Join us Sunday at 10 am as we explore the topic 'Strangely Familiar.'
"Art makes the familiar strange so that it can be freshly perceived.
To do this it presents its material in unexpected, even outlandish ways: the shock of the new."
-Viktor Shklovsky
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Outdoor Gathering
Sunday August 11th, 10:00 am
Celebrate our connection to nature, and experience a morning of appreciating wild-ness! Come for singing, drumming, wisdom, and a morning of being community together outside on the east lawn. There will be something for everyone: an all-ages gathering so bring your kids, your grandkids and your elders! Bring your lawn chairs or a blanket to sit on (other chairs will be available), and a bag lunch. We'll supply the watermelon and ice cream!
Kitchen Cleaning Bee
Tuesday, August 13 and Thursday, August 15, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
We're in need of a cleaning crew for a thorough cleaning of the kitchen. Sign up in the foyer for the morning of either August 13th or August 15th. Contact Trudy Smith at 780-975-3251 with any questions.
Drop-in Hatha Yoga: Join us in September!
Our summer yoga session has concluded. Join us in September with instructor Sharon McMullan-Baron. Wednesdays, beginning September 11th at 7:00 pm; $5 drop-in fee.
Pole Walking Group Update
August 7, 10:15 am: Meet at 303 Twin Brooks Drive, Linda's place, for our walk.
Towel Donations Needed for Bissell
Did you know that the Bissell Drop-in Centre has bathing facilities? Towels are one of many items Bissell is in need of on an ongoing basis. If you have used towels (ripped or stained is ok) to donate, leave them in the box marked 'Bissell' in the church foyer for delivery to the centre.
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Ever Wonder... How to Be More Human?
An Expansive Spirituality Conference
Friday, October 4 – Sunday, October 6, 2019, $150
A weekend of opportunities to engage the mind, body, and spirit in becoming our most human selves!
□ Through presentations and topics such as compassion, empathy and justice…
□ Through every day practices such as our connection with nature, creativity, movement, singing, community and more!
Ever Wonder is a conference for those who’ve ever wondered how to nurture a spirituality rooted in meaningful values rather than beliefs, and how to build our lives based more on our shared humanity, compassion and justice. Visit our website ssucedmonton.com/ever-wonder to register or for the most up-to-date information on speakers and workshops.
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Join us on Sunday, August 11 for an outdoor gathering, and Sunday, September 15 for the launch of our 2019/2020 programs. During the summer, families and children are welcome in the baby/toddler room and in the gathering at the activity table...and of course, the Time for All Ages continues all summer long!
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SSUC Saskatoon
Although we have no planned Gatherings in Saskatoon at this point, please consider joining in the livestream this coming Sunday at www.ssucedmonton.com/live. There will be no additions to SSUC SK updates until the beginning of August.
“Ever Wonder... How to be More Deeply Human” Expansive Spirituality Conference is now open for registration. The weekend of Oct 4 – 6, 2019 will be filled with opportunities to engage the mind, body, and spirit in becoming our most human selves through video and live theme presentations along with a wide selection of workshops and building community with others who are on the expansive spiritual journey. For further details and to register for the event, please click here. (Nephesh Spirit will be leading one of the workshops and singing at the event.)
Informal meetings may occur through the summer. Stay tuned to the newsletter for dates or feel free to contact each other to arrange a visit somewhere.
September 8 Home Gathering: Nephesh Spirit will lead this first Home Gathering at Debbie Gunther Hansen and Cliff Hansen's home at 260 Nahanni Drive.
September 15 Livestream Spiritual Gathering: 10am-1pm, St. Andrew's Lounge. Come a little early (9:45) if possible to be part of a short video to wave hello to our Edmonton family!! The Spiritual Gathering live stream will be followed by informal conversation and then a potluck lunch.
September 29 Home Gathering: Joyce will lead the discussion at a location to be determined. (Offers to host at their home are welcome)
October 4-6 Ever Wonder Conference: Registration is available and carpooling will be arranged closer to the conference date. The registration form includes the request for billeting as an option for accommodation.
Oct 20 Livestream Spiritual Gathering: 10am-1pm, St. Andrew's Lounge. Come a little early (9:45) if possible to be part of a short video to wave hello to our Edmonton family!! The Spiritual Gathering live stream will be followed by informal conversation and then a potluck lunch.
SSUC Saskatoon has an active prayer chain of about 5 members who hold people and intentions in their hearts on a daily basis. All concerns can be sent to trisha.a.little@gmail.com.
Further details on events can be accessed through our SSUC Saskatoon Facebook page or our Calendar. SSUC Saskatoon photos: recent, click here and archival, click here.
Links to organizations/newsletters that are close to our members' hearts:
Saskatoon Unitarians newsletter: July 3, 2019
Station 20 West newsletter: Jun 28 , 2019
United Action for Justice: June 10 , 2019
Living Skies Regional Rambler: June 26, 2019 / Living Skies Region Facebook Group
Northern Spirit Region newsletter: April 11, 2019
Affirm United Annual Conference and newsletter: June/July , 2019
Broadview: June 28, 2019
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Neither Wolf Nor Dog focus of new “Library Learnings” essay
The second of seven essays in the “Library Learnings” half-year-long focus on Indigeneity now has been posted to the ssucedmonton.com/library webpage. Headed, “Just carry Dan’s words in your heart,” it arises out of, and points up author Kent Nerburn’s powerful and insightful documentary novel, Neither Wolf Nor Dog, the first in a trilogy of books now added to the Library. (Coming next [on August 30] is a looksee at the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada, another recent addition to the collection.)
Featured Book: Why Religion? A Personal Story
 Elaine Pagels, who wrote the last of the SSUC Library's Featured Books—her foundational work, The Gnostic Gospels— “is a hard person to describe in a word,” though the Washington Times reviewer of Why Religion? tried: scholar, author, historian, heretic. But Philip Kopper concludes, “‘hero’ fits best, namely an individual who faces ordeals of indescribable agony, and prevails….”
According to Publishers Weekly, Pagels, in Why Religion?, “addresses the titular question by recounting her life story.” It is “a raw and often moving autobiography,” Kirkus Reviews affirms, for it tells how a fatal heart condition took the life of her only son while he was still in kindergarten, and then, just a year later, how her husband fell to his death while mountain climbing in the Colorado Rockies.
In the face of such travail, Pagels, America’s “most popular historian of religion,” The Washington Post reports, delved into the Gospels, Paul’s letters, the Gnostic texts, and Buddhist and Trappist monk insights, “until she understood that suffering is an essential and common element of human life.” Kirkus Reviews ends its critique by stating, simply and truly, “A meaningful tale of pain and hope on the edges of faith.” Read it, with tissues handy.
Why Religion? A Personal Story
By Elaine Pagels
HarperLuxe, 2018
Time’s up…perhaps
It’s summertime, and, as the song has it, the living is easy. And reading a good book, at your leisure, is such a lovely way to while away a summer's time. It’s true that there are no due dates…let alone overdue fines…for books borrowed from the SSUC Library; there’s just this plea—others may want to read the book that you've withdrawn. Not sure how long you’ve had a book out? Too long? Please, just check the in-and-out log atop the first of the two larger bookcases in the Library & Lounge. (Then have a look for others to take the place of the one you’ll be returning.)
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Week of August 4, 2019
Set-Up: Hildebrand
Camera: Paige Reeves
Greeters: Arvid Hardin
Welcome Table: Berni Hardin
Baby Care: Marilyn McPherson
Count Team: Jo Nicholas, Cathy Playfair, Trudy Smith, Pat Seale
Food Bank: Jennifer MacPhee & Roz Shepherd
See complete volunteer schedules...
Nothing we do could happen without our fantastic volunteers. If you'd like to be part of any of these roles, please contact us.
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Our strength and love are with all those experiencing loss, loneliness or illness:
Leonard Lobreau, on the death of his wife, Beryl. A celebration of her life will be held at SSUC on Monday, August 12th at 2:00 pm. All are invited.
We celebrate with:
Rosemarie & Cliff Cunningham, on the occasion of their 55th anniversary on August 1st;
Bev & Al Craig, on the occasion of their 57th anniversary on August 4th.
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Day by Day at SSUC
Sunday, August 4
□ Spiritual Gathering with Communion & Child Care, 10:00 am, Large Hall
Monday, August 5
□ Pedalheads, 9:00 am, Small Hall & Green Space
□ Tai Chi, 7:00 pm, Large Hall
Tuesday, August 6
□ Pedalheads, 9:00 am, Small Hall & Green Space
□ Tuesday Connection, 10:00 am, Bogani's Cafe
□ Edmonton Youth & Children's Choir, 6:00 pm, Small Hall
Wednesday, August 7
□ Pedalheads, 9:00 am, Small Hall & Green Space
□ Pole-walking, 10:15 am, the May residence
□ 'Primary Purpose' AA Group, 12:00 pm, Lower Level Hall
□ 'Strength in Numbers' Women's AA Group, 6:00 pm, Youth Lounge
Thursday, August 8
□ Pedalheads, 9:00 am, Small Hall & Green Space
□ Food Bank, 5:00 pm, Foyer
Friday, August 9
□ Pedalheads, 9:00 am, Small Hall & Green Space
□ 'Under New Management' AA Group, 8:00 pm, Lower Level Hall
Saturday, August 10
□ Art of Living Meditation, 8:00 am, Small Hall
□ 'Fellowship Breakfast' AA Group, 10:30 am, Lower Level Hall
View our full calendar...
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See all board and committee information, including minutes and other documents as soon as they are available by visiting our Administrative Resources page. The next Board Meeting is Tuesday, September 17th at 7:00 pm. Anyone is welcome to attend meetings of the Board and/or the Board Executive Meetings.
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SSUC operates solely on the generosity and support of our donors. Donate online here, or by visiting us in person on Sunday mornings. You can also sign up to donate by automatic withdrawal by talking with a volunteer at the welcome table on Sunday mornings.
Support SSUC with Grocery Cards
Do you buy groceries? Support SSUC at the same time. Simply purchase pre-paid grocery cards in amounts of $25, $50 and $100 for Sobey's, Safeway, Save-On-Foods and Superstore. You pay no more or less than you would by paying by other methods and SSUC receives a percentage from each card purchased. Plus, you can still collect retail points or air miles. It's a win-win. Purchase your cards on Sunday mornings in the foyer or contact us.
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Last Sunday's Readings
July 28, Politics - That was Then…This is Now…So What… with Nel Ouwens
Time for All Ages: We Share Everything by Robert Munsch
2 Samuel 5:1-10
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Millwoods United Church has a lower hall available to rent either for the long-term or short-term. Are you aware of groups, individuals, or businesses that may be looking for a new place to work? If so, please contact Liliana Angel (Church Administrator) at Millwoods United Church.
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SSUC is an inclusive and affirming community
that explores an expansive spirituality.
We meet every Sunday at 10:00 am
where we celebrate our highest and best human values.
We create a safe place for all in a barrier free and scent free environment.
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