unitarianfellowshipregina

Presented by Gerri Wood and Marj Thiessen

Violence towards older adults is a serious social issue. It is estimated that between 4 and 10 % of seniors in Canada experience some kind of abuse and that abuse often remains hidden or goes undetected. One in five Canadians believe they know of a senior who might be experiencing some form of abuse. Seniors from all walks of life are vulnerable to abuse and it is happening in communities across Canada. This presentation outlines some basic information about elder abuse using role play and discussion.

Presenter: Terry Fehr

This is the first in a four-part series that explores the manifestation of spirit in real life. In it we are invited to ask ourselves what love is, what hinders our loving and how we might shift our perspective to bring more love into the world.

 

 Presenter: Joanne Green

The concept of ethical investing has been around for a few decades. If you have some money to invest, does it really work to buy ethical funds? In the last decade a movement to encourage/push institutions to divest themselves of investments in oil or weapons. Can the actions of many push institutions or mutual fund managers to make different decisions?

Guest Speaker: Joan Carolyn, Congregational Development Lead for the Canadian Unitarian Council

Do you wish that you experienced your participation in your congregation as an expression of ministry, not primarily an obligation to do your part? In the words of Howard Thurman, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

Guest Minister: Rev. Fulgence Ndagijimana

When Pandora opened the box, and all manner of problems flew out, hope remained. Can we have hope in this world? Why and how does hope persist? Is it even helpful? How is hope generated? Originally from Burundi where he was an ordained Unitarian Minister, Rev. Ndagijimana is now affiliated with the Saskatoon Unitarians as a Community Minister.

Presenter: Jett Brewer

Jett Brewer tells us about his personal journey as a transgender person. Jett Brewer is a trans man who is transitioning midlife. After 3 decades of depression and social anxiety he discovered the cause of these struggles to be that he is transgender. He was shocked to learn that gender issues are incredibly common. He spent the next 3 years doing peer counselling, advocating, lobbying and educating anyone that would listen about trans issues. He has held the positions of Vice President and Co-Chair of TransSask, and been on many boards and committees with such organizations as Queen City Pride and Camp fyrefly.

Jett has spoken at rallies at City Hall and the Legislative building. He has also talked to university classes, community organizations, churches, and the Regina Mental Health Clinic staff. He has helped facilitate support groups for trans gender individuals as well as their families. He has met personally with politicians and participated in a provincial education round table on GLBTQ issues. He has been interviewed on TV and radio many times. Most recently he has put volunteering aside to focus on his own healing journey. He is breaking his silence now because of his respect for the Unitarian Fellowship and the relationships he has built with some of the members here.

Presenter: Rabbi Jeremy Parnes

Yom Kippur, also known as "Day of Atonement", is the holiest day of the year for the Jews. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25 hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services. Yom Kippur completes the annual period in Judaism known as the High Holy Days. As one of the most culturally significant Jewish Holidays, Yom Kippur is observed by many secular Jews who may not observe other holidays. Rabbi Jeremy Parnes is the spiritual leader of the Beth Jacob synagogue and helps us understand this most important of days.

A participatory discussion facilitated by Andrew Quackenbush
Recently we’ve seen news stories about civil disobedience and the value of same. What sorts of resistance are most fruitful? When do you speak up and dare to be different?

Speaker: Jamie Struthers

Unitarian Universalist congregations throughout Canada and the U.S. affirm and promote seven Principles, which we hold as strong values and moral guides. We strive to live out these Principles within a “living tradition” of wisdom and spirituality, drawn from sources as diverse as science, poetry, scripture, and personal experience.
As Rev. Barbara Wells ten Hove explains, “The Principles are not dogma or doctrine, but rather a guide for those of us who choose to join and participate in Unitarian Universalist religious communities.” Today Jamie Struthers, a Regina Unitarian, will reflect on our First Unitarian Universalist Principle and his belief that it be applicable without exception.

 

Presenter: Erin Wood

Erin Wood is a clergy member for the Congregationalist Wiccan Association of Saskatchewan (CWAS).  Today, she discusses the significance of the Autumn Equinox for Wiccans.  This festival is also known as Harvest Home or Mabon, and is part of the Wheel of the Year, a cycle of seasonal festivals celebrated by Wiccans and many other modern Pagans. The Autumn Equinox is a time of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth, and the second of three harvest festivals.  The CWAS is an incorporated non-profit organization that offers free public Wiccan rituals and services to the general public in Saskatchewan (www.cwasask.ca)