Networking Sessions

This year, we have a wide array of sessions, taking place on Saturday morning, Sunday morning and Sunday afternoon. Descriptions for all networking sessions are below.

SATURDAY: 8:30 - 9:30 AM

Session 1 - Changing Together: USC Canada & Canadian Unitarians - with Martin Settle & Jane Rabinowicz, co-directors of USC Canada. For nearly 73 years, USC Canada and the Unitarian community have partnered to be a force for good around the world. In those years, both have changed and grown. Now, as USC Canada sets out a bold new vision under their shared leadership, Jane Rabinowicz and Martin Settle discuss how they lead together, and how the partnership with Unitarians will continue to root their work.

Session 2 - Soulful Singing - with Rev. Wendy Louella Perkins. Want to sing with more freedom and joy? Like to feel more acceptance and ease with your voice? Want to start your Saturday morning off in a good way? Then Soulful Singing is for you! Soulful Singing is an inclusive and expansive meditative practice that celebrates each person's unique voice, fosters creativity and play, and nurtures mindfulness. Soulful Singing is about presence, not performance, pleasure, not perfection and all voices are welcomed into the circle of song.

Session 3 - Congregational Presidents / Treasurers - with CUC staff Joan Carolyn & Rev. Linda Thomson. An opportunity for congregational presidents and treasurers to connect with each other, ask questions, share solutions and best practices, facilitated by CUC staff Joan Carolyn & Rev. LindaThomson.

Session 4 - People of Colour Gathering - with CUC staff Asha Philar. U*Us who identify as people of colour, or of African, Asian, Pacific islander, Middle Eastern, Latinx, Hispanic, Indigenous or Metis descent are invited to a time of sharing and fellowship. Recognizing that people of colour, or racialized people, have unique experiences and can face challenges within Unitarian Universalism, we offer a safe space to connect, share experiences and talk about advancing racial justice in our congregations.

Session 5 - EqUUal Access - with Rev. Helen McFadyen. A gathering for UUs living with disabilities, family, friends and allies. Rev. Helen McFadyen is passionate about creating an accessible and inclusive Unitarian Universalism and will facilitate this opportunity for connection and sharing.

Session 6 - Social Justice - with CUC staff April Lilley. Discover what the National Social Justice Team has planned for the 2018/19 congregational year, and how you can stay involved with national actions. Come ready to share your own stories and experiences, with a lens towards continued connection and support.

Session 7 - Canadian Unitarian Vision Contest Winning Sermon - with sermon contest winner (TBA): Over the past year, Canadian U*Us were invited to write sermons related to the new CUC Vision Statement of interdependence, love and justice and submit them for our national contest. Come hear the CUC's Vision Contest winner share their sermon.

SUNDAY: 8:30 - 9:30 AM

Networking Session 1 - Drumming: Start your day in a musical way with this fun and participatory drumming session! Bring your own drum if you have one. There will be drums available as well.

Networking Session 2 - Yoga: Stretch your limbs and relax your mind. Yoga for all ages and levels is a great opportunity to centre yourself in the midst of a busy conference, and find moments of quiet and peace.

Networking Session 3 - Large Congregations over 100 - with CUC staff: Join other members and leaders of large congregations to share successes and challenges, form helpful connections, and support each other in creating vibrant and welcoming communities. CUC Congregational Life staff will be on hand to facilitate the discussion and provide ideas and resources.

Networking Session 4 - Smaller Congregations under 100 - with CUC staff: Vibrant UU communities come in all sizes! Join other members and leaders of smaller congregations to share successes and challenges, form helpful connections, and support each other. CUC Congregational Life staff will be on hand to facilitate the discussion and provide ideas and resources.

Networking Session 5 - Truth, Healing & Reconciliation for trained facilitators - with Rev. Samaya Oakley, Rev. Meg Roberts and CUC Staff April Lilley: Join with other Truth, Healing and Reconciliation Reflection Guide (THRRG) facilitators to connect and learn from one another. Explore what is working well and share challenges faced in your congregation and/or larger community. We continue to learn and grow together on this path towards reconciliation.

Networking Session 6 - Membership, Welcoming, Outreach - with CUC staff Asha Philar: Focusing on welcoming and including young adults in congregational life, we'll talk about success stories from across Canada and share tips for radical inclusion. These tips are applicable for all age groups and can be applied in any congregation. Please join us to share your own successes and challenges with young adult ministry, which we can workshop together.

SUNDAY: 4:15 - 5:45 PM

The Bridge - with Rev. Lynn Harrison, musician and UU minister: The Bridge is an open mic on a monthly theme, that has been running monthly at a Toronto bar since 2015. In addition to musical offerings, The Bridge presents inspiration from a wide range of sources and lifts up the spiritual dimension of all creative activity. Bring a song or poem on the conference theme “An Invitation to Love & Justice,” and experience the magical open mic that ensues. Find out more about The Bridge in this short video or on their website.

International Reception - with Rev. Sara Asher (ICUU) and Bruce Knotts (UU-UNO). Join our international representatives to hear about the important work of the International Council of UUs and the UU-United Nations Office. Snacks will be served with a cash bar.

Networking Session A: Large Congregations (continued) - with CUC staff: An opportunity to continue networking and sharing successes and challenges with others from large congregations. CUC staff will be on hand to facilitate the discussion and provide ideas and resources.

Networking Session B: Small Congregations (continued) - with CUC staff: An opportunity for those from small congregations to continue networking and sharing successes and challenges. CUC staff will be on hand to facilitate the discussion and provide ideas and resources.

Networking Session C: Refugees - with April Lilley, CUC Social Justice staff: The world of refugee sponsorship is always changing. Learn about the latest updates from the government, and provide recommendations for CUC Staff, April Hope, to bring to the Sponsorship Agreement Holder's (SAH) Association. We are all in varying stages of the refugee sponsorship process, come willing to share and learn from one another to find mutual support in this very challenging and emotional work.