UU Expressions
Welcome to UU Expressions: Love in Real Life, a 10 episode docu-series that discovers, celebrates, and challenges how Unitarian Universalism (UUism) is practiced across Canada in 2024.
Hello! We are Erin Horvath (PhD) and Amber Bellemare, the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC)’s Justice and Equity team. In planning for the future, the CUC staff team wondered if there is a sustainable way for a diversity of people to shape diverse expressions of UUism beyond congregations, and if so, what does this mean for our national identity? So we (Erin and Amber) interviewed 27 Unitarian Universalists (UUs) in 17 different UU expressions to learn about ways UUism is flourishing (or not!), and what the CUC can do to support a larger vision of the movement.
With these podcast episodes, we uncover the realities of where UUs are as a faith community and the roadblocks we face moving forward. We are presenting the results of these interviews to show where there is already a diversity of expressions and to explore what else could be created if UU values are released into the world and encouraged to become many different expressions. Join us as we imagine a UUism for everyone.
While each episode can be enjoyed as a stand-alone, it is recommended and encouraged to engage with the material in order from all 10 episodes from start to finish. This series was intended for listening but is available in video and transcript format as well. Find expanded research notes, links, and questions for further dialogue in the episode show notes. You can also access this series through our blog Call and Response, and any of our social media channels.
Podcasts
Episode 1: Wildflowers
Episode 1: Wildflowers
In this episode we introduce the theme of the series by uncovering the contrast between a UU congregation, an online meme community, and a daily singing group that lands somewhere in between.
Our guests include
- Peter Scales, First Unitarian Church of Victoria
- Liz James from Mirth and Dignity
- Reverend Wendy Luella Perkins, founder of Soulful Singing
Listen to Podcast
Playtime is 40 min 19 sec. To listen on Spotify (you'll need a Spotify account), click here on "Episode 1 - Wildflowers". To listen without a Spotify account, click here.
Accessibility Video
Please note that the video and transcript versions below are meant for accessibility purposes only and are not recommended.
Accessibility Transcript
Questions for further discussion
- What feelings arise when you hear about the decline in those attending the congregational expression of UUism? What beliefs are behind those feelings?
- What feelings arise in you when you hear that there are "wildflower" expressions of UUism happening within Canada? What beliefs are behind those feelings?
- What beliefs, customs, routines, and fears get in the way of you imagining other ways of doing and being a Unitarian Universalist?
- What "wildflower" expressions of UUism are blooming (or trying to bloom) in your community? How are you currently engaging with them?
Engage with Us!
- Through the reflective questions: We encourage you to reflect on these questions with a friend, within a group, or in your own time as you listen. Let these episodes spark meaningful conversations and ideas for your own UU community. Whether you’re exploring affinity groups, covenant, or nomadic UUism, we hope these discussions inspire you to think creatively about the future of our movement.
- Insights Form: Has something caught your attention? Would you like to share it with us? We invite you to use this insights form to help inform our planning.
- Congregational Conversation, Nov 23: Join us to share insights, questions and possibilities. Find the registration and link information here.
Notes and Research Links
-
Humanist Unitarian Universalists, Unitarian Universalist Association (Retrieved Sept. 11/24)
-
‘Gone by 2040’: Why some religions are declining in Canada faster than ever, Global News, Jan. 8/22
-
Volunteer-Supporting Charities Are Closing at Alarming Rates, PANL Perspectives, Tues. Aug. 22/23
-
Singing mindfully with spirit and joy, Wendy Luella Perkins, (Retrieved Sept. 11/24)
-
Resolutions: 1978-1984– Sexual Orientation, A Summary, Canadian Unitarian Council (Retrieved Sept. 11/24)
-
Unitarian Universalist Community Cooperatives(What Liz James referenced) (Retrieved Sept. 11/24)
-
Unitarian Universalist Hysterical Society (Retrieved Sept. 11/24)
-
Love the UU Hysterical Society? [Facebook group] (Retrieved Sept. 11/24)
Note 1: In each congregation, there are a fair number of people who are not official members - for a variety of reasons. For instance, some don't believe in joining, some congregations discourage membership if people don't make a certain level of financial pledges, and other reasons. The Congregational Life team estimates the difference between members and census-identified people has been about 1 registered member to every 3 non-registered attendees.
We would love to hear from you. Email us with any questions or comments.
Episode 2: The Gap
Episode 2: The Gap
In this episode, we'll look more closely at two defining expressions, congregational culture and young adult culture, how they interact and what it means for the future of UUism. There's a lot of information, so heads up - we will be taking the next 2 episodes to cover everything - starting with youth and young adult culture as it contrasts with "classical" or older adult culture, where these cultures are situated in the broader social context, and what might address some of the disparity.
Our guests for Episode 2 include:
- Peter Scales, First Unitarian Church of Victoria
- Jim Sannes and Ellen Papenburg, Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice (CUSJ)
- Casey Stainsby and Reverend Danie Webber, former CUC Youth and Young Adult programming staff
- Camellia Jahanshahi, Rising Together host
- Z Brimacombe with Ilara Stafaniuk-Gaudet, Loving Justice group
- Brenagh Rappaport and Maya Ferguson Klinowski, hosts of Gathered Here
- Reverends Anne Barker and Linda Thompson, CUC's Congregational Life Team
Listen to Podcast
Playtime is 57 min. To listen to the episode on Spotify (you'll need a Spotify account), click here on "Episode 2 - The Gap". To listen without a Spotify account, click here.
Accessibility Video
Please note that the video and transcript versions below are meant for accessibility purposes only and are not recommended.
Accessibility Transcript
Questions for further discussion
- How can we fully embrace the culture that is emerging from Young Adult (YA) spaces so people can experience it throughout their lives (instead of ending at 35 years)?
- Consider the analogy of Young Adult co-creative culture being like contemporary theatre while congregational culture is like classical theatre: How does playing a role feel different than filling a role? Why is this significant?
- In what ways could elements of co-creative UUism be intertwined with elements of classical UUism in a way that could be compelling for all ages?
- In what ways can we lean into our shared belief of interdependence so that we become communities that feel like unified teams where life challenges and spiritual growth are faced collectively rather than individually?
- What is one thing you could immediately do differently within your UU community so there is an emphasis on deep relationships between people of all ages?
Engage with Us!
- Through the reflective questions: We encourage you to reflect on these questions with a friend, within a group, or in your own time as you listen. Let these episodes spark meaningful conversations and ideas for your own UU community. Whether you’re exploring affinity groups, covenant, or nomadic UUism, we hope these discussions inspire you to think creatively about the future of our movement.
- Insights Form: Has something caught your attention? Would you like to share it with us? We invite you to use this insights form to help inform our planning.
- Congregational Conversation, Nov 23: Join us to share insights, questions and possibilities. Find the registration and link information here.
Notes and Research Links
- ‘Gone by 2040’: Why some religions are declining in Canada faster than ever, Global News, Jan. 8/22
- Young Adults & Beyond: Final Report August 2024, Canadian Unitarian Council
- Young Adult Ministry Resources, Canadian Unitarian Council (Retrieved Sept. 11/24)
- Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice (Retrieved Sept. 11/24)
- Abolition: A World without Prisons & Police. Tulane University (Retrieved Sept. 11/24)
- Remembering Maiken (Dani) Cooper, Canadian Unitarian Council (Retrieved Sept. 11/24)
Note 1: The CUC's Youth and Young Adult Team have pointed out that Young Adult culture is the same as Youth culture.
"I want to add, which is to complicate the narrative that the CUC at some point just decided to invest in YA programming and now we have this community/problem. I don’t want us to forget that everything that’s going on now has decades (centuries) of history behind it. The continental youth and young adult movements have long histories. The YAs who were part of sparking the current national YA situation were very much involved in and inspired by continental UU young adult organizing (OPUS, CUUYAN). And many of them, in turn, were raised in continental UU youth events. This would be a whole other podcast episode or series to really investigate but I suspect that a lot of the brilliance and a lot of the roots of the current challenges have their origins in these broader, longer movements. One thing to watch that will give more context to this is the movie "Why Are You You?" . That is currently in production- it’s a documentary about the continental YRUU movement." Casey Stainsby
Note 2: "The naming of "young adult" was inherited from the UUA. When we became more autonomous in 2001, Young Adult support was still funded, to some degree, by the UUA - and so their age definitions became ours. We've never shifted from this." Rev. Linda Thompson
Note 3: "Adults at the Annual Conference and Meeting *also* plunge into a kind of UU utopia that lasts for only 72 hours. Adults and YA's both yearn for keeping that conference flame alive in their hearts when they get home." Peter Scales
We would love to hear from you. Email us with any questions or comments.
Episode 3: The Bridge
Episode 3: The Bridge
Intergenerational UU communities aren't just beautiful aspirations, they are one key to a long lasting faith organization. And we know that it's posssible to celebrate the differences between how each age expresses their UUism while at the same time bridging the cultural gap between them. We know this because there are wise folks in our midst who care deeply about this issue and have done a lot of thinking and experimenting around it. In this episode, we will learn about the realities that prevent engagement between older and younger adults, what's been working, what could help, and what still needs our attention. We'll look look at the trends happening within larger society and how these are impacting UUism.
Our guests for Episode 3 include:
- Peter Scales, First Unitarian Church of Victoria
- Jim Sannes and Ellen Papenburg, Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice (CUSJ)
- Casey Stainsby and Reverend Danie Webber, former CUC Youth and Young Adult programming staff
- Camellia Jahanshahi, Rising Together host
- Z Brimacombe with Ilara Stafaniuk-Gaudet, Loving Justice group
- Brenagh Rappaport and Maya Ferguson Klinowski, hosts of Gathered Here
- Reverends Anne Barker and Linda Thompson, CUC's Congregational Life Team
- Robyn Newton and catherine strickland, UUs of the Salish Sea
Listen to Podcast
Playtime is 1 hr 19 min. To listen to the episode on Spotify (you'll need a Spotify account), click here on "Episode 3 - The Bridge" or the episode title in the pink box below. To listen without a Spotify account, click here.
Accessibility Video
Please note that the video and transcript versions below are meant for accessibility purposes only and are not recommended.
Accessibility Transcript
Questions for further discussion
- Younger UUs speak about life feeling precarious, including insecure housing and employment. The value of paying young adults for time spent on UU's work was lifted up. What questions and ideas arise when you consider paying younger leaders for their roles in their UU community?
- Ilara Stefaniuk-Gaudet said, "Because we have focused so much on the individual, there is not so much a strong sense of a collective".
- What, if anything, has an individual vs collective focus manifested in your local and national UU community?
- How could UUs create more balance between individual and collective while still emphasizing each person's right to their own search for truth and meaning?
- Reverend Danie Webber shared that younger UUs often value authenticity over politeness, and older UUs often value politeness over authenticity and that this difference may play a role in the silos that seems to be happening in some places. Can you think of examples or real-life scenarios of this?
- What responsibility, if any, do younger UU's have to carry forward the traditions, values, and legacy of the UUs that came before them?
- What responsibility, if any, do older UU's have to fertilize the work of younger UU leaders, even if what they are co-creating is not a UU expression that older UU's prefer?
- If UUs were to create a program that taught and celebrated the role of UUs in all stages of life, what components would be key for each stage of life, including infancy, childhood, teenagerhood, young adult, mid-adult, recently retired, and very elderly?
- How can we use the old structures of UUism to support something new coming forward rather than allowing them to be a barrier to something new coming forward?
Engage with Us!
- Through the reflective questions: We encourage you to reflect on these questions with a friend, within a group, or in your own time as you listen. Let these episodes spark meaningful conversations and ideas for your own UU community. Whether you’re exploring affinity groups, covenant, or nomadic UUism, we hope these discussions inspire you to think creatively about the future of our movement.
- Insights Form: Has something caught your attention? Would you like to share it with us? We invite you to use this insights form to help inform our planning.
- Congregational Conversation, Nov 23: Join us to share insights, questions and possibilities. Find the registration and link information here.
Notes and Research Links
- Volunteer-Supporting Charities Are Closing at Alarming Rates, PANL Perspectives, Tues. Aug. 22/23
- Canada’s first State of youth report: for youth, with youth, by youth, Government of Canada (Retrieved Sept. 11, 2024)
- Critical lack of volunteers putting Canadian non-profit services at risk: Volunteer Canada, CBC News, Jan. 24, 2023
- Youth Volunteering: Let’s make space for our young people again! , 125 United For Literacy, Sept. 12, 2023
- Volunteer Canada- August 2023- Pre-budget submission to the House of Commons, Volunteer Canada, August 2023
Note 1: The "well in the middle of the village" is an idiom for a watering hole, or a place where people socialize - the well is the life source that brings people together, and a symbol of the depth of relating between them. Amber Bellemare
Note 2: Emergent Strategy [book], adrienne maree brown, 2017, AK Press. Amber makes reference to this author and emergent strategy.
Note 3: Discord is a type of social media that some people are using to stay in touch. It is quite popular with Young Adult UU's.
We would love to hear from you. Email us with any questions or comments.
Episode 4: Authenticity
Episode 4: Authenticity
In this episode, we explore the value of authentic connection within and beyond traditional UU communities by showcasing three affinity groups and a path to ministry that lies outside the congregational expression, followed by a conversation about covenant and the challenges of togetherness.
Our guests for Episode 4 include:
-
Janet Pivnick, Minister in Training
-
Anonymous leaders of QUUeer Connecting
-
Claire Heistek, with Le Rassemblement Unitarien Universaliste d'Ottawa
-
catherine strickland, UUs of the Salish Sea
-
Liz James from Mirth and Dignity
-
Z Brimacombe from Loving Justice group
-
Camellia Jahanshahi, Rising Together host
- Reverends Anne Barker and Linda Thomson, CUC's Congregational Life Team
Listen to Podcast
Playtime is 1 hr and 25 min. To listen to the episode on Spotify (you'll need a Spotify account), click here on Episode 4 - Authenticity. To listen without a Spotify account, click here.
Accessibility Video
Please note that the video and transcript versions below are meant for accessibility purposes only and are not recommended.
Accessibility Transcript
Questions for further discussion
-
What feelings and questions arise in you when you consider affinity groups within UUism?
-
How could the notion of safe spaces and dynamic spaces play a role in your UU community?
-
How could you facilitate healthy fluidity between affinity groups and the larger collective?
-
In what ways does your UU community pave the way for authentic connection? Where is there a growing edge?
-
How do you know when it is ethical to ask others to change to suit your needs/desires and when it is not?
-
In the context of inclusion within various UU Expressions, when is compromise a positive, negative, or neutral thing?
-
Within your UU community, how could you actively build trust to ensure that people will embrace the storming phase of group development when it starts?
-
What role is covenant playing in your UU community and how could it be strengthened?
-
How could the concept of roles and intentional friction be used to assist your UU community in co-creating whatever comes next? (think 'saw' metaphor)
Engage with Us!
- Through the reflective questions: We encourage you to reflect on these questions with a friend, within a group, or in your own time as you listen. Let these episodes spark meaningful conversations and ideas for your own UU community. Whether you’re exploring affinity groups, covenant, or nomadic UUism, we hope these discussions inspire you to think creatively about the future of our movement.
- Insights Form: Has something caught your attention? Would you like to share it with us? We invite you to use this insights form to help inform our planning.
- Congregational Conversation, Nov 23, 2024: Join us to share insights, questions and possibilities. Find the registration and link information here.
Notes and Research Links
-
Heartwood House - The organization the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ottawa have a partnership with.
-
Flaming Chalice International - Rev Mwibutsa (Fulgence) Ndagijima's international ministry.
-
The 8th Principle Process - Forums dedicated to help the national UU community navigate their feelings toward adding the 8th Principle to the previous seven: Individual and communal action that accountably dismantles racism and systemic barriers to full inclusion in ourselves and our institutions.
-
Our Covenant by Alice Blair Wesley
-
The Responsibility Covenant - Tool created by the CUC to help create space for those with less relative power to be able to share without facing as much resistance from those with more relative power.
-
Rising Together- Online affinity group for UU's of Colour.
-
Unitarian Universalists of the Salish Sea- The new UU community that is centring youth and young adults in their UU expression.
-
Note 1: After recording was complete the facilitators of QUUeer connecting informed us that they are taking a leave as they navigate a busy time of their life. If people are interested in connecting, or helping to keep the group going, they can send an email to UU connecting.
We would love to hear from you. Email us with any questions or comments.
Episode 5: Proximity
Episode 5: Proximity
In episode 5, we will attempt to legitimize the creative solutions of UU Expressions who are experiencing a sense of place and space in different ways. Whether far from each other geographically, or in terms of how ministry is practiced, how we are situated can play a huge role in strengthening relationships within our movement and beyond.
Our guests for Episode 5 include:
-
Luci Dilkus, from Huronia Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
-
Rev Wendy Luella Perkins, Founder of Soulful Singing
-
Janet Pivnick, Minister in Training
-
Robyn Newton and catherine strickland, UUs of the Salish Sea
Listen to Podcast
Playtime is 30 min 39 sec. To listen to the episode on Spotify (you'll need a Spotify account), click here on "Episode 5 - Proximity". To listen without a Spotify account, click here.
Accessibility Video
Please note that the video and transcript versions below are meant for accessibility purposes only and are not recommended.
Accessibility Transcript
Questions for further discussion
-
Should there be additional or other avenues to membership for community-based ministries within the CUC? Why? If so, how could it work?
-
Would it be possible and helpful for the CUC to create regional hubs? If so, how could it work?
-
What emotions arise in you as you think about the possibility of collaborating and sharing resources with other UU groups in your geographic area?
-
What emotions, ideas, and apprehensions arise in you when you consider the option of nomadic UUism?
-
What role could nature play in enhancing your UU Expression?
-
In what ways, if any, is the upkeep of your building distracting from the work of building an intergenerational UU community?
Engage with Us!
- Through the reflective questions: We encourage you to reflect on these questions with a friend, within a group, or in your own time as you listen. Let these episodes spark meaningful conversations and ideas for your own UU community. Whether you’re exploring affinity groups, covenant, or nomadic UUism, we hope these discussions inspire you to think creatively about the future of our movement.
- Insights Form: Has something caught your attention? Would you like to share it with us? We invite you to use this insights form to help inform our planning.
- Congregational Conversation, Nov 23, 2024: Join us to share insights, questions and possibilities. Find the registration and link information here.
Notes and Research Links
-
Inclusivity Forum on Classism - materials
-
Huronia Unitarian Fellowship- Congregation that has a nomadic style of UUism
-
Soulful Singing - Rev. Wendy Luella Perkin's online singing ministry
- OWL - Our Whole Lives sexuality education
We would love to hear from you. Email us with any questions or comments.
Episode 6: Community Ministry
Episode 6: Community Ministry
In episode 6, we will learn how people are harnessing UU values to create meaningful change in their communities.
Our guests for Episode 6 include:
- Kathryn Jane Hazel from Nanaimo Unitarian Shelter
- Kayoki Whiteduck and Lynn Kofmel-Preston from Ajaski Project (Ottawa First Unitarian Fellowship)
- Yvette Salinas (Executive Director) and Joanna Barrington (Camp Director), Unicamp, Ontario
- Karen Dunk Green, Lay Chaplain, Toronto
- Rev Wendy Luella Perkins, Founder of Soulful Singing
Listen to Podcast
Playtime is 48 mins. To listen to the episode on Spotify (you'll need a Spotify account), click here on "Episode 6 - Community Ministry". To listen without a Spotify account, click here.
Accessibility Video
Please note that the video and transcript versions below are meant for accessibility purposes only and are not recommended.
Accessibility Transcript
Episode 6: Community Ministry [coming soon]
Questions for further discussion
-
What feelings arise when you hear about these community-based ministries?
-
What, if any, beliefs would you need to challenge within yourself to embrace the notion of community-based ministries as legitimate expressions within UUism?
-
The difference between relational support and structural support was mentioned. In what ways could we remove barriers to full inclusion for community-based ministers/ministries and shift our local and national structures to be more supportive?
-
What are some needs that exist in your community and world? What assets (physical, monetary, skills, etc.) does your UU group have that you could utilize to meet those needs in a creative way? What UU value(s) could you draw upon?
-
Lay Chaplains engage many non-UU's in meaningful ways. How could we amplify the work of lay chaplains, understanding that this is valuable outreach?
-
Lynn Kofmel-Preston of the Ajashki Project, spoke about how this initiative brought about changes that were hard for some in her congregation. What animal best embodies your views, beliefs, and feelings related to change in your own life? UU community? What shifts would need to happen within you and your group to embrace something new, such as a community-based ministry?
-
What role could nature play in enhancing your UU Expression?
-
In what ways, if any, is the upkeep of your building distracting from the work of building an intergenerational UU community?
Engage with Us!
- Through the reflective questions: We encourage you to reflect on these questions with a friend, within a group, or in your own time as you listen. Let these episodes spark meaningful conversations and ideas for your own UU community. Whether you’re exploring affinity groups, covenant, or nomadic UUism, we hope these discussions inspire you to think creatively about the future of our movement.
- Insights Form: Has something caught your attention? Would you like to share it with us? We invite you to use this insights form to help inform our planning.
- Congregational Conversation, Nov 23, 2024: Join us to share insights, questions and possibilities. Find the registration and link information here.
Notes and Research Links
Note 1: E.D. is short for Executive Director
Note 2: Since this recording, Ottawa First Unitarian Fellowship shared this exciting announcement (Sept 8, 2024- Leaders List Announcement):
The 1st Unitarian Ottawa Board is pleased to inform everyone that Ottawa City Council, at its meeting this past Wednesday, September 4, gave approval to the zoning and other changes required for our campus redevelopment and the creation of Odayanhaway, Little Village.
This was the final level of approval needed to move forward with this important project, which will provide 220 units of almost entirely affordable rental housing for Ottawa within 200 meters of a new light rail station. This will include 60 units in a 6-story building being built by Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services on land given to them by the congregation.
A year of further planning now begins, which will be conducted with input from all on our campus, aiming at construction to begin roughly a year from now. For more information, please visit the First U affordable housing page."
Note 3: ODSP, mentioned by Wendy Luella Perkins, refers to the Ontario Disability Support Program.
We would love to hear from you. Email us with any questions or comments.
Episode 7: Money
Episode 7: Money
In episode 7, we have a conversation about money as it relates to community-based ministries, the assets managed by UU's, and beliefs and systems around it.
Our guests for Episode 7 include:
- Liz James from Mirth and Dignity
- Reverends Anne Barker and Linda Thompson, CUC's Congregational Life Team
- Kayoki Whiteduck and Lynn Kofmel-Preston from Ajaski Project (Ottawa First Unitarian Fellowship)
- Yvette Salinas (Executive Director) and Joanna Barrington (Camp Director), Unicamp, Ontario
- Karen Dunk Green, Lay Chaplain, Toronto
- Rev Wendy Luella Perkins, Founder of Soulful Singing
Listen to Podcast
Playtime is 58 mins. To listen to the episode on Spotify (you'll need a Spotify account), click here on "Episode 7 - Money". To listen without a Spotify account, click here.
Accessibility Video
Please note that the video and transcript versions below are meant for accessibility purposes only and are not recommended.
Accessibility Transcript
Episode 7: Money (coming soon)
Questions for further discussion
-
What beliefs do you have about money? Where do these beliefs originate from? Are they true? How do you know?
-
In what ways do your beliefs about money influence how you approach financial sustainability within your UU community?
-
Reverend Linda Thomson observed that some UU communities are approaching outreach as a recruitment project to find more people to make financial donations. She suggested this comes from a place of fear and vulnerability. In what ways, if any, is this showing up in your UU community?
-
Choose one limiting belief you have about money. If you were to change or release it, what impact could it have?
-
Liz James spoke about how Mirth and Dignity and the Hysterical Society limit the amount of money people can donate to limit the amount of privilege and influence people get to have on the work they do. This limits financial power. What thoughts and feelings come up for you when you hear this strategy?
-
In what ways, if any, does use of financial power happen within your UU community or initiative? What strategies could you use to address this?
-
What thoughts and feelings arise when you think of money as energy?
-
In what ways could UU's positively impact "the system" by embracing our place within it more fully and consciously?
Engage with Us!
- Through the reflective questions: We encourage you to reflect on these questions with a friend, within a group, or in your own time as you listen. Let these episodes spark meaningful conversations and ideas for your own UU community. Whether you’re exploring affinity groups, covenant, or nomadic UUism, we hope these discussions inspire you to think creatively about the future of our movement.
- Insights Form: Has something caught your attention? Would you like to share it with us? We invite you to use this insights form to help inform our planning.
- Congregational Conversation, Nov 23, 2024: Join us to share insights, questions and possibilities. Find the registration and link information here.
Notes and Research Links
-
Getting to Maybe: How the World is Changed - book mentioned by Erin
-
The System- Wikipedia
-
The System - Oxford Dictionary
-
Ajashki Project at Ottawa First Unitarian Fellowship
-
Unitarian Shelter- Founded by Nanaimo Unitarian Fellowship; now run by Nanaimo Family Life Association
-
Lay Chaplaincy- Canadian Unitarian Council
-
Soulful Singing - Rev. Wendy Luella Perkin's online singing ministry
We would love to hear from you. Email us with any questions or comments.
Episode 8: Potential
Episode 8: Potential
In episode 8, we uncover the potential that exists within community ministries that share UU values while also figuring out how creating sustainable revenue streams.
Our guests for Episode 8 include:
- Reverends Anne Barker and Linda Thompson, CUC's Congregational Life Team
- Rev Wendy Luella Perkins, Founder of Soulful Singing
- Kayoki Whiteduck and Lynn Kofmel-Preston from Ajaski Project (Ottawa First Unitarian Fellowship)
- Yvette Salinas (Executive Director) and Joanna Barrington (Camp Director), Unicamp, Ontario
- Karen Dunk Green, Lay Chaplain, Toronto
Listen to Podcast
Playtime is 42 mins. To listen to the episode on Spotify (you'll need a Spotify account), click here on "Episode 8 - Potential". To listen without a Spotify account, click here.
Accessibility Video
Please note that the video and transcript versions below are meant for accessibility purposes only and are not recommended.
On YouTube: Episode 8 - Potential
Accessibility Transcript
Episode 8: Potential (coming soon)
Questions for further discussion
- Wendy Luella Perkins challenges us to consider the "deep whys" behind what we do as Unitarian Universalists. What are your UU group's "deep whys" for the various actions you initiate together?
- What feelings and thoughts arise in you in response to Anne Barker's observation, "...the reliance on volunteers and not paying fair wages to humans makes it hard to keep something vital"?
- What beliefs do you hold around volunteerism within spiritual communities? Where did those beliefs originate?
- What beliefs do you hold about paying people to do work for a spiritual community? Where did those beliefs originate?
- What thoughts, feelings, and questions arise when you imagine UUs creating good-paying jobs as an expression of social justice?
- Besides weddings and ceremonies, what other types of social enterprises might UUs be well positioned to co-create? Consider the needs in your area, your UU group's assets and talents, and the things that make your heart sing.
- What type of CUC membership and services could benefit UU groups engaged in community-based ministry?
- Karen Dunk-Green ended the episode by suggesting we need to be willing to invest upfront, believing that what we're offering up to the world is truly of value and will make its way back to us in a way that will matter. What are some courageous offerings your UU community could make that have value within the community at large?
Engage with Us!
- Through the reflective questions: We encourage you to reflect on these questions with a friend, within a group, or in your own time as you listen. Let these episodes spark meaningful conversations and ideas for your own UU community. Whether you’re exploring affinity groups, covenant, or nomadic UUism, we hope these discussions inspire you to think creatively about the future of our movement.
- Insights Form: Has something caught your attention? Would you like to share it with us? We invite you to use this insights form to help inform our planning.
- Congregational Conversation, Nov 23, 2024: Join us to share insights, questions and possibilities. Find the registration and link information here.
Notes and Research Links
- Lay Chaplaincy- Canadian Unitarian Council
- Shawn Loney- Social Entrepreneur that Anne Barker mentions
- Ajashki Project at Ottawa First Unitarian Fellowship
- Soulful Singing - Rev. Wendy Luella Perkin's online singing ministry
- UniCamp of Ontario
We would love to hear from you. Email us with any questions or comments.
Background
In 2024, the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) did a research project called UU Expressions to learn how people/groups express their UU values. After engaging in the Inclusivity Forums and Inclusivity Action Groups designed to shift UU culture to be more aware and inclusive, it became clear that some people would like the movement to embrace diverse expressions of UUism, not just become more welcoming of diverse people within a rigid structure of UUism. We reached out to those expressing their UU values in different ways to understand more about what they are doing and if there are ways the CUC can be supportive of those expressions so they have what they need to thrive.
Motivation for this research
- To better understand the barriers to full inclusion that exist.
- To learn what support structures could nurture diverse expressions of UUism (not only congregations), and if/how emerging expressions of UUism can engage in a mutually beneficial relationship with the CUC.
- To use findings to encourage a broader identity rebrand of UUism as a values and principles-focused faith community with various adaptable expressions of how UUism is lived out.
Rationale
- UU expressions are currently happening outside of existing congregations; this points to a potential challenge around inclusivity.
- Some (many of whom are young adults) choose not to merge into congregations and are co-creating alternatives.
- Some congregations are branching into ventures extending past church-related activities.
- UUism in Canada is considering sustainability- these findings and recommendations could shed light on what is working and bring the movement new life.
Research Methodology
This research was primarily narrative- meaning we spoke with people to hear their stories. To find these people, we:
- put out a call in the CUC’s e-news and on social media channels
- created a feedback form to gather feedback about the different types of UU Expressions that exist across Canada so people could reach out to us or tell us about a UU Expression they are aware of.
- spoke to CUC staff who have contacts throughout Canada including within the youth and young adult communities.
- spoke to those within UUism that are well-connected
- spoke to people we interviewed to ask them if they are aware of others who are innovating within UUism
We conducted Zoom interviews that were recorded to ensure accuracy and so we could share excerpts. Each interview lasted an average of 75-90 minutes and began with a list of set questions followed by a free-flowing conversation between the interviewer and interviewees.
Analysis
Once the interviews were finished, we began identifying trends that emerged and the related quotes. Next we interviewed four staff members from the CUC who have detailed knowledge about certain demographics and expressions. We shared the trends that we saw emerging and asked them for their feedback. Once again we followed a pre-determined list of questions while leaving plenty of room for free-flowing conversation. In doing so, we shared the “meaning-making” responsibilities.
Once we found our themes and meanings we did our best to supplement the findings with statistics from within and outside UUism to help round out our understanding of what is happening and why.
Our last phase of the research will be to share these findings with the national body and integrate any additional feedback.
Why a podcast?
Let’s face it- reading research reports is not most people’s idea of a good time! We wanted to make the findings as accessible and enjoyable as possible. The podcast approach allows listeners to hear the voices of people speaking, which we hope helps build a sense of understanding, community, and cohesion that words on paper would not be able to achieve. For those who prefer, we also have a video version and transcript.
Engage with Us!
- Through the reflective questions: We encourage you to reflect on these questions with a friend, within a group, or in your own time as you listen. Let these episodes spark meaningful conversations and ideas for your own UU community. Whether you’re exploring affinity groups, covenant, or nomadic UUism, we hope these discussions inspire you to think creatively about the future of our movement.
- Insights Form: Has something caught your attention? Would you like to share it with us? We invite you to use this insights form to help inform our planning.
- Congregational Conversation, Nov 23: Join us to share insights, questions and possibilities. Find the registration and link information here.
Meet some UU Expressionists
These expressions came to us either voluntarily or thru recommendations by staff or folks who saw our call–out online.
- Congregational – Social justice activists from the 60’s and beyond wonder where their place is now. Peter Scales and Janet Pivnik
- Mirth & Dignity – Popular “dose of laughter” online community (UU Hysterical Society) and big supporter of “church” done differently. Liz James, Saskatoon
- Soulful Singing – Rev. Wendy Luella Perkins talks about her daily online singing group as a needs-based spiritual offering with a membership of 50 people!
- Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice (CUSJ) – Promoting Unitarian values through social action. Ellen Papenburg and Jim Sannes
- Loving Justice – Young adult led prison abolitionist group. Z Brimacombe with Ilara Stafaniuk-Gaudet
- CUC Youth and Young Adult Staff – Casey Stainsby and Rev. Danie Webber reveal the realities of the young people they serve nationwide
- Rising Together – UU multigen IBPOC (Indigenous, Black, People of Colour) online community facilitated by Camellia Jahanshahi
- Gathered Here Young Adults – An online community for UU young adults Brenagh Rapoport and Maya Ferguson Klinowski
- UU’s of the Salish Sea – This newly emerging UU community gets to reimagine their culture so it is friendly to young adults and youth. catherine strickland and Robyn Newton
- QUUeer Connecting – Young Adult-led, multigenerational online affinity group that allows LGBTQIA+ to relax with one another. Anonymous by request
- Le Rassemblement unitarien universaliste d’Ottawa – A small group ministry for French-speaking UUs. Claire Heistek
- Lay Chaplains – UU national outreach community shares our unique gift of pluralism beyond church walls through trained lay chaplains providing rites of passage. Karen Dunk-Green
- Unicamp – Yvette Salinas and Joanna Barrington share their challenges and hopes for the UU-based camping and retreat site in Ontario
- Nomadic UUism – How not having a building in northern Ontario is shaping Huronia into a group of UU explorers. Luci Dilkus
- Ajashki Project – Seeking relationship between the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa and neighbouring First Nation communities through the creation of Ajashki Food Security and Climate Change Learning Centre on Ottawa First’s campus. Kayoki Whiteduck, Lynn Kofmel-Preston
- Nanaimo Unitarian Shelter – Kathryn-Jane Hazel tells us about the evolution of their community needs-based initiative
- Congregational Life Leads – Rev. Anne Barker and Rev. Linda Thomson reflect back what they are hearing from the congregations they serve
Meet your hosts from the CUC Staff Team
Erin Horvath
CUC Justice and Equity Lead
Erin has over 25 years of experience promoting right relations between peoples and Nations through community building, social entrepreneurship, politics, environmental planning, art, and collaborative initiatives within the not-for-profit, private, educational, health, political, policy development, and community sectors, in particular with rural and First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario.
In her non-CUC work, she is the Co-founder of New Vision Unlimited where she is working on initiatives related to sexual violence culture shifts, poverty reduction, and social entrepreneurship. Erin’s experience in storytelling and performing arts make her a creative and dynamic facilitator, educator and speaker.
Amber Bellemare
CUC Justice and Equity Programme Coordinator
Amber Dawn Bellemare is a multimedia performance artist, a coordinator, a connector, and a fiercely spirited person. Her Communications and First Peoples studies prompted her to produce and direct documentaries with Indigenous communities, most notably the Inuit population in Nunavik, Canada.
An individual who helps foster valuable and meaningful connections between others, she founded a nonprofit women’s art collective, The WolfLab, where members connect on a deeper level via networking, resource sharing, and collaborating. Her range of artistic and professional pursuits prove that as individuals, we need not be classified and stuck in one category.
Insider Language alert!
Hearing things you might not understand? We do that sometimes. Check out the list below for explanations.
- CUC – Canadian Unitarian Council
- UUs – Unitarians and Universalists
- UUism – Unitarian Universalism
- YaYA – Youth and Young Adult
- YA – Young Adult
- CUSJ – Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice
- Multigen – Multi generational: multiple generations are present. You must be multi-generational to be intergenerational, but you can be multi-generational without being intergenerational.
- Intergen – Inter generational differs from that of multi-generational in that while multiple generations might be present, the generations must interact with those from other generations.
- UUMOC – Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association of Canada is the Canadian professional association of UU ministers. UUMOC is a chapter within the larger Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association (UUMA).
- RE – Religious Exploration Religious exploration (RE) is the umbrella term we use to describe our exploration of Unitarian Universalist Principles and Sources and the formation and development of our personal faith.
- DRE – Director of Religious Exploration
- Faith Formation – “Unitarian Universalist faith formation is becoming able to articulate what our faith teaches and what it doesn’t teach.”
- 8th Principle Process – Forums dedicated to help the national UU community navigate their feelings toward adding the 8th Principle to the previous seven: Individual and communal action that accountably dismantles racism and systemic barriers to full inclusion in ourselves and our institutions.
The Church of Our Imagination
In May 2013, a group of young adults came together during the CUC’s Annual Conference and Meeting. They wondered what it would be like to have a church – a community – without physical walls, and created the following manifesto, “May our collective imaginations be inspired.”
We love our congregations
and we are called out of them.
We imagine church within and beyond buildings.
We imagine church through social enterprise – a café, bike shop, community centre.
We imagine church in houses – meeting as small groups as part of a larger body.
We imagine church online – maintaining connectedness over distance when we can’t be together in person.
We imagine church on the street – building relationships, hearing stories, becoming friends.
We imagine church embedded in neighbourhoods – with deep roots and porous walls.
And we imagine our present churches, vibrant and sustainable, embedded in a dynamic web of symbiotic relationship, within and beyond.
We are called to start building this web.
Curtis Murphy, Sean Neil-Barron, Carly Gaylor, Rodrigo Emilio Solano-Quesnel, and Liz James