Past Events:
Canadian Unitarian
Council’s
Annual Conference and Meeting – It’s A Wrap!
Over 600 Unitarians and Universalists participated in the ACM in Ottawa
over the May long weekend. It was a weekend where old friends were met and
new connections made, with many opportunities for learning and spiritual
exploration. Here are some of the high points: [read
more...]
ANNUAL FELLOWSHIP MEETING
June 29th: Annual Fellowship Meeting, 12:00 - 13:30
pm
Members and friends are advised that the Annual Fellowship meeting will
take place on this date. The meeting will be located at the Retired
Citizens' Association Building, 10 Bennett Avenue.
A short service will be held from 10:30 - 11:00 am, which will be followed
by a light meal until noon. The AFM will be held from 12:00 - 1:30 pm. All
members, friends and visitors are welcome.
The agenda for the meeting available online
here in PDF
format. An election of officers will be held. Anyone wishing to serve on
the Board of Directors should contact Martha Traverso of the Nominating
Committee. She can be reached at 777-8584 (W) or 722-8797 (H). Nominations
will also be accepted from the floor.
There is no Notice of Motions or Special Resolutions proposed for the AFM.
Amnesty International Film
Festival
Amnesty International is proud to present its 4th Annual Film Festival,
being held from May 21st to May 25th in St. John's. This year's festival
features documentaries on some of the most important issues facing the
global community. The festival will be held at Memorial University's
Engineering Building, Room EN-2006 (On the website,
http://munai.wordpress.com,
click on "Schedule" for more).
The film festival is dedicated to showcasing some of the world's best
documentary films related to human rights. Through the art of film and its
ability to bring the viewer in touch with sometimes harsh realities, the
festival strives to expose new audiences to human rights abuses occurring
around the world and to provide the St. John's public with an opportunity
to become involved in the global community by taking action against such
abuses.
"Over the last couple of years, we have become increasingly aware of the
responsibility each and everyone has in ensuring human rights abuses are
not ignored, forgotten or not acted upon" said Remzi Cej, Film Festival
Coordinator.
The 2008 festival program features ten films from around the globe that
deal with human rights issues in countries such as India, Sudan, and
Venezuela. This year's festival will also screen two documentaries on the
growing scarcity and commodification of water.
The Film Festival seeks to show the complexities of world conflicts,
rather than classifying the problems as issues with simple, two-dimension
solutions.
Often challenging and inspiring, these real life stories are compelling
and powerful and they help us understand what it means to be a citizen of
the world today. The festival celebrates the significant contributions
made by filmmakers worldwide to the awareness and understanding of human
rights issues. "This is an opportunity for the members of the community
who read, hear and watch the news and want to do something about an issue.
It begins with awareness, and we hope to provide our filmgoers with a good
selection of some of the most pressing human rights issues, so they can
begin to take action on behalf of fellow human beings," said Cej.
Some of the films that will be featured include:
Shame: In June 2002, Pakistani Mukhtaran Mai was raped while her father,
uncle, and a dozen other men looked on. The rape was her punishment for an
offence allegedly committed by her brother. The family was burdened with
shame and Mukhtaran tried to commit suicide. Later, she decided to go
public with her story and press charges against the rapists. Shame tells
the story of a strong woman who built two schools and a crisis centre for
women in her village and, by resisting patriarchy and oppression, became
an example for women elsewhere.
Heavy Metal in Baghdad: Playing heavy metal in a Muslim country has always
been a difficult (if not impossible) proposition but after Saddam's regime
was toppled, there was a brief moment for the band in which real freedom
seemed possible.That hope was quickly dashed as their country fell into a
bloody insurgency. From 2003-2006, Iraq disintegrated around them while
Acrassicauda struggled to stay together and stay alive, always refusing to
let their heavy metal dreams die. Their story echoes the unspoken hopes of
an entire generation of young Iraqis.
Burma's Secret War: For most of the past 16 years the rightful leader of
Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi, has been held under house arrest by a brutal
military dictatorship that suppresses all opposition through a policy of
rape, forced labour and systematic killings. This is a country unique in
failing all five crucial tests by which the UN measures human rights, yet
until now the world has all but ignored. This undercover documentary goes
deep inside Burma, documenting political dissent and atrocities committed
against the Karen people.
Radio Okapi: In recent times, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
radio, television and newspapers served as a means to disseminate messages
of hatred, propaganda and slander. After the Rwandan genocide, a group of
Swiss journalists set up the Hirondelle Foundation, which works for
independent and professional media, notably in zones of conflict. Radio
Okapi was set up as a radio for peace amidst war. It is currently the most
listened to radio station in the DRC and operates in the country's five
official languages.
Faith without Fear: Irshad Manji is one of the most controversial
personalities in the world today. Her views on Islam and Muslims have
gotten her in trouble more than once. The mullahs in Iran issued a fatwa
against her. In an interview for CBC's The Hour last year, Manji confessed
to having bodyguards around her 24/7. What is Manji's message and why has
it made her life a nightmare? In Faith Without Fear, Irshad Manji
discusses the changes she would like to see in Islam. With political
dialogue mixed in the most innocent conversations imaginable (Manji has a
frank chat with her mother), Manji's message appeals to certain critics of
modern Islam. Discussion to follow.
For a complete schedule, please visit the Amnesty Film Festival site at
http://munai.wordpress.com/
or contact a film festival coordinator at
mun.amnesty@gmail.com.
NOTE: The documentary and feature films and videos presented in the
festival are individual works of art and journalism, and have not been
produced by Amnesty International. The perspectives or opinions presented
in these films and videos are not necessarily those of Amnesty
International, and Amnesty International has not necessarily researched or
verified any specific facts presented in the films.
FILMS HAVE NOT BEEN RATED; SOME FILMS MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR VIEWERS
YOUNGER THAN 17. DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
THE CANADIAN UNITARIAN COUNCIL
SUPPORTS EARTH HOUR 2008
Canadian
Unitarians: Turn Off Your Lights
The Canadian Unitarian Council encourages you to join Earth Hour, a world
wide demonstration of the difference we can make to our environment when
we act together. On March 29, 2008 individuals, families, communities,
cities across Canada and around the world are pledging to turn off their
lights, appliances and anything else that uses energy for Earth Hour from
8:00 to 9:00 PM (local time) Saturday 29 March 2008. Join a World Wildlife
Fund event intended to raise climate change awareness and symbolize that,
working together people can make a difference.
The first Earth Hour, in Sydney, Australia in 2007, was a great symbolic
success, as 2.2 million people and 2100 businesses turned off the lights
in that city. This year, the concept is a global phenomenon across six
continents. An event that Canadian Unitarians are encouraged to join with
literally thousands across the world.
Individuals, groups, congregations, cities are encouraged to go to
www.earthhour.org
and sign up for Earth Hour. Sponsor your own event to symbolize and share
your concern for addressing climate change, one of the most critical
issues facing our world today.
The CUC’s Environment Monitoring Group engages in activities to let our
government know that Canadian Unitarians think the climate crisis requires
immediate and substantial action. Read the resolutions from 1999 and
discuss the proposal to study that will come to this year’s Annual
Conference and Meeting. Join the email discussion group to share your
thoughts and ideas with Unitarians across the country. Just send a blank
email message to cuc-environment-
discussion-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or include a request in a note to
environment@cuc.ca
Lots of information about CUC’s statements on the environment can be found
at:
http://cuc.ca/ social_responsib ility/environmen
t/index.htm
Sign Up Now!
Sign-up at
http://earthhour. org/user/XAzc
in order to be counted as part of the CUC.
Here is a message from KAIROS with some
resources you may find of use.
JOIN KAIROS FOR EARTH HOUR
KAIROS wants you to turn off your lights for
an hour at 8 pm on Saturday, March 29!
Why? Because our use of fossil fuels –symbolized here by a light bulb- is
contributing to global climate change. In 2007, the people of Sydney,
Australia, decided that they could send a powerful message for change by
turning off all their lights at the same time. More than 2 million
citizens and businesses did so. Now, the World Wildlife Fund is taking
Sydney’s history–making moment global by encouraging people, businesses,
and communities all over the world to turn off their lights and demand
action on climate change.
KAIROS asks you, your church, and your community to join in this global
effort as part of your commitment to the Re-Energize: Time For A Carbon
Sabbath campaign (http://www.kairoscanada.org/e/action/earthhour/index.asp).
Use this time to reflect on your use of fossil fuels and their connections
not just to climate change but to human rights and conflict as well. Build
community around these issues. Advocate with local and federal governments
to change their policies and practices related to fossil fuels.
Want to get started?
Download the "KAIROS Earth Hour Kit" (PDF
file)-- it has ideas big and small, from turning out the lights at
home to approaching your community government, local businesses, and the
whole community to turn out the lights.
Have a little more time
and energy?
Download the "KAIROS Earth Hour
Worship" (PDF
file) -- Bring your church community together to observe this time and
take action.
The Canadian Unitarian Council’s
Annual Conference and Meeting
is in Ottawa.
From
Ottawa First, the Host Congregation's President
You are invited to come to Ottawa!
On behalf of the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, I am pleased to
invite you to the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) 2008 Annual Conference
and Meeting (ACM) “The Web of Life – In our Hands” “La toile de la vie
– Entre nos mains” on May 16-19th 2008.
Please mark these dates in your calendar today. You won’t want to
miss this annual three-day conference which brings together Unitarians and
Universalists from across the country for fun, learning, worship and song.
I look forward to welcoming you to Ottawa.
Chuck Shields, President
First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa
HOLIDAY
POT LUCK
The AUF's annual seasonal potluck will be held after the
Intergenerational Service on Dec 16th, at the Seniors' Club (10 Bennett
Ave) Please join us for warm company and good food.
Reflections on the Eastern Region Fall Gathering
Over the weekend of November 2-4, Unitarian Universalists
from Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia gathered here in St.
John’s for the CUC’s Eastern Region Fall Gathering. It provided
opportunities for new friends to be welcomed to Newfoundland, and for our
Fellowship to make connections with the wider UU community.
Workshop selections ranged from “Terrible Beauty and
Contextual Beauty” and “Exploring A Language of Reverence” to “Conflict is
a Gift!” and “Healthy Congregations.” Several youth from Ottawa presented
a workshop on “Modern Day Slavery.” Elinor Ratcliffe and Rev. Kathy Sage
led an “On the Town” tour that was a big hit, and included a viewing of
the “Veiled Virgin” housed by the Presentation Sisters, as well as a visit
to The Rooms. The children enjoyed a fun and stimulating program, which
took in visits to Signal Hill, the Geo Centre, the Fluvarium, and a
fossil-making session under the eagle eyes of Nathalie Brunet, Gerry
O’Callaghan from Ottawa, and Celina Barry (childcare provider
extraordinaire.) On Saturday evening, all gathered for a traditional
Newfoundland meal, followed by a Kitchen Party emceed by Terry Rielly with
entertainment provided by Sheldon Thornhill on the accordion. RFG
participants then shared the stage during the Open Mic segment.
The Sunday morning service was created by all the
professional ministers of the Eastern region, and was an inspirational
testament to ministry in action. Rev Diane Rollert’s (Minister, Unitarian
Church of Montreal) engaging sermon was made more memorable by her warm
rendition of “Honey in the Rock.” The offertory, traditionally split
between the host congregation and a non-profit agency in the community,
was donated in whole to Community Mediation Services, a decision made by
the AUF board. The collection totalled over $1,600.
It was a good weekend, with new connections made, and
existing ones strengthened. I thank all who participated, and who worked
hard to make it all come together.
Vyda Ng, Host Chair
Members
and Friends are
invited to the
AUF
SUMMER POTLUCK
Sat,
Aug 25/07
4 pm
At Judy Gibson’s
58 The Boulevard.
This
will be an outdoor event.
If
the weather is inclement, an alternative date will be announced.
Please
bring a favourite/new dish to share & your beverage of choice.
RSVP
by Aug. 22
Kate
Morrison (753-6989;
katem50@nl.rogers.com)
Soulful Sundown
will take place April 6 at 7:30pm
Gower Street United Church
(first Friday of the month)
Soulful Sundown is an opportunity to explore spirituality
through contemporary music, dance, storytelling, gentle movement,
drumming, chant, and other self-expression. It is a radically inclusive,
highly participatory, spiritually alive and justice-centered community
experience.
So no matter what you believe or don’t believe, you will
feel at home here. It is a place to share inspiration and support one
another in a search for spirituality and meaning. All are welcome. After
the service, there will be refreshments and socializing.
[click above to download in PDF format]
Annual Coffee House for Love
Our Annual Coffee House for Love Fundraiser
for RIAC Friday, February 16 @ Gower Street United Church Hall. Doors open
at 7:45 p.m. This event is a multi-cultural celebration of music sponsored
by the Avalon Unitarian Fellowship to raise money for the RIAC office. Due
to last year's success, we are holding the event at a bigger venue - the
Gower Street United Church Hall. 99 Queen's Road, St. John's, NL (See
poster below for more info or download it
here in pdf
format)
[click above to download in PDF format]
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