UU Retreat September 9-11th on Vancouver Island

Registration is now open for the 2022 weekend retreat for BC Unitarians who identify as being female. The dates are September 9th - 11th. This retreat has been held (almost) continuously for the past 25 years at the serene Bethlehem Retreat Centre near Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island.

We work together to create space for celebration and support for each other by sharing our gifts and talents to make this a fun, healing and healthy experience. Activities will include:

  • discussion circles

  • a water celebration ceremony

  • crafts

  • yoga

  • quiet time

  • music

  • labyrinth walking

  • a Sunday service

  • a jewelry & book exchange

  • exploring nature outside

We will have a combination of “inside” and “outside” activities. The weather should be warm, as this is our earliest fall weekend yet! The food is excellent, and each participants has their own room. There are also rooms for people with mobility challenges.

We are limiting registration to a maximum of 14 participants this year to ensure COVID spacing. Your place is secured by paying the fee. The all-inclusive cost for the weekend: $345 by August 22 or $370 until registration closes Sept. 5, 2022. Nanaimo ferry pickup can be arranged.

Please email Lynn Beak at lynnbeak@gmail.com (or phone 1-250-886-4205) for further details.

Space Available in Sandra & Gary Robinson's Fall Energy Awareness Course!

This FundFest event has 5 more spots available. In this multi-session program, you’ll come more completely into your body and develop a meditation process to heal your energy space.  The series includes tools and techniques (like centering, grounding, non-resistance and more), that can facilitate ease and flow, wellness and clarity. 

The 2022 dates and times included in this series:

  • Sat. Sept. 17, 10-4 (Fireside)

  • Wed. Sept. 21, 7-9:30pm (Fireside)

  • Wed. Sept. 28, 7-9:30pm (Fireside)

  • Wed. Oct. 5, 7-9:30pm (Fireside)

  • Wed. Oct. 12, 7-9:30pm (Fireside)

  • Sat. Oct. 15, 10am-12:30pm (Sanctuary)

  • Sat. Oct. 22, 10am-12:30pm (Sanctuary)

If you’re interested in attending, please contact Sandra Robinson.

Cost is $200 per person (payable to NSUC). But as with all FundFest and church events, if cost is ever a barrier to your attending a church event, please contact Janni in the Church Office for assistance from the Pastoral Discretionary Fund.

General Meeting September 11th . . . instead of church!

On September 11th, our Membership will hold a General Meeting at 10:30am, instead of our usual church service. But we invite EVERYONE to join us for our first service of the new year the following week (September 18th)l — followed by our annual Corn Roast!

The General Meeting will be for Members (those who have signed our Membership Book). Although anyone may attend the meeting, only Members who meet our Bylaw requirements will be allowed to speak at the meeting and vote.

We sent the original Notice Letter for this meeting to Members on Friday, July 15th, with additional materials sent out on August 27th and September 6th.

If you are unsure of your voting status, contact Janni in the Church Office prior to September 9th.

Lynn Sabourin's Odyssey Address

1pm on Sunday, August 28th by Zoom

You're invited to this special Zoom event in which Lynn Sabourin, our Religious Educator for 40 years and recipient of the prestigious MacLean Award for Excellence in Religious Education, will share her Odyssey address with the Canadian UU Religious Educators (CUURE). Lynn will reflect on her years of service, lessons learned and experiences to pass on to others. Register for this Zoom event HERE or using the button below.

Book Suggestions from Rev. Ron

Hi y'all, I thought you might be interested in some of the books that have been most formative to me. Reading them, you will find many of the themes that you hear from the pulpit on Sunday's (though perhaps more cogently laid out!).

If nothing else, they are excellent and beautiful reads. I would particularly highlight the first.

~ Rev. Ron Phares

Click on an image to see an enlargement and to view the author(s):

And here are the books I’ll be reading this summer:

September 18th - First Sunday Service of the New Church Year AND Corn Roast!

Our Corn Roast theme is “Country”, so we invite you to wear Western garb!

The menu includes corn on the cob, hamburgers (or veggie burgers) with cheese, condiments, salad, refreshments, fruit, and chocolate fountain. We’ll even have welcome-back cake!

Suggested donation: $10 for adults, $5 for children.

Special thanks to the team of volunteers who helped to make this possible, including: Barb Moore, Clair Walsh, Jenn & Dave Ritchie, Jennifer Williams & Lila, Richard Kwan & Mairi, Jill Phares, Melissa Picher Kelly, Shelley Hrdlitschka, Summer Wang, Ruth Sherwood, Michael Watson and Merrick Walsh.

Hot Dog Lunch on June 26th

We are having a hot dog lunch (with a vegan option) and special desserts this Sunday -- our last service before the summer. You're invited to join us for this special year-end celebration! Feel free to wear Hawaiian clothing, if you like. Suggested donations: Adults $10, children & youth $5. There will be activities for kids!

We need several people to help move tables and chairs both before and after the lunch. If you can help, please contact Merrick (778-847-6377).