Sunday July 27, 2008

Real Options – Making the right choices for our environment

Margaret Insley

We are faced with much bad news for the earth's ecosystem, particularly with regard to global climate change. How can we as a society find the collective wisdom to move towards a more environmentally sustainable path? Today we will consider this question, drawing on the diverse perspectives of economics, eco-spirituality, and eco-justice. This talk is inspired, in part, by the Confluence Lecture delivered at this year's Annual Conference and Meeting of the Canadian Unitarian Council. Margaret Insley is a member of the congregation and an environmental economist at the University of Waterloo.

Service Leader: Fiona Heath. Music: Bruce Torrie.

Sunday July 20, 2008

Learnings from the ACM
John Green, Melissa Rockenfield, Tui Torrie, and Bruce Torrie

Members of our congregation will speak briefly about sessions at the Annual Conference and Meeting of the Canadian Unitarian Council this past May, in Ottawa, that were of particular interest to them. Melissa Rockenfield will talk about the Renaissance Module on CRE Administration: much of the data applies to all volunteer and committee work. Tui Torrie will discuss the topics of Social Action and the United Nations with relevance to the local scene. Bruce Torrie attended a forum that highlighted decision opportunities to achieve 24/7 renewable energy without coal and nuclear. It is to be noted that Bruce spent most of his working life being involved with nuclear reactors. Kathie Keefe and John Green will review the session "On Growth - Choosing the Right Focus."

Service Leader: Bruce Torrie. Music: Stephen Preece.

Sunday July 13, 2008

Pets and People
Karen Cummings

Karen, a volunteer with National Service Dogs, will explore the relationship we have with our pets. After all, His Holiness The Dalai Lama said “Today more than ever before life must be characterized by a sense of Universal Responsibility, not only nation to nation and human to human, but also human to other forms of life.”

Service Leader: Karen Cummings. Music: Guest Organist Nelson McClinchey.

Sunday July 6, 2008

When Jesus became God
John Mayer

John Mayer is a retired philosophy professor and long-time Niagara Unitarian. His talk is based on Richard Rubenstein's book When Jesus Became God, the central theme of which is the Council of Nicaea, where the doctrine of the Trinity was upheld against a priest named Arius, who argued that the Bible refers to Jesus and God as "Son" and "Father," and in a family the son does not have equal status. Arius lost out, although he had many supporters. The book is not just about theology, but also the history and politics of the late Roman Empire. John has classical coins featuring all of the important figures of the time, which he will bring along to liven up the presentation.

Service Leader: Mag Horman. Music: Boyd McDonald.Note: there will be a Flower Communion ritual. We invite you to bring flowers which will be brought to the front and exchanged during the service (though you don't need to bring flowers to participate).