Join us Christmas Eve at 6:30 for our candlelight service. And this holiday season, why not give a gift that grows so people in rural communities of Asia, Africa and
Latin America have the tools they need to feed themselves today and
into the future? You can give seeds, trees, and clean drinking water, or support
farmers' rights and the next generation of farmers through Unitarian Service Committee's
programs. You can purchase it in minutes by
going to the website.
When you give your gift, you can then send an E-card to let the person know you've given a present in their name. Thanks to you, hope is growing!
We wish you the strength to meet any challenge;
the joy of knowing you're loved;
the satisfaction of rendering service;
and the peace of a quiet heart.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice and New Year's Greetings!
When you give your gift, you can then send an E-card to let the person know you've given a present in their name. Thanks to you, hope is growing!
We wish you the strength to meet any challenge;
the joy of knowing you're loved;
the satisfaction of rendering service;
and the peace of a quiet heart.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice and New Year's Greetings!
(Please note that the church office will be closed from the afternoon of Thursday, December 24, until Monday morning, January 4. Telephone messages will be checked during this period.)
Thursday, December 24, 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary
PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
All are welcome to our traditional Christmas Eve service with a Unitarian flavour. This bilingual service includes the singing of favourite carols and the lighting of candles.
Célébration aux chandelles de la veille de Noël
Nous invitons toutes et tous a notre célébration bilingue pour la veille de Noël.
Sunday, December 27, 10:30 am
Poetry and Potluck
with Yves Manseau and David Horan
Bring a favourite dish to share after the service
In December, unidentified cash in the collection baskets will be donated to the Montreal Diet Dispensary. (Each month, all of the unidentified loose cash in the Sunday collection is donated to a local organization in need of our support. Cheques can also be made out to the organization which will issue tax receipts directly.)
In January, unidentified cash in the collection baskets will be donated to Head & Hands.
Sunday, January 3, 10:30 am
Sing and Rejoice
Kirstin McKeown
Music by Marie-France Boisvert and Elizabeth Adams
N.B.: Please bring non-perishable food for the NDG Food Depot.
LE GROUPE FRANCOPHONE
Nous reprendrons nos activités au mois de janvier. Nous vous souhaitons nos meilleurs voeux pour la nouvelle année 2010.
Le dimanche 10 janvier à midi dans la Salle Thomas: Réunion de travail du Comité francophone afin de préparer la prochaine célébration et nos activités. Si vous êtes intéressés, venez nous rencontrer et partagez vos idées autour d'un petit lunch.
Le dimanche 17 janvier à 10 h 30 : Éducation religieuse en français pour tous les enfants. Cet automne nous avons eu une excellente participation à notre programme, avec deux leçons intitulées, "Le bien et le mal" et "Vivre en communauté". Maintenant, nous entamons une nouvelle série de leçons basées sur la spiritualité amérindienne. Nous invitons tous les enfants âgés entre 4 et 12 ans à venir se réchauffer lors de la première leçon, "Le feu", animée par Hannelore et Rita.
Le dimanche 24 janvier à 12 h 45: Célébration de la réconciliation entre l'Imam et le Pasteur. Notre invité, Laurent Gagnon, coordonnateur au Québec de Initiatives et Changement, témoignera de la réconciliation et surtout du travail en partenariat de deux activistes religieux du nord du Nigeria, région en proie à de grandes tensions religieuses, qui s'avèrent un immense cadeau de l'Afrique au monde entier, notamment au Québec aux prises avec ses questionnements identitaires et intercommunautaires.
Le vendredi 5 février à 18 h 00: Souper communautaire (apportez un plat à partager) avant le film, L'Imam et le Pasteur, suivi par une discussion. Notre invité, Laurent Gagnon, répondra à nos questions, et sûrement il aura des questions à nous poser. Une soirée fort intéressante et engageante.
Responsable: Hannelore Poncelet
Comité d'entraide
Le comité d'entraide francophone recherche des bénévoles qui pourraient apporter du soutien comme voiturage, cuisine d'appoint, visites et appels téléphoniques. Si vous traversez une période difficile ou connaissez quelqu'un dans le besoin, veuillez communiquer avec Francine Desmarais.
COMING UP
Thursday, January 7, 10 am - noon in the Nursery
Play Group resumes
Sunday, January 10, 12:15 pm in the Darwin Room
Music Committee
This is an open meeting to plan for the year. We are having a poetry and music event after services on the third Sunday in January.
Contact: David Horan
Monday, January 11, 7:30 pm
Parts in Peace Choir
Rehearsals begin again. We welcome committed choristers to join in the joy of singing for the Sunday service once a month. Bring a black binder for your music and a pencil for notations.
Optional pot-luck at 6:15 pm.
Contact: Sandra Hunt, director
Tuesday, January 12, 6:30 to 8 pm
(also February 2, March 2, April 6, May 4, and June 1)
What Moves Us? Exploring Unitarian and Universalist Theology
Rev. Diane Rollert
Based on a new program by UU theologian Thandeka, we'll explore the life experiences of historic and contemporary Unitarian and Universalist thinkers and the changes of heart that deepened their faith.
The first session focuses on Hosea Ballou and his belief that human happiness is a mandate of liberal faith. We'll hear Ballou's story, share our own stories, and see if we agree. Other sessions include William Ellery Channing, Margaret Fuller, James Luther Adams and Forrest Church.
This is an opportunity to deepen your knowledge of Unitarian Universalism while exploring your own beliefs and values, and perhaps building your own theology. No preparation required. Just bring a notebook and an open mind.
To sign up for the first session, please call or e-mail the office at 514-485-9933 or office@ucmtl.ca.
Tuesday, January 12, 7:30 pm in Phoenix Hall
Carmina Choir rehearsal
New members are always welcome. Bring joyful voice, a sense of humour and, if possible, a black binder. The ability to read music is not necessary.
Contacts: Keith Robinson or Brian Brice
Sunday, January 17, noon in the Darwin Room
Can We Bring 'Jazz and Justice' Back?
An exploratory meeting: Let's bring this wonderful concert series back to UCM! We've got artists waiting to come perform. All we need is a committee willing to bring it back to life. Come meet with some folks who are thinking about it, but need your help. For more information, contact Margo Ellis
Sunday, January 17, 12:15 pm in the Thomas Room
Social and Environmental Concerns Committee
On the program will be housing and possibly a report from the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference. All are welcome.
Contacts: Christina Duvander or Patricia Philip
Wednesday, January 20
Midday meal with Music
Lunch: 12:20 pm; Music: 1:30 pm
Cost $5
Please contact Ruth di Giovanni to reserve
Thursday, January 21, 6:30 - 8:30 pm in Phoenix Hall
(third Thursday of each month)
Drumming Circle
Contacts: Ann Beer or Allen Lobo
Tuesday, January 26, noon-1:15 pm in the Garden Room
(also February 23, March 23, April 27, and May 25)
Seeking the Sacred in Stories
Facilitated by Rev. Diane Rollert
Bring your own brown bag lunch and join this ongoing group, as we deepen in community and search for meaning in the stories we read. All are welcome. We meet on the first lower level of the church. Copies of the stories are available from the office.
Wednesday, January 27, 6:30-8:30 pm, Children's Chapel
Mindfulness Meditation
Meditation resumes on this and every Wednesday.
Contact: Allen Lobo
Sunday, February 7
Exploring the Intangible
Contact: Christine Rourke
GET INVOLVED
Covered Garden Project
The number of refugee claimants is dwindling but there is still need for warm winter clothing for children from infants to age 12.
Please put your contributions on the corner table in Phoenix Hall. Thank you so much from the Social & Environmental Concerns Committee.
URGENTLY NEEDED !!
IF YOU ENJOY COFFEE AND CONVERSATION ...
We need Java Jivers, those saintly little elves who make and serve our coffee after Sunday services.
If you're not handy with the coffee maker, or don't know your way around a dishwasher, then sign up with someone who's an old hand and you'll learn the ropes very quickly. Job benefits include endless cups of coffee as well as smiling and appreciative faces! The sign-up sheet is in Phoenix Hall or you may contact Andrea Reichert
Sunday Service Greeters
Stand in the foyer outside the Sancturary on Sunday morning and greet your fellow UCMers. Sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board near the back door of Phoenix Hall or contact Petrina Lee Poy
Caring Network
We have a roster of people willing to do telephone check-ups, make hospital or home visits, prepare food, deliver food or act as chauffeur. If you're willing to do any of these, or have other offers -- particularly if you are willing to drive your car for us -- please let us know.
If you know anyone in our community who needs our help, please get in touch.
The Network is co-ordinated in December, jointly by Marion Blake and Phillis Greggain
In January, the coordinator is Nancy Eddis
NEWS FROM RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The RE Office will re-open on January 5.
There will be no Religious Education program (but childcare in the Nursery will be provided) during services on December 27 and January 3.
Holiday time might be good for creating more Spirit Play boxes ...
New hands and heads (and hearts) are welcome! There continues to be a long list of creative and/or manual tasks to be done to make the actual story boxes and baskets needed to complete this year.
Sunday, January 10
Spirit Play programs will resume in the Garden and Primers rooms. We will soon complete the promise stories, which complement the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism.
Senior Youth Group: The Tony Blair Foundation brings us Faiths Act Fellows, a wonderful workshop series that encourages social activism, fund-raising, and social awareness: www.faithsactfellows.org.
See the yute grup page on our website for further important news and dates.
Sunday, January 17
Initiation of French RE
This fall, our children enjoyed the French RE lessons entitled, "Good and Evil" and "Living in Community". Today, we'll begin a new series of lessons based on First Nations' spirituality, complementing the regular Spirit Play program. A warm invitation is extended to all children between the ages of 4 and 12 to join Hannelore and Rita for the first lesson, "Fire".
Sunday, January 24, we will move on to a general lesson about the sources of UUism, then stories that are derived from those.
Children's Music Program
Our Children's Music Program is about the joy of music for six- to ten-year-olds. We plan to have frequent short songs for the children to play/sing, for chalice lightings, for the time of all ages, etc. Make note of the following dates:
Sunday, January 24, 1010: Chalice Lighting
Practices on Sundays, January 10 and 17.
Sunday, January 31: Time for All Ages
Practices on Sunday, January 17 and 24.
Please contact Shawn Dohring to sign on or if you have questions or comments.
Sunday, January 31, following the service.
Eleanora's Diary and Pioneer Soup
Have a special date with a cheeky English girl and her ten siblings, who emigrated to Upper Canada in 1835! Eleanora's father, an Anglican minister, not only brought along the family organ, but also the preserved heart of a deceased daughter!
Caroline will present songs, pictures and props to accompany the story of 12-year-old Eleanora Hallen, whom she wrote about in her book, Eleanora's Diary. A "pioneer soup" lunch will be served. Free-will donations welcome.
Publications for sale (starting January 5)
Copies of the colourful booklet, My 7 Principles are available from the RE Office for $. RE is also selling a wonderful small book, Welcome, A Unitarian Universalist Primer, for $6, and The Gift of Faith, which is an easy and provocative read about why children need religious education and Sunday programming ($7/copy).
The RE Committee meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 6:30 pm and tries to be finished by 8:30 pm (not always successfully). Anyone who would like to join us is welcome. If possible please let the Director of RE, Caroline Balderston Parry, or Shawn Dohring, Chair of the RE Committee, know to expect you. We value your input into this important church program.
Caroline Balderston Parry, 514-485-9933, or dre@ucmtl.ca.
OUTSIDE OUR WALLS
Monday, January 20, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Cancer Initiation
Conference Rm. 504, McIntyre Med. Sciences Building, McGill U.
The Goodman Cancer Centre of McGill University is offering a series of public exchanges with local experts in the field of cancer research. Additional sessions are planned for March 24 (Cancer Metastasis) and May 12 (Cancer: A Chronic Disease). For information and to register, contact Annette Novak at 514-398-4970 or annette.novak@mcgill.ca
Saturday, January 30
Spirit Play Teacher Training
The Kingston Unitarian Fellowship will be offering Spirit Play teacher training to which RE would like to send two new people. If you are interested, please contact the RE Office.
Caroline Balderston Parry, 514-485-9933, or dre@ucmtl.ca.
A LAST WORD
2009 Pledges and Donations
In order to qualify for an income tax receipt for 2009, all financial contributions (cheques and/or cash) must be received at the church office by noon on December 31, 2009.
You can also donate to the Church -- or fulfill your pledge -- online. Please go to the Canada Helps website. Just follow the steps. It's easy, safe and secure. The website accepts credit card payments and issues a tax receipt directly. You can even schedule monthly deductions from your credit card.
In the 'privacy preferences' section of Canada Helps, please provide your name so that the church office can keep track of your donation. There is a 3% service charge incurred by the church on each Canada Helps transaction. By adding the equivalent amount to your online contribution, you can help defray this cost.
Have any questions? Please contact Verna at the Church Office, 514-485-9933 (office@ucmtl.ca) or Petrina Lee Poy
