A Workshop with Rev. Antonia Won (CUC Congregational Services, Western Region)

Sponsored by the Sunday Services Committee

Saturday, March 2^nd, 9:30am to 12 noon at UCS

** Join us for breakfast at 9 am**

Back in September, Rev. Karen preached about open source theology, how in Unitarian congregations we try to open up the “source codes” of theology and philosophy so that individuals are able to “build their own theology” (in the words of a famous UU curriculum).

What would it be like to be a part of a congregation-wide conversation about resilience, or forgiveness, whether you are attending Sunday services, volunteering in Children’s religious education classes, or attending a committee meeting?

Several UU congregations in Canada and the United States are using themes as a way to focus and deepen services, create more opportunities for exploration, and connect people across the congregation.

We have already been doing this, in a small way, with the monthly services that pick up a theme from the Children’s Programming.  Thematic ministry is like this, but on a bigger scale.  The congregation chooses a theme for each month of the program year and then worship services, newsletter columns and other programs explore it from a variety of vantage points.

Many congregations have monthly small groups where members and friends can  engage more personally with the theme.  There may be materials available with  readings, personal reflections, and poems, as well as suggested books to read,      movies to watch and activities to try out.  Committees might choose readings from this package as their chalice lighting for the month.

Join Sunday Services, Children’s Religious Education and Lifespan Learning committee members as we explore thematic ministry to see if it might be a good fit for UCS.

All are welcome—your input is valued!

Please RSVP to tessera ucs.office@sasktel.net or 306-653-2402. Childcare is  available–please include names of children in your RSVP.

Rev. Antonia Won. Antonia (pronounced “anta-KNEE-ah”) is the CUC staff person leading congregational development in the Western Region and BC.

Books and Beyond is an informal, occasional opportunity to explore books and ideas on Tuesday evenings.  Do you have a book that you’d like to discuss with Unitarians and others?  Contact Rev. Karen about co-hosting a session!

Religion for Atheists Book Discussion Group  Religion for Atheists Poster

Books and beyond presents a discussion group on Alain de Botton’s Religion for Atheists: A Non-believer’s Guide to the Uses of Religion

What happens when a committed atheist decides that “is it true?” is the least interesting question to be asking of religion. Instead, he explores what religious institutions have to teach about cultivating community, beauty and other useful skills and attributes of living a fulfilling secular life.

Join us for an unconventional exploration of religion over four Tuesday evenings at the Unitarian Centre

Dates: Tuesday, Jan 22, Feb 5, Feb 19 and Mar  5

Time: 7 – 9pm

Childcare: available on request (minimum one week’s notice)

There is no cost –  but we ask that you pre-register to the Unitarian office at ucs.office@sasktel.net 306-653-2402

or Rev. Karen Fraser Gitlitz Karen@ucsaskatoon.org 306-491-7079 to RSVP or to request childcare.

Poster:  Religion for Atheists Poster

Saturday – Sep 29^{th, 2012}, 9:30 am -3:30 pm Unitarian Centre

You are warmly invited to the start-up of a new Shared Ministry landscape at the Unitarian Congregation of Saskatoon.  A day of dialogue and sharing of ideas.  Also a day of welcome and a celebration of our new path together.

Both our Developmental Minister, Karen Fraser Gitlitz, and our Director of Religious Education, Mary-Anne Parker, are beginning new positions, with the change to a 3/4-time congregational ministry and a ½-time religious  education position

We will lift up and name our expectations and hopes for the work of our professionals within the Shared Ministry framework, and explore how they can support us, the congregation, in embodying (or living) our goals,       mission and priorities.

*Shared ministry, put simply,  is the collective act of serving each others’ and the congregation’s needs. Together, professional minister, staff, lay members and friends craft services, educational opportunities, projects, social events and systems in order to meet our collective and individual needs. All of these things together constitute our “shared ministry”.

Rev. Wendy McNiven will be facilitating this day event. The day will        include worshipful and musical elements, large and small group discussion, individual work, and places for all ages to contribute and learn from each other.

(A light lunch and Childcare and activities for children will be  provided).

Please join us in walking this new path!

*(excerpted from the terms of reference for the Committee on Shared Ministry).