“The horizon leans forward, offering you space to place new steps of change.”

                        Maya Angelou from “On the Pulse of Morning”

We are at the halfway point of Interim Ministry and there is much to feel joyful and excited about as the congregation changes, grows, and discovers new possibilities for the future.  Much of Interim Ministry is a practice of asking good questions and creating space for new ideas to emerge by tapping into experience, hope and collective wisdom alive in ourselves and our communities.  In my experience, this is where the horizon leans forward to greet us, at the intersection of the past, present, and future.  It is important to pause here and pay attention to our stories, our longings, and our dreams for the future.

In the months ahead the Transition Team will be inviting the congregation into listening and learning circles, Wisdom Circles, as part of the next phase of Interim Ministry – Celebrating our History.  Everyone is welcome to join a conversation, no matter how long you’ve been a part of the community.  We each have important insights and stores to share.  I hope you will join us on the next phase of Interim Ministry.

Join the Transition Team for Wisdom Circle conversation that will celebrate the history of the congregation by sharing our stories and memories. Sign up for ONE session to share your wisdom stories with the Interim Ministry Transition Team.  If you attend a zoom option a link will be sent to you in advance of the meeting.

ZOOM sessions – Each session is limited to 12 people. 

Monday, February 27th @ 3:00-4:30 pm facilitated by Catherine Schuler and Marilyn Hunt

Tuesday, March 21st @ 7-8:30pm facilitated by Rev. Jamie and Marilyn Hunt

Saturday, April 22nd @ 9-10:30am facilitated by Rev. Jamie and Joanne Dear

In-Person sessions –  Each session is limited to 12 people. 

Sunday, February 26th @ 12-1:30pm facilitated by Rev. Jamie and Joanne Dear

Sunday, March 19th @12-1:30pm facilitated by Rev. Jamie and Marilyn Hunt

Sunday, April 23rd @ 12-1:30-pm facilitated by Rev. Jamie and Joanne Dear

You can sign up at the Google Form available here:  https://forms.gle/Kh6dkzVm3zcCNGrF9

If you have questions feel free to reach out to the Transition Team:  Joanne Dear, Marilyn Hunt, Catherine Schuler, and Rev. Jamie at jamie@uuhamilton.ca.

In faith and joy,

Rev. Jamie

Throughout December we dwell and invite the theme of “Mystery” into our midst. We will invite the unseen, unknown, hidden, and holy into our lives. Christmas and Hannukah both center a great mystery in their stories, and winter solstice arrives marking the midwinter turn towards longer days. We celebrate the creative presence of darkness and light and notice the mystery of the seasons that hold us, keep us, and nourish us as earthly beings.

Many years ago, I went on a pilgrimage to celebrate the life and death of Rumi Mevlana in Konya, Turkey. Rumi’s death is marked annually between December 7-17 and travelers from around the world to gather in Konya for a week of sacred celebrations. That journey changed me. I encountered the great mystery of the divine in a celebration of beauty, nature, love, life, God, and death. It was the first time that I found myself consumed with awe and wonder in the presence of an ancient mystical tradition.

This memory reminds me of the miracles lurking in the stories from many faith traditions that mark this time of year as special. The season sparkles, shines, and lures me back to delight, wonder, awe, and gratitude. Each year, I am changed, much like that first journey through a winter night to Konya. Only now I encounter the mysteries of my own heart and in the presence of beloved Unitarian Universalist community.

December invites all of us a time to pause, reflect, and welcome the mysteries of our lives, to connect in community and celebrate each other, and to notice the beauty that surround us. Perhaps there are lessons and life-affirming reminders waiting to be discovered!

I hope you will join us this December to dwell in mystery and to celebrate our beloved community. All our services will be in person at the church and livestreamed for our family and friends joining us online.

In faith,  Rev. Jamie

Sunday, December 4, 2022 at 10:30am
“Dwelling in the Mysteries of Winter”
Led by Rev. Jamie Boyce and Service Leader Audrey Johnman
Join us for a service that will welcome the December theme of “Mystery” into our midst and invite each of us to dwell in the beauty and lessons of wintertime.

Sunday, December 11, 2022 at 10:30am
“The Mystery of Christmas”
Led by Rev. Jamie Boyce and Religious Educator Tim Versteeg.
Our annual multigenerational holiday service that will celebrate “The Mystery of Christmas”. It is also our annual CYRE holiday service we will be collecting gift cards for the Eva Rothwell Centre to distribute at Christmastime. Eva has asked for cards for the following stores: SHOPPERS DRUG MART, TIM HORTONS, SUBWAY, METRO, MCDONALDS, WALMART and WENDY’S. In addition, following NEW items will be accepted: men’s, women’s and children’s socks, long john’s, slippers, and warm gloves.

Sunday, December 18, 2022 at 10:30am
“Blue Holidays” – Led by Rev. Jamie Boyce and Service Leader Irene Kaye
This service will acknowledge and hold space for the complicated feelings of the season and the many losses and griefs among us. It is a time of holding the comforts of community close. We will also lift up the Winter Solstice and offer gratitude and blessings for the turning of the Earth. Led by Rev. Jamie Boyce

Saturday, December 24th Christmas Eve Services

5:00pm Family Christmas Service – Led by Religious Educator Tim Versteeg

8:00pm Candlelight Christmas Eve Service
Led by Rev. Jamie Boyce and Service Leaders Sue Stewart-Greene and John Greene

Sunday, December 25th at 10:30am Christmas Day
“Christmas Morning Cheer!”
Join for readings and carols to spark joy and delight as we gather for a Christmas morning celebration. Led by Rev. Jamie Boyce and Service Leader Gail Rappolt.

Dear Members and Friends,

I write this from a place of sadness and deep concern for our world. The Russian invasion of Ukraine weighs heavy on my heart. We are witnessing a humanitarian crisis that is heartbreaking and frightening to behold.

As people of faith, we bear witness to the suffering in Ukraine and call forth a global commitment to justice and peace – one that affirms democracy and the self-determination of the Ukrainian people. We also commit ourselves to acts of care and love as a response.

In the days and weeks ahead may we hold close in our hearts, in our meditations and prayers, the Ukrainian people and all those suffering in the presence of war and tyranny throughout the globe. May we continue to commit ourselves to the possibility of peace and not turn away from the inequities and injustices throughout world as we reach out to Ukraine. Let us continue to press upon world governments to accountably address racism and discrimination in their policies and humanitarian efforts.

May it be so.

In faith,
Rev. Jamie

If you would like to help the following organizations are recommended by the Canadian Unitarian Council and the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, International Women’s Convocation, and Hungarian Unitarian Church (https://www.uua.org/files/2022-03/Call%20for%20Aid%20HUC.pdf).

Help provide housing for refugees at Airbnb.org.

Canadian Red Cross
https://www.redcross.ca