Newsletter
March 2014
Vol. 17 # 7
Sunday Services
March's Theme: Justice
Mar 2: Justice as a Way of Seeing the World
Rev. Wayne Walder
Service Leader: Gordon Thorne
♫ Ken Whiteley
Justice is more than a slogan, it is away of seeing
the world. It is an important lens for loosening the
hold of suffering.
Mar 9: Lessons Learned About Homelessness
Kathy Newman
Service Leader: Helen Armstrong
♫ Spirit Choir
Kathy Newman has worked in homelessness for
many years; she also sees ways we can change the
conversation about homelessness.
Mar 16: From Little Things Big Things Grow
Nicoline Guerrier, Intern Minister
Service Leader: Ian Corlett
♫ Spirit (House Band)
Working for justice aims to change the outer
world, but we ourselves often grow spiritually and
become transformed in the process.
Exploring Housing for Unitarian Seniors in
Toronto: Special Service by Don Heights
Unitarian Congregation at 2 pm ... see pg. 2
Musings
Our mission is to
empower spiritual
growth and shared
action for the care
of our world.
10:30 am
Mar 23: Justice in Interpersonal Relationships
Rev. Wayne Walder
Service Leader: Kurt Thomsen
♫ Susanne Maziarz & Friends
Can we respect each other? Can we handle
conflict? These are important ways to help the
world become more just. Maybe they are the
easiest ways to build a just world.
Mar 30: All-Ages Service:
Us and Them: The Story ofthe Sneetches
Amanda Fischer
Service Leader:
Moira MacDonald
♫ Spirit Choir with
Neighbourhood
Children
The MAKS group
(ages 8-12), with
help from the
Sprouts (ages 3-7),
the Neighbourhood
Spirit Choir and
various adults, will
perform Dr. Seuss’s story The Sneetches, with its
compelling lessons about discrimination and
accepting differences. Please join us for a fun and
powerful service!
Rev. Wayne Walder
Compassion is all about suffering. This is a simple statement but a challenging concept. For example, when
we see someone who is struggling with their personal life, someone dealing with grief, illness or loss, we
notice their discomfort. They are suffering. When we notice someone suffering, we have a choice: we can
avoid them because we are uncomfortable with their pain, or we can go to them and share a little of their
suffering as an act of compassion. Our ability to offer compassion rests in our willingness and ability to
become familiar with another's suffering.
Cont‘d on pg 7\
Neighbourhood 2014 Pledge Campaign Final
This just in: WE DID IT! We made our pledge goal of $110,000 - with pledges totalling
$110,598! This is our best number yet and shows the growing financial support of our spiritual
community!
88 members pledged. Our membership is approximately 115, meaning 75% of our membership
formally pledged.
With $15,000 of the total of $110,598 representing financial contributions made through the
basket (but not formally pledged), it’s fair to say that our entire membership IS supporting our
congregation.
We are moving into a new period in our history ... a period that has the potential to reap great rewards for all
of us.
Thank you, members, for your strong financial support in 2014!
Exploring Housing for Unitarian Seniors in Toronto:
A Special Sunday Service
Organized by Don Heights Unitarian Congregation
March 16, 2 pm
Don Heights will be Neighbourhood's special guests for this service where models of how other religious and
cultural groups support their aging members will be examined. Participants will explore a possible model for
Unitarians in Toronto. Speakers will be architects Cathy Tafler and Doug Rylett.
Please attend to welcome Don Heights in our space and to contribute to this important discussion.
Unicamp 2014!
Brochure now available online or in print.
KidsCamp Early Bird Deadline March 15!
Summer Jobs:
Online applications now open at
http://eepurl.com/PGc55
45th Anniversary: August 1 - 4
Visit http://unicampofontario.ca.
Sharing Our Faith Resource Package
The 2014 Sharing Our Faith resource package is now available on the Canadian Unitarian Council's (CUC)
Sharing Our Faith page (http://cuc.ca/giving-and-funding/sharing-our-faith/). It was compiled by Rev. Fiona
Heath with assistance from the Unitarian Universalist Ministers of Canada. We hope you find this helpful in
planning your CUC Sunday and Sharing Our Faith service.
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Lifespan Learning Corner
This month, Neighbourhood is exploring the theme of justice. Read on to learn how the children will
approach justice in their programs.
MAKS explore Justice in the Us and Them Program
Throughout March, our group of 7 - 12 year old children are exploring ideas about justice, fairness, prejudice
and discrimination. We’re looking at how groups of people can become prejudiced and discriminate against
other groups based on differences such as popularity, gender, race, age and other qualities. One of the tools
we’ve been using is a great youtube video series called Kids React which has some amazing videos about how
kids respond to racism, bullying and gay marriage with justice, compassion and wisdom.
Our Whole Lives (OWL) Healthy Sexuality Program Promotes Justice
Our youngest children (ages 3 - 6) continue to take part in the OWL healthy sexuality education program in
March. You might wonder how a program about bodies, babies and families is teaching lessons about justice.
The OWL program recognizes that justice issues permeate all aspects of our lives. For example, the OWL
program encourages children to accept bodies of all sizes, shapes, colours and abilities. We strive to teach
children about where babies come from in a manner that respects families where children were conceived
sexually, through in-vitro fertilization, where babies are adopted, or other scenarios. Finally, when we explore
families, we represent and affirm all types of families – including blended, mixed, same-sex, extended,
adoptive, foster and all the other wonderful varieties of families. This is just one more reason why we believe
healthy sexuality education programs are appropriate for Neighbourhood’s Lifespan Learning setting, where
issues of justice, equality and fairness can be highlighted.
Us and Them: The Story ofthe Sneetches ... All-Ages Service
The MAKS group, with help from the Sprouts, the Neighbourhood Spirit Choir, and various adults, will be
featured in an all-ages service at the end of the month. We will be staging Dr. Seuss’s story The Sneetches,
with its compelling lessons about discrimination and accepting differences. Please join us for a fun and
powerful service!
Lifespan Learning Events in March
◘ Sunday Mar 2, 2 - 4 pm: Raising Healthy Kids Speaker Series presents ...
You’re Not the Boss ofMe: Dealing with Power Struggles
with Parenting Coach Terry Carson
◘ Friday Mar 21, 7:30 pm: All-Ages Games Night
Bring family, friends, snacks, games or just yourself for a fun Friday night.
◘ Sunday Mar 30, 10:30 am: All-Ages Sunday Service
Neighbourhood children and adults present ...
Us and Them: The Story ofthe Sneetches by Dr. Seuss
In faith, Amanda Fischer, Director ofLifespan Learning
416-469-0129
dll@nuuc. ca
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ARTicles
Recent Art Installation
There are two recent additions to our sacred space. Lauren Renzetti has been busy
creating the first two parts of a three-part art installation. The Tree ofStewardship
is made of plywood and acrylic paint. The tree is the representation of how we as
Unitarian Universalists care for our world: we are the stewards of the planet and
must care for all living things. That is why it has the look of a Bonsai. Lauren’s
tree design is influenced by Canadian artist Patterson Ewan, the Group of Seven,
and Dr. Seuss.
The second art piece is acrylic on
plexiglass, and will eventually be hung
above the Wiggle Room. It represents the
Sun in the form of an egg. The Sun nurtures us and gives us light,
warmth and also energy. The spirals coming out of the sun are shaped
from the Golden Section,* radiating out as our seven principals.
The third and final art component will be a community project.
Lauren will work with the Choir, Youth and Children's groups in the
coming months. The final panel will represent Air and Water.
Anybody can participate – there will be a donation box and information sheets in the Cappuccino room. See
page 5 for more details.
* The Golden Section is a ratio (roughly 1. 618) found in the design and beauty ofnature, which can be
used to achieve aesthetic beauty and balance in art, architecture and design ofany kind.
Karma Paint Day for our New Galleries
Want to feel involved at Neighbourhood but can't commit to a committee? Karma Paint Day is for you!
Make a difference for all to see ... come paint some walls!
This is the first step in the transformative process of the back hall walls becoming our new North and South
Galleries! Join us on Saturday March 22 from 12:30 - 8 pm. (We may end earlier if we have lots of hands to
make the work light!)
Walls and rooms will be prepped on the Thursday and Friday before (March 20 - 21). If you want to help
with this aspect, contact Lauren for details at [email protected].
Once the Gallery hanging systems are installed, we will have bi-monthly shows. If you are interested in
having a solo show or being part of a group show please submit 10 jpeg files along with an artist statement to
Lauren, the new Neighbourhood Curator. Call-outs for themed shows will soon be listed on the web site and
in upcoming newsletters.
4
A Splash ofWater, a Breath ofYour Air is Needed
Lauren Renzetti is creating the third installment of the Art Installation for our Sacred Space and needs your
help. This final piece represents the Elements ofWater and Air. It will be 14 feet wide and 20 feet tall, made
out of fabric, fiber and yarn.
“Weather” you do machine sewing, applique, batik, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, weaving or fabric
painting and textiles, we need your interpretation of water or air in one of its many forms.
Parameters:
- no larger than 25” wide or long (it can be smaller or thinner)
- must use BLUE in any shade or hue (a smattering of green, purple or grey is OK
- contributor must be willing to allow alteration to fit with the larger picture as background or foreground
- item will be on permanent display at Neighbourhood
- must be handed in to Lauren no later than April 27th
Suggestions include:
- a single aspect of the water cycle: cloud, iceberg, rain drop, sea, river, ocean, waves, snowflake, storm, or
even ancient symbols for water
- an aspect of wind: tornado, swirling spirals, moving leaves, swaying trees, or even ancient symbols for air
Not Able, Creative or Too Busy ... but Want to Contribute? Here’s how ...
Do you have something BLUE, any shade, any hue? patterned or plain? Bring it to Neighbourhood: fabric,
yarn, thread, buttons, beads ... If it is treasured or has a memory, even better! Patterned or plain, it could
include other colours but should dominate as a Cool Hue (green, turquoise, blue, indigo, purple, violet, grey,
black).
We will also need stars for our night sky and a moon, so silver and gold in small quantities are also needed.
Please deposit in the Donation Box in the Cappuccino room marked “Fabric Installation Donations.” Thanks!
Communications Committee
Communications activities at Neighbourhood are growing. Last year we introduced a monthly theme
brochure and posters, a Facebook page and in February we launched our new website. This year we'll
introduce new guidelines for wall space use. We hope to provide greater support to Neighbourhood
committees for the promotion of events to ensure a consistent Neighbourhood messsage.
We need members who are willing to get involved and who have interests or skills in these areas:
photography, graphic design, editorial support, event promotional support, outreach and social media.
If you'd like to join our committee or just help out as required please get in touch. Come and join our
conversation and have fun while doing it.
Contact Margaret Hazlewood at [email protected].
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Gifts Received
Listening to old Pete Seeger songs these past
weeks, and humming along to the rousing musical
selections that are planned for this month’s focus
on “Justice,” I’d been feeling pretty upbeat about
the whole concept. But then I went to a panel
discussion at University ofToronto’s Hart House
in honour of Martin Luther King, Jr., and heard
two young people of colour talk about how much
discrimination they face here in Toronto ... and my
heart sank.
One speaker, an assertive young woman raised in
Scotland and Holland before immigrating to
Toronto as a teenager, described how she’d never
experienced herself as the “other” until arriving
here in Canada. The other speaker, a dynamic
young man proud of his origins in Toronto’s black
community, talked of the joblessness experienced
by his peers, and his own perspective on the failed
myth of higher education as a doorway into
inclusion. He told stories of friends being accused
by police of breaking and entering when they tried
to enter their own home through a side door.
Nicoline Guerrier, Ministerial
Nicoline Guerrier
Intern
“Location, location, location,” I thought: how
much our experience depends upon where we
stand – in our families, in the wider world, and
even here, at our beloved Neighbourhood
Unitarian Universalist community.
We all have experiences of injustice. For some of
us, injustice stands in the foreground and shapes
our sense of the world. For others, injustice is “out
there,” but life is felt to be a long march (or
songfest!) toward justice. And sometimes, for
many of us, the unending fight for justice can lead
to despair. We tend to forget that Martin Luther
King, himself, knew despair during the months
before he was shot. As former Premier Bob Rae
said passionately, also at the forum on King’s
legacy, “It isn’t a tea party, folks, it’s a struggle!”
For me, religious community can be one of the
places where we come together both to name the
world’s injustices and to gather strength in the
fight for justice. Where do you stand on this?
What is justice for you?
Take a Mindful Journey to Jerusalem, Petra and Dead Sea
October 24 - November 6, 2014!
Join Wayne Walder as we take a Mindful Journey to the Holy Land, "a cauldron of ancient myths and real
historical events that have indelibly marked the fate of humankind" (as described in National Geographic
Magazine). From the ancient sites ofAmman, Jordan, and a magical candlelight walk through the Siq of
Petra, to the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea. Then we go on to explore Jerusalem in depth, a city that
captivates the imagination of billions of people and is home to a mosaic of cultures and beliefs. This will be a
journey filled with memorable moments and awesome experiences. Email Beverly at [email protected] for
details.
PS: You won’t want to miss the IMAX movie Jerusalem playing at the Science Centre beginning March 7th.
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MUSINGS
Cont‘d from pg 1
It is simple - but not easy - and it is a deeply
human act. As a species we use compassion as a
response to suffering.
When we see another person suffer we can
approach them. “Are you okay?” we might ask. If
they sense we are comfortable with their struggle,
they might tell us all about it. And if we hear their
difficulty, their “suffering,” without trying to fix
their problem or react to their situation, we offer a
human presence. That presence reminds us that
suffering touches us all. It reminds us that
suffering is universal. It reminds us that we all
have had to handle suffering. It reminds us that
we are not alone.
I often must walk into hospital rooms. People are
often suffering in those rooms. Once I walked into
a room of a dying woman. She could no longer
speak. She looked
to be in such pain
that I was
uncomfortable. I
struggled with her
discomfort, her
suffering. After a
few minutes
though, I was able
to simply touch
her. I moved into her space of pain. Once I could
become familiar with her suffering, she relaxed.
She turned toward me and looked me right in the
eye. We both acknowledged death’s presence and
the suffering evaporated. The entire visit took
only 45 minutes but there was a transition for us
both. Suddenly, we were both okay. It was a
beautiful moment.
The practice of compassion begins with noticing
our own suffering. It begins when we notice our
own pain and can say, “ouch, that hurts.” Noticing
our own suffering will not make us soft; it will not
condone the suffering either. It simply reminds us
that we hurt and we need to take care of ourselves.
Denial, running away, anger, depression and blame
are all ways we avoid our own suffering.
Neighbourhood’s Out ofthe
Cold Program
Neighbourhood
will continue to
participate in the
OOTC program
until its end in
March. We will
continue to collect
much-needed
items such as
clothing, toiletries,
novels, magazines
and health
supplies for use by the OOTC program’s on-site
nurse. Health supplies needed include lozenges,
band aids, Tums, Tylenol, lip balm, Q-tips,
Polysporin, etc. Boxes for all these donations can
be found in the Cappuccino Room.
OOTC Activity:
March Movie Night with Dinner and Desserts,
March 28
If you'd like to help out in some way (eg. dinner
service, music or performance during dinner,
movie set up, clean up, etcetera), please contact
Gwen Lannaman at [email protected].
Calling all Writers/Artists!
Share your personal deepening experience
with us in 300 words or less for our Soulful
Reflections column.
Photos, poems, etcetera are all welcome!
Submit your article to [email protected] by
the 15th of the month.
Thank you for sharing!
Compassion is simply empathy for suffering, when
someone we know or love is in pain.
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Quarterly Report from Finance Committee
Well, 2014 is getting off to a good start, from the Finance Committee’s perspective. On Saturday January 25,
the Pledge campaign came to a formal conclusion at the pledge dinner, with a celebration of music, food and
good humour from our emcee, Mark Timm. Thanks to all the musicians, the choir and those doing the prep
and clean-up for a great evening. The pledge dinner marked a splendid conclusion to the campaign, due also
to the wonderful energy of everyone who participated. After service the next day, the proposed 2014
operating budget (which had been sent out to all members by William Pipher) was presented and approved
unanimously.
We thank the whole community for really rallying around the sacred practice of sharing our financial
resources. Some of us have observed that Neighbourhood has transitioned from being a community that is
somewhat nervous about money to one that is both confident and realistic about money.
Finally, we would like to also offer huge thanks to Pam Johnston and the Pledge Committee for a superb job
on this year’s campaign. We will leave it to Pam to present the final results, but we think you will all be
pleased.
Bob Rafos, Chair ofFinance Committee
My Chaplaincy Journey
When I became a member at Neighbourhood, almost 10 years ago, I was approached fairly early on by
chaplains and asked if I had an interest in this area. Personally, I felt like that was a very high and respected
role and responsibility. I thought that I should spend some more time getting to know the congregation and
also getting to know more about Unitarian Universalism, as this was a new journey for me at that time.
I held an interest in chaplaincy for many years, and after playing a role in many other areas of the
congregation (including facilitating the Our Whole Lives program for grades 7 to 12 youth, being on the
membership and greeting committee, assisting at fundraising events and also leading the monthly Full Moon
Circles for this past year), I felt the time had come. I had earned my stripes, as they say.
And, as often happens in life, the timing was perfect! Neighbourhood was re-establishing the chaplaincy
committee, so I joined and participated in various training sessions. And then the search was on for a second
chaplain, which I applied for and was not awarded. But soon after that, we learned that our current chaplain
of three years was seeking to take a leave ... and this has allowed me to join our other new chaplain, Wray
Barraclough, on this very privileged journey.
I do hope to have the opportunity to share many personal and celebratory experiences with both
Neighbourhood congregants and members of the community. I have so enjoyed taking part in a wedding with
only five of us present, as well as a baby-naming ceremony that combined Canadian and Cameroonian
traditions. I am so impressed with the Unitarian Universalist history of providing ceremonies tailored to the
individual needs and spiritual beliefs of the people involved.
Feel free to speak to me at any time about chaplaincy and to share my name and Wray’s with your friends and
family.
Yvette Roberts
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[email protected]
Neighbourhood Concert Series 2013/14
On February 2nd Njacko Backo and Friends entertained and
engaged a near full-house at Neighbourhood with uplifting music, energizing
dance and hope-filled stories for people of all ages and walks of life. For
further information on Njacko: www.njackobacko.com
There are only
two more concerts scheduled
for our successful
2013/14 Concert Series:
April 6th – Windermere String Quartet
The Windermere String Quartet was formed in the spring of 2005 to perform
the music of Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert and their contemporaries on
period instruments. The Quartet is known for its dynamic performances and
distinctive sound. Violinists Rona Goldensher and Elizabeth Loewen Andrews,
violist Anthony Rapoport and cellist Laura Jones comprise the Quartet.
For further information: www.windermere.braveform.com
June 1st – Ken Whiteley
Ken Whiteley is one of Canada’s most respected “roots” musicians. Drawing
on his incredibly rich background in blues, gospel and folk styles, this seven-time
Juno award nominee is always a wonderful addition to any festival or
concert series. For further information: www.kenwhiteley.com
Ticket Information
Members: $10 advance, $12 at the door
Non members: $13 advance, $15 at the door
Concerts start at 2 pm
Tickets available
at Neighbourhood on Sundays
or contact Susanne Maziarz to reserve
at [email protected].
Green Tip ofthe Month
by Susan Crofts
Fingers can get a bit messy when service participants sample refreshments after Sunday
Services. Did you notice that the tissues provided are unbleached, chlorine-free, carbon offset
and pop-up for your convenience?
9
Kew Park Montessori Day School, Inc.
Kew Park Montessori Day School offers a full day Casa program for children
2 1/2 to 5 years old, and an elementary program for children in grades 1 to 6.
We offer an enriched program, challenging curriculum, a calm caring
environment and dedicated, enthusiastic staff. Kew Park Montessori has been
a tradition in the Beach for over 30 years.
79 Hiawatha Rd. 416-694-6273
(Between Dundas and Gerrard)
At 79 Hiawatha ...
Members of Neighbourhood are an eclectic group
following many different spiritual paths. Ferenc
Dávid, a 16th-century founder of Unitarianism in
Transylvania, declared:
We need not think alike to love alike.
Check our online Calendar or see Meetings at
www.nuuc.ca.
• Meditation
• Choir Practice & Sunday Singers
• Music Nights!
• Full Moon Ceremonies for Women
• Tai Chi
• Men’s Group
• Dances of Universal Peace
• Social Action Committee
... and much more
Rent a Space in our Building
It’s a great place for your event or meeting!
Pass the word on to your friends/co-workers.
Contact our office for rental rates at
416-686-6809 or [email protected].
www.nuuc.ca
10
Neighbourhood Unitarian Universalist
Congregation Contacts
President:
Gwen Lannaman [email protected]
Minister:
Rev. Wayne Walder [email protected]
Director Lifespan Learning:
Amanda Fischer [email protected]
Office Manager:
Hala Riad [email protected]
Music Director:
Susanne Maziarz [email protected]
Intern Minister:
Nicoline Guerrier [email protected]
Directors:
Wendy Devine, Pam Johnston,
Kristina Kiil, Fred Maycock, Nicholas Nanos,
William Pipher, Bob Rafos, Sandra Rafos,
David Renzetti, Patricia Trudeau, Joan Walder
Newsletter Deadline for
April Issue :
March 15
Send info to [email protected]
79 Hiawatha Road Toronto, ON
416-686-6809
M4L 2X7