring Seminar when possible. This Sunday is our UU-UNO service where we lift up the struggles of climate displaced refugees, the focus of the UU-UNO’s work this year.
Please give what you can to the UU-UNO. As Canadians, our donations must go through the Canadian Unitarian Council. Use their donation link and identify the contribution for the UU-UNO and UCM as the congregation.
https://cuc.ca/about-cuc/partnerships/cuc-uuno/
If you wish to offer cash or cheque on Sunday, use an envelope to identify yourself and the congregation. Make the cheque out to the Canadian Unitarian Council with UU-UNO in the subject line.
For those of you who are recent visitors, or only visit on-line, consider coming this Sunday and staying after the service for a Newcomers Gathering. You can meet other people new to the congregation, ask your questions about UUism and make some connections. We will meet 15 minutes after the service ends up in Founders Hall. Whether you have been coming for months or it is your first time, if you are curious about this spiritual community, join us! If you need childcare for the Newcomers Gathering just let Family Life Coordinator Caitlyn know by contacting her at FLC@uucm.ca
The YouTube livestream of the Service will be available to subscibers to the UCM channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD8jh9eDfIPsl51oMKSpqPw?view_as=subscriber
To subscribe, find the Unitarian Congregation in Mississauga on YouTube, and hit the subscribe button. The livestream will appear on the main page when it begins. Live Streaming without a Zoom gathering is an experiment so please let us know what you think at admin@uucm.ca.
Blessings are everywhere.
Fiona
More Time for All Ages
This Sunday (October 23rd), the Time for All Ages is a story called Higgins: A Drop with a Dream By Christopher Buice.
The discussion questions below focus on principle 6. I encourage parents and/or guardians to discuss these questions and share their answers with their families.
Principle 6: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all/We must work for a peaceful, fair, and free world
- Have you ever felt like your actions were too small to make a difference?
- Did you continue to act on your own, find similar-minded groups, or take another approach? Why or why not?
Below are some additional resources focusing on similar themes:
- Children: Old Enough to Save the Planet by Loll Kirby (Story)
- Junior Youth: Games about Climate Change (Games)
- Youth and Young Adults: Climate Literacy: The Essential Principles of Climate Science (Guide)
Adults: A Prayer for UN Sunday (Prayer)