The Chalice Lighter
Newsletter for Members & Friends of the South Fraser Unitarian Congregation, Surrey BC
---------------------------- May 2011 ----------------------------
Sunday Services (10:30 am)
May 1 “Congregational Meeting”
~ Linda Thomson
Linda Thomson, Congregational Services Director with
the CUC will join us for this special meeting. In
preparation for South Fraser's time of ministerial
transition, Linda will help us explore and understand
our hopes and dreams and the qualities and
characteristics of ministry that are priorities for us.
Please plan to be part of this conversation during our
regular service time and continuing until 1:30 pm.
May 8 “Honouring Diverse Beliefs in Our
Communities”
~David Dalley
From Atheism to Zoroastrianism, people draw on
different belief systems to guide the ways they think and
act. How can we respond to this important element of
diversity in our communities? We will screen a locally-
produced documentary that showcases our congregation
and explores some of these important ideas. You are
sure to recognize some faces!
May 15 “Life is a Sum of all Your Choices”
~ Rev. Trish Schwartzberg
This quote, by Albert Camus, reminds us that choice is a
key element in how we live our lives. How do you make
your choices and what do you do when it seems you
have no choice? Join us as we explore the place of
choice in how we experience life.
May 22 “Renewed Faith in the Midst of Chaos”
~ Rev. Barbara Gilday
Although some believe we are living in a time without
light as the systems around us tumble down like humpty
dumpty, there are many seeds and signs of renewal in
the cosmos. New life is gestating in our world, our
hearts and our spirits. Can we trust change and be with
the “kingdom” that is coming, here and now?
May 29 “Which Comes First, the Act or the
Belief?”
~ Rev. Schwartzberg and the Credo Class
All of us have a set of beliefs that are the foundation of
our lives. The ability to articulate those beliefs is the
purpose of the Credo Class. The most recent Credo
class members will share their statements of belief.
Thoughts on Worship
By Mona Milne, Worship Committee Chair
Now that Trish and Helene are leaving, we will have to
think forward with open minds. Looking at our needs and
expectations for a new minister is a start, but we will also
need to fill the coming two months with planning and
optimism. There are two of procedural reminders to make
the services flow more smoothly:
If we have an announcement, we should try to get it to
Helene for the Order of Service by Wednesday. If there is
no time, we need to alert the Service Leader in writing
before the service. The Service Leader will assess if he/
she can read it or if more details and explanation are
needed by the person responsible. It saves time if people
who have a Joy or a Concern line up along the stage, so
that less time is needed to move up to the microphone.
Over the summer we hope to have two lay-led services
during July and August. One would be outdoors at a beach
or in a park, with space for games and a picnic. The other
would be in a retirement housing complex, where people
can get together and sit comfortably. This would require
some help in finding locations and ideas to make the
services interesting without too much preparation. We
need to have precise plans in place by mid May, so please
contact me with your suggestions in the first week of May.
If possible, we will synchronize the services with our
closest UU neighbours who meet in New West and Blaine.
Calendar of Events for May ’11
Sun, May 1: Special Congregational Meeting
(details page 2)
Wed, May 4: Part 1 of workshop series at Beacon
(details page 2)
Wed, May 11: Part 2 of workshop series at Beacon
(details page 2)
Sun, Apr 10: Bake Sale after the service
(details page 2)
Sun, May 29: SFUC Annual General Meeting
Last day of the Service Market
(details page 2)
1
 South Fraser’s Bulletin Board
May Birthday Greetings to:
1st Els Pathuis
6th Joan Russell
Sakura Nandana
8th Donnie Henderson
15th Gwynneth Quirk
19th Shirley Tempest
20th Regina Ogmundson
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The Canadian Unitarian and Universalist Historical
Society (CUUHS) has prepared a historical, spiritual,
educational and engaging BOOK OF ESSAYS to mark
the 50th anniversary of the founding of the CUC.
Guarding Sacred Embers: Reflections on Canadian
Unitarian and Universalist History will be released at
the ACM in Toronto . Books can be pre-ordered from
the CUUHS secretary, Barbara Bowmar, #233 4074
Gellatly Road, West Kelowna , BC , V4T 2S8 . Cost is
$20 plus mailing. For more details, e-mail Barbara
Bowmar at bjbowmar@gmail.com.
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TWO GREAT WORKSHOPS AT SASAMAT THIS
YEAR - Saturday, June 4 at Sasamat Lake! Sonnets at
Sasamat (just kidding) by Franci ‘Freestyle’ Louann:
all kinds of poetry with a nature theme. If you have
already written something about nature bring it along—
part of our work together will be to share/workshop
what you have brought. Be prepared also for a half hour
‘nature walk’… with paper and pencil… then we can
share, as we will, what we have written. For adults and
youth…all comers welcome... 1:30–3:30 pm. $43
includes workshop with lunch or dinner, & optional
canoeing/kayaking (3:30–5pm). “Good News”—
Sasamat’s a’comin’ - Uplifting gospel, chants, and call
& response songs from faith traditions around the
world. 10–11:30 am & 1:30–4 pm. $67 includes
workshop with lunch & optional canoeing/kayaking (4–
5pm). Download a Sasamat registration form at
www.beaconunitarian.org or email us for more info at
lauraredmond2@telus.net
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T h e 1 4 t h A n n u a l VA N C O U V E R I S L A N D
UNITARIAN WOMEN’S RETREAT will be held at
Bethlehem Retreat Centre in Nanaimo, BC on the
weekend of September 16-18, 2011. The cost for the
weekend is $225 before August 19 or $240 after this
date. Space is limited. The featured workshop will be
Opening Our Hearts Through Story led by storyteller
Margaret Murphy from Nanaimo.
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The SFUC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING will be
held on May 29, 2011 at the Newton Seniors Center
following the service and a sandwich lunch. A $5
contribution is requested.
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The SERVICE MARKET will continue until May
29th. Here is an opportunity to show and share your
talents whether they be in the garden, in the kitchen, in
the workshop, on the hiking trails, or on the computer.
The profits from your "contract" are contributed to
SFUC while the "volunteer" receives equivalent tax
credit. Please make cheques out to SFUC with the name
of the person receiving tax credit on the memo line. If
you agree upon a certain date with the host, and then
don't show up at the last minute without notification,
you should feel obliged to pay. For further information
contact Carrie Phillips, Gerri Ormiston or Regina
Ogmundson.
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SFUC is invited to attend a TWO-NIGHT
WORKSHOP with the Beacon Church. It is a great
opportunity to get inspiration for more involvement in
our congregation and for our own individual growth.
Please register while there is still space. Wednesdays,
May 4 & May 11, 7:00 pm – 9 pm, at Miller Park
School, meeting at 1600 King Albert Ave, Coquitlam
(off Poirier Ave). Workshop with Rev. Katie - Crafting a
Sermon. Some reflections and directions on the art and
craft of putting a sermon together will be shared. How
do you choose what to preach about? How do you grab
the congregation’s attention? And especially, how can
the preacher appeal to younger, media saturated,
listeners? More information available including reading
prep - contact Rev. Katie, ksather@shaw.ca
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CAMP SASAMAT: SFUC is offering to cover the
registration fees to Camp Sasamat, June 3-5/11 for one
person who normally would not consider attending
because of financial reasons. Please submit your name
to Ryan Usenik at jrusenik@telus.net before April 25.
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You are invited to join the SFUC ANNOUNCEMENT
GROUP on Yahoo. This group is an informal,
moderated email group that allows members to
distribute announcements to the rest of the group. It is a
good way to stay informed about community events that
might be of interest to Unitarians. It is not a forum for
“chatting” or “spamming.” The Communigram will
continue to be the main source of information for
congregational activities. To join the group, send your
request to David Dalley at davidanderin@dalley.ca or
go directly here.
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2
 Tidbits from Trish
By Rev. Trish Schwartzberg

One of myBackall-time favourite

in the early Fall, Isongs
heardismore
“Saythan
It With Love” by What
one sage the Moody
broughtBlues.
this allI to
have played
mind it more
was my visit than
to myonce for a
service. predict
The first
thatfew
thislines
wouldofbethis
an song are: severe winter.
especially daughter and the cold weather there. Not too long ago,
As I write this in mid January, here in coastal BC, we Orlando, FL., where she lives, was considered south of
have not seen that happen yet. Yes, we still “I've have abeen
few thinking
the “frost free” line. It was a huge citrus producing area,
months to get through and we may stillThe get way
somepeople doeven named Orange County. Driving down there would
extreme weather. I know when we were in'Bout Florida in take matter
the things that you through mile after mile of seemingly endless
early January, the weather was consistently colder there citrus groves. Devastating freezes in the early eighties,
than here. To me and you.” not only ruined crops, but also killed enormous numbers
of trees. Freezes earlier than that may have damaged a
In deciding wherewe
But when welook
want to live
around theasworld
we plan
there our
has move
been back season’s
to the US,crop,Helene
but not and I have
the trees had to look
themselves. at a number of
I remember
factors. some
In doing
unusual thisweather.
we have had
Parts to practice
of Canada and thediscernment
US have about whatthrough
driving really the
is important
area a year to us.after
or so Thethe two main
worst of locations
that we been colder and
considered haveFlorida,
were had morewhere
severemy
snowstorms
daughterthatlives, andtheMonterey,
freezes, andCalifornia,
seeing, not where
miles and
we miles
lived of lush,
previously. One
plus for usual.
moving There to has been snow
Florida, alongin with
the UK, almost
being unheard
close green groves,
to my daughter, is the but
costmile
of after mileHousing
living. of dead trees.
thereManyis aoffraction of
of. There has been unusually high amount of rainfall for the groves were never replanted and some were never
what it is
theintime
Monterey.
of year inWe could probably buy a house there, with
Spain. a nice yard,
even cleared. It wasfor
onewhat
of thewe havenatural
saddest in equitysightsinI our home
here. This would give us more cash month-to-month to do things hadwe would
ever seen. like to do, including travel that we have long
talked about.
I have heard more than one person comment, both in
person and online, that “if there is global warming, why I guess my wondering is, was that freeze, almost 30
are wehand,
On the other getting colder is
Florida weather
one ofthantheusual”.
states The
thatanswer years ago,
has no recognition an early warning
of same-sex of globalOur
relationships. warming?
marriage Andwould not
be recognized. Also, the weather there is not what we prefer. Already in mid-April it hit temperatures in the of
to that is that global warming does not just mean that what other signs are we now ignoring that tell us high 80’s F
everything gets warmer; it means that as the overall other ways we are causing changes to the earth? I would
(almost temperature
30 C). In Monterey we have many friends, love
rises, there will be shifts in overall weather the weather
love to have some discussion on this topic to see if there extreme
(similar to here, but without the snow and
heat), and our marriage
patterns. Some areaswillwillbe
getrecognized. The will
warmer and others whole get atmosphere
are waysthere feels
to we can“right”
support totheboth of tous.reverse
efforts This option
this could
limit us colder.
more financially.
It has an overall affect on the entire climate trend. Let me know if you would like to be a part of
patterns of Earth. this.
So we could travel more, and have more ready cash, but be miserable where we actually live much of the year if we do
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
what is financially the most sensible. However we have thought “’bout the things that matter” to us, and have decided
that feeling at home, enjoying where we are all year long, and being welcomed as a couple mean more than having extra
cash with which to do more traveling and have more things.
Among Ourselves
By Pearle Glen

How doHereyoucomes
makeFebruary,
your decisions
filled with when youand
love, hope have big with
promise onesboth
to Valentines
make? Do dayyou go Olympics
and the with what is most
to look practical,
forward to. most
financially responsible? I invite you to consider what is really important to you, rather than what seems the most
sensible.Many havehappy
Being had thewith
traveling
yoururge recently. Rev.
decisions, Trish and Helene
considering went down
the things to Floridawill,
that matter, for two
in weeks,
the longwhere theyprovide
run, will more
be enjoying the opening
satisfaction and quality of life. of Trish’s daughter’s new business. Julia Hall returned from Florida after a great vacation.
Meanwhile, the other popular destination is Hawaii, where David Grant and wife Gwen spent a couple of weeks. Still
awaiting to depart there are Barbara Davenport and Colleen O’Rell, plus Linda Pugh.
Ministerial Search Committee News
Jane and Geoff Parker Sutton spent ten days in Arizona, where Geoff is recovering from knee surgery.
As you all know, Rev. Trish's time with SFUC is coming to an end. The Board has formed a committee to begin the
It was
search for niceminister.
a new to see Alison
I amPearson again, andtoMitsu
very pleased has of
be part returned from the Kootenays
this committee, where
and to be she and
joined Clay are building
by Kathleen a
Zimmerman and
summer or retirement home.
Rosemary Liburd. Together we are committed to the process of searching for a new minister, and our first meeting was
held in the
Thethird week
speaker of April.
on January 17th was a no-show unfortunately so Mona Milne called upon the congregation to fill the gap.
The response was heartening. The attendees would like to thank Gerald, Laurel, Sylvia, Donnie and Royes for their
The congregation
courage and has indicated
honesty thetheir
in relating need to have
personal some group discussion and brain-storming to help identify our goals
experiences.
and priorities. We, together with the Board and the Worship Committee, have set up a special Congregational Workshop
on MayTake1st.care.
WeSee you in
hope Church.
that all congregation members will attend and take part in this process. Linda Thomson,
Congregational Services Director with the CUC, will be facilitating this workshop. Please plan to attend during our
Love and gratitude,
regular service hours (beginning at 10:30), and be available to stay until 1:30, with a short break for lunch. Linda will
help us explore:
Pearle !

- our hopes and dreams for the congregation

- our congregational strengths and challenges 3
- the qualities and characteristics of ministry that are priorities for us.

Additionally, the Ministerial Search Committee has prepared a survey that you will be asked to complete during this
workshop. Please take the time to consider in advance any information you might like to tell us – having full
participation is key, as we are striving to understand the needs and desires of our community as a whole

We appreciate your time and effort, and are confident that this meeting will provide us with the understanding we need
to move forward with our search.
3
 BOARD HIGHLIGHTS
Submitted by Carrie Phillips, Board Secretary

Highlights from the Board Meeting held Apr 6, 2011

Present: Mike Sands, Gerri Ormiston, Erin Knudsen,
Ryan Usenik, Carrie Phillips. Regrets: David Grant,
Helene Kirschbaum, Rev. Trish Schwartzberg
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEE LIAISONS:
Worship: Agreement was reached to hold the last
Service on the third Sunday in June. Following the
Service, a salad potluck was suggested when we shall
bid our farewell to Trish and Helene. CUC: Steve
Faraher-Amidon and Royce Rourke were chosen to be
delegates at the CUC meetings in Toronto on May 20th.
Full support will be provided for reasonable expenses.
If a third person replaces one of the delegates, an
additional $200 will be added for expenses. Religious
Education: Kate Coghlan has requested that R.E.
Supplies and materials be moved to her basement from
the Dalley's home. Personnel: Volunteers are sought for
the weekly publication of the Order of Service after
Helene moves away. Lay Chaplaincy: Mike will find
some interested members to serve on the Lay
Chaplaincy Committee to consider any applicants.
Publicity: Dan Coghlan and David Dalley ask that no
unintended phone numbers or other personal
information be included for publication on our Web
Site.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Sonja Brooks Award will be presented at the
AGM. Members are requested to write a short
supporting statement for a person you wish to
recommend. A list of those not eligible has been
published in the Communigram. Applicants may write
Ryan or other Board member for support to attend
Camp Sasamat in June.
MINISTERIAL TRANSITION:
The Board will facilitate the first meeting, in
conjunction with the Ministerial Search Committee and
the Worship Committee, to involve Congregational
input regarding the selection a future minister. The
Search Committee consists of Kathleen Zimmerman,
Kate Coghlan, and Rosemary Liburd.
The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. The next meeting
will be at Erin Knudsen's home at 6:45 on May 4, 2011.

Among Ourselves
By Pearle Glen

Here comes May! What happened to April? The months seem to tumble over so quickly we hardly have time to catch
our breath.

The Bake Sale went well thanks to all of you who brought and bought, and to the helpers : Linda Pugh (who cashiered),
Lucille Morrill (who packaged), and to others who helped set up. All together we raised $124.

Travellers that we know of this month are the Phillips’, Trevor and Carrie. They are spending a week in Portland, the
they’re off to Italy.

It’s nice to welcome Nancy Vivian home and also to see the Grenz family again. Their children are growing like spring
flowers. Meanwhile, Dan and Kate have moved to the countryside and we wish them joy in their new abode.

Do keep in touch with “shut-ins” and send your loving, healing energy to those in need.

Hope you all enjoyed the Easter weekend. See you in church.

Love and gratitude,

Pearle ♥

4
serviceupinonJune we welcomed several new members to our congregation (see photo below
the Web site is needed as soon as possible. Care
s, we will be featuring
and Concern - (Linda Pugh)a Volunteers
brief write up as
are needed about Wednesday,
each of November
them. It’s always
3 at Helene's homeaat joy to learn mo
6:45 pm.
the differences that enrich us and the commonalities that bind us as a community. I do ho
r journeys.
Getting to Know Our New Members
Thismonth...
This month... Getting
Getting to to know
know ShanRourke
Royce Dube
By
ByGerald Boyko
Mona Milne

Shan Dube Royce

My friend is the youngest
was born of in 4New
children.
Zealand,Born in Yorkton,
attended Saskatchewan,
a Catholic school andShanthen was
wentraised in a spiritual
to Teacher Training home by a
College.
During holidays she metbuddhist
a Canadian father and a christian
travelling mother.
in the Pacific andOn hereventually
they own he became
married.a christian
When shebutwas
ultimately
pregnantfound
they it
moved to Canada, ending unfulfilling.
up in Burns A chance exposure
Lake. They to aland
bought course, “Laughter
and taught there isforHealing”
5 years by the Winnipeg
before moving to Unitarian
Prince
George. Their marriageChurch led her
eventually here.
broke down and in 1974 she came to Victoria to finish her training become a
counsellor. She has worked in Old Crow in the Yukon, Williams Lake, Chilliwack and Coquitlam. 1998 she met her late
A single
husband, an air controller mom to her
in Abbotsford. son5 Noah,
After Shan
rich and movedyears,
important here toheBCdiedforoffamily
cancersupport
and shefrom
movedhertomother
South in
Surrey. Her son and hisraising him.inShan
wife live studied and
Vancouver social work as
Royce, andofhas
thealso
endworked
of July,asisa missionary in Africa. of an
the happy grandmother
extraordinarily beautiful little boy.
What drew her to Unitarianism was a similar way of thinking. She enjoys how accepting
In her 40’s she exploredUnitarians
Buddhism are and and wantsmeditation.
practiced to raise herThrough
son in an environment
Laurel where tolerance
she was introduced and free
to the book thinking
discussion
group and became curious areabout
priorities.
SFUCItbecause
is for that
shereason
enjoyedthat
andShan decided
admired to join our
the women she congregation.
met.

She also paints in different media and exhibits her work. Royce recently invested in a pressure washer machine to clean
up around her property. Roots
She feels itand
is important
Wings: to take responsibilityEducation
Religious for what you want in life and balance various parts
at leads
SFUC
of your personality She is curious about people and finds that service
By Kate Coghlan, DRE in the community to personal growth.

The lovely thing about a Spirt Play curriculum is that it explores all different topics. While we have been focused over
the years on our Principles of Belief (which the kids call Promises), there are many other sets of lessons available.
4
We have recently moved on to the 6 Sources. Our Sources General Lesson remarks that "Unitarian Universalists didn't
just make these promises or principles up one day. They come from many different ideas about how we should live that
people have been talking about and studying for a long, long, time." These ideas come from:

- our sense of wonder. We learn by asking why.

- the men and women of long ago and today whose lives remind me us to be kind and fair. We learn by
hearing their stories.
from left to
- allright: Noah
the world's Dube,
religions. WeShan Dube,
learn from manySamantha
cultures. Marciniak, Lynne Rhead, Royce
a Parker and- the Juan
Jewish Duran. Missing
and Christian from
teachings that photo
tell us toare
loveSandy
all othersChism and
as we love Mary Stewart.
ourselves. We learn from our
past history.
- the use of reason and the discoveries of science. We learn by using our minds.
- the harmony of nature and the sacred circle of life. We learn by knowing we are a part of nature and the
cycles of life.

This month...
This lesson is one of myGetting toI know
favourites because love the wayRita Parker
it illustrates the
connection between our Sources and our Promises. Imagine, if you will, a
large tree that represents Unitarianism (we put a flaming chalice in the centre
of the trunk). It is supported by 6 strong roots, the Sources, and it branches at
mmunity
the tophas been
into the a lifelong quest for me. As a child I was
7 Promises. raised Roman Catholic, but th
gh I had strong belief in a power more infinite than me along with a strong sense
I wonder...
he church
... whichwhen I was
part of the tree of young and started studying the writings of Ernest Holmes, and la
you like best?
ays had
... "lively" religious discussions
which part of the tree
... what feeds our roots?
you identify most in our home, with a host of people of different fait
closely with?

oom. We were encouraged to seek our own path.

This simple, beautiful story has made me wonder, and for the first time
inspired me to look at our Sources and Principles of Belief as two parts of
us belief systems.
one picture. Although
I wonder they were
if you see it similarly, very positive learning
experiences, I never found o
or differently?
n an inner level. That is, until I started reading Kurt Vonnegut Jr. I enjoy his writing a
meaning in his stories, so I wanted to know more about his philosophy. In one of h
e was a Unitarian, Buddhist, Christian which intrigued me. I had heard of Unitarianism
5 b
t it was about so I started reading. The more I learned about the Unitarians, the more I like