Sunday Worship Services and Religious Education Classes are held at the Sapperton Pensioners’ Hall, 318 Keary Street, New Westminster. Services start at 10:30 a.m. Beacon’s theme for the month of October is ‘Wholeness’. On Sunday mornings we will explore what wholeness means for the individual, for the planet and what it means for all of Creation. Look for the theme sheet insert on Sunday, for more ideas, books, films, questions and suggestions for spiritual practices on the theme of ‘wholeness’. Sunday Oct 5, 10:30 a.m. Sunday Oct 19, 10:30 a.m. Sunday Oct 26, 10:30 a.m. Divided No More Our Whole House Reflections of a Unitarian Activist Rev. Debra Thorne We arrive in this world beautiful and whole, as the tree is whole, as the rose is whole. Then we learn the ways of the world, which include choices to ignore, defy or deny the wholeness that we are. To survive we fragment and lose touch with our original selves. Yet if we listen, we’ll hear the small inner voice of yearning to return to our wholeness. Good Times Harmony Singers Foodbank Collection Rev. Debra Thorne Party at the Big House: It’s Stewardship Sunday!!! All that we say and all that we do are equal parts of who we are. It is the same for our families and our community. Every person is valuable. Every person’s contribution is necessary for the whole. Whether you are singing from the rafters (or swinging), washing dishes or hosting an event in your own home: We Need You! So let the party begin, we have so much to celebrate. Choir sings today. Stewardship Cupcake Party after the Service - see page 3 for info. Rev. Frances Deverell Unitarians have always desired a public voice and presence in the modern era. Where have we come from? What role has the Canadian Unitarians For Social Justice had to play in the process? What are the possibilities for us going forward? What does CUSJ have to contribute to the Canadian Unitarian search for wholeness? Sunday Oct 12, 10:30 a.m. Mother Earth Aline LaFlamme Aline LaFlamme will draw on her experience and many contacts to illustrate the importance of land and resources to pre-contact and present day First Nations and Métis people of British Columbia. This will connect with Beacon’s acknowledgement that we meet on the unceded lands of the Coast Salish people, including the Qayqat First Nation, the Kwantlen First Nation and the Musqueam First Nation Coordinator: Marilyn Medén Deadline for the November Beacon October 15, 2014 Please send to: [email protected] Frances is a former Beaconite, who retired from Unitarian Ministry in 2010. She authored a CUC handbook on social responsibility, and currently serves as Past President of the Canadian Unitarians For Social Justice. Coordinator: Joan Morris Choir sings today, Soup Lunch. Affinity Groups ....................page 5 Board Bitz.............................page 3 Calendar................................page 8 Climate Change workshop....page 6 Food Bank info.....................page 8 Getting to Know U................page 2 Minister’s Words..................page 2 Regional Fall Gathering........page 7 Religious Education .............page 4 Sharing the Plate 2014/15.....page 7 Spotlight................................page 5 Stewardship info...................page 3 What’s New?........................page 6 Youth Group.....................page 5, 8 On Wholeness I believe we arrived in this world, whole. Meaning, we were perfectly in-line with who we were. When we were hungry we asked for food. When we were tired we slept. When we were given love we responded in kind. Wholeness is when your words and your actions are connected to the truth you hold within. As children, our integrity, what we said and what we did, was a seamless fit. Of course, like all living things, we were subjected to the elements of this world; wind shook and thunder scared us, and we learned to protect ourselves. Mostly we learned to protect ourselves from other people. We learned to pretend we didn’t need something if we knew we couldn’t ever have it: like love, or tenderness, or someone to believe us. We learned to deny to ourselves what we wanted, we learned to ignore the impulse to trust others, and we learned to actively defy our deeper heart’s truth. This is how we became divided in our selves. We may have been able to hold on to our wholeness, despite the challenges in our environment, by using our imaginations. These words were written by Marvin Mercer when he was in Grade Five, living in Harlem, New York. My heart trembles like a poor leaf. The planets whirl in my dreams. The stars press against my window. I rotate in my sleep. My bed is a warm planet. Marvin was a city boy, who could imagine the vastness of this galaxy pressing into his bedroom. He speaks with a profound wisdom of how all things are parts of the wholeness of the universe. His bed is a planet, the farthest star touches his window, his heart trembles like a leaf and his dreams welcome the planets. Outside and inside are part of one whole. Everything is part of everything, depending on your perspective, depending on how big your mental reach. This month we will look at life and living through the lens of wholeness. We will look at our world, and the stars, and the leaf as they are whole unto themselves and yet together create a larger wholeness: The wholeness of all of Creation. There will be a sheet of questions, activities and readings on the theme of ‘wholeness’ available at the first Sunday service, for you to take home. It is my hope that throughout the month of October you and your family and friends will explore the theme of ‘wholeness’, in conversations, family activities, and as a part of your spiritual practice. If you are not yet in a Soul Matters group, where we delve deeper into the monthly theme, please consider joining one. May you enjoy the journey! Rev. Debra Thorne Getting to Know U! Monday, September 29 at 7 pm This is an opportunity to meet others who are new to Beacon and perhaps new to Unitarianism in a relaxed evening of conversation and questions. ‘Getting to Know U!’, is just that, an opportunity to get to know both you and this U(nitarian) congregation. If you are interested in attending please contact either Joan Morris ([email protected]) or Rev. Debra Thorne ([email protected]) for the location. #414, 552A Clarke Road Coquitlam, B.C. V3J 0A3 [email protected] Consulting Minister 2013-2014: Rev. Debra Thorne [email protected] Lay Chaplain: Marilyn Medén 604-469-6797, [email protected] Choir Director: Charlene Dubrule 604-464-3992, [email protected] Board Executive: Terry McComas, Nancy Rupert, Audrey Taylor, Carol Woodworth Trustees: Peggy Lunderville, Jane Shoemaker, Rob Warner Jean Donaldson 604-461-0056, [email protected] Care & Concerns: Renée Spakowsky 604-463-8086 Beacon Editor: Donna Hamilton [email protected] Beacon Distribution: Tom & Uta Poiker Connections & Membership BeaconUnitarian.org From your Board Executive Your Board has been keeping busy, meeting in July and August as well as holding a retreat in the morning before our Leadership Retreat on September 6, where we talked about church growth in its various forms. We are feeling inspired by the retreat’s discussions about the direction participants wish Beacon to go, and we’ve begun to divide our Board Meeting into two parts: one where we plan for growth, and the second where we take care of other church business. process. Board meetings are open to all, and we invite you to come visit (see meeting dates below). In preparation for creating our 2014-2015 budget, Audrey is asking Board Liaisons to contact Committee Chairs with a planning form for committee budgets. Please contact your Liaison if you do not hear from him or her in the next week or so, as you will need it for your October meeting (they are due by Nov. 2). Beacon Board Meetings, 2014: One thing the Board thought that the various committees at Beacon could keep in mind as they make their plans for the 2014-2015 church year is, “how can our committee also plan with growth in mind?” Please share any ideas you might think of with your Board Liaison, as we’d love to hear about it. Oct. 8th, 6:30 pm-9pm Nov. 2nd, 1 pm-3pm Nov. 14th, 7pm-9pm (budget meeting) Dec. 14th, 1 pm-3pm Meetings are held at the home of Peggy and Tom Lunderville. Please RSVP if you’d like to come, to Our collaborative executive continues to iron out all the details of shared leadership, but we’re enjoying the Peggy at 604-522-3001. STEWARDSHIP DRIVE for 2015 During October, you will be hearing a lot about Stewardship (and receiving written materials). You will be asked to consider what you will contribute to Beacon in 2015. Beacon is an amazing community in which it seems everyone contributes not only their treasure, but also their time and talent. In this way we fulfil our vision by connecting, inspiring and transforming ourselves and each other. Without your contributions, Beacon would not be the strong and joyous congregation it is today. If you have any questions or want to help make this Stewardship Drive the most fun ever, please contact Sue Sparlin, Stewardship Committee Chair, 778-319-7827 or email to [email protected] STEWARDSHIP LAUNCH PARTY Come join the fun!! Immediately after the Sunday Service on October 19th, you are invited to a fun Launch (no, not lunch, launch) Party to kick off the Stewardship Drive. A nautical theme is planned and you are invited to dress up as if you were going on a cruise, or come as a pirate, or surprise us all and come as yourself! There will be coffee and tea and cupcakes. At the party you can fill in your pledge cards, find out about automatic deposits and transfers in kind, and dream with us about the upcoming year. by Laura Redmond Urban writes that Schweitzer’s philosophy—his deep respect— is the foundation upon which truly good people build their lives. They accept and cherish life as the great gift that it is. They treasure the world and the other people with whom they share it. The more a person does this, Schweitzer says, the more life “…becomes richer, more beautiful and happier. It Our class was focusing on the first Unitarian principle: becomes, instead of mere living, a real experience of life.” “We covenant to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person”. The children’s rainbow version of the principle puts it this way: “We Translating this into practical terms, Urban notes that overcoming our self-centeredness and our narrow way promise to Respect all people” (Red Promise). of looking at life is a sign of real growth and maturity. The more we learn to appreciate the differences and Working in pairs, the children acted out several relational situations exploring the differences between uniqueness in others, the closer we come to developing respectful and disrespectful actions and reactions. We our own reverence for life. agreed that respectful behaviour usually made a situation better, while disrespectful behaviour made it As we move into October, the Sunday school class will continue to work with our principles and explore what worse. they mean for us in our family and school life. The remaining principles (rainbow version) are: Next, the children were each given a colouring book with yet another version of the principles, again · Offer kind and fair treatment to all (Orange expressed in a child-friendly way. The first principle is Promise) conveyed this way: “Everyone is important”. If · Yearn to Accept and Learn About Ourselves everyone is important it makes sense to treat all people and Others (Yellow Promise) with respect. Going back to our opening scenario we · Grow by Exploring What is True and Right see that each sister is important—the one who wants to (Green Promise) borrow the doll and the one not wanting to share. · Believe in our Ideas and Act on Them (Blue Sometimes it is hard to feel the importance of someone Promise) in our family—someone whose faults you know only · Insist on Freedom, Justice, and Peace for all too well, or someone not currently exhibiting People (Indigo Promise) respectful behaviour. But we can make the choice to · Value our home, Earth, that we share with all act respectfully, knowing that our respectful behaviour paves the way for peaceful relations, and even better— living beings (Violet Promise) fun, creative times with shared laughter and love. Be a model student! Once a month—or once a year— attend a Sunday school class and add your enthusiasm, Going deeper into the theme of “respect”, I’d like to help maintain the class focus, and give assistance in quote Hal Urban, from his book Life’s Greatest Lessons, where he is summarizing a story about Albert other small ways. Contact Laura or Amber to sign up. Thanks in advance for your willingness to connect Schweitzer, who felt a “Reverence for Life”. with our Beacon children! Laura Redmond: Schweitzer viewed life, including every person, as a [email protected] or (604) 939-9310; Amber great gift that needed to be treasured and respected. Strocel: [email protected] (604) 613-4532. Then, he said, we can raise Life to its true value. R-E-S-P-E-C-T ! “I’m disappointed that you won’t let me play with your doll, because you promised me I could.” These were the respectful words that the class came up with for “sister 1” to say to “sister 2” in the scenario where sister 2 refuses to share her doll. Beacon’s “Affinity Groups” include several small groups which are always equally welcoming to newcomers and seasoned Beaconites. So, if you’d like to meet with Beaconites in a warm and supportive environment, check out our small groups. Humanist Group Meeting -The next meeting will be September 28, 7:30 p.m. at Astoria House, Port Coquitlam. Marilyn Medén will talk about Restorative Justice. Background information, a short role play, and description of the present use Lunch Bunch - meets every Thursday at noon; for of Restorative Justice will lead us to a discussion. Questions information contact Ivy Hubbard 604-527-9990. we might consider are: Is the more appropriate aggrieved Choir - Choir meets Tuesdays, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. at Miller party the State or the victim? Are there limits to the Park School. Choir info: call Charlene 604-464-3992. application of the Restorative Justice model? More info, Marilyn Medén [email protected] Book Club - Meets on third Thursday each month from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. For meeting location, book being Youth Group meets next on October 10. Bake sale read, or other info, please call Bev Lock 604-525-6791. Sunday September 28th at church... For further info contact [email protected] . There will be a soup lunch on , after church. To contribute, please contact Peggy Lunderville at 604-522-3001, or [email protected] Earlier this month, I received the following suggestion for a new column in the Beacon, from Jane Shoemaker. She suggested the title Beaconites in the Spotlight, and I think it is a great idea! Here is Jane's explanation: I'm sure that Beaconites, like me, would enjoy finding out about performances or exhibits which feature our friends, of course finding out about them in time to attend. The column could tell when Sue Sparlin will appear in a play, along with where it will be and when. Similarly we could find out when Nicki Hamilton’s choir will perform, and when John Hagen's band will perform, etc. Other people might exhibit their art in an art show (Al Sather has done this in the past), or read poetry in a poetry slam (Franci Louann), or whatever. Then, totally serendipitously, I received my first submission, just in time time for the debut of the column. This will be an occasional column, and it is up to you to send me your notices to include in the Beacon! Please send details to [email protected] by the 15th of the month. So, in the SPOTLIGHT this month is Teresa Morton: Teresa Morton has been named as a “Local Hero” Volunteer for the City of Burnaby, in recognition of her work with the group 'My Artist's Corner', or MAC. MAC members, artists living with mental health issues, are holding their 5th Annual Show & Sale on October 4th at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, in Burnaby. Late breaking news: October 19th at 1:30pm at Sapperton Hall: Seniors Have Talent. This is a talent competition with participants age 55 and over. Sue Sparlin will be performing, as will Joyce Johnstone and Twinkletoes. Come out and support your local talent. Tickets available at the door. (Note: Sue won first place in last year’s competition) What’s New This Year at Beacon? Theology Pub Update The first ever Theology Pub night was a great success, bringing together almost two dozen people from both the South Fraser and Beacon Congregations with a significant number of friends and strangers. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and old friends. The evening was filled with profoundly deep conversations on the nature of or absence of God. Personal understandings and experiences of Ultimate Reality could be heard rising from the four tables of five or six people. Every thirty minutes Rev. Debra Thorne or Rev. Amanda Aikman would ask everyone to reshuffle themselves so as to meet as many new people as possible. Yes, it was loud! Yes, there was beer! Yes, it was fun! The next Theology Pub night is October 12 at 7pm at Central City Brewing Company in North Surrey. The conversation starter will be: Is wholeness the opposite of sin? Come early for dinner, stay late to socialize. Here is a map to find the pub: https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Central+City+Brewing+Co Soul Matters Groups at Beacon A Soul Matters Group is a small group format that offers an opportunity to go deeper with the monthly theme. Each group experience is designed to mentally and spiritually stretch us within a respectful group context. The Soul Matters Groups meet once a month and will continue all year. All groups are open to newcomers, so if you’d like to join please contact Rev. Debra Thorne ([email protected]) Simply Pray The intent of this group is to deepen our sense of the holy through authentic prayer/meditation practise. We will use Unitarian minister Erik Walker Wilkstrom’s book Simply Pray: a modern spiritual practice to deepen your life, to learn about the four fundamental forms of prayer shared by all major religions. Class will meet the third Wednesday of the month till June 2015. To sign-up for this group contact Rev. Debra Thorne ([email protected]) Seminar Series at Century House in New Westminster Are you concerned about climate change? Do you want to learn more? This free, seven-week series of discussions will explore the entire subject, from whether climate change is real and threatening, to what we can do about it; personally and as communities, on a local scale and beyond. Networking opportunities with like-minded people will be offered, as well as strategies for feeling less overwhelmed or discouraged. Our talks will have no scientific jargon and are aimed at lay people, like ourselves. We invite you to join us. Presenters Terry McComas, Marilyn Medén & Teresa Morton, all passionate about sharing our knowledge and experience on Climate Change, are members of Beacon Unitarian Church, which meets in New Westminster. Oct 18 to Dec 06 (no class on November 8), Saturdays, 1:30 to 3:30 pm in the OAK Room (Century House, 620 Eighth St., New Westminster, BC) FREE Mark your calendars! The Canadian Unitarian Council's B.C. Regional Fall Gathering and Youth Con will be hosted by the First Unitarian Church of Victoria in cahoots with Capital Congregation on October 24 to 26! Whatever our spiritual perspective, certain paths in life seem to lead us to connect more deeply with that which to us matters most. Some of these paths have shifted and changed, and few have stayed the same. What path are you walking? Is it filled with music? Stories? Does your life path also bring end-of-life questions? How does your path lead you to depth and connection? During the BC Regional Fall Gathering you are invited to explore and deepen a familiar path or chart a new course. While youth and children partake in specialized programming, adults are invited to participate in four streams: 1) ‘Worship Leader Training’ with Rev. Barbara ten Hove, 2) ‘Storytelling’ with Wedlidi Speck, 3) ‘Choices in Dying, and Planning Your Own Memorial’ with Galina Coffey-Lewis and Jasha Ramsay respectively, or 4) ‘Ubuntu - Singing with Spirit’ with Barbara Slater and Kevin Wilkie. There are many paths to connecting with the Spirit - come, let us walk them together! Further info on Regional Fall Gathering, see http://www.beaconunitarian.org/pdf-files/SEPTEMBER_2014.pdf NEW VIEW SOCIETY, Port Coquitlam In the late 1960's and early 1970's downsizing began at Riverview Hospital. There were no existing programs in the community to help individuals make the transition and adapt to a new way of living. In fact, many of these expatients wanted to return to the hospital where they had been involved in social, recreational and work programs. The New View Society was established in 1973 and quickly began filling this void by providing programming and social opportunities for adults and youth with mental illness and addictions, many of whom were at risk of becoming homeless. Now some 41 years later, New View Society continues to provide housing, community living support, employment services and social and personal growth opportunities to adults with a mental health diagnosis. The Society's goal is to enable individuals to live the most satisfying, hopeful and productive life consistent with the limitations caused by their illnesses. Quotes from our members... "I have been living at Rindall House for about 2 years. I enjoy the company and the friendship of the women residents and learning from them. I am happy to be working for over one year and glad to be part of New View Society. Thank you." "New View gave us back our daughter and a relationship with her once again. I will always be thankful to New View." The Society is pleased to be hosting THAT'S JUST CRAZY TALK on Wednesday, October 8th at the Inlet Theatre in Port Moody. This solo show performed by Victoria Maxwell looks at the light and dark side of living with bipolar disorder, anxiety and psychosis. Tickets are $25. For information call Susanna Walden at 604- 941- 3222 ext. 306 or visit www.newviewsociety.org. Share Food Bank Project @Beacon Beacon Food Bank Sunday is back on Oct.5, and on the first Sunday of each month. During the 2013 -2014 church year, Beacon Unitarian community generously donated almost $1000.00 to SHARE FOOD Bank in the Tri Cities. They do a wonderful job of stretching our dollars through special purchasing. Beacon members also work many volunteer hours every second Wednesday between 11am to 3pm.to distribute food hampers. Join us, if you can. We have a good time. Anita and John Hagen The Youth Group will be holding a bake sale after church on September 28. Sunday, Sep 28 Monday, Sep 29 Friday, Oct 3 Saturday, Oct 4 Sunday, Oct 5 Grandmothers’ Dreamings, Youth Group Bake Sale, Humanist Group (7:30) Getting to Know U, 7:00, see page 2 Worship Committee meeting, 9:15 @Sally Frith’s “My Artist’s Corner” Show & Sale, Shadbolt Centre, Burnaby Divided No More Rev. Debra Thorne plus Good Times Harmony Singers, (Food Bank collection) Wednesday Oct 8 Soul Matters Group One 1 - 3, Board Meeting 6:30 pm @Lundervilles That’s Just Crazy Talk, see page 7 Thursday, Oct 9 Soul Matters Group Two 7 - 9 Sunday, Oct 12 Mother Earth with Aline LaFlamme; Theology Pub night 7 pm Wednesday, Oct 15 Newsletter Deadline; Simply Pray 7 - 9 Thursday, Oct 16 Connecting and Caring committee , 1 - 3 Saturday, Oct 18 Climate Change Series, 1:30 - 3:30, see page 6 Sunday, Oct 19 Our Whole House Rev. Debra Thorne , choir sings, Stewardship Launch Seniors Have Talent, Sapperton, 1:30 Friday Oct 24 - Sunday Oct 26 - B.C. Regional Fall Gathering in Victoria Saturday, Oct 25 Climate Change Series, 1:30 - 3:30, see page 6 Sunday, Oct 26 Reflections of a Unitarian Activist with Rev. Frances Deverell, Choir, Soup Lunch, Humanist Group meets, 7:30 pm Every Thursday at noon - Lunch Bunch, see page 5 for contact info Every Tuesday at 7:30 - Choir, see page 5 for contact info
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