Greetings, CTU Members and Friends –

We continue our exploration of our Principle Statement in March with the theme of “Ensuring every voice and perspective is invited and welcomed”. We have some amazing speakers coming to share their perspectives on how we can best achieve this value.

Please join us at the Pride March which will be held on Saturday, 1 March. We will meet near Prestwich School in de Waterkant around 10 am. We are marching in memory of and celebrating Imam Muhsin Hendricks who was assassinated on 15 February 2015. He inspired many with his teachings on compassion centered Islam.

We have new t-shirts! If you’d like one to wear at the Pride March, let me know your size and I’ll bring them at 10am to outside Prestwich Primary School in de Waterkant. Price is R 250 with a discount of R 50 if you are a member of CTU.

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: Interfaith Pride March Collaboration, Somerset West Update, Mid-week Meditations, Community Choir
Community Highlights: January Kalk Bay Picnic, Musings from the Chair, Heart Fund Creation, First Thursday in April,
Council Updates

Sunday Services

2 March - Madi van Schalkwyk, Be Curious. Talk to Strangers. A brain tumour survivor, a recovering addict and a person that believes in positive ageing walks into a church...

Funny enough, this is pretty much what our events are about.

A StrangerKind hosts ASK events, where we find everyday people to come and share their lived experiences in intimate conversations and invite people to come and really ask them ANYthing they ever wanted to know about their topic.

Madi passionately believes that curiosity fosters empathy and understanding; it showcases the importance of diversity and promotes inclusion - simply by creating a safe framework where upfront permission is given for interesting, inspirational or sometimes difficult conversations. Interestingly enough, it also shows the value of the "stranger" and at the same time builds a community of volunteers that belong and bring purpose - purely by being themselves.

An invitation to explore intersectionality, challenge stereotypes, break down stigmas…but mostly - to just be Curious.

9 March - Exploring Uniquely Unconventional Spiritual Paths, with Hans and others. In keeping with our theme this month, accompany us on a meander of quirkier, less conventional faiths that exist in this world. March 6 celebrates the Day of the Dude, the high holy day of Dudeism. Associated with the Church of the Latter-Day Dude, this ‘slowest growing world religion’ was borne out of the cult classic film, The Big Lebowski, starring Jeff Bridges. With a mantra of “Just Take It Easy, Mankind”, we explore some of the underlying Taoism perspectives of this off-beat religion. Time allowing we may pause to ponder at some touchstones of other lesser-known spiritual paths, from The Flying Spaghetti Monster (also known as Pastafarianism), The Pink Unicorn, Jediism, to Ghibliosophy from Japanese animator and filmmaker, Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli animation films. Join us on a magical journey of weirdly wonderful and uniquely unconventional spiritual paths.

Hayao Miyazaki & his anime creations, artwork by Abraham Cruz

16 March - Khoi Bushman herbalist and entrepreneur, Catherine Arrendse. Catherine Arendse is a Khoi Bushman herbalist/entrepreneur who builds her life & business on the oral knowledge received from her mother, who also was a healer. This includes orally tracing back all the way to Tygerfalls, the Cave from which her family comes. She will share her journey for through different industries and answering her calling or purpose. Her calling is about spirituality & teaching people about healthy living, interconnectivity with nature and how we heal through natural remedies & self care. Specifically, she says she wants people to, “honor your Creator in how you honour your body & self-love.” Come join us to learn from her wisdom.

23 March - Is your faith toxic? Gur Mouanga. “Those who possess a toxic faith have stepped across the line from the balanced perspective of God …” Stephen Arterburn. Gur will explore how one can become a victim of religious addiction and suggest ways of recovering.

30 March - Practicing Deep Listening, Nima. People report that feeling deeply listened to can be healing, bonding and inspiring. So how can we best learn to listen to each other with our whole being?

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

Join us for the Pride March this Saturday at 10 am. We will gather near Prestwich Primary School in de Waterkant. We are asking everyone to wear a black t-shirt and something colourful (as Muhsin would have wanted). Nima will have badges for everyone to wear with Muhsin’s portrait on it. The March starts there and ends at Green Point Stadium. The Queer Faith Collective will have a stall at the Mardi Gras at the end, honouring Muhsin, and I’ll be promoting CTU! I’d love your help with that.💃🌈🙏🏽😎💕

Somerset West Fellowship

Dave and Jeanie Mayes have sadly notified everyone that they need to step down as leaders of this fellowship. Roux has offered to work with the group to determine what they might want to happen going forward.

Midweek Meditation

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

What fun we had going by train to our Kalk Bay picnic!

Gur’s kiddos had already gone to the beach when we took this photo, but know that a good time was had by all! For only R 18 round trip!

Musings from the Chair

(In review-676 words)

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 are 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!

Council Updates

Council will meet Sunday, 16 March 12- 2 pm. Contact Nolu at community@capetownunitarians.org if you’d like to attend.

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