Greetings, CTU Members and Friends –
Our theme for August is “Perseverance”, something I’m sure we have all been cultivating in this last 1.5 years. How do we find the strength within us to keep going when the going gets tough, when we are struggling to carry on, when the way forward is uncertain?
There is a special event scheduled for 9 August 12 - 2 pm celebrating Woman’s Day and International Indigenous Day. The event will be led by Zebada January, the Khoi leader who spoke to us back in April. All are welcome! We will be joined by Indigenous women from other countries, and be exploring the indigeneity in us all. It will hopefully be a hybrid programme, both in our building and online, so see below for the details.
I’m delighted to announce that we received positive responses to our two big grant applications, with the Hibbert Trust and The Unitarian Universalist Funding Program. Although we did not get 100% of what was requested, we did get funding for a second Lay Leaders programme, our Oral History project, continuation of our Chalice Kids programme and our Lay Leaders’ stipends for their areas of expertise. So! If you know anyone who would like to attend our 2nd Lay Leader course, starting on 15 August, let me know. They will be joined by students from Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Congo, and Botswana (so far!)
Lastly, with our beloved building repaired and cleaned, we are hoping to start hybrid services in August IF ALL GOES AS PLANNED. Stay tuned for more information about when and how.
Nima
nimajanettaylor@gmail.com // WhatsApp number: 0760249120
UPCOMING SUNDAY TOPICS
Photo courtesy of Sergey Klimkin
1 August - African Unitarian Day: This Sunday, we celebrate not only our 154th anniversary as a community, but also are joined by Unitarians in other African countries. Join us for songs of joy, videos from our Unitarian brothers and sisters in other countries and a look back at just a few highlights from our history. It'll be a celebration! Ukubhiyozela! Viering! Fete!
8 August - Spiritual Practices - How to Hack your Habits: We know many spiritual practices that help when they're done - but how often do we do them? There is plenty of research, both ancient and modern, that enable us to use some life hacks to make our spiritual practice a more consistent habit.
15 August - The Assumption of Mary : There is a feast celebrated in some Christian traditions on the 15th of August. This date marks the ‘bodily taking up’ of Mary, mother of Jesus, into Heaven at the end of her earthly life. Georgia Madeleine will be sharing the story of her journey away from and back to the Catholic traditions. With her eclectic perspective as a Pagan and Cacao Kuchina, she explores some of the ways in which she connects with the Mother Archetype through the Spirit of Mother Mary together with Ixcacao, offering some insights on how we can do so too.
22 August - The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON): Medhavi Das has generously agreed to share with us the belief systems of the Hare Krishnas.
29 August - Balancing Mind-Body-Spirit: The Power of perseverance increases with our ability to pay attention to what our mind-body-spirit is telling us moment-by-moment. This Sunday we’ll explore tools to cultivate a greater awareness of what is happening inside and outside.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursdays, 13:00 - 13:30 pm - Mid-Week Meditation: Join any Thursday in August for a short guided meditation then time to just sit, just breathe and just be. After the meditation, we are making time to share with each other whatever might be on our mind or our heart. Email NimaJanetTaylor@gmail.com for the Zoom link.
7 August, 15:00 - 17:00 pm – Chalice Circle Mowbray: This month’s topic is Intention. Email nataliebillingsarch@gmail.com for more information and materials.
Any Friday 15:00 - 17:30 pm Calling all Unitarian Unicorns! Join us and the Obs Can Feed You volunteers every Friday in compassionately providing a warm meal to our homeless street neighbours. Feel free to fall in any time, as your schedule allows. We prepare the meal at the Armchair Theatre/Pub at 135 Lower Main road, Observatory. All Covid protocols will be adhered to. Whatsapp Hans at 072 127 6497 for other details. Thank you being the change we want to see in the world. 🙏🏽
9 August, 12:00 - 14:00 pm - Coming Home: a collaboration between Woman’s Day and International Indigenous Day, led by Khoi leader, Zebada January. All are welcome. Zebada is encouraging us all to recognise the indigeneity in everyone. This event will be a hybrid event, so you’ll need to register here click here and let Nima know if you would like to attend in person. (Numbers are limited to 20 plus presenters due to COVID.) We will be hearing from indigenous Peoples from all over the world. Exciting!
15 August, 12:30 - 14:30 pm - Next Workshop to explore our Identity, Values and Principles: The first workshop was held on the 4th of July and was well attended, and everyone enthusiastically participated. An email with a detailed update of the outcomes of the workshop will follow next week. The next workshop will centre around an in-depth look at the 7 Principles. Ask Melanie.Ferreira3@gmail.com for the zoom link.
28 August, 12 - 2 pm - Spiritual Practice as a Work of Art: What happens when we cultivate a sacred space, a container where creativity-mindfulness-and spirituality meet? Join Hans and others for a day, of imagining, playing and giving expression to your spirituality in a creative way that resonates with you. Much like our community of diverse beliefs, each one of us have unique creative abilities within our selves. There is no wrong or right way to be creative. We are not striving for perfection or seeking approval from others. While it is a communal activity, it is also a very, personal practice, with mindful intention.
Our first workshop will explore making an home altar that reflects your spiritual outlook. This activity will be hopefully in person and via Zoom. Begin looking for trinkets, found objects, old prints/photographs, family heirlooms or materials that you might want to incorporate into a sacred space. Feel free to gather song playlists or sound samples, that speak to your creative spirit to inspire you. We hope it might invite your ‘inner child’ to open to the awe and wonder of life’s potential. Looking forward to creating something of heART with you! Whatsapp Hans at 072 127 6497 for the Zoom link and other details.
UPDATES
2021 Youth Religious Education
We have a robust Chalice Kids education project underway. If you would like for your child to participate, contact Nima at nimajanettaylor@gmail.com.
Young Adults Chalice Circle: We have a group of young adults who gather for various fun activities and deep discussions. Contact Johan Groenewald at 082 897 5000 if you would like more information.
Donate to Cape Town Unitarians
Even though we are not holding in-person services yet, our running costs are the same. We would be grateful if you can EFT a little extra this month to compensate for the in-person collections that we can’t take. Here is our bank information:
Unitarian Church
Standard Bank, Branch 051001, A/C # 070440719
Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ
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