Do you remember the songs that marked the highs and lows of your life? Your first love? Nursing a broken heart? Mourning the loss of a friend? Gazing at your first child? I’ll bet there’s a song or two for each.
Guitar songs are the heart of our culture. Songs about love and desire. Songs of despair, hope, triumph. Songs for work, for play, for celebrating, protesting, and grieving. Songs of laughter and singalongs.
I’d like to start a new group that meets weekly or biweekly to play and discuss guitar songs of the past 50 years. I suggest we spend about half our time playing, and half listening and discussing. We’ll try playing songs in a standard jam format. Go around the circle, people suggesting, and if so inclined, leading the group in song.
I’m calling this a “guitar” group, but all stringed instruments are welcome (ukulele, harp, violin, mandolin, etc.) Sorry, no electronics, sticks, or keys.
The other half of our time will be spent listening to recordings (and each other!). Bring your laptop/iPad/iPod/Walkman with songs to share.
Introductory meeting: Wednesday October 18, 6 - 7 pm in the Sanctuary. Time and venue may change. The ONLY requirement is an interest in popular music in general, guitar songs in particular. No instrument necessary.
I’m stoked! Are UU?
Stay tuned. Kind regards, Paul Sungaila. Feel free to call me with questions: 604-785-6542
September 22nd is a SOUPer Sunday!
Join us in the Fireside Room following the service on Sunday, September 22 for a Soup Lunch arranged by Dianne Hicks. Suggested donation is $5 per person.
Seniors Taxi Rides Continue
The North Shore Unitarians formed the Seniors’ Taxi Club program in 2022 with funds provided by a Canadian Government Grant under its New Horizons for Seniors program. A second grant application has now been approved (Jan. 2025). The grant will enable the Taxi Club program to continue for at least another year.
By providing free taxi rides, the program helps seniors who either cannot drive or simply feel uncomfortable driving continue to attend NSU services and events.
Thank you to the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program for providing the original funding, which has made a significant difference in the lives of seniors in our community.
For more information on the New Horizons program, visit New Horizons for Seniors Program – Community-based projects.
To sign up for our Taxi Rides click HERE or pick up a sign-up form on the foyer table and return it to Janni in the Church Office. We will then contact you with more information.
Interested in helping on the Heart Mind Spirit Team?
The Heart Mind Spirit (HMS) Team is re-forming. The purpose of the HMS Team is to provide spiritual growth opportunities for adults with programs that deepen our heart connections and inspire actions in the service of life. If you're interested in being on the Team (or even Chairing it), please contact Marga Hanna or another member of the Board.
Learn more about the HMS Team by reading their Terms of Reference.
Sharing your Joys & Sorrows with the Congregation
Celebrating a special birthday or milestone?
Have something joyous to share with our congregation?
Experiencing a profound loss?
We care about our congregation, and would be happy to share your Joys and Sorrows in a Sunday morning service, so others are aware of what’s going on for you.
You're invited to share your Joys and Sorrows with us in one of two ways:
Write your joy or sorrow in the book (located in the foyer) during the week or on Sunday morning, or
Email our Church Office (by Friday at 1:30pm) and ask Janni to relay your message to the Service Coordinator.
NOTE: Only report on someone else's Joys or Sorrows if you have their permission to share their situation with the congregation on Sunday morning.
October Outreach: SeedChange
During our October 1st, service, we collected $842.10 for the Indian Residential School Survivors’ Society.
During the rest of October, we collected $966.56 for SeedChange — a nonprofit that works with farmers to grow just, healthy, sustainable harvests everywhere. Their work includes: keeping seeds in farmers’ hands, strengthening farmers’ knowledge, and helping farming communities to thrive.
Thank you to all who contributed!
Talent Show & Potluck: Sat. October 21st
You're invited to an afternoon/evening of family fun celebrating the many talents in our church community.
People of all ages are encouraged to attend this event, and to sign up for sharing their talent with us! Please let us know, below, how many household members will be attending, as well as any acts they would like to share.
The talent show will take place on Saturday, October 21st from 4:30-5:30pm, with the potluck immediately afterwards (5:30-7pm). You can sign up for one event or the other -- or better yet, BOTH!
RSVP HERE. Contact Alison Nixon (778-688-2912) with questions.
Scam Alert!
We occasionally see phishing scams and fraudulent texts and/or emails targeting our congregation. The texts or emails pretend to be from a church leader, Board Member, or Staff. The requests often ask the receiver to reply to the message, purchase gift cards, transfer money, or reveal personal banking information. THESE MESSAGS ARE FALSE. Our church staff and leaders will NEVER send you such requests. Unfortunately, these wrong-doers prey on the recipients' good nature and heart.
Here are some things you can do to keep yourself safe:
Know that the initial text or email will only ask you to contact them so they can ask for a favor. This is a tactic to see who responds.
Once you respond, they will tell you what "favor they need," which usually means spending a large sum of money on something that could be plausible (e.g. gift cards to certain stores or online platforms).
If the text or email seems to be from someone you know simply phone or email that person using the phone number or email address listed in Breeze (NOT the one provided in the email or text) to confirm if the message was from them.
Contact our Church Office if you have any concerns, or want to verify a request.
Block that email or phone number, so you will not receive further messages from that person.
Report the email to your email provider as a phishing scam.
NEVER provide personal information (such as bank account or credit card numbers) in response to an email, text, or phone call.
Stay safe and vigilant!
Art Appreciation Team Invitation
Our church generates and engages with art in many of its various forms, including music, paintings, fibre arts, crafts, collage, stained glass, photography, writing, and more! Our Art Appreciation Team (led by Inga Puhlmann, Chair) hosts and visits artistic events -- and you're invited!
Watch our weekly eBulletins for invitations to local events, such as the one listed below:
10:30am Tues. October 3rd
at West Vancouver Memorial Library
Presentation on Yannick Nezet-Seguin
Our Art Appreciation Team invites you to this local 2-hour event. Nezet-Seguin is a Montreal-born conductor, music director of the Metropolitan Opera, conductor of the Orchestra Metropolitan in Montreal and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Presented by Neil Ritchie, CBC radio host for 34 years. Interesting, free and fun. (in Welsh Hall, downstairs). Come a bit early for good seats. Followed by coffee or lunch at Senior's Centre close by; please look for our table.
Collecting donations for a Thanksgiving Basket for Harvest Project
We are collecting donations for a Thanksgiving Hamper to be given to the Harvest Project, in North Vancouver (to deliver after Thanksgiving Sunday). Please bring donations to the church between now and October 8th, and leave them in the bins provided under the foyer table.
The most needed items are:
Canned fruit and fruit cups
Peanut butter and spreads
Cookies, crackers, granola bars
coffee (1lb pack ground)
flour, sugar, salt, pepper (all 1-2 pound packs maximum)
Oil, vinegar (500ml)
Breakfast Cereals
Soup Broth / Bouillon
Rice (1 pound bags)
Toothbrushes (individually packed)
Toothpaste (regular size)
Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner
Toilet Paper
feminine Hygiene Products
Disposable Razors
Dish Soap
See the Harvest Project flier HERE, and their website HERE.