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2018 Theme of the year:

Embracing Our Affirmation

April Theme: Spirit of Truth

Upcoming Services - 10:30 AM at Westwood

Faithful Fools

April 1, 2018

Topic: Faithful Fools

In the Tenderloin District of San Francisco, the Faithful Fools say “We discover on the streets our common humanity”. A place of advocacy, education, research and accompaniment – the Faithful Fools have sacred lessons for us on this April Fools, Easter Sunday.

Speaker: Reverend Anne Barker

Service Leader: Sally Anne Mowat

Musician: Tom Barker

**kids start upstairs - Rainbow Story**

Michael Kalmanovich: Power of Passion

Topic: Power of Passion

Michael Kalmanovich, the owner of Earth's General Store, will speak about his passion for work, truth, peace, justice, and ecological balance. He will discuss his life path and his empowerment to fight against instruments that have threatened his core values.

Speaker: Michael Kalmanovich

Service Leader: David Williamson

Musician: Sheila Killoran

**kids start upstairs**

Special Guest: Bob Joseph

April 15, 2018

Topic: Special Guest - Bob Joseph

Westwood is delighted to welcome Bob Joseph, founder & CEO of Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. We are celebrating the publication of their new book: 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality. Join us for this unique opportunity.

Speaker: Bob Joseph

Service Leader: Reverend Anne Barker

Musician: Karen Mills

**kids start upstairs**

**lunch will be provided following the service**

**Audrey's Books will be present with a book table - to encourage continued efforts toward reconciliation**

Jason Shelton: The Song in Our Hearts

April 22, 2018

Topic: The Song In Our Hearts

Guest speaker Reverend Jason Shelton and the 'Song In Our Hearts' workshop choir will lead us in this Sunday's sacred celebration.

Speaker: Reverend Jason Shelton

Service Leader: Rebecca Patterson

Musician: Harmonia

**kids start downstairs**

Blue Boat Home

April 29, 2018

Topic: Blue Boat Home

"Blue Boat Home" is one of Westwood's favourite songs. Come enjoy a "Blue Boat Home" themed service this Sunday.

Speaker: Reverend Anne Barker

Service Leader: Dean Wood

Musician: Steve Bell

**kids start downstairs**
Rev. Anne

From the Minister's Study

April 2018: SPIRIT OF TRUTH

Wonderful Westwoodians,

I’m so eager to tell you … I am IN LOVE with this APRIL at Westwood! A whole lot of remarkable things are about to happen, sharing a whole lot of unique Spirit of Truth(s).

The first weekend of April is Easter – and April Fools – so we’ll be learning about the transformative work of the “Faithful Fools” in San Francisco. For 20 years, this Tenderloin District street agency has helped people to build relationships, learn things, make meaningful contributions, and … most especially … HAVE FUN! (Wait ‘til you see the HAT!)

The second weekend, we will be joined by Michael Kalmanovich (Earth’s General Store founder), talking about the “Power of Passion”. Michael, and Earth’s General Store, is an important presence in the lives of many Westwoodians. His story will be inspiring, for sure – and if you don’t know about Earth’s General Store, this will catch you up.

The third weekend, we are honoured to host Bob Joseph of ‘Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.’ (His father is a hereditary chief of the Gwawaenuk people, on Vancouver Island – and a founder with ‘Reconciliation Canada’.) We get this unexpected treat because Bob is in town for a corporate training – and came a day early to share his new book with us. 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality. We’re hoping to PACK THE HOUSE for this visit – so please, invite a friend … and come early to get good seats. Audrey’s Books will provide a book table that day, and lunch will be served.

And WHAT are we doing on the fourth weekend? Well, the Reverend Jason Shelton will be here to lead a workshop, and the Sunday Service, for dozens of folks from across the region. Jason will help us to connect – or reconnect – to “The Song In Our Hearts” – and I am SO READY! I couldn’t promise him ‘no snow’ (he’s coming from Nashville!) – but let’s hold positive thoughts for some beautiful spring scenery, and a weekend of UU musical magic.

Finally, I’ll bring April to a close on the fifth Sunday – with a “Blue Boat Home” themed service. Steve Bell and I have been talking about a service focused on this special song, and it’s finally here. It feels like the perfect way to close ‘Spirit of Truth’ month.

Part of the ‘secret sauce’ of Westwood is everyone’s willingness to share all the Westwood-y goodness. I don’t remember another month more perfect for sharing! Bring a friend. Bring your kids … and the neighbour’s kids too! Let’s share these beautiful truths.

In love and unbridled enthusiasm,

Rev Anne

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Second Sunday Potlucks…

…are full of Joy

Bring plenty to share with friends and family…

Next 2nd Sunday Potluck:
Sunday, April 8, 2018
party
Jason Shelton

The Song In Our Hearts:

A Weekend Workshop with Jason Shelton

5pm Friday April 20 - 2pm Sunday April 22, 2018

LOVE TO SING?

INSPIRED BY THE MUSIC OF JASON SHELTON?
* The Fire of Commitment
* Standing on the Side of Love
* Morning Has Come
* Love, Break Our Hearts
* The Sources Cantata

This is a FIRST-TIME IN CANADA opportunity!

Join us at Westwood Unitarian in Edmonton for a Choral Music Weekend

with the renowned UU musician

JASON SHELTON,

accompanied by the equally delightful Jane Perry.

* Friday evening simple supper & musical vespers
* Saturday all-day Choral Workshop - including a sneak peak at Jason's new music! Lunch & snacks included
* Sing in, or simply attend, the Sunday Service - where Jason will also be our guest speaker. 'Lunch for the road' will be provided

Registrants will receive copies of all the music taught this weekend & are free to reproduce & perform this music back home.

You can listen to some of Jason's music HERE:
http://www.jasonsheltonmusic.com/audio/

Bios:
The Rev. Jason Shelton is now bringing freelance UU music ministry to the broader world. A composer, choral conductor and worship leader, Jason is an advocate for using music as a means of creating community in multi-faith, multi-cultural environments. Formerly a Franciscan brother, he was ordained to the Unitarian Universalist ministry in 2004. He served as Associate Minister for Music at the First UU Church of Nashville from 1998-2017. (This will be Jason's 1st public workshop in Canada!)

Jane Perry is in her seventh year as the Music Director for Calgary Unitarians, and her eighteenth year directing choirs at Canadian Unitarian congregations. She is also the Artistic Director of One Voice Chorus and the Calgary Renaissance Singers & Players. This is the third time in eight years that Jane will be acting as Jason Shelton's choral accompanist, and she always considers herself fortunate for the opportunity. (We consider ourselves fortunate to have Jane join us, as well!)

To register ($150) click here

Call for Volunteers - A Weekend Workshop with Jason Shelton

A special request email is coming your way – so please watch for it.

(Or check the sign-up sheets in the sanctuary, or talk to Rev Anne any time)

We will need:
  • Home Hospitality – Do you have a bed to share?
  • Kitchen Elves – 5 different shifts:
  • Friday night, Saturday 8am / lunch / 3pm, Sunday morning 9am
  • Tasty home baking – delivered by Friday evening
  • 2 folks to staff a registration table Friday evening
Thank you for your help!

An Appeal to Support the Right of Free Speech for Charities

From the CUC Office:
In 2016, Minister of National Revenue Diane Lebouthillier conducted a two-month, Canada-wide consultation with charities and the public on the rules under which charities should be allowed to speak out in Canadian society. As a result of input from these consultations, an expert panel submitted a report in March 2017 to the Minister of National Revenue calling for action to fix the broken system. Despite a promise to act, the federal government has done nothing to implement the Expert Panel’s recommendations. Tell the federal government to keep its promise to create a new law to protect Canadians’ right to be heard through the charities they support.
Read more…
Atheist-Muslim
Wed April 25, 2018, 7:00 PM in the Church Basement
April book: The Atheist Muslim: A Journey from Religion to Reason by Ali A. Rizvi
The Free Thinker Friendly bookclub is a group of friendly people who meet monthly to discuss and share knowledge about humanism, secularism, atheism and related topics.
All our welcome!
Preview this Book
Overview of the book: In much of the Muslim world, religion is the central foundation upon which family, community, morality, and identity are built. The inextricable embedment of religion in Muslim culture has forced a new generation of non-believing Muslims to face the heavy costs of abandoning their parents’ religion: disowned by their families, marginalized from their communities, imprisoned, or even sentenced to death by their governments.
Struggling to reconcile the Muslim society he was living in as a scientist and physician and the religion he was being raised in, Ali A. Rizvi eventually loses his faith. Discovering that he is not alone, he moves to North America and promises to use his new freedom of speech to represent the voices that are usually quashed before reaching the mainstream media—the Atheist Muslim.
In The Atheist Muslim, we follow Rizvi as he finds himself caught between two narrative voices he cannot relate to: extreme Islam and anti-Muslim bigotry in a post-9/11 world. The Atheist Muslim recounts the journey that allows Rizvi to criticize Islam—as one should be able to criticize any set of ideas—without demonizing his entire people. Emotionally and intellectually compelling, his personal story outlines the challenges of modern Islam and the factors that could help lead it toward a substantive, progressive reformation.
Hard Cover from Amazon – $23.60
Kindle Edition 13.99

21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act

Bob Joseph's new book is available for pre-order now. This promises to be an important read for all who are interested in furthering truth, healing and reconciliation. Available at Westwood on April 15, before and after the service. Bob Joseph will be our speaker that day. Mark your calendar now!

Pagan Practice Gathering in Celebrating Beltane

Join the Pagan Practice Gathering in celebrating Beltane on April 27, 2018. Participants will cast a circle, create a Maypole and participate in a ceremonial Maypole dance. In Pagan traditions the Maypole dance is a fertility rite, meant to symbolize the union of the masculine and feminine a major theme in May Day celebrations.
When: Friday, April 27, 2018
Start: 7:00 pm
End: 9:30 pm
Where: Westwood Sanctuary
All adults are welcome. No prior experience with Paganism is required.
*Supplies will be provided.
Maypole

The Canadian Unitarian Council’s AGM

will be held on Friday, May 18th in Hamilton, ON. This year the meeting will be steamed online. This means that we will be able to particpate in the meeting without leaving Edmonton – a very green alternative.
We are making plans to participate in the AGM online at Westwood. The meeting is scheduled to go from 11 AM until 2 PM Edmonton time.
We are hoping that a group from Westwood will gather to be apart of this meeting. Lunch will be provided.
So, save this date. More information in next month’s newsletter. Or talk to Carl Ulrich.
CUC cropped-Web-Banner

Re: Verdicts in the deaths of Colten Boushie & Tina Fontaine

To: Canadian Unitarian Universalists February 2018
From: The Canadian Unitarian Council National Voice Team
For many, the verdict in the shooting death of Colten Boushie in 2016 has shaken belief in justice and due process. In February 2018, a jury acquitted Gerald Stanley, 56, of second-degree murder. Boushie, 22, was shot and killed after he and four others from the Red Pheasant Cree Nation drove onto Stanley's rural property near Biggar, SK.
On the heels of the Boushie verdict, another jury found Raymond Cormier not guilty of second-degree murder in the death of 15 year old Tina Fontaine. Fontaine’s body was found in August 2014. Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Sheila North stated that, “…The systems, everything that was involved in Tina's life, failed her. We've all failed her. We as a nation need to do better for our young people."
These verdicts are a step backward in the journey towards reconciliation – a big step backward.
In 2014, Canadian Unitarians, through the Canadian Unitarian Council’s Expression of Reconciliation to Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, pledged to be in solidarity with Indigenous siblings in spirit, and committed to the journey of healing and reconciliation between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people.
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social justice chalice

Social Justice Committee - Monthly meeting

This important committee meets this month on Thursday Apr. 5 at 7:15 PM in the Church Basement- all are welcomed.

Social Justice Film Night

On Friday April 13, at 7:30 PM the Social Justice Committee and all friends are welcomed to view a very interesting debate.

The Centre for Constitutional Studie, at the University of Alberta hosted an interesting and controversial debate in February this year..
The debate question was:
Be it Resolved THAT Alberta should change its dual school system of public and separate schools to one public school system.

On the affirmative side, was David King (a former minister of Education) and arguing against the resolution was Kent Donlevy (Education Professor, Univ of Calgary).
The debate was not about capacity - but how and if unification should be accomplished.

The issue challenges our Unitarian sense of equity of religious freedom and of the most affordable way to provide quality education for all our children.and .
Further details and the debate can be accessed here
Debate Catholic School

Mindful Meditation Saturday April. 28

Meditation-banner.jpg
Unplug and Recharge. Drop-in format - come as your schedule allows.

Where: Westwood Sanctuary

When: 10:30 - 11:30 am . Please arrive by 10:20 to set up, gather and allow a prompt start.

Meditation on the breath and walking meditation in short alternating periods with instruction.

Please bring several cushions and a blanket or yoga mat. You may also use a chair.

All welcome. No experience necessary.

Suggested donation for the building $2. Facilitated by Trudy Grienauer.
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