CUC eNews: April 30, 2019 – Issue 88

In This Issue:

• Counting Down to the AGM!
• News From the Unitarian Church of Montreal 
• ICUU 2020 Meeting and Conference
• Unitarian Fellowship of Peterborough Seeks Director of Religious Exploration
• Reminder: General Assembly Registration
• Upcoming Events You Won’t Want to Miss

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Counting Down to the AGM!

The CUC’s Annual General Meeting is taking place on Friday, May 11th in Toronto. This is the third year the AGM has full online voting and participation capability. Using a combination of Zoom web conferencing and Google sheets, delegates and congregations from across the country can vote and participate – without having to travel to Toronto. This development is in fulfillment of Active Democracy resolutions passed in 2013 to allow groups who are spread geographically across the country to participate fully in AGMs.

On May 11th, online participants will take part via Zoom, and on-site participants will gather at the location of the CUC offices, 192 Spadina Avenue. This year, six motions are up for discussion and approval, among them a motion to establish a study group on dismantling racism, and a new method for calculating the Annual Program Contributions from congregations. Find the Notice of Meeting and updated motions here (please disregard previously sent versions).

In addition, the new CUC Board of Trustees and the Nominating Committee will be elected, recipients will be announced for Sharing Our Faith and Theological Education Funds, budgets will be approved, and staff reports will be presented.

Before the AGM

On Friday evening, May 10 from 7 – 9 pm, the CUC Board will host an informal plenary to discuss the motions for the AGM and other matters of national impact. Participants are welcome at 192 Spadina; online participants can join via Zoom link https://zoom.us/j/222224722, or call toll-free 1-855-703-8985 Canada, Meeting ID: 222 224 722.

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News from the Unitarian Church of Montreal (UCM)

Rev. Diane Rollert, minister of the Unitarian Church of Montreal, is grateful to all those who helped to organize and attended the first Circle of Peace in Quebec around El Markaz Islami mosque in Saint Laurent. The Muslim community is very appreciative to those who gathered in solidarity around the oldest mosque in Quebec during Friday prayers on March 22, 2019 (in the cold and the rain), a week after the massacre that took the lives of 50 Muslims in prayer and wounded many others in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Other news:

• The UCM board of management has proudly taken an official position opposing Bill 21. Bill 21 is the polarizing bill that would see religious symbols disappear in most of the public sector in Quebec.
• On March 24th, UCM held a fundraiser to support the Wet’swet’en legal fund for those at Unist’ot’en Camp standing to protect their traditional trapping grounds from Coastal Gas Link/Transcanada’s fracked gas pipeline. Together we raised $260.
• The Parts in Peace Choir voted unanimously to change their name to the Phoenix Community Choir/Chorale communautaire Phénix. This name evokes images of powerful transformation and rebirth with reminders of the history of our congregation rebuilding after the fire in 1987. It also connects us to Phoenix Hall and the Phoenix Garden behind the church.
• The UCM’s new Facebook policy is now in place and can be found on the UCM website.
• On April 7th, new members of the Religious Exploration staff were introduced to the congregation.
• BidSunday, the annual UCM fundraising auction will take place on Sunday, May 5, 2019, after the service.

Learn More About the Unitarian Church of Montreal

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ICUU 2020 Meeting and Conference – Save the Date!

The International Council of Unitarians and Universalists (ICUU) is holding its 2020 Council Meeting and Conference in Montreal! Rev. Sara Asher, Executive Director, extends a warm invitation to Canadian UUs to attend and meet UUs from all over the world, from South Africa to Transylvania, from the United Kingdom to India. Save the date: October 26 – November 1 in Montreal!

The ICUU is a network of Unitarian, Universalist and Unitarian Universalist organizations. Twenty-two national full member groups comprise the voting members of the Council. Provisional and emerging groups represent Unitarians from more than a dozen more countries. To learn about the role the ICUU plays in our global faith community, check out this video.

More information about the conference coming soon!

Check Out What Went on at the 2018 ICUU Meeting & Conference

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Unitarian Fellowship of Peterborough (UFP)  Seeks Director of Religious Exploration

The Unitarian Fellowship of Peterborough strives to provide Religious Exploration (RE) programming for children and youth that is welcoming and inclusive, that encourages spiritual growth and development, and grounds our children and youth in Unitarian Universalist principles and values.

We are a liberal congregation seeking a Director of Religious Exploration (DRE) for child and youth programming. The position is 15 hours per week and includes most Sunday mornings. Full job description here.

Duties:

• • Hold the vision for a program that honours the inherent worth, creativity, and light within each child/youth
  • Plan and facilitate RE programming in collaboration with the RE Facilitator and volunteers
  • Oversee program to ensure an environment that is fun, respectful, and safe
  • Be the hub of communication for families and participants
  • Manage program budget, administrative records, resources and equipment
  • Supervise RE Facilitator and Playroom Staff

$17.00 to $18.00 per hour, based on experience. Position requires a Criminal Record (vulnerable sector) check. More information available at www.peterboroughunitarian.ca.

Please apply to the DRE Hiring Committee at pufrec@gmail.com
Include a resume and a cover letter expressing your interest and qualifications.
Deadline for applications: May 12, 2019

Learn More About the UFP DRE Position

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Reminder: General Assembly Registration

Planning to go to the Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly?

The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) General Assembly (GA) will convene June 19 – 23, 2019 in Spokane, WA. The GA is the annual meeting of the UUA. Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association.

Registration rates go up on May 1 after early registration closes on April 30. Register now!

More information on the GA

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Join the Canadian Unitarian Council on Facebook!

Upcoming Events

Share what’s going on in your congregation. Contact communications@cuc.ca
Deadline: 14th of each previous month.

National Events

Plenary Discussion Hosted by the CUC Board, May 10, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. ET
Participants are welcome at 192 Spadina; online participants can join via Zoom link https://zoom.us/j/222224722, or call toll-free 855 703 8985 Canada, Meeting ID: 222 224 722. No prior registration necessary.

CUC 2019 Annual General Meeting (AGM), May 11 from 1:00 – 4:30 p.m. ET / 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. PT, The Atrium at Centre for Social Innovation, 192 Spadina Ave

CUSJ Annual Meeting: Calling Out the Commodification of Water, May 12, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET, First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto
The keynote speaker Joyce Nelson, award-winning investigative journalist, artist, and poet, will present Damming the Future? SNC-Lavalin & Water Export.

CanUUdle XIX, May 17 – 20 – Hosted by the Unitarian Church of Calgary
CanUUdle is the annual national conference for Canadian UU youth and their adult advisors. It’s a beautiful weekend where youth and adults create an amazing community, worship together, grow as spiritual beings and join in multigen activities. The theme for CanUUdle XIX is Roots and Wings! We will be diving into our identities as Unitarian Universalists.

Chorus, May 17 – 20, Edge Camp Retreat Centre, AB
Each year, Canadian UU young adults (18-35) gather to build beloved community, deepen our cross-country connections, and grow as spiritual beings. Chorus will be held at River’s Edge Camp & Retreat Centre near Calgary. 

International Events

UUA General Assembly 2019: June 19-23, Spokane, WA
General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. Rates increase May 1!

International Council of Unitarians and Universalists (ICUU) Meeting & Conference, October 26 – November 1, 2020, Montreal, Canada ( more information coming soon)

Youth and Young Adult