The Church Year
SEPTEMBER: Water Communion
We mark the beginning of the church year with an ingathering celebration on the first Sunday after Labour Day each year. Bringing water collected over the summer months from backyard ponds, campgrounds, faraway travels, or the kitchen faucet, we pour these offerings into a common vase, symbolizing our coming together again as a community. The service is followed by special treats at our Fellowship Hour.
OCTOBER: Halloween Costume Parade
Everyone is encouraged to wear a costume for our ad-hoc parade through the Sanctuary on the Sunday morning preceding Halloween.
NOVEMBER: Dream Auction
Putting the FUN back in FUNdraiser, this annual celebration provides an opportunity to deepen relationships. The festivities include entertainment, free food, and feature a silent auction, live auction, and an online auction where you can bid on dinner parties, craft lessons, cottage stays, and other small group events. The competition for a space at these events is quite lively!
DECEMBER: Winter Holiday Celebrations
Keep an eye out for announcements about special gatherings this time of year including Winter Solstice gatherings, carol sing-a-longs, card c, winter meditation, and our traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.
JANUARY: Fire Communion
On the first Sunday of the New Year we burn away what we want to let go of from the past to make room for something new to arise in the coming year.
FEBRUARY: Annual General Meeting
In keeping with our Principles, we engage in the democratic process each year. During this meeting, we elect members to the Board of Trustees, vote on the annual budget, and make decisions on other matters affecting the congregation.
MARCH: Stewardship Sunday
Historically, Unitarian Universalists were part of the “free church” movement of religious traditions who were not state supported. These groups were supported by the free-will offerings of their congregants. Today, we do not “tithe” in the biblical sense, but we do support our principles and the work of this congregation with our time, talent, and treasure. Each spring, members and friends of the congregation are encouraged to pledge all three of these resources for the health of our community.
APRIL: Fair Trade Coffee House
This free event features GRU’s own fabulous musicians, entertaining conversation, plenty of tasty treats, and fair trade coffee. Free-will donations are collected for a local charity each year.
MAY: Canadian Unitarian Council Annual Meeting and Conference
Each year GRU elects delegates to represent our congregation at our denominational body’s Annual Meeting, which sets the priorities and direction of our national organization. Anyone is welcome to observe the meeting or attend the bi-annual conference. For more info visit www.cuc.ca or contact our GRU Board President.
JUNE: Flower Communion and Picnic
We end the congregational year with a distinctly Unitarian Universalist practice—the Flower Communion, a celebration of diversity which reminds us of the gifts we bring to our community and those we take from it. Afterwards, we gather in our own backyard for a multigenerational picnic and games.