October 2020 Newsletter

OCTOBER 2020 NEWSLETTER

CTU members gathered at Soraya Salie’s Peace Garden in Bontehewuel for our annual flower service. From left to right: Elspeth Muirhead, Hans Moolman, Soraya Salie, Martha Holmes, Clarence Esau, Celeste Esau, Dianne Maxwell, Louie Esterhuizen, Melanie Ferreira and Sarah Van Borek.

Greetings CTU members and friends, We have somehow made it through to Level 1 and spring! I'm feeling encouraged by the warmer weather as well as seeing some of you in person (socially distanced of course!). We will be back in the church on Sunday 25 October, and we'd love to have up to 15 people come, whilst still having our Zoom option as well. Also, at 12 p.m. that day, we will have another Game Day! Bring your game and your enthusiasm. We will also finish up our Santa's Shoebox project on that Sunday, with parcelling and packaging. Thanks to everyone who donated time, talent and treasure for this special opportunity. We are saddened to report that Jeff Goy passed away on 19 September. His memorial was held on 25 September. We celebrated a life well lived and honoured his service to the Cape Town Unitarian community. If anyone would like to reach out to his wife, Merilyn, contact me. With light and love, Rev. Nima nimajanettaylor@gmail.com WhatsApp number: 0760249120

Click here to join our Zoom service on Sundays at 10:30 am Meeting ID: 338 628 074 • Email nimajanettaylor@gmail.com for password

UPCOMING SUNDAY TOPICS 4 October: Meditation Practices to Deepen Our Listening Skills Nima will share different meditation practices that enable us to listen more deeply to others, as well as to our inner voice. Join us for some meditation and journaling time. 11 October: Listening for the Call to Adventure Leigh Meinert will introduce Joseph Campbell's archetypal 'hero's journey' and we will explore how this plays out in the grand stories that we love all so and in the smaller arc of our daily lives. In his book 'The Hero With A Thousand Faces' Campbell writes, "The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure that you seek." Join us if you are feeling brave. 18 October: Healing Ourselves, Healing Nature Join Rev. Roux Malan as he helps us explore the relationship between our connection to nature, emotion, healing and spiritual practice. 25 October: Listening to Our Higher Selves Join Nima as she examines the many ways we can listen to the voice of our higher self, to listen to our deepest yearning, and to hear the Source of all. Mystics throughout the ages have found solace in connecting into this deeper sense of knowing.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Lay Leaders Program 4 Oct. • Sun. • 12 - 3 p.m. on Zoom This month, Rev. Roux Malan will begin a three-part series of classes on social justice. All are welcome to participate. Email Nima for info Spiritual Not Religious Check-In Wednesdays • 8 - 9 p.m. on Zoom Every week we meet to talk about spiritual topics. Past discussions have covered love and loss and heritage. Meeting ID: 945 1671 4009 Password: 531769 Join Zoom meeting Chalice Circle Mowbray 24 Oct. • Sat. • 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. All are welcome. This group meets once a month to reflect on a specific spiritual principle. The material for this month covers the topic of “Deep Listening”. Email Natalie Billings for info + materials

Game Day • 25 Oct. • Sun. • 12 - 2pm Game Day is back! Bring your board and card games to CTU for an afternoon of fun rafter the Sunday service. All ages welcome. We will sell mince salomies and veggie salomies for R30 each. Please bring your own drinks. Mask wearing and social distancing will be required. Email Melanie Ferreira for more information

Somerset West Unitarian Fellowship There will be no meeting in October. Please contact Dave Mayes at 021-850-0863 or davidjeanmayes@gmail.com for more information. Johannesburg Unitarian Fellowship Due to the lockdown, meetings have been suspended. For more information about this fellowship and future meetings, please contact the Secretary, Doug Wilson at douglas.brett.wilson@gmail.com. Durban Unitarian Fellowship Due to the lockdown, meetings have been suspended. For more information about this fellowship and future meetings, please contact the Spokesperson Carol on carol@seedtrust.net or visit the Durban Unitarian website at www.unitarian.co.za.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

2021 Youth Religious Education Project Martha Holmes, Shelley Adams and Rev. Nima have been meeting to create a monthly programme for the kids in 2021, one for the younger children and another for the tweens/teens. Nima has purchased a teen package from Soul Matters to provide the curriculum, and the parents met at Arderne Gardens to discuss options. Stay tuned for more information in November.

Buy a Cape Town Unitariants T-shirt Post-lockdown special: Buy one shirt and get one free! T-shirts are for sale for only R150 each – buy, sponsor or donate a t-shirt. Support our community. Contact Celeste Esau via WhatsApp at 0824338815 to place your order. Donate to Cape Town Unitarians Even though we are not holding in-person services yet, our running costs remain the same. If you are able to EFT a little extra this month to compensate for the in-person collections that we can’t take, we would really appreciate that. Here is our bank information: Standard Bank, Unitarian Church Branch 051001, A/C # 070440719 Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ Likewise though, if you are struggling financially or emotionally in this time please let Rev. Nima know so that our Pastoral Care Team can provide you with as much support as we can. Thank you.

WRITER'S CORNER: WRITERS WANTED

This space is for spiritually-related writing and stories from our members and friends. We know that there are writers among us – please send us your stories and writing. Please contact Nima on NimaJanentTaylor@gmail with questions or send her a copy.

SEPTEMBER COUNCIL MEETING NOTES

1. Council is committed to reduce the deficit and draw down on our investment and will introduce several changes: • A full-time administrator next year will replace Elspeth Muirhead in her current job and will also take on bookkeeping and admin tasks Nima has been doing. The new job will be posted in October. • Rev. Nima’s two-year contract ends in February but by mutual agreement between her and the council, she will continue as CTU’s pastor at one-quarter time. Nima will focus on Sunday services, life celebrations (marriages, funerals, blessings) and major pastoral care visits while a core of our volunteer lay leaders will assist Nima in ministry and the running of our community. • Services in the building will take place twice a month with Zoom services every week. Unitarians from other parts of South Africa will be invited to become members of CTU if they so wish. 2. Nima will work with a team of those interested in rewording the UUA 8th principle on anti-racism. This will be presented to the congregation for review. 3. We will purchase Soul Matters material for the older children in Chalice Kids for the year ahead as a cost and time effective curriculum. 4. Hibbert Trust has paid us grant money for the year, which will be spent on repairing the windows and dealing with the borer beetle and rat problem. CTU COUNCIL MEMBERS Melanie Ferreira, Secretary: 081-790-8030 Eduan Hauman, Treasurer: 083-580-2038 Martha Holmes, Member: 072-521-4504 Leigh Meinert, Chairperson: 082-408-4525 Laura Pohl, Member: 060-488-0372 Nima Taylor, Minister: 076-024-9120 Elspeth Muirhead, Church Secretary: 072-077-9911, elspethmuirhead@gmail.com

© 2020 Cape Town Unitarians September 2020 Newsletter September 15, 2020 Cape Town Unitarians SEPTEMBER 2020 NEWSLETTER Artwork by Martha Holmes for CTU's "Unitarian Perspectives: Reflections from South Africa," the first publication focused on Unitarianism in Africa. Greetings CTU members and friends, Finally! We’ve almost made it to September and the coming spring. Our theme this month is Renewal, as we explore how best to cultivate a greater sense of renewal in our lives, with a greater energy and insight. Included in this month's newsletter are many ways you can get involved in our community and get to know each other better in the process. On 13 September, we will be back in our building! Please see below for more details about attending and volunteering at the building on this day. We will continue to Zoom as well. The service will be in French, with Gur Mouanga translating for us non-French speakers. Niyungeko Gérard from Burundi will give the reflection. On 20 September, we will explore how best to have a continual renewal in our community, to encourage each of us to stay fresh in our various spiritual practices and to feel renewed in our interactions with each other. On 27 September, we’ll caravan together to Bonteheuwel for our Spring Flower Communion. Soraya Salie, who spoke to us in June, will join us in the peace garden she and her neighbours created, and we’ll celebrate that she and her husband Farouk have recovered from their COVID hospitalisations. What a blessing! As some of you know, several writers and artists in our community have contributed to a beautiful publication which we released on 17 August. Led by our community minister, Rev. Roux Malan, we hope you will take time to discover: “Unitarian Perspectives: Reflections from South Africa.” If you find value in this work, please consider donating to our community by visiting the link above and scrolling down to the donation section. With light and love, Rev. Nima nimajanettaylor@gmail.com WhatsApp number: 0760249120 Click here to join our Zoom service on Sundays at 10:30 am Meeting ID: 338 628 074 UPCOMING SUNDAY TOPICS 6 September - The Renewal of Your Mind - Rev. Nima We will explore how the Buddha’s and Jesus’ messages converge on the power of renewing our mind, becoming aware of our thoughts and realising the power to transform them. 13 September - La Vie Est un Mystère et Elle Est Courte, Mais en Jouissez-Vous (Life Is a Mystery and Short, But Enjoy It) - Niyungeko Gérard This service will be conducted in French, with Gur Mouanga translating. This is an opportunity for us primarily English speakers to hear the message in another language. This service will be held simultaneously on Zoom and in our building. RENEWING OUR BUILDING! This Sunday we will return to our beloved building and explore how we can renew it with love and nourishment after so many months with no services there (except for the loving care Celeste has given it!). We will take reservations for 10-15 people to attend the service in the building. All attendees will need to wear a mask the whole time and remain socially distant from others. More information to follow on the new COVID processes. Please let Elspeth know if you’d like to volunteer for this service: elspethmuirhead@gmail.com. 20 September - Our Spiritual Community as a Place of Renewal - Rev. Nima Join us this Sunday as we explore how we cultivate a spiritual community that creates a place to come for renewal. There are many places in the world that can be disheartening and difficult, but our spiritual home here at CTU is where we cultivate ways to be with each other that renews our spirit and gives us hope and healing to go out into the world with energy and inspiration. 27 September - Spring Flower Communion at Bonteheuwel Peace Garden - Rev. Nima and Soraya Salie We are delighted to caravan together to Soraya Salie’s peace garden in Bonteheuwel and perform our annual Flower Communion there. We will distribute details of the caravan the week prior. Join us in celebrating this very special spring 2020! Soraya is involved in a community feeding scheme and would appreciate any donations for a pot of food, such as rice, lentils or other legumes. If you are able to attend this event, please bring donations with you. If you are unable to attend but still wish to contribute, please email Elspeth. UPCOMING EVENTS Lay Leaders Program 6 Sept. • Sun. • 12 - 3 p.m. We are delighted that Mary Ryan, SA’s beloved female Catholic Priest, will be leading three classes on pastoral care for our lay leaders. Our next Lay Leaders Program class will be her third class and the topic is “How do we serve in the face of suffering?”. Everyone is welcome! Email Nima for info Spiritual Not Religious Check-In Wednesdays • 8 - 9 p.m. Every week we meet to talk about spiritual topics. Past discussions have covered love and loss, cancel culture and South Africa's nuclear energy program. Meeting ID: 945 1671 4009 Password: 531769 Join Zoom meeting Chalice Circle Mowbray 26 Sept. • Sat. • 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. All are welcome. This group meets once a month to reflect on a specific spiritual principle. The material for this month covers the topic of “Renewal”. Email Natalie Billings for info + materials Somerset West Unitarian Fellowship There will be no meeting in August. Please contact Dave Mayes at 021-850-0863 or davidjeanmayes@gmail.com for more information. Johannesburg Unitarian Fellowship Due to the lockdown, meetings have been suspended. For more information about this fellowship and future meetings, please contact the Secretary, Doug Wilson at douglas.brett.wilson@gmail.com. Durban Unitarian Fellowship Due to the lockdown, meetings have been suspended. For more information about this fellowship and future meetings, please contact the Spokesperson Carol on carol@seedtrust.net or visit the Durban Unitarian website at www.unitarian.co.za. SUNDAY SERVICE VOLUNTEER DUTIES Whilst we are meeting virtually via Zoom, would you be willing to volunteer to read some poetry or spiritual writings on each Sunday, based on that Sunday's theme? If anyone is interested, please contact Rev. Nima at nimajanettaylor@gmail.com. We also need volunteers at the CTU building for the 13 September service. Please contact Elspeth at elspethmuirhead@gmail.com if you’re interested in helping. Santa Shoebox 2020: Our Festive Season Outreach Project Each year the nonprofit Santa Shoebox collects and distributes personalised gifts to underprivileged children across South Africa and Namibia. Each box includes stationery, basic toiletries, an outfit of clothing, a toy and some sweets. You can participate in several ways: 1. Pledge a box you will shop for and finance as a family (one box = R350-R400). 2. Donate the cost of a box or part thereof. 3. Pledge the clothing item and/or toy for a box which you will shop for. 4. Volunteer to assist planning and/or shop for the project in September and October. 5. Donate a shoebox – we will need around 10 shoeboxes with separate lids. Please email Elspeth with your pledges by 7 September. When you donate to the church bank account, let Elspeth know how much so we can calculate how many boxes we can do. Standard Bank, Unitarian Church Branch 051001, A/C # 070440719 Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ Donation reference: Santa Donate to Cape Town Unitarians Even though we are not holding in-person services yet, our running costs remain the same. If you are able to EFT a little extra this month to compensate for the collections that we won't be able to take, we would really appreciate that. Here is our bank information: Standard Bank, Unitarian Church Branch 051001, A/C # 070440719 Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ Likewise though, if you are struggling financially or emotionally in this time please let Rev. Nima know so that our Pastoral Care Team can provide you with as much support as we can. Thank you. WRITER'S CORNER: SHAWN COMRIE Each month we feature an article from one of our friends and members. For September, we are pleased to feature Shawn Comrie's article “Corona Garden”. Please visit our website and see Shawn’s article under the "Publications" heading. CTU COUNCIL MEMBERS Melanie Ferreira, Secretary: 081-790-8030 Eduan Hauman, Treasurer: 083-580-2038 Martha Holmes, Member: 072-521-4504 Leigh Meinert, Chairperson: 082-408-4525 Laura Pohl, Member: 060-488-0372 Nima Taylor, Minister: 076-024-9120 Elspeth Muirhead, Church Secretary: 072-077-9911, elspethmuirhead@gmail.com Cape Town Unitarians 64 Hout Street, Cape Town 8000 SOUTH AFRICA nimajanettaylor@gmail.com August 2020 Newsletter July 31, 2020 Cape Town Unitarians AUGUST 2020 NEWSLETTER   Cape Town Unitarians gather outside the church for a photo, pre-Covid.     Dear CTU members and friends,   It's been quite a year, hasn't it? I can't seem to find the words to describe what we are all going through, in so many different ways. For myself, I know that working with you all to co-create this loving, caring, compassionate community is what keeps me sane. Thank you for your inspiration, encouragement and kindness!   In August, we will explore the proposed 8th Unitarian Principle, which reads: “We commit to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”   The purpose of this principle is to better understand then dismantle the systemic ways our society oppresses certain groups because of their skin colour, their sexual orientation or the myriad of other ways society debases the "others".   Note that on the first Sunday in August, we have a special treat! Come get a sneak peek at our first South African Unitarian publication. I will interview some of the writers and artists about their work, and we'll celebrate their diligent efforts to create our first journal. It'll be fun and informative!   With love and light, Nima  nimajanettaylor@gmail.com WhatsApp: 076-024-9120     Click here to join our Zoom service on Sundays at 10:30 am Meeting ID: 338 628 074  •  Password: 144508       UPCOMING SUNDAY TOPICS   2 August - African Unitarian Day - Rev. Nima We celebrate Unitarianism in South Africa and all over the continent, as well as the Cape Town Unitarians' 153rd anniversary of our founding. To celebrate this important day, we will share excerpts and art from our first publication on South African Unitarianism entitled “Unitarian Perspectives: Reflections from South Africa”. Thanks to the diligent efforts of the editor, Rev. Roux Malan, and all the writers, artists, editors and proofreaders. 9 August - Women's Day: Where do we go from here? - Rev. Nima We will explore a proposed 8th Principle which reads, “We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, commit to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural beloved community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”   16 August - New Members Sunday - Rev. Nima Have you considered getting more involved in the Cape Town Unitarians? Membership is not required but might be a way to feel more connected to this beloved community of wonderfully diverse and inspiring individuals. We invite anyone interested in joining the Cape Town Unitarians to contact Nima before the 16th for a New Member Information Packet.   23 August - How did the protest march with Desmond Tutu unfold in 1989? - Rev. Emeritus Gordon Oliver Our minister emeritus, Gordon Oliver, was mayor of Cape Town on that fateful day, 13 September, 1989, when Tutu led an estimated 30,000 people in an anti-Apartheid march in Cape Town. Rev. Oliver, who lived through and led some important protests against Apartheid, has graciously agreed to share the backstory of the march.   30 August - We are the champions! - Jacqui Benson We will finish off this month advocating activism for social justice by looking at the music of Queen, long known to celebrate the marginalised and downtrodden. Put on your dancing shoes and warm up your voices to make the most of the music in the privacy of your own home!     UPCOMING EVENTS     Lay Leaders Program  2 Aug.  •  Sun.  •  12 - 3 p.m.   We are delighted that Mary Ryan, SA’s beloved female Catholic Priest, will lead three classes on pastoral care for our lay leaders. Our next class will be her second class and the topic is “Listening and Counselling Skills”. Everyone is welcome!   Email Nima for info   Spiritual Not Religious Check-In Wednesdays  •   8 - 9 p.m.   Every week we meet to talk about spiritual topics. Past discussions have covered love and loss and the book "The Little Prince".   Meeting ID: 945 1671 4009 Password: 531769   Join Zoom meeting   Chalice Circle Mowbray  29 Aug.  •  Sat.  •   2:30 - 4:30 p.m.   All are welcome. This group meets once a month to reflect on a specific spiritual principle. The material for this month covers the topic of “Intention”.   Email Natalie Billings for info + materials      Somerset West Unitarian Fellowship There will be no meeting in August. Please contact Dave Mayes at 021-850-0863 or davidjeanmayes@gmail.com for more information.   Johannesburg Unitarian Fellowship Due to the lockdown, meetings have been suspended. For more information about this fellowship and future meetings, please contact the Secretary, Doug Wilson at douglas.brett.wilson@gmail.com.   Durban Unitarian Fellowship Due to the lockdown, meetings have been suspended. For more information about this fellowship and future meetings, please contact the Spokesperson Carol on carol@seedtrust.net or visit the Durban Unitarian website at www.unitarian.co.za.   WRITER'S CORNER: JACOB RUMBLE   Each month we would like to feature an article from one of our friends and members. For August, we are pleased to feature the late Jacob Rumble and his article entitled "Religion: Just What is it?"       Save the date: 27 Sept. 2020 for Flower Communion   In June, one of our guest speakers was Soraya Salie, who started a Peace Garden in her suburb of Bonteheuwel. We have been invited to host our Flower Communion at the site of this garden. Please save the date and consider joining us (in-person with masks donned and sanitiser at hand) as a celebration of community and bringing awareness to the struggles in many of our impoverished communities across Cape Town and South Africa. Further details to follow next month.   Donate to Cape Town Unitarians   Even though we are not holding in-person services yet, our running costs remain the same. If you are able to EFT a little extra this month to compensate for the collections that we won't be able to take, we would really appreciate that. Here is our bank information:   Standard Bank, Unitarian Church Branch 051001, A/C # 070440719   Likewise though, if you are struggling financially or emotionally in this time please let Rev. Nima know so that our Pastoral Care Team can provide you with as much support as we can. Thank you.    JULY COUNCIL MEETING NOTES   The chair, Leigh Meinert, welcomed the new member, Laura Pohl, onto council for her first meeting. Council business included the following items:   1. Council Roles: Leigh will remain as Chair for one more year with Eduan Hauman as Treasurer and Melanie Ferreira as the new secretary.   2. Guidelines for our Community: We will engage with possibly including the 8th UUA Principle and more African perspectives in our document before we move for its adoption. Please follow this link to view the document and leave comments.   3. UUFP Grant: Our goals for the funded project are to develop a core group of lay leaders; broaden community and religious programmes; reach out to other congregations and African Unitarians; and possibly include social justice work.   4. Rev. Nima’s performance review was a conversation involving Nima, Shelley Adams and Engelie Brand. Nima reported that it was a lovely review process and she appreciates feedback. Rev. Nima is doing so much and so well – she has exceeded expectations, especially in her adapting to the world of Zoom.   COUNCIL MEMBERS Eduan Hauman, Treasurer: 083-580-2038 Laura Pohl, Member: 060-488-0372 Leigh Meinert, Chairperson: 082-408-4525 Martha Holmes, Member: 072-521-4504 Melanie Ferreira, Secretary: 081-790-8030 Nima Taylor, Minister: 076-024-9120   Elspeth Muirhead, Church Secretary: 072-077-9911, elspethmuirhead@gmail.com   SUNDAY SERVICE VOLUNTEER DUTIES   Due to the lockdown the usual Sunday Service volunteer duties are suspended. Once the lockdown has been lifted, we would appreciate the assistance of all who are able to, to consider serving and helping to make our in-church gathering a success. New safety and sanitising procedures mean that more volunteers will be needed in addition to providing either flowers, being the greeter at the door, assisting at the welcome table or with collec-tions. When considering to volunteer, please bear in mind that your health is of the utmost importance and those with pre-existing health conditions or those over the age of 60, should avoid volunteering and attending in-person services.   Whilst we are meeting virtually via Zoom, would you be willing to volunteer to read some poetry or spiritual writings on each Sunday, based on that Sunday's theme? If anyone is interested, please contact Rev. Nima at nimajanettaylor@gmail.com.     Cape Town Unitarians 64 Hout Street, Cape Town 8000 SOUTH AFRICA nimajanettaylor@gmail.com   July 2020 newsletter July 14, 2020 Cape Town Unitarians ← Newer Posts Older Posts → TO DONATE: Via EFT: Unitarian Church Standard Bank, Branch 051001, Account # 070440719 Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ Via Payfast (credit or debit cards): Donate Custom Amount: Cape Town Unitarians 64 Hout Street, CBD Cape Town 8000, Western Cape, South Africa Contact Rev. Nima for information Find us here at:

September 2020 Newsletter

SEPTEMBER 2020 NEWSLETTER Artwork by Martha Holmes for CTU's "Unitarian Perspectives: Reflections from South Africa," the first publication focused on Unitarianism in Africa. Greetings CTU members and friends, Finally! We’ve almost made it to September and the coming spring. Our theme this month is Renewal, as we explore how best to cultivate a greater sense of renewal in our lives, with a greater energy and insight. Included in this month's newsletter are many ways you can get involved in our community and get to know each other better in the process. On 13 September, we will be back in our building! Please see below for more details about attending and volunteering at the building on this day. We will continue to Zoom as well. The service will be in French, with Gur Mouanga translating for us non-French speakers. Niyungeko Gérard from Burundi will give the reflection. On 20 September, we will explore how best to have a continual renewal in our community, to encourage each of us to stay fresh in our various spiritual practices and to feel renewed in our interactions with each other. On 27 September, we’ll caravan together to Bonteheuwel for our Spring Flower Communion. Soraya Salie, who spoke to us in June, will join us in the peace garden she and her neighbours created, and we’ll celebrate that she and her husband Farouk have recovered from their COVID hospitalisations. What a blessing! As some of you know, several writers and artists in our community have contributed to a beautiful publication which we released on 17 August. Led by our community minister, Rev. Roux Malan, we hope you will take time to discover: “Unitarian Perspectives: Reflections from South Africa.” If you find value in this work, please consider donating to our community by visiting the link above and scrolling down to the donation section. With light and love, Rev. Nima nimajanettaylor@gmail.com WhatsApp number: 0760249120 Click here to join our Zoom service on Sundays at 10:30 am Meeting ID: 338 628 074 UPCOMING SUNDAY TOPICS 6 September - The Renewal of Your Mind - Rev. Nima We will explore how the Buddha’s and Jesus’ messages converge on the power of renewing our mind, becoming aware of our thoughts and realising the power to transform them. 13 September - La Vie Est un Mystère et Elle Est Courte, Mais en Jouissez-Vous (Life Is a Mystery and Short, But Enjoy It) - Niyungeko Gérard This service will be conducted in French, with Gur Mouanga translating. This is an opportunity for us primarily English speakers to hear the message in another language. This service will be held simultaneously on Zoom and in our building. RENEWING OUR BUILDING! This Sunday we will return to our beloved building and explore how we can renew it with love and nourishment after so many months with no services there (except for the loving care Celeste has given it!). We will take reservations for 10-15 people to attend the service in the building. All attendees will need to wear a mask the whole time and remain socially distant from others. More information to follow on the new COVID processes. Please let Elspeth know if you’d like to volunteer for this service: elspethmuirhead@gmail.com. 20 September - Our Spiritual Community as a Place of Renewal - Rev. Nima Join us this Sunday as we explore how we cultivate a spiritual community that creates a place to come for renewal. There are many places in the world that can be disheartening and difficult, but our spiritual home here at CTU is where we cultivate ways to be with each other that renews our spirit and gives us hope and healing to go out into the world with energy and inspiration. 27 September - Spring Flower Communion at Bonteheuwel Peace Garden - Rev. Nima and Soraya Salie We are delighted to caravan together to Soraya Salie’s peace garden in Bonteheuwel and perform our annual Flower Communion there. We will distribute details of the caravan the week prior. Join us in celebrating this very special spring 2020! Soraya is involved in a community feeding scheme and would appreciate any donations for a pot of food, such as rice, lentils or other legumes. If you are able to attend this event, please bring donations with you. If you are unable to attend but still wish to contribute, please email Elspeth. UPCOMING EVENTS Lay Leaders Program 6 Sept. • Sun. • 12 - 3 p.m. We are delighted that Mary Ryan, SA’s beloved female Catholic Priest, will be leading three classes on pastoral care for our lay leaders. Our next Lay Leaders Program class will be her third class and the topic is “How do we serve in the face of suffering?”. Everyone is welcome! Email Nima for info Spiritual Not Religious Check-In Wednesdays • 8 - 9 p.m. Every week we meet to talk about spiritual topics. Past discussions have covered love and loss, cancel culture and South Africa's nuclear energy program. Meeting ID: 945 1671 4009 Password: 531769 Join Zoom meeting Chalice Circle Mowbray 26 Sept. • Sat. • 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. All are welcome. This group meets once a month to reflect on a specific spiritual principle. The material for this month covers the topic of “Renewal”. Email Natalie Billings for info + materials Somerset West Unitarian Fellowship There will be no meeting in August. Please contact Dave Mayes at 021-850-0863 or davidjeanmayes@gmail.com for more information. Johannesburg Unitarian Fellowship Due to the lockdown, meetings have been suspended. For more information about this fellowship and future meetings, please contact the Secretary, Doug Wilson at douglas.brett.wilson@gmail.com. Durban Unitarian Fellowship Due to the lockdown, meetings have been suspended. For more information about this fellowship and future meetings, please contact the Spokesperson Carol on carol@seedtrust.net or visit the Durban Unitarian website at www.unitarian.co.za. SUNDAY SERVICE VOLUNTEER DUTIES Whilst we are meeting virtually via Zoom, would you be willing to volunteer to read some poetry or spiritual writings on each Sunday, based on that Sunday's theme? If anyone is interested, please contact Rev. Nima at nimajanettaylor@gmail.com. We also need volunteers at the CTU building for the 13 September service. Please contact Elspeth at elspethmuirhead@gmail.com if you’re interested in helping. Santa Shoebox 2020: Our Festive Season Outreach Project Each year the nonprofit Santa Shoebox collects and distributes personalised gifts to underprivileged children across South Africa and Namibia. Each box includes stationery, basic toiletries, an outfit of clothing, a toy and some sweets. You can participate in several ways: 1. Pledge a box you will shop for and finance as a family (one box = R350-R400). 2. Donate the cost of a box or part thereof. 3. Pledge the clothing item and/or toy for a box which you will shop for. 4. Volunteer to assist planning and/or shop for the project in September and October. 5. Donate a shoebox – we will need around 10 shoeboxes with separate lids. Please email Elspeth with your pledges by 7 September. When you donate to the church bank account, let Elspeth know how much so we can calculate how many boxes we can do. Standard Bank, Unitarian Church Branch 051001, A/C # 070440719 Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ Donation reference: Santa Donate to Cape Town Unitarians Even though we are not holding in-person services yet, our running costs remain the same. If you are able to EFT a little extra this month to compensate for the collections that we won't be able to take, we would really appreciate that. Here is our bank information: Standard Bank, Unitarian Church Branch 051001, A/C # 070440719 Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ Likewise though, if you are struggling financially or emotionally in this time please let Rev. Nima know so that our Pastoral Care Team can provide you with as much support as we can. Thank you. WRITER'S CORNER: SHAWN COMRIE Each month we feature an article from one of our friends and members. For September, we are pleased to feature Shawn Comrie's article “Corona Garden”. Please visit our website and see Shawn’s article under the "Publications" heading. CTU COUNCIL MEMBERS Melanie Ferreira, Secretary: 081-790-8030 Eduan Hauman, Treasurer: 083-580-2038 Martha Holmes, Member: 072-521-4504 Leigh Meinert, Chairperson: 082-408-4525 Laura Pohl, Member: 060-488-0372 Nima Taylor, Minister: 076-024-9120 Elspeth Muirhead, Church Secretary: 072-077-9911, elspethmuirhead@gmail.com Cape Town Unitarians 64 Hout Street, Cape Town 8000 SOUTH AFRICA nimajanettaylor@gmail.com

August 2020 Newsletter

AUGUST 2020 NEWSLETTER   Cape Town Unitarians gather outside the church for a photo, pre-Covid.     Dear CTU members and friends,   It's been quite a year, hasn't it? I can't seem to find the words to describe what we are all going through, in so many different ways. For myself, I know that working with you all to co-create this loving, caring, compassionate community is what keeps me sane. Thank you for your inspiration, encouragement and kindness!   In August, we will explore the proposed 8th Unitarian Principle, which reads: “We commit to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”   The purpose of this principle is to better understand then dismantle the systemic ways our society oppresses certain groups because of their skin colour, their sexual orientation or the myriad of other ways society debases the "others".   Note that on the first Sunday in August, we have a special treat! Come get a sneak peek at our first South African Unitarian publication. I will interview some of the writers and artists about their work, and we'll celebrate their diligent efforts to create our first journal. It'll be fun and informative!   With love and light, Nima  nimajanettaylor@gmail.com WhatsApp: 076-024-9120     Click here to join our Zoom service on Sundays at 10:30 am Meeting ID: 338 628 074  •  Password: 144508       UPCOMING SUNDAY TOPICS   2 August - African Unitarian Day - Rev. Nima We celebrate Unitarianism in South Africa and all over the continent, as well as the Cape Town Unitarians' 153rd anniversary of our founding. To celebrate this important day, we will share excerpts and art from our first publication on South African Unitarianism entitled “Unitarian Perspectives: Reflections from South Africa”. Thanks to the diligent efforts of the editor, Rev. Roux Malan, and all the writers, artists, editors and proofreaders. 9 August - Women's Day: Where do we go from here? - Rev. Nima We will explore a proposed 8th Principle which reads, “We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, commit to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural beloved community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”   16 August - New Members Sunday - Rev. Nima Have you considered getting more involved in the Cape Town Unitarians? Membership is not required but might be a way to feel more connected to this beloved community of wonderfully diverse and inspiring individuals. We invite anyone interested in joining the Cape Town Unitarians to contact Nima before the 16th for a New Member Information Packet.   23 August - How did the protest march with Desmond Tutu unfold in 1989? - Rev. Emeritus Gordon Oliver Our minister emeritus, Gordon Oliver, was mayor of Cape Town on that fateful day, 13 September, 1989, when Tutu led an estimated 30,000 people in an anti-Apartheid march in Cape Town. Rev. Oliver, who lived through and led some important protests against Apartheid, has graciously agreed to share the backstory of the march.   30 August - We are the champions! - Jacqui Benson We will finish off this month advocating activism for social justice by looking at the music of Queen, long known to celebrate the marginalised and downtrodden. Put on your dancing shoes and warm up your voices to make the most of the music in the privacy of your own home!     UPCOMING EVENTS     Lay Leaders Program  2 Aug.  •  Sun.  •  12 - 3 p.m.   We are delighted that Mary Ryan, SA’s beloved female Catholic Priest, will lead three classes on pastoral care for our lay leaders. Our next class will be her second class and the topic is “Listening and Counselling Skills”. Everyone is welcome!   Email Nima for info   Spiritual Not Religious Check-In Wednesdays  •   8 - 9 p.m.   Every week we meet to talk about spiritual topics. Past discussions have covered love and loss and the book "The Little Prince".   Meeting ID: 945 1671 4009 Password: 531769   Join Zoom meeting   Chalice Circle Mowbray  29 Aug.  •  Sat.  •   2:30 - 4:30 p.m.   All are welcome. This group meets once a month to reflect on a specific spiritual principle. The material for this month covers the topic of “Intention”.   Email Natalie Billings for info + materials      Somerset West Unitarian Fellowship There will be no meeting in August. Please contact Dave Mayes at 021-850-0863 or davidjeanmayes@gmail.com for more information.   Johannesburg Unitarian Fellowship Due to the lockdown, meetings have been suspended. For more information about this fellowship and future meetings, please contact the Secretary, Doug Wilson at douglas.brett.wilson@gmail.com.   Durban Unitarian Fellowship Due to the lockdown, meetings have been suspended. For more information about this fellowship and future meetings, please contact the Spokesperson Carol on carol@seedtrust.net or visit the Durban Unitarian website at www.unitarian.co.za.   WRITER'S CORNER: JACOB RUMBLE   Each month we would like to feature an article from one of our friends and members. For August, we are pleased to feature the late Jacob Rumble and his article entitled "Religion: Just What is it?"       Save the date: 27 Sept. 2020 for Flower Communion   In June, one of our guest speakers was Soraya Salie, who started a Peace Garden in her suburb of Bonteheuwel. We have been invited to host our Flower Communion at the site of this garden. Please save the date and consider joining us (in-person with masks donned and sanitiser at hand) as a celebration of community and bringing awareness to the struggles in many of our impoverished communities across Cape Town and South Africa. Further details to follow next month.   Donate to Cape Town Unitarians   Even though we are not holding in-person services yet, our running costs remain the same. If you are able to EFT a little extra this month to compensate for the collections that we won't be able to take, we would really appreciate that. Here is our bank information:   Standard Bank, Unitarian Church Branch 051001, A/C # 070440719   Likewise though, if you are struggling financially or emotionally in this time please let Rev. Nima know so that our Pastoral Care Team can provide you with as much support as we can. Thank you.    JULY COUNCIL MEETING NOTES   The chair, Leigh Meinert, welcomed the new member, Laura Pohl, onto council for her first meeting. Council business included the following items:   1. Council Roles: Leigh will remain as Chair for one more year with Eduan Hauman as Treasurer and Melanie Ferreira as the new secretary.   2. Guidelines for our Community: We will engage with possibly including the 8th UUA Principle and more African perspectives in our document before we move for its adoption. Please follow this link to view the document and leave comments.   3. UUFP Grant: Our goals for the funded project are to develop a core group of lay leaders; broaden community and religious programmes; reach out to other congregations and African Unitarians; and possibly include social justice work.   4. Rev. Nima’s performance review was a conversation involving Nima, Shelley Adams and Engelie Brand. Nima reported that it was a lovely review process and she appreciates feedback. Rev. Nima is doing so much and so well – she has exceeded expectations, especially in her adapting to the world of Zoom.   COUNCIL MEMBERS Eduan Hauman, Treasurer: 083-580-2038 Laura Pohl, Member: 060-488-0372 Leigh Meinert, Chairperson: 082-408-4525 Martha Holmes, Member: 072-521-4504 Melanie Ferreira, Secretary: 081-790-8030 Nima Taylor, Minister: 076-024-9120   Elspeth Muirhead, Church Secretary: 072-077-9911, elspethmuirhead@gmail.com   SUNDAY SERVICE VOLUNTEER DUTIES   Due to the lockdown the usual Sunday Service volunteer duties are suspended. Once the lockdown has been lifted, we would appreciate the assistance of all who are able to, to consider serving and helping to make our in-church gathering a success. New safety and sanitising procedures mean that more volunteers will be needed in addition to providing either flowers, being the greeter at the door, assisting at the welcome table or with collec-tions. When considering to volunteer, please bear in mind that your health is of the utmost importance and those with pre-existing health conditions or those over the age of 60, should avoid volunteering and attending in-person services.   Whilst we are meeting virtually via Zoom, would you be willing to volunteer to read some poetry or spiritual writings on each Sunday, based on that Sunday's theme? If anyone is interested, please contact Rev. Nima at nimajanettaylor@gmail.com.     Cape Town Unitarians 64 Hout Street, Cape Town 8000 SOUTH AFRICA nimajanettaylor@gmail.com

July 2020 newsletter