Garden Work Party rescheduled for March 29th, 9:30am - 2:30pm

Rescheduled for Sat. March 29th
(weather permitting)
9:30am — 2:30pm

We are asking for a minimum of four sturdy workers to place soil on our new garden. We also need two workers to rake the soil as it is placed, and volunteers to help with beverage and lunch service (as coffee, tea and lunch will be available for our workers).

Please dress for the weather and bring these tools if possible.

• Your own coffee mug plus:

• Gloves

• Knee pads

• Clippers

• Lawn rakes

• Spades (pointed shovel)

• A wheel barrow, if possible.

Please RSVP by Thursday at noon to both Brian and Jean as we need a count for the tea, snacks, and sandwiches:

• Jean Prescott jihana@shaw.ca

• Brian McConnell mcbrian2@gmail.com

Guitar Interest Group - continuing every other week with Kerry Burke

The Guitar Interest Group is continuing every other week with Kerry Burke as the leader. Upcoming dates:

• March 11th & 25th

• April 8th

• May 6 & 20th

The Guitar Interest Group meets at 7pm in the Sanctuary. All skill levels welcome — and you don’t even have to have a guitar to participate!

Contact Kerry Burke if you have questions.

The March 11th session will feature CANADIAN songs, including:

• Early Morning Rain in C-Gordon Lightfoot

• Four Strong Winds in G-Ian Tyson

• Both Sides Now in G-Joni Mitchell

• Long May She Run in D-Neil Young

• Anthem in C- Leonard Cohen

• Angel in C- Sarah McLachlan

• Bird on a Wire in A-Leonard Cohen

• My Heart Will Go On in E- sung by Celine Dion

• Hallelujah in G-Leonard Cohen

Watch this space for upcoming themes at future sessions.

March 8th meeting of the Metro Vancouver Climate Sharing Circle

10am Sat. March 8th via Zoom

At the March 8th Climate Sharing Circle, Teresa Morton (of Beacon Unitarian) will lead a discussion regarding 2 short articles (linked below) regarding how our decisions about agriculture policy and dietary choices affect climate change. 

• Growing sustainable food: Canada’s chance to lead

• ‘Insanely tasty green food’: how the meaty Danes embraced a world-first plant-based plan

Get the Zoom link from our March 7th eBulletin, or from Marcia Stephenson.

Singing & Sundaes: An Afternoon FUNfest Event

2pm on Saturday, April 26th
at NSUC

Harmony Mountain Singers present “Feelin’ Good” — an afternoon of glorious music topped off with ice cream!

Tickets $20 (children under 12 - free) available online, from the NSUC Office, Kathryn Nicholson, or at the door.

Net proceeds go to NSUC.

Kathryn Nicholson - Director / Diane Lines - Accompanist

Contact Kathryn Nicholson with questions.

Marie Bensley's Celebration of Life: 2pm Sat. March 8th at NSUC

You’re invited to attend Marie Bensley’s Celebration of Life at 2pm on Sat. March 8th in the NSUC Sanctuary.

With sadness, we announce the passing of Phyllis Marie Bensley (nee Smith) at Lion’s Gate Hospital, Thursday, February 20th, 2025. Survived by her loving husband Jim of 67 years, sons Doug (Linda) and Tom, and daughter Linda, grandchildren Jennifer, David, Marley, Hayden, Chase and Angus, great granddaughter Layla, sisters Lois (Duncan deceased), Colleen (Nelson) and sister-in-law Betty (John deceased) and their families.

Born in Lloydminster, Sask., Marie grew up in Chilliwack, then trained as a nurse at the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster. Raising their family, Jim & Marie lived in North Vancouver for over 65 years.

She was a person of many interests and always interested in those around her, especially her patients during her nursing career (of which Jim was one!). Gardening was a special love and for several years she was President of the BC Council of Garden Clubs. She was a loyal and active member of the Royal Columbian Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae. Always a willing volunteer within her Unitarian church community, or canvassing her neighbourhood for worthy causes, a best friend said of her, ”she has a heart of gold”.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to a charity of your choice, in memory of Marie, would be greatly appreciated.

"Children of God" talkback session March 30th

We encourage you to purchase tickets to see Children of God at the York Theatre (The Cultch) between March 21-29 at whatever show time works best for you — and then attend a talkback session at NSUC after the Sunday Service on March 30th.

The Cultch calls this “A gorgeous, powerful musical about an Oji-Cree family whose children were taken away to a residential school in Northern Ontario.” and explains:

The story of Rita, a mother who was never let past the school’s gate, and her kids, Tom and Julia, who never knew she came, pushes toward redemption. Children of God offers a blend of ancient traditions and contemporary realities, celebrating resilience and the power of the Indigenous cultural spirit. Inspired by First Nations music, Corey Payette’s moving score also includes echoes of provocative Broadway masterpieces such as Fun Home and Next to Normal.

Children of God takes place in two time periods during the 1950s and 1970s, and is set during a time when it is mandatory by law for all Indigenous children to attend residential schools.

Purchase tickets at https://thecultch.com/ticket/children-of-god/ .

March Outreach Recipient: Youth Programs with Hollyburn Community Services

Each month, 100% of our Sunday morning offering plate (unless otherwise noted) is donated to a non-profit organization whose mission is in line with our values.

During March, we collected $1,851.50 for the Youth Programs at Hollyburn Community Services Society. These programs assist youth who are experiencing barriers, helping them to access emergency services, transitional housing, employment/work experience, and life/social skill development.

Special thanks to all who gave generously to March’s collection.

Movie Night - Il Postino

Join Us for Movie Night: Friday, February 28th featuring ”Il Postino” at the home of the North Shore Unitarians featuring the charming Italian film Il Postino.

Doors open at 6:45 PM, with the movie starting at 7:15 PM.

The address is 370 Mathers Avenue in West Van.

Enjoy delicious refreshments, including popcorn, and stay for an engaging talkback session after the film.

Il Postino was released in 1994. Set in post-WWII Italy, on a sun-drenched island off Naples, it's about love, lust, and politics, yet above all it's about discovering the power of language. The story features the exiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda (fictionalized) and his unusual friendship with the local love-struck postman. It also offers a critique of Italian life of that time.

Don’t miss out on this wonderful evening of cinema and conversation!

Admission is just $20 and includes light refreshments (with beer and wine for sale). We look forward to seeing you there!

Questions? Email us or phone 604-910-2847.

Volunteer Needed for one-time project sharpening pencils

Janni is looking for a volunteer who can sharpen a large batch of pencils for use in the pockets on the back of our Sanctuary chairs.  All supplies provided -- and you can do this from home.

If you can help with this, please email or phone Janni (604-926-1621). 

Office Closed Family Day (Feb. 17th)

The Main Office will be closed on Monday, February 17th in observance of the BC Family Day stat holiday.  Janni will be available regular hours the rest of the week.