BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Vancouver Unitarians - ECPv6.16.4//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Vancouver Unitarians
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://vanu.ca
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Vancouver Unitarians
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Vancouver
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0800
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:PDT
DTSTART:20240310T100000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0800
TZNAME:PST
DTSTART:20241103T090000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0800
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:PDT
DTSTART:20250309T100000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0800
TZNAME:PST
DTSTART:20251102T090000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0800
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:PDT
DTSTART:20260308T100000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0800
TZNAME:PST
DTSTART:20261101T090000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20251130T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20251130T160000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20251031T041523Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251116T063647Z
UID:10004874-1764513000-1764518400@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Feliz Navidad - Chalice Choir presents the annual Advent Concert
DESCRIPTION:Feliz Navidad!\n\nDate: Sunday\, Nov 30\, 2025\nTime: 2:30pm\nPlace: Vancouver Unitarians\, Oak & 49th\nCost: $20 (what you can afford tickets are available at the ticket desk on the day)\nReception: join us after the concert in Hewett Hall\n\nJoin us to celebrate the festive season! Enjoy live performances\, carols\, and guest musicians. \nTickets\nPlease click on the + button below to choose the number of tickets and then on GET TICKETS to purchase. \nYou will receive an email with your ticket(s). On the day of the concert\, please show your QR codes or ticket printout at the door. \nPoster – click here
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/feliz-navidad-chalice-choir-advent-concert/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Choir,Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2511-Choir-Concert.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20251130T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20251130T120000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20251106T200203Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251201T211840Z
UID:10004327-1764500400-1764504000@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sunday Service: Movement
DESCRIPTION:Definitions of the word MOVEMENT: \n\nThe act or process of shunting people or things from one place to another.\nShifting our bodies in and through space — crucial for physical and mental well-being.\nA group of people who actively promote common beliefs\, ideas\, or aims.\nWorld views enlarging and evolving through openness to others’ perspectives.\n\nMovement is life. From our first breath to our last\, every heartbeat\, every step\, every reaching hand is an expression of motion. Even when we are still\, our cells are dancing\, our minds are shifting\, our spirits are evolving. \nIn this service we will explore Movement in all its meanings…..Join us this Sunday as we move together in spirit and in joy. Organized by the IPA Team.  \nDownload the Order of Service\nRelated Reading\nHomily text (Karl Perrin)\nWeekly services\n\nWe gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within\, among\, and beyond us\, calling us to our better selves\, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion. \n\nAfter service\, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/sunday-service-movement/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Service,Sunday Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-250126-Belonging-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20251123T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20251123T120000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20251110T193028Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251201T212053Z
UID:10004326-1763895600-1763899200@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sunday Service: The Gift of Conflict
DESCRIPTION:Rev. Shawn Gauthier\nIt’s been said that conflict has things to teach us. It’s certainly true that when conflicts arise\, there’s something to be learned. Rev. Shawn will explore this idea in his sermon. Following the service\, the Healthy Relations Team will offer a program on the concept of rupture and repair—how we work towards overcoming conflict in ways that bring healing and peace. \nDownload the Order of Service\nRelated Reading\nSermon text\nWeekly services\n\nWe gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within\, among\, and beyond us\, calling us to our better selves\, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion. \n\nAfter service\, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/sunday-service-the-gift-of-conflict/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Service,Sunday Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/251123-our-differences-dont-have-to-divide-us.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20251116T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20251116T140000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20251015T165515Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251116T042457Z
UID:10004858-1763298000-1763301600@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Annual General Meeting
DESCRIPTION:The Vancouver Unitarians’ Annual General Meeting will take place Sunday\, Nov 16\, 2025 at 1 p.m. in the Sanctuary at VanU and online. \nIf you wish to appoint a proxy to attend and vote on your behalf\, please send an email to derrick@vanu.ca. Please note that proxies must attend the meeting in-person (we are unable to accommodate proxies over Zoom). \nPlease click here to register to join online in Zoom. \nDocuments for the meeting are here.
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/agm2025/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Meetings
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/agm25.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20251116T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20251116T120000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20251110T192158Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251124T210528Z
UID:10004325-1763290800-1763294400@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sunday Service: To Re-Enchant the World
DESCRIPTION:Rev. Shawn Gauthier\nThere are aspects of the spiritual enterprise that invite us to lean into mystery and magic\, to wonder at the marvels of the universe all around us. Something of this has been lost over the past couple of centuries as our world has grown more secular. In this service\, Rev. Shawn will explore how we\, as “freethinking mystics with hands” (an apt description of UUs by Rev. Tom Owen-Towle)\, can hold to our rational roots while also embracing the more magical aspects of the spiritual life. \nDownload the Order of Service\nRelated Reading\nSermon text\nWeekly services\n\nWe gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within\, among\, and beyond us\, calling us to our better selves\, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion. \n\nAfter service\, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/sunday-service-to-re-enchant-the-world/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Service,Sunday Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/251116-To-Re-Enchant-the-World.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20251109T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20251109T173000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20251020T175955Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251107T172720Z
UID:10004870-1762702200-1762709400@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:We'll Meet Again: Songs of Remembrance and Hope
DESCRIPTION:A Tribute to the Beloved Songs & Entertainers of World War I & World War II\nPlease join us and sing along to the great timeless classics that lifted spirits\, boosted morale and gave hope during the World Wars\, and continue to do so today. Featuring favorite songs and works of Dame Vera Lynn\, Benny Goodman\, Irving Berlin\, Woody Hermann and The Andrews Sisters\, Duke Ellington and more! \nFor more information or to buy tickets\, please click here. \nFeaturing performers: \nThe Vancouver Unitarians Chalice Choir and Chalice Ensemble\, directed by David Buchan \nThe Lady Larks and Friends\, directed by Karen Lee-Morlang \nMelanie Adams\, mezzo-soprano\nCaitlin Bradley Beaupré\, soprano\nJulie Begg\, clarinet/saxophone\nJim Hopson\, trombone/tuba/vocals\nKaren Lee-Morlang\, piano / vocals\nMalcolm Aiken\, trumpet/vocals\nTBC\, drums\nTBC\, bass guitar
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/well-meet-again-songs-of-remembrance-and-hope/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Community,Concert
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/well-meet-again.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20251109T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20251109T120000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20251016T202027Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251118T033209Z
UID:10004324-1762686000-1762689600@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sunday Service: Unitarians Face a New Age
DESCRIPTION:Rev. Shawn Gauthier\nWe are living in a time of profound change. In this service\, Rev. Shawn will take up the question of how Unitarianism might speak to this moment as we look to an uncertain future. We will be joined this morning by a number of UU religious educators from Canada and the US who will have spent the last few days on our campus for the annual fall conference of LREDA\, the Liberal Religious Educators Association. \nDownload the Order of Service\nRelated Reading\nSermon text\nWeekly services\n\nWe gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within\, among\, and beyond us\, calling us to our better selves\, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion. \n\nAfter service\, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/sunday-service-unitarians-face-a-new-age/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Service,Sunday Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/251109-Unitarians-Face-a-New-Age.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20251102T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20251102T120000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20251016T201920Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251101T150331Z
UID:10004323-1762081200-1762084800@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sunday Service: Learning From Our Ancestors
DESCRIPTION:Rev. Shawn Gauthier\, Kiersten Moore\, and Janet Pivnick\nIn this Exploration Sunday service\, we’ll take up November’s theme of “Learning from Our Ancestors.” As we enter a time of meditation\, we will lift up the names of those we have loved who have died\, and we’ll later share in a ritual of remembrance by creating anew our Ancestor Shrine. \nDownload the Order of Service\nRelated Reading\nWeekly services\n\nWe gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within\, among\, and beyond us\, calling us to our better selves\, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion. \n\nAfter service\, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/sunday-service-learning-from-our-ancestors/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Service,Sunday Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/251102-Learning-From-Our-Ancestors-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20251026T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20251026T120000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20251002T200332Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251115T010608Z
UID:10004322-1761476400-1761480000@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sunday Service: Change That Transforms
DESCRIPTION:Janet Pivnick\nThe kind of change that we are experiencing in the world today requires a paradigm shift in the ways that we understand ourselves and the world. What does this transformative change require of us and how can we navigate this change as a community? Today\, we’ll delve into change that transforms. \nDownload the Order of Service\nRelated Reading\nSermon text\nWeekly services\n\nWe gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within\, among\, and beyond us\, calling us to our better selves\, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion. \n\nAfter service\, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/change-that-transforms/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Service,Sunday Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/251026-Change-That-Transforms.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20251019T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20251019T120000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20251002T200202Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251017T190736Z
UID:10004321-1760871600-1760875200@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sunday Service: UN Sunday
DESCRIPTION:Michael Clague\, Janet Pivnick\, and the UN Association in Canada\nToday we will celebrate the Unitarian ties with the United Nations. We will hear from Michael Clague\, who has had a long-standing affiliation with the UN\, about the roots and current realities of the organization in a world in turmoil. The United Nations Association will present the annual John Gibbard award given to a student “in recognition of their dedication and commitment to working for humanity and a better world”. \nDownload the Order of Service\nRelated Reading\nWeekly services\n\nWe gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within\, among\, and beyond us\, calling us to our better selves\, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion. \n\nAfter service\, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/un-sunday/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Service,Sunday Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/251019-United-Nations-Sunday.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20251012T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20251012T120000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20251002T195941Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251013T225012Z
UID:10004320-1760266800-1760270400@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sunday Service: Temples of the Heart
DESCRIPTION:Rev. Shawn Gauthier and Janet Pivnick\nIn this changing season\, we harvest what has been planted\, that which has borne fruit\, both literal and otherwise. And we pause to give thanks\, “for all that is our life.” On this Thanksgiving Sunday\, we will reflect on what it means to “say grace” over all of it and celebrate our Harvest Communion with apple slices. The choir will sing “Yonder Come Day” by Matt and Adam Podd. \nDownload the Order of Service\nRelated Reading\nSermon text\nWeekly services\n\nWe gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within\, among\, and beyond us\, calling us to our better selves\, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion. \n\nAfter service\, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/sunday-service-temples-of-the-heart/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Service,Sunday Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/251012-Temples-of-the-Heart.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20251005T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20251005T120000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20251002T185228Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251013T224751Z
UID:10004319-1759662000-1759665600@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sunday Service: Embracing Change
DESCRIPTION:Rev. Shawn Gauthier & Kiersten Moore\nIn October\, many of our small groups will be discussing this month’s theme of Change. We’ll launch this theme with an all-ages service exploring the challenges\, growth\, and joy that can come with change. \nThere will be a light lunch after the service followed by our three Exploration Groups (choose your interest\, all-ages included) 12:30-1:45 pm: \n\nWidening Our Welcome – exploring the meaning of radical hospitality with Rev. Shawn in Fireside Room.\nCovenant Tree Creation – growing the covenant renewal process with the Healthy Relations Team (direct child supervision included) in the Alcove.\nTransformative Art – creating mandalas and art with natural and found materials outside – destined to change with the elements – with Kiersten and Sheila Lindfield (direct child supervision included) outside and/or in Lindsay-Priestly.\n\nDownload the Order of Service\nRelated Reading\nSermon text\nWeekly services\n\nWe gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within\, among\, and beyond us\, calling us to our better selves\, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion. \n\nAfter service\, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/sunday-service-embracing-change/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Service,Sunday Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/251005-Embracing-Change.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250928T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250928T120000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20250902T205057Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250928T033710Z
UID:10004318-1759057200-1759060800@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sunday Service: A Deeper Acknowledgement
DESCRIPTION:Rev. Shawn Gauthier\, Laureen Stokes\, and the Daughters of the Drum\nEach week\, we acknowledge\, with gratitude\, that our congregation sits on the lands of the Musqueam\, the Squamish\, and the Tsleil-Waututh. But do you know the deeper history of the land at the corner of 49th and Oak? Are you aware of the complicated role that Unitarians and our other spiritual forebears played in settling this continent? On this Truth & Reconciliation Sunday\, we will seek to better understand both our tradition’s and our congregation’s history as an act of reconciliation. We will be joining again by Aline LaFlamme and the Daughters of the Drum. \nDownload the Order of Service\nRelated Reading\nWeekly services\n\nWe gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within\, among\, and beyond us\, calling us to our better selves\, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion. \n\nAfter service\, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/sunday-service-a-deeper-acknowledgement/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Service,Sunday Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/250928-A-Deeper-Acknowledgement.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250921T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250921T133000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20250909T202016Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250909T202500Z
UID:10004718-1758457800-1758461400@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sunday Forum: Housing Justice and Reconciliation in the Downtown Eastside
DESCRIPTION:The Vancouver Unitarians are proud to host Amanda Burrows\, Executive Director of First United\, for a presentation and discussion on housing justice and reconciliation in the Downtown Eastside. \nIn her work for housing justice\, Amanda has been a prominent advocate for affordable housing\, tenant protections\, and in opposition to displacement of DTES residents. In her work with First United\, Amanda has helped spearhead a multi-storey redevelopment of their historic property in partnership with an Indigenous housing provider. \nJoin us Sunday\, Sept. 21st to learn about housing justice in the DTES and this inspiring example of reconciliation in action. The forum will begin at 12:30 p.m.
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/sunday-forum-housing-justice-and-reconciliation-in-the-downtown-eastside/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Social Justice
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/banner-housing-crisis.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250921T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250921T120000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20250902T205227Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250922T191329Z
UID:10004317-1758452400-1758456000@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sunday Service: Welcoming - and Preparing for - New Beginnings
DESCRIPTION:Welcoming – and Preparing for – New Beginnings\nJanet Pivnick\, Intern Minister\n\nThere are moments in every year such as the beginning of a church year or school year that turn our minds to fresh starts\, new beginnings\, dreams and aspirations. As we welcome the Jewish New Year\, we will turn our minds to what new beginnings are growing in our hearts and how to prepare for them.\n\nDownload the Order of Service\nRelated Reading\nSermon text\nWeekly services\n\nWe gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within\, among\, and beyond us\, calling us to our better selves\, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion. \n\nAfter service\, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/sunday-service-welcoming-and-preparing-for-new-beginnings/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Service,Sunday Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/250919-Welcoming-and-Preparing-for-New-Beginnings.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250914T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250914T120000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20250902T204823Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250921T055636Z
UID:10004316-1757847600-1757851200@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sunday Service: Control Issues
DESCRIPTION:Rev. Shawn Gauthier\nWith so much seemingly spinning out of control in our world\, it’s understandable that\, gripped by fear and anxiety\, we might seek to control whatever we can. In this service\, we’ll reflect on what is reasonably under our control—and how we might come to terms with so much else that is not. \nDownload the Order of Service\nRelated Reading\n\nSermon text\nWeekly services\n\nWe gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within\, among\, and beyond us\, calling us to our better selves\, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion. \n\nAfter service\, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/sunday-service-control-issues/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Service,Sunday Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/250914-Control-Issues.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250913T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250913T170000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20250904T195149Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250913T163852Z
UID:10004643-1757772000-1757782800@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:In Loving Memory of Lynn Sabourin: A Celebration of Life
DESCRIPTION:Please join us for a celebration of Lynn’s life on the afternoon of Saturday\, September 13. The ceremony will take place at 2 pm in the Sanctuary\, followed by a party in the Hewett Centre. \nAs teal and purple were Lynn’s favourite colours\, we encourage you to wear them. \nIf you are unable to attend in person\, please click here for our service page vanu.ca/lynnsabourin. Here you will find the livestream and other elements of the service.
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/in-loving-memory-of-lynn-sabourin-a-celebration-of-life/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Memorials
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/CalendarNews-slides-3.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250907T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250907T120000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20250806T190802Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250907T044100Z
UID:10004315-1757242800-1757246400@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sunday Service: Water Communion
DESCRIPTION:Rev. Shawn Gauthier\nThis Sunday\, we celebrate our Water Communion ritual and the ingathering of the VanU community (be sure to bring a bit of water!)\, with the first of our Exploration Sundays. We’ll welcome back the Chalice Choir\, Elliott\, and David\, as well as Janet Pivnick\, our Intern Minister for the next two years. \nFollowing the service\, a quick and simple lunch will be available in Hewett Hall\, followed by a choice among three 75-minute programs: \n\nStorytelling Games: Community-Building through Play\, with Kiersten in the Alcove\nUU History Timeline: Where Do We Come From?\, with Shawn in the Fireside Room\nListening Circle on the State of the World\, with the Healthy Relations Team in Lindsey-Priestley\n\nDownload the Order of Service\nRelated Reading\nWeekly services\n\nWe gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within\, among\, and beyond us\, calling us to our better selves\, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion. \n\nAfter service\, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/sunday-service-water-communion/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Service,Sunday Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Water-Communion.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250831T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250831T120000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20250827T203957Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250902T002556Z
UID:10004314-1756638000-1756641600@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sunday Service: Becoming
DESCRIPTION:Leslie Hill\n\nJoin Leslie Hill for a personal reflection on the inner journey through love\, loss\, identity\, and transformation. Leslie explores what it means to ask life’s hardest questions – Who am I? Where am I going? – and to live into the answers. This talk touches on the power of vulnerability\, the inevitability of change\, and the quiet strength that carries us through grief into growth. \nDownload the Order of Service\nRelated Reading\nSermon text\n\nWeekly services\n\nWe gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within\, among\, and beyond us\, calling us to our better selves\, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion. \n\nAfter service\, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/sunday-service-becoming/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Service,Sunday Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/250831-Becoming.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250824T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250824T120000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20250806T190604Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250829T175717Z
UID:10004313-1756033200-1756036800@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sunday Service: Keeping the Faith
DESCRIPTION:Rev. Shawn Gauthier\nIn a world in so much flux\, what does it mean to keep faith–and\, in particular\, to “keep the faith” as a Unitarian? Rev. Shawn’s sermon will explore what we can hold on to as we journey through our “living tradition.” \nDownload the Order of Service\nRelated Reading\nSermon text\nWeekly services\n\nWe gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within\, among\, and beyond us\, calling us to our better selves\, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion. \n\nAfter service\, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/sunday-service-keeping-the-faith/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Service,Sunday Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/250824-Keeping-the-Faith.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250817T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250817T120000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20250604T180628Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250829T175948Z
UID:10004312-1755428400-1755432000@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sunday Service: For Work That Is Real
DESCRIPTION:Rev. Shawn Gauthier\nThe poet Marge Piercy says in her marvelous poem\, “To Be of Use\,” that a person yearns for “work that is real.” She’s not talking so much about a job\, a career\, or profession\, as much as she is talking about finding one’s purpose in life. In this service\, Rev. Shawn will invite us to reflect on how we discover our life’s purpose\, no matter the age or stage of our lives. \nDownload the Order of Service\nRelated Reading\nSermon text\nWeekly services\n\nWe gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within\, among\, and beyond us\, calling us to our better selves\, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion. \n\nAfter service\, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/sunday-service-for-work-that-is-real/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Service,Sunday Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/250817-For-Work-That-Is-Real.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250810T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250810T120000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20250806T165541Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250809T222705Z
UID:10004311-1754823600-1754827200@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sunday Service - Into the Swamp: The importance of feeling our feelings
DESCRIPTION:Casey Stainsby\n\nCan’t go over it. Can’t go under it. Can’t go around it. Gotta go through it! It’s good advice for those who are going on a bear hunt (or at least singing about doing so while sitting around a campfire). It’s also good advice for those who feel things… that is\, all of us. Try as we may to explain our emotions\, or ignore them\, or fix them\, or find any number of ways around them\, our feelings ask to be felt. Let’s bravely wade into the swamp together. We may find that being with what is opens up new possibilities previously unimagined. \nCasey Stainsby (she/her) is an aspirant for Unitarian Universalist ministry. These days her time is spent supporting the children’s programs here at the Vancouver Unitarians\, doing homework\, and connecting with her beloveds. This fall she will also be facilitating Good Grief Workshops with Learning Through Loss\, teaching highschoolers and the adults in their lives all about grief and loss. \nDownload the Order of Service\nRelated Reading\nWeekly services\n\nWe gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within\, among\, and beyond us\, calling us to our better selves\, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion. \n\nAfter service\, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/sunday-service-25-into-the-swamp/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Service,Sunday Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/250810-Into-the-Swamp.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250803T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250803T120000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20250915T064021Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250916T050149Z
UID:10004719-1754218800-1754222400@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Remembering Hiroshima\, Nagasaki\, and 80 Years of Nuclear Violence
DESCRIPTION:  \nOpening Words \nHisako Masaki \nOn August 6\, 1945\, an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima\, killing 140 thousand people. On August 9\, another bomb was dropped on Nagasaki\, killing 70 thousand people. More continued to die years later\, due to radiation. \nNuclear violence started before Hiroshima. People involved in nuclear bomb production\, from uranium mining to nuclear testing\, suffered and died from radiation. \nThe first atomic bomb was dropped on July 16\, 1945\, in New Mexico. This Trinity Testing harmed the land\, air and water\, killing lives\, contaminating the area with radioactive substances. People involved in the project were harmed\, and many died. \nNuclear violence continued after Nagasaki. The first post-war nuclear bomb testing\, Operation Crossroads\, started in July 1946. \nOver two thousand nuclear test explosions followed worldwide\, harming lives and contaminating the earth: Radioactive fallouts were carried by wind\, water\, irradiated insects\, birds\, fish\, and other creatures\, passing through food chains. Scattered radioactive substances continue to harm life. \nThe Key Lake Mine in northern Saskatchewan\, the largest uranium producer in the world\, the Hanford Site in Washington\, the largest plutonium producer\, and many uranium mining sites or nuclear facilities have been harming life during production\, and after\, as nuclear waste continues to emit radiation. \nNuclear power plant accidents of Three Mile Island\, Chernobyl and Fukushima caused large-scale radiation contamination\, causing death and illness. But all nuclear power plants have been harming the environment and life with leaked radiation and nuclear waste. \nWith close to 13\,000 nuclear weapons in the world\, we live under the threat of nuclear disaster. \nWe want to remember these 80 years of nuclear violence so that we can stop it by contributing in our own ways. We want to remember and learn from the survivors and many who have been committed to building a future without wars and nuclear violence. \nMay we come together to remember. \n. \nAugust 6th by Toge Sankichi  (Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor)\nTranslation by Hisako Masaki \n八月六日    峠三吉\nAugust 6th\nby  Toge Sankichi\n\nあの閃光が忘れえようか\nHow can I forget that flash?\n瞬時に街頭の三万は消え\nIn an instant\, thirty thousand people in town disappeared/\n圧しつぶされた暗闇の底で\nAt the bottom of the crushed darkness\n五万の悲鳴は絶え\nfifty thousand screams died out/\n渦巻くきいろい煙がうすれると\nWhen swirling yellow smokes faded away\nビルディングは裂さけ、橋は崩くずれ\nbuildings split\, and the bridges collapsed\n満員電車はそのまま焦こげ\npacked trains were burned whole.\n涯しない瓦礫がれきと燃えさしの堆積たいせきであった広島\nHiroshima became mounds of Endless rubble and embers\nやがてボロ切れのような皮膚を垂れた\nEventually\, people with their skin hanging down like rags\n両手を胸に\nwith their hands on their chests\nくずれた脳漿のうしょうを踏み\nstepping on crumbling brains\n焼け焦こげた布を腰にまとって\nwith burnt clothes around their hips\n泣きながら群れ歩いた裸体の行列\nwere walking in lines naked and crying\n石地蔵のように散乱した練兵場の屍体\nDead bodies are scattered like stone buddhas on the Parade Ground\nつながれた筏いかだへ這はいより折り重った河岸の群も\nlayers of people crawling onto moored rafts on the river banks\n灼やけつく日ざしの下でしだいに屍体とかわり\ngradually turned into corpses under the burning sunlight.\n夕空をつく火光かこうの中に\nIn the flames soaring to the evening sky\n下敷きのまま生きていた母や弟の町のあたりも\nwas my mother\, brother\, still alive\, buried under others\n焼けうつり\nas fire moved to that neighbourhood.\n兵器廠へいきしょうの床の糞尿ふんにょうのうえに\nOn the floors of the armoury\, in human waste\nのがれ横たわった女学生らの\nescaped school girls and lying down\n太鼓腹の、片眼つぶれの、半身あかむけの、丸坊主の\nwith swollen bellies\, crushed eyes\, half-peeled skins\, hairless heads\,\n誰がたれとも分らぬ一群の上に朝日がさせば\nThe morning sun rises on the people\, no longer recognizable.\nすでに動くものもなく\nNothing is moving anymore\n異臭いしゅうのよどんだなかで\nin offensive stagnant smell\n金かなダライにとぶ蠅の羽音だけ\nexcept flies buzzing around the metal basins.\n三十万の全市をしめた\nHow can I forget that silence\,\nあの静寂が忘れえようか\nreigning over three hundred thousand people in the whole city.\nそのしずけさの中で\nIn that silence\,\n帰らなかった妻や子のしろい眼窩がんかが\nwhite eye sockets of our wives and children never returned\,\n俺たちの心魂をたち割って\nsplitting our hearts\n込めたねがいを\nwith their wishes\n忘れえようか！\nI can never forget!\n\n\nRemembering Hiroshima\, Nagasaki and 80 Years of Nuclear Violence\nHomily by Hisako Masaki \n\nI grew up in Kyoto\, Japan\, with no family connection to the atomic bombing experience in Hiroshima or Nagasaki. Atomic bombing was never discussed at my home\, and was hardly taught in school. So\, I did not know much\, but I always felt they were important\, because it was an important public memory in Japan. Every year\, on August 6th and 9th\, the days atomic bombs were dropped\, memorials are held in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I grew up watching clips of these memorials on TV and learning about survivors’ experiences through the media. Children’s books\, such as ”Hiroshima no Pika” or “Barefoot Gen\,” were recommended\, and many schools took students to Hiroshima and Nagasaki for peace education. \n(My first encounter: How can I respond to the nuclear violence?) \nMy school trip took me to Nagasaki when I was 16. We visited the Atomic Bombing Museum and saw horrifying photos of the aftermath: People burnt alive\, skin peeling off… Vivid images of dead and severely injured people in a destroyed city were so scary. I wanted to look away\, but I felt I shouldn’t. Atomic bombing was something scary and serious that I had to look into\, but too scary and serious to do so. I felt I had to engage\, but it was too overwhelming; I didn’t know how. \n(Japanese physicists\, environment and child-raising) \nI began reading about nuclear issues in my university years. During the Second World War\, Japanese physicists also tried to develop atomic bombs. But seeing the aftermath of the bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki\, they became committed to abolishing wars and nuclear weapons. In 1949\, when the Japanese Academy was created\, the Japan Physics Society demanded international control of nuclear energy\, never to use it for weapons. In 1950\, the academy decided never to conduct scientific research for war purposes. Japanese physicists advocated for international collaboration to abolish nuclear weapons and to refuse research for war. Many also spoke against nuclear power plants\, because of the danger of radiation and also because it was tied to nuclear weapons production. \nBy the time I went to university\, such activism among physicists was fading. But I read those books as the responsibility of a physics student: to understand the issue and to build my informed opinion to share with others. \nAs an environmentalist since childhood\, sensitive to humans harming other beings\, I was appalled by the way Japan kept building nuclear power plants. \nBut it was the responsibility of becoming a mother that pushed me to be involved in nuclear issues. Through seeking a child-raising community that cares for the land and water\, I found farmers\, fishermen\, mothers\, and many land and water protectors\, and learned about nuclear issues in the grassroots movement to protect life\, fighting against nuclear violence\, especially from people living near nuclear power plants. The responsibility of raising children prompted me to seek resources for children and take them to places of learning. \n(Maruki Toshi and Iri) \nWhen my daughters were in elementary school\, I took them to the Maruki Gallery of Hiroshima Panels near Tokyo. I was blown away by the works of Maruki Iri and Toshi. When I stepped into their studio\, I instantly felt at home. There were shelves full of books about nuclear issues\, war responsibility\, art\, literature\, social justice\, community building\, and more. We sat on the tatami floor\, looked at books\, looked at the river and trees through the window\, and made drawings on their desk\, as all visitors were invited to do so. I felt Iri and Toshi were opening a door for us to join the community of caring for all beings\, which also meant fighting hard against violence against life. This visit changed the way I look at the tragedy of the atomic bombing. \nToshi and Iri went to Hiroshima right after it was bombed. They helped their family\, neighbours and strangers while witnessing the devastation created by the atomic bomb. Years later\, they began to paint what they saw on the first day\, the next day\, and the following days in Hiroshima. Those paintings were filled with cruel deaths and indescribable suffering\, just like those Nagasaki photos I saw on my school trip. But instead of looking away\, I looked in\, drawn by the beauty and dignity of life. Many people were dead\, but I could see that each of them had lived a precious life. A mother holding her dead baby\, naked people burnt alive\, or pierced by smashed pieces of glass… People were going through tremendous pain and sadness\, but each life was so precious and beautiful\, especially the way they cared for each other as family\, friends and community. \nSince then\, Hiroshima and nuclear issues have turned into remembering the preciousness of all lives to let such beauty continue: protecting life\, fighting against nuclear and all violence\, by building a caring community. \n(Nagasaki) \nWhen my daughters were teenagers\, I took them to Nagasaki. By this time\, the museum exhibit had changed. It took us back to what happened on the day the bomb was dropped and after\, with explanations in the context of the continuing history of conflicts\, violence\, war\, nuclear\, and peace-building. We heard stories from survivors\, learned a bit of history\, and sat in sadness in front of a screen watching video footage of too many mushroom clouds of nuclear testing that continued in different parts of the world. \nWe walked around town\, visiting places that carried the memory of death\, destruction and suffering the bomb had brought. Feeling the memory of the land\, meeting survivors and being warmly welcomed by the community changed us. Nagasaki began to feel like our hometown. As we connected with the people and place\, we felt connected to their experiences and their commitment to peace. \n(Hidankyo) \nI did not know about Nihon Hidankyo\, the Japan Confederation of Atomic and Hydrogen Bomb Sufferers Organization\, until I saw them awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year: “for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons.” I was impressed by Hidankyo elders\, unwaveringly committed to peace. Then\, I met their long-time supporter and started learning. \nIn 1945\, atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki\, taking the lives of 220 thousand people\, and severely injuring countless. However\, most survivors did not know what happened beyond their personal experiences. \nJapan went under the American occupation\, which forbade reporting on atomic bombings\, so most people did not know what actually happened. The US sent medical doctors to Hiroshima and Nagasaki to examine the injured people\, not to give medical treatment\, but to collect data on the radiation impact on human bodies. They took their findings to the US and kept them secret. Scientific information was not shared\, international journalists were forbidden to enter those cities\, and articles\, artworks or books about atomic bombing were banned. The knowledge of atomic bombing was silenced and kept away from the public – until the survivors started writing and sharing their personal experiences\, which grew into the Atomic Bombing Victims Association in 1954\, after the American occupation ended in 1952. \nOn March 1\, 1954\, the US conducted its largest weapon test: the Castle Bravo hydrogen bomb was dropped on Bikini Atoll. It caused a weather change\, and nuclear fallout spread all over the Marshall Islands and beyond\, harming all life. Without any notification from the US\, over 856 Japanese fishing boats in the Pacific were also exposed to the radiation. When these 20 thousand fishermen returned to Japan\, they became ill and started dying. All the fish they caught had high levels of radiation; therefore\, they had to be buried underground. \nShocked by the third nuclear disaster Japan had to endure\, mothers in Tokyo\, determined to protect all children\, started a petition against atomic bombs. The movement spread all over Japan and the world\, and the first international conference to abolish the atomic bomb was organized in Hiroshima. “Hibakusha”\, the atomic bomb victims\, were finally able to share their stories: the heartbreak of losing their loved ones\, continuous pain from injuries and illness\, fear of dying\, and worries of passing on radiation effects to their children and grandchildren… Through remembering and sharing\, Hibakusha\, victims\, found their way to turn their lives around to become “survivors”: committing themselves to remembering and fighting against nuclear violence to save all humanity. The second conference was held in Nagasaki in 1956\, when Hidankyo\, a network of atomic bomb survivors\, was established\, with a commitment:\n“Never again to anyone!” Hidankyo became the leading organization fighting against nuclear violence by building grassroots collaborations\, conducting research on the atomic bombing experience\, and demanding international community abolish nuclear weapons. \nSuch activism of Hibakusha changed the course of the international discussion on nuclear weapon control\, from political negotiation\, dominated by powerful nuclear-armed states\, to a moral commitment of all nations to protect all humanity. Finally\, in 2017\, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) was adopted at the UN\, entering into force in 2021. \n(Pacific Islands\, colonial and environmental violence) \nI used to read a picture book to my daughters about the Marshall Islanders who continue to suffer from radiation and forced removal after the 1954 Castle Bravo nuclear bombing test by the US. Later\, I learned that among 1\,054 American nuclear bombing tests\, 67 most powerful ones were conducted on the Marshall Islands. Castle Bravo was about 1\,000 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb. The United Kingdom conducted 45 atomic bombing tests in Australia and the Pacific Islands. France conducted two tests in the Sahara and 200 in French Polynesia. \nNuclear violence has also been colonial and environmental violence: powerful nations dropping atomic bombs onto colonies and the lands and people they value less. Learning about nuclear history has been heartbreaking: seeing such cruelty of what humans do to other humans and what humans do to the earth and all life. The powerful kept dropping atomic bombs on the powerless and voiceless. To keep or gain power\, nations keep making nuclear weapons\, and now\, we live on the brink of nuclear disaster.The powerful also control the media\, so knowledge about nuclear violence and the voices of victims have been suppressed. \nHow can we stop nuclear violence in this world of power? Hidankyo and many organizations have been demanding that America take its responsibility to lead the abolition of nuclear weapons. But America\, the most powerful nuclear-armed nation\, is refusing to do so. Nuclear-armed states and many allies are not signing the Nuclear Weapons Abolition Treaty\, including Canada and Japan. \n(Silent Fallout) \nA Japanese filmmaker\, Ito Hideaki\, had been struggling with this dilemma and found a way. He made a documentary for the US audience to inform the public\, believing that the US citizens themselves would pressure their government to change its policy if they knew the truth. His film\, Silent Fallout\, lets the silenced US survivors of nuclear test fallout speak their truth. \nSince the 40’s\,100 nuclear bombs exploded in the sky of the Nevada Test Site\, creating radioactive fallout that was carried by the winds to Nevada\, Arizona\, Utah\, California\, and all over the US\, taking many lives. Survivors who lost family and friends from radiation-related illnesses tell how nuclear bombs developed to attack enemies have harmed and killed Americans instead. \nThe documentary also tells the story of courageous women in St. Louis\, Missouri:\nIn 1958\, determined to protect all children\, a group of women led a movement of collecting baby teeth to be examined by the doctors\, who proved strontium-90 from the nuclear test fallout was in human bodies\, endangering people’s health. Their findings convinced President Kennedy to stop above-ground nuclear testing in 1963\, signing the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty! \nHowever\, nuclear tests continued in Nevada with 828 “underground” explosions\, contaminating air\, land\, and water\, and we are still living in the world of nuclear weapons and nuclear facilities. \nThe documentary continues\, explaining that nuclear bombings conducted in the Marshall Islands were far more powerful than the ones in Nevada\, and most fallout in Virginia or the East Coast came from these nuclear tests in the Pacific and from the Soviet Union. \nWe are all Hibakusha\, nuclear victims\, exposed to radiation\, says Ito. Nuclear tests in different parts of the world have been contaminating the whole Earth beyond national borders. Therefore\, Ito insists\, the nuclear issue should be discussed as an environmental issue endangering all lives and needs to be regulated internationally. He made this documentary\, believing in ordinary Americans: if they knew the truth of nuclear violence threatening their lives\, they would convince their government to abolish nuclear weapons and facilities. \n(Remembering) \nCanada has not signed the Nuclear Weapons Treaty\, but ratified the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1970. We have 22 nuclear power plants\, mostly in Ontario\, but in British Columbia\, nuclear plants and uranium mining have been banned under the province’s Clean Energy Act of 2010. There is a long way to go in ending nuclear violence\, but I am grateful to those who fought against it\, and hope to continue the work. \nFacing violence and tragedy is difficult. Every day life is already overwhelming\, and with so many injustices and tragedies happening around us and in the world\, it is difficult to deal with them physically\, mentally\, or emotionally\, so I tend to push them away for later. But many people I met along the way\, who are committed to preventing violence in the future\, have inspired me to remember\, reminding us of the preciousness of life. \nLet us help each other in remembering\, for the beauty of the Earth and all life. \n\n80 Years of Nuclear Violence\nHomily by Huguette Hayden \nThank you Hisako for sharing your personal illuminating journey and extensive knowledge. \nHi\, my name is Huguette. I was born in 1944 and grew up in France until I came to BC in 1974. I have always known that France is a nuclear power and a nuclear weapons state. In 1954\, under the presidency of General Charles de Gaule\, France started his nuclear weapons program. The reasons given were to be independent of NATO and to protect itself from the USSR with it’s own “Force de Dissuasion” or nuclear deterrence under sovereign control. It  might have been why I did not hear much about the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Nuclear energy is used for electricity and today\, 70% to 80% of electricity in France is from nuclear power. \nThe first successful testing of nuclear weapons by France occurred in 1960. Israeli scientists were present at the tests and were given full access to all the scientific data.  Between 1960 and 1961\, there were 4 atmospheric tests conducted in Algeria at the Saharan Military Experimental Center in the desert with terrible fall out and 27\,000 people were affected (It was supposed to be inhabited). Skin cancers\, birth defects\, organ cancers\, and blindness were some of the results. The Algerian war ended with Algeria gaining its independence in 1962\, and so from 1966 to 1996\, the tests were moved to French Polynesia.  Almost 200 tests happened at Mururoa and Fangataufa  atolls (46 atmospheric tests of which 4 did not have a nuclear shield and then 152 underground after the atmospheric tests became prohibited). France did not sign the Partial nuclear Test Ban of 1963 (which prohibited atmospheric\, space and underwater testing) so that  it could pursue their nuclear weapons program. There was anti-nuclear resistance in the Pacific especially from New Zealand and Australia with Greenpeace involvement. They were able to delay testing in 1972. Captain David McTaggart was beaten and seriously injured and in 1985\, the Greenpeace rainbow warrior was sunk by exploding a bomb placed under the boat by 2 French agents and the photographer was killed. France was taken to the International Court of Justice and it was judged to be an act of state terrorism. France signed and ratified the Comprehensive Multilateral Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in 1998. I imagine under much international pressure. \nPeople affected have pursued compensation which was completely denied until 2009 and is still woefully inadequate due to the criteria used. \nPersonally\, the Cuban Missile Crisis\, the continuous testing\, the threat of possible submarines coming to the west coast which brought massive anti nuclear demonstrations\, particularly in Vancouver\, and as a physician and resident in psychiatry at UBC\, I had to try to do more than just march\, so I joined the IPPNW in 1983.  It was awarded the Nobel peace price in 1985. Since then\, I have also joined other peace groups\, WILPF (Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom)\, VOW (Canadian Voice of Women for Peace)\, World Beyond War\, and ICAN  (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons). As a physician\, I feel a special responsibility. I know the consequences of a nuclear war with no possibility of treatment. The only remedy is prevention. \nWhere are we now? In 2025\, the atomic scientists have moved the doomsday clock closer to midnight than it has ever been in the past 79 years. India/Pakistan\, Russian threats\, Israeli threats to nuke Gaza\, the nuclear states insistence on  improving\, modernizing\, and developing weapons that are at least 100 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb. But there is hope\, there has been continuous and persistent efforts to curb nuclear weapons at the international levels through treaties\, at the regional levels with regional treaties establishing nuclear weapons free zones (NWFZ) and locally\, many cities around the world have declared their city to be a  nuclear free zone. \nCanada was at the forefront of nuclear disarmament\, not so much now. As early as July 1955\, after Einstein and Russell released their manifesto: “Humanity must renounce war or face universal death. Scientists should assemble in a conference to appraise the perils that have arisen as a result of the development of weapons of mass destruction. We are speaking NOT as members of this or that nation\,  continent\, or creed\, but as humans whose continued existence is in doubt.”  Joseph Rotblat and Russell with the help of Cyrus Eaton\, a Nova Scotia liberal member of parliament\, convened the first Conference on Science and World Affairs in 1957. Cyrus Eaton financed it and offered his thinking lodge in Pugwash\, Nova Scotia.  Pugwash international conferences continue and issue reports credited for helping to prepare the way for the major international treaties. (Nobel peace prize was awarded in 1995). \nCanada signed the NPT 9 (Non Proliferation Treaty 9) in 1968. No progress has been made on article 6 of this treaty which is to negotiate cessation of the nuclear arms race and nuclear disarmament. So\, an International Campaign for the Abolition of Nuclear weapons (ICAN) was launched in 2007 by civil society (a global coalition of 714 non governmental partners from 110 countries).  Building on the NPT\, it led to the TPNW (Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons) that came into force on January 22\, 2021. ICAN was awarded the Nobel peace price in 2017. A cities appeal to adopt the treaty was also launched and is still ongoing.  Many cities  around the world have signed:  Vancouver\, Toronto\, Halifax etc. \, even my little city of White Rock. \nThe nuclear weapon states have opposed the ICAN initiative. \nCanada has not signed on this treaty\, nor has it attended the meetings as  observers despite other NATO states attending as observers and despite a motion unanimously adopted in the Canadian parliament to get involved. Canada does not possess or house nuclear weapons but participates in the NATO nuclear mission. It has provided uranium\, research\, technology and participated in the Manhattan project. Canada also cooperated with France to give Israel nuclear weapons. \nAnother grave hidden issue is the link between nuclear energy and nuclear weapons which is relevant as  nuclear energy is coming back as the saviour of the environment. Macron\, the French president\,  said in an address to the Framatome nuclear plant workers: “without nuclear energy\, no nuclear weapons and without\nnuclear weapons\, no nuclear energy”. This link is usually kept secret as military nuclear activities are highly classified. \nHere are two examples:\n– In 1956\, under the popular slogan “Atoms for Peace”\, the Cader Hall nuclear plant in Cumbria was celebrated at its opening by the Queen herself as a generator of clean electricity. It was not. it was primarily used to produce plutonium for nuclear weapons. \n– In 2017\,  I believe\, in the UK\, as part of a parliamentary investigation into the Hinkley project\, it emerged that without the billions of pounds earmarked for building this new station\, Trident submarines would be unsupportable. The government is using the Hinkley point C nuclear power station to subsidize Trident\, the British nuclear weapon system. \nThese times are scary\, but as you heard\, efforts continue\, internationally\, regionally\, and locally ( many more than I had time to cover). Hope is alive but much work still needs to be done. When the Hiroshima bomb hit her school\, Setsuko Thurlow got buried. She lost consciousness. When she regained consciousness\, she says everything was pitch black. She could not see. She felt a hand on her back pushing her forward. She heard a voice saying\, “keep moving\, don’t stop\, keep moving\, keep moving towards the light.” She did. She survived and she has been moving us towards the light ever since. Now\, at 93\, and in a wheelchair\, she is still helping us to move towards the light\, the light of peace and justice\, a world free of nuclear weapons\, a world free of war\, free of atrocities and genocide\, free of the threat of global warming.  We have work to do\, but we have our principles to guide us and to sustain us\, and we have each other and we have the people of the whole world walking with us. So let’s keep moving to the light together. \nIf you would like to know more about Setsuko\, please come to Lindsey-Priestley at 12:30 today to see the inspiring documentary about her life: The VOW from Hiroshima. There will be some refreshments. \nAnd now let’s sing for all the precious life on earth. \nGive Birth by Kurihara Sadako (Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor)\n\nIt happened in the night in the basement of a destroyed building\nFilled with people injured by the atomic bomb\nIn the dark basement without a single candle\nFresh smell of blood and death\nSweat and groans\nWe heard a voice\n“A baby is coming!”\nIn the basement\, like the bottom of hell\nA young woman was going into labour\n\nThere is not even a match.\nWhat should we do?\nPeople forgot their pains\, caring about the new life.\n“I am a midwife\, I will help.”\nSaid a deeply injured person who was groaning a moment ago\nAt the bottom of the dark hell\na new life was born.\nThe midwife died covered with blood before dawn.\n\nLet us give birth\nLet us give birth\nEven though we give up our own lives\n\n\n————————————————————————————————-
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/remembering-hiroshima-nagasaki-and-80-years-of-nuclear-violence/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Social Justice
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/250803-Remembering-Hiroshima-Nagasaki.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250803T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250803T120000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20250722T170334Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250802T052729Z
UID:10004310-1754218800-1754222400@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sunday Service: Remembering Hiroshima\, Nagasaki\, and 80 Years of Nuclear Violence
DESCRIPTION:Remembering Hiroshima\, Nagasaki\, and 80 Years of Nuclear Violence\nHisako Masaki\, Cecilia Gruber\, Huguette Hayden\, Yvonne Marcus and Chihiro Honma \nAn atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6\, and on Nagasaki on August 9\, 1945. Nuclear violence continues to harm lives through nuclear weapons\, their production\, testing\, and around nuclear facilities. Let us remember those lives and walk with the survivors to end wars and nuclear violence. The service will be led by Hisako Masaki\, Cecilia Gruber\, Huguette Hayden\, and Yvonne Marcus of the Social Justice Team\, as well as Chihiro Honma\, the pianist. \nDownload the Order of Service\nRelated Reading\nWeekly services\n\nWe gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within\, among\, and beyond us\, calling us to our better selves\, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion. \n\nAfter service\, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/sunday-service-remembering-hiroshima-nagasaki-and-80-years-of-nuclear-violence/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Service,Sunday Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/250803-Remembering-Hiroshima-Nagasaki.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250727T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250727T120000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20250722T170624Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250729T004922Z
UID:10004309-1753614000-1753617600@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sunday Service: Reclaiming Deathcare
DESCRIPTION:Reclaiming Deathcare\nReclaiming deathcare is about returning death and dying to the hands of families\, communities\, and individuals. It honours ancient wisdom\, cultural practices\, and personal choice\, offering care that is intimate\, authentic\, and rooted in love. \nNgaio Davis\, founder and principal owner of KORU Cremation is a deathcare practitioner at heart\, inspired by her rich Maori heritage and her maternal grandma and great grandma’s end of life rituals and experiences.  Ngaio’s life has never been conventional\, from being raised on a small farm in rural BC\, to becoming a red seal carpenter and working in construction to choosing to work in death care services. After a number of years working for conventional corporate funeral businesses she was eventually called to create her own practice where she relishes the freedom to spearhead meaningful and courageous conversations through her unconventional micro deathcare practice of KORU. https://www.korucremation.com/ \nDownload the Order of Service\nRelated Reading\nSermon text\nWeekly services\n\nWe gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within\, among\, and beyond us\, calling us to our better selves\, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion. \n\nAfter service\, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/sunday-service-reclaiming-deathcare/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Service,Sunday Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/250727-Reclaiming-Deathcare.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250720T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250720T120000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20250610T203045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250718T014523Z
UID:10004308-1753009200-1753012800@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sunday Service: Reflections on Aging
DESCRIPTION:Gerta Moray\, Mei Jia Lam\, Jeannie Corsi\, Carol Siebert\, and Eva Mai Allan\nDownload the Order of Service\nRelated Reading\nWeekly services\n\nWe gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within\, among\, and beyond us\, calling us to our better selves\, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion. \n\nAfter service\, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/sunday-service-reflections-on-aging/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Service,Sunday Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/250720-Reflections-on-Aging.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250716T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250716T150000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20250709T170853Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250714T192402Z
UID:10004460-1752670800-1752678000@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sneak Preview for My Friend Fritz
DESCRIPTION:Mairy Beam’s latest play\, My Friend Fritz\, will be performed at the PlayStorm Festival of the Langley Little Theatre in July 2025. You can get a sneak preview by coming to our last rehearsal on July 16 in the VanU Sanctuary\, 1 – 3 pm. The rehearsal will not have the projections and sound track\, so if you want the full deal\, come to Langely. Tickets https://langleylittletheatre.org/festival#fritz \nThis is a tale about what happens when a giant rat named Fritz becomes a fan of your prized beets. Not content with disrupting your garden\, he starts to disrupt your life. Wilma didn’t know how adventuresome she could be. Now she finds herself on the way to Ottawa\, in defiance of her son. She risks jail time as she finagles her way into see the Prime Minister\, in an attempt to convince her to take action to combat the climate crisis.
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/sneak-preview-for-my-friend-fritz/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Community
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/my-friend-fritz.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Mairy Beam":MAILTO:mairyelesbea[at]gmail[dot]com
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250713T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250713T120000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20250610T202716Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250711T071520Z
UID:10004307-1752404400-1752408000@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sunday Service: Stones & the Spirit of Life: Another Camino Story
DESCRIPTION:Laureen Stokes\nThe Camino de Santiago from Porto to Santiago de Compostella brings pilgrims from church to church through diverse ecosystems\, alongside diverse other pilgrims including a surprising number of nuclear physicists. \nShe will share stories of her journey\, including how her relationship with the earth\, life\, and prayer changed. \nDownload the Order of Service\nRelated Reading\nWeekly services\n\nWe gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within\, among\, and beyond us\, calling us to our better selves\, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion. \n\nAfter service\, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/sunday-service-stones-and-the-spirit-of-life/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Service,Sunday Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/250713-Stones-the-Spirit-of-Life.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250706T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250706T120000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20250604T164227Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250723T221303Z
UID:10004306-1751799600-1751803200@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sunday Service: Breaking Good: Unlocking Stereotypes and Other Superpowers
DESCRIPTION:Diane Brown\nVanU member Diane Brown\, speaking from the perspective of a long time theatre professional\, explores some of what she calls Theatre’s Superpowers and how\, when employed in life and not just art\, may help us overcome adversity and move forward together. \nDiane is a multi-award-winning director and actor\, and the Artistic Director of Ruby Slippers Theatre\, a company dedicated to furthering equity-deserving artists. She is the recipient of the Bra d’Or from Playwrights Guild of Canada for her work in theatre. \nDownload the Order of Service\nRelated Reading\nSermon text\nWeekly services\n\nWe gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within\, among\, and beyond us\, calling us to our better selves\, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion. \n\nAfter service\, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/sunday-service-breaking-good-unlocking-stereotypes-and-other-superpowers/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Service,Sunday Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/250706-Unlocking-Stereotypes-and-Other-Superpowers.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250629T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20250629T120000
DTSTAMP:20260620T015415
CREATED:20250605T155529Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250628T001843Z
UID:10004305-1751194800-1751198400@vanu.ca
SUMMARY:Sunday Service: Queerly Moving Forward. What Can We Do?
DESCRIPTION:James Chamberlain\nJames Chamberlain will speak about how a few key points from that precedent setting court case are being recycled or have shifted for continued use against the 2SLGBTQIA+ community by the extreme right. Also\, he’ll suggest three strategies that you might proactively use to counter the spread of this homophobic\, biphobic and transphobic misinformation and disinformation.  \nThirty years ago as a young kindergarten teacher James Chamberlain championed the right to have the book “One Dad Two Dads\,” a book about a family with gay parents\, used in Kindergarten and Grade 1 classrooms in Surrey. When school trustees voted to ban the book\, James and other litigants took the case all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada and won. In 2021\, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree from UFV in Abbotsford for his 30 years of work for advocacy of LGBTQ rights in schools. \nHe continues to be active in Nanaimo\, founding with others a charitable\, philanthropic organization called Island Queers and Allies Who Care Society. He also volunteers on the board of ROAR (Reaching Out Assisting Refugees) which sponsors the resettlement of LGBTQ+ refugees whose lives are in danger because of their gender identity or sexual orientation. \nDownload the Order of Service\nRelated Reading\nWeekly services\n\nWe gather every Sunday morning at 11am in our Sanctuary at 49th and Oak and online at vanu.ca/live. Worship creates connections within\, among\, and beyond us\, calling us to our better selves\, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion. \n\nAfter service\, we gather in Hewett Centre for Coffee and Social Hour. Families with children and newcomers are always welcome!
URL:https://vanu.ca/event/sunday-service-queerly-moving-forward-what-can-we-do/
LOCATION:Sanctuary\, 949 W 49th Ave\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5Z 2T1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Service,Sunday Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vanu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/250629-Queerly-Moving-Forward.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="VanU":MAILTO:info@vanu.ca
GEO:49.2268718;-123.1276881
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sanctuary 949 W 49th Ave Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=949 W 49th Ave:geo:-123.1276881,49.2268718
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR