April 2025 Newsletter

 
 

Photo by pure julia on Unsplash

Greetings, CTU Members and Friends –

We continue our exploration of our Principle Statement in April with the theme of “What does respect look like?” We encourage you all to join us as we explore how we can practice respect in all our interactions. 

Please consider joining us in Somerset West on Saturday 4 May as we celebrate Dave and Jeanie Mayes for the decades long stewardship of the Somerset West fellowship!

And we’re prototyping a Buddhist sangha meeting this month! 

With love and light,
Nima
nimajanettaylor@gmail.com // WhatsApp 076 024 9120

In This Issue of the Newsletter 

Check out our events page to view our church calendar. This includes events posted in the building and outside of the building. If you would like your event added, please contact us at via email: community@capetownunitarians.org

  • Sunday Services

  • Upcoming Activities: Community Choir

  • Community Highlights: Interfaith Iftar, Heart Fund Creation, First Thursday in April

  • Council Updates


Sunday Services

Please note: All Sunday services are hybrid and start at 10:30 am SA time

6 April -  What does respect look like? Join Nima and others as we explore this important element of our Principle Statement. Let’s reflect together on how we demonstrated respect in all aspects of our community interactions.

13 April - Respecting as a Dialogic practice . Nima will share of the physicist David Bohm’s groundbreaking work on Dialogue as a generative process of “thinking together”. One of the important tools to include is the practice of respecting.

20 April  - Katleho…

27 April - Music Sunday: Respecting Faith through Music. Being a Unitarian Universalist positions us with a specific privilege of holding space for the plurality of faiths. This morning we will share stories of this elusive experience of faith as it has been experienced throughout the generations through music while exploring our own liberatory faith and values along the way. Come participate and experience the ways that music draws us together.


UPCOMING ACTIVITIES


Somerset West Fellowship

10 am Saturday 3 May 2025 
Vonke House, 121c Lourensford Rd, Somerset West, 7600

"Memories & Celebration as vehicles of Identity and Inspiration - Sharing the history and stories of Somerset West Fellowship."

Join us as we celebrate Dave and Jeanie Mayes who have led the SW fellowship for the last two decades. 


Buddhist Sangha gathering

Hybrid
64 Hout Street / Zoom
Saturday 12 April 2-4 pm

We will be trialing a new monthly gathering on Saturday afternoon to explore different Buddhist topics. No Buddhist experience needed! Our first meeting will be Saturday 12 April 2-4 pm. Hybrid. RSVP to Nima.



CTU Choir

You are welcome to join your voice when you are ready. All are welcome, irrespective of experience level.

Please contact Camille with any questions you may have about the choir.


Community Highlights

Interfaith Iftar!

co-hosted by the Queer Faith Collective and CTU on the 29th of March


Celebrating our choir members and their awesome new video!

Musings from the Chair

Heart Fund Creation!

CTU is delighted to announce the creation of a new “Heart Fund”; a donation fund held by the church for the express purpose of offering temporary support to members in need. This fund can be applied to for support for medical emergencies, emergency bill pay, and food access. Funds may be applied for no more than 2x/year. In some cases we may consider small business start-up requests(in situation of members in long-term poverty). 

Please apply using this form: 

https://forms.gle/cJq5tR3rZbcdHcaU6

Applications reviewed on a rolling basis. Please donate by contacting Altaira, Nima, Camille or Hans. 
Donations can be made by EFT: Unitarian Church
Standard Bank, Branch 051001, Account # 070440719
Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ
Notate funds to be used for Heart Fund, or email us 

We have received several donations by community members already! 


First Thursday in April at CTU!

We will showcase local artists, healers, musicians, and craftspeople! Light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages provided. If you are a community member with a talent, handi-craft, or art to showcase, please contact Phakiso ASAP for a spot! We will be accepting donations from vendors and participants. We have space to display several large artworks on our walls. Volunteer greeters wanted.  Everyone welcome!First Thursday in April at CTU!

Council Updates

Here is a recap of our council meeting that was held on Sunday, 16 March:

  • Two new grants will be written in support of our building and our various projects

  • We are working on establishing a “Heart Fund” for CTU members in financial need. More information to follow.

  • We have new postcards that share our Principle Statement and contact information. Feel free to pick some up next time you’re in the building to distribute.

  • Nolu is preparing all the necessary documents for Department of Social Development.

  • The Finance team is working with Investec to enable our monthly reports to be easily accessible.

  • Next meeting Sunday 4 May 12-2 pm. Contact Nolu if you’d like to attend and receive the documents.


Have questions or comments for Council? Please email us at community@capetownunitarians.org.

Source: https://www.capetownunitarians.org/new-blo...