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Love, Forgiveness, and Criminal Justice

Presenter:  Terry Fehr, Prison Psychologist, Prince Albert Penitentiary.
As a Mennonite-Unitarian with a distinctly Pagan bent, Terry presented her spiritual views on her work, our correctional/penal system, and our personal role in shaping the way in which we manage our relationships with those who breach trust with us and our community.

How we can help CoSA do its job

On August 25, Amanda Goddard visited us to bring us up to date with what is happening with "Circles of Support and Accountability".  Amanda is the Programme Coordinator of the South Saskatchewan Region and she was able to explain CoSA's purpose and methods in safely reintegrating released sexual offenders into the community.  She also answered questions from the congregation.

Confessions of a Perfectionist

On June 16, visiting Unitarian Minister Antonia Won delivered a presentation discussing her struggles involving living her Unitarian faith.  Can Unitarianism give us the answers we need?

Religion and Reality: a long-running competition

On June 9th Ethel and Jamie Struthers read some essays from Jim Struthers' book to give us a taste of what his collection of essays is all about.  A long time member of the fellowship, and a long time humanist, Jim often put pen to paper to express his view of the world and religion.  We thank Ethel and Jamie for presenting these essays and look forward to reading the book in its entirety.

Looking Forward to Pride Week: Special focus on Transgender support

On Sunday May 26 Carol Porter delivered an update with regard to LGBT issues with reference to our official designation as a Welcoming Congregation.  As the main part of her presentation she read to us the transcript of a talk delivered by a Unitarian in Ontario, Joan Wiley.  This talk describes how Joan and her family has supported her transgender son and how she went on to help found "Trans Parent", a group formed in Ontario to support the parents of transgender children.

Buddhism: fifth in a series: God is not One based on the book by Stephen Prothero

Presenter: Helen Christiansen According to Prothero, about 445 million people (7% of the world’s population) are Buddhists. Most of the world’s Buddhists are in Asia, but Buddhism is growing rapidly in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, mostly due to immigration. For Buddhists, the problem to overcome is suffering (dukka). The solution is to extinguish suffering (nirvana).

Celebrating Mother's Day

On Mother's Day Presenters, Pam Bocking, Donna Cowley, and Helen Christiansen led a participatory presentation with poems, stories, and reflections on the importance of contributions of Mothers everywhere.  Members of the fellowship contributed their own recollections, some serious, some humorous of their own experience as Mothers and of their own Mothers.

Spirituality: The Importance of the Sacred in Everyday Life

Presenter: Hilary Craig

What do we mean by spirituality?  Why is it important?  How can we integrate it into our daily lives? Hilary shares her reflections on these questions.

Dying With Dignity

Presenter: Wanda Morris, Executive Director, Dying With Dignity

Many people at the end of life suffer needlessly. In every jurisdiction where choice in dying legislation has been introduced, specific criteria have been adopted about who is eligible. The criteria for eligibility cannot be changed without changing the laws. The Dutch criteria (unbearable suffering) may be broader than that adopted in Oregon (terminal illness) but neither of them has been expanded. In Canada, we have a clean slate. We can introduce any criteria for eligibility we choose, and we can adopt whatever safeguards we feel are necessary.

Hinduism –The Fifth Presentation in the Series: God is Not One

Presenter: Ethel Struthers According to Prothero, Hinduism is the oldest of the great religions, and also the third largest (after Christianity and Islam) with about 900 million followers, or about 15% of the world’s population. Hinduism is an umbrella term for the religious tradition that gave the world karma, reincarnation, and yoga. Most Hindus would agree that the human problem is samsara (literally wandering on, or flowing by), and the solution is devotion.