Join us Sunday at 10 am as we explore our connection to nature in our outdoor gathering. If the weather is wet, we'll simply meet indoors! Come rain or shine!
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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! In the event of wet weather, we'll meet indoors, so plan to come rain or shine!
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.
Affordable Housing Update
The Housing sub-committee had a productive meeting in June with Right-at-Home Society and representatives of the Northern Spirit Regional Property Commission. Soon after, we were able to submit to the commission relevant documents and in late July, we received the Northern Spirit Region's in-principle approval of the project to see Right-at-Home build an affordable apartment-style condo on the east part of SSUC's property. This is a significant step which now allows all involved to proceed, knowing that all decision-making parties are aware of and supportive of the project. The next steps will now be the creation and finalizing of a "Memorandum of Understanding" document that will formalize our understandings with each other as we move through the next phases of planning. If you have any questions, please contact Maie Kellerman, team leader of the housing sub-committee.
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 14, 10:15 am: Meet in the church parking lot.
August 21, 10:15 am: Meet in the church parking lot.
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Rewild
Connect with nature, challenge yourself - Rewild! Join weekly gatherings at SSUC and nearby ravine this September and October Wednesday nights 6:30-8:30 PM. These skill-building sessions will give you the confidence to spend a 24-hour retreat solo in nature. Learn both backcountry skills and eco-therapy exercises each week. Rewild your soul. Join this eco-spiritual pilgrimage to your inner self through time outside. Expect experienced guides (Alison and Zoe!), community and solo time each night, and our trip Thanksgiving weekend. Sign up by Friday, August 16. More information available at https://www.emberwood.ca/events/rewild
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Camp Dragonfly
August 23 to 25, 2019
Camp Dragonfly is not possible without the generous support of our community. We are in need of the following items; only the digital cameras will be returned:
Nail polish
Digital cameras (please label with name and contact info)
Nail polish remover
Multi-coloured pony beads
Fire wood
Wrist watches (cheap; won't be returned)
$50 donation to send a child to camp (tax receiptable)
If you can provide any of these items, please write your name on the form in the foyer and drop off during office hours. Email info@camp-dragonfly.com with questions.
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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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Get Ready for an Exciting Fall!
Our preschool program will be up and running with a new series of fun play and mini-lessons. kidSPIRIT will be exploring the spiritual wisdom found in the stories of Dr. Seuss. Youth Cafe will be engaging in the C2: Character Challenge program that uses movie clips from recent films to talk about values and character traits that we want to practice and grow within us.
This fall, we're planning a small change to our programs: all three age-groups will have a dedicated program leader for the year. Volunteer leaders, parents and grandparents are welcome to supplement that leader on any weeks that are convenient. In this way, the programs will be sure to run every week, and volunteers can still participate in a helpful and meaningful way.
Join us on Sunday, September 8th for the launch of our 2019/2020 programs, a BBQ lunch, and fun games and activities for kids immediately after the gathering.
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It has been a while since we have connected so, for those who are interested, let's meet at Tim Horton's on Primrose Drive on August 11 and 18 at 10 am. Trisha will host a Home Gathering on August 25 at 10-11:30am to livestream with Edmonton (210 Nordstrum Court). As always, feel free to join SSUC Edmonton on Sundays at 10am via www.ssucedmonton.com/live.
Offers to host 2019/2020 Home Gatherings will be welcomed. Please check out the following dates and contact Trisha to let her know what works for you: Sept. 29, Nov 3, Dec 1, Jan 5, Feb 2, Mar 1 and 29, Apr 26, May 31. Thank you!
“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.)
August 11: Tim Horton's at 10 am on Primrose Drive to reconnect
August 18: Tim Horton's at 10 am on Primrose Drive to reconnect
August 25: Home Gathering: Trisha will host a livestream and discussion time 10-11:30 am at 210 Nordstrum Court.
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: 10 am-1 pm, 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: Offers to lead and host this gathering would be 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.
October 20 Livestream Spiritual Gathering: 10 am-1 pm, 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: August 7, 2019
Station 20 West newsletter: August 2, 2019
United Action for Justice: August 6 , 2019
Living Skies Regional Rambler: June 26, 2019 / Living Skies Region Facebook Group
Northern Spirit Region newsletter: April 11, 2019 / Chinook Winds & Northern Spirit website
Affirm United Annual Conference and newsletter: June/July, 2019
Broadview: August 2, 2019 |
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Featured Book: The Soul’s Religion: Cultivating a Profoundly Spiritual Way of Life
 “…Today people all over the world are abandoning their religions in disgust and anger,” Thomas Moore reckons in this long-awaited companion volume to his 1992 bestseller, Care of the Soul. “Still, everyone has an instinct for the transcendence. People know intuitively that some kind of spiritual life is necessary, and so many are searching on their own….”
Once a monk in a Catholic religious order for a dozen years, a psychology professor, and a practicing Jungian psychoanalyst, Moore, in The Soul’s Religion, provides “a thoughtful guidebook for [just such] seekers,” according to Publishers Weekly in a starred review. In it, he “delves into religion as a way of enhancing the life of the soul,” reimagining it “not as a set of beliefs or a strict moral code, but as a romantic adventure.”
In fact, Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, writing for the website Spirituality & Practice, point out how, “At one point, Moore describes this book as ‘a trip in a tiny sailboat across an ocean of passions and mysteries’. That’s an apt description, and a cordial invitation to all adventurous seafarers who are yearning to ride the waves….” Booklist calls it, “A rich, nuanced reflection on what it means to be human.”
The Soul’s Religion: Cultivating a Profoundly Spiritual Way of Life
By Thomas Moore
HarperCollins, 2002
Adding an encouraging word
Matters pertaining to relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples keep arising and being reported. So it is that a seven-paragraph afterword has been added to the first of the “Library Learnings” essays found on the ssucedmonton.com/library webpage, the one about reconciliation, “We must move ‘past the past’.” Entitled, “a survey that should give Canadians cautious optimism,” this epilogue does indeed add an encouraging word to the coverage.
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 11, 2019
Set-Up: Hildebrand
Camera: Paige Reeves
Greeters: Lorne Lea
Welcome Table: Janelle Brooks
Baby Care: Jean O'Hara
Count Team: Don Junk, Steve Hoskin, Theresa Wynn, Jean O'Hara
Food Bank: Trudy Smith, Blair Anderson-Croft
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;
Pam Patten, Janet Dougan & Graeme Haugen, on the death of Pam's father and Graeme's grandfather, Jim Patten. Jim died gently and peacefully July 17 at High River Hospital after a short but valiant battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, who has Parkinson's and Hydrocephalus, and had been in hospital for several months and has now moved into Seasons, a supportive living community in High River. Pam wishes to express deep gratitude for Janet Dougan, and Pam's sister Lisa (Edmonton) and brother Scott (Kelowna) throughout this continually challenging time.
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 11
□ Outdoor Spiritual Gathering, 10:00 am, East lawn
Monday, August 12
□ Pedalheads, 9:00 am, Small Hall & Green Space
□ Memorial Service for Beryl Lobreau, 2:00 pm, Large Hall
□ Tai Chi, 7:00 pm, Large Hall
Tuesday, August 13
□ Pedalheads, 9:00 am, Small Hall & Green Space
□ Kitchen Cleaning Bee, 9:00 am, Kitchen
□ Tuesday Connection, 10:00 am, Bogani's Cafe
Wednesday, August 14
□ Pedalheads, 9:00 am, Small Hall & Green Space
□ Pole-walking, 10:15 am, Church parking lot
□ 'Primary Purpose' AA Group, 12:00 pm, Lower Level Hall
□ 'Strength in Numbers' Women's AA Group, 6:00 pm, Youth Lounge
Thursday, August 15
□ Pedalheads, 9:00 am, Small Hall & Green Space
□ Kitchen Cleaning Bee, 9:00 am, Kitchen
□ Food Bank, 5:00 pm, Foyer
Friday, August 16
□ Pedalheads, 9:00 am, Small Hall & Green Space
□ 'Under New Management' AA Group, 8:00 pm, Lower Level Hall
Saturday, August 17
□ 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
August 4, 'Strangely Familiar'
Time for All Ages: The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone
'Being a Pilgrim' from The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo
Luke 24:13-15; 28-31
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Wheelchair & Walker Available
If you or someone you know is in need of either a wheelchair or a walker, please contact the SSUC office at 780-435-2028 or info@smsuc.com. A member of our community has these items available.
Packing/Moving supplies
Are you looking for packing material for fragile objects? Two blue bags full of thin sheets of styrofoam-type material are free for the taking. The sheets (of various shapes and sizes) are great for packing fragile items. For more information, please ask Sherry Ann.
Basement Suite for rent (2 bedrooms) - Walking distance to the University of Alberta
The basement suite has a living room with a kitchenette, two bedrooms, and a bathroom with bathtub & shower. Access to laundry room (washer & dryer). The house is part of a Duplex, 7 years old and smoke-free. Located on 80th Ave and 111 Street; close to the University of Alberta, Cross Cancer, Hospital, and Whyte Avenue. We are looking for a non-smoker who is friendly, responsible, and environmentally conscious. Children welcome. The basement would work well for 2 people, possibly a couple with a child. Cost $1200 (utilities included). For further information please call Nicolette at 587-596-0044.
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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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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