2025 VanU Cherry Blossom Party Haikus

Thank you to all who attended our lovely 2025 Cherry Blossom Picnic Potluck on Sunday, March 30th. The rain kept us away from eating under the cherry blossoms, but we had a wonderful time watching videos of cherry blossoms in Japan and listening to Hisako and Megumi share their knowledge and stories. We also enjoyed…

Social Justice – News and Thank Yous

Blog, Social JusticeMarch 21, 2025

The SJ Team would like to express our thanks to Tim Smith for stepping forward to be the captain of Team Vancouver Unitarians in the 2025 Coldest Night of the Year Walk. He was joined by Hisako Masaki and the team raised $878.00. The funds raised were tax-deductible contributions to support and serve people and…

Outreach Opportunities Fund supports Salal SVSC

Social JusticeMarch 5, 2025

From March 2025 to June 2025, our Outreach Opportunities Fund recipient will be Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre. Founded 40 years ago, Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre is the largest sexual assault centre in British Columbia, operating on the stolen and unceded Coast Salish Territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. Salal…

Social Justice Forum Resources

Blog, Social JusticeMarch 4, 2025

This post will contain links to slide decks and other online resources for past Social Justice Team forums. February 23, 2025 - Resolution on the Endorsement of the CUC Motion to Repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery and the Doctrine of Terra Nullius. This resolution will be voted on by the VanU congregation at the June…

IPA Happenings in Winter 2025

Blog, IPAFebruary 14, 2025

Read on for exciting events by the IPA team to promote greater understanding of IBPOC experiences and healthy relations through fun, intercultural and inter-generational activities! Watch for news of upcoming events on the VanU IPA webpage and we hope you’ll join us! IPA stands for IBPOC Plus ALLIES while IBPOC stands for Indigenous, Black, and…

Environment Team News

Blog, Environment, Social JusticeDecember 18, 2024

Environment team members Catherine Hembling and Rosemary Cornell attended a lively book launch and productive group discussion of how to be more effective climate activists on Pender Island on December 7. Catherine is one of 25 Trans-Mountain (TMX) pipeline arrestees featured in a recently published anthology, Standing on High Ground: Civil Disobedience on Burnaby Mountain,…

The Social Justice Team’s work in 2024 and plans for 2025

Blog, Social JusticeDecember 13, 2024

During 2024, the SJ team organized several events to call for peace and justice. In April, the team called for a ceasefire in Gaza with lasting justice in Israel/Palestine and in May, coordinated a photo with over 80 people gathered in the sanctuary. In June, the team submitted a resolution to endorse the statement by…

Medicine Walks – Past and Future

Blog, IPAOctober 20, 2024

On Saturday, September 28, VanU members partook in a healing medicine walk with Musqueam artist and activist Audrey Siegel at Spanish Banks. Please fill out this doodle poll by Oct 25 to indicate your availability for the next Medicine Walk in early November. $25 per person, limited enrollment.