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Westwood's past services 2008/ 2009

Summer Serendipity

August 30, 2009 - Cradle Catholics to Unequivocal Unitarians

Speakers - Colette Orieux & Kevin Fitzgerald

Come join us as we explore our tangled transition from Catholicism to Unitarianism. Our story contains elements of conviction, questioning, guilt, exploration, discord, fundamentalism, new age spirituality, more exploration and homecoming.

How has Catholicism shaped us? What Catholic traditions remain in our lives? Are they important to us? Why? How do we view Catholicism now?

Many Unitarians have stories of serious seeking and religious transition. We invite you to hear our story and share your own.

August 23, 2009 - Meditation - spacing out or just sitting?

Speaker - Trudy Grienauer

What is mindfulness meditation? Is it the '10 minute mind spa' Oprah recommends for stress reduction, or is it contemplative navel-gazing? What's the point of sitting on funny shaped cushions for extended periods of time? Trudy Grienauer will talk about her experience with Buddhist meditation, and how it may bring more awareness into our daily lives. We will share short periods of chair-sitting and indoor-walking meditation during the service.

A note from Trudy, who will be leading this service:
Please be prepared to remove your shoes for the walking meditation. Bring socks if you do not want to be barefoot, and if you get chilly quickly, maybe bring an extra pair.

August 16, 2009 - "Unitarians visit Spain : a month of exploring and meeting Spaniards"

Speaker - Lorian Kennedy

This will be an informal show with photos and dialogue of Lorian and Leigh's trip to Spain and the English language school Pueblo Ingles in fall 2008.

August 9, 2009 - Summer Sing Along

Song Leader - Sheila Killoran

Sheila Killoran will lead a sing-along of UU hymns and songs. Please come and listen or join in singing, as you desire. Request an old favourite or try something new from the hymn books. Feel free to bring musical instruments to jam along.

August 2, 2009 - Past Life Regression Hypnotherapy Group Session

Speaker - Marina Menze

Marina Menze, a certified Hypnotherapist, invites you through hypnosis, as a state of focused concentration, to access past life memories. This session is based on the works of Brian Weiss; Many Lives, Many Masters and Through Time into Healing. Please feel free to bring an open mind, questions, blankets and pillows to enhance your experience. Open to all those over 18.

July 26, 2009 - One Unitarian's Experience with the Oil Sands

Speaker - Pam Brierley

Earlier this year Pam Brierley had the opportunity to travel to Fort McMurray on a professional development program with her company. Pam shares her experience and photos from touring the mining facilities, talking to various stakeholders in industry, environment and social issues and the perspectives she gained from these multiple viewpoints.

July 19, 2009 - Breath + Stretch + Mindfulness = Transcendence

Please note: this service was cancelled. Due to aftermath from the serious storm in the Edmonton region on July 18, 2009 the speaker was unable to attend.

Speaker - Connie Kitz

Learn to be. Present. Aware. Come share an experience of yoga to enhance your spiritual journey. Wear comfortable footwear and stretchy clothing. Yoga will be done in a chair as well as standing.

July 12, 2009 - Spiritual Garden Tour

Take the time to enjoy garden spaces created by Westwoodians.

We will start at Westwood with a tour of the gardens there. Then, after organizing carpooling, will be off to visit three other gardens. Refreshments will be served at the last garden.

July 5, 2009 - What do you think the earth will look like in 10, 20 and 30 years?

Speaker - Jim Lavers

Come and join Jim Lavers for information and discussion about Jim's 50 year interest in the nature of ecological change. A major focus will be the book, Gaia: an Atlas of Planet Management (edited by Dr Norman Myers). This book was recommended to the Ontario Government in the 1980's for high school geography but was lobbied off the curriculum by industry. Jim extends a special invitation to teens.

2009

June 28, 2009 - Flower Communion

Flower communions are a long standing Unitarian tradition. Please bring a flower or a few, or none if you don't have them (there will be extras provided) and come and celebrate the season, our church and each other!

Speakers and Service Leaders: assorted Westwoodians including the children
Please note this is an intergenerational service & there is no separate children's program today.
Childcare will be available in the nursery for anyone 4 years and younger.

June 21, 2009 - Multigenerational Summer Solstice

This year's Multigenerational Summer Solstice Celebration will be held the at the regular Sunday morning service time. Weather permitting, we will be gathering in Ellingson Park, across from the church. Please bring lawn chairs or blankets, if you prefer not to sit on the grass. This is a participatory event - yup - that means singing and dancing folks! You are encouraged to bring something 'Summery' for the altar as we celebrate the turning of the year.

**Please Note: there is no separate children's programming this Sunday**

Service Leaders: Lori Crozier & Anne Barker
Musicians: that'd be you � please feel free to bring rattles and drums etc.

After the Service: BBQ & Picnic � hot food at Noon
Burgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs and punch will be provided.
Please bring something to share and dishes/cutlery from home (for ease of clean-up).

June 14, 2009 - Queer Ideas

Join us for reflections on Pride, and the mixed successes of 'Welcoming Congregation' - our Unitarian Universalist BGLT program. This service also contains a 'Ritual for All Ages', bridging new members from Children's Religious Education into the Youth Program.

Service Leader: Jerick Holberton
Speaker: Rev. Anne Barker
Musician: Gordon Ritchie

June 7, 2009 - Building Jack's School

Heather Smith and Elaine Roberts will share the story of JAS-E, the Jack Allen School Expedition. Jack was a Westwoodian who died in July 2007 after a lifetime of activism and teaching. Sixteen of his family and friends journeyed to Honduras to build a computer lab and a classroom to honour his life.

Speakers: Elaine Roberts & Heather Smith
Musician: Steve Bell

May 31, 2009 - Keeping Promises

We make promises all the time - some big, some small - all important ... or are they? This service reflects on the many challenges of "keeping promises."

Speaker: Rev. Anne Barker
Service Leader: Heather MacDonald
Musician: Joel Crichton

Recordings:

May 24, 2009 - In search of...Priorities

In a world with so much attention & resource is caught up in consumer culture and other distractions, common priorities are largely missing. The sixth Unitarian principle is "the goal of world community, with peace, liberty, and justice for all." Is that lofty idealism or is it really possible to have our principles become priorities?

Speaker: Dawn N.
Service Leader: Andrea Boyd
Musicians: Harmonia lead by Rebecca Patterson & accompanied by Sheila Killoran

May 17, 2009 - The Ethics and Culture of Tagging

In Ancient Rome, they called it "graffiti". The early Christians used to "tag" walls in Rome with the symbol of the fish. Today, boxcars, abandoned buildings and barren walls bear the marks of "taggers." Is this renegade art or destructive vandalism? Alternate visions of beauty or symptoms of nihilistic anarchy? Is there such a thing as ethical tagging or even spiritual tagging? Come, join Westwood youth Nora Wiznura as she explains tagging culture and argues for its presence in our society.

Speaker: Nora Wiznura
Service Leaders: Virginia Gillese & Robert Wiznura
Musician: Joel Crichton

May 10, 2009 - Seeing Beyond Ourselves

This Mother's Day, come enjoy a humorous reflection on the gifts children bring into our lives. There's nothing like parenting to shift a person's priorities! There will be a 'new member recognition' during the service.

Speaker: Rev. Anne Barker
Service Leader: Doug Ridgway
Musician: Havelock Thompson

May 3, 2009 - The Wonderful World of Whitman

Walt Whitman was much loved by Unitarian friends in his day, and that love among Unitarians has grown since. He sought to capture the essence of the spirit and spirituality of America : freedom. His energy found expression in a new form of poetry - free verse that ranges across time, geography, religion, sexuality, philosophies and beliefs. Fabian Jennings and Robert Wiznura will share with you some of the best of Whitman's astounding poetry.

Speakers & Service Leaders: Fabian Jennings and Robert Wiznura
Musician: Rebecca Patterson

Recordings:

April 26, 2009 - The Mystery of Westwood's Youth: Solved

Ever wonder what Westwood's youth group does, why they are here, or who they are here? Today they will tell you about how they see themselves fitting into the Westwood community.

Speakers: Westwood yUUth
Service Leaders: Westwood yUUth
Musicians: Westwood yUUth

Recordings:

April 19, 2009 - Pews, Food, Housing and Citizenship

Pews, Food, Housing and Citizenship....how does this all connect to social justice work?
Debbie Hubbard, Co-Chair for the Local Foods team for the Greater Edmonton Alliance and member of Trinity United Church, will be our guest speaker. Debbie will share her own experience and her congregation's experience in working on social justice issues through their membership in the Greater Edmonton Alliance.

The service was followed by a workship lead by Michael Walters of the Greater Edmonton Alliance. Thanks to everyone who attended & especially to our Master Chef Miguel Ferrero who made the lunch!

Speaker: Debbie Hubbard
Service Leader: Kevin Fitzgerald
Musicians: Harmonia - led by Rebecca Patterson & accompanied by Sheila Killoran

Recordings:

April 12, 2009 - Easter for Atheists

In a culture where Christian imagery is treated as the norm, but is not the theology of many citizens - what message does Easter offer to non-believers?

Speaker: Minister Anne Barker
Musicians: Terry McDade & Cherilyn Michaels

Recordings:

April 5, 2009 - A Journey of Service

Join Deidra Helmig, past Westwood lay chaplain, while she explores a journey: not the journey to becoming Westwood's lay chaplain, but the journey Deidra took during her time serving Westwood. The experiences she had during this journey certainly weren't the ones she had expected. A short ceremony celebrating our newly retired lay chaplains will also be a part of this service.

Speaker: Deidra Helmig
Service Leader: Anne Barker
Musician: Donna French

Recordings:

March 29, 2009 - Losing Faith

Faith is such a touchy subject - Faith in what? Faith in whom? Some refer to "our faith tradition" - but do Unitarian Universalists really even have faith?

Speaker: Minister Anne Barker
Service Leader: Linnie Chamberlin
Musician: Beth McColl

Recordings:

March 22, 2009 - Entrepreneurship and the Spiritual Path

Spirituality is not just for Sunday, or something necessarily best nurtured at a mountain retreat in mediation. It can also be found everyday in our business aspirations and in making money! Join Mitch and Gord as they explore what it is to be an entrepreneur.

Speakers & Service Leaders: Mitch Waldon and Gord Grant
Musician: Joel Crichton

March 15, 2009 - Vernal Equinox Service

The Earth Centered Spirituality Group invites you to a celebration of the coming of Spring and the balance between light and darkness. The ritual will include a blessing of seeds, which will be provided. Feel free to bring your own seeds to be blessed at the service.

Presenter: Earth Centered Spirituality Group
Service Leader: Jennifer Froese
Musicians: "Harmonia" led by Rebecca Patterson, and accompanied by Sheila Killoran

March 8, 2009 - Food For Thought

Local food is more than agri-culture. When we go deeper, seeking the essential elements of nourishment, we find spirit-culture at the very heart.
This reflective service precedes our Stewardship Lunch Celebration and Feast on the same day, and sets the stage for Stewardship canvassing of Westwood members and friends in the month of March.

Speaker: Minister Anne Barker
Service Leader: Gord Grant
Musician: Steven Bell

Recordings:

March 1, 2009 - Credo Sunday

What do you believe? How does that fit with the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism? Some have said you can be a UU and not believe in anything. Two Westwoodians will dispel the myths, and show some of the many paths taken on our spiritual journey.

Speakers: Owen Brierley and Josephine
Service Leader: Deidra Helmig
Musician: Cherilyn Michaels, Amelia Chan and Jacob Ridgway

Recordings:

February 22, 2009 - Seeking Peace

For some, maintaining a personal spiritual practice is second nature - like breathing. For others, the concept seems mysterious, irrelevant, or even bizarre. This service explores the connections and contradictions between personal practice and our communal religious experience.

Speaker: Minister Anne Barker
Service Leader: Virginia Gillese
Musician: Joel Crichton

Recordings:

February 15, 2009 - Memories From Selma

The Selma to Montgomery March in 1965 represented one of the peak events of the US Civil Rights Movement. Its purpose was to bring attention to the inability of African Americans to register to vote. Within months, it led to the passage of the US Voting Rights Act of 1965. Along with thousands of others, there was heavy involvement by U U ministers and laity in this campaign. Carl spent 5 days in Selma during this 18 day campaign. He will share his experience in Selma.

This sermon is in the sermon archive.

Speaker : Carl Ulrich
Service Leader: Marc MacKenzie
Musicians: Harmonia, under the direction of Rebecca Patterson,
accompanied by Sheila Killoran

February 8, 2009 - Who are we?

What is your story about why you love being a UU and how you came to this spiritual home? What defines a UU? Is it our beliefs? Our values? Our actions? What are our defining characteristics as Canadian Unitarian Universalists? How do you live out your UU values in society?

The Canadian Unitarian Council has invited congregations across the country to engage in a dialogue about our national identity. Join us this week as Westwoodians share their stories.

Speakers: Terry Anderson, Janice Williamson, and Ainsly
Service Leader: Pam Brierley
Musicians: Toot Ensemble & Marj Foth

Recordings:

February 1, 2009 - Pride and Prejudice

This Sunday we will reflect of some of our defining moments as a denomination - for better and for worse. What do these lessons from Unitarian Universalist history have to offer us now?

Speaker: Minister Anne Barker
Service Leader: Heather MacDonald
Musician: Steven Bell

Recordings:

January 25, 2009 - Ritual

Join us for an exploration of ritual and why they have no relevance in today's society�or do they? Be prepared to have your closest and somber rituals torn down and then built back up piece by piece.

Speaker: Dean Chan
Service Leader: Christine Lesiak
Musician: Sheila Killoran

Recordings:

January 18, 2009 - Building Community

This service, which includes a New Member Recognition, reflects on our relationship to one another. Not family, not required, yet rich, compelling and worthy of commitment � the gifts of community are explored.

Speaker: Minister Anne Barker
Service Leader: Sara McEwan
Musician: Joel Crichton

Recordings:

January 11, 2009 - Consumer or Citizen? How our spending habits shape our city.

Equality, justice and democracy are values we share and try to move our communities toward. Do we reflect these values in the way we spend our money or do our values as consumers trump our values as citizens?

As citizens, we want to live in vibrant, prosperous and equitable communities. How do we influence this vision with our spending habits?

How do we ensure that our basic spending is helping to influence the type of community that we want to live in and not detracting from it?

Speaker: Jessie Radies
Service Leader: Kevin Fitzgerald
Musicians: Harmonia led by Rebecca Patterson
Accompanied by Sheila Killoran

Recordings:

January 4, 2009 - New Years Resolutions: Bah Humbug.

Please join us for our annual first service of the New Year, where we ponder the year past, and look towards the new one, without necessarily promising anybody anything! A truly guilt free beginning to your year.
New and improved this year: SMOKE FREE! Come and witness the birth of a new ritual!

Speaker: Mitch Waldon
Service Leader: Elaine Roberts
Musician: Havelock Thompson

2008

December 28, 2008 - Winter Serendipity

This service will borrow a tradition that is reported as a favourite in other small UU congregations. It is a potluck approach to worship, where each person who attends brings a favourite poem, reading, song, music, etc. to be shared. The service will develop from the offerings that are presented and we shall shape a meaningful service to welcome in the New Year. Think about what the "New Year" and "Winter Serendipity" means to you and how best to share that.

Service Organizers: Linnie Chamberlin & Melissa Henderson
Presenters: All in attendance!!
Please note: there is no childcare or children's program Dec 28th. Regular programming resumes January 4, 2009

December 21, 2008 - Winter Solstice Celebrations 2 pm at City Hall

Westwood Unitarian Congregation will hold our 2008 Winter Solstice Celebrations at Edmonton's City Hall.

The City Room, the gorgeous, marble clad central open area, will allow us to experience the unity of a single service with room for everyone. The service will be family friendly. The space is barrier free & fully accessible.

Invite your friends and family - there is be ample space. There is excellent public transit, as well as heated underground parking.

Recordings:

December 21, 2008 - Pancake Breakfast

10:30 AM @ Westwood

On the Sunday before Christmas, join other Westwoodians downstairs for a pancake breakfast. There will be no prelude, hymn, candles, etc ... but there will be pancakes! Also syrup, fruit, juice and coffee.
Join us if you can for a simple gathering of conversation and community.

Service Leader Head Pancake Flipper: Marc MacKenzie

Please note: there will be no childcare and no children's program today. Children are, of course, very welcome at the pancake breakfast.

December 14, 2008 - Westwood Kids' Winter Service

Please join us for our annual child led Winter Service! We can guarantee laughter, story and song in this service with a twist! Come and find out more about this popular offering.

Service Leaders: Westwood Kids and Possibly Youth too!

December 7 - Blue Christmas

Despite seasonal messages of Love, Joy and Peace, Christmas is difficult for many. Join us for this gentle service that acknowledges our losses and remembers our tender loves.

Speaker: Minister Anne Barker
Musicians: Harmonia

November 30, 2008 - Dorothy Livesay: Unitarian Poetics of Social Revolution

Dorothy Livesay 1909-1996 - An exploration of the writing and life of Dorothy Livesay, brilliant poet, sexual radical, social worker, Unitarian, and feminist activist. Her memory mentors us all.

Speaker: Janice Williamson
Service Leader: Carl Ulrich
Musician: Sheila Killoran

November 23, 2008 - Radical Honesty

How honest is too honest? Can truth telling do more damage than good? This service considers whether honesty is really a Unitarian Universalist virtue.

Speaker: Anne Barker
Service Leader: David Deephouse
Musician: Joel Crichton

After the service an Orientation to Westwood session was held. See more info.

Recordings:

November 16, 2008 - UU Family Values

The phrase "family values" is near to becoming a conservative trademark - but Unitarian Universalists have family values too! In a community of diverse ages, interests and theologies, what are the family values we hold dear?

Speaker: Minister Anne Barker
Service Leader: Lorian Kennedy
Musicians: Harmonia under the direction of Rebecca Patterson
accompanied by Sheila Killoran

Recordings:

November 9, 2008 - Tar Sands: threats & opportunities

Mike Hudema, Alberta organizer for Greenpeace, will speak about the environmental threat represented by the Tar Sands developments and what Albertans are doing to bring about a transition in the province.

Speaker: Mike Hudema
Service Leader: Keith Wiley
Musicians: Jakalin MacGregor and Rob Wiznura

Recordings:

November 2 - Why It Matters: Tuesday's US Election

Not our election - not our problem - right? (-left?) Exploring the interdependence of the Canadian and the United States political arenas.

Speaker: Minister Anne Barker
Service Leader: Dennis Foth
Musician: Sheila Killoran

After the service a "New to UU" session was held.

Recordings:

October 26, 2008 - Sustainable Sunday and
the Coming-to-Church Challenge

Come see the short film "The Story of Stuff" with Annie Leonard. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It's informative, funny and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life. Watch the video online.

This is the first activity of the year to help Westwood become a more sustainable community, both individually and collectively. In addition, we encourage everyone to find an eco-friendly way of getting to church on this day. Prizes will be awarded for the best stories! Also, you are welcome to stay after the service for a local foods light lunch and, in the spirit of sustainability, the storm windows will be put up.

Consider counting yourself in the One Million Acts of Green campaign.

Service Leaders: The Social Justice Committee
Musician: Joel Crichton

October 19, 2008 - A Different Kind of Justice

When crime disrupts or even threatens to destroy our lives, we are expected to surrender the process of justice to others - lawyers, judges, jurors, police, and so on. Yet, in doing so, those most affected by the crime may never have a voice in how things turn out. What happens when people want to make a different choice about what justice looks like?

Restorative justice is an increasingly available option for people impacted by harm and crime. When ideas like accountability, understanding, and repairing harm matter to people impacted by crime, restorative justice may represent a way forward.

Alan Edwards is a restorative justice practitioner who has been working with victims and offenders for more than a decade. For the last four years, he has been working on cases involving serious and violent crime - murder, sexualized violence, severe domestic violence, and other harms. He is very grateful for the opportunity to speak with the congregation at Westwood Unitarian.

Speaker: Alan Edwards
Service Leader: Linnie Chamberlin
Musicians: Toot Ensemble and Cherilyn Michaels

Recordings:

October 12, 2008 - Thanksgiving

Gratitude is the order of the day, as we celebrate Thanksgiving together. Join with us as we take a lighthearted look at this complicated topic.

Speaker: Anne Barker
Service leader: Colette Orieux
Musician: Beth McColl

Recordings:

October 5, 2008 - Walking Together

How we govern our organizations speaks volumes about who we are as people. This week's service is an exploration of congregational polity - the foundation of Unitarian Universalist governance and a key element in freedom of religious thought.

Speaker: Anne Barker
Service Leader: Wendy Proudfoot
Musicians: Harmonia, led by Rebecca Patterson & accompanied by Sheila Killoran

This service was followed by a special congregational meeting where members of Westwood approved Anne Barker's contract in an unanimous vote.

Recordings:

September 28, 2008 - An Understanding For Desirable Interactions
(aka: Covenant of Right Relations)

Conflict. It is inevitable. But how we manage the conflict is what is important. A Covenant of Right Relations is a living document that gives us a frame of reference for managing that conflict. Join Bonnie Stonehouse and Pam Brierley as we officially begin work on the development of Westwood's Covenant of Right Relations.

Service Leaders & Speakers: Pam Brierley and Owen Brierley (for Bonnie Stonehouse)
Musician: Joel Crichton

Recordings:

September 21, 2008 - Our Doors And Our Hearts Will Remain Open

Join us for a ceremony of healing and hope in response to the Knoxville Tragedy of July 27, 2008. We will hear from a number of Westwoodians about how this tragedy has impacted them, and how they plan to keep their hearts open during this difficult time. We will have a special offertory with the collection being donated to the UUA Knoxville Relief Fund.

Service leader: Carl Ulrich
Speakers: Kathy Lightfoot, Marc MacKenzie, Dawn N.
Musician: Steven Bell

Westwood sends our love and hope for healing to Knoxville, TN. More background & resources

Recordings:

September 14, 2008 - Beginning Again

Every September is a new beginning - even though we have done this so many times before. We begin the church year, school classes, new projects at work or at home - and now we begin together. Come celebrate the tenacity and resilience of the human spirit, as we explore 'the ability to begin again'.

Speaker: Anne Barker
Service Leader: Hannah Barrington
Musicians: Westwood's choir - Harmonia - led by Rebecca Patterson

Recordings:

September 7, 2008 - Ingathering

Ingathering is a traditional service at Westwood. It is our first regular service and it is an opportunity for us all to re-gather after the summer months and share the tales of our travels. You may add water from your travels to our common bowl or place a small memento of your trip on our chalice table. We will also install the new board this morning. Caution: Come prepared for a longer service than normal.

Service Leaders: the Westwood Board of Trustees
Musician: Jakalin McGregor

Recordings:

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