To Question is the Answer!
Sunday Services
Please join us. Services begin at 10:30am.
Sunday, February 5 @ 10:30 a.m.
"Catholic Schools And Gay/Straight Alliances"
Andrea Houston
LGBT youth have higher rates of depression and suicide than heterosexual youth, because they are often marginalized and bullied at school. The formation of gay-straight alliances (GSAs) in schools help to promote tolerance and understanding, and therefore help LGBT students to feel more welcome. However, several Catholic school boards have banned GSAs on religious grounds even though they are required by the Ontario government to allow these clubs. Andrea Houston is an award-winning dogged reporter for Xtra Canada, Canada’s gay and lesbian news, dedicated to human rights, justice and active political engagement through journalism and social media. Back in January 2011 she exposed the Halton Catholic School Board’s ban on GSAs. The ban, and the spotlight on youth suicides, put the focus on the urgent need for supports in all schools for queer youth. She is now working hard to support students fighting for GSAs and to hold politicians accountable. Along with the GSA controversy, she also covers stories about City Hall, Pride Toronto, HIV, sex work laws, transgender issues and LGBT seniors. Andrea: "...no story has inspired me, enraged me and driven me to fight with the students for GSAs. Now, with new laws before the provincial legislature and charter challenges before the courts, Ontario is on the verge of real change, and it’s exciting to have the privileged to document it."Service Leader - Melanie
Refreshments - Marilyn
Greeter - Jane
Sunday, February 12 @ 10:30 a.m.
“Practical Steps Towards Spiritual Healing”
Terrence Allen
On his first visit to Northwest last fall, Terrence spoke of the sustaining power of love to transcend even the most difficult challenges confronting us. He drew upon experiences in his own life journey that touched our hearts and sparked a fruitful exchange of ideas. Terrence will briefly summarize his previous reflections concerning our spiritual evolutionary path and the importance of finding the courage to look for the answers we seek with an inner rather than an external focus. He will then outline practical steps we can employ in our everyday lives to facilitate the process of evolving into more enlightened states of consciousness. His talk will highlight the power of love to heal our deepest wounds and to reveal our innate powers to create abundance in every aspect of our lives. Gifted with a strong technical disposition, Terrence spent most of his professional career as a senior sales and marketing manager with Honeywell Limited. He is affiliated with St. Philip’s Anglican Church (Northwest’s neighbour just up the hill). In 2011, Terrence launched a professional speaking business, Soul Insight. Terrence describes himself as a reasonably accomplished (and self-taught) musician and he has his private pilot’s licence. In addition to writing on subjects related to the evolution of human consciousness, his current hobby involves designing, constructing, and flying remote-controlled aircraft. Service Leader - Megan
Refreshments - Jane
Greeter - Marilyn
Sunday, February 19 @ 10:30 a.m.
"Canadian Social History: A Racial Timeline"
Wilburn Hayden
Racial preferences, racism, and privilege have had a long institutional history in Canada for people who have English, French, and other European ancestors or a non-black heritage. Often white institutional history is described as Canadian history, which has intentionally omitted significant inclusion of the contributions made by Aboriginals, black people, and other non-white populations. The speaker will present a timeline that looks at black Canadian history within the context of white racial preferences, racism, and privilege. By understanding our Canadian racialized past, we can take steps towards examining and ending racism. The talk is grounded in four of seven Unitarian Principles: the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; acceptance of one another; and a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Wilburn Hayden, his wife Patricia Trudeau, and their son Donovan are members of Neighbourhood Unitarian Universalist Congregation (NUUC) in Toronto. Since 1973, Wilburn has taught in U.S. and Canadian public universities and has practised social work. His areas of expertise include diversity, rural social work, Appalachia, black Appalachians, and disadvantaged communities. Wilburn has served as director of human services and chief social worker in a state prison, and has organized community groups to help adult male ex-offenders as well as battered women. He has also participated actively in political campaigns. Wilburn is a professor at the School of Social Work, York University, where he is also the Director of the School. His PhD is from the University of Toronto. Service Leader - Barbara
Refreshments - Claire
Greeter - Elly
