Townships Tellers and New Members

In lieu of our normal service this Sunday, we were treated to stories by the Townships Tellers as well as other local tellers. This was followed by a potluck lunch. Thank you to all who attended and shared stories and dishes.

From left to right: Shirley Nortcliff, Ann Rothfels, Heather Davis, Michel Thibeault, Elizabeth Copeland, Jason Kerpan
From left to right: Shirley Nortcliff, Ann Rothfels, Heather Davis, Michel Thibeault, Elizabeth Copeland, Jason Krpan
townshiptellers2
Ann sharing stories about her time as a Kindergarten teacher.

Last week, we welcomed three new members to UUEstrie: Esther Saanum, Ryan Frizzell, and Crystle Reid.

From left to right: Esther Saanum, Ryan Frizzell, Crystle Reid, Rev. Carole Martignacco and UUEstrie president Rachel Garber
From left to right: Esther Saanum, Ryan Frizzell, Crystle Reid, Rev. Carole Martignacco and UUEstrie president Rachel Garber

Please follow UUEstrie’s Facebook page for more pictures and news.

Rev. Fulgence update

An update from the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) on Rev. Fulgence. Please be sure to share the word on social media by using ‪#‎releaserevfulgence‬.

“Fulgence is meeting with his lawyers to prepare for his defence. Financial support is needed during this process; to donate directly to International Council of UUs, please click here or at the following link:https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr…. Regrettably, Canadian tax receipts cannot be issued at this time.

ICUU is in touch with members in Burundi and providing support to Fulgence.

The Change.org petition has reached over 1,000 signatures and has been sent on to decision-makers. Please encourage more to sign on here.”

Petition to free Rev. Fulgence Ndagijimana

Rev. Fulgence Ndagijimana, minister of the Unitarian Church of Burundi

Rev. Fulgence Ndagijimana, minister of the Unitarian Church of Burundi

Friends of UUEstrie –

The Unitarian Church of Burundi has recently come under attack in the context of civil unrest within the country. The church was recently vandalized and ransacked, and members of the church have been questioned, jailed, and forced to flee for their safety. The minisiter of the church, Rev. Fulgence Ndagijimana, was arrested at gunpoint on November 16 and is currently in police custody.

Rev. Ndagijimana visited UUEstrie in 2013 as we were celebrating ten years of shared ministry. Our minister, Rev. Carole Martignacco, has been in contact with him since his visit and was “deeply moved by his peaceful spirit as he described the challenges of his ministry, struggling to serve a very poor community with limited resources”. He has spoken with her frequently about the increasing violence he faces in Burundi.

We encourage all members and friends of UUEstrie to write to Stéphane Dion (Minister of Foreign Affairs) in order to secure the immediate release of Rev. Ndagijimana.

A Facebook page has been created to keep everyone updated on the situation in Burundi. Please follow the page at https://www.facebook.com/SupportUUBurundi. The International Council of Unitarians and Universalists is currently raising funds for displaced members of the church as well as repairs and legal fees (more information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/InternationalUUs/posts/1146749508689023). You can also sign a petition demanding Rev. Ndagijimana’s humane treatment and immediate release at www.change.org.

Please help us stand in solidarity with our friends in Burundi.