Summer 2016 Quest FINAL - Calgary Unitarians · Unitarian Church of Calgary 1703 1st Street, NW T2M 4P4 The Quest Summer 2016Summer 2016Summer 2016 Inside this issue: Summer Services

www.unitarianscalgary.org

Unitarian Church of Calgary

1703 1st Street, NW T2M 4P4

The QuestThe QuestThe QuestThe Quest

Summer 2016Summer 2016Summer 2016Summer 2016

Inside this issue:

Summer Services/ 2

Reflections from Rev

Debra 3

Kudos! 4

Shavings from the 5

Job Jar 6

CYRE News 9

Music News 11

‘Supreme Commander’ of the kitchen

and chef extraordinaire, Joan Brown is

our UCC Volunteer of the Month. Joan

and her husband Don started

attending UCC during Fran Dearman’s

interim ministry. It was our good

fortune that Joan immediately made

herself at home here. When we called

Rev. Debra to be our settled minister

Joan set about organizing a reception

feast for her Installation. And what a

feast it was! It was very clear – if you

want it done with flair, ask Joan Brown!

Since that first event Joan has led

teams of culinary volunteers to create

food for other receptions and for our

annual Service Auctions. But she does

not stop at food. Just as the food is a

feast for the taste buds, the

presentation and the décor planned

for the events are a feast for the eyes.

In addition to being a gifted chef Joan

has varied and impressive life

accomplishments Amongst them– a

daring and dedicated parent, leader of

the Mental Health Association and as

a Caterers Caterer for Shamans,

corporate executives and art

galleries.

Those who have had the opportunity

to work with Joan will tell you that she

is generous, kind and hardworking.

She makes sure that everyone is

included and taken care of. When

planning the centerpieces and décor

for both of the Service Auctions Joan

decided to engage the children of our

CYRE program in creating them. The

results were great and the children

proud of their contribution. With a

‘wicked sense of humour’ and a wealth

of stories and anecdotes from her

many experiences the place is filled

with chatter and laughter when Joan is

in action.

Joan has also helped with our annual

Fruitcake fundraiser and rumor has it

that she has some great ideas for

future fundraisers. We look forward to

seeing them manifest. Thank you Joan!

Volunteer of Summer 2016: Joan Brown!

Danielle with folks from SiksikaDanielle with folks from SiksikaDanielle with folks from SiksikaDanielle with folks from Siksika

Joan, doing what she does best:

volunteering and spreading joy!

The Quest www.unitarianscalgary.org Page 2

July 3July 3July 3July 3 Music and Singing with Gregg O'Neill

July 10July 10July 10July 10 Stampede Breakfast - Board hosted, o regular service today, Served from 9:00 - 10:30

am with live music, come one, come all!!

July 17July 17July 17July 17 Moving with Spirit in Heart, Mind and

Body with Ronnie Joy

July 24July 24July 24July 24 What is a Good Death? with Bev Webber

July 31July 31July 31July 31 We are all Humanists: The Surprising

Possibilities with Bruce Godwin

August 7August 7August 7August 7 The Here-After - A Humorous Look at

the Ageing Process with First - Hand Experience

with Docia Lysne

August14August14August14August14 Uncertainty in Science and Life

with Alan Jessop

August 21August 21August 21August 21 First Nations Blanket Teaching

with Donna Ontonio and friends

August 28August 28August 28August 28 UU Curious? with Rev. Debra Faulk

September 4September 4September 4September 4 Labour Day Sunday with Muriel

Turner-Wilkinson & Rev Debra Faulk

Summer Services Summer Services Summer Services Summer Services

Summer 2016 Kudos!

This is just a sampling of the many people who contribute in numerous ways to our community. When you catch someone in the act of kindness and service

please share the info by

emailing [email protected] .

This month we recognize and thank:

Dick Wilson for going above and beyond the call in

handling the basement flooding

Everyone who helped with Danielle's going away

party, including:

Hedda Zahner, for doing the dishes,

busing, and generally being very helpful

Mary Anna Louise Kovar, for the

gorgeous Bon Voyage card she created

Brandis Purcell for the lyrics to "Our

Danielle"

Joan Brown for cooking for the party, and

that amazing cake! Yum!

Christopher Fietz for emceeing Danielle's party

with sensitivity and wit, for his help with live-

streaming the CUSJ AGM and for his rapid

response helping fix a clogged sink.

And to whomever it was that came up with the

“Apple Tree” theme: the song by TriUU so

sweetly sung by Brandis Purcell, Leslie Buckle

and Jane Perry and the gift of an apple tree to

commemorate Danielle’s time here was

thoughtful and so touching to all in attendance.

Well Done, All!Well Done, All!Well Done, All!Well Done, All!

Page 3 Summer 2016 We come together in beloved community, guided by our Unitarian Universalist principles and sources

to grow in wisdom, welcome and deepen relationships, and act for a just and sustainable world.

Debra’s Deliberations

This is my opportunity to offer a few thoughts that’s I will be exploring over the summer

and extend my hopes of a few things you too might ponder.

I shared this reading at my last service of this church year and find myself going back to

it over and over again and wanted you all to have it for your summer contemplations.

The Paradox of Organized Religion (Dan Hotchkiss)

"Religion at its best is no friend of the status quo. Religion transforms people; no one touches holy ground and remains the same. Religious leaders stir the pot by pointing to the contrast between life as it is and life as it should be, and urging us to close the gap. Religious insights provide the handhold that people need to criticize injustice, rise above self-interest, and take risks to provide healing to a wounded world.

Organization, on the other hand, conserves. Institutions capture, schematize, and codify persistent patterns of activity. People sometimes say, "Institutions are conservative," and smile as if they had said something clever. But conservation is what institutions do. A well-ordered congregation lays down schedules, puts policies on paper, places people in institutions, and generally brings order out of chaos. Organizations can be flexible, creative, and iconoclastic, but only by resisting some of their most basic instincts.

No wonder "organized religion' is so difficult! Congregations create sanctuaries where people can nurture and inspire each other - with results no one can predict. The stability of a religious institution is necessary for the instability that religious transformation brings. The need to balance both sides of this paradox - the transforming power of religion and the stabilizing power of organization - makes leading congregations a unique challenge." The phrase “Religious leaders stir the pot by pointing to the contrast between life as it is and life as it should be” is poignant though, as I rarely use the word ‘should’, I hear world as it ‘could’ be. The distinction seems especially relevant in this context because in this time of incredibly rapid change it is a time to reimagine both society and church, to move into the broad possibility of what could be. There are a couple of reasons that this line in particular stands out for me. First is because this concept is also at the core of the work I do in the wider community through the Metro Alliance for the Common Good, community organizing to bring systemic change to our city, and with Calgary Interfaith Council. It is also front and center as we look at our particular congregation and indeed any religious community being relevant in these times. The reading clearly lifts up the value of religion, that of transformation and social critique, as essential. So we find ourselves reimagining how we can enhance this essential nature of our existence as a religious community. Your Board is looking at how we might restructure/simplify ourselves to respond to changing volunteerism and time pressures; SWEET (Sunday Welcome Engage and Enhance Teams) is reimaging itself to be more efficient while keeping the incredible opportunities it creates for sharing the tasks of Sunday morning and inviting/deepening relationships by the participation of many; Adult programming is focusing on limiting options and inviting more engagement; Job-jar tasks will provide discreet opportunities for service… Life as it could be, the congregation as it could be … at the service on June 19th there was a request to write down a hope for the coming year, what you hope we ‘could’ be. These hopes will be considered as we reimagine ourselves. May we all ponder over the summer possibility; our hopes for our congregation and the contributions we are willing to make to it. Namaste, Debra


Celebrating Lotta Hitschmanova

Mark your calendars now for a special event to be held at the church on Sunday October Sunday October Sunday October Sunday October 23, 2016 2pm23, 2016 2pm23, 2016 2pm23, 2016 2pm. The Unitarian Universalist Historical Society will be presenting the Mark

Mosher DeWolfe lecture as a webcast with a panel of speakers from across Canada.

Lotta Hitschmanova (1909 -1990), founder and first director of the world aid organization, the Unitarian Service Committee of Canada (USC), is arguably the best-known Unitarian in Canada’s history. For more information about this UU pioneer, see her entry in the

Dictionary of biography: http://uudb.org/articles/lottahitschmanova.html

We will have refreshments and a children’s program as well as reflections from church members who have been involved with USC over the years. We will provide more details in

the fall.

If you have met Ms. Hitschmanova or were involved as a volunteer with the USC, please contact one of us.If you have met Ms. Hitschmanova or were involved as a volunteer with the USC, please contact one of us.If you have met Ms. Hitschmanova or were involved as a volunteer with the USC, please contact one of us.If you have met Ms. Hitschmanova or were involved as a volunteer with the USC, please contact one of us.

We are pleased to announce that Lotta Hitschmanova has made the short list of 12 women being considered to

grace a new Bank of Canada bill.

~Loretta Biasutti, Helen Backhouse, Jim Bowman, Frances Schaink –History and Archives Committee

A New Year, A New Way of Leadership Development The times they are a changin’ and as we strive to keep pace with the changes we will be trying a few new ways of doing things. One will be developing teams to focus on particular areas of church life. These teams will offer skill development, opportunities to grow in wisdom and deepening of relationships. These teams do not replace committees, they will in some ways be the ‘action arm’ of the associated committee. This September there will be

two Leadership Teams.

Church Services Ministry TeamChurch Services Ministry TeamChurch Services Ministry TeamChurch Services Ministry Team

A new leadership team of 6-8 individuals working closely with Rev Debra to explore all aspects of church services (Sunday mornings, special services). What is the intention and purpose of our communal time together? The hows and whys of our choices of themes, music, structure of a service; why we do things the way we do … This team will meet monthly with Debra and support Sunday services. Contact Debra with any questions and expressions of

interest.

Pastoral Care TeamPastoral Care TeamPastoral Care TeamPastoral Care Team

This will be an opportunity for individuals interested in supporting members as a pastoral presence. There will be training by Debra and outside experts. This team will assist the minister and Caring Committee to deepen

relationships with and between members. Contact Debra with any questions and expressions of interest.



Much of my attention recently has been on the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC). For the first time in 10 years I was unable to attend the Annual Conference and meeting (the ACM), due to an important family celebration. I was sorry to miss the ACM, as I always enjoy being with a few hundred Unitarians. The chats, the workshops, the singing, and the whole-group events (ingathering, Confluence Lecture, httpsand the Sunday worship service combine to remind me about the broad appeal of our faith to people across the country. This year's Confluence Lecture, by Rev Melora Lynngood of the Victoria congregation, is well worth watching. The links above take you to to see recordings of the events, stored on the Canadian Unitarian Council's YouTube channel. If you visit there, you'll also see the awarding of the Knight Award for meritorious service to Ellen Campbell, Ellen is past Executive Director and CUC Board member – a valued colleague of mine in my last years on the Board. For the first time the CUC this year enabled remote participation in the Annual General Meeting (AGM), with delegates able to see the debates and to vote online. Next year the AGM will be held entirely online, as the conference is beginning a biannual schedule. Besides carrying out the usual business of the Council, delegates to the AGM also approved a new Statement of Purposes for the CUC, and a new CUC Vision Statement. Full details can be found in the CUC June eNewsletter. ---- So, on to the summer! One fun event I want you to know about is the annual UCC Stampede Breakfast, to be held from 9 - 10:30 on Sunday July 10th in Wickenden Hall. Come along for some flapjacks and sausages, some good ol' country music, and good times. We often have many visitors to the church at this event - please be sure to chat with them and make them feel welcome. Yahoo! John "Mich" Michell, President of the Board of Trustees

Shavings from the Board

Co-op Gift Card Purchases Give to the church while buying groceries, gas or Give to the church while buying groceries, gas or Give to the church while buying groceries, gas or Give to the church while buying groceries, gas or liquor at Coliquor at Coliquor at Coliquor at Co----op stores!op stores!op stores!op stores! The church receives 4% of gift card orders totaling less than $5000, 6% when we have gift card orders that total $5000 - $9999 and 9% for orders $10,000 or more. If you have not purchased a gift card before, here is how to do it: For July and August: For July and August: For July and August: For July and August: By the first Sunday of the month, place a cheque payable to the Unitarian Church of Calgary in the Co-op card mail slot in the office. All cheques will be processed. The gift cards

will be distributed on the second Sunday of the month. If you are unable to pick up your card on that day, you can collect it on the next Sunday. Gift card orders Gift card orders Gift card orders Gift card orders ---- Sunday, July 3 Sunday, July 3 Sunday, July 3 Sunday, July 3 ---- cheque placed in cheque placed in cheque placed in cheque placed in CoCoCoCo----op card mail box in the officeop card mail box in the officeop card mail box in the officeop card mail box in the office Gift card distribution Gift card distribution Gift card distribution Gift card distribution ---- Sunday July 10Sunday July 10Sunday July 10Sunday July 10 We welcome postWe welcome postWe welcome postWe welcome post----dated cheques particularly over dated cheques particularly over dated cheques particularly over dated cheques particularly over the summer months!the summer months!the summer months!the summer months! That’s how easy it is! Any questions? Contact: Ev Dewar: Ev Dewar: Ev Dewar: Ev Dewar: [email protected] Sheila Ward: Sheila Ward: Sheila Ward: Sheila Ward: [email protected] Frances Schaink: Frances Schaink: Frances Schaink: Frances Schaink: [email protected]


Job Jar! Engaging Shared Ministry/Changing Volunteerism Engaging Shared Ministry/Changing Volunteerism Engaging Shared Ministry/Changing Volunteerism Engaging Shared Ministry/Changing Volunteerism ---- Ministry means 'to serve' and we each have the chance to serve our community. There are so many tasks to be done that there is something for everyone according to ability or time available. Each time we do even a small task, we live out our faith, hopefully grow in wisdom and for sure deepen relationships. Here are just a few of the opportunities - for more information or to volunteer

email [email protected]:

Bulletin Board Bulletin Board Bulletin Board Bulletin Board ---- Our bulletin boards provide information to members and people who come into the building for

other reasons as well. Would you be interested in making sure events are current and do basic tidying up? (15

minutes per week)

Soups (Freezer) Soups (Freezer) Soups (Freezer) Soups (Freezer) ---- We keep a supply of homemade soup to take to shut-ins and to offer to folks in need. When you

make soup please consider making an extra helping and bringing in a labeled container for the freezer. If you need

containers there are some in the marker drawer in the kitchen.

Work Bees Work Bees Work Bees Work Bees ---- There are work bees scheduled for building maintenance, fix-ups and tidy up. Could you offer a couple of hours? For example the Youth Room Painting Bee! The Youth Room Painting Bee! The Youth Room Painting Bee! The Youth Room Painting Bee! The Youth Room gets a much-needed face lift August 30-31.

If you’re able to help, contact Shannon [email protected].

Containers Containers Containers Containers ---- Please save clean empty plastic containers for the “soup ministry”! Bring them to church to be used

for soups.

Sunday Lunches Sunday Lunches Sunday Lunches Sunday Lunches ---- Would you consider making a pot of soup for a Sunday lunch after church? With enough support

this could happen monthly.

Second Sunday Suppers Second Sunday Suppers Second Sunday Suppers Second Sunday Suppers ---- needs your support to continue. We need:

1) An overall coordinator (the supper + 1 hour per month).

2) Monthly set-up & clean-up captains (event + 1 hour before or after)

3) Set-up and clean up teams

Shawl/Lap Blankets Shawl/Lap Blankets Shawl/Lap Blankets Shawl/Lap Blankets ---- Do you like to knit? When someone in our congregation is ill or in hospital we like to give

them a hand-knitted shawl or lap blanket. The wool, needles and patterns can be supplied.

4444----Others CoordinatorOthers CoordinatorOthers CoordinatorOthers Coordinator - this requires about 10 hour per YEAR mostly from home (details available)

AV SupportAV SupportAV SupportAV Support - interested in being part of the Sunday morning team that does the sound and video? Let you interest

be know and there will be training in September.

SundaySundaySundaySunday PowerPointsPowerPointsPowerPointsPowerPoints - you too could be part of the team who create the PowerPoints (announcements, music

etc) that are projected on Sunday mornings. Maybe once a month? (Approximately 2 hours from home).

CCCCaaaallllggggaaaarrrryyyy IIIInnnntttteeeerrrrffffaaaaiiiitttthhhh CCCCoooouuuunnnncccciiiillll - UCC representative (2 hours per month) contact Rev Debra if interested.



Adult Our Whole Lives - OWL

Our Whole Lives OWL models and teaches caring, compassion, respect and justice. It helps adults address their attitudes, values and feelings about themselves, their sexuality and others’ sexuality. Participants are guided by trained facilitators through an engaging program that addresses topics many adults have not had the opportunity to discuss in depth. The fourteen two-hour workshops are modular and may be used in any combination or

singly.

OWL is a secular curriculum, appropriate for a variety of settings. Sexuality and Our Faith for Adults is a religious supplement for use in Unitarian Universalist and United Church of Christ

congregations.

Our Whole Lives (OWL) values:

♦ Self Worth

♦ Sexual Health

♦ Responsibility

♦ Justice and Inclusivity

Adult OWL Workshop dates at Unitarian Church of

Calgary 2016:

September 20 & 27

October 4 & 11 & 18 & 25

November 1 & 8 & 15 & 22 & 29

December 6 & 13

6:30 - 9:30 PM in Room 1

The investment is $20.00 per person

For further information or to register, contact:

Bev Webber [email protected] or 403-863-3110

Jeff Webber @ [email protected] or 403-863-6130

Or email [email protected]


Coming This Fall: Our Whole Lives for Grades 7-9

Parents and faith communities all want to create environments that promote and nurture healthy teens, physically,

emotionally and spiritually. To achieve this we also must promote healthy sexuality. Parents are children’s primary

teachers, but what is society teaching our children about sexuality? Our Whole Lives is an antidote to sexualized

media messages, peer pressure, misinformation and prejudice. It provides accurate, age-appropriate information,

puts sexuality in the context of values and personal responsibility, supports healthy decision making, and

strengthens social skills. These skills and values help prepare youth to make

healthy choices for life.

Our Whole Lives (OWL) values: •Self Worth

•Sexual Health •Responsibility

•Justice and Inclusivity

OWL models and teaches caring, compassion, respect, and justice. It helps

adolescents address their attitudes, values, and feelings about themselves,

their sexuality, and others’ sexuality. Participants are guided by trained

facilitators through an engaging curriculum that addresses topics most

important to young adolescents, including those typically excluded from

sexuality education and health classes. Each workshop is 90 minutes.

Grade 7-9 Our Whole Lives is running this fall starting on Sunday, September 18 with a parent Orientation taking

place prior to the start of the program.

There are 25 90 minute workshops. In order to cover the program we have scheduled eight sessions from 6-

8:30pm on Sunday evenings consisting of one workshop each evening, multiple workshops will be covered when

we run three sessions from 12:30- 8:30 pm on Sundays and there will be one sleep over that will go from Saturday,

November 5 12:30pm to Sunday, Nov. 6, 12:30 pm.

This program will be co-facilitated by Bev Webber, Heather Walker and Ivy O’Reilly. Jeff Webber and Shannon

Mang will step in to join the facilitation team occasionally. With such an intensive process, we will be happy to have

lots of volunteers in the wings ready to help us provide these young people with healthy snacks and meals.

If you are interested in registering your teen in this Our Whole Lives program, or if you are interested in helping to

support the program please contact Bev Webber at [email protected] or Shannon Mang DRE at

[email protected] . The program has a registration fee of $40 (or pay what you can).



The Children’s Garden box has been fully planted and lots of wee sprouts

are showing! The children will be watching and watering on Sundays for

the remainder of June, and they’ll pick up the care of the garden again in

September. For the months of July and August there are four households

from the CYRE program who will continue to care for the garden, and who

will enjoy the bounty of it as the produce ripens.

On June 12 we celebrated a Bridging CeremonyBridging CeremonyBridging CeremonyBridging Ceremony honouring Libby Kasner’s

transition from the children’s program into the Junior Youth program. When

Libby had crossed the Rainbow Bridge, we told her,

“Today you cross this bridge, Be open and expectant. We will support and nurture you. We will let you grow, and we won’t let you go.”

The MAKs will miss you, but we know you’ll have a blast with the Junior Youth!!

We also had a Spirit JamSpirit JamSpirit JamSpirit Jam worship experience on June 12 where all attending

had the opportunity to spend 30 minutes in one of the four Break Out Groups:

This is Our Playground led by the children, Rituals of Transition led by Rev.

Debra, Honouring the Stepping Stones of our Life’s Journey led by Rebekah

Mobley-Kasner and The ASL Signs to Spirit of Life led by Shannon Mang DRE.

Hendrik Schaink shared this poster he made in the reflective Stepping Stones

group along with some of the insights that emerged for him as he engaged with

the task of reflecting on his own life transition points.

A New Direction for Sundays in CYRE this coming September!A New Direction for Sundays in CYRE this coming September!A New Direction for Sundays in CYRE this coming September!A New Direction for Sundays in CYRE this coming September! The Sunday CYRE Program will use the Tapestry of Faith Multigenerational Curriculum called MiraclesMiraclesMiraclesMiracles. This delightful program invites the participants into a “prolonged encounter with awe and wonder”. Through the exploration of science, hearing stories of UU history-makers and the children’s own capacity to build circles of justice in their midst, children will broaden their definition of miracles and learn to recognize a myriad of miracles hiding in plain sight.

The monthly Themes will be woven into the curriculum and on the fourth Sunday of each month we plan to have a

special Theme-based event for the children. Plans are also underway to offer a parent Theme Listening Circle that

will also to take place on the fourth Sundays.

Wonderful, wonderful CYRE Volunteers!!Wonderful, wonderful CYRE Volunteers!!Wonderful, wonderful CYRE Volunteers!!Wonderful, wonderful CYRE Volunteers!! We are so fortunate to have a wonderful group of volunteers who have contributed to the program in the past year. My hope is that many of you will stay on, and that others in this Beloved Community will be ready to step into occasional or regular volunteer positions. Please drop me a note at [email protected] if you would like to join a teaching team for Pre-School-Kindergarten; Grade 1-3; Grade 4-6 or youth, or, if you would like to help out just a few times throughout the year. If you would like to work with the children on a regular basis, now is the time to get your Police Records Check. I can give you details on how to do this when you get in touch with me.


Bearers of the Light We began the community practise of passing the Bearers of the LightBearers of the LightBearers of the LightBearers of the Light basket from one household to another at Chalice lighting time each week Sunday in March. The feedback that we’ve had from households who have participated has been very positive and the reflections shared in the journal accompanying the travelling Basket are deeply moving. The practise involves a household signing up for a week that includes attending two consecutive Sundays. On the first Sunday the household is introduced to the congregation and performs the Chalice lighting in the service. They then receive the Basket from the previous week’s Bearers of the Light household. They take the Basket home for the week and return it the following Sunday to pass on to the next household. The Basket contains a small travelling Chalice, real and electric tea lights and matches, both an adult oriented book and a child oriented book of reflections, and a journal for members of the household to record their thoughts and reflections during their week being Bearers of the Light. These Bearers of the Light were given instructions to light the candle each day the basket was in their house and to engage in some spiritual practice. What we learned is that each household formed the practise that worked best for them. Some didn’t even light the candle, but the very presence of the Basket in their home reminded them many times each day of their Beloved Community, and their place in the world. Others found readings in the reflection materials that were meaningful, while others integrated the lighting of the candle into already existing spiritual practices. Another household shared that they sang favourite songs around the light. The varieties of the Bearers of the Light experience has been beautiful to watch unfold. Through July and August two households will take the Basket for one month each. Starting on September 4 (Pride Sunday) we will begin the weekly cycle once again passing the Bearers of the Light basket from one household to the next. I have enjoyed the wide variety of households who have been our Bearers of the Light so far: retired persons, single person households, couples, families with and without children, extended families: every household is a beautiful reflection of this Beloved Community. You can sign up on line at VolunteerSpot.com to claim your week to be our Bearers of the Light household by clicking on this URL: http://vols.pt/fE2HvC or you can email Shannon at [email protected] and ask for a week.

Call for William Irvine Award Nominations This annual award honours a person, persons or organization for extraordinary services that contribute to social and/or environmental justice in the Calgary community. It is intended to recognize those who carry on the legacy of William Irvine in championing justice in Calgary, Alberta and Canada. The award recipient has not normally been a

member of our congregation. The names of past recipients are on a plaque in the Barker Room.

UCC members are invited to send a nomination in writing to Penney Kome, Social Justice Committee Chair,

including reasons for the nomination. Considerations might include benefits to the Calgary community, personal

sacrifice or effort involved in providing service and the degree to which the service reflects Unitarian Universalist

values. The SJC will recommend one nominee to the Board of Trustees.



♪♪ UpBeat News with Jane Perry ♪

Summer is aSummer is aSummer is aSummer is a----coming in coming in coming in coming in ------------ loudly breath a sigh!loudly breath a sigh!loudly breath a sigh!loudly breath a sigh! Sunshine, gardens, patios, and the great

outdoors all beckon to us as our church’s Music Programme takes its annual rest.

Summertime is a great time to hear live music in Calgary and environs, with a wealth of

outdoor music festivals, live bands at restaurants and clubs, and friends jamming

together on front porches and at neighbourhood barbeques. I wish each of you joy and

refreshment this summer, and lots of good music, too! JP

Music Director Jane PerryMusic Director Jane PerryMusic Director Jane PerryMusic Director Jane Perry will be travelling with One Voice Chorus and the BarberEllas to

perform at the GALA Choruses Festival for queer choirs in Denver, CO from July 2 through 7. There will be 6,500

singing delegates from all over the world at this festival, joining their voices in song, mourning together for those

slain at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub in June, and talking about how to build understanding and genuine care between

the LGBTQ+ community and all other places and spaces in the global village. Jane and her partner Cora will then

spend most of the rest of the summer in their garden, delighting in the flowers and the monster zucchini plants.

And when September rolls around again… join a choir!And when September rolls around again… join a choir!And when September rolls around again… join a choir!And when September rolls around again… join a choir! There are five choirs rehearsing in our church building four

nights a week from September through June each year. All of them would be happy to welcome new singers!

Mondays: One Voice ChorusMondays: One Voice ChorusMondays: One Voice ChorusMondays: One Voice Chorus is an auditioned 35-member mixed-voice choir for LGBTQ+ singers and straight cis-

gendered allies. Their repertoire includes a little bit of everything: madrigals to jazz, Mozart to Broadway, and pop

to folk to disco! They are conducted by Jane Perry. Auditions will be held on Monday, September 5, and the first

rehearsal will be on Monday September 12 at 7:15pm. To learn more about the choir and arrange an audition:

www.onevoicechorus.ca

Tuesdays: Vocal LatitudesTuesdays: Vocal LatitudesTuesdays: Vocal LatitudesTuesdays: Vocal Latitudes is a non-auditioned 30-member mixed-voice choir for anyone who loves to sing! They

specialize in world music, and they typically sing in five or six different languages at their two annual concerts.

They are conducted by Frank Rackow. Rehearsals are on Tuesdays at 7:30pm. To learn more about them:

www.vocalatitudes.org

Wednesdays: The BarberEllasWednesdays: The BarberEllasWednesdays: The BarberEllasWednesdays: The BarberEllas are an auditioned 12-member ensemble for queer gals and pals. Their repertoire

features both traditional barbershop repertoire and more modern pop songs with a barbershop twist! Their

fearless leader is Cora Castle. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 6:15pm. To learn more, e-mail

[email protected]

Wednesdays: Calgary Renaissance Singers & PlayersWednesdays: Calgary Renaissance Singers & PlayersWednesdays: Calgary Renaissance Singers & PlayersWednesdays: Calgary Renaissance Singers & Players are an auditioned 25-voice mixed-voice ensemble for experienced choral singers with good sight-reading skills. Their repertoire includes music of the Renaissance (1450 – 1600 in Europe) and modern choral music inspired by the Renaissance. They are conducted by Jane Perry. Auditions will be held on Monday, September 5, and the first rehearsal will be on Wednesday, September 7

at 7:30pm. To learn more about the choir and arrange an audition: www.renaissance-singers.com

Thursdays: UUphoniaThursdays: UUphoniaThursdays: UUphoniaThursdays: UUphonia is the non-auditioned 40-member mixed-voice choir of the Unitarian Church of Calgary. This

is a fun-loving group whose singers are focused on both the joy of singing and the creation of caring community.

They sing twice each month, from September through June, in Sunday worship services. A highlight of their singing

year is the annual Cabaret, to take place on April 28 and 29, 2017. They are conducted by Jane Perry. First

rehearsal will be on Thursday, September 8 at 7:30pm. To learn more, e-mail Jane at [email protected]


UCC Social Justice

Committee “at” CUSJ’s AGM

UCC’s Social Justice committee and a couple of others

shared a brunch potluck and participated on line in the

Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice AGM, which

followed CUC’s AGM in Vancouver on May 23rd. We were

noteworthy as the only group to attend on line, though

there were several individuals from across Canada who

did as well.

Special thanks go to Christopher Fietz, who managed the

technology on our end beautifully to keep us visible to

others and let us see them, as well as getting our

questions and comments to other participants.

The ritual AGM reports and elections included the

information that CUSJ is currently lacking a Prairies rep

on the Board – perhaps someone from UCC would like to

volunteer.

Keynote speaker Guy Dauncey, author of “Journey to the

Future” spoke persuasively about the possibility of

bringing into existence a world in which the climate crisis

is being tackled, the solar revolution is underway,

neighbourhoods are flourishing, and a vibrant, socially

just and ecologically sustainable green economy is

taking shape. Sounded good to us!

Theme-Based Ministry …. The Challenge to Go Deeper Each month our Sunday services consider the focus of an over-arching topic/theme, such as integrity, compassion,

or joy. The presenters approach each month’s theme in a variety of ways, all with the intention of taking us deeper.

You hear about the theme on Sunday mornings and in the monthly Reflections Reflections Reflections Reflections section of the Quest. Quest. Quest. Quest. Everyone is invited to contribute readings, poetry, books, vignettes, movies … about the Themes. (please send in by the 15th of the previous month). The other component of Theme Based Ministry are the small discussion groups, Theme-based Listening Circles (TLCs), that meet at various times and locations toward the end of each month to reflect together

on the topic. Sign-up online anytime.

Themes for September 2016 Themes for September 2016 Themes for September 2016 Themes for September 2016 ---- May 2017May 2017May 2017May 2017

Sep tember Sep tember Sep tember Sep tember I n v i t a t i on

O c t o b e r O c t o b e r O c t o b e r O c t o b e r B l e s s i n g

November November November November Letting Go

DecemberDecemberDecemberDecember Expectation

J a n u a r yJ a n u a r yJ a n u a r yJ a n u a r y C r e a t i o n February February February February Love & Justice M a r c hM a r c hM a r c hM a r c h S i m p l i c i t y A p r i lA p r i lA p r i lA p r i l R e s i s t a n c e

May May May May Compassion

TLC and Basic Facilitator Training

Sunday Sept 11th 12:15-2:00

Thursday Sept 15th 7:00 – 9:00

These workshops will offer basic training for all facilitators with a specialized segment for the facilitators of our

Theme-based Listening Circles (TLCs). Please sign-up online or in Wickenden or talk with Rev Debra or Lynn Nugent



Thank you to all who came out to the celebration of the end of my internship! I started attending this church in 1997 when I was 9 years old, and although I left for a time through high school and the beginning of college, I have called this church my home for the past 19 years. Working with you all over the last several years, and as an intern for the last two years has brought incredible joy, self-awareness, learning and some heartache. I wish you all the best on your faith journeys and in your life, and of course will see many of you in the years to come as I come home for vacations, or at conferences and retreats all over the nation.

With Love, Danielle


How to Reach UCC Staff

Minister Rev. Debra Faulk [email protected] 403-230-8938 (office) 403 702-6486 (cell)

Director of Religious Exploration / Youth Program Coordinator Shannon Mang

[email protected] 403-230-4146

Music Director Jane Perry [email protected] Church Administrator Martha Mantikoski [email protected] 403-276-2436 Monday -Wednesday & Friday 9am to Noon Office closed Thursdays.

The UCC Quest is published 11 times per year by the Unitarian Church of Calgary. Electronic copies are available at www.unitarianscalgary.org/newsletter/. Submissions of articles, photographs, and event announcements are encouraged. Questions about the Quest, please email, [email protected]. The Quest Deadline is the 15th of every The Quest Deadline is the 15th of every The Quest Deadline is the 15th of every The Quest Deadline is the 15th of every month except for Summer. month except for Summer. month except for Summer. month except for Summer.

ENEWS The ENEWS is normally published via email once a week on Wednesday. Mate-rial for the ENEWS must be submitted by Tuesday midnight. If you would like to the receive the ENEWS, please email [email protected]

Booking Rooms

As our Church gets busier it is important

that if rooms are needed they are booked

in advance. Space can be reserved either

by filling out the online booking form

found here http://unitarianscalgary.org/

calendar/#form or by contacting the

Church Administrator at 403-276-2436 or

[email protected]

Publishing the Quest

Lay Chaplains: Carl Svoboda and Beverly Webber Our Lay Chaplains are trained to perform rites of passage, such as weddings, funerals/memorial services, child

dedications, etc. They are available to provide such services for a fee to the wider community. (Services for Unitar-ian Church of Calgary members are provided by the minister.) Our lay chaplain can be contacted by calling the

church at 403-276-2436 or via email, [email protected].

The Caring Team

The Caring Team provides support to the members, friends, and families of the congregation. If life has you stressed because of illness, hospitalization, moving, we can help. If you have something to be celebrated, such as a graduation, marriage or new child, we are there with you. We are all part of the Caring Team! Need support, have

a concern, or want to be of service? Contact [email protected]

Monthly Co-Op Card Fundraiser Each month we will take Co-op Gift Card orders on the first Sunday. . . . Bring cash or a cheque to church unless we already have your post-dated cheques. Cheques are payable to the Unitarian Church of Calgary. A table will be set up in Wickenden Hall place your order there before or after the service. The cards will be distributed following Sunday.

Please continue to support this valuable fund raiser for our church! Contact: Ev Dewar [email protected], Sheila Ward [email protected] or Frances Schaink [email protected]

L to R: Robert, Sexton; Rev Debra; Danielle,

Outgoing Intern minister ;Martha,

Administrator; Jane, Music Director; Shannon,

Director of Religious Exploration.

Summer 2016 Quest FINAL - Calgary Unitarians · Unitarian Church of Calgary 1703 1st Street, NW T2M 4P4 The Quest Summer 2016Summer 2016Summer 2016 Inside this issue: Summer Services

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