SPACE for Saskatchewan Queer and Trans Youth – an important milestone April 2020
Congratulations from the Unitarian Fellowship of Regina to UR Pride on its April 2020, First Anniversary of “SPACE for Saskatchewan Queer and Trans Youth” at 2139 Albert St, Regina. This is an important safe place for youth to gather and discuss issues of concern to them. In their first year a number of initiatives began, including a choir. Music brings joy. https://www.urpride.ca/spectrum/youth/
Kairos Blanket Exercise™ … a meaningful experience of 500 years of Indigenous history
“The exercise begins with simple materials – just blankets and a script – but it can end with powerful takeaways, and even tears. The blankets represent the land. In the exercise, participants are invited to step onto the blankets as Indigenous peoples …. Moving through history, living it out through actions, allows people to connect with it in a different way,” explained Sara Anderson, a Kairos facilitator and staff member in an interview with Kate McGillvray CBC News, July 26, 2017.
The blanket exercise fosters respect and reconciliation among Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. In November 2019, the Unitarian Fellowship of Regina hosted a blanket exercise attended by over 30 people from all parts of Regina. All our participants gained insight about the impact certain events had on Indigenous Peoples and now appreciate Canada’s history differently.
Brenda Dubois, an Indigenous knowledge-keeper shared her warmth, skill, and wisdom with us. Three trained facilitators helped build a positive experience and an effective talking circle. With their support, we built new relationships, a base for friendships to come.
We continue the journey. Come learn with us!
Regina Multi-Faith Forum Worked Together to Bring Syrian Family to Regina
The Unitarian Fellowship is part of Regina’s Multi Faith Forum, a group with diverse faith traditions: Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Sikh, Hindu, Buddhist, Unitarian and others. Together, the Multi-Faith Forum jointly sponsored and welcomed to Regina, a Syrian refugee family: a young woman, her two children, and her parents. The family left a refugee camp in Lebanon and, to the relief of all concerned, arrived in Regina on December 16, 2016. The family lived through an extreme situation, and appreciated the support of the Multi-Faith Forum.
The sponsorship project was initiated when the worsening Syrian crisis became apparent. The intent behind the project was to show the wider community that people from diverse religious backgrounds can work together for a common humanitarian and compassionate cause. Members initially did fund raising, then broke into committees related to welcoming, health, housing, education, transportation and cultural support. Unitarians thank the Archdiocese of Regina for accepting responsibility as sponsorship agreement holder.
Along with other members of Regina’s Multi-Faith Forum, Unitarians celebrate the success of this venture. While planning for financial and social support for a year was a challenge, members from diverse faith traditions worked together well for a common cause. It was a satisfying experience for all.
The Unitarian Fellowship of Regina raised approximately $3,500 for the project over a six-month period, and several Unitarians helped with education, housing and health supports. We’ve learned along the way that a smart-phone app called Google Translate is one way to communicate with people who have limited English. Thanks to Hilary Craig and her many contacts in our city, we now have good links to the English Additional Language (EAL) community and multi-cultural translators.