Westwood's past services 2012 / 2013
Service Archive 2012 / 2013 includes July 1, 2012 - current.
May 19, 2013 - Painting a Life
Saskatchewan Artist and Ilara's Dad, Michael Gaudet comes to share with us the story of some of his incredible murals and the inspiration for his work. There will be many beautiful images included in this service, as well as the likelihood of a laugh or two as he tells his tale.
Speaker: Michael Gaudet
Service leader: David Williamson
Musician: Cherilyn Michaels
May 12, 2013 - Edmonton Greenpeace
Nicole McDonal of Edmonton Greenpeace will be in to do a media presentation and info session on some of the action that the group has been doing recently. Come to experience a day in the life of the new generation of activists!
Speaker: Nicole McDonal
Service leader: Ilara Stefaniuk-Gaudet
Musician: Jacqueline Wilette
May 5, 2013 - Bringing it All Together
So we've made it through the 7 Principles... now what?!
New member Sunday: As a special part of our regular Sunday morning service we formally welcome our new members. If you are interested in becoming a member please fill out our application (on the membership table) well in advance. For more information contact Lorian Kennedy- Membership at pathways@westwoodunitarian.ca.
***Forum following the service "Building on a Theme..." Bring your reflections on this year, and your ideas for next year... Snacks provided. All are welcome.***
APRIL's THEME
We affirm and promote respect for the interconnected web of all existence, of which we are a part.
Value the interconnected web of all life.
April 28, 2013 - Sikhism
Randy will provide Westwoodians with a brief encapsulation of Sikhism. This service is one among many that provides Westwood with a greater understanding of other faith traditions.
Speaker: Randy Randhawa
Service leader: Carl Ulrich
Musician: Harmonia
April 21, 2013 - Facing Death with Life
This past year I became the spokesperson for Dying with Dignity in Alberta. As we wait the results of the government appeal in the Gloria Taylor case, it is again a topic in the news. Today I will look at our attitudes toward death, or rather our avoidance of the whole topic.
Speaker: Reverend Brian Kiely
Service leader: Dennis Foth
Musician: Steven Bell
April 14, 2013 - Weaving the Web - 7th Principle Service
"The Interdependent Web" is a beloved phrase of Unitarian Universalists. Come explore our place in the web - and how we might honour the continual process of weaving.
Speaker: Reverend Anne Barker
Service leader: David Williamson
Musician: Sheilla Killoran
April 7, 2013 - Flowers for All Occasions
Join us Sunday morning as Mufty Mathewson delights us with photographs of beautiful flowers. Mufty is passionate about photography and has spent 35 years exploring this fascinating enterprise. For this service, Mufty will share with us how she spent a year exploring how flowers are used in different rituals.
Speaker: Mufty Mathewson
Service leader: Brenda Jackson
Musician: Jacqueline Willette
***New to Westwood after the service.***
MARCH'S THEME
We affirm and promote the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all.
Insist on peace and justice for the whole world.
March 31, 2013 - Resurrection and the mother archetype
An Easter service which ties together childhood memories, Unitarian Universalism, Orthodox Christianity, feminist spirituality, motherhood, Jungian psychology, Spring, eggs, and more! ... some of the old, and some of the new!
Speaker: Ilara Stephaniuk-Gaudet
Service leader: Robin Ward
Musician: Karen Mills
Video of Ilara's sermon (YouTube):
- Part 1 (2:02)
- Part 2 (6:19)
- Part 3 (14:40)
March 24, 2013 - Let's do it!
What does Unitarian Universalism have to offer to the goal of World Community? What does Westwood bring to the table? If we are to do it, what would the "it" actually be?
Speaker: Reverend Anne Barker
Service leader: Lorian Kennedy
Musician: Jacqueline Willette and Christine Lesiak
***Stewardship Lunch: Celebration of Westwood! after the service.***
***New to UU after the service.***
March 17, 2013 - Vernal equinox celebration
Join members of Westwood's Earth Centred Spirituality group to celebrate the Vernal Equinox, the beginning of spring! This will be a service for all ages, and we will be planting seeds.
Speaker: Jennifer Froese, Sheila Killoran, Cassie Aziz-Few
Service leader: Amber Jorgenson
Musician: Harmonia
March 10, 2013 - Rules for my life
You just never know what will happen when you go for noodles in a Vietnamese restaurant! My friend, Nancy, and I came away with some rules for life that have stood the test of time. Note: rules for my life, not yours!
Speaker: Elaine Roberts
Service leader: Sara McEwan
Musician: Steven Bell
***Remember Daylight Savings Time begins today! Set your clocks forward so you don't miss this one!***
March 3, 2013 - Women's work?
Speaker: Reverend Anne Barker
Service leader: Susan Anderson
Musician: Sheila Killoran
FEBRUARY'S THEME
We affirm and promote the right of conscience and the use of democratic process within our congregations and within society at large.
Believe what your heart tells you, yet listen to others.
February 24, 2013 - Purposeful Action
With the Westwood Purpose Statement as our guide and congregational support initiatives in progress, now is the time for clear, concise direction setting. This service explores the concept of 'Purpose-full Action', in our lives and as a congregation.
Speaker: Reverend Anne Barker
Service leader: Dennis and Marj Foth
Musician: Harmonia
February 17, 2013 - Pantheism
The Stanford Dictionary of Philosophy states: "Pantheism is a metaphysical and religious position. Broadly defined, it is the view that God is everything and everything is God." Shaped by 17th century philosopher, Baruch Spinoza, Pantheism is infinite and indistinct by its very definition. Pantheism does not allow for a personal, external God, though it does identify with such themes as: unity, interdependence, interconnectedness, and Reverence for Life, thus speaking to the core of our Unitarian Universalist principles. UCE Intern Minister, Helen McFadyen will explore Pantheism's relevance to our finite and distinct lives.
Speaker: Helen McFadyen
Service leader: Carl Ulrich
Musician: Cherilyn Michaels
February 10, 2013 - Darwin & Democracy? 5th Principle Service
February 12 is "Darwin Day." Join us for a closer look at the 5th Unitarian Universalist Principle - with a focus on the gifts and limits of democracy - through a Darwinian lens.
Speaker: Reverend Anne Barker
Service leader: Terry Anderson
Musician: Jacqueline Willette
***2nd Sunday Potluck follows this service***
***Service Leader Training follows the Potluck***
February 3, 2013 - Making Change
In our 5th Principle month, exploring 'the right of conscience' and 'democracy', we naturally gravitate to the idea of 'making change'. Come and hear 3 Westwoodians share their ideas around 'making change'.
Speaker: Kevin Fitzgerald, Fabian Jennings and Lorian Kennedy
Musician: Sheila Killoran
January 27, 2013 - "When I Was Obnoxious..."
When we embark on the "free and responsible search for truth and meaning," we sometimes get a little overbearing. Each of us might have a story (or three) to fit this topic. Come hear one of Reverend Anne's favourites. (This service promises to be quite entertaining!)
Speaker: Reverend Anne Barker
Service leader: Kevin Fitzgerald
Musician: Harmonia
January 20, 2013 - Nothing Special: Zen Life and Practice
Among the Buddhist traditions, Zen is often seen as mysterious - shrouded in Japanese austerity and seemingly demanding the impossible, such as clapping with one hand. However, its simple goal is to practice with everything that life presents. Trudy will speak about her Zen practice as well as some of the discussion points from this month's Buddhism 101 course.
Speaker: Trudy Grienauer
Musician: Steven Bell
January 13, 2013 - 4th Principle Service: "Grow"
Join us for a closer look at the 4th Unitarian Universalist Principle - 'Grow by exploring new ideas together' (children's version).
Speaker: Reverend Anne Barker
Service leader: Dean Wood
Musician: Jacqueline Willette
***2nd Sunday potluck follows this service.***
January 6, 2013 - Bah! Humbug
It's a New Year - time for reflection and resolutions - or not!? Join us for our traditional Westwood Bah! Humbug service.
Speaker: Mitch Waldon
Service leader: Leigh Bornn
Musician: Cherilyn Michaels
DECEMBER'S THEME - Living the Principles in Community
In our quest for Unitarian Universalist identity and deepening, we never want to lose sight of our purpose. We have committed to invite all people to rest, grow and serve the world... and this month we are looking at how that actually happens. How do we not only understand and own our principles... but how do we live those principles out in the community?
December 23, 2012 - Carol Sing
Come sing favourite carols with Rebecca Patterson.
December 30, 2012 - Pancake Breakfast
This is not a traditional Sunday Service - but it is definitely a Westwood Tradition! Join Marc and the breakfast elves for a mid-Christmas and New Years Pancake Breakfast. If you can lend a hand or bring accompanying goodies... all the better!
Pancake Chef: Marc Mackenzie
Archives are in reverse chronological order. Audio recordings are filed with past services.
Friday December 21, 2012 - Winter Solstice Celebration: Sharing the Light
Bring your friends ... bring your co-workers ... bring your neighbours ... heck, even bring your mother! This year's Sun is rumoured to be a bit on the difficult side ... who knows what mischief will abound!? This one is not to be missed!
Friday, December 21, 7:30 - 8:30 pm
Edmonton City Hall.
***The proceeds of the Winter Solstice Celebration offering will be given to the Edmonton Do Likewise Society, operators of The Neighbour Centre, a resource centre on Edmonton's south side.***
See the Winter Solstice page for more details. For information about volunteering, see the Volunteers page.
December 16, 2012 - The Arts Are My Religion
In this service John Pater explores the religious dimensions of the arts and make the case that the arts are in the same business as many world religions - to provide religious and spiritual inspiration and meaning. John is a member of UCE and is a frequent presenter at UU gatherings on the intersection of religion and culture
Speaker: John Pater
Service leader: Mitch Waldon
Musician: Steven Bell
***This is the final week of Solstice Advent & the Comfort Tree procession***
***This Sunday only - people may add cash donations to the Comfort Tree***
December 9, 2012 - Living the Principles in the Community
We have three principles under our collective belt - so now we pause and reflect on Living the Principles in the Community. Join us for this festive Sunday as we take stock, strategize, and celebrate the season... all without a net!
Speaker: Reverend Anne Barker
Service leader: Brenda Jackson
Musician: Amber Jorgensen
***This is week 3 of Solstice Advent & the Comfort Tree procession***
***CYRE will be hosting an open house (with awesome baking) downstairs***
***2nd Sunday Potluck follows this service. The youth group will be providing fabulous festive desserts for the potluck - so please focus on savouries, if possible :-) ***
December 2, 2012 - Write for Rights
Join us for our annual Social Justice Write for Rights Service - with a special guest speaker from Amnesty International. Following the service, you are invited to stay and help us 'write for rights'.
Speaker: Joanne Leung
Service leader: Social Justice Committee
Musician: Cherilyn Michaels
***This is week 2 of Solstice Advent & the Comfort Tree procession***
FULL TEXT of Joanne Leung's Sermon
NOVEMBER'S THEME - 3rd UU Principle
November 25, 2012 - 3rd Principle Service - Acceptance?
We will be asking "what does acceptance really mean – and how far does it need to go?"
Speaker: Reverend Anne Barker
Service leader: Carl Ulrich
Musician: Harmonia
***1st Sunday of Solstice Advent - bring your Knitting for Peace scarves & hats for the tree!***
***New to Westwood Session following the service - lunch provided - speak to Lorian Kennedy for more information***
November 18, 2012 - Insights from the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society
Bent Arrow's Guiding Philosophies and Values & Beliefs bear remarkable resemblance to our UU Principles. Join us as we learn more about Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society - our 2011 Winter Solstice offering recipient.
Speaker: Cheryl Whiskeyjack, ED of Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society
Service leader: Colette Orieux
Musician: Steven Bell
November 11, 2012 - Remembrance Day Service
We will honour the contributions of those who sacrificed their lives in service, and explore the intersection of spirituality and military service.
Speaker: Reverend Anne Barker
Service leader: Dean Wood
Musician: Jacqueline Willette
***CUC President Gary Groot will be visiting Westwood during this service***
***There is a 2nd Sunday Potluck following the service***
November 4, 2012 - Spiritual Gifts
Where do we find them? How can we recognize them? What do we do with them? - Intergenerational service
Service leaders: Kathy Lightfoot and Jacqueline Willette
Musician: Jacqueline Willette
October 28, 2012 - Saving Face
This service explores 'the face of diversity' in our community, and within our UU Congregations. Who are we? What does it mean? What comes next...?
Speaker: Reverend Anne Barker
Service leader: Elaine Roberts
Musician: Harmonia
October 21, 2012 - Credo Sunday
Always a heartfelt, meaningful experience, Credo Sunday is an annual service in which a few Westwoodians share their own path of belief.
Speaker: Westwood members
Service leader: Ilara Stefaniuk-Gaudet
Musician: Steven Bell
** Service Leader Training / Tune-up following the service (light lunch included) Ask Rev. Anne or email the Worship committee for more info **
October 14, 2012 - What Islam Is & What Islam Is Not
Speaker: Imam Mustafa Khattab
Musician: Jacqueline Willette
October 7, 2012 - 2nd Principle Service - Thanksgiving & Compassion
We join together in compassionate community. Gather with us, this Sunday, as we celebrate Thanksgiving through a 2nd Unitarian Universalist Principle lens.
** A new story series begins - come meet Orange! **
Speaker: Reverend Anne Barker
Service leader: David Deephouse
Musician: Amber Jorgenson
September 30, 2012 - Change for Children - Driving change in Nicaragua through education
Lorena Swift from Change for Children will bring two high profile speakers with her to promote the amazing project work that has occurred recently in the Bosawas rainforest region of Nicaragua. This service is not to be missed!
Speaker: Lorena Swift (Change For Children), Primitivo Centeno (President of the Miskito indigenous government), Tony Zelaya (Nicaraguan high school student)
Service leader: Kevin Fitzgerald
Music: Harmonia
September 23, 2012 - Bahai Guest Speaker
On learning our 1st Principle, Pirooz saw a parallel with the Bahai precept that: "God created us noble." Come learn more....
Speaker: Pirooz Taep
Service leader: Kaitlin O'Brien
Musician: Cherilyn Michaels
Sunday Sept 16, 2012 - A Principled Approach
Each month, one service will focus directly on our Living the Principles Together theme.
September is the 1st Unitarian Universalist Principle. What does it mean to each of us, to respect all beings?
(Includes an introduction to our fall Knitting for Peace project)
Speaker: Rev. Anne Barker
Musician: Steven Bell
September 9, 2012 - Ingathering Sunday and Water Communion
Join us this Sunday, where we install the 2012/13 Board of Trustees, share summer stories and renew our commitments for the coming year. You are invited to bring water, representing summer experiences, or small items for the chalice table.
Speaker: Westwood Board of Trustees, Rev. Anne Barker, and You!
Service leader: Westwood Board of Trustees
Musician: Jacqueline Willette
**Children will be upstairs this week - participating in the service**
**There will be a 'Second Sunday Potluck Lunch' following the service**
Note: this service tends to run long!!
September 2, 2012 - Westwood Open House
Join us for an opportunity to make or renew acquaintances and learn about this year's programming. Tour the building, learn about Westwood and Unitarian Universalism, and ask all the questions you like. There will be a short circle time at 10:45 - and refreshments until noon.
A portion of this service will be devoted to remembering and honouring Isaak Kornelsen.
Organizers: Rev. Anne Barker Kathy Lightfoot
** Children are welcome - formal children's program begins Sept. 16th **
Sundays in July and August 2012 - Summer Serendipity Services
Summer Services at Westwood are Sunday mornings at 10:30. Serendipity Services are less formal, more conversational in tone, and typically occur with the chairs set in a circle.
This year, our Serendipity Services have themes based on the 7 Unitarian Principles - with a short reading, some suggested questions, and an open conversation time to follow.
They are a great way to get to know some folks a little better and to maintain connections throughout the summer months. There is no children's or youth programming during the summer, but all are welcome to attend Serendipity Services.