Unitarian Church of Montreal

Welcome to our multicultural community

 We are the first Unitarian church in all of Canada, founded in 1842.  We meet every Sunday at 10:30 in our beautiful, unique sanctuary at 5035 de Maisonneuve West. Our minister is the Rev. Diane Rollert.

What's happening this week May 20 - 27

PLEASE NOTE THAT ON MONDAY, MAY 20 THE BUILDING IS CLOSED

Join us this Sunday, May 26, at 10:30 am for a sermon with the intriguing title God, Again? Our Rev. Diane Rollert will get you thinking, and our Parts in Peace Choir, led by our music director Sandra Hunt, will transport you with their amazing talent. All are welcome, no matter what your beliefs. Why not check us out?
Half the unidentified cash in the collection baskets will be donated to the CUC's Sharing Our Faith grants. This program provides funds for congregational initiatives which enhance ministry, aid projects and outreach, and enhance the Unitarian Universalist movement in Canada.

Also this week, on Saturday, May 25, at 1 pm at the church, there will be a memorial service UCM member Diane Short with a brief reception to follow.

And don't miss UCM member Alison Hall's annual Perennial Sale for Africa Aids Relief on Saturday, May 25 (rain or shine), from 9 am to 2 pm.
225 Neptune Blvd., Dorval, between Carson and Lakeshore.
Every cent of this fundraiser's proceeds go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation which funds community-based grassroots programs aimed at alleviating the suffering of women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.
Information: Alison Hall 514-636-8406

Read on for more activities happening this week, including an open workshop to discover Playback Theatre on Wednesday and concerts by the Yellow Door Choir on Friday and Saturday.

What's happening this week May 13 - 19

Join us this Sunday, May 19, at 10:30 am for a sermon delivered by UCM member Emanuel Freitas entitled The Golden Rule: What More Do You Need in Your Moral Tool Kit?
Great music provided by pianist Sandra Hunt, and special guests, the University of Michigan Women's Glee Club. It's also a special Sunday for the children, as UCM member Janet Clancy introduces them to some fun "Brain Gyn" games and exercises.

Our minister, Rev. Diane Rollert, will be in Calagary this weekend at the Canadian Unitarian Council Annual Conference and Meeting, along with CUC delegates Carol Cumming Speirs, Amber Dawn Bellmare and Caroline Jondahl.
   
Why not drop in this Sunday and see what we're all about? Or check out another activity coming up this week, such as play group, choir practice or a casual evening potluck with other families? Everyone is welcome, no strings attached.

Remembering Ruth di Giovanni

Remembrance and meditation by Rev. Diane Rollert, 5 May 2013

Ruth di Giovanni died suddenly and unexpectedly on the night of Monday,  29 April 2013. The news came as a shock to all of us. E-mails of remembrances for Ruth have been pouring in and we are putting together a book for her family.  We are all feeling devastated by this loss.

Come Discover Your Inner Drummer this Sunday, May 12

                         Everyone is welcome to this great seminar by percussionist Matt Meyer.

What's happening this week: May 6 - 12

Join us this Sunday, May 12, at 10:30 for our Mother's Day Celebration

Our special guest is percussionist Matt Meyers, who is knowledgeable and experienced in a variety of styles, including Latin-Jazz, Brazilian, folk, funk, HipHop and pop. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and has studied in Cuba, Ghana and Central America.
The service will be led by Rev. Diane Rollert, with Sandra Hunt, music director.

If you love drumming, and you just might after this service, don't miss Matt's workshop "Drumming and Spirituality" after the service, at 2 pm. For a registration form, click here.  

Also this Sunday, the Social and Environmental Concerns Committee will meet at 12:15 pm in the Thomas Room.

SECC needs a new Chair for the coming year(s).  If you have a special interest that you would like to promote, this could be the right forum for you. If you would like more information about what is involved, please contact Christina Duvander or call her at 514-630-7523.

There is a regular council meeting Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Garden Room.

Please read on for more activities happening this week - everyone is welcome in our community, even if you are not a member. We have play groups, choirs and discussion groups. Come and check us out and discover a welcoming and warm community.

Both Sides Now

Sermon by Rev. Diane Rollert, 28 April 2013

On the 9^th of March 2008, Montreal had a huge snowstorm.  A small group of no more than 30 of us trudged into church that morning.  That was the service that brought together Jane Critchlow and Jean Séguin for the first time as singer and pianist to celebrate the music of Joni Mitchell. For years Jane, Jean and Rev. Diane talked about repeating the service. That day finally came on 28 April 2013, with the addition of more musicians and a full house to sing along.  Below is the sermon from that day. 

Truth and Reconciliation

Meditation by Rev. Diane Rollert, 28 April 2013

On Wednesday, April 24 and Friday, April 26, 2013, I spent time at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.  This prayer is for all the children of the First Nations who lost their innocence, their culture, their language and their lives to the residential schools established by the government and run by the churches of Canada.

What's happening this week April 28 - May 5

Join us this Sunday, May 5, at 10:30 am, when we will welcome special guest Fulgence Ndagijimana, pasteur de l'Église Unitarienne de Burundi/minister of the Unitarian Church of Burundi, who will speak about Unitarianisme en Burundi, Afrique / Unitarianism in Burundi, Africa. Everyone welcome! Free childcare provided.

After the service we'll have a special guest speaker, Catherine Rondin, TD Canadian Children's Book Week visiting author.

At 11:30,  Catherine will speak to the children in Religious Education. But after a light lunch she'll give an interactive presentation in the sanctuary for everyone, young and young-at-heart.

Bring your friends!

Catherine specializes in non-fiction for children and youth and is visiting many schools, libraries and book stores in the Montreal area. Check out her website.

 

The Giants Walking Across Canada

Sermon by Rev. Diane Rollert (*see below for list of additional contributors), 21 April 2013

In January, some of you were a little fearful when I said I was going to take a preaching course from the great African American preacher, Rev. James Forbes.  And, yes, I did come back shouting “Hallelujah” –well,  at least for one week.  And, yes, some of you loved that, and I loved it too.  But the most important thing I shared with you when I returned from that trip was the challenge that Rev. Forbes gave to the 35 Unitarian Universalist ministers in his course.

What's happening this week: April 21-28

Join us this Sunday, April 21, at 10:30 am as Rev. Diane Rollert delivers a sermon entitled The Giants Walking Across Canada. Music provided by Louise Halperin, piano, and the Greater Goods, vocals and guitars. For children, we have many options, including a special gardening story and activities with seeds to plant for the All Ages, or grade school group.

After the service there'll be a bagel and fruit lunch before we hold a vote for church members at 12:15 on the new UCM governance structure, by-law revisions and lay chaplain candidates.

During the month of April, half of the unidentified money in the collection baskets will be donated to Chez Doris, a non-profit organization with a mission to welcome women in difficulty by offering social services, educational and recreational activities as well as professional services in a safe and comforting environment.

Please read on for more activities happening this week in our community. No need to be a member of the church to participate. 

What's happening this week: April 14-21

Join us this Sunday, April 14, at 10 am for a special multigenerational service led by Caroline Balderston Parry, Sandra Hunt, Rev. Diane Rollert, the children and others. We'll have lots of music from the junior choir, chimers and competitive fiddle players of the First Parish of Arlington, MA, led by Laura Pitchard; the UCM Children's Choir with Sarah Albu; and the Parts in Peace Choir.

This service will be a historical survey of how UUs evolved the foundational view that we don't have to think alike to love alike. Children and youth should show up at 10 am to practice our songs.
Meet in the Garden Room, and check out the map of our historical path on the bulletin board by the nursery: it parallels the path we will have laid on the floor of the sanctuary.
Please also bring finger food to share after the service. Volunteres to help organize, serve and clean up greatly appreciated.

If you missed Empty Bowls on April 13 at the UCM (where we raised over $9,000!) you can go on Sunday from 11-2 at Dorshei Emet on Cleve Rd. They have hundreds of beautiful handcrafted bowls, delicious minestrone soup and live music. $25/per bowl. Help us match or beat last year's total of $20,000. Hope to see you there!

Also on this Sunday, April 14, we'll hold a memorial concert in honour of Joan Watt at 2 pm in the sanctuary. Music provided by Sandra Hunt, piano, and Gary Russell, cello.

During the month of April, half of the unidentified money in the collection baskets will be donated to Chez Doris, a non-profit organization with a mission to welcome women in difficulty by offering social services, educational and recreational activities as well as professional services in a safe and comforting environment.

Read on for more activities coming up this week. Everyone welcome, so come an check out our dynamic community. You never know, you might just find your inner Unitarian!

For What It’s Worth

Reflections by Amber Bellemare, Debbie Blythe, Christine Rourke, Isabel Denny Meyer and Richard Ostrofsky, 7 April 2013

Amber Part 1

Thanks to the suggestion of Deirdre McCay, I have been acting as the worship coordinator since the beginning of the Church year.  I had to ask myself, “What was the point of a worship service anyway?  What does that even mean?”  I thought about the root of the word worship which means “to give worth” and how the hour spent together on Sunday morning is reserved for us to give worth to something, some idea, some thought, whether it be shockingly new or comfortably familiar. 

What's happening this week: April 7 - 14

Empty Bowls: Dozens of bowls to choose from April 13, 14

Join us this Sunday, April 7 at 10:30 a.m. for a sermon entitled For What It's Worth delivered by Amber Dawn Bellemare, Debbie Blythe, Isabelle Meyer, Richard Ostrofsky, Christine Rourke and Virginia Thomas.
Music by Sandra Hunt and Sebastian Piquette.

The children's choir will practice at 10 a.m. in preparation for next Sunday's multi-generational service which will feature an historical survey of how UUs evolved the fundamental view that we don't have to think alike to love alike. Actors needed for cameo parts; please contact the R.E. office if you're interested.
  
Since this is the first Sunday of the month please bring non-perishable food items to share with the NDG Food Depot. 
 
And block off next weekend in your calendar for our annual Empty Bowls Fundaraiser to Fight Hunger, from 11 am to 2 pm (Saturday at UCM; Sunday at Synagogue Dorshei Emet).
Tickets are $25 for a ceramic bowl, one ladle of soup and a piece of bread - a simple meal to remind us of those in our community struggling to feed themselves and their families. The five beneficiaries this year are: NDG Food Depot, Dorshei Emet Hanukkah Food Basket Fund, Santropol Roulant, Multi Caf and St. Michael's Mission.
Want to participate? Contact Trudy Blumstein or call her at 514-486-2567. Our volunteer recruiters in aprons will be on hand after service on April 7.

During the month of April, half of the unidentified money in the collection baskets will be donated to Chez Doris, a non-profit organization with a mission to welcome women in difficulty by offering social services, and educational and recreational activities in a safe and comforting environment. Read on for more activities happening this week.

Bring Us to the Mountainside

Sermon by Rev. Diane Rollert, 31 March 2013

I woke up this morning saying a prayer:

Oh God, please bring me a miracle. It’s Easter again, and Passover, and here I am trying to navigate this murky water.  Why am I so stubborn, that I refuse, refuse to simply sing of springtime?  Why must I go where it feels so dark, through waters where I still don’t have the maps or the directions? I’ve run out of Unitarian Easter jokes, and the ones I’ve already told have amused many but infuriated some.  Really, can’t we just sing `Hallelujah` and be done with it?

Like the Lyle Lovett song, with the preacher who goes on and on, until the congregation and the choir just keep singing: 

To the Lord let praises be
It's time for dinner now, let's go eat!

Who Are Our Neighbours? Do Unto to Others... Oops!

Sermon by Rev. Diane Rollert, 24 March 2013 

When I was a child, there was one moral lesson that my parents taught me before all others, a lesson that has guided me all these years. It was the lesson I taught to my own children in hopes that they would grow up to be fair, decent people:  “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  The Golden Rule.  As simple as that.