Sunday services begin at 11:00 a.m. in the Kiwanis Room at the Lochiel Kiwanis Centre at 180 College Ave. N., Sarnia

(enter by the Forsythe St. main door).

Nov. 6: “A Case for Universal Income” – Michael Kooy, RBC How can we more effectively and compassionately address poverty, unemployment, and economic inequality. A universal basic income is one proposal which has attracted attention from some economists. It would essentially replace the existing welfare system. Michael has spoken to us about “ethical investing” and will now discuss the concept of “Universal Income”.

Nov. 13: “Reflection & Remembrance” – Rev. Tom Rodger Through poems and stories Tom encourages us to not just honour the sacrifice of those who fought and died to protect the freedoms we can too easily take for granted, but to reflect upon the horror and tragedy of war, past and present. Tom is a retired Presbyterian Minister.

Nov. 20: “The Gift of Clarity of Vision” – Camilla McGill Rotary Clubs in Sarnia have both local projects and international projects on three continents. Camilla McGill, a member of the Sarnia Bluewaterland Rotary, has led several projects in India since 2005. Currently running is an eye hospital in southeastern India which gives free cataract surgeries to villagers living near a city the size of Sarnia. She will describe her experiences volunteering in India.

Nov. 27: “What I Observed and what I was taught in KI First Nation”- Thea DeGroot As part of our support toward “Truth and Reconciliation” with the Indigenous Peoples, Thea will share with us her reflections and photography of her July trip to the fly-in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation in Northwestern Ontario (600 km above Thunder Bay).

IT’S ALSO SOUP SUNDAY TODAY!

… a refreshing alternative for religious explorers

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

1 November Services

2 Executive Team Highlights

3 President’s Reflection

4 Refugee Update

5 Events

6 Arms Wide Open

7 Rev. Fulgence in Canada

“Anybody can create

community with people

who believe just like they

do. The true test of

community rests in the

ability to create it with

people who disagree

with us.”

- Lee Barker, Unitarian

Universalist Minister

November 2016

Unitarian Fellowship of Sarnia & Port Huron 180 College Ave. N. Sarnia, Ontario

www.uusarnia.com

The Flaming

Chalice

November Services

The stained glass chalice in the header hangs in the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, OR.

Page 2 The Flaming Chalice

Advertising – A 1/8th page advertisement for the Fellowship was placed in the Sept. 8th, 15th and 29th editions of the Sarnia Journal.

Connection With First Unitarian Toronto – Wendy Starr as Program Chair & Ann Steadman as President will be having a Skype call with the Rev. Shawn Newton on November 4th. During this call, we will explore ways in which some of First Unitarian’s resources (theme ministry study guides, live-streaming of services etc.) might be shared with our Fellowship.

Membership: We warmly welcome John Bellar as a new member of our Fellowship bringing our membership total to 44 plus 2 honorary life members and 9 official ‘Friends’. The Canadian Unitarian Council’s ‘Annual Congregational Certification of Membership’ will be completed and returned using this recent membership number. Program: Sunday programs have been organized for all of November and most of December. The Executive Team recommends that we do not hold services on Sunday, December 25th and Sunday, January 1st. The option of a member hosting a New Years’ Day brunch potluck will be looked into. The contract for the Music Coordinator has been signed. Religious Exploration (RE): We have signed contracts with one Child Care Worker and two RE Teachers for this program year. We will continue to trial having the weekly RE theme revolve around the ‘Story for All Ages’.

Finance: We currently have a small ‘year to date’ net budget surplus for our 2016-17 Program Year. Lay Chaplaincy: Allan’s retirement from Lay Chaplaincy will be celebrated during a service near the end of December. A potential new Lay Chaplain will be interviewed by the Lay Chaplaincy Team within the coming weeks. Executive Team Meetings are open to the members of the Fellowship. They will now be happening at 6:30 pm on the 2nd Thursday of the month beginning in December. Given that both Ann and Dwayne cannot be available to meet during the 2nd week of November our next Executive Team Meeting has been set for Thursday, December 8th, 2016, at 6:30 pm at the Lochiel Kiwanis Centre.

.

Executive Team Highlights from October 2016 By Ann Steadman

Business Arising:

Refugee Sponsorship – Our Syrian refugee family arrived in Sarnia on October 18th.

Canada Revenue Agency - Communications are continuing with the CRA concerning revisions that it requires to our By-Law “purposes”.

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F

Presidents Reflection: What Informs Our Spiritual Practice?

Presidents Reflection: Unity in Diversity

Some years ago, while I was still working at Bluewater Health, my two daughters came home

for a visit. We did, of course, talk about what was happening in our lives. When I had shared ‘the

latest’ about what I had been up to, the elder daughter, Mary, just laughed and said, “Mom everything

you are into has something to do with ‘unity’. You are a Union leader, you belong to the Unitarian

Fellowship and now you are telling us that you are an Associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph because

they always work for ‘Unity and Reconciliation’.”

I had not actually seen this underlying motif before. However, once it had been pointed out to

me, I was actually pleased with the congruency in these three areas of my life: the Union, the

Unitarian Fellowship and the association with the Sisters. By the way, ‘Unity and Reconciliation’ is

what is called the ‘charism’ or special gift/motivation of this group of Sisters. They are, as well, very

progressive, evolutionary thinkers.

As Unitarians, we have been challenged by the U.S. based Unitarian Universalist Association

(UUA) to be “Standing on the Side of Love”. Please click on the following link for more information

about this UUA initiative http://www.uua.org/love .

As an Associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph and also as a Unitarian, I resonate with one of the

Sister’s definition of unity: “Unity is diversity held together by love.” Unity does not require that we

have to be the same, nor think the same. What unity does require, I would suggest, is that we need to

always heed the call to love even those who we disagree with politically or in beliefs.

Does this concept sound familiar? Well, perhaps it should. We have often heard on Sunday

mornings these famous words that Unitarian Francis Dávid is supposed to have said: “We need not

think alike to love alike.” Apparently the Protestant, John Wesley, said much the same thing:

“Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are

not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may.” Please go to http://www.uuworld.org/articles/uu-

rumor-mill-produces-quotes for more information.

What I have experienced over this past year, while working towards sponsoring a refugee

family in partnership with our Muslim friends, has made me acutely aware that we share more values,

more human frailties, more love than those things that might divide us. Truly, we need to continue to

be “Standing on the Side of Love”.

Respectfully,

Ann

Editor’s Note: Some of our members cannot relate to the quote from Francis David “We need not think

alike in order to love alike”. I would like to suggest perhaps it’s easier to accept that “We need not think

alike in order to Stand on the Side of Love”. It’s where we want to be but doesn’t leave us wondering

about whether or not we “…love alike”… Just some additional food for thought……

“Unity is Diversity held together by Love”

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They’re Here…. Our Syrian Refugee Family arrived in Sarnia on Tuesday, October 18th!

The very tired, but happy family were greeted by the Sarnia Interfaith Refugee Partnership (SIRP) Steering Team and immediately taken to their new apartment. As of October 30th, both the family and our volunteers have been quite busy getting the family settled in and attending to the necessary appointments and orientations. So far the family has signed the lease papers for the apartment, had a school tour, shopped for winter clothing, attended an intake appointment for English as a Second Language (ESL) at the YMCA’s Oakdale location, had immunization updates at the Lambton Health Unit, made their applications for OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance) coverage, set up a bank account, been accompanied on two additional shopping expeditions (for food items and other miscellaneous house wares) and the two older children have attended their first day of school. Next week is also shaping up to be an important one with further ‘firsts’ and appointments. The parents will begin ESL on Monday while the 2 year old child will start child care at the ‘Y’ (same location as the ESL classes). The parents will be taken to London to meet with an Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada official and medical appointments are also being arranged. We had been advised that, to function well as a sponsorship group, good communication is essential. Needless to say, the number of emails and phone calls being shared has been phenomenal! To facilitate scheduling, a web-based calendar has been established for the various ‘Task Team Leads’. We have also developed guidelines for making appointments (the co-ordination of drivers and interpreters is critical) and for what is expected of the Arabic speaking interpreters. For the first number of months, there will be an Arabic interpreter on-call 24/7. This is where our partnership with the Sarnia Muslim Association (SMA) has already proven to be invaluable. Further, the newcomer family has already been included in mosque prayer this past Friday and a special mosque event this past Saturday. Through all of the chaos of these first two weeks, the family has been extremely cooperative, polite, grateful and hospitable. We are seeing the parents making good efforts to pick up English words as they engage with us. What is also positive is the family’s obvious desire to be as independent as possible. As I look at the news of what is happening in Syria and the whole Middle East, I am humbled by how large the problem is, of just how many innocent civilians that are being killed, used as “human shields” and are continuing to be displaced. Though we are only able to help one family, we are doing something! I am reminded of the words of Edward Everett Hale found in our hymn book, Singing the Living Tradition. Hale states the following:

I am only one But still I am one.

I cannot do everything, But still I can do something.

And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.

From Dwayne O’Neill and myself, heartfelt thanks to all who have been contributing to this initiative through donations of money, goods and time. Within the next few weeks, a potluck dinner will be organized at the mosque to officially welcome the newcomer family and to bring our two communities together. Stayed tuned for details! Respectfully,

Ann

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Regular Events:

Book Club: Continues to meet on the 3rd Sunday of every month at 9:15 am at ‘Parkside Perk’ on Front St. On November 20th, we will be reviewing the book The Weight of Water by Anita Shreve. Everyone is welcome to come out and join the discussion, whether you’ve read the book or not – breakfast and the discussion are always great! Future selections are discussed at the meeting. Men’s Group: Exciting news! After a too long sojourn the Men’s Group is being resuscitated! All male members and friends (sorry females!) are invited to gather at 4pm on November 13 at 1446 Sylvan Court for a potluck and informal discussion: possible topics: Chuck’s trip to Japan and what happens now in the U.S. after the election! Please RSVP to Allan: 519-542-3661 or amckeown1@cogeco.ca

Women’s Circle: Everyone is welcome to attend. Future events have yet to be decided.

Small Group Ministry: Members meet every other Thursday afternoon at chosen locations. All are welcome. Contact Betty Learn for info at: 519-337-4039.

Consider this…………

“It isn’t LOVE that makes the world go round, but COMPASSION – starting over in

gentleness when Love hasn’t been enough or other factors have failed: a gentle

refusal to blame oneself or others and just begin again.”

Nancy Shaffer (Unitarian Universalist, clergy)

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Arms Wide Open

It is a trying time for those who follow a liberal Unitarian faith. We who prefer the open hand of welcome to the closed fist of alienation are being challenged like never before.

There is so much violence in so many places around the world – Dallas, New Orleans, Baghdad, Nice, and countless other tear-stained places where the forces of hate and hurt are lashing out. It is such a test to keep our arms open when it might feel so much easier to bar the door and hide safely behind the walls.

But we must keep as open as we possibly can. Our first Principle reminds us that we affirm all people. Our Seventh Principle reminds us that we are part of an interdependent web, even when we hide behind walls. And those Principles remind us about justice and fairness and all those other compassionate practices that make liberal religion a force for positive change in the world.

Let us remind ourselves that the world is progressing in our direction despite these terrible setbacks. By every measurable standard, the world is a safer place in the 21st century than it was in the 20th. Let us hold true to our Principles and stay strong in our faith. Our deep understanding of our interdependence calls us to love and justice, to keep our arms wide open and hug the hurting world. Amen – Rev. Brian Kiely –

Shared by the CUC National Voice Team:

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Rev. Fulgence’s Journey Towards Ministry in Canada

In the next year, Rev. Fulgence Ndagijimana, a recently arrived refugee from Burundi, will be working with the Unitarian Congregation of Saskatoon, as he fulfills the requirements of the Ministerial Fellowship Committee (of the Unitarian Universalist Association) toward becoming a credentialed Unitarian minister in Canada. Rev. Fulgence says, “I really felt it was important to go work in a church to learn the culture and learn how church is done here in North America.” Having worked as a minister at the Unitarian Church in Bujumbura, Burundi for the past 12 years, the MFC has been supportive, taking into account Rev. Fulgence’s experience and training, as he prepares to appear before the MFC panel next year. “I think since I’m here, the fates wanted me to be here, I want to use that as an opportunity to continue my calling serving as a Unitarian minister. That allows me, in different ways, to continue my work back home. I’m glad that it’s working out.” The fates, in this case, guided Rev. Fulgence into our Canadian Unitarian community, after he was forced to flee his home in Burundi where, through his Unitarian church, he had been fighting against the violence and injustice of war that threatened the safety of thousands of Burundians. Rev. Fulgence goes on to explain more fully, “I feel that many people do not know the story and it is important that they know.” The history of violence in Burundi stretches back almost half a century, and this history informs the current crisis. “Because the situation is so complicated, I would like people in the West to have some understanding.” When it came to beginning life in Canada, “The CUC made sure I had a place to stay, a lawyer to guide me through the immigration process, which was very complicated, and so I think all the way the CUC has been very helpful and I’m grateful for that. I’m also glad that I ended up in Canada, because the CUC becomes a way for me to just be part of that community that cares about me, that I know will continue to do so, and will be happy to learn and to serve the movement from up here.” Saskatoon may seem an odd choice to many Canadians, but Rev. Fulgence explains that good Burundian friends and a strong connection to the Saskatoon Congregation are the primary reasons that drew him there, where he will serve in a modified intern minister position for the next year. “There is also the fact that Montreal seemed to be a very big and overwhelming city and my son, who goes to school in English, would have a difficult time getting an English school in Montreal.” To read the full story of Reverend Fulgence’ move to Canada, please go to http://cuc.ca/rev-fulgences-ministry-canada

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Please consider sharing this newsletter with a friend and invite them to a service. Every Sunday

is “Bring a Guest” Sunday!

Each issue of the “Flaming Chalice” newsletter is printed by the Organization for Literacy Lambton (OLL): helping every person acquire the gift of literacy.

Newsletter Editor: Wendy Cornelis

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“Because of the role that religion has historically

played in denying gay, lesbian, bisexual and

transgender people their full humanity, I believe

that we now have a special calling to reach out

to our GLBT sisters and brothers. We need to

offer an explicit welcome, because the world can

still be a very unwelcoming place. We need to

offer radical acceptance, because neither family

nor society can always be counted on to be

accepting. We need to offer unconditional love,

because Love is at the heart of religious

community.”

— Allison Barrett, Canadian UU Minister