Greetings, CTU Members and Friends –
Our theme for September is ‘Change’. With the changing of the seasons, we are reminded of the shifts in our lives. How do we handle something new or unexpected that arises? Our Principle Statement encourages us to transform how we show up in life every day. Change can often feel too difficult, and we might resist a change that would take us on a new path.
Be sure to save the date for my annual Bring and Braai and Bubbles on Sunday 12 November 12:30 -17:30. It’ll be fun and bonding for us to celebrate our beloved community!
Also, you may notice this month’s newsletter looks a little different. Our events are now listed in a calendar format. Just hover over the event in the calendar and you can click on it for more information. We are also piloting a new section called “Community Corner,” where our members share little bits of news about their life. Please let us know what you think about these changes by emailing community@capetownunitarians.org.
With love and light,
Nima
nimajanettaylor@gmail.com // WhatsApp 076 024 9120
In This Issue of the Newsletter
Upcoming Sunday Topics
Calendar of Events: Somerset West Fellowship, Meditation Workshop, Community Choir, Wellness Workshop, Sunday Night Potluck.
Community Corner: News from our members
Other News: Roux’s stress reduction course
UPCOMING SUNDAY TOPICS
Please note: All services are hybrid
3 September – Traditional Service: Changing Seasons as a Time for Reflection: What “spring cleaning” might we want to do in our physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual space?
10 September – Impermanence and Change: In Buddhism, change is seen as a constant. How might we view ourselves and the world as ever-changing? How might that shift our awareness?
17 September – Indian Unitarians: A Catchup Reflection from August: Roux will share a recording of his interview with the leader of the North Indian Unitarians. They will talk about what they find valuable in their community.
24 September Flower Communion: Cele will lead us in a beautiful flower communion and spring equinox celebration. We invite everyone to bring flowers or plants to the service.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
Staring this month, we’re listing all our events in this new calendar format. Just click on the activity within the calendar and you will be taken to a new page with the activity’s full details. What do you think of this new way of communicating about events? Please let us know by emailing community@capetownunitarians.org.
If you are looking at this on your phone, touch a date with a gray box and that day’s event will pop up. Touch the pop up and you’ll be taken to further event details.
COMMUNITY CORNER
We are piloting a new section of the newsletter where members like you can share your news. It can be anything from what you’ve been cooking or reading lately, to a milestone like a birthday, or a trip you've taken. If you’d like to be featured in next month’s newsletter, please send your bit of news to community@capetownunitarians.org in five or fewer sentences by 20 September. We also welcome your feedback about this new section.
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Ana shares that, “My studies are going well and I'm feeling encouraged and hopeful about the possibilities of the future. My family is well. A few weeks ago we adopted a majorly energetic rescue puppy. My spiritual practice is gently unfolding and recently I've been investing more time in meditation, reading, and fellowship.”
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Camille has co-founded the Universal Rainbow Choir, which starts practicing on 23 September.
Camille has co-founded the Universal Rainbow Choir and is welcoming members. She writes: "We are a rainbow nation. As such, we express our beliefs and practise our faiths with a myriad of music. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 2:30 - 4:00 pm at 64 Hout Street. Our first gathering is September 23rd. We are asking for donations of R30-R50 as you are able, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. We look forward to singing with you soon!"
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Christine completed her course on health education for children and is now doing a life coaching course as well as working part-time in the German kindergarten. She is planning a trip to Citrusdal in September with a lot of hiking as her broken ankle is recovering nicely. She would like to spend more time with her children and feels there are not enough hours in a day.
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Johan shared this message about learning isiXhosa:
“Molweni nonke!
At CTU, we celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures and languages in our community. To enhance inclusivity, I’m learning isiXhosa, a language dear to many.
Learning a new language builds bridges of understanding and empathy. It reveals customs, traditions, and different worldviews, fostering respect and forging connections.
If you speak isiXhosa, join me. Your guidance enriches us, making CTU more harmonious. Let’s embrace linguistic diversity, creating a space where all voices matter.
Lastly, learn a simple isiXhosa phrase. Extend warm greetings to fellow members, fostering unity through small gestures.
Enkosi.”
You can get in touch with Johan at +27 82 897 5000.
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Karin is in Stockholm, Sweden, where it is summer but a cold and wet one, much like a Cape Town winter. She is on a long visit back to nourish her roots in the country where she was born and grew up. In the 1970s she took up a position with a UN agency in Lesotho, before coming to live in Cape Town with her Capetonian husband, and has never left since. She observes, “Quite a few of us in our church are currently not living in our countries of birth. Not only do we live in another culture, but some of us don't speak our mother tongue either.” Sitting in Stockholm, Karin says she’s reflecting over this aspect of her situation but has not reached any conclusions. She wonders whether a discussion on the influence of culture and language on our lives would be valuable.
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Leigh and her daughters. The baby she is carrying as a gestational surrogate is due later in the month. Photo by Laura Pohl.
Some of you might recall that in March, Leigh shared with us her journey as a gestational surrogate for two men. The baby she has been carrying is due this month and Leigh reports that the pregnancy has been very easy and joy filled. Laura recently gifted Leigh and her daughters with a photo shoot to capture this special time in their lives.
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Makuba shares that for the past three years he’s been so busy with “everything but looking after myself. My life has become wake up, go to work, come back, eat, sleep and repeat. I haven’t read a book for the last three years and haven’t meditated. Two weeks ago I decided to make a change and decided to re-read the book that inspired me on my journey: ‘The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari.’ I am slowly trying to readjust my life, find time to read and spend time with my nephew and nieces. My next step is to go back to my meditation habit. One step at a time for now.”
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Melanie has been a member of CTU all her life. Her passion is in 'soul caring' and recently she spoke at a Sunday service, about her involvement with the Soul Carers Network, a group of people caring for the spiritual needs of people towards the end of their lives. Melanie is excited that they are finding an African voice for 'soul caring' here as opposed to simply having a European or American voice imposed on them. They’ve been invited to Namibia, hopefully a sign of their taking root in Africa. Melanie also works as a volunteer offering spiritual care at St Luke's hospice.
OTHER NEWS
Roux, our community minister, is offering a meditation course. Please contact him if you’re interested or have any questions.
Have questions or comments for Council? Please email us at community@capetownunitarians.org.