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WELCOME TO LIFESPAN
LEARNING
We cannot hold a torch to light another's
path without brightening our own
Download the
Program Guide in PDF form
This guide outlines some of
the ways to nurture your spiritual growth, to find community, and to
actively participate in the varied programs we offer.
We welcome
all, members, friends and visitors, to engage in all of our programs.
Come and learn, explore, and experience the many groups and activities
here at First.
To register for the programs, call the program leader
of the group you are interested in. Unless otherwise specified, all
programs take place at 175 St. Clair Avenue West.
For those programs with
associated fees, please make cheques payable to “First Unitarian
Congregation” and write on the memo line “Adult Program” and the activity
covered.
Sliding scale recognizes differences in ability to
pay. If you are unable to pay the stated fee for the program, talk
to the program leader and adjustments will be made according to your
needs.
If you have childcare needs, please discuss this with the group leader who
will contact the adult program committee in regards to childcare requests.
We also
actively encourage anyone who has an idea for a group or workshop that
they would like to lead or develop to contact us to discuss it.
New Programs
Introduction to First Unitarian and Unitarian
Universalism
Join us the first Sunday of
each month in the Board Room (105) )@11:45 to 12:15. Our next
session will be on Sunday, February 7th, 2010.
Pathways to Membership Sessions:
Wnter: Saturday, Feb. 20th 10 - 3pm
Spring ( 3 nights) 7-9 pm
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
New Members Services are held after the Pathways
sessions and we will have 2 more such services before summer:
Sunday, February 28th, 2010
Sunday, June 13th, 2010o register contact Joan
Hongoh, Membership Convenor:
joan@firstunitariantoronto.org
Afterthoughts
A series of
chats with Rev. Shawn Newton about the topic of the Sunday sermon.
The conversations begin in Sunderland Hall at 12:15 pm and end at 1:00 pm.
February 21st
The Gift of Conflict
February 28th
Class, and other acts
March
14th
Saving and Spending Time
March 28th
Making Peace with Jesus
April 18th
Saving More Than Whales: a UU, Vision of Salvation
April 25th
The Art of the Apology
Tea
and Conversation
A casual open
door gathering in the minister’s study with Rev. Shawn Newton and anyone
who would like to drop by. Tea begins at 4:00 pm and wraps up by 6:00 pm.
All welcome. January 5th and 12th, February 16th and 23rd,
March 9th and 23rd, April 6th and 27th May 4th and 18th
June 1st and 15th
A Chosen Faith
A guided discussion of
the classic introductory text to Unitarian Universalism “A Chosen
Faith”. Co-authored by seasoned UU ministers, John Beuhrens and the
late Forrest Church, A Chosen Faith examines each of our six
sources in chapters entitled: Experience, Deeds Not Creeds, Dialogue,
Expectations, Mind & Spirit, and For the Beauty of the Earth.
This program is designed for newcomers, searchers and lifelong learners
alike. The book is available for purchase from First’s bookstore in
Workman Hall at a cost of $20
Thursdays from 7:00—8:30 p.m. from
March 4 to April 22.
Co-facilitators: Angela
Klassen and TBA
Introductory Course to CPR and First Aid
Sunday, February 28th, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
This three hour course will offer
an introduction to the basics of first aid and CPR. While completion of
the course does not qualify one for certification in these areas, it will
provide essential knowledge about life saving techniques that can be used
in an emergency. In lieu of a registration fee, the facilitators at Vital
CPR have asked that each participant brings a food and/or cash donation
for the Daily Bread Food Bank.
To indicate your interest in attending, please send
an e-mail message with “CPR” in the subject line to
registerfirstunitarian@gmail.com
Special Events
Music at First
UU Choirs in Concert!
Saturday, March 20, 7:30pm
Sunderland Hall
Come hear this choral concert featuring seven Ontario
Unitarian-Universalist choirs!
Tickets: $15 / $10 / pay-what-you-can
Cabaret Night at First Unitarian
Friday, April 16, 8:00pm
Sunderland Hall
Save this date on your calendar and plan to see the
First Unitarian choir and members of the congregation in a different
light, showcasing their many talents.
For more information contact Ilene Cummings
Jewish Awareness
The Jewish Awareness Group
presents “ Jews and Baseball” with Charlie Novogrodsky on April 23, 2010.
Using music, slides,video and humor, Charlie highlights major
trends, famous players, discrimination and little known spiritual and
historical connections
Charlie is a member of Darchei Noam,
Reconstructionist Synagogue in Toronto and has been a featured speaker at
diversity conferences for over 20 years. Admisison: $10
All proceeds to :Facing History and Ourselves (www.facinghistory.org)
of which Charlie’s wife, Myra, is an advisory committee member.
For information, contact Cathy
Brown
nepalcathy@hotmail.com
or call 416-248-6159 to reserve your ticket.
Living In Spirit Groups
Using diverse readings, silence, and thought
provoking questions, members of Living In Spirit Groups speak from
personal experience to gain and share wisdom and understanding.
Contact the group leader to join any of these groups.
High Park
Every Second Tuesday
7:00
- 9:00 pm
Held at member’s home
Resumes January 6th
Harold Wright 416-766-6020
hkwright@sympatico.ca
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East York
Second & Fourth Monday
7:00 - 9:00 pm resumes
January 12.
Held at member’s home.
Ted Wood
416-429-6351
tedwood@rogers.com
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Daytime
Second & Fourth Wednesday
at First Unitarian
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Ilene Cummings
416-651-2955
Nancy
Young
416-778-1685
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Coaching Sessions
For Leaders of Living
in Spirit Groups
Quarterly 7:30 - 9:30 pm
Harold Wright
416-766-6020
hkwright@sympatico.ca
Small Groups
Let’s Sing! Choir At First
Come share your love of music and your
desire to sing by joining the
Adult Choir of
First
Unitarian, led by our Director of Congregational Music, Dallas Bergen.
The choir sings music of many styles and genres, honouring our seven
principles and the sources of our faith.
No experience is necessary; all we require is a
positive attitude and a commitment to making your best effort to attend
rehearsals and services. You are welcome to come and observe or
participate before making a commitment. The choir sings at
approximately three services per month and rehearses most Thursdays from
September through May.
Thursdays 7:30 - 9:00 pm.
Contact: Dallas Bergen 416-924-9654 x225
dallas@firstunitariantoronto.org
Brown Bag Seminars
Informal lunch hour gathering which usually
meets on the third Thursday of the month from 12 noon to 2:30 pm.
Presentations on a variety of topics include social issues, travel slides,
environmental issues and entertainment.
Participants will bring their own lunches but coffee
and tea will be available.
Please check Horizons and the Order of Service for
the topic, time and date of our meetings. All are Welcome.
For more information contact
Nancy Kasper - kasper@yorku.ca
or telephone 416-783-8810
Jewish Awareness Group
A group for those who wish to share elements
of their Jewish heritage and provide opportunities for others to
experience Jewish traditions.
For dates, times and location contact:
Merrilee Brand 416-690-3242,
merrileebrand@hotmail.com
Exploring the Christian Tradition from a UU
Perspective
The purpose of this group is to read and
discuss topics relating to Christianity from a Unitarian perspective.
This has included investigations of the “historical” Jesus, readings in
comparative religion, contemporary theology, and literature and films with
a Christian theme.
Third Sunday of each month in members’ homes.
Bill Parsons 416-920-2344,
wrparsons@sympatico.ca
Our Pagan Grove
Learn and share the life of paganism.
Third Tuesday of the month 7:30 -
9:30 pm.
For meeting information contact:
J. Victor Parker 416-485-1211
Youth Group (Ages 13-20)
We are a fun loving group doing a variety of
things including movies, cooking, sleepovers, youth conferences, food
drives and more. This helps build leadership, community and bonded
friendships and enables us to make a difference in the world. All
activities are supervised by trained advisors. If you are a youth
looking for a happening group doing fun and meaningful activities, please
join us.
Group meets Sundays at 11:45 am
Wendy Peebles 416-536-4123
WomynSpirit
WomynSpirit is a “Neo-Pagan Eco-Feminist”
circle begun by womyn who met at Unicamp eighteen years ago. All womyn are
welcome to join in our gatherings. Upcoming meetings may include
sharing chants for the wheel of the year, a video night, and rituals
focused on the rhythms of nature and issues in the lives of the
participants.
Rituals, facilitated by volunteers, may include
meditation, sacred circle dance and chanting and are followed by sharing
of snacks. Ask the facilitator of the meeting about joining the
WomynSpirit email list.
Call for the date and time of our upcoming
observances. Kate Chung 416-925-0745
Kate Chung
416-925-0745
or just come to
one of the rituals
Issues and Ideas: Mini Book Talks
If you’ve ever wished to explore faith matters
further by reading, why not drop in on our book review circle. Two
facilitators will initiate discussion of a selected topic by each
presenting a 15 minute review of a relevant book from our collection,
followed by questions and discussion open to all.
You’re not
expected to read the book beforehand though perhaps you will want to
afterwards. Sample topics are Unitarian history, defining the
sacred, peace and social justice, interfaith dialogue, feminist
perspectives, mysticism, science and religion. We hope to see you in
the library.
First Sunday of each month from 12:15 to 1:30 pm.
If you have a topic in mind or a
book you’d like to review, contact the coordinator: Gerta
Moray 416-488-9939, gmoray@uoguelph.ca
Sacred Circle Dance
“Come, come, whoever you are!” to our
Monthly sacred circle dance gathering.
No experience is necessary.
Each dance is taught beforehand. We use music and movement (gentle
and sometimes lively) to create sacred space. Sacred
yes, but not necessarily serious!
We dance for joy and for healing in the spirit of
community.
Mark your
calendars for the third Friday of the month.
Refreshments provided. Suggested donation: $5.
Margaret Rao 416-658-0998 or
margaretrao@rogers.com
Conversational French
Bienvenu!
Join this lively weekly conversational group
conducted in French.
Every Friday 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Claude Marchand 416-923-0829
Women’s Group
An informal and friendly discussion and
support group for members and their friends
Second and Fourth Saturday of
each month.
10:00 am - 12:00
noon.
Diane Wagner
416-386-0597,
diane.wagner@sympatico.ca
Men’s Group
A supportive environment to discuss life’s concerns
Second Saturday of each month
10:00 am - 12:00 noon
Stan Yack 416-654-8887
Sermon Givers
The Sermon Givers deliver sermons Sunday
mornings, five to ten times a year. The main
spiritual experience is in the preparation as much as the final delivery.
We meet and network in a nurturing environment to learn and practice the
craft or creating sermons. Grounded in a creative process and
supplemented by an informal framework for interacting and sharing
feedback, the sermon givers explore their chosen subjects to great depths.
We are looking to add new members and explore new techniques as we take
responsibility for the quality and integrity of our own sermons.
Approximately every 6 weeks, 7:00
- 9:00 pm
Cameron Linton
905-839-8153
Yoga
Classes include Asanas, Pranayama breathing,
relaxation and meditation for physical and spiritual growth. The group
meets for coffee at Second Cup afterwards.
A contribution of $30 for ten
yoga classes will be requested to support our congregation.
Every Monday 7:00 - 8:00 pm.
Johanna Lanfranco 416-961-4701
After Sermon Discussion
Join us for an in-depth discussion of the
sermon from our personal perspectives. We enjoy controversy.
Third Sunday of each month
12:15 - 1:00 pm.
Albert
Terpstra 416-686-3285
Neighbourhood North-East Group
Meets in members’ homes for a potluck dinner
and genial conversation.
For dates and times contact:
Dorene Jacobs 416-486-1609,
dorenej@pathcom.com
Neighbourhood East Group
Meets in members’ homes for a potluck dinner
and lively discussion approximately every six weeks
For dates and times contact:
Iris Ward 416-429-0475,
Irisward@sympatico.ca
Dance Group
Do you enjoy dancing and creative movement?
Then come and dance with us. The Toronto First Dance Group always
welcomes new members. No previous dance training is required.
We meet weekly for a warm-up stretching session, and then compose dances
to perform in the Sunday services. Performance is optional.
You’re welcome just to come and move with us. The style of dance is
primarily modern and sacred circle dance. But we incorporate the
interests and talents of member in our compositions.
Every Tuesday 7:30 - 9:00 pm
Wendy Peebles 416-536-4123
BookTalk
Discuss great books in a relaxed setting
Wednesday January 20, 1:30 - 3:00
pm.
“Book of Negroes” by
Lawrence Hill
The story of
a woman of African descent who goes to Nova Scotia, more or less “escapes”
to Liberia and then on to Europe. A very compelling and relevant story.
Wednesday February 17, 1:30 -
3:00 pm.
“Moral Disorder” by
Margaret Atwood
A series of
linked stories.
Wednesday March 17, 1:30 - 3:00 pm.
“One Woman’s Story” by Wendy Ounpuu
A member of our congregation shares her life story as
seen by her.
Facilitator: Simon Pearson
Contact: Wendy Ounpuu 416-481-8413
Spring Previews
Spring 2010 Book Talk Selections
Wednesday April 21, 1:30 - 3:00 pm.
“Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” by Barbara Kingsolver
Kingsolver and her family
move from suburban Arizona to take up living in rural Appalachia. They
take on a new challenge; to spend one year eating a diet of locally
produced food.
Wednesday May 19, 1:30 - 3:00 pm.
“The Swallows of Kabul” by Yasmin Khadra
Set in Kabul under the rule of the
Taliban, this novel takes readers into the lives of two couples, both
disaffected for different reasons.
Wednesday June 16, 1:30 - 3:00 pm.
“Through Black Spruce” by Joseph Boyden
World Religions with JW
Windland
Join us for this highly regarded series of
lectures on six of the world’s religious traditions:L
Mormonism, Toaism, Baha’I, Rastafari, Wicca (Neo-Paganism) and Jehovah’s
Witnesses
JW Windland is a comparative mythologist, specialist
in inter-reglious dialoge and founder of Encounter World Religions Centre.
Thursdays, May 20th to June 24th. Subscribe to the series of
six for $110 i(ncludes a free pass to bring a guest to one lecture)
Individual lectures are $20 each.
Reserve your place with a $60.00 deposit by Sunday,
April 11th. To indicate your interest, send an e-mail
with “World Religions” in the subject line to
registerfirstunitarian@gmail.com
Social Justice Groups and Activities
Amnesty International
Amnesty Group 142 campaigns for human rights,
and writes letters on behalf of prisoners of conscience and human rights
defenders.
Meeting and letter writing 3rd Wednesday at 7:30 pm
Congregational letter writing 4th Sunday at 11:30 am.
Ted Wood 416-429-6351,
tedwood@rogers.com
Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice Toronto
First Chapter
Looking to put your UU principles into action
by promoting “peace, liberty and justice for all”? Help us to set
our goals for the coming year at our first planning meeting on
Monday, January 18th at 7:00 pm.
All are welcome.
Margaret Rao 416-658-0998,
margaretrao@rogers.com
Central America Construction Expedition
Our Construction Expeditions in Honduras and
Guatemala are a great opportunity to put your Unitarian values into action
and help make a real difference in the lives of hard working families
struggling to make better lives for themselves. You will also
experience living conditions in the developing world first-hand and gain
some perspective on life in Canada.
You don't need to speak Spanish or have construction
experience or to join a team of twelve people from across Canada, just
reasonably good health and a willing heart.
Space is still available for
expeditions:
February
13 - 27, 2010
March 13 - 27,
2010
Richard Kirsh,
richardkirsh@sympatico.ca
416-767-5837
Adult Program
Committee:
Angela Klassen, Director of Lifesopan Religious
Education
416-924-9654 x223,
angela@firstunitariantoronto.org
Wendie Saltarski, Program Convenor: 416-462-3336
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