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Rendezvous spirituel

A minority (but an active one!) of our members are French-speaking, and we make a practice of including some French in our services. However, we lack easy access to bilingual resources for readings and music. (A bilingual book, Side by side, fulfilling a dream / Vers un rêve à bâtir, si on tissait ensemble, published in 2001 is now out of print.)

So we are undertaking collaborative research to assemble, edit and translate a collection of Unitarian Universalist writings and music in French, and create a 100-page English-French booklet of Unitarian-Universalist readings and songs. Our working title for the book is Rendezvous spirituel.

In addition to substantial volunteer in-kind contributions, we received three small grants to support this project: $924 from the New York State Convention of Universalists (for printing), $1,200 from the West Trust Fund and $1,831 From the Vermont-Quebec Universalist-Unitarian Convention (for other costs). We are very grateful for this help.

A work team comprised of Gabriella Brand, Hélène Cunningham, Reine Gagnon, Rachel Garber, John Mackley and Rev. Carole Martignacco have been meeting regularly and foresee finishing the book in the summer of 2019.

We began by contacting several groups and individuals interested in working internationally to share resources in French. We received a wealth of materials in French, and selected and organized texts to be included in the book.

Some texts are being translated, and others edited as necessary. We have reached the point where we are refining the potential content of the book and beginning the work of obtaining permissions, where applicable, to reprint or translate copyrighted materials. We anticipate completing the editorial, design and publishing phases by the summer of 2019.

– Rachel Garber, secretary of the Rendezvous spirituel work group, 2018-12.

Write for Rights 2018

We wrote 274 letters this December 2nd in support of Amnesty International’s letter-writing campaign to advocate for ten defenders of human rights in ten different countries – Brazil, India, Iran, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, South Africa, Ukraine, United States, and Venezuela. This is the first time that all the cases targeted by Amnesty were women. The letters went to the decision makers who have the power to protect and improve the situations of the defenders, or respond positively to their causes. Participants received drafts of the letters based on information and suggestions supplied by Amnesty. They signed them and added comments if they wished. Then the envelopes were printed, stuffed and
mailed.

On December 8, members and friends had another letter-writing session – this time, writing cards and letters of encouragement to the human rights defenders themselves. All in time to join the avalanche of mail from other Write for Rights groups around the world, an impressive show of support for the defenders, and a strong message that thousands of world citizens are watching, and helping defend the rights of the human rights defenders themselves.

– Rachel Garber, member of CUSJ-Quebec

“Happy Endings” in Magog and North Hatley

How to end one’s life well depends on a number of things. Five key factors are featured in a series of weekly workshops called “Happy Endings” coming to Magog and North Hatley, starting next week.

The two series are organized by UUEstrie, as was a pilot series last year in Lennoxville. The workshops in Magog are in partnership with the Memphremagog Community Learning Centre, and are on Wednesdays. The ones in North Hatley are on Fridays. In both places, the sessions are from 10 a.m. to noon, and all are in English. They are free of charge, with a donation of $2 suggested for refreshments. All are welcome.

“We believe that all life is sacred, in its beginnings, in its living and loving, and in its endings,” said UUEstrie’s minister, Rev. Carole Martignacco. “The series is about the aspect of life that we call endings. We give so much attention to the rest of life, yet we don’t take time to consider how to exit this world well.”

“Last Words: How to plan your own memorial or celebration of life” is a workshop by Rev. Martignacco herself. She has developed an expertise in personalized ceremonies, and she gives participants a guide to designing memorials that leave a legacy of personal values. Last Words is the first session in Magog, on Wednesday, April 27, and the second topic in North Hatley, on Friday, May 6.

“Wills, Living Wills, and End-of-Life Legal issues” is the first topic in North Hatley, on Friday, April 29, and the second one in Magog, on Wednesday, May 4. The speaker is Me. Tim Leonard, a notary in Sherbrooke. He will speak and answer questions about legal issues pertaining to the end of life, such as do-not-resuscitate orders, incapacity mandates, and others.

“Green Burials and Home & Family-centred Funerals” is the title of a talk by funeral director Stephan Elkas of the Steve L. Elkas Funeral Home in Sherbrooke. He will focus on environmentally friendly, alternative burial options that are locally available. This includes a new method, Alkaline hydrolysis (also called biocremation, aquamation and/or resomation). Elkas will be speaking on May 11 in Magog, and on May 13 in North Hatley.

“How to Die in Oregon” is an award-winning documentary film about persons having recourse to the “assisted dying” law in Oregon. Various viewpoints and experiences are explored in the film. After viewing it, participants will learn how the law in Oregon compares to Quebec’s assisted dying law, and the potential Canadian law. This session is planned for May 18 in Magog, and May 20 in North Hatley.

“Bequests: How to give to your favourite charity AND leave all your money to your children” is the topic of the final session, on May 25 in Magog, and May 27 in North Hatley. It will be led by Alain Lévesque, financial advisor, who will explain how to maximize giving to your favourite charity without reducing your estate too much. He is expert at simplifying financial concepts, and will offer participants his most recent booklet on bequests.

In Magog, all the workshops are at the Memphremagog Community Learning Centre, Princess Elizabeth School, 120 Bellevue. Participants are asked to enter by Door 3 from the parking lot, and to press the CLC Room buzzer. Please pre-register by phoning 819-238-1254 or 819-842-4146, or emailing info@uuestrie.ca.

In North Hatley, all the workshops are at UUEstrie, 201 Main Street, in Stoddard Hall (lower level). Please pre-register by phoning 819-842-4146 or emailing info@uuestrie.ca. UUEstrie is the home base of the Unitarian Universalist Community in North Hatley. For more information, see www.uuestrie.ca, the Facebook page UU Estrie, or call 819-842-4146.

We are grateful to the Canadian Unitarian Council for their support for this series, through the Sharing Our Faith grant.

Rachel Garber

Soup for Syria – this Sunday at UUEstrie

Maybe it’s the alliteration, or maybe it’s that soup is such a comfort food worldwide, but “Soup for Syria” has become a movement across Canada. From the Salvation Army to the Soup Sisters, from Calgary to Ottawa, groups are putting on soup-a-thons for the support of Syrian refugees. Sometimes they cook up more than 5,000 servings at a time.

On a much smaller scale, in a much smaller place, UUEstrie is planning a Soup for Syria fundraiser in North Hatley. It’s on Sunday, April 24, at 12:30 p.m. Volunteers are making several different sorts of soup, along with bread and desserts. For a donation of $5, all are welcome to come and have a hearty bowl.

“All proceeds will go to help local efforts to bring refugees home to the Townships to live in safety, free from fear,” said Rev. Carole Martignacco, UUEstrie’s pastor.

She was inspired by a cookbook called Soup for Syria. “Even before we tried the recipes, our hearts were warmed by photos of refugees of all ages, accompanied by quotes by contributing chefs,” she said. “Soup is a common meal for the human family around the globe. Come share a heartwarming meal.”

UUEstrie is the Unitarian Universalist Community at 201 Main Street in North Hatley. The Soup for Syria lunch will be in the Stoddard Hall, on the lower level. It follows the Earth Day service at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome. For information, visit www.uuestrie.ca or the Facebook page UU Estrie, or call 819-842-4146.

Rachel Garber

The Bell Tolls for Thee – 400 times

“No man is an island, entire of itself. Every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main….any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”

The poet John Donne penned those famous lines in a meditation in December 1623. They speak of the interconnectedness of all beings, an idea that has more force today than ever before. As the effects of global warming slam into us, we are finally becoming aware that our “continent” earth is in danger. And so are we all.

For the first time, three years ago our earth’s atmosphere measured 400 parts per million of carbon dioxide, and it still does today, on average.

Carbon dioxide is the main pollutant that causes global warming. Before the industrial age, carbon dioxide levels averaged 275 ppm. Researchers have calculated that the safe level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is 350 ppm or less. They say more than that “is not compatible with life on earth.” That’s a bell tolling for all of us.

Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere 100 years. The solution is a slow one. It involves reducing our reliance on fossil fuels now.

To raise awareness of our collective predicament and the need for action, UUEstrie is marking Earth Day on Friday, April 22, at 11 a.m., by ringing the church bell 400 times.

Persons who would like to participate in this annual ritual are welcome to gather at UUEstrie’s bell tower on the upper level of the church, on Gagnon Street in North Hatley, just off 201 Main Street. Come a few minutes early for coffee and to get organized for the ringing.

Earth Day is also the topic for the Sunday service, April 24, at 10:30 a.m., at UUEstrie, the Unitarian Universalist Community in North Hatley. For more information, see www.uuestrie.ca, the Facebook page UU Estrie, or call 819-842-4146.

Rachel Garber

The Poetry of Nature

How seldom do we pause to get inside the skin of our natural surroundings, and let nature into our hearts! Oh, the power of a tree to still the mind. And the power of a poem to awaken it in a new realm.

We are delighted to offer readings by two poets on the theme of Nature, this February and March 2016.

Angela Leuck revealed the world of Haiku to us on February 28, and gave a reading of her Haiku poems about nature. Her title was “Time Out for the Rainbow: Appreciating Nature through Haiku.”

And Steve Luxton is giving us a reading of his poems, “The Poetry of Nature: From the Bible to Ecopoetics.” on March 20 at 10:30 a.m. (Yes, that’s Treehugger Steve in the photo above.)

Both readings are at UUEstrie, 201 Main St., North Hatley, in the lower level, Stoddard Hall. They are in English. Admission is open – all are welcome. Refreshments follow.

Both Angela and Steve are published authors, with long and distinguished paths in the world of poetry. We are honoured by their gifts to our community.

We gratefully acknowledge the financial assistance of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Roadmap for Canada’s Official Languages 2013-2018 Education, Immigration, Communities, and the Quebec Writers’ Federation, which offered honoraria to the two writers.

Remembering Nancy Pacaud

REMEMBERING NANCY PACAUD

Nancy Pacaud recently passed away. She was one of the pillers of the Unitarian Universalist Church of North Hatley for many years. Her contributions were many and varied, both in time, attention and financially. In a sense, UUEstrie is a living memorial to her. We remember her with gratitude, and with sincere sympathy for her family and many friends. She is sorely missed!

Here are two photos of her at the May Pole Dance on May Day, 2009, at UUEstrie.

MayPole 2009-05-03 NancyPacaud

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

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

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.