Announcements for Monday, July 6, 2009

July 7: Family Playgroup – 10:30 am

SAVE THE DATES! During the summer our regularly scheduled events will be suspended. Look for the September announcements for the return of Lunch with the Minister, Pub Night, Meditation, and Drop-In Office Hours.

All of the following are open-invitation, drop-in events at our church; newcomers welcome; no RSVP required!

Saturday, July 25, from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Practical Buddhism Meditation Session: Join Rev. Jess for an extended meditation session and recorded dharma talk.

Wednesday, July 29th Noon – 1 p.m. Lunch with the Minister (and her Mom, too!) Bring a lunch for informal conversation to Sydney Street; tea will be served.

Tuesday, August 4, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Brainstorming and Sunday Planning: Worship Artists will meet for brainstorming and fellowship at FUCW to help organize this new group and plan topics for autumn and winter Sunday Services. Anyone interested in participating in Sunday morning services or learning more about the planning process is invited to attend!

Wednesday, August 5 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. Practical Buddhism Meditation Session: Another summer opportunity to join Rev. Jess and our growing Wednesday night sangha for an extended meditation session before she heads to a retreat at Zen Mountain Monastery.
Children’s Religious Education
1. Next Sunday June 28 is our last day of classes for CRE. We are planning on celebrating Canada's birthday, and will be looking at our 7 principles and being Canadian. A birthday cake will be served following the service at coffee time.

2. Thanks to all who have signed up to provide supervision for our Sunday Children's Summer Program. July is filled but we still need volunteers for the month of August, the sign up board is downstairs on the parent information board. We still need people to run our Children's Summer Program, please see sign up sheet and information on the Parent Information Board in CRE.
PREMIER PERFORMANCE OF "THE SEASONS" BOYD McDONALD, Wednesday, July 15th , 8:00 p.m. at the Cedars

The University of Waterloo Choir will be premiering this work which consists of four pieces about the seasons. They were written and performed by the FUCW choir on four different occasions (1996, 1999, 2002 and 2007). The July concert will be the first time they will be performed as a unit.

In addition, there will be another work called "Season" by Aandy Beck and pieces by Handel, Haydn, Mendelssohn and Purcell.
Tickets are $10.00 regular, $8.00 for Seniors and students. Tickets will be available after June 30 from Bruce Richter or Magdalene Horman (Also available at the Cedars on the night of the Performance). Hope to see you there!

Casual Summer BBQ with Jessica and her Mom and Gill – Thursday July 23 6:30 PM
In July, it’s summertime, and the living is easy. And Jessica’s Mom and husband Gill will be coming to town! In place of a Pub Nite, how about a Casual Summer BBQ?

Say, Thursday July 23, 6:30 pm ‘til 10 or so? Up at the Maki’s, along by the lazily-flowing Grand River, in Conestogo?

Please bring your own preferred libations, and as a casual guide:
a) If your last name starts with A-L, a salad….
b) If your last name starts with M-Z, a dessert….
c) Or, whatever you feel would be good….
d) If you have special dietary needs, please bring this instead….
e) Also, if inclined, folding chairs

BBQ burgers and BBQ chicken will be provided – capably prepared by President Bruce and/or other fine chef, as will all serving-ware and condiments, and some general refreshments such as ice tea and lemonade……

To help a little with the limited planning, it would be great if you could send a (non-committal, but thinking seriously about it) RSVP to Larry also indicating whether you’re leaning towards chicken or burgers. But if you later show up spontaneously, that is good too – sprinklings of surprise to go with the flow…. Food will be happening from about 7:15 on….

There is plenty of indoors room, so we’ll go ahead rain or shine…..
Hope to CU here!

Meditation Sessions: Practical Buddhism
What is the sound of one hand clapping this summer? The Meditation sessions continue in the upstairs foyer Wednesdays at 6:15 throughout June, but will meet only on an ad-hoc basis for July and August. To receive updates and communications from our growing UU Sangha about summer meditation gatherings, email Ian Kent and check the weekly FUCW announcements.

Announcements for Monday, June 29, 2009

Adult Religious Education - Planning for Fall
Over the summer, the Adult RE Committee will be scheduling courses and events for Fall, so that our programs and registration info can appear as an insert in the September Window. If you have an idea for a course, workshop, speaker, or film series, please contact Craig Beam with a proposal. If you are planning an event but aren't sure whether if falls under Adult RE, contact us about using our insert and collaborating on publicity. We tend to be inclusive about what counts as education and willing to sponsor a range of events.

SAVE THE DATES! During the summer our regularly scheduled events will be suspended. Look for the September announcements for the return of Lunch with the Minister, Pub Night, Meditation, and Drop-In Office Hours.

All of the following are open-invitation, drop-in events at our church; newcomers welcome; no RSVP required!

Saturday, July 25, from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Practical Buddhism Meditation Session: Join Rev. Jess for an extended meditation session and recorded dharma talk.

Wednesday, July 29th Noon – 1 p.m. Lunch with the Minister (and her Mom, too!) Bring a lunch for informal conversation to Sydney Street; tea will be served.

Tuesday, August 4, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Brainstorming and Sunday Planning: Worship Artists will meet for brainstorming and fellowship at FUCW to help organize this new group and plan topics for autumn and winter Sunday Services. Anyone interested in participating in Sunday morning services or learning more about the planning process is invited to attend!

Wednesday, August 5 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. Practical Buddhism Meditation Session: Another summer opportunity to join Rev. Jess and our growing Wednesday night sangha for an extended meditation session before she heads to a retreat at Zen Mountain Monastery.

Children’s Religious Education
Thanks to all who have signed up to provide supervision for our Sunday Children's Summer Program. July is filled but we still need volunteers for the month of August, the sign up board is downstairs on the parent information board. We still need people to run our Children's Summer Program, please see sign up sheet and information on the Parent Information Board in CRE.

PREMIER PERFORMANCE OF "THE SEASONS" BOYD McDONALD, Wednesday, July 15th , 8:00 p.m. at the Cedars

The University of Waterloo Choir will be premiering this work which consists of four pieces about the seasons. They were written and performed by the FUCW choir on four different occasions (1996, 1999, 2002 and 2007). The July concert will be the first time they will be performed as a unit.

In addition, there will be another work called "Season" by Aandy Beck and pieces by Handel, Haydn, Mendelssohn and Purcell.
Tickets are $10.00 regular, $8.00 for Seniors and students. Tickets will be available after June 30 from Bruce Richter or Magdalene Horman (Also available at the Cedars on the night of the Performance). Hope to see you there!

Casual Summer BBQ with Jessica and her Mom and Gill – Thursday July 23 6:30 PM
In July, it’s summertime, and the living is easy. And Jessica’s Mom and husband Gill will be coming to town! In place of a Pub Nite, how about a Casual Summer BBQ?

Say, Thursday July 23, 6:30 pm ‘til 10 or so? Up at the Maki’s, along by the lazily-flowing Grand River, in Conestogo?

Please bring your own preferred libations, and as a casual guide:
a) If your last name starts with A-L, a salad….
b) If your last name starts with M-Z, a dessert….
c) Or, whatever you feel would be good….
d) If you have special dietary needs, please bring this instead….
e) Also, if inclined, folding chairs

BBQ burgers and BBQ chicken will be provided – capably prepared by President Bruce and/or other fine chef, as will all serving-ware and condiments, and some general refreshments such as ice tea and lemonade……

To help a little with the limited planning, it would be great if you could send a (non-committal, but thinking seriously about it) RSVP , also indicating whether you’re leaning towards chicken or burgers. But if you later show up spontaneously, that is good too – sprinklings of surprise to go with the flow…. Food will be happening from about 7:15 on….

There is plenty of indoors room, so we’ll go ahead rain or shine…..
Hope to CU here!

Meditation Sessions: Practical Buddhism
What is the sound of one hand clapping this summer? The Meditation sessions continue in the upstairs foyer Wednesdays at 6:15 throughout June, but will meet only on an ad-hoc basis for July and August. To receive updates and communications from our growing UU Sangha about summer meditation gatherings, email Ian Kent and check the weekly FUCW announcements.

If you wish for an announcement to be put in the announcement sheet, please email the wording of the announcement to Dawn at admin.waterloo@unitarians.ca

Announcements for Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Upcoming events and important dates:
Tues, June 9: Family Playgroup – 10:30 am
Wed, June 10: Lunch with the Minister – 12:00 pm
Meditation Circle – 6:15 pm
Thurs, June 11: New UU: A Faith for the Future – 7 pm
Fri, June 12: Drop in Office Hours – Casa Mia Café -3 - 4pm
Sat, June 13: Habitat for Humanity Lunch – 10 am

Volunteers Needed for Children’s Summer Program
We still need people to run our Children's Summer Program, please see sign up sheet and information on the Parent Information Board in CRE.

Social Action Committee - June 13 Habitat for Humanity Lunch
We are still looking for people who can donate food for the Habitat For Humanity lunch that the Social Action Committee is preparing on Saturday morning, June 13. Please see Mag Horman or Carol Burrows if you can help.

Social Action Committe - June 19 - Screening of the documentary, “Flow”
Join us on Friday June 19 at 7:30 pm for a fascinating documentary on the global water crisis. Enjoy a cup of Fair Trade Coffee. Following the movie there will be a discussion on how we as Unitarians can play a role in resolving this crisis.

New UU: A Faith for the Future: Thursday night, June 11, 7 – 10 p.m. Sydney Street. This one-session class is designed especially for curious newcomers as well as those interested in formal membership. We explore how your individual faith journeys intersect with the history, theology and values of Unitarian Universalism. Register in advance, please, by emailing minister.waterloo@unitarians.ca.

OUR LIBRARY has several books related to and including the Welcoming Congregation. In the children's section, look for Daddy's Roommate, and Heather has two mommies. The adult books cover many facets, including From this day forward: commitment, marriage and family in lesbian and gay relationships; Sex changes : the politics of transgenderism; Ceremonies of the heart : celebrating lesbian unions; Cross dressing, sex and gender.

We also want to remind you to check your own shelves for overdue books from our congregational library. They are meant to be shared.

Lost Scarf! Have you found a black scarf with purple and green accents? Rev Jess lost this altar cloth back in October. It was an ordination gift from a colleague, which was loaned to the downstairs children’s worship effort, and is now missing! If this is tucked away in a closet or walked home with someone, please return it to the church office. Thanks!

‘Jubilant June’ Pub Nite With Jessica – Thursday June 18 8 PM – Crock ‘N Block

In Roman times, the site of the Normandy town of Brouage was 12 kilometers offshore, under the sea. Today, it is one kilometer inland. Quite a change! When native son Sammy Champlain sailed from there in 1608, when it was a beautiful seaport, to found Quebec, the Earth was not aligned such that Polaris was true North, for convenient navigation. Now, it is. Quite a change! Then, the inhabitants of Brouage were known for their ‘bienheureux’, a state of good-natured, blissful happiness. Today - they still are. No change!

Is there some way we can experience some of this ageless bienheureux without going all the way to Brouage? Why, yes there is, at the ‘Jubilant June Pub Nite with Jessica’ Thursday June 18th , 8 pm, at the Crock N’ Block in Kitchener. Cameraderie, snacks, libations of many kinds, and all the bienheureux you can bring. Hope to see you there!

Music - Summer Services
If you might be interested in providing the music for one of the summer services (July/August), please contact Clara Hilts (Clara Hilts ) by June 11.

Lunch with the Minister continues Wednesdays, noon – 1:00 in the FUCW Library. (This is a drop-in event; bring a bag lunch and join the crowd.)

Drop-in “Office Hours” - Friday, June 12, 3:00 to 4:00 pm, Casa Mia Café (7 Father David Bauer Drive at Erb Street). Drop by for casual conversation over tea or coffee with the minister.

Woman to Woman Chorus presents "Touch the Sun"
The Woman to Woman chorus, joined by WomEnchant from St. Catherines, is presenting "Touch the Sun", music celebrating women, at the Guelph Youth Music Centre, June 13, 2009 at 7:30 pm., located at 75 Cardigan St. in Guelph.

Tickets are $10 each, $25/family. Contact Janet Douma at or Gail Schenk , or MaryAnn Lazowski for tickets, or see the poster downstairs for ticket locations or more information.

Announcements for Tuesday May 19, 2009

Upcoming events and important dates:
Mon, May 18: May Window Deadline
Victoria Day!
Tues, May 19: Family Playgroup – 10:30 am
CRE Meeting – 7 pm
Wed, May 20: Lunch with the Minister – 12:00 pm
Meditation Circle – 6:15 pm
NEEDED – Large water containers
Large water containers, the kind used for camping, are needed for the June picnic. If anyone is able to lend them to us for the day please contact Gail Schenk.

New UU: A Faith for the Future: Thursday night, June 11, 7 – 10 p.m. Sydney Street. This one-session class is designed especially for curious newcomers as well as those interested in formal membership. We explore how your individual faith journeys intersect with the history, theology and values of Unitarian Universalism. Register in advance, please, by emailing minister.waterloo@unitarians.ca.

Lost Scarf! Have you found a black scarf with purple and green accents? Rev Jess lost this altar cloth back in October. It was an ordination gift from a colleague, which was loaned to the downstairs children’s worship effort, and is now missing! If this is tucked away in a closet or walked home with someone, please return it to the church office. Thanks!

‘Jubilant June’ Pub Nite With Jessica – Thursday June 18 8 PM – Crock ‘N Block
In Roman times, the site of the Normandy town of Brouage was 12 kilometers offshore, under the sea. Today, it is one kilometer inland. Quite a change! When native son Sammy Champlain sailed from there in 1608, when it was a beautiful seaport, to found Quebec, the Earth was not aligned such that Polaris was true North, for convenient navigation. Now, it is. Quite a change! Then, the inhabitants of Brouage were known for their ‘bienheureux’, a state of good-natured, blissful happiness. Today - they still are. No change!
Is there some way we can experience some of this ageless bienheureux without going all the way to Brouage? Why, yes there is, at the ‘Jubilant June Pub Nite with Jessica’ Thursday June 18th , 8 pm, at the Crock N’ Block in Kitchener. Cameraderie, snacks, libations of many kinds, and all the bienheureux you can bring. Hope to see you there!

Music - Summer Services
If you might be interested in providing the music for one of the summer services (July/August), please contact Clara Hilts

The Women's Book Club meeting originally scheduled for Monday May 25 has been changed to Monday June 1. Unfortunately we made this change too late to get the correct information in the Window. It will be at 1:30 p.m at the home of Pat Mighton, . The book to be discussed is Margaret Atwood's Payback.

Lunch with the Minister continues Wednesdays, noon – 1:00 in the FUCW Library. (This is a drop-in event; bring a bag lunch and join the crowd.)

The Rainbow Chorus gets groovy with "Peace, Love, Rock n' Roll"
The Rainbow Chorus would like you to dance down memory lane in this tribute concert to an era when "the times they were a-changing"! Concert includes favourites from rock, Motown and folk artists.
Saturday May 30, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Harcourt United Church
87 Dean Ave., Guelph
Please contact Jane Keller for ticket information
Hope to see you there!

Soul Sauce and The New Vibes Jazz Quartet Swing into Spring at First Unitarian
Soul Sauce, Kitchener's newest vocal jazz ensemble is teaming up with The New Vibes Jazz Quartet on Saturday, May 23 at 7:30 pm for Swing into Spring ...a spring concert.

NVJQ plays easy going jazz standards (vibes, piano, bass, and drums). Soul Sauce is an auditioned 4-part mixed choir (K-W) that started this past fall under the direction of Jane Cowan.

The concert will be an exciting mix of jazz favourites including Oscar Peterson's "Hymn to Freedom" and Duke Ellington's "It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got that Swing".

Tickets are $10. Contact congregation (and choir) members Joanne Davis or Judith Koeller to reserve your tickets.

Announcements for Monday, May 4, 2009

Upcoming events and important dates:
Tues, May 5: Family Playgroup – 10:30 am
The Singing Revolution – 7:30 pm
Wed, May 6: Lunch with the Minister – 12:00 pm
Meditation Circle – 6:15 pm
Green Sanctuary Committee – 7:30 pm
Fri, May 8 OWL – 7:00 pm (Guelph)
Installation of Rev. Jessica Purple Rodela – 7:30 pm

Installation of Reverend Jessica Purple Rodela - Friday, May 8, 7:30 p.m.You are cordially invited to attend the Installation of the Reverend Jessica Purple Rodela at First Unitarian Congregation of Waterloo. An installation ceremony is a time for a congregation and its called minister to publicly acknowledge their covenant to one another. Committee on Ministry member Lynn Rubenstein suggested this is like a wedding. The ceremony will feature as guest speaker Rev. Jess's preaching mentor, the Rev. David Bumbaugh, from Meadville-Lombard Seminary in Chicago. Please also plan to attend the big celebration reception downstairs, immediately after the Installation Ceremony, featuring music, mirth, mingling and light food and refreshments.

Music - Summer Services
If you might be interested in providing the music for one of the summer services (July/August), please contact Clara Hilts by June 11.

May 24th – Social Action Committee Ban the Bottle Vote
Get Informed. Copies of the research on bottled water are available on the Social Action Committee board downstairs. Email copies of the research are available by contacting Carol Burrows . See the May Window for more details and vote during Coffee Hour on May 24th.

The Singing Revolution
Tui Torrie - Tuesday May 5 at 7:30 pm (upstairs)
How could a tiny, obscure country like Estonia throw off 50 years of tyranny and occupation by the USSR, a major world power? How could singing be at all influential in opposing and overcoming this tyranny?
The documentary "The Singing Revolution" shows how Estonia did it. The response of the Estonian people using the democratic process to regain their independence, even after half a century of Soviet oppression, is inspiring and uplifting, and an eye-opener. This is not theory, this is not ‘maybe’ or ‘possibly’ ... this is non-violence and what actually happened. Discussion to follow.
Please register via the sign-up sheet on the RE chalkboard

The Women’s Book Club
The Women's Book Club meeting originally scheduled for Monday May 25 has been changed to Monday June 1. Unfortunately we made this change too late to get the correct information in the Window. It will be at 1:30 p.m at the home of Pat Mighton. The book to be discussed is Margaret Atwood's Payback.

Niagara Winery Hike
Three spots are available for Saturday May 9, if there are any people interested. These spots were originally purchased as Dream Auction items, but the purchasers are no longer able to do the hike. For more information contact Marnie Morrow

Seeking Music Director:
We are seeking to hire a part time music director for September 2009. For information please see the ad posted on our website (http://www.waterloo.unitarians.ca/) or contact Margaret Insley. Please pass this information on to anyone you know who might be interested.

From the Green Sanctuary Committee
There are copies of the Waterloo Region transit map with cycling and hiking trails, courtesy of the Green Sanctuary Committee, available in a labelled box in the office area of the church basement. You are welcome to take one if it is useful to you.

Lunch with the Minister continues Wednesdays, noon – 1:00 in the FUCW Library. (This is a drop-in event; bring a bag lunch and join the crowd.)

The Rainbow Chorus gets groovy with "Peace, Love, Rock n' Roll"
The Rainbow Chorus would like you to dance down memory lane in this tribute concert to an era when "the times they were a-changing"! Concert includes favourites from rock, Motown and folk artists.
Saturday May 30, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Harcourt United Church
87 Dean Ave., Guelph
Please contact Jane Keller for ticket information Hope to see you there!

If you wish for an announcement to be put in the announcement sheet, please email the wording of the announcement to Dawn at admin.waterloo@unitarians.ca

Announcements for Monday, April 27, 2009

Upcoming events and important dates:
Mon, Apr 27: Women’s Book Group – 1:30 pm
Tues, Apr 28: Family Playgroup – 10:30 am
Philosophy 102: Ethics – 7:30
Wed, Apr 29: Lunch with the Minister – 12:00 pm
Meditation Circle – 6:15 pm
Fri, May 1 Family Pizza Night -
Sat, May 2 Choir Rehearsal – 4-6 pm

NEXT WEEK – May 3, 2009
BelTANE SERVICE AND MAYPOLE DANCE
Melissa Rockenfield

Spring is here! Today we celebrate Beltane and our seventh principle, reminding ourselves that we are part of the web of all beings on this earth. Our service will be multi-generational and interactive: bring your dancing shoes for our maypole dance - we will begin upstairs and proceed downstairs for the dancing. All ages are invited to participate in the service. There are no classes for children or youth this day but child care is available as an option for those under the age of four.

Thank you from the Child Haven Committee
The Child Haven Committee would like to thank FUCW members and friends for their wonderful support for this year’s Child Haven event. We look forward to continued support next year.

May 24th – Social Action Committee Ban the Bottle Vote
Get Informed. Copies of the research on bottled water are available on the Social Action Committee board downstairs. Email copies of the research are available by contacting Carol Burrows. See the May Window for more details and vote during Coffee Hour on May 24th.

Friday, May 1 - Family Pizza and Games Night
The CRE Committee will host a family Pizza and Games Night on Friday, May 1 - arrive at 6pm and be home by 9pm. You are invited to come enjoy some pizza (1 dollar a slice) and play a few games. This is an intergenerational event and the word “family” means all family and friends of the congregation. You are welcome to bring additional snacks such as chips, pretzels and beverages will be provided by CRE. There is a sign up board down stairs, hope to see you there.

Niagara Winery Hike
Three spots are available for Saturday May 9, if there are any people interested. These spots were originally purchased as Dream Auction items, but the purchasers are no longer able to do the hike. For more information contact Marnie Morrow

Seeking Music Director:
We are seeking to hire a part time music director for September 2009. For information please see the ad posted on our website (http://www.waterloo.unitarians.ca/) or contact Margaret Insley. Please pass this information on to anyone you know who might be interested.

SAVE THE DATE! Friday, May 8, 7:30 p.m.
You are cordially invited to attend the Installation of the Reverend Jessica Purple Rodela at First Unitarian Congregation of Waterloo. An installation ceremony is a time for a congregation and its called minister to publicly acknowledge their covenant to one another. Committee on Ministry member Lynn Rubenstein suggested this is like a wedding. Look for future announcements for details on this event, and about the evening's guest speaker, Rev. Jess's preaching mentor, the Rev. David Bumbaugh.

From the Green Sanctuary Committee
There are copies of the Waterloo Region transit map with cycling and hiking trails, courtesy of the Green Sanctuary Committee, available in a labelled box in the office area of the church basement. You are welcome to take one if it is useful to you.

Pilosophy 102: Ethics by Craig Beam
Time and Place: April 28, 7:30 - 9:45 pm, 299 Sydney St., in the Board Room
We will view and discuss a series of videos that I use when teaching Business and Media Ethics at Laurier. Some videos deal with ethical theories, others with practical issues, and most are 30 minutes long. Topics will include:

April 28
Her Brilliant Career (Women in the Workplace)
Advertising and the End of the World (Advertising ethics)
So far 8 people have registered, so there is room for a few more.

Meditation Circle: Practical Buddhism
DON'T JUST DO SOMETHING, SIT THERE! Our meditation circle meets Wednesdays from 6:15 - 7:15pm in the upstairs foyer. All levels of interest and experience are welcome.

Lunch with the Minister continues Wednesdays, noon – 1:00 in the FUCW Library. (This is a drop-in event; bring a bag lunch and join the crowd.)

To raise funds for the Every Orphan Matters -- Ukraine Project
Helen and Carolyn Helps have organized an ONLINE AUCTION at http://auctions.possibilitiesinternational.com which closes on Sunday May 3 at 10 pm. Lots of great stuff! Toys, electronics, clothing, books, gift certificates, antiques and collectibles and more. Helen and Carolyn are part of a group of women and girls travelling to the Ukraine with Possibilities International which will take 230 orphans shopping for new clothes.

Announcements for Monday April 6, 2009

Upcoming events and important dates:
Tues, Apr 7: Family Playgroup – 10:30 am
Philosophy 102 : Ethics – 7:30
Wed, Apr 8: Lunch with the Minister – 12:00 pm
Meditation Circle – 6:15 pm
Thurs Apr 9: Controversial Books about Jesus – 7:30 pm

Memorial Service for John D. McRuer officiated by the Rev. Jessica Purple Rodela.
Saturday, April 18, 2:00pm at First Unitarian Congregation of Waterloo, 299 Sydney St.S. Reception to follow. Congregation members and friends welcome. John has been a member of this congregation since 1985 and a Unitarian since the sixties.

Post-Service Discussion - Sunday, April 12th
Come and discuss Rev. Jessica's 'Heartbreak Sermon' following the service this Sunday, starting at noon in the Board room. Facilitated by Carly Gaylor.

Seeking Music Director:
We are seeking to hire a part time music director for September 2009. For information please see the ad posted on our website (http://www.waterloo.unitarians.ca/) or contact Margaret Insley Please pass this information on to anyone you know who might be interested.

Spirit of Life Choir
We are performing at Jessica's Installation Ceremony on Friday 8 May. Rehearsals are scheduled for Thursdays 16 and 23 April 7-9pm and Saturday 2 May 4-6pm. All are welcome to join us. Please contact Bruce Richter.

Soup Sunday – Sunday April 19, 2009
Soup Sunday will take place on Sunday April 19, before the outdoor cleanup time.......We would like to ask for four volunteers to provide Soup and Youth volunteers to help set up tables and dishes, etc. The proceeds from this Soup Sunday will benefit "Relay for Life" ( Cancer Society) that Sarah Gartung is participating in later in May. Please see or email Sarah or Sue Gartung if you can help in this fundraiser. Email at sgartung1076@rogers.com or phone at 519-886-6317 ( please leave a message )

Social Action Committee
I am very happy to let you know that Carol Burrows has accepted the position of Chair of the Social Action Committee. She brings a wealth of energy and experience in environmental and social action, and I am truly looking forward to her leadership. Even though I enjoyed being Chair, I have stepped down due to increased responsibilities as Board Secretary, but will continue being one of its members. Jane Bell

From the Green Sanctuary Committee
Join us for a spring clean-up of our church yard on Sunday, April 19 (rain date Sun. May 3) after the service. If you can, please bring rakes and work gloves. We will provide pizza slices for $1:00 for anyone interested in a snack prior to the clean-up. We also need garbage bins that can be loaned for a week. The brown paper yard bags often break when wet yard waste is put in them, making it difficult for curbside garbage pick up. Please bring bins that can be loaned on the day of the clean-up. If there are any questions please contact Gail Schenk.

There are copies of the Waterloo Region transit map with cycling and hiking trails, courtesy of the Green Sanctuary Committee, available in a labelled box in the office area of the church basement. You are welcome to take one if it is useful to you.

In celebration of Earth Day we invite you to join us for the movie "The Green Chain" on Wed. April 22 at the Princess Cinema. This film explores the British Columbia logging industry through the perspective of seven very different characters. The Vancouver Sun describes it as "a smart and well-researched film that successfully sees the forest through the trees". For those interested we will have refreshments and a discussion following the movie, at a downtown location. Meet at 6:45 in the lobby of the Princess Cinema with members of the GSC.

SAVE THE DATE! Friday, May 8, 7:30 p.m.
You are cordially invited to attend the Installation of the Reverend Jessica Purple Rodela at First Unitarian Congregation of Waterloo. An installation ceremony is a time for a congregation and its called minister to publicly acknowledge their covenant to one another. Committee on Ministry member Lynn Rubenstein suggested this is like a wedding. Look for future announcements for details on this event, and about the evening's guest speaker, Rev. Jess's preaching mentor, the Rev. David Bumbaugh.

Philosophy 102: Ethics Craig Beam
Dates: Tuesdays: April 7 14, 21, 28
Time: 7:30 - 9:45 pm
Place: 299 Sydney St., in the Board Room

We will view and discuss a series of videos that I use when teaching Business and Media Ethics at Laurier. Some videos deal with ethical theories, others with practical issues, and most are 30 minutes long. Topics will include:

April 7
Is Morality Relative? (Cultural Relativism)
Does the End Justify the Means? (Utilitarian ethics)
April 14
Can Rules Justify Morality? (Kantian ethics)
Is Ethics Based on Virtue? (Virtue ethics)
April 21
Moral Dilemmas: Can Ethics Help?
What is Justice? (Social Justice)
April 28
Her Brilliant Career (Women in the Workplace)
Advertising and the End of the World (Advertising ethics)

So far 8 people have registered, so there is room for a few more.

Friday Lectures Series
Psychology of Religious Extremism
Ian McGregor
Friday April 17 at 7:30 pm
Why do people hold their specific religious beliefs with such conviction, even with full knowledge that others feel the same way about their own incompatible beliefs? What is the allure of religious zeal? How should we respond to religious extremism? Dr. Ian McGregor will present results of his social and neuroscience research that illuminates social causes and neural processes of religious zeal. Here is a link to a related talk on terrorism that Ian recently gave in Washington DC: http://www.fabbs.org/Events/September_2008_Cafe/index.html
Note: Childcare is available with advance sign-up. Either sign the sheet on the RE Chalkboard

Joint Bank Account Dilemma: How Adoption Changes the World
Rev. Fred and Bonnie Cappuccino, the co-founders of Child Haven International, will be speaking at Trinity United Church, 74 Frederick Street, Kitchener at 4:30 pm on Saturday April 25, 2009.
To attend please sign up on the bulletin board at the First Unitarian Congregation,

To learn more about Child Haven International or Fred & Bonnie, check out www.childhaven.ca.

Child Haven International – Sunday April 26, 2009
Come out and enjoy an exciting Bazaar Style evening. Tickets are on sale and sell out fast….so hurry!
When: Sunday, April 26, 2009, St. George Banquet Hall, 665 King Street North, Waterloo – Silent Auction begins at 3 pm, Dinner at 5:30 pm
Tickets : Adults: $30.00
Children 5-12 :$10.00
For tickets, please contact: Ida Fisher or Leroy Dickey We hope to see you there!

Lost Ring
A ring, with sapphires and diamonds, was lost in the Church parking lot on Saturday March 21st. If anyone has found it please contact Maureen Kinahan

Meditation Circle: Practical Buddhism
DON'T JUST DO SOMETHING, SIT THERE! Our meditation circle meets Wednesdays from 6:15 - 7:15pm in the upstairs foyer. All levels of interest and experience are welcome.

Lunch with the Minister continues Wednesdays, noon – 1:00 in the FUCW Library. (This is a drop-in event; bring a bag lunch and join the crowd.)

Minister Drop-in “Office Hours”:
Thursday, April 23rd, 10:00 – 11:00 at Casa Mia Cafe (7 Father David Bauer Drive)
Wednesday afternoons or evenings by appointment.

Amicable April Pub Nite with Jessica
“Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
And they're always glad you came… “(Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo)

As our part of the planet returns dramatically to green, and birds settle down for a long, pleasant stay, wouldn’t it be nice to settle in with Minister Jessica and other like-minded friends, surrounded by a wide range of libations and light snacks, an amiable ambience, and amicable conversation, sometimes light, sometimes illuminating? Well, you can! - at the ‘Amicable April Pub Nite with Jessica’, Thursday April 23, 8 PM to 10-ish, Huether Downstairs Lion Room. Hope to see you there - and maybe call out your name…

UNICAMP –CHANGED WEEK!! We are going Family Week Two (Not Family Week One)
Week One is too full due to overlap with the 40th Anniversary weekend, so we have moved our plans back a week. We hope you can join us!

Outside of Honeywood, Ontario is a Unitarian Universalist camp for all ages. In addition to special theme weekends and kids camps they host 3 weeks as focused specially for families. If you are interested, there is more information downstairs on the BB in the Children's RE area or please visit their website at www.unicampofontario.ca

If you wish for an announcement to be put in the announcement sheet, please email the wording of the announcement to Dawn at admin.waterloo@unitarians.ca

Announcements for Monday, March 23, 2009

Upcoming events and important dates:
Mon, Mar 23: Window Deadline
Tues, Mar 24: Family Playgroup – 10:30 am
Wed, Mar 25: Lunch with the Minister – 12:00 pm
Meditation Circle – 6:15 pm
Sat, Mar 28: Post AGM Leadership Retreat

SAVE THE DATE! Friday, May 8, 7:30 p.m.
You are cordially invited to attend the Installation of the Reverend Jessica Purple Rodela at First Unitarian Congregation of Waterloo. An installation ceremony is a time for a congregation and its called minister to publicly acknowledge their covenant to one another. Committee on Ministry member Lynn Rubenstein suggested this is like a wedding. Look for future announcements for details on this event, and about the evening's guest speaker, Rev. Jess's preaching mentor, the Rev. David Bumbaugh.

Update on “Controversial Books About Jesus”
Because of a scheduling conflict, the "Controversial Books about Jesus" session previously planned for March 26th has been moved to April 9th. The session for April 2nd is unchanged.

Joint Bank Account Dilemma: How Adoption Changes the World
Rev. Fred and Bonnie Cappuccino, the co-founders of Child Haven International, will be speaking at Trinity United Church, 74 Frederick Street, Kitchener at 4:30 pm on Saturday April 25, 2009.
The theme of their presentation will relate to their adoption of 19 children and how this changed them. The event is a partnership between Trinity United Church and the First Unitarian Congregation of Waterloo Region. The talk will be followed by a vegetarian meal. The event is scheduled to end at 7:30 pm.
Your freewill offering will be shared between Child Haven International and Trinity’s United for Peace Fund.
To attend please sign up on the bulletin board at the First Unitarian Congregation
To learn more about Child Haven International or Fred & Bonnie, check out www.childhaven.ca.
IRS
Child Haven International – Sunday April 26, 2009
Come out and enjoy an exciting Bazaar Style evening featuring great music, a vegetarian dinner catered by Jaipur Fine Indian Cuisine, silent auction, door prizes and many “objects d’art” for sale from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Tibet. Tickets are on sale this week and sell out fast….so hurry!
When: Sunday, April 26, 2009, St. George Banquet Hall, 665 King Street North, Waterloo – Silent Auction begins at 3 pm, Dinner at 5:30 pm

Tickets : Adults: $30.00
Children 5-12 :$10.00
For tickets, please contact: Ida Fisher or Leroy Dickey We hope to see you there!

Meditation Circle: Practical Buddhism
DON'T JUST DO SOMETHING, SIT THERE! Our meditation circle meets Wednesdays from 6:15 - 7:15pm in the upstairs foyer. All levels of interest and experience are welcome.

Lunch with the Minister continues Wednesdays, noon – 1:00 in the FUCW Library. (This is a drop-in event; bring a bag lunch and join the crowd.)

Minister Drop-in “Office Hours”:
Thursday, April 23rd, 10:00 – 11:00 at Casa Mia Cafe (7 Father David Bauer Drive)
Wednesday afternoons or evenings by appointment.

*Contacting the Minister* Rev. Jessica is available for your pastoral concerns, spiritual musings, or just to get acquainted. She can be reached at minister.waterloo@unitarians.ca. For emergencies, call her U.S. cell: 1-469-471-7582.

Amicable April Pub Nite with Jessica
“Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
And they're always glad you came… “(Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo)

As our part of the planet returns dramatically to green, and birds settle down for a long, pleasant stay, wouldn’t it be nice to settle in with Minister Jessica and other like-minded friends, surrounded by a wide range of libations and light snacks, an amiable ambience, and amicable conversation, sometimes light, sometimes illuminating? Well, you can! - at the ‘Amicable April Pub Nite with Jessica’, Thursday April 23, 8 PM to 10-ish, Huether Downstairs Lion Room. Hope to see you there - and maybe call out your name…

Look, Who Is a UU
Over the next few months, CRE will be seeking to identify some famous or well-known people that are UUs. We invite you to make this a Family Seek and Find Game. Please take the time to help discover people that are Unitarian Universalist that are still living or have died within the past 50 years. There will be a bulletin board in the CRE area where we will be posting the names of famous UUs. and a labeled box by the bulletin board to place the names of UU people you have discovered. Please add a very brief bio of their life.

"Rhythm Is..." the musical:
You are invited to see the final graduating piece of music composition major and personality Clara Hilts!
This performance will be a 25 minute-long excerpt that demonstrates her passion for the forest and it's inhabitants, the innocence of a child, enthusiastic collaboration, theatre, dance and of course, music.
It will be held on March 25th and is part of the New Music Concert series, one which features new works by Laurier's own composition majors throughout the year. It will take place in Maureen Forrester Recital Hall (Laurier), 8pm. Free admission.

UNICAMP –CHANGED WEEK!! We are going Family Week Two (Not Family Week One)
Week One is too full due to overlap with the 40th Anniversary weekend, so we have moved our plans back a week. We hope you can join us!

Outside of Honeywood, Ontario is a Unitarian Universalist camp for all ages. In addition to special theme weekends and kids camps they host 3 weeks as focused specially for families. For some years now several families from FUCW have gone to the family camp in August. Weekday mornings there is a program for children and parents have the option of program or free time. Swimming, hiking, games, and relaxing are the order of the week. You can camp in cabins or in your own tent and you can cook all your food or eat all meals at the cafeteria. If you are interested, there is more information downstairs on the BB in the Children's RE area or please visit their website at www.unicampofontario.ca or contact.

Fundraiser for Ukraine Trip - Giant Indoor Garage and Bake Sale
Helen Helps and her daughter Carolyn will be travelling to an orphanage in the Ukraine in July through the local humanitarian charitable organization Possibilities International (http://www.possibilities.com/shoptilyadrop.aspx.) While there, they will be taking all of the orphans (all 230 of them) shopping for new clothes for the first time ever. To raise money for the trip, they are holding a garage and bake sale at the former Baden Emporium building at 43 Snyder's Rd East in Baden on Saturday April 4 from 8 am to 3 pm and Sunday April 5 from noon to 4 pm.

If you wish for an announcement to be put in the announcement sheet, please email the wording of the announcement to Dawn at admin.waterloo@unitarians.ca

Announcements for Monday, March 16, 2009

Upcoming events and important dates:
Tues, Mar 17: Family Playgroup – 10:30 am
Wed, Mar 18: Lunch with the Minister – 12:00 pm
Meditation Circle – 6:15 pm
Board Meeting – 7:30 pm
Thurs, Mar 19: Controversial Books about Jesus – 7:30 pm
Pub Nite with Jessica – 8 pm

Look, Who Is a UU
Over the next few months, CRE will be seeking to identify some famous or well-known people that are UUs. We invite you to make this a Family Seek and Find Game. Please take the time to help discover people that are Unitarian Universalist that are still living or have died within the past 50 years. There will be a bulletin board in the CRE area where we will be posting the names of famous UUs. and a labeled box by the bulletin board to place the names of UU people you have discovered. Please add a very brief bio of their life.

"Rhythm Is..." the musical:
You are invited to see the final graduating piece of music composition major and personality Clara Hilts!
This performance will be a 25 minute-long excerpt that demonstrates her passion for the forest and it's inhabitants, the innocence of a child, enthusiastic collaboration, theatre, dance and of course, music. It will be held on March 25th and is part of the New Music Concert series, one which features new works by Laurier's own composition majors throughout the year. It will take place in Maureen Forrester Recital Hall (Laurier), 8pm. Free admission.

UNICAMP –CHANGED WEEK!! We are going Family Week Two (Not Family Week One)
Week One is too full due to overlap with the 40th Anniversary weekend, so we have moved our plans back a week. We hope you can join us!

Outside of Honeywood, Ontario is a Unitarian Universalist camp for all ages. In addition to special theme weekends and kids camps they host 3 weeks as focused specially for families. For some years now several families from FUCW have gone to the family camp in August. Weekday mornings there is a program for children and parents have the option of program or free time. Swimming, hiking, games, and relaxing are the order of the week. You can camp in cabins or in your own tent and you can cook all your food or eat all meals at the cafeteria. If you are interested, there is more information downstairs on the BB in the Children's RE area or please visit their website at www.unicampofontario.ca or contact Melissa Rockenfield.

Fundraiser for Ukraine Trip - Giant Indoor Garage and Bake Sale
Helen Helps and her daughter Carolyn will be travelling to an orphanage in the Ukraine in July through the local humanitarian charitable organization Possibilities International (http://www.possibilities.com/shoptilyadrop.aspx.) While there, they will be taking all of the orphans (all 230 of them) shopping for new clothes for the first time ever. To raise money for the trip, they are holding a garage and bake sale at the former Baden Emporium building at 43 Snyder's Rd East in Baden on Saturday April 4 from 8 am to 3 pm and Sunday April 5 from noon to 4 pm. For more information, contact Helen

Controversial Books About Jesus
Jack Horman
Four Thursdays
Dates: March 19, 26, April 2
Time: 7:30 - 9:30 pm
Place: 299 Sydney St., in the Board Room

This course is given from a critical and historical point of view, and is a rerun of a course given in 2005, in which we examined four books which proposed theories about the life and teaching of Jesus which are the source of controversy. Last time we looked at The Pagan Christ by Thomas Harpur, The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, The Jesus Puzzle by Earl Doherty and The Historical Jesus by Dominic Crossan. This time I propose to examine two of these along with two others, to be determined in consultation with those who take the course. Last summer, while browsing in WordsWorth Books, I noted twelve titles of books currently in print which purport to give the straight goods on the life and teachings of Jesus. It will be seen that none of these books are necessarily one hundred percent dead wrong, but none are completely without problems. We will examine them from a historical point of view, noting their strengths and weaknesses from that perspective.
Please sign up in advance at the RE Chalkboard in the Fellowship Hall

Meditation Circle: Practical Buddhism
DON'T JUST DO SOMETHING, SIT THERE! Our meditation circle meets Wednesdays from 6:15-7:15. All levels of interest and experience are welcome.

‘Mirthful March’ Pub Nite with Jessica – Thursday March 19th 8 PM
March 19th is a full 3 minutes and 1 second longer than the day before – the biggest 1-day increase of the entire year! Not only that, but for the first time in 2009, the hours of sun up will exceed the hours of sun down. And there’s more: Jessica will have totally completed the enjoyment of her first Canadian winter, and will be stepping into her first glorious Canadian spring. Surely all this requires a bit of a celebration …….and there is one! A ‘Mirthful March’ Pub Nite with Jessica, Crock and Block, King Street at Sydney in Kitchener, Thursday March 19, 8 PM to 10 PM- ish.
I R S
Child Haven International – Sunday April 26, 2009
Come out and enjoy an exciting Bazaar Style evening featuring great music, a vegetarian dinner catered by Jaipur Fine Indian Cuisine, silent auction, door prizes and many “objects d’art” for sale from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Tibet. Tickets are on sale this week and sell out fast….so hurry!
When: Sunday, April 26, 2009, St. George Banquet Hall, 665 King Street North, Waterloo – Silent Auction begins at 3 pm, Dinner at 5:30 pm

Tickets : Adults: $30.00
Children 5-12 :$10.00
For tickets, please contact: Ida Fisher 519-884-3466 or Leroy Dickey at 519 885-7261 We hope to see you there!

Lunch with the Minister continues Wednesdays, noon – 1:00 at Sydney Street. (This is a drop-in event; bring a bag lunch and join the crowd.)

Announcements for Monday March 9, 2009

Upcoming events and important dates:
Tues, Mar 10: Family Playgroup – 10:30 am
Wed, Mar 11: Lunch with the Minister – 12:00 pm
Meditation Circle – 6:15 pm
Library Team Meeting – 7:30 pm
Thurs, Mar 12: Controversial Books about Jesus – 7:30 pm
Fri, Mar. 13: Drop-in Office Hours – 3 pm

Look, Who Is a UU
Over the next few months, CRE will be seeking to identify some famous or well-known people that are UUs. We invite you to make this a Family Seek and Find Game. Please take the time to help discover people that are Unitarian Universalist that are still living or have died within the past 50 years. There will be a bulletin board in the CRE area where we will be posting the names of famous UUs. and a labelled box by the bulletin board to place the names of UU people you have discovered. Please add a very brief bio of their life.

Mary and Maureen's 20th Celebration
If you plan to attend, and have not already done so, please be certain to RSVP no later than March 11th! If you plan on bringing an item for the potluck, please bring any dish other than dessert.

UNICAMP – Let's try to be there together!
Outside of Honeywood, Ontario is a Unitarian Universalist camp for all ages. In addition to special theme weekends and kids camps they host 3 weeks as focused specially for families. For some years now several families from FUCW have gone to the family camp the first week of August. Weekday mornings there is a program for children and parents have the option of program or free time. Swimming, hiking, games, and relaxing are the order of the week. You can camp in cabins or in your own tent and you can cook all your food or eat all meals at the cafeteria. If you are interested, there is more information downstairs on the BB in the Children's RE area or please visit their website at www.unicampofontario.ca or contact Melissa Rockenfield.

Controversial Books About Jesus
Jack Horman
Four Thursdays
Dates: March 12, 19, 26, April 2
Time: 7:30 - 9:30 pm
Place: 299 Sydney St., in the Board Room

This course is given from a critical and historical point of view, and is a rerun of a course given in 2005, in which we examined four books which proposed theories about the life and teaching of Jesus which are the source of controversy. Last time we looked at The Pagan Christ by Thomas Harpur, The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, The Jesus Puzzle by Earl Doherty and The Historical Jesus by Dominic Crossan. This time I propose to examine two of these along with two others, to be determined in consultation with those who take the course. Last summer, while browsing in WordsWorth Books, I noted twelve titles of books currently in print which purport to give the straight goods on the life and teachings of Jesus. It will be seen that none of these books are necessarily one hundred percent dead wrong, but none are completely without problems. We will examine them from a historical point of view, noting their strengths and weaknesses from that perspective.
Please sign up in advance at the RE Chalkboard in the Fellowship Hall

Meditation Circle: Practical Buddhism
DON'T JUST DO SOMETHING, SIT THERE! Our meditation circle meets Wednesdays from 6:15-7:15. All levels of interest and experience are welcome.

‘Mirthful March’ Pub Nite with Jessica – Thursday March 19th 8 PM
March 19th is a full 3 minutes and 1 second longer than the day before – the biggest 1-day increase of the entire year! Not only that, but for the first time in 2009, the hours of sun up will exceed the hours of sun down. And there’s more: Jessica will have totally completed the enjoyment of her first Canadian winter, and will be stepping into her first glorious Canadian spring. Surely all this requires a bit of a celebration …….and there is one! A ‘Mirthful March’ Pub Nite with Jessica, Crock and Block, King Street at Sydney in Kitchener, Thursday March 19, 8 PM to 10 PM- ish.

Volunteers Needed - The O.W.L Program (Our Whole Lives)
The O.W.L Program (Our Whole Lives) is being done (for grades 7 and 8) in the community with 2 other area congregations. FUCW is hosting 2 of the 3 sleepovers (Friday/Sat. – February 27&28, 2009 and April 24&25, 2009). We need volunteers for specific discrete tasks, as outlined on the sign up sheets near the water fountain. Please consider contributing your time to this wonderful program.

2 F I R S
Child Haven International – Sunday April 26, 2009
Come out and enjoy an exciting Bazaar Style evening featuring great music, a vegetarian dinner catered by Jaipur Fine Indian Cuisine, silent auction, door prizes and many “objects d’art” for sale from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Tibet. Tickets are on sale this week and sell out fast….so hurry!
When: Sunday, April 26, 2009, St. George Banquet Hall, 665 King Street North, Waterloo – Silent Auction begins at 3 pm, Dinner at 5:30 pm

Tickets : Adults: $30.00
Children 5-12 :$10.00
For tickets, please contact: Ida Fisher or Leroy Dickey We hope to see you there!

Lunch with the Minister continues Wednesdays, noon – 1:00 at Sydney Street. (This is a drop-in event; bring a bag lunch and join the crowd.)

If you wish for an announcement to be put in the announcement sheet, please email the wording of the announcement to Dawn at admin.waterloo@unitarians.ca

Announcements for Monday March 2, 2009

Upcoming events and important dates:
Mon, Mar 2: Building Your Own Theology – 7 pm
Tues, Mar 3: Family Playgroup – 10:30 am
Wed, Mar 4: Lunch with the Minister – 12:00 pm
Meditation Circle – 6:15 pm
Sat, Mar 7: Fair Trade Coffee House – 8 pm


Friday Lecture Series – March 6, 2009 - Cancelled
The Friday Evening Lecture "Understanding How We Are Interconnected from a Near-Life Perspective" has been cancelled. Unfortunately for FUCW, Rev. Kathryn is leaving Canada ahead of schedule. Her joyful presence among us will be missed, and we send her southward with our best and fondest wishes!

Divine Feminine - discussion
Sunday March 8 after the service - we will meet to discuss the ideas from the service on March 1. If you missed the service and would like to read it before the discussion, please email Melissa and she will send it to you.

"Soup Lunch" Thank You!
Thanks to everyone for their "souper" support of the April 15th, soup lunch, to raise money for supplies to build a house in Guatemala for a family in need. Thanks to your generosity in purchasing soup, in saying "keep the change", and in direct donations, $539.00 was raised! Dianne and Samantha Heise-Bennett (a youth advisor and youth) will be joining a World Accord building expedition in March (along with two UU youth from neighbouring congregations.)

The New UU: A Faith for Your Future - Sat, March 7: 9:00 a.m. - noon
Rev. Jessica Rodela and the Membership Committee host this orientation seminar for those interested in exploring membership at First Unitarian Congregation of Waterloo. We will share our individual stories, explore the foundations of Unitarian Universalist history and theology, and discuss the practice of membership. Come explore how this faith community can inform and enrich your life. Registration is required!

USC Fair Trade Coffee House: March 7: 8pm
Remember the wonderful music last year? Fair Trade Coffee, Millbank cheeses and chocolate? Delicious refreshments and desserts? Celebrating our friendships and community with song? Colin Read and Stephen Preece are organizing the music and talent, so expect another fantastic evening that supports a valuable cause. At the Feb 15 coffee hour, look for sign-up sheets to volunteer for food, setup and clean up, One request: if bringing food, please use as little disposable food wrap and packaging as possible. (Reduce Reduce Reduce) Put March 7, 8pm on your calendars for this year's USC Fair Trade Coffee House.

UNICAMP – Let's try to be there together!
Outside of Honeywood, Ontario is a Unitarian Universalist camp for all ages. In addition to special theme weekends and kids camps they host 3 weeks as focused specially for families. For some years now several families from FUCW have gone to the family camp the first week of August. Weekday mornings there is a program for children and parents have the option of program or free time. Swimming, hiking, games, and relaxing are the order of the week. You can camp in cabins or in your own tent and you can cook all your food or eat all meals at the cafeteria. If you are interested, there is more information downstairs on the BB in the Children's RE area or please visit their website at www.unicampofontario.ca or contact Melissa Rockenfield.

Controversial Books About Jesus
Jack Horman
Four Thursdays
Dates: March 12, 19, 26, April 2
Time: 7:30 - 9:30 pm
Place: 299 Sydney St., in the Board Room

This course is given from a critical and historical point of view, and is a rerun of a course given in 2005, in which we examined four books which proposed theories about the life and teaching of Jesus which are the source of controversy. Last time we looked at The Pagan Christ by Thomas Harpur, The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, The Jesus Puzzle by Earl Doherty and The Historical Jesus by Dominic Crossan. This time I propose to examine two of these along with two others, to be determined in consultation with those who take the course. Last summer, while browsing in WordsWorth Books, I noted twelve titles of books currently in print which purport to give the straight goods on the life and teachings of Jesus. It will be seen that none of these books are necessarily one hundred percent dead wrong, but none are completely without problems. We will examine them from a historical point of view, noting their strengths and weaknesses from that perspective.
Please sign up in advance at the RE Chalkboard in the Fellowship Hall

‘Mirthful March’ Pub Nite with Jessica – Thursday March 19th 8 PM
March 19th is a full 3 minutes and 1 second longer than the day before – the biggest 1-day increase of the entire year! Not only that, but for the first time in 2009, the hours of sun up will exceed the hours of sun down. And there’s more: Jessica will have totally completed the enjoyment of her first Canadian winter, and will be stepping into her first glorious Canadian spring. Surely all this requires a bit of a celebration …….and there is one! A ‘Mirthful March’ Pub Nite with Jessica, Crock and Block, King Street at Sydney in Kitchener, Thursday March 19, 8 PM to 10 PM- ish.

Volunteers Needed - The O.W.L Program (Our Whole Lives)
The O.W.L Program (Our Whole Lives) is being done (for grades 7 and 8) in the community with 2 other area congregations. FUCW is hosting 2 of the 3 sleepovers (Friday/Sat. – February 27&28, 2009 and April 24&25, 2009). We need volunteers for specific discrete tasks, as outlined on the sign up sheets near the water fountain. Please consider contributing your time to this wonderful program.

2 F I R S
Child Haven International – Sunday April 26, 2009
Come out and enjoy an exciting Bazaar Style evening featuring great music, a vegetarian dinner catered by Jaipur Fine Indian Cuisine, silent auction, door prizes and many “objects d’art” for sale from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Tibet. Tickets are on sale this week and sell out fast….so hurry!
When: Sunday, April 26, 2009, St. George Banquet Hall, 665 King Street North, Waterloo – Silent Auction begins at 3 pm, Dinner at 5:30 pm

Tickets : Adults: $30.00
Children 5-12 :$10.00
For tickets, please contact: Ida Fisher 466 or Leroy Dickey We hope to see you there!

Lunch with the Minister continues Wednesdays, noon – 1:00 at Sydney Street. (This is a drop-in event; bring a bag lunch and join the crowd.)

Meditation Circle: Practical Buddhism
DON'T JUST DO SOMETHING, SIT THERE! Our meditation circle meets Wednesdays from 6:15-7:15. All levels of interest and experience are welcome.

The Radical Choir Celebration
The Radical Choir is celebrating its 1st Birthday! To celebrate they are performing with some friends from the community. FUCW friends and members are invited to join them for a celebration with music and friends!
When: Fri March 6th, 7pm
Grad Pub, WLU
$5 or Pay What You Can
Please feel free to invite your friends and family!
The bar will be open for serving, and this is a family friendly event.
The Grad Pub is wheelchair accessible also.

Announcements for Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Upcoming events and important dates:
Mon, Feb 16: Family Day
Building Your Own Theology – 7 pm
Tues, Feb 17: Family Playgroup – 10:30 am
CRE Committee Meeting – 7 pm
Wed, Feb 18: Lunch with the Minister – 12:00 pm
Meditation Circle – 6:15 pm
Thurs, Feb 19: Pub Nite – Huether Lion Room – 8 pm

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

The New UU: A Faith for Your Future
Saturday, March 7: 9:00 a.m. - Noon
Rev. Jessica Rodela and the Membership Committee host this orientation seminar for those interested in exploring membership at First Unitarian Congregation of Waterloo. We will share our individual stories, explore the foundations of Unitarian Universalist history and theology, and discuss the practice of membership. Come explore how this faith community can inform and enrich your life. Registration is required! Please sign up at the chalkboard or RSVP directly to minister.waterloo@unitarians.ca .

Friday Lecture Series – March 6, 2009
Understanding How We Are Interconnected from a "Near-Life" Perspective
Kathryn Kenyon
Friday March 6 at 7:30 pm
After having a "Near-Life" Experience during major surgery in 2000, Kathryn offers a unique perspective on how the UniVerse in all it's splendorous expressions, can be interpreted through a common language, leading us to a deeper sense of interconnectedness.

Controversial Books About Jesus
Jack Horman
Four Thursdays
Dates: March 12, 19, 26, April 2
Time: 7:30 - 9:30 pm
Place: 299 Sydney St., in the Board Room

This course is given from a critical and historical point of view, and is a rerun of a course given in 2005, in which we examined four books which proposed theories about the life and teaching of Jesus which are the source of controversy. Last time we looked at The Pagan Christ by Thomas Harpur, The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, The Jesus Puzzle by Earl Doherty and The Historical Jesus by Dominic Crossan. This time I propose to examine two of these along with two others, to be determined in consultation with those who take the course. Last summer, while browsing in WordsWorth Books, I noted twelve titles of books currently in print which purport to give the straight goods on the life and teachings of Jesus. It will be seen that none of these books are necessarily one hundred percent dead wrong, but none are completely without problems. We will examine them from a historical point of view, noting their strengths and weaknesses from that perspective.
Please sign up in advance at the RE Chalkboard in the Fellowship Hall,

Feb 25, 2009 – Green Sanctuary Committee Meeting
The Green Sanctuary Committee's next meeting is on Wed. Feb. 25, 7:00 p.m. at the church. We welcome visitors and/or new members.

Volunteers Needed - The O.W.L Program (Our Whole Lives)
The O.W.L Program (Our Whole Lives) is being done (for grades 7 and 8) in the community with 2 other area congregations. FUCW is hosting 2 of the 3 sleepovers (Friday/Sat. – February 27&28, 2009 and April 24&25, 2009). We need volunteers for specific discrete tasks, as outlined on the sign up sheets near the water fountain. Please consider contributing your time to this wonderful program.

USC Fair Trade Coffee House: March 7: 8pm
Remember the wonderful music last year? Fair Trade Coffee, Millbank cheeses and chocolate? Delicious refreshments and desserts? Celebrating our friendships and community with song? Colin Read and Stephen Preece are organizing the music and talent, so expect another fantastic evening that supports a valuable cause. At the Feb 15 coffee hour, look for sign-up sheets to volunteer for food, setup and clean up, One request: if bringing food, please use as little disposable food wrap and packaging as possible. (Reduce Reduce Reduce) Put March 7, 8pm on your calendars for this year's USC Fair Trade Coffee House.

March 1: No Plastic Bottles: Get Informed about Bottled Water:
At Coffee Hour on March 1, the Social Action Committee will have thorough and important information for you about tap and bottled water - carbon footprint, health issues, branding, Nestles, aquifers, the Grand River Watershed, and more. Come to our table. Ask us questions. Take a handout to read or discuss over coffee. Sign up to receive an email for more information.

Child Haven International – Sunday April 26, 2009
Come out and enjoy an exciting Bazaar Style evening featuring great music, a vegetarian dinner catered by Jaipur Fine Indian Cuisine, silent auction, door prizes and many "objects d'art" for sale from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Tibet. Tickets are on sale this week and sell out fast….so hurry!
When: Sunday, April 26, 2009, St. George Banquet Hall, 665 King Street North, Waterloo – Silent Auction begins at 3 pm, Dinner at 5:30 pm

Tickets : Adults: $30.00
Children 5-12 :$10.00
For tickets, please contact: Ida Fisher 519-884-3466 or Leroy Dickey. We hope to see you there!

Lunch with the Minister continues Wednesdays, noon – 1:00 at Sydney Street. (This is a drop-in event; bring a bag lunch and join the crowd.)

Meditation Circle: Practical Buddhism
DON'T JUST DO SOMETHING, SIT THERE! Our meditation circle meets Wednesdays from 6:15-7:15. All levels of interest and experience are welcome.

February Frolic Pub Nite with Jessica - Thursday Feb 19 8 PM Huether Lion Room

"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer." — Abraham Lincoln

Not long after the above famous quote was attributed to Lincoln, Arctic explorer Fridtjof Nansen and his crew were settling down for a second straight winter with their ship locked into the Arctic ice, their spirits helped enormously by their wind-powered electric light (well before the availability of incandescent light bulbs), it's brightness dispelling the gloom of 7 X 24 winter arctic darkness.

What can we learn from this, as we approach our own 110th day of winter snow amidst our own national crises? Why, we can re-charge each other's spirits with both brightness and beer at….. the February Frolic Pub Nite with Jessica, Thursday Feb 19, 8 pm to 10-ish, back at the Huether Lion Room in Waterloo. Good spirits, a wide range of other libations and munchies, deep conversation and/or witty repartee, a prohibition-era setting, glad tidings, and hopefully …. thee.
Hope to see you there!

Announcements for Monday, February 9, 2009

Mon, Feb 9: Building Your Own Theology – 7 pm
Tues, Feb 10: Family Playgroup – 10:30 am
Wed, Feb 11: Lunch with the Minister – 12:00 pm
Meditation Circle – 6:15 pm
Sat. Feb 14: Happy Valentines Day!
Sun. Feb 15: Soup Sunday


Friday Lecture Series – March 6, 2009
Understanding How We Are Interconnected from a "Near-Life" Perspective
Kathryn Kenyon
Friday March 6 at 7:30 pm

After having a "Near-Life" Experience during major surgery in 2000, Kathryn offers a unique perspective on how the UniVerse in all it's splendorous expressions, can be interpreted through a common language, leading us to a deeper sense of interconnectedness.

Controversial Books About Jesus
Jack Horman
Four Thursdays
Dates: March 12, 19, 26, April 2
Time: 7:30 - 9:30 pm
Place: 299 Sydney St., in the Board Room

This course is given from a critical and historical point of view, and is a rerun of a course given in 2005, in which we examined four books which proposed theories about the life and teaching of Jesus which are the source of controversy. Last time we looked at The Pagan Christ by Thomas Harpur, The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, The Jesus Puzzle by Earl Doherty and The Historical Jesus by Dominic Crossan. This time I propose to examine two of these along with two others, to be determined in consultation with those who take the course. Last summer, while browsing in WordsWorth Books, I noted twelve titles of books currently in print which purport to give the straight goods on the life and teachings of Jesus. It will be seen that none of these books are necessarily one hundred percent dead wrong, but none are completely without problems. We will examine them from a historical point of view, noting their strengths and weaknesses from that perspective.
Please sign up in advance at the RE Chalkboard in the Fellowship Hall

Feb 25, 2009 – Green Sanctuary Committee Meeting
The Green Sanctuary Committee's next meeting is on Wed. Feb. 25, 7:00 p.m. at the church. We welcome visitors and/or new members.

Volunteers Needed - The O.W.L Program (Our Whole Lives)
The O.W.L Program (Our Whole Lives) is being done (for grades 7 and 8) in the community with 2 other area congregations. FUCW is hosting 2 of the 3 sleepovers (Friday/Sat. – February 27&28, 2009 and April 24&25, 2009). We need volunteers for specific discrete tasks, as outlined on the sign up sheets near the water fountain. Please consider contributing your time to this wonderful program.

USC Fair Trade Coffee House: March 7: 8pm
Remember the wonderful music last year? Fair Trade Coffee, Millbank cheeses and chocolate? Delicious refreshments and desserts? Celebrating our friendships and community with song? Colin Read and Stephen Preece are organizing the music and talent, so expect another fantastic evening that supports a valuable cause. At the Feb 15 coffee hour, look for sign-up sheets to volunteer for food, setup and clean up, One request: if bringing food, please use as little disposable food wrap and packaging as possible. (Reduce Reduce Reduce) Put March 7, 8pm on your calendars for this year's USC Fair Trade Coffee House.

March 1: No Plastic Bottles: Get Informed about Bottled Water:
At Coffee Hour on March 1, the Social Action Committee will have thorough and important information for you about tap and bottled water - carbon footprint, health issues, branding, Nestles, aquifers, the Grand River Watershed, and more. Come to our table. Ask us questions. Take a handout to read or discuss over coffee. Sign up to receive an email for more information.

Child Haven International – Sunday April 26, 2009
Come out and enjoy an exciting Bazaar Style evening featuring great music, a vegetarian dinner catered by Jaipur Fine Indian Cuisine, silent auction, door prizes and many "objects d'art" for sale from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Tibet. Tickets are on sale this week and sell out fast….so hurry!
When: Sunday, April 26, 2009, St. George Banquet Hall, 665 King Street North, Waterloo – Silent Auction begins at 3 pm, Dinner at 5:30 pm

Tickets : Adults: $30.00
Children 5-12 :$10.00
For tickets, please contact: Ida Fisher or Leroy Dickey We hope to see you there!

Circumspection on Chalice Circles
Thanks to the many of you who filled out forms for our upcoming Chalice Circle relaunch. I will be coordinating with potential facilitators in the coming weeks. I am hoping that each of you will be contacted by late February with an invitation to attend a session. Thank you for your interest and your patience as we get organized. Invitation forms for groups are still available downstairs by the file folders. If you have further questions, please contact Rev Jess in the church office or via email: minister.waterloo@unitarians.ca .

Lunch with the Minister continues Wednesdays, noon – 1:00 at Sydney Street. (This is a drop-in event; bring a bag lunch and join the crowd.)

Meditation Circle: Practical Buddhism
DON'T JUST DO SOMETHING, SIT THERE! Our meditation circle meets Wednesdays from 6:15-7:15. All levels of interest and experience are welcome.

February Frolic Pub Nite with Jessica - Thursday Feb 19 8 PM Huether Lion Room
"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer." — Abraham Lincoln

Not long after the above famous quote was attributed to Lincoln, Arctic explorer Fridtjof Nansen and his crew were settling down for a second straight winter with their ship locked into the Arctic ice, their spirits helped enormously by their wind-powered electric light (well before the availability of incandescent light bulbs), it's brightness dispelling the gloom of 7 X 24 winter arctic darkness.

What can we learn from this, as we approach our own 110th day of winter snow amidst our own national crises? Why, we can re-charge each other's spirits with both brightness and beer at….. the February Frolic Pub Nite with Jessica, Thursday Feb 19, 8 pm to 10-ish, back at the Huether Lion Room in Waterloo. Good spirits, a wide range of other libations and munchies, deep conversation and/or witty repartee, a prohibition-era setting, glad tidings, and hopefully …. thee.
Hope to see you there!

Announcements for Monday, February 2, 2009

Upcoming events and important dates:
Tues, Feb 3: Family Playgroup – 10:30 am
Wed, Feb 4: Lunch with the Minister – 12:00 pm
Meditation Circle – 6:15 pm
Fri. Feb 6: Friday Evening Lecture – 7:30 pm
Sat. Feb 7: Spirit of Life Choir Rehearsal – 4-6 pm
Sun. Feb 8: Annual General Meeting – 12:00 noon

Annual Report 2008
Please pick up your copy of the Annual Report 2008 which has been placed in your file folder for members and friends. The Annual General Meeting will be held the following Sunday, February 8, 2009, and all are urged to bring their copy of the Annual Report with them to the meeting.

Announcement of the 2009 Annual General Meeting
Date: Sunday, February 8, 2009
Time: 12 noon
Place: 299 Sydney Street South
Please plan to attend our annual general meeting. This is the time for us to conduct important congregational business such as reviewing our finances and approving a budget for the coming year, electing new members to the Board of Trustees and ratifying those who are continuing on the Board for another year. You will hear from congregational leaders about our activities of the past year and will have the opportunity to ask questions.
According to our By-laws the required quorum for a congregational meeting is 30% of members. To vote at a congregational meeting an individual must have been a member of the congregation for at least 30 days prior to the meeting. Although only members can vote at the meeting, all are welcome to attend. Childcare will be provided. You are warmly invited to bring finger food to help sustain us during the meeting.

Volunteers Needed - The O.W.L Program (Our Whole Lives)
The O.W.L Program (Our Whole Lives) is being offered (for grades 7 and 8) in the community with 2 other area congregations. FUCW is hosting 2 of the 3 sleepovers (Friday/Sat. – February 27&28, 2009 and April 24&25, 2009). We need volunteers for specific discrete tasks, as outlined on the sign up sheets near the water fountain. Please consider contributing your time to this wonderful program.

USC Fair Trade Coffee House: March 7: 8pm
Remember the wonderful music last year? Fair Trade Coffee, Millbank cheeses and chocolate? Delicious refreshments and desserts? Celebrating our friendships and community with song? Colin Read and Stephen Preece are organizing the music and talent, so expect another fantastic evening that supports a valuable cause. At the Feb 15 coffee hour, look for sign-up sheets to volunteer for food, setup and clean up, One request: if bringing food, please use as little disposable food wrap and packaging as possible. (Reduce Reduce Reduce) Put March 7, 8pm on your calendars for this year's USC Fair Trade Coffee House.

March 1: No Plastic Bottles: Get Informed about Bottled Water:
At Coffee Hour on March 1, the Social Action Committee will have thorough and important information for you about tap and bottled water - carbon footprint, health issues, branding, Nestles, aquifers, the Grand River Watershed, and more. Come to our table. Ask us questions. Take a handout to read or discuss over coffee. Sign up to receive an email for more information.

February 6, 2009 – Liberation Theology Critically Examined
Adult Religious Education-Friday Evening Lecture Series
Oscar Cole Arnal
7:30 pm in the Sanctuary
Oz is Professor of Church History at Waterloo Lutheran Seminary and the author of six books including To Set the Captives Free: Liberation Theology in Canada. He was the NDP candidate in Kitchener Centre in the recent federal election.
2 F I R S

Child Haven International – Sunday April 26, 2009
Come out and enjoy an exciting Bazaar Style evening featuring great music, a vegetarian dinner catered by Jaipur Fine Indian Cuisine, silent auction, door prizes and many "objects d'art" for sale from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Tibet. Tickets are on sale this week and sell out fast….so hurry!
When: Sunday, April 26, 2009, St. George Banquet Hall, 665 King Street North, Waterloo – Silent Auction begins at 3 pm, Dinner at 5:30 pm

Tickets : Adults: $30.00
Children 5-12 :$10.00
For tickets, please contact: Ida Fisher 519-884-3466 or Leroy Dickey at 519 885-7261 We hope to see you there!

Circumspection on Chalice Circles
Thanks to the many of you who filled out forms for our upcoming Chalice Circle relaunch. I will be coordinating with potential facilitators in the coming weeks. I am hoping that each of you will be contacted by late February with an invitation to attend a session. Thank you for your interest and your patience as we get organized. Invitation forms for groups are still available downstairs by the file folders. If you have further questions, please contact Rev Jess in the church office or via email: minister.waterloo@unitarians.ca .

Hymnals for Dedication
We have received requests to purchase hymnals for dedication. We will be placing an order by the end of January. Anyone interested in purchasing a hymnal should contact Bruce Richter. The cost of the hymnal is approximately $50.

Lunch with the Minister continues Wednesdays, noon – 1:00 at Sydney Street. (This is a drop-in event; bring a bag lunch and join the crowd.)

Meditation Circle: Practical Buddhism
DON'T JUST DO SOMETHING, SIT THERE! Our meditation circle meets Wednesdays from 6:15-7:15. All levels of interest and experience are welcome.

February Frolic Pub Nite with Jessica - Thursday Feb 19 8 PM Huether Lion Room

"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer." — Abraham Lincoln

Not long after the above famous quote was attributed to Lincoln, Arctic explorer Fridtjof Nansen and his crew were settling down for a second straight winter with their ship locked into the Arctic ice, their spirits helped enormously by their wind-powered electric light (well before the availability of incandescent light bulbs), it's brightness dispelling the gloom of 7 X 24 winter arctic darkness.

What can we learn from this, as we approach our own 110th day of winter snow amidst our own national crises? Why, we can re-charge each other's spirits with both brightness and beer at….. the February Frolic Pub Nite with Jessica, Thursday Feb 19, 8 pm to 10-ish, back at the Huether Lion Room in Waterloo. Good spirits, a wide range of other libations and munchies, deep conversation and/or witty repartee, a prohibition-era setting, glad tidings, and hopefully …. thee.
Hope to see you there!


If you wish for an announcement to be put in the announcement sheet, please email the wording of the announcement to Dawn at admin.waterloo@unitarians.ca

Announcements for Monday, January 26, 2009

Announcements for Monday, January 26, 2009

Upcoming events and important dates:
Mon, Jan 26: Women's Book Group – 1:30
Building Your Own Theology – 7 pm
Tues, Jan 27: Family Playgroup – 10:30 am
Wed, Jan 28: Lunch with the Minister – 12:00 pm
Meditation Circle – 6:15 pm
Native American Traditions – 7:30 pm

Announcement of the 2009 Annual General Meeting
Date: Sunday, February 8, 2009
Time: 12 noon
Place: 299 Sydney Street South
Please plan to attend our annual general meeting. This is the time for us to conduct important congregational business such as reviewing our finances and approving a budget for the coming year, electing new members to the Board of Trustees and ratifying those who are continuing on the Board for another year. You will hear from congregational leaders about our activities of the past year and will have the opportunity to ask questions.
According to our By-laws the required quorum for a congregational meeting is 30% of members. To vote at a congregational meeting an individual must have been a member of the congregation for at least 30 days prior to the meeting. Although only members can vote at the meeting, all are welcome to attend. Childcare will be provided. You are warmly invited to bring finger food to help sustain us during the meeting.

Circumspection on Chalice Circles
Thanks to the many of you who filled out forms for our upcoming Chalice Circle relaunch. I will be coordinating with potential facilitators in the coming weeks. I am hoping that each of you will be contacted by late February with an invitation to attend a session. Thank you for your interest and your patience as we get organized. Invitation forms for groups are still available downstairs by the file folders. If you have further questions, please contact Rev Jess in the church office or via email: minister.waterloo@unitarians.ca .

Child Haven International – Sunday April 26, 2009
Come out and enjoy an exciting Bazaar Style evening featuring great music, a vegetarian dinner catered by Jaipur Fine Indian Cuisine, silent auction, door prizes and many "objects d'art" for sale from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Tibet. Tickets are on sale this week and sell out fast….so hurry!
When: Sunday, April 26, 2009, St. George Banquet Hall, 665 King Street North, Waterloo – Silent Auction begins at 3 pm, Dinner at 5:30 pm

Tickets : Adults: $30.00
Children 5-12 :$10.00
For tickets, please contact: Ida Fisher 519-884-3466 or Leroy Dickey at 519 885-7261 We hope to see you there!

Spirit of Life Choir
The next choir performance will be during the service of February 8. Rehearsals are 4-6pm Saturdays 24, 31 January and 7 February in the sanctuary. All are welcome.

Hymnals for Dedication
We have received requests to purchase hymnals for dedication. We will be placing an order by the end of January. Anyone interested in purchasing a hymnal should contact Bruce Richter. The cost of the hymnal is approximately $50.

Native American Traditions: Experiential Teachings of the Lakota and Oglala Sioux
Rev. Kathryn Kenyon

Wednesday – January 28; 7:30 to 9:30 pm; downstairs

January 28 - Smudging, Giveaway Ceremony, and Grounding Feast
Kathryn is an ordained minister of the Fellowship of the Inner Light in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She has a degree in Social Work from Norfolk State University. Before changing career in 1995, she worked as an Electronic Engineer for 12 years. Kathryn has been following the "Red Road" of Native American
Spiritualism for over 10 years, and has been running the Featherstone Family and Multi-Cultural Center for the past eight years where she has been practicing Shamanism.

Please sign up in advance at the ARE Chalkboard downstairs, or contact Kathryn at 519-746-0483.
RE 2 F I R S

February 6, 2009 – Liberation Theology Critically Examined
Adult Religious Education-Friday Evening Lecture Series
Oscar Cole Arnal
7:30 pm in the Sanctuary
Oz is Professor of Church History at Waterloo Lutheran Seminary and the author of six books including To Set the Captives Free: Liberation Theology in Canada. He was the NDP candidate in Kitchener Centre in the recent federal election.

February Frolic Pub Nite with Jessica - Thursday Feb 19 8 PM Huether Lion Room

"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer." — Abraham Lincoln

Not long after the above famous quote was attributed to Lincoln, Arctic explorer Fridtjof Nansen and his crew were settling down for a second straight winter with their ship locked into the Arctic ice, their spirits helped enormously by their wind-powered electric light (well before the availability of incandescent light bulbs), it's brightness dispelling the gloom of 7 X 24 winter arctic darkness.

What can we learn from this, as we approach our own 110th day of winter snow amidst our own national crises? Why, we can re-charge each other's spirits with both brightness and beer at….. the February Frolic Pub Nite with Jessica, Thursday Feb 19, 8 pm to 10-ish, back at the Huether Lion Room in Waterloo. Good spirits, a wide range of other libations and munchies, deep conversation and/or witty repartee, a prohibition-era setting, glad tidings, and hopefully …. thee.

Hope to see you there!

Lunch with the Minister continues Wednesdays, noon – 1:00 at Sydney Street. (This is a drop-in event; bring a bag lunch and join the crowd.)

Meditation Circle: Practical Buddhism
DON'T JUST DO SOMETHING, SIT THERE! Our meditation circle meets Wednesdays from 6:15-7:15. All levels of interest and experience are welcome.

If you wish for an announcement to be put in the announcement sheet, please email the wording of the announcement to Dawn at admin.waterloo@unitarians.ca

Announcements for January 19, 2009

Upcoming events and important dates:
Mon, Jan 19: Building Your Own Theology – 7 pm
Window Deadline
Tues, Jan 20: Family Playgroup – 10:30 am
Wed, Jan 21: Lunch with the Minister – 12:00 pm
Meditation Circle – 6:15 pm
Native American Traditions – 7:30 pm
Drop in "office hours" – Working Centre – 10 am
Thurs, Jan 22: Pub Nite with Jessica – Crock and Block – 8 pm
Fri, Jan 23: Drop in Office Hours – Casa Mia – 3 pm

Committee Reports Deadline – Sunday January 18, 2009
Committee Reports for our Annual General Meeting are due on January 18, 2009. The Annual Report will be available a week before the AGM on February 8, 2009. Please submit your report to Rhoda Riemer by Sunday January 18 (note her new email address), or place your report in Rhoda's file folder at Sydney Street. Call or email Rhoda if you have any questions.

Announcement of the 2009 Annual General Meeting
Date: Sunday, February 8, 2009
Time: 12 noon
Place: 299 Sydney Street South
Please plan to attend our annual general meeting. This is the time for us to conduct important congregational business such as reviewing our finances and approving a budget for the coming year, electing new members to the Board of Trustees and ratifying those who are continuing on the Board for another year. You will hear from congregational leaders about our activities of the past year and will have the opportunity to ask questions.

According to our By-laws the required quorum for a congregational meeting is 30% of members. To vote at a congregational meeting an individual must have been a member of the congregation for at least 30 days prior to the meeting. Although only members can vote at the meeting, all are welcome to attend. Childcare will be provided. You are warmly invited to bring finger food to help sustain us during the meeting.

Speaking Tour on Siege of Gaza & Israel
Jeff Halper Nobel Prize Nominee and
Israeli Peace Activist (ICAHD) visits Canada
Trinity United Church in Kitchener
74 Frederick St. (between Duke and Weber)
Friday, January 23rd 12:30 – 2:30 pm

Please bring a brown bag lunch. Coffee, tea, juice, and water provided.
Parking available in Market Square parking garage and limited amount of parking on Duke Street in Trinity parking lot.
For information about arrangements in Kitchener, please contact:
Reverend Desmond Jagger-Parsons
Sponsored in Kitchener-Waterloo by KAIROS Grand River.

Jeff Halper, an Israeli human rights activist, anthropology professor, coordinator of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) and 2006 Nobel Peace Prize nominee will be in Southern Ontario (January 20 - 23) as part of a cross-Canada speaking tour. Halper will be talking about how Canadians can participate in peaceful resistance against the Israeli siege of Gaza and occupation in the West Bank.

Child Haven International – Sunday April 26, 2009
Come out and enjoy an exciting Bazaar Style evening featuring great music, a vegetarian dinner catered by Jaipur Fine Indian Cuisine, silent auction, door prizes and many "objects d'art" for sale from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Tibet. Tickets are on sale this week and sell out fast….so hurry!
When: Sunday, April 26, 2009, St. George Banquet Hall, 665 King Street North, Waterloo – Silent Auction begins at 3 pm, Dinner at 5:30 pm

Tickets : Adults: $30.00
Children 5-12 :$10.00
For tickets, please contact: Ida Fisher or Leroy Dickey

Green Sanctuary Committee
Maude Barlow, Senior Advisor on Water to the president of the UN General Assembly will be speaking at the First Untied Church, 16 William St. W., Waterloo, on Thursday, Jan 22 at 7 pm, to support municipal water supplies in the face of the efforts of the bottled water industry to discredit our public resource. Many of us have read her gripping books on water being a human right, in danger of being lost. Let's support her untiring, global efforts.

Dignity for All: Campaign for a Poverty-Free Canada.
Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ), along with the Waterloo Lutheran
Seminary and the Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition (ISARC),
is hosting a pre-budget workshop on poverty in Canada on *Thursday,
January 22, 2009 from 7:00-9:30pm * at St. Mark's Lutheran Church (825
King St. W., Kitchener). The workshop will examine poverty from
the perspective of human dignity, explore the possibilities for a federal poverty reduction strategy, and offer empowering ways to engage with your government and involve your faith community as we work to build a poverty-free Canada. For more information, visit www.cpj.ca or contact Mariel Angus at mariel@cpj.ca

CPJ is a national organization that promotes public justice in Canada by
shaping key policy debates through research and analysis, publishing and
public dialogue.

Spirit of Life Choir
The next choir performance will be during the service of February 8. Rehearsals are 4-6pm Saturdays 24, 31 January and 7 February in the sanctuary. All are welcome.

Hymnals for Dedication
We have received requests to purchase hymnals for dedication. We will be placing an order by the end of January. Anyone interested in purchasing a hymnal should contact Bruce Richter. The cost of the hymnal is approximately $50.

The Green Sanctuary Committee
The Green Sanctuary Committee will meet on Wed. Jan. 21 at 7:00 in the church basement. New members, or those considering membership, are very welcome.

OVERFLOW PARKING
Delta Elevators has given us permission to use their parking lot for overflow parking. This should be particularly useful when street parking is not allowed because of snow conditions. The Delta Elevators building is visible from our front door and is located on Mill St. at the end of Sydney St.. The parking lot in question is on the north side of their building.

Ministers Drop-in "Office Hours"
Wednesday, January 21 from 10:00 to 11:00 am at the Working Centre's Queen Street Commons Café (43 Queen Street South, Kitchener).

'Very Merry January' Pub Nite with Jessica (Please Note Changed Location!!)
"Skiing consists of wearing $3,000 worth of clothes and equipment, and driving 200 miles in the snow, in order to stand around at a bar and drink ", says P. J. O'Rourke. As some of us gently try to encourage Minister Jessica to enjoy some of our winter sports, maybe we can start with that last part first - with a 'Very Merry Jan-ewe-ary Pub Nite with Jessica' on Thursday January 22, 8 pm 'til 10 pm -ish, now at the Crock & Block 1211 King Street East at Sydney St. (unfortunately, the previously announced location, the Castle on King, closed forever in late December.)

Please bring your usual joviality and hilarity. Enjoy a wide range of libations. In consideration of the overall long-term objective, it might be good if you restrict your winter sports stories to those full of joy, adventure, and exhilaration, skillfully excluding those involving injuries or frozen appendages.

Hope to CU there!

Native American Traditions: Experiential Teachings of the Lakota and Oglala Sioux
Rev. Kathryn Kenyon

Wednesdays – January 21 and 28; 7:30 to 9:30 pm; downstairs

January 21 - Smudging, Drum Circle and Songs, Animal Totems
January 28 - Smudging, Giveaway Ceremony, and Grounding Feast
Kathryn is an ordained minister of the Fellowship of the Inner Light in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She has a degree in Social Work from Norfolk State University. Before changing career in 1995, she worked as an Electronic Engineer for 12 years. Kathryn has been following the "Red Road" of Native American
Spiritualism for over 10 years, and has been running the Featherstone Family and Multi-Cultural Center for the past eight years where she has been practicing Shamanism.

Please sign up in advance at the ARE Chalkboard downstairs, or contact Kathryn

Lunch with the Minister continues Wednesdays, noon – 1:00 at Sydney Street. (This is a drop-in event; bring a bag lunch and join the crowd.)

Meditation Circle: Practical Buddhism
DON'T JUST DO SOMETHING, SIT THERE! Our meditation circle meets Wednesdays from 6:15-7:15. All levels of interest and experience are welcome.

The Rainbow Chorus – January 24, 2009
Come on out and enjoy an evening of wonderful music. The Rainbow Chorus presents BELONGING; Saturday January 24, 2009, 8:00 PM, Harcourt United Church, 87 Dean Avenue, Guelph. More information and tickets can be
obtained by visiting the website www.rainbowchorus.ca or by contacting Jane Keller

If you wish for an announcement to be put in the announcement sheet, please email the wording of the announcement to Dawn at admin.waterloo@unitarians.ca

Announcements for Monday, December 22, 2008

Upcoming events and important dates:
Mon, Dec 22: Happy Hanukkah
Wed, Dec 24: "Out of the Stars We Have Come" – 7 pm
Thurs, Dec 25: Merry Christmas
Fri, Dec 26: Happy Kwanza

Service Deadline
Due to the holidays, please provide Dawn with the written announcements and Order of Service details by the Monday (10:00 am) prior to the Sunday service to ensure inclusion in the Order of Service. Thank you and Happy Holidays!

OVERFLOW PARKING
Delta Elevators has given us permission to use their parking lot for overflow parking. This should be particularly useful when street parking is not allowed because of snow conditions. The Delta Elevators building is visible from our front door and is located on Mill St. at the end of Sydney St.. The parking lot in question is on the north side of their building.

LIBRARY TEAM
The Library Team will be meeting on Wed., Jan. 7, 2009, 7 pm, to talk about the design and location of some library shelves. If you want to participate in this project, you are very welcome. We extend a special invitation to representatives of our many committees.

'Very Merry January' Pub Nite with Jessica
"Skiing consists of wearing $3,000 worth of clothes and equipment, and driving 200 miles in the snow, in order to stand around at a bar and drink ", says P. J. O'Rourke. As some of us gently try to encourage Minister Jessica to enjoy some of our winter sports, maybe we can start with that last part first - with a 'Very Merry Jan-ewe-ary Pub Nite with Jessica' on Thursday January 22, 8 pm 'til 10 pm -ish, back at the Castle on King, at 1508 King Street East, Kitchener, across from Rockway Gardens.
Please bring your usual joviality and hilarity. Enjoy a wide range of libations. In consideration of the overall long-term objective, it might be good if you restrict your winter sports stories to those full of joy, adventure, and exhilaration, skillfully excluding those involving injuries or frozen appendages.
Hope to CU there!

Lunch with the Minister continues Wednesdays, noon – 1:00 at Sydney Street (cancelled Dec 24th and Dec 31st). This is a drop-in event; bring a bag lunch and join the crowd.

MEDITATION CIRCLE
Wednesdays 6:15 - 7:15. Come explore the practice of meditation in a circle suitable for all levels of interest and experience. Drop-ins welcome. (cancelled for Dec 24 and Dec 31)

Coming in January:
Building Your Own Theology: an 8 week adventure in creating a personal credo.

CRE Offerings
Parent reminder: We are continuing to provide an opportunity for children to "give an offering" in their classes each Sunday. If you wish your child to participate please remember to send an offering with them each Sunday.

Multi-faith 2009 Calendars for sale
These calendars have beautiful spiritual art. Available now while supply lasts. (No pre-ordering or waiting this year.) Look for the youth at a table in the coffee area. Calendars are $20.00 for one or $18.00 each when two or more are purchased. Proceeds support youth activities, such as attending UU conferences.

Announcements for Monday, December 15, 2008

Upcoming events and important dates:
Mon, Dec 15: Women's Book Group – 1:30
Deadline for the Window
Tue, Dec 16: Family Playgroup – 10:30 am
CRE Meeting – 7 pm
Wed, Dec 17: Lunch with the Minister – Noon
Meditation Circle – 6:15 pm
Sharing Circle – 7:30 pm
Thurs, Dec 18: Pub Nite - Huether – 8 pm
Sat, Dec 20: Choir Reheasal – 4 pm

HEALING THE EARTH: A WINTER SOLSTICE VIGIL
Sunday, December 21st , 7:00 p.m.
Rev. Jessica Rodela and Neopagan-affiliated members of "Women on the Not-So-Rigid Path" invite everyone to a participatory ritual to share our individual visions of a better world, in keeping with our cherished 7th principle. We will begin quietly with a meditation, then light candles as we each pray/speak our hopes for humanity, our place in the web of all life, and the future of our beautiful planet. After we dare to speak it, we will dare more with a little singing and dancing before the night ends! Light refreshments will follow our ritual. Please bring a finger food to share. No nuts or seeds please.

Announcements for December 28, 2008 and January 4, 2009 Order of Service DeadlineDue to the holidays, please provide Dawn with the written announcements and Order of Service details by the Monday (10:00 am) prior to the Sunday service to ensure inclusion in the Order of Service. Thank you and Happy Holidays!

Hymnals for Dedication
We have received requests to purchase hymnals for dedication. We will soon be placing an order. Anyone interested in purchasing a hymnal should contact Bruce Richter. The cost of the hymnal is approximately $50.

FROM THE CARING NETWORK
A very illuminating article, by Denise Marigold, about our Caring Network is in the December Window. Denise describes the activities of this important part of our Congregation and our current needs. Please read it and seriously consider becoming a volunteer. The Caring Network has also, just recently, restarted our Community Food Pantry. The basket is located in the lower lobby opposite the foot of the stairs. We are hoping to accumulate a variety of basic non-perishable foodstuffs, household and personal care items for our members and friends who are in temporary need (especially in these difficult economic times). Please try to donate to this basket as often as you are able to do so and, for those of you who are running short, please take what you might be in need of. As we monitor the contents of the basket, we may decide to periodically donate items to the Regional Food Bank.

Book Sale
We were able to raise $472.85 for the Adult library and $90.95 for the children's library. Many thanks to the donors, purchasers and volunteers at the sale.

A Beethoven Birthday Concert (and Bash!) – December 16, 2008
The Concert will take place at the Music Room of the KWCMS on December 16 at 8:00 pm. Performers are violinist Julia Baumgartel, cellist Paul Pulford and forte pianist Boyd McDonald. The program includes Cello Sonata No.4, the Kreutzer Violin Sonata and Trio Opus 1 No.3 – all compositions written at a time when the five octave fortepiano was in vogue. Post-concert refreshments will follow. $25/20/15

Ye Olde Festive Pub Nite with Jessica – Thursday December 18, 8 PM
'Twas the week before Christmas. The weather outside is frightful, but here it's so delightful. Eyes are sparkling, cheeks are rosy. Smiles and decorations abound, and the warm fire is crackling gently. There is a festive spirit in the air, with mirth, merriment, libations, and camaraderie. Yes, all this at the next 'Festive Pub Nite with Jessica', back at the Lion Room, downstairs at the Huether in Waterloo. Look forward to seeing you there, 8 pm !

Lunch with the Minister continues Wednesdays, noon – 1:00 at Sydney Street (cancelled Dec 24th and Dec 31st). This is a drop-in event; bring a bag lunch and join the crowd.

Minister's "Office Hours"
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 10 - 11 a.m. at the Working Centre from 10:00 – 11:00 at the Working Centre's Queen Street Commons Café (43 Queen Street South, Kitchener).

MEDITATION CIRCLE
Wednesdays 6:15 - 7:15. Come explore the practice of meditation in a circle suitable for all levels of interest and experience. Drop-ins welcome. (cancelled for Dec 24 and Dec 31)

Sharing and Caring Circle: Inventing Advent.
Wednesday, December 17th, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. This season can be profoundly difficult for those of us displaced from our families or grieving a loss. Let's gather for a time to help one another cope with some of the special burdens of this time and reflect on what spiritual practices may sustain us.

Coming in January: Building Your Own Theology: an 8 week adventure in creating a personal credo.

CRE Offerings
Parent reminder: We are continuing to provide an opportunity for children to "give an offering" in their classes each Sunday. If you wish your child to participate please remember to send an offering with them each Sunday.

Multi-faith 2009 Calendars for sale
These calendars have beautiful spiritual art. Available now while supply lasts. (No pre-ordering or waiting this year.) Look for the youth at a table in the coffee area. Calendars are $20.00 for one or $18.00 each when two or more are purchased. Proceeds support youth activities, such as attending UU conferences.

Announcements for Monday, December 8, 2008

A festive seasonal celebration is being held after our service on Sunday, December 14, 2008.
We are in need of volunteers to assist with clean-up after the celebration wraps up approximately 1pm.
If you can commit to 1/2 hour that would be most appreciated- many hands make light work.
A sign-up sheet will be posted outside the kitchen on the lower level.

The Social Action Committee will have 2 tables after the Dec 14 service:
Table 1: Examples of Gifts Using Less Holiday Packaging: You'll enjoy seeing these creative samples. Read about more ways to reduce the wrap on the holiday cards at the Social Action Bulletin Board. Adopting these practices will introduce new holiday traditions and happy memories, and ease the waste load on our planet. Questions? Contact Carol Burrows

Table 2: Socks for the Homeless: Remember how fun this was last year? Well come to this table and stuff some socks. We will also gratefully accept donations to help cover costs.According to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, every December, Ontarians throw away 900,000 EXTRA tonnes of garbage: 288 million greeting cards; 23 sq kilometres of wrapping paper (that covers 3,000 football fields!); 900 tonnes of aluminium foil; and 35,000 tonnes of plastic packaging. With this in mind, fellow congregants, you'll find many used greeting cards draped on the Social Action Bulletin Board. And inside each is a special holiday gift just for you: a suggestion on how to reduce your holiday gift wrap. Happy Holidays!

"Quartet For the End of Time" - Concert, December 10, 2008
The 100th Anniversary of the birth of French composer Olivier Messiaen will be celebrated by a performance of his "Quartet For the End of Time" at 8:00 pm December 10, 2008 in St. Andrews Presbyterian Church (Queen & Weber) in Kitchener. The music was composed while Messiaen was a POW in 1941. A violinist, cellist and clarinetist were fellow prisoners who, along with the composer at the piano, premiered the work for fellow prisoners and guards in Stalag VIII, Gorlitz, Germany. Inspired by his religious faith, Messiaen's music exudes the hope that kept him and his colleagues alive. The performers are violinist Jerzy Kaplanek, cellist Shane Neil, clarinetist Tilly Kooyman and pianist Boyd McDonald. We are delighted that the program will include a work for organ performed by Douglas Haas. Messiaen was organist at La Trinité in Paris from 1931 until the end of his life. Colin Fox will be the narrator at this event. The concert is cosponsored by St. Andrews and the KW Chamber Music Society. Tickets are $20/15 &10.

A Beethoven Birthday Concert (and Bash!) – December 16, 2008
The Concert will take place at the Music Room of the KWCMS on December 16 at 8:00 pm. Performers are violinist Julia Baumgartel, cellist Paul Pulford and fortepianist Boyd McDonald. The program includes Cello Sonata No.4, the Kreutzer Violin Sonata and Trio Opus 1 No.3 – all compositions written at a time when the five octave fortepiano was in vogue. Post-concert refreshments will follow. $25/20/15
Wanted: Old Christmas Cards!!

The Social Action Committee needs old Christmas cards. If you have any old Christmas cards that you would like to donate, please put them in the white basket labelled "Used Christmas cards" on the counter at the bottom of the stairs in the church basement.

Ye Olde Festive Pub Nite with Jessica – Thursday December 18, 8 PM

'Twas the week before Christmas. The weather outside is frightful, but here it's so delightful. Eyes are sparkling, cheeks are rosy. Smiles and decorations abound, and the warm fire is crackling gently. There is a festive spirit in the air, with mirth, merriment, libations, and camaraderie. Yes, all this at the next 'Festive Pub Nite with Jessica', back at the Lion Room, downstairs at the Huether in Waterloo. Look forward to seeing you there, 8 pm !

Lunch with the Minister continues Wednesdays, noon – 1:00 at Sydney Street (cancelled Dec 24th and Dec 31st). This is a drop-in event; bring a bag lunch and join the crowd.

Minister's "Office Hours"
Tuesday, December 9th from 3:00 – 4:00 at Casa Mia (7 Father David Bauer Drive)

Correction
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 10 - 11 a.m. at the Working Centre from 10:00 – 11:00 at the Working Centre's Queen Street Commons Café (43 Queen Street South, Kitchener).

MEDITATION CIRCLE
Wednesdays 6:15 - 7:15. Come explore the practice of meditation in a circle suitable for all levels of interest and experience. Drop-ins welcome. (cancelled for Dec 24 and Dec 31)

Sharing and Caring Circle: Inventing Advent - December 17, 2008
Wednesday, December 17th, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. This season can be profoundly difficult for those of us displaced from our families or grieving a loss. Let's gather for a time to help one another cope with some of the special burdens of this time and reflect on what spiritual practices may sustain us.

Coming in January: Building Your Own Theology: an 8 week adventure in creating a personal credo.

CRE Offerings
Parent reminder: We are continuing to provide an opportunity for children to "give an offering" in their classes each Sunday. If you wish your child to participate please remember to send an offering with them each Sunday.

Multi-faith 2009 Calendars for sale
These calendars have beautiful spiritual art. Available now while supply lasts. (No pre-ordering or waiting this year.) Look for the youth at a table in the coffee area. Calendars are $20.00 for one or $18.00 each when two or more are purchased. Proceeds support youth activities, such as attending UU conferences.

If you wish for an announcement to be put in the announcement sheet, please email the wording of the announcement to Dawn at admin.waterloo@unitarians.ca (Please note that the deadline for announcement submissions is 10 am on the Thursday prior to the week you would like it included in the announcements.)

Announcements for Monday, December 1, 2008

Life After Life – Discussion Series "Integration" – Dec. 1, 2008
You are invited to join Rev. Kathryn Kenyon at the Holly Oak Gathering Center, 26 Regina St.N., Waterloo to share and create how our God Consciousness speaks to us, through us, and why. After having a "near life" experience during major surgery, Rev. Kathryn carries a new hope that we can continue to integrate our spiritual understanding of our mind/heart/body connection, and create true Oneness.

December 1, 2008 -7:15 p.m.-9:00 p.m., Suggested love offering $10.00 to cover building usage.

"Quartet For the End of Time" - Concert, December 10, 2008
The 100th Anniversary of the birth of French composer Olivier Messiaen will be celebrated by a performance of his "Quartet For the End of Time" at 8:00 pm December 10, 2008 in St. Andrews Presbyterian Church (Queen & Weber) in Kitchener. The music was composed while Messiaen was a POW in 1941. A violinist, cellist and clarinetist were fellow prisoners who, along with the composer at the piano, premiered the work for fellow prisoners and guards in Stalag VIII, Gorlitz, Germany. Inspired by his religious faith, Messiaen's music exudes the hope that kept him and his colleagues alive. The performers are violinist Jerzy Kaplanek, cellist Shane Neil, clarinetist Tilly Kooyman and pianist Boyd McDonald. We are delighted that the program will include a work for organ performed by Douglas Haas. Messiaen was organist at La Trinité in Paris from 1931 until the end of his life. Colin Fox will be the narrator at this event. The concert is cosponsored by St. Andrews and the KW Chamber Music Society. Tickets are $20/15 &10.

A Beethoven Birthday Concert (and Bash!) – December 16, 2008
The Concert will take place at the Music Room of the KWCMS on December 16 at 8:00 pm. Performers are violinist Julia Baumgartel, cellist Paul Pulford and fortepianist Boyd McDonald. The program includes Cello Sonata No.4, the Kreutzer Violin Sonata and Trio Opus 1 No.3 – all compositions written at a time when the five octave fortepiano was in vogue. Post-concert refreshments will follow. $25/20/15

Wanted: Old Christmas Cards!!
The Social Action Committee needs old Christmas cards. If you have any old Christmas cards that you would like to donate, please put them in the white basket labelled "Used Christmas cards" on the counter at the bottom of the stairs in the church basement.

Ideas on reducing Holiday gift wrap?
Got ideas on reducing holiday wrap? Email them to Jane Bell by Saturday, December 6. Then, after the December 7 service, there'll be a discussion, facilitated by Carol Burrows from the Social Action Committee, using your ideas, and many others, about how to reduce holiday wrapping. We'll reuse old Greeting Cards to log all these ideas, and then we'll post them on the Social Action bulletin board for easy reference throughout December. Carol will also be available as a resource for reducing holiday packaging throughout December. So email your ideas, and come to the Dec 7 discussion!

Ye Olde Festive Pub Nite with Jessica – Thursday December 18, 8 PM

'Twas the week before Christmas. The weather outside is frightful, but here it's so delightful. Eyes are sparkling, cheeks are rosy. Smiles and decorations abound, and the warm fire is crackling gently. There is a festive spirit in the air, with mirth, merriment, libations, and camaraderie. Yes, all this at the next 'Festive Pub Nite with Jessica', back at the Lion Room, downstairs at the Huether in Waterloo. Look forward to seeing you there, 8 pm !

Lunch with the Minister continues Wednesdays, noon – 1:00 at Sydney Street (cancelled Dec 24th and Dec 31st). This is a drop-in event; bring a bag lunch and join the crowd.

Minister's "Office Hours"
Tuesday, December 9th from 3:00 – 4:00 at Casa Mia (7 Father David Bauer Drive)
Correction
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 10 - 11 a.m. at the Working Centre from 10:00 – 11:00 at the Working Centre's Queen Street Commons Café (43 Queen Street South, Kitchener).

MEDITATION CIRCLE
Wednesdays 6:15 - 7:15. Come explore the practice of meditation in a circle suitable for all levels of interest and experience. Drop-ins welcome. (cancelled for Dec 24 and Dec 31)

Sharing and Caring Circle: Inventing Advent - December 17, 2008
Wednesday, December 17th, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. This season can be profoundly difficult for those of us displaced from our families or grieving a loss. Let's gather for a time to help one another cope with some of the special burdens of this time and reflect on what spiritual practices may sustain us.

Coming in January: Building Your Own Theology: an 8 week adventure in creating a personal credo.

CRE Offerings
Parent reminder: We are continuing to provide an opportunity for children to "give an offering" in their classes each Sunday. If you wish your child to participate please remember to send an offering with them each Sunday.

Choir Rehearsals for December 14 and 21 services
The FUCW plans to sing during the services of 14 and 21 December. All are welcome to sing with us. Rehearsals are planned for Saturdays 4-5:30 (December 6, 13, 20). If you are interested in joining us, please contact Bruce Richter

November Social Action Project:
We've prepared letters to Zehrs, P & G, and Bulk Barn, thanking them for their reducing packaging efforts, and offering suggestions for more improvements. (Zehrs reduced insert paper; P & G launched a concentrated detergent; Bulk Barn lets you bring your own containers.) So on Sunday, Nov 23 at coffee hour, you can sign a letter to them, buy a stamp from us, and we'll mail it for you. Such an easy way to give some powerful companies your feedback! To get involved with the SAC, come to the next SAC meeting on Dec 4 at 7:30!

Multi-faith 2009 Calendars for sale
These calendars have beautiful spiritual art. Available now while supply lasts. (No pre-ordering or waiting this year.) Look for the youth at a table in the coffee area. Calendars are $20.00 for one or $18.00 each when two or more are purchased. Proceeds support youth activities, such as attending UU conferences.

If you wish for an announcement to be put in the announcement sheet, please email the wording of the announcement to Dawn at admin.waterloo@unitarians.ca (Please note that the deadline for announcement submissions is 10 am on the Thursday prior to the week you would like it included in the announcements.)