March
OUR WHOLE LIVES (OWL) Ceremony
Saturday, February 27, 8pm, UCM Sanctuary
You are cordially invited to witness the awesome, moving ceremony for the graduating Senior OWL Youth, who will have completed all the relevant modules. These youth will have taken 40 lessons over four weekends, some of which we are hosting at UCM that weekend! Join us as we celebrate the value OWL brings to the lives of our UU youth and congregations.
Thank-God-February's-Over Party
Saturday, March 6, 6 pm
Pack a pareo in your parka and party!
Come and enjoy an evening of tropical food, music and fun. Free baby-sitting available. Door prizes!!! Space is limited. Admission: $20/adult - Free for children aged 12 and under. For more information or to purchase tickets, please see Nancy Kleins in Phoenix Hall.
Soul Collage
Saturday, March 13, 10am - 4 pm
Wonderful, peaceful, drop-in Collage session. Anyone interested to learn more about "soul collage" or simply to work on collages is welcome, for all or part of the time --plenty of materials available, but bring any favourite pictures. Several newcomers
from outside the congregation have found this opportunity very inspiring!
Contact: Caroline Parry.
Governance Task Force Town Hall
Sunday, March 21, noon to 2:30pm
12 pm Sit-down loaf 'n' ladle lunch and fun activities
1 pm A "Town Hall" conversation
Facilitated by Spencer Mann of The Centre for Community Organizations (CoCo)
During the Town Hall conversation the Task Force will:
-- Share what we learned after interviewing many groups and individuals in the church.
-- Introduce a sketch of an adapted governance structure that we hope will create "a place at the table" for everyone.
-- Invite your feedback.
Based on your feedback we'll come back to you with a proposal for a trial governance structure and timeline.
Remember, nothing changes without you!
So please join us on March 21 to learn more and to be heard.
Childcare provided after lunch. Please contact Ivy before March 17 to confirm your needs.
Governance Task Force: Andrew Blakeslee, Carol Cumming-Speirs, Alison Hall (chair), Petrina Lee Poy, Diane Rollert governance@ucmtl.ca
Teaching Tolerance Evening
Co-sponsored with the Montreal Dialogue Group
Thursday, March 25, 7-9 pm, Phoenix Hall
Since 1995, The Tolerance Foundation of Montreal has been providing interactive workshops to high school students and adults throughout Quebec, in an effort to prevent, inform and raise awareness about the dangers inherent in intolerance, prejudice, exclusion, racism and discrimination in all its forms. Their "Tolerance Caravan" workshops offer unique opportunities to explore and discuss themes related to tolerance. For more information about their important work, visit http://www.fondationtolerance.com/
This special presentation will focus on how parents and grandparents can teach non-racism to children, and is supported by UCM's Religious Education Committee. All are welcome to join in the dialogue with different faith communities in Montreal.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
Reflection and Planning for next year
Sunday, March 28, after the service
Minister's Lunch with Religious Education folks and all those interested in the children and youth programs.
(supervised children's activities after lunch)
Come to a thoughtful, delicious lunch provided by RE committee, with Reverend Diane Rollert, Director of RE Caroline Balderston Parry, and members of RE committee. We'll share what is going well for our children and youth in religious education this year and dream about next year (September 2010 to June 2011).
We encourage families to attend as well as anyone who is, or has been, a volunteer in RE or is interested in helping in the future! We look forward to seeing you!
To help us plan food and childcare, please RSVP to dre@ucmtl.ca by Friday, March 26.
Exploring Unitarian and Universalist Theology
Led by Rev. Diane Rollert
Tuesdays, March 2, 6:30 - 8pm
This third session introduces Sophia Lyon Fahs' Theology of Religious Naturalism. This is an opportunity to deepen your knowledge of Unitarian Universalism while exploring your own beliefs and values, and perhaps building your own theology.
To sign up, contact the office or 514-485-9933.
Exploring the Intangible
Sunday, March 7, 12:15 pm
Darwin Room
Topic: What does it mean to live the "authentic life?"
Contact: Christine Rourke at 514-761-0669
Sunday, March 7, coffee hour
Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice (CUSJ)
soup and bread lunch.
Our aim is to be able to submit $1 per capita for our membership in the CUSJ. This is the independent Unitarian social justice group that speaks out on social and political issues such as mining companies abroad, the environment, climate change, water sovereignty, threats to free speech, closing of prison farms, etc. Soup, bread and goodies will be served, as per our proud UCM tradition.
Sunday, March 14
Fundraiser Lunch for Rawdon Animal Shelter
(see details above in Junior and Senior Youth activities)
Midday meal with Music
Wednesday, March 17
Lunch: 12:20 pm; Music: 1:30 pm
Cost $5
Wear green if you're Irish: it's St. Patrick's Day!
Please reserve with Ruth di Giovanni at 514-934-4956.
Book Discussion Group
Wednesday, March 17, 7 pm
Thomas Room
In Joan Barfoot's novel Exit Lines, three aging women and one strokebound man form astonishing new friendships and carry on a low-key rebellion in the retirement home to which they have all migrated.
Drumming Circle
Thursday, March 18, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
(third Thursday of each month)
Phoenix Hall
Contacts: Ann Beer, 514-426-1204 or Allen Lobo, 514-484-3014
Social and Environmental Concerns Committee
Sunday, March 21, 12:15 pm, Thomas Room
Voice of Women film screening
We are honouring Women's Day a bit late by showing the fabulous film "Voice Of Women -- The First 30 years," made by UCM member Margo Pineau and Cathy Reeves. Filmmakers will be in attendance. Hope to see you there for a bit of important history!
Contacts: Christina Duvander or Patricia Philip
M.I.S.S. (Mothers in Support and Sympathy)
Monday, March 22, 7:30 pm Thomas Room
M.I.S.S. is a support group for parents who have lost babies or young children during pregnancy, birth, infancy or early childhood.
All are welcome. For more information, please visit our www.missfoundationcanada.org
Contact: Ann Howell 514-639-8488
Seeking the Sacred in Stories
Facilitated by Rev. Diane Rollert
Tuesday, March 23, 12:00 - 1:15 pm
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. The Sacred story for March is Time, Art & Criticism by Paul Trembling. www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/TimeArt.shtml to find a copy of the story.
All are welcome. We meet in the Garden Room on the first lower level of the church.
Mondays, 7:30 pm
Contact: Sandra Hunt director, 514-484-5559
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.
Carmina Choir
Tuesdays, 7:30 pm, Phoenix Hall
Tuesday nights in the Phoenix Hall come experience for yourself the benefits and joys of singing in a fairly informal atmosphere. New members in all voices are very welcome. The ability to read music is not necessary and there is no audition. Audio aids are provided to supplement rehearsals.
This season we are preparing for a program CARMINA IN ITALIA.
Bring a sense of humour and good will -- with a black binder, if possible.
Contacts: Keith Robinson, 514-931-9028 or
Brian Brice, 514-843-6497
Mindfulness Meditation
Wednesdays, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Children's Chapel
Contact: Allen Lobo 514-484-3014
Play Group
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am - noon in the Nursery
We welcome children under five on a drop-in basis accompanied by a (grand)parent or care giver. Pack a snack for your child(ren). Coffee is provided.
Open to all, whether church member or not. No charge, but a donation of $3/session per family is suggested.
Sunday, March 14 SILK Workshop for Senior Youth
CAEO Québec (Canadian Association for Education and Outreach),
returns again to offer the second workshop of a series from their new
program "SILK (Sexual Information Leads to Knowledge)". This time the
topic they bring to us is, "When Hate Speech Becomes the Norm".
11am-12pm in the Youth Room.
Check out the website for more info.
Sunday, March 14 Fundraiser for Rawdon Animal Shelter,
"La Pension Du Jardin Secret"
Breeana Tummings, a 17-year-old from Villa Maria High School, has
decided to make a difference for a privately owned, struggling animal
shelter. We're holding a special fundraising event filled with
activities, information, a lovely lunch made by our senior youth group
and the opportunity to meet and pat some of the animals that are living
at the shelter. Please come help raise awareness and show support! Join
us in Phoenix Hall after the services.
Saturday, March 20 Junior Youth Sleepover
We will be learning about our sixth principle: The goal of world
community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.
We will kick off our regular monthly sleepover with the usual
vegetarian potluck supper, so bring something delicious! Starts on
Saturday at 5pm at the church until 10:30am Sunday morning.
Sunday, March 28 Senior Youth Fundraising Lunch
Senior youth will be preparing and serving a wonderful lunch including
veggies, treats and Italian soup, to raise money to pay for travel to
this year's Canadian Unitarian Council's Annual Conference and Meeting
being held in Victoria, BC. Contributions of $5 or more are greatly
appreciated but all are welcome to eat and enjoy. Join us in Phoenix
Hall after the services.
Ivy Trudel
Jr. & Sr. Youth Programs Coordinator
Le vendredi 5 mars à 18 h : Souper communautaire
(apportez un plat à partager). Suivi par le Cercle de discussion à 19 h :
Notre invité est Hassan Jamali, auteur du livre qui vient de paraître: Je suis
musulman en Occident. Son thème de discussion : Islam, entre blocage
et réforme.
Le dimanche 14 mars 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.
Le dimanche 21 mars à 10 h 30: Éducation
religieuse en français pour tous les enfants. Nous continuerons avec les
leçons axées sur la spiritualité amérindienne et la leçon ce mois-ci abordera
l'élément de la terre, animée par Lisa et Rita.
Le dimanche 28 mars à 13 h 30: Célébration
de commémoration animée par Yves Manseau. Nous nous réunirons pour
commémorer la mort de trois jeunes et démontrer notre solidarité envers les
amis et membres de leur famille. Ces trois jeunes ont comme lieu commun
d'avoir été pris en charge par l'État et chacune de leur mort tragique est
indéniablement reliée à ce fait. Ce sera donc aussi une occasion pour
tous de se sensibiliser à cette réalité. La parole sera surtout donnée
aux jeunes, ceux qui sont décédés et ceux qui restent. Soyez des nôtres le
dimanche 28 mars! Notez l'heure exceptionnelle de cette
célébration. Besoin de gardiens pour vos enfants? Communiquez par
courriel avec Ivy avant le mercredi 24 mars: irishivy@gmail.com
Le vendredi 2 avril à 18 h: Souper
communautaire (apportez un plat à partager) dans la salle Phoenix. Suivi
par le Cercle de discussion à 19 h dans la Salle Thomas. Le thème est à
déterminer. Notre cercle s'agrandit de plus en plus. Venez nous
joindre et amenez des amis.
Mandala workshop with Helga Schleeh
Sunday, March 7, 1:30 to 4:30pm
Cotes des Neiges Comm. Centre, 6767 Cotes des Neiges
Make fabric mandalas to send to community centres in Israel and in Palestine, carrying within them messages of peace. We look forward to your participation! Info: 514-484-9314 or 514-483-5763 info@dialoguegroup.org
Centaur and the City: Hope For Haiti
March 8, 7 pm
Gazette journalist Sue Montgomery and photographer Phil Carpenter will speak about their experiences in Haiti. All funds raised will go directly to projects they are supporting in the struggling country. For more details click here.
