Welcome, bienvenue!

Greetings from UUEstrie, a liberal spiritual community that first gathered in the village of North Hatley back in 1886, as the First Universalist Church of North Hatley.

Salutations de l'UUEstrie, une communauté spirituelle libérale qui s'est rassemblée pour la première fois dans le village de North Hatley en 1886, sous le nom de Première Église Universaliste de North Hatley.

Join us Sundays at 10:30am for our weekly service.

Rejoignez-nous le dimanche à 10h30 pour notre service.

Latest News

Phyllis Skeats and Universalism in the Eastern Townships

A message from Adele Ernstrom to mark the passing of long-time member and friend of the church, Phyllis Skeats.

The death of Phyllis Skeats (1928-2021) marked the close of a life notably linked with the legacy of Universalism in the Eastern Townships. A former reference librarian at Bishop’s University and a local historian, Phyllis with her husband Terry Skeats was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of North Hatley. Also known as UUEstrie, the congregation represents a merger dating from the 1950s of two distinct traditions of liberal religion, Unitarianism and Universalism.

As Phyllis outlined in her Chronology of the Unitarian Universalist Church of North Hatley (2005), the church originated in 1870 as a society based on the Universalist Profession of Belief. From its beginnings in 18th century England, Universalism advanced he idea of a merciful God, rejecting the Calvinist doctrine in which original sin predetermined the question of salvation. Universalism swept through the Eastern Townships in the 19th century, generating congregations in which that of North Hatley typified a wider movement.

Another was the Huntingville Universalist Church, foundations of which were laid in 1844, as Phyllis recorded in Heritage Huntingville (2009).With heritage status, the Huntingville Church is the oldest surviving Universalist structure in Quebec and one of the oldest in Canada. With her husband Terry, Phyllis worked to restore the building and its historic legacy. As part of that effort, the Unitarian Universalist Church of North Hatley has held occasional services in the Huntingville Church, often at Thanksgiving, and hopes to resume doing so as the pandemic recedes.

Adele Ernstrom
Board member
Unitarian Universalist Church of North Hatley

In Person at the church – A Clown in th Vatican? – with Jonathon Ellison

Jonathon Ellison heads back to Africa in less than a week. He wants to evaluate two villages for a new idea, and we’ve asked him to share the challenges our work still faces. Our donations are up, we’ve now helped over 1,000 women to collectively grow 100 tons of food every year, but the reality of women not having agency or support remains.

WaterforAfricanWomen.org is evaluating the building of a women’s training center. Even as Jonathon sometimes feels like he’s dressed as a carrot and walking into the Vatican to talk about women’s rights, there is still inspiration from these magnificent women of Africa to push us further to help them succeed. All are invited and we think you will find this 30-minute talk to be challenging, moving, a little sad, and funny. (version française suit)

5 juin, le service du dimanche, 10 h 30. Un clown au Vatican? – avec Jonathon Ellison (en personne)

Jonathon Ellison retourne en Afrique dans moins d’une semaine. Il veut évaluer deux villages pour une nouvelle idée, et nous lui avons demandé de partager les défis auxquels notre travail est toujours confronté. Nos dons sont en hausse, nous avons maintenant aidé plus de 1 000 femmes à cultiver collectivement 100 tonnes de nourriture chaque année, mais la réalité des femmes qui n’ont ni agence ni soutien demeure.
WaterforAfricanWomen.org évalue la construction d’un centre de formation pour femmes. Même si Jonathon a parfois l’impression d’être déguisé en carotte et d’entrer au Vatican pour parler des droits des femmes, il y a encore de l’inspiration de la part de ces magnifiques femmes d’Afrique pour nous pousser plus loin afin de les aider à réussir. Tous sont invités et nous pensons que vous trouverez cette conférence de 30 minutes stimulante, émouvante, un peu triste et drôle. (en anglais)

June 12, 2022 @ 10:30 am

In Person at the church – Clean-up Day – Soup ‘n’ Scrubbin

As the title states, we will gather together to clean up the Church. After a long absence, the Church needs some tender love and care. Enjoy some soup after all the hard work. (version française suit)

Comme le titre l’indique, nous nous rassemblerons pour nettoyer l’Église. Après une longue absence, l’Église a besoin d’un peu d’amour et de soins. Savourez une soupe après tout le travail.

May 29, 2022 @ 10:30 am

In Person at the church – Book sharing service with Camille Bouskela

Join us in the sanctuary of the church and bring a book to present and share with the group.

This will be our first indoor service since the most recent wave of Covid-19. While the church Covid-19 guidelines will not be in effect, please be respectful of the individual boundaries of our members and visitors. Bring a mask and be prepared to wear it if requested. Maintain a social distance from others where possible. Avoid physical contact with others unless you have their permission.

May 22, 2022 @ 10:30 am

In Person, Away from UUEstrie – WALK at Atto Beaver Park [take two]

We had to cancel the April 10 walk due to weather, so we are trying again this Sunday

May 15, Sunday service, 10:30 a.m.: WALK at Atto Beaver Park

We will meet in the parking lot. Here is the address: St. Francis St., Sherbrooke, QC J1M 0B3 (version française suit)

15 mai, le service du dimanche, 10 h 30. PROMENADE au parc Atto Beaver

Nous nous retrouverons sur le parking. Voici l’adresse :rue Saint-François, Sherbrooke, QC J1M 0B3

May 15, 2022 @ 10:30 am

In Person at the church – Annual Maypole service

An annual tradition at UUEstrie, we meet in the church parking lot to place and dance around the Maypole with colored ribbons. Celebrating the circle of life and the onset of Spring.

This will be an outdoor service. Please come prepared for the weather as we will remain outdoors, rain or shine.

Following the service, there will be a short meeting to discuss the draft budget and distribute this year’s pledge forms.

May 1, 2022 @ 10:30 am

Online via Zoom – Treasures of the Marlington Bog with Janet Cowan Weber

Janet has catalogued the flowering of numerous plants found in the Marlington Bog and particular to this special climate. She will share her photos and observations on the changes in the bog from spring through fall.

Janet a catalogué la floraison de nombreuses plantes que l’on trouve dans la troubière de Marlington et qui sont particulières à cet environnement spécial. Elle partagera ses photos et ses observations sur l’évolution dans la toubière du printemps à l’automne.

April 24, 2022 @ 10:30 am