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This Month 'Interdependence'

Upcoming Services

10:30 AM at Westwood

Burnout

March 31

'Burnout' can be a painful crushing crisis. Let's talk about what it means - and how we might respond.

Speaker: Reverend Anne Barker

Service Leader: Colette Orieux

Musician: Jennifer McMillan

**Children begin downstairs**

**March is Stewardship Month at Westwood - this week's Stewardship Candle will be lit by Leroy Russell**

Full Circle

April 7, 2019

The interdependent web is rich with 'full circle' stories. What do we mean? Come see!

Speaker: Reverend Anne Barker

Service Leader: Brenda Jackson

Musician: The Winterhalts with Jacqueline Willette

**Children begin upstairs - Rainbow Story**

Worship Wisdom

April 14, 201

"Many hands make the work light" is a Worship Committee motto. Join members of the Worship Committee as they reflect on experiences in crafting Sunday services and bringing to life the UU service year.

Speakers: Westwood Worship Committee - Heather Maclean-Smith, Sally-Ann Mowat, Daryl Williams

Service Leader: Lisa Stein

Musician: Sheila Killoran

** Children begin downstairs **

** Our monthly "2nd Sunday Potluck" follows this service **

Creating Spring

April 21, 2019

Topic: Creating Spring

Join us for this exciting Sunday when we explore the power of community - as we Create the Spirit of Spring.

Service Leaders: Reverend Anne Barker & DRE Ilara Stefaniuk-Gaudet

Musician: Carrie Day

**All Ages Service - RealiTree Story**

Earthsongs

April 28, 2019

Harmonia, Westwood's choir, will be presenting Earthsongs by David Brunner. Earthsongs is a group of three choral pieces whose texts speak of the wonders of nature and of the importance of protecting our home and environment. With Earth Day so close (April 22) and this month's theme of interdependence, it's the perfect time to sing out our love for planet Earth.

Service Leader: Harmonia

Speakers: Harmonia members

Musicians: Harmonia - led by Rebecca Patterson, accompanied by Sheila Killoran

** Children begin downstairs **

From the Minister's Study April 2019

Seasons of Interdependence

Well … we’ve had water in the basement – so it must be spring!

Fortunately, it was a small amount of water, faithfully managed by diligent volunteers (thanks Mitch, Lori, Mike, Edda, Oscar & Jean-Marcel!)

Sun-inspired miracles are appearing all around us – a reminder of how closely interwoven all the elements of life are. The big thaw is accompanied by floods and muck – warming our hearts and soaking our feet. New growth emerges on the shrubs and trees – and – we learn which plants didn’t survive the prolonged freeze of winter … didn’t have deep enough roots, or warm enough mulch … or enough life energy left for another season.

We are no different, of course – sometimes flitting about with abandon; other times relying heavily on our connections and comforts to see us through. We do our best to build reserves – and – sometimes we run low. Spring is an excellent time to plan, and dream, and move more freely through the world. Less layers, more daylight. And, it’s an excellent time to check on your beings. Have they made it through winter with a renewed spirit and enthusiasm to spring forth? Or are they they a bit crispy on the edges … need a little tender loving care?

In these ‘bursting out’ seasons, we can become independent, focused on our own plans, planting our own gardens. It’s important to remember our interdependence – our reliance on one another, for a thriving community and a healthy future. Check in on your neighbours. See if they’re ok. Or let them know if you’re the one who needs a hand.

Life is a team effort.

Thanks for being a part of ours.

In love & sunshine,

Reverend Anne

SOUNDING BOARD NOTES for March 2019

Board 2018
Here are some of the Highlights of the March 4, 2019 Westwood Board Meeting:
  • Our Westwood Winter Buster fundraiser event was a great success financially, socially, and gastronomically! KUDOS to the Fundraiser Committee, to the many volunteers, and to all folks who attended!
  • We planned for upcoming What’s Next Workshops which include two options:
  1. all day Saturday 9 - 4 PM on Apr 16 OR
2. a series of three evenings, 7 - 9 pm, on March 28, April 10, and April 17.
  • We planned for this year’s Stewardship Evening Social on Friday April 26th at 7 PM at Westwood.
  • MOTION approved to affirm as new members George (Gerry) Shaw, and Damien McAndrews
  • MOTION approved to accept Lisa Stein’s offer to serve as Westwood’s special events coordinator
  • The Board extends a very big THANK YOU to Lori Crozier, our Building and Grounds Chair, for trouble-shooting and coordinating the building’s many repairs this past month!
  • Thank you to the Social Justice Committee for setting up the new smart screen in our sanctuary. Training on its use is available.
  • We discussed potential grants we may be eligible to apply for in the coming months.
  • We note that this year’s CUC AGM will be held on the weekend of May 11th. People are welcome to join the delegates for coffee and sit in for the online the meeting in Westwood basement on May 11th.
  • Next month’s board meeting will be on April 11th offsite. Contact the president, Lorian if you wish to attend.
2019 Stewardship

Toward a Thriving Future

Westwood Stewardship Campaign 2019

Westwood congregation is funded totally by the contributions of its members and friends. Each spring our Stewardship Campaign gives us an opportunity to reflect on the value we receive and the value we give to support our work. Thanks to Brenda Jackson and members of our Board for their work in creating our Stewardship Page on the web. Here you will find how we are supported by money and volunteer contributions and the ways in which we invest in our community. April is Stewardship wrap up time. The time when pledges, we hope, are in, and the Board can prepare a budget for the new fiscal year beginning July 1. Many thanks to all who have made a commitment for the upcoming year and it's not too late if you haven't done so yet. Just follow the link above or send a message to stewardship@westwoodunitarian.ca if you need assistance.
future

Westwood … What’s Next?

Our Goal: To discern & design:

“A Thriving Future for Westwood Unitarian” –

that is Relevant, Meaningful, Pluralistic,

Sustainable & Transformative

We are spending this year looking at ‘all the things’ – holding our decisions until the end, when we have gathered all the information & heard from all the people. * * * * *

The Spring Schedule of What's Next focussed Sunday Services:

March 31 – Burnout

April 7 – Full Circle

Information to Date: a summary of our fall workshops will be emailed by March 26 – to refresh your memory & to share anything you may have missed.

Workshops: Please choose 1 of the “Our Place in the World” options:

** Choose either the 1 day or 3 evenings below (same content)
  • 1 Day: Saturday April 6 (10am-4pm incl lunch)
“Our Place in the World: Justice, Resources, Impact & Identity”

Or

3 Evenings:
  • Thur Mar 28 (7-9pm) “Our Place in the World: Justice” +
  • Wed Apr 10 (7-9pm) “Our Place in the World: Resources” +
  • Wed Apr 17 (7-9pm) “Our Place in the World: Impact & Identity”

** Closing Workshop: Everyone Together, 1 time

Sunday May 5 (12-3pm incl lunch)

“Our Place in the World: Clarifying Options” (Options & Building)

We hope as many of you as possible will attend the Closing Workshop.

We will reflect on & discuss our discoveries from this year – and our conversation will inform the board, prior to our Annual Meeting May 26.

We greatly appreciate your time & attention,

Rev Anne, with the Westwood Board of Trustees
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Last Chance - Monthly Mindfulness Mediation

Join Trudy Grienaeur on Saturday April April 27 at 10:15 for her last Monthly meditation at Westwood. After 6 years, Trudy is taking a break after April's mediation. Don't miss a final chance to experience a Saturday morning meditation with Trudy.
Our appreciative thanks to Trudy for leading us each of the past years in this important opportunity for spiritual and community growth.
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Next 2nd Sunday Potluck is April 14.

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FreeThinkers Book Club - April Selection

We had a great discussion in March and were "blessed" with participation by two friends from the Society of Edmonton Atheists. Hopefully we will be able to induce the SEA president Karen Kerr to talk to us on a Sunday morning next year.

In line with the CUC's Ripple Effect project that focuses on water issues, the book club's April and final meeting of the year is on Wednesday April 24th. We have chosen to read Maude Barlow's latest book on water issues - Boiling Point: Government Neglect, Corporate Abuse, and Canada’s Water Crisis.

"Passionate and cogent, this could be the most important book of the year for Canadians

We are complacent. We bask in the idea that Canada holds 20% of the world’s fresh water ― water crises face other countries, but not ours. We could not be more wrong. In Boiling Point, bestselling author and activist Maude Barlow lays bare the issues facing Canada’s water reserves, including long-outdated water laws, unmapped and unprotected groundwater reserves, agricultural pollution, industrial-waste dumping, boil-water advisories, and the effects of deforestation and climate change. This will be the defining issue of the coming decade, and most of us have no idea that it is on our very own doorstep.

Barlow is one of the world’s foremost water activists and she has been on the front lines of the world’s water crises for the past 20 years. She has seen first-hand the scale of the water problems facing much of the world, but also many of the solutions that are being applied. In Boiling Point, she brings this wealth of experience and expertise home to craft a compelling blueprint for Canada’s water security."

We will also be choosing books for the coming winter!

All are invited, 7:00 PM April 24th in the Church basement!
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2019 FUNdraiser

The Winter Buster FUNdraiser is now history - but definitely not a painful memory!

It was a very successful event with delicious food, lively music, & excellent company; we raised significant funding allowing us to be better able to rest, grow, & serve the world.

A huge note of thanks is owed to:
  • Rev Anne - for being our MC,
  • Lori Crozier, Kevin Fitzgerald, & Jean-Marcel Duciaume - for being our auctioneers,
  • Elaine Jeong - for volunteering her services the whole evening to help keep the financials in order,
  • JP & Alexis - they helped with set up & clean up; neither of them is even a member of the organizing group!,
  • the spouses/partners of the organizing group - for patience & assistance, and
  • everyone who donated and purchased items in the auction.
We are still tying up a few loose ends; if we’ve missed something or someone, please let us know: fundraising@westwoodunitarian.ca

Our only regret is that the internet wasn’t working later in the evening, so we couldn’t accept electronic payments - slowing down the paying process! We have a plan for next time…

From the FUNdraiser Committee - Susan Anderson, Jean-Marcel Duciaume, Margret Schubert, Havelock Thompson, David Williamson, & chair - Jacqueline Willette

Social Justice Meeting and Film Night

United States of Africa
Join us at 7:00 PM on Friday April 12 th for a film and short discussion.

This month's film, The United States of Africa features African hip hop pioneer Didier Awadi on a quest to craft an album that pays tribute to the great black revolutionary leaders and their struggle to realize a dream: a united, independent Africa. In this epic musical and political journey, Awadi visits some 40 countries to collaborate with hip hop activist artists, including Smockey (Burkina Faso), M-1 of Dead Prez (United States) and ZuluBoy (South Africa).

Featuring a score by Ghislain Poirier, as well as Awadi’s own songs, United States of Africa draws the viewer into one artist’s profound meditation on the power of music and the impact of political engagement—both individual and collective. A hopeful and compelling portrait of a continent whose politically aware youth is refusing to accept the role of victim, the film is a call for Africans to rise up, take a stand and take control of their continent and their destiny.

The Social Justice Committee also meets to discuss a variety of issues and topics on the first Thursday of the month. Please join us on April 4th at 7:15 in the Church Basement.
CUC Chalice

Canadian Unitarian Council Launches Ripple Effect Project

We are pleased to announce that our two-year water campaign, The Ripple Effect, is officially underway! We invite you to take a look at our Kick Off Video and the resources posted on the CUC website – The Ripple Effect, including our growing pool of resources that will help you learn about various issues impacting water and engage in action on personal, local, provincial, national, and international levels.

Click here to view media.
On the front page of our Resource Site, you will find a step-by-step guide to getting involved, including links to posters, surveys and FAQs. There is an introductory questionnaire that we urge groups to fill out as soon as possible as it allows us to know who is getting involved, their interests, and any knowledge or support they might need, or be able to offer other groups who are working on a similar water issue.

We also encourage everyone to join our Facebook group to follow the ripples of action that are happening across the country, ask questions, share resources, and highlight issues of importance. As people share links to resources we will add them to our resource site, which we hope will further facilitate connections between faith groups, communities and organizations across the country. Do you know specialty groups or organizations dealing with specific water issues? Please invite them to join the Facebook group as well as their input is invaluable.

As the National Social Justice Team, we are committed to walking this journey with you and look forward to seeing what ripples of change we can create together!

Erin Horvath
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