Photo courtesy of Marcos Paulo Prado, UnSplashed.com
Greetings, CTU Members and Friends –
Our theme for June is “Celebrating Blessings”, and we have planned several exciting Sunday gatherings and excursions to keep us inspired and engaged and feeling blessed!
Thanks to all for a fantastic AGM, and also thank you to all who voted (!00%!) for our new Principle Statement. And a special thanks to Melanie and Shelley for leading this important effort. Now we will begin exploring how best to integrate the statement throughout our community and our lives.
Lastly, we have two special activities planned for June! On the 11th June, we’ll be getting a guided tour of the Desmond Tutu exhibit with hopefully a Facebook LIVE component for those in other cities. Also, we have planned a major cleanup of our Gallery upstairs on 25 June. Books need to be unpacked and sorted, items need to be assessed and perhaps sold (to pay for some paint and new flooring if possible), and a general sprucing up! Details for both events can be found below.
With love,
Nima
nimajanettaylor@gmail.com // WhatsApp number: 0760249120
Volunteer at In-Person Services
Volunteering on Sundays is a powerful way to support our community and get to know others. Fill out this form if you might have a Sunday morning free in June to help.
UPCOMING SUNDAY TOPICS
NOTE THIS GATHERING STARTS AT 10 AM 5 June - World Environmental Day: (hybrid) CTU is partnering with SAFCEI (Southern Africa Faith Communities Environmental Institute) to celebrate this day by sharing faith-based stories that inspire animal justice. Join us to hear a panel discussion with different faith leaders as they present their faith’s perspective on this important topic!
12 June Hans’ Afrika Burn journey: Come support Hans as he shares his passion for Afrika Burn and its principles. And meet the beautiful unicorn hobby horse, Donatella Versace, and her magical ways!
19 June - An Umlungu reflection on Ubuntu: (hybrid) Roux shares, “As someone who grew up in a time when the different populations groups in South Africa were regulated by laws that made equal and meaningful engagements rare, I wish to reflect on my own journey in meeting those who grew up in a different context than I and the lessons that I learnt in the process. Among other stories, I will also reflect on my meeting with Nomode Calata, widow of Ford Calata, in April this year. Ford Calata was one of the so-called Cradock Four who were killed by the apartheid government's security police in 1983 when I was in grade 11 in Oudtshoorn.”
26 June Winter Solstice / Fire Communion - Join us for a service of words, music and the ritual of the burning bowl. Please have a lit candle; pen and paper; and a small bowl nearby
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
In-Person Chalice Circle – Saturday, 4 June, 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Natalie will again lead an in-person Chalice Circle on the first Saturday of each month. March’s meeting will be at Natalie’s home. Contact her at nataliebillingsarch@gmail.com for more details.
Online/Hout Street Chalice Circle – Saturday, 18 June, 3:30 - 5 pm
Nima is leading a Chalice Circle that is always a hybrid event. Contact her at NimaJanetTaylor@gmail.com for more details.
Archbishop Desmond and Leah Tutu Phoro courtesy of The Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation
Truth to Power Exhibition, Desmond & Leah Tutu, Saturday, 11 June, 11 am - 2 pm
Please join us as we journey with the Arch and his life partner, Leah, on the course of activism and leadership that their lives took together. The Truth to Power Exhibition is a comprehensive showcase of the life and legacy of the late Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu, fondly remembered as the Arch. It aims to foster the values of Desmond and Leah Tutu among the youth, and to inspire a new generation of leaders who will build peace and justice in South Africa and the world.
First 2 hours of the exhibition will be facilitated by an educator from the foundation, and the last hour will be at your own leisure.
Costing as follows: R50 adult, R25 pensioner (+60 years) & students, Children under 12 years, free entry (if you’d like to donate the fee for someone in need, let Hans know. If you need a bursary, let Hans know.)
Location: The Old Granary building, 11 Buitenkant street, Zonnebloem, Cape Town (Exhibition entrance on Longmarket street) *We hope to broadcast Facebook live during the tour, to include our members who are not based in Cape Town. There are additional logistics to consider for our group booking and parking, these will be advised closer to the time.
For more info, please refer to the following: Facebook: @TutuLegacyFoundation, Instagram: tutu_legacy_foundation, Website: www.tutu.org.za. We look forward to explore and discover together, and to shine our little light of peace that lives within each of us.
Calling all CTU helping hands, please 🦄🌈🙏🏽, Saturday, 25 June, 1:30 pm - 5 pm: We are organizing a church clean up, unpacking boxes of books and starting preparations on clearing up and setting up our gallery space upstairs. We have exciting plans to invigorate some new energies into our upstairs area, to extend our service offering in our spiritual home. We would really appreciate our blessing of Unitarian unicorns for any assistance you can offer. Teamwork makes the Dream work 💫🌟🤩🙏🏽💜) Many hands make for light work! It’ll be fun, with music, maybe a break for dancing and snacking. Let Hans know if you can come that day at +27721276497
Chalice Kids
We have a robust Chalice Kids education project every month. This month will be exploring the theme of Joy with some song and dance with drumming! If you would like for your child to participate, contact Nima, who will help you choose the right group for your kid(s). Email 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 +27-82-897-5000 for more information.
COMMUNITY UPDATES
Council Meeting – Sunday, 17 July, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Contact Community@CapeTownUnitarians.org if you would like to attend. All are welcome.
Cape Flats Gardens Project
Theo and Roux are hard at work on their Cape Flats Gardening Project. Stay tuned for an update.