eNews: December 12, 2023 – Issue 156

This Issue:

Greeting from the Board of Trustees
by Kiersten Moore, President

I find December one of the more complicated times of the year. My desire to make Christmas morning magic for my kids with a pile of beautifully wrapped packages tied up with bows competes with my wish to smash the machine of commercial capitalism. What do I do with the stress that these diametrically opposed urges create? I turn to meaning-making, real connections with the people I love, and constant reminders to myself to slow down and pay attention to what enhances joy.

I am put in mind of a story that highlights how much more people mean to us than stuff. A couple years after we moved to BC, we flew our family of five to Nebraska to have Christmas with my mom. My brother and his family drove down from Minneapolis and it was the first time we had all been together for Christmas in many years. At that time we were living on one income in Vancouver–so with the added space and money restrictions of flying, presents for the kids were very purposefully thought out, small, and limited in number. However my brother driving down in a minivan was not so limited. 

In the moment of that week together there were many times that I felt the material discrepancies between our two families. There was indeed a large pile of packages under the tree, and my children finished opening their share of gifts much sooner than their cousins. I felt that my careful weighing of fairness in gift giving between my children was blown to naught and my older two were left feeling disappointed by Christmas morning. I strove to emphasize the gift of spending this time with family we hardly ever get to see, while inwardly feeling devastated that they felt let down.

Fast forward to last year and in conversation with my child I discovered that visits to Nebraska ranked high in their positive memories of family and Christmas. They wondered when we would get to go back again. What had stayed in memory were the connections and the gift that I knew all along was most important, the love.

My hope for you this December, whatever you celebrate and in whatever way, is that you take time to slow down and identify what is most important to you, what brings you closer to loved ones, what sparks joy together–and lean into those things. Everyone deserves rest, joy, and rejuvenation; these are the things that are life giving. 

Thank You for Supporting the CUC on Giving Tuesday
By Vyda Ng, Executive Director

On November 28, the Canadian Unitarian Council took part in Giving Tuesday–the world’s largest generosity movement–for the first time. We reached out to our community via email and social media to share stories about our impact on congregational life, youth and young adult ministry, justice and equity, refugee sponsorship, and more. 

We also asked you to help us grow into our future by supporting our work for as little as $8 per month–$1 for each of our eight Principles. 

What can $8 do? A lot. For just $8 per month, you can help a young Unitarian Universalist attend our annual youth con, CanUUdle, for free. Increase your support to $18 per month and you can help us pay an honorarium to one of the incredible Indigenous teachers who are guiding us on the path to truth, healing, and reconciliation. Those who are able to donate $80 per month enable us to submit three refugee sponsorship applications. 

I am pleased to report that we raised almost $2,000 through the Giving Tuesday fundraiser thanks to the support of our community. Together, we can continue to work toward our vision of a world where our interdependence calls us to love and justice.

If you missed Giving Tuesday, you still have time to donate to the Canadian Unitarian Council before the end of the year.

Introducing the members of the LIFES Crew
By Vyda Ng, Executive Director

We’re getting started on the CUC’s Living Into the Future: Emergent Sustainability (LIFES) initiative – the CUC’s strategic planning process. 

In October, we put out a call for people to serve on the LIFES Crew – the team that will coordinate the process of engaging with YOU about how Canadian Unitarian Universalism can be thriving, resilient and sustainable into the future. 

We thank all those who applied to be on the Crew. The initial planning team consisting of several CUC Board and staff members worked hard to ensure that there was diverse representation on the Crew – of people with lived experiences and skills, and who are from different regions and congregational sizes. The Crew may expand to include more representation. 

Members of the LIFES Crew are:

    • Arran Morton (he/him), British Columbia
    • Catherine Strickland (she/her), British Columbia
    • Kalvin Drake (he/him), Central Region
    • Olivia Hall (they/them), British Columbia
    • Ilara Stefaniuk-Gaudet (they/them), Western Region and Margo Ellis (she/her), Eastern Region – Board members sharing one seat
    • Anne Barker (she/her) Western Region and Vyda Ng (she/her), Central Region – staff members sharing one seat

The Crew will take some time to get organized and build relationships among themselves. More information will be coming your way in early 2024.

2024 Annual General Meeting: Last Call for Motions 

Mark your calendar: the 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place online only on May 25, 2024 from 1:00 – 4:30 pm ET. As part of the AGM, delegates will consider motions on a variety of topics. These motions must be submitted using our stated process and be received by December 15, 2023. Please email motions to resolutions@cuc.ca. 

Once resolutions are received and reviewed, they will be distributed to congregations by January 15, 2024 to allow for feedback to the proposers by February 28, and a final distribution of amended resolutions by March 15, 2024.

If your congregation would like to submit a motion for consideration, please review the process outlined on our website.  

Consider submitting a motion only if: 

    • there is no previous resolution AND it addresses a completely new issue;
    • it is of national importance; 
    • it is timely. 

If your resolution meets these requirements, please reach out to us at resolutions@cuc.ca  to discuss the next steps. We welcome the opportunity to discuss this process with you and to answer your questions. 

There will be several motions sent to congregations for consideration and conversation. We suggest that congregations schedule time in late January or in February to discuss the motions and suggest any feedback to the proposers by February 28th. 

For suggestions about selecting your delegates and useful things to know, please refer to the Delegate Information page.

Important Updates from the Decision-Making Exploration Team
By Robbie Brydon

The Decision Making Exploration Team was created in the fall of 2021, comprised of a group of young adults asked to explore viable decision-making processes for the CUC to use on a national level that are collaborative and inclusive.

Twelve years ago, the members of the CUC adopted the recommendations of the Resolutions Study Group to establish a clear resolutions process. The CUC is comprised of member congregations, so this process aimed to allow congregations the ability to consider and debate a proposal before sending delegates to vote. The core schedule adopted was approved in 2011 (see the Resolutions Process and flowchart documents for more details):

    •  December 15 Deadline for receipt of proposals (urgent proposals are possible for issues arising after this date, but only represent the views of delegates at a meeting, not the member congregations of the CUC).
    • Feb 28 Deadline for congregational feedback and proposed amendments.
    • Mar 10 Deadline for original proposers to submit amendments to motion, if any.
    • Mar 15 Final version sent to congregations by the Executive Director. No substantive amendments are permitted thereafter, including at the AGM.

In recent years, this process has caused frustration for some delegates at Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and special meetings of the CUC. Some delegates proposed amendments that were not adopted by the resolution’s movers and these could not be considered at the meeting. Some delegates wished to make small but meaningful changes and others wished to accelerate action on a proposed motion; each of these groups was required to wait until the next meeting of the CUC to do so.

The Decision-Making Exploration Team has examined different decision-making models, including majoritarian systems like our current one (Robert’s Rules of Order), consensus models, and sociocracy. We have concluded that consensus and sociocracy models exist to hear and address concerns. Under our current model, where no substantive changes are permitted at an AGM, these models add no value. We have identified three broad courses of potential action:

    1. Retain the status quo, with possible adjustments to simplify meetings (e.g., using Democratic Rules of Order or reducing the number of delegates). This does not permit the use of consensus or sociocracy.
    2. Allow substantive amendments at CUC AGMs and special meetings, empowering delegates to act on behalf of their congregations but eliminating the ability for broad consultation on the final form of a motion. This could involve a consensus or sociocracy model, if desired.
    3. Develop an interactive process to replace the current written feedback on resolutions. This could involve a consensus or sociocracy model to address proposals before they are finalized, if desired.

We have made a change to our upcoming workshops to address these pathways. Participants in the January 13 session will consider these options and work on more specific ways in which they could be implemented. The February 10 session will now serve as a testing ground for option #3 above, where participants will consider one or more of the proposals for this year’s AGM using an interactive process to present concerns and attempt to resolve them.

Please register here for the January 13 session – we strongly encourage you to attend if you can – and keep an eye out for registration for the February 10 session (it will also begin at 10 PT/11 MT/12 CT/1 ET/2 PT).

Additional resource: CUC Resolutions Process page, which includes links to the above resources and the 2011 Resolutions Study Group report.

Meet Rev. Rosemary Morrison
By Kenzie Love

Rev. Rosemary Morrison was called to serve as the Unitarian Church of Edmonton’s settled minister in May of 2023, having served as the congregation’s interim minister since 2021. Even before enrolling in seminary in 2014, she’d long had an interest in ministry and was glad to finally be able to fulfill this.

“It’s my fourth career,” she says, “and I wish it would have been my first.”

A self-described “church nerd”, Rosemary’s interest in ministry grew out of growing up in a family where several of her relatives were ministers, as well as the satisfaction she found serving congregations as a lay leader. She always knew parish ministry was the calling she wanted to pursue.

“I believe in the transformative power of a good worship service,” she says, “and I want to provide that experience for someone to be able to grapple with their own humanity and spirituality. I want to help people feel something that makes them go deep within themselves.”

Rosemary has appreciated the opportunity to help her church find its footing coming out of the pandemic.  Like other congregations, she believes, it’s been grappling with how to “do church” in this new era, something she’s felt privileged to be involved in.

“That to me is very rewarding,” she says, “to help the congregation understand their own potential and to feel secure in who they are as a congregation, feeling confident enough to move forward and explore new things.”

Rosemary believes Unitarian Universalism has an important role to play in supporting families, and that offering this will help the faith remain relevant going forward.  She believes the pandemic highlighted the shared yearning people have for community and connection and that congregations need to provide this.

“I heard somebody say, it’s not my quote, ‘No one needs church. But everyone needs community,’” she says. “And so church is a place, congregational life is a place where we can provide community and that community has to be fun, engaging, up to date and supportive to individuals and families by supporting one another and creating deep connections and networks.”

In her spare time, Rosemary enjoys hiking, choral music, and spending time with her family.

Congregational Safety: More Questions Than Answers
By Kenzie Love

Call and Response, the Canadian Unitarian Council’s new blog, has served as  a valuable forum for sharing ideas, tools, and resources with people and organizations who want to create a more loving, just, and equitable world. The blog will be on hold for the near future, resuming upon the appointment of a new communications manager. We look forward to continuing the conversation then.

A few decades ago, congregational safety may have seemed relatively simple, a matter of determining how many fire extinguishers a church building needed to have or what the appropriate ratio of adults to children should be for Sunday school classes. In the years since, however, the issue has become more complicated. Shootings at a Pittsburgh synagogue, a Quebec City mosque, and a Knoxville UU congregation have shown that religious communities aren’t immune to violent incidents. So how can UU congregations commit to being safe spaces, while also remaining welcoming and inclusive?

It’s a topic that is likely to result in more questions than answers. It seems clear, however, that if congregations haven’t yet taken a deeper dive into safety, they should start doing so now.

“I just want congregations to think about how they engage with people who object to some of what they say and do and represent,” says Rev. Linda Thomson, the CUC’s Congregational Life Lead for the Central and Eastern Regions,  “because there are potential safety repercussions to that.”

Thomson notes that while Canadian UU congregations have so far been relatively safe from physical threats to their property, some of them have been subject to hateful graffiti and the like for hosting events such as drag shows. While Thomson doesn’t want to discourage congregations from hosting such events or otherwise supporting the LGBQ2S+ community, she does want them to be mindful of the opposition they may encounter.

“If you’ve got a big Inclusivity flag out front, your likelihood of getting graffiti has just gone up,” she says. “You’re making a statement. And you’re going to piss somebody off.”

Thomson encourages UU congregations to work with other liberal faith traditions in their communities to determine how they can be literal “safe harbours” for each other when facing external threats. But as Rev. Danielle Webber, the CUC’s Youth and Young Adult Ministry Specialist notes, congregations need to pay close attention to safety within their own membership as well, particularly for children and youth at a vulnerable stage in their life. While precautions such as ensuring youth advisors have had criminal record checks remain critical, Webber points to the importance of taking a broader view of safety as well.

“In recent years, there’s been recognition that emotional safety is definitely a big piece of stuff that we need to navigate,” they say, “and also spiritual safety, from a place of the advisors grounded in Unitarian Universalist theology.”

While congregations can commit to making safety a priority, Webber also notes that there’s no “one size fits all” approach to this issue. Safety will be a particularly important consideration for children and youth from marginalized communities, and providing it will require an approach tailored to their individual circumstances.

“How do we create safety for them?” Webber says. “Because it can look different than safety for the general public.”

Creating a safe congregation will inevitably involve taking risks, for there’s no way to ensure all those who venture into a UU space will always be completely safe within its walls. But without risk, there is no reward: a place where people have the freedom to be their whole authentic selves.

Do you have questions? Would you like to engage in further conversation and exploration? Contact congregationallife@cuc.ca. 

In Memoriam: Nancy (Nan) Kleins
By Rev. Diane Rollert, Unitarian Church of Montreal 

I write to you with the sad news that Nancy (Nan) Kleins died on Friday, November 17, at the age of 60. Nan was an active member of Unitarian Church of Montreal (UCM) for many years. Her mother, Diana Kleins, was the president of UCM during the time following the fire that destroyed our building on Simpson Street in 1987. Nan followed in her mother’s footsteps by serving as treasurer of the board in 2011. Most of us will remember Nan best because of her love of cooking. She built a “food ministry” in the UCM kitchen for years, bringing many people together to cook, socialize and find their spiritual connections through cooking for others. She was very proud that her kitchen committee was the largest committee in the church during her tenure. She always made sure everyone was well fed and welcome.

Nan and her family moved to Nova Scotia in 2013, to the ocean town of Lockport. She said that she got so much satisfaction through cooking for others at UCM that she and her husband Andrew set up a cafe and B&B at Lockport Landing. 

I always appreciated Nan’s brilliance and her quick wit. In her last communication to me, she wrote that she was enjoying life as she got older, that she was finding more time and freedom. I hope that she had many good days enjoying her view of the ocean in the beloved seaside town of her childhood. May her memory always be for a blessing.

Nan is survived by her husband Andrew Thompson, her daughter Sarah Thompson, and her brothers Robert and Timothy Kleins. A complete obituary and photo can be found here. 

With deepest condolences to all who knew and loved Nan.

CUC Thanks Outgoing Communications Manager Shelley Motz 

After serving as the Communications Manager since February of 2022, Shelley Motz is leaving the CUC to return to BC’s public sector. Shelley came to the CUC with a wealth of experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, and we were very fortunate to benefit from all of it during her tenure. Her ability to see issues from multiple perspectives and her gift for storytelling were invaluable in improving our communications processes, and she will be missed on both a professional and personal level.

We are currently in the process of fine tuning the communications manager position. Look for more information about this opportunity early in the new year.

 

Meet Shirley Marquez, CUC’s Newest Staff Member

Shirley Marquez joins the CUC’s staff team in the role of Administrative and Financial Assistant. Shirley brings with her strong skills in administration, organization, bookkeeping, and membership management, as well as an ability to build good relationships, shift and adapt, and manage her time expertly.

Shirley will be working part-time, and together with Ahna DiFelice, will be responsible for the administrative, financial and membership processes of the CUC. Shirley can be reached at shirley.marquez@cuc.ca or info@cuc.ca. 

Sharing Our Faith 2024

The Sharing Our Faith program provides funds for congregational initiatives which enhance ministry, aid congregational projects and outreach, and enrich the Unitarian Universalist movement in Canada.

Once a year, congregations are encouraged to hold a “Sharing Our Faith” worship service focused on the UU faith in Canada, with a special collection for the Sharing Our Faith fund. The fund consists of these monies, supplemented by a Foundation Fund administered by the First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto. The funds are allocated in the form of grants to congregations for growth projects and initiatives.

Sharing Our Faith Worship Services:

In pre-pandemic times, Sharing Our Faith service packages were created and shared with congregations to hold their own services. From 2021 – 2023, national Sharing Our Faith services were held virtually. 

For 2024, since congregations are mostly back in person, we are returning to the local, individual services model. 

Many congregations organize this service in February, but it can be done at any time. We ask that you take up a special offering for the CUC Sharing Our Faith Fund, to support Canadian UU congregations. All funds received by the CUC by March 31 will be used for the year’s Sharing Our Faith grants, which will be announced at the Annual General Meeting in May. For information on how to apply for a Sharing Our Faith grant, visit this web page.

There is also a direct donation link for individual sharing: Donate

You are invited to use any of the following resources, or to create your own unique service. 

    • Info on Organizing a Sharing Our Faith service, as well as print resource packages, can be found here: Sharing Our Faith Print Resources
    • Descriptions and links to previous national service videos can be found here: Sharing Our Faith Videos
    • The November 2023 national service, Reemerging, Reimagining, & Renewal, may also be used, in part or in full: Full Version & Short Version (just the central message)
    • In January, a new 2024 offertory message for the Sharing Our Faith collection will be added here in both print and video formats

Thank you for your support of this vital program. 

National Leadership Opportunities Available!

The CUC is inviting applications for positions on both the Board of Trustees and the Nominating Committee for 2024. 

This is a unique opportunity to make a difference to the Unitarian Universalist movement in Canada, and an opportunity to grow as a leader, to  inspire  and be inspired, as you participate in setting a course for the CUC in the future.  

The Nominating Committee is compiling a list of those interested in either role.  

The main work of a Board member is to provide vision and leadership to  our national organization, through participation in regular Board meetings, committee meetings, regional gatherings and the Annual conference and Meeting. 

The role of the  nominating committee is to identify  those committed UUs who want to go deeper in their faith community at the national level, and find the right fit for them within the organization.  

Here is what some former Board and Nominating Committee members had to say about their service to the CUC. 

    •  “To become a member of the CUC Board is to be offered a remarkable opportunity, both for service to our movement, and for a deeply enriching and inspiring personal experience.”
    • “An opportunity to give back a little for having been given so much from the experience of being a UU.”
    • “It’s exciting being part of a national body, working to affirm and expand our commitment to our faith.”
    • “There’s enormous satisfaction and feelings of accomplishment, working in camaraderie with other UUs and a committed, diligent Board of Trustees.”
    • “Be prepared to work hard and fall in love with this work.”
    • “The work is challenging, but knowing that I am making a difference to the future shape of UUism in Canada makes all the difference! ”

The following vacancies on the Board and the Nominating Committee are upcoming in May 2024. 

    • One new Trustee each  from the BC (all of British Columbia), Central (Ontario except for Thunder Bay, Kingston and Ottawa), and Western Regions (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Thunder Bay) 
    • A new Nominating Committee member from the Central or Eastern Region (Eastern Region is Ottawa, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces)

More information about serving on the CUC Board can be found here.

If you are interested in being considered for one of these roles, or have other questions, contact nominations@cuc.ca 

Working Well Together: Thank you for joining us November 25-26, 2023
By Anne Barker and Linda Thomson

We are celebrating, following a wonderful weekend of learning, connection, ritual, worship, and mutual support. Coming together in a spirit of openness and creativity, Canadians from coast to coast gathered for Working Well Together Workshops and a National Service–building and renewing vital connections. 

We want to express our gratitude to all who participated.
Your attendance and contributions are greatly appreciated.

On Saturday, November 25, participants from all over the country came together for three workshops on Resilience & Renewal. Focusing on how the larger cultural tensions of our time impact our Unitarian Universalist communities and congregations, these workshops included ways to prepare and respond thoughtfully and with intention, along with opportunities to share concerns, ideas, and initiatives – which brought us into a rich, collaborative space. The resulting resource guide reflects planned program content and ‘on the ground’ gems shared by those present.

On Sunday, November 26th, our National Service: Reemerging, Reimagining & Renewal was a gift focused around the wisdom and skills of Casey Stainsby (CUC), Anna Isaacs (First Unitarian Church of Victoria), and Rev. Peter Boullata (Unitarian Fellowship of Peterborough). We were delighted when 11 congregations opted to present the service in their own spaces, at their regular meeting times, while others encouraged their folks to attend the online National Service. We had a great turnout on the CUC zoom, with many of our beloved elders of Canadian Unitarian Universalism present–and staying afterwards to connect. 

Thank you all, again, for sharing these events with us. And … as always … we welcome your ideas, questions, and conversations.

The November 26 National Service is available on the CUC’s YouTube channel in two versions – the full service, and the short version with just the three reflections so that you can build your own service around it. 

CUC Launches New Online Discussion Forum
By the Board of Trustees

The Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) has created a new Google Group called CUC-Discussions. This new forum is the place where Canadian Unitarian Universalists can gather for meaningful, online discussions about current events and issues. If you are interested in being a part of this community, please send an email to communications@cuc.ca with “Subscribe to CUC-Discussions” in the subject line. 

To ensure CUC-Discussions is a safe, productive forum, we have established the following guidelines:

    • When initiating or responding to a discussion, only post or reply to the CUC-Discussion list. Do not forward/copy your post to the Leaders’ List.
    • Do not add others to the CUC-Discussion list without their permission. 
    • Keep comments grounded in your own experiences.
    • Set aside judgment and be curious about what other people have to say. 

These guidelines help us walk the talk of our principles. They ensure consent to engage in discussion and remind us to ground our words with respect for each other’s humanity. You may suggest additional guidelines in this spirit if you see the need. People may be unsubscribed from the forum for not following the guidelines. 

Rev. Linda Thomson will be on Leave until January

Linda ThomsonThe Congregational Life Lead for Central and Eastern Regions, Rev. Linda Thomson, will be off work for several weeks, on orthopedic medical leave.  Her planned return to work date is Monday Jan. 8th.

While she is gone, please direct general Canadian Unitarian Council inquiries  to info@cuc.ca.  If you have an urgent matter related to congregational life, please resend your email to Rev. Anne Barker anne.barker@cuc.ca, who will respond or redirect your inquiry. 

 

Did You Know?

Whatever problems or opportunities your congregation is facing, CUC board and staff are here to offer support. Check out this updated brochure that outlines the many ways we can help.

Connect & Deepen

December 17, 2023 – Winter Dreaming
1:00 pm PT | 2:00 pm MT | 3:00 pm CT | 4:00 pm ET | 5:00 pm AT  (90 minutes) 

This month, we will lean further into the growing darkness…focusing on Winter’s invitation to dream and reflect. How does the incoming Winter season speak to you? How do you manage? Anne Barker will be your host. 

Looking for connection?  

Connect & Deepen is an online community for adults interested in meaningful reflection, conversation, and shared ideas for living our values. This is a welcoming space that encourages spiritual as well as philosophical exploration, with an eye to putting these explorations into action. 

Meetings begin with a time for connection–sharing joys and concerns–before moving into a chosen theme for the day. We examine a wide range of topics from the importance of play and finding joy to living Unitarian Universalist values in our daily lives. 

Participants appreciate the connections they have found with each other. Some thoughts shared in a recent survey:

    • “I value our time very much. It grounds and centres me.”
    • “Any content that draws me out of myself to share is wonderful.”
    • “I enjoy sharing thought-provoking materials and dialogues.”

January 21, 2024 – Resilience
1:00 pm PT | 2:00 pm MT | 3:00 pm CT | 4:00 pm ET | 5:00 pm AT  (90 minutes) 

Resilience is the remarkable ability of individuals, communities, and systems to withstand, adapt to, and recover from adversity. Much like a tree that weathers storms without breaking, resilience involves a dynamic and adaptive process that enables individuals to navigate life’s inevitable ups and downs. Join us as we share our lessons in resilience. Anne Barker will be your host. 

2024 Midwinter Retreat

February 2-4, 2024 (from 5:00 pm Friday until after lunch on Sunday)
YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre
13300 Concession 11
Schomberg, ON L0G 1T0

The Mid-Winter retreat is an annual in-person event organized by UUs in the Greater Toronto Area and is open to all UUs.

Helen Iacovino, Registrar for the Midwinter Retreat Committee is delighted to announce that Rev. Linda Thomson will be the keynote speaker at the 2024 Midwinter Retreat. 

The theme of the retreat is “Becoming Reacquainted,” and the topic of the keynote will be “For Such a Time as This.” Together, participants  will consider all that has been challenged in recent years, and ask questions about how to rebuild and strengthen UU communities. Linda is the Congregational Life Lead for the Central and Eastern Regions at the Canadian Unitarian Council.

Registration is open; please visit the event website and Facebook page, which are being updated as the plans for 2024 develop.

Early Bird registration will be open until December 29, and the registration deadline (for all registrations) is January 12.

Designing and Leading Rites of Passage 

Basics Training for Lay Chaplains:
Feb. 24:  9:00 am PT | 10:00 am MT  | 11:00 am CT  | 12:00 pm ET  | 1:00 pm AT |  1:30 pm NT
Feb. 25: 11:30 am PT | 12:30 pm MT | 1:30 pm CT  | 2:30 pm ET  |  3:30 pm AT  | 4:00 pm NT
Mar. 2: 9:00 am PT | 10:00 am MT  | 11:00 am CT  | 12:00 pm ET  | 1:00 pm AT  | 1:30 pm NT
Cost:  $100, $125, $150, $175 (sliding fee scale)

This workshop is for those considering Lay Chaplaincy, recently appointed Lay Chaplains, and members of a congregation’s Lay Chaplaincy committee. It provides basic guidelines on the management of a congregation’s Lay Chaplaincy program and the training new Lay Chaplains need to begin their work.

Lay Chaplain terms are for six years, so training for new Lay Chaplains is required regularly.
This “Basics” course is the keystone piece to that training, and incoming lay chaplains should participate in this training close to the time of their appointment by the congregation. Please note that the Basics training is only held once a year so planning ahead will help make sure your congregation is prepared.

Any Lay Chaplains appointed by your congregations in 2017 or earlier will be retiring soon and you’ll be looking to recruit new ones. Please check the status of your current Lay Chaplains and encourage any member who might be interested in attending the Basics Course to consider doing so.

While Basics is a required course for those who become Lay Chaplains, it is also recommended for congregation members who are interested in serving on your congregation’s Lay Chaplaincy support committee or who are just interested in designing and leading rites of passage.

We encourage all who are interested in this rewarding and spiritually enriching work to attend.

Participants should complete the Lay Chaplaincy Quiz in advance of registration. Participants will receive a detailed schedule, in advance of the event, noting breaks, so that they can plan their weekends.

Registration closes February 17. 

Holiday Office Closure

The CUC office will close at noon ET on December 21, reopening January 2, 2024. We wish you a safe and restful holiday season. If you have a time-sensitive matter that needs a quick response, email executivedirector@cuc.ca, with URGENT in the subject line. 

What’s Making Us Smile

Maybe you’ve already seen “Air Guitar Roo.” Or “Otter Ballerina.” If you haven’t, you’ll want to check out the hilarious entries in the 2023 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards proving Mother Nature has a sense of humour. Let us know which ones tickle your laugh-meter at communications@cuc.ca. 

CUC Events from December 12, 2023  to October 7, 2024

Share what’s going on in your congregation. Contact communications@cuc.ca

Let’s talk about the young adult age range (and beyond)!
Dec. 12: 5:00 pm PT | 6:00 pm MT | 7:00 pm CT | 8:00 pm ET | 9:00 pm AT  | 9:30 pm NT (1 hour)

Connect and Deepen: Winter Dreaming with Rev. Anne Barker
Dec. 17: 1:00 pm PT | 2:00 pm MT | 3:00 pm CT | 4:00 pm ET | 5:00 pm AT | 5:30 pm NT (1.5 hours) 

Rising Together: Unitarian Universalists of Colour
Jan. 10: 4:30 pm PT | 5:30 pm MT | 6:30 pm CT | 7:30 pm ET | 8:30 pm AT | 9:00 pm NT (1.5 hours)

Decision Making Exploration Team: Deciding Together: Co-designing a proposal for CUC decision-making
Jan. 13: 10:00 am PT | 11:00 am MT | 12:00 pm CT | 1:00 pm ET | 2:00 pm AT | 2:30 pm NT (5 hours)

Gathered Here
Jan. 16: 5:00 pm PT | 6:00 pm MT | 7:00 pm CT | 8:00 pm ET | 9:00 pm AT | 9:30 pm NT

Connect and Deepen: Resilience with Rev. Anne Barker
Jan. 21: 1:00 pm PT | 2:00 pm MT | 3:00 pm CT | 4:00 pm ET | 5:00 pm AT | 5:30 pm NT (1.5 hours) 

Youth Advisor Training
Jan. 25, Feb. 29:  4:00 pm PT | 5:00 pm MT | 6:00 pm CT | 7:00 pm ET | 8:00 pm AT  | 8:30 pm NT (2 hours)
OR
Jan. 27, Feb. 24: 12:00 pm PT | 1:00 pm MT | 2:00 pm CT | 3:00 pm ET | 4:00 pm AT  | 4:30 pm NT (2 hours)

Lay Chaplains Chat (Online)
Feb. 5: 4:30 pm | PT 5:30 pm MT  | 6:30 pm CT  | 7:30 pm ET  | 8:30 pm AT   | 9:30 pm NT 

Gathered Here
Feb. 9: 11:00 am PT | 12:00 pm MT | 1:00 pm CT | 2:00 pm ET | 3:00 pm AT | 3:30 pm NT

Designing and Leading Rites of Passage: Basics Training for Lay Chaplains
Feb. 24: 9:00 am PT | 10:00 am MT  | 11:00 am CT  | 12:00 pm ET  | 1:00 pm AT |  1:30 pm NT
Feb. 25: 11:30 am PT | 12:30 pm MT | 1:30 pm CT  | 2:30 pm ET  |  3:30 pm AT  | 4:00 pm NT
Mar. 2: 9:00 am PT | 10:00 am MT  | 11:00 am CT  | 12:00 pm ET  | 1:00 pm AT  | 1:30 pm NT

Gathered Here
Mar. 12: 5:00 pm PT | 6:00 pm MT | 7:00 pm CT | 8:00 pm ET | 9:00 pm AT | 9:30 pm NT

Rising Together: Unitarian Universalists of Colour
Apr. 10: 4:30 pm PT | 5:30 pm MT | 6:30 pm CT | 7:30 pm ET | 8:30 pm AT | 9:00 pm NT (1.5 hours)

Gathered Here
Apr. 12: 11:00 am PT | 12:00 pm MT | 1:00 pm CT | 2:00 pm ET | 3:00 pm AT | 3:30 pm NT

Lay Chaplains Chat (Online)
May 6: 4:30 pm | PT 5:30 pm MT  | 6:30 pm CT  | 7:30 pm ET  | 8:30 pm AT   | 9:30 pm NT 

Gathered Here
Jun. 11: 5:00 pm PT | 6:00 pm MT | 7:00 pm CT | 8:00 pm ET | 9:00 pm AT | 9:30 pm NT

Rising Together: Unitarian Universalists of Colour
Jul. 10: 4:30 pm PT | 5:30 pm MT | 6:30 pm CT | 7:30 pm ET | 8:30 pm AT | 9:00 pm NT (1.5 hours)

Lay Chaplains Chat (Online)
Oct. 7: 4:30 pm | PT 5:30 pm MT  | 6:30 pm CT  | 7:30 pm ET  | 8:30 pm AT   | 9:30 pm NT 

Enews Prepared and Formatted by Brigitte Twomey, Website Specialist