“Desire not for anyone the things you would not desire for yourself.”

Baha’i Faith – Gleanings 66

“This is the sum of duty: Do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you.”

Brahman – Mahabharata 5:1517

“Hurt not others in ways that you would find hurtful.”
Buddhist – Udana-Varga 5:18

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”

Christian – Matthew 7:12

“Surely it is the maxim of loving-kindness: Do not unto others what you would not have done unto you.”

Confucian – Analects 15:23

“No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.”

Islamic – Sunnah

“What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man.

That is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary.”

Jewish -Talmud, Shabbat 31a

From the kitchen of Joyce Gilbert:

2 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar

2.5 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

___________________

1/4 cup butter

2/3 cup sour milk

1/3 cup raisins

1 egg

___________________

Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl. Cut in the butter. Make a well in the bowl. Add the sour milk. Beat the egg and pour into the mixture but save a small amount for the top of the scones. Add raisins or another kind of dried fruit. Spread the mixture onto a floured surface and knead. Then roll out and shape the scones with a round cutter. Place on a greased cookie sheet and brush the top with egg. Sprinkle with coarse decorative sugar. Bake at 425 degrees F for 12-15 minutes. Serve warm.

1 tbsp unsalted butter

1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped

1 small rib celery, finely chopped

1 lb ground turkey

1 cup fine, fresh bread crumbs

1 egg

2 tbsp fresh, chopped oregano

salt and pepper

2/3 cup orange juice

1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries

1/4 cup sugar

_____________________

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet. In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and celery and saute until softened, 4-5 minutes. Spoon into bowl and let cool, and set the frying pan aside. Add the turkey, bread crumbs, egg, oregano and 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper to the cooled onion mixture, and mix gently but thoroughly with your hands. Shape the mixture into 12 meatballs and arrange on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake the meatballs until opague throughout, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the orange juice, cranberries, and sugar in the frying pan and place over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring often, until the juice comes to a boil and the cranberries begin

to pop, 2-3 minutes. Divide the meatballs among dinner plates, spoon the sauce over them, and serve.

To make this a complete meal, serve the turkey meatballs and homemade cranberry sauce with creamy mashed potatoes and a green vegetable such as green beans or broccoli.

Contributed by Jane Innerd

From the Williams and Sonoma “Simple Suppers” cookbook

December Newsletter

January Newsletter

February Newsletter

The professor began his class by holding up a glass of water water in his hand. He held it up for all to see and then asked the students:

“How much do you think this glass weighs?”

“50gms!” 

…”100gms!” 

…”125gms”, the students answered.

“We don’t know for sure unless we weigh it,” said the professor, “but, my real question is: What would happen if I held this glass up like this for a few minutes?”

“Nothing” …the students said.

“Ok, what would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?” the professor
asked.

“Your arm would begin to ache” said one of the student

“You’re right, now what would happen if I held it for a day?”

“Your arm could go numb, you might have severe muscle stress, paralysis and
will have to go to hospital for sure!”… ventured another student.

All the students laughed.

“Very good. But during all this, did the weight of the glass change?”
asked the professor.

“No” … was the answer.

“Well, then what caused the arm to ache and the severe muscle stress?”

The students were puzzled.

“Okay. Tell me what should I do now to come out of the pain?” asked professor again.

“Put the glass down!!” said all the students in chorus

“Exactly!” said the professor. 

~~~

Life’s problems are something like this.

Hold them for a few minutes in your mind and they seem okay.
Hold of them for a long time and they begin to ache.
Hold them even longer and they begin to paralyze you. 
You feel weak and incapable of doing anything!

While it’s important to think about the challenges in your life, it is even more important to remember to put them down every now and again.

Nithya Shanti

The longest journey in the world is the sacred pilgrimage from the head to the heart.

I have been meeting several people the last few days. When people meet me and discover that I have lived as a monk in the past the conversation often takes a philosophical twist. One of my favorite ways to shift the discussion from the head to the heart is to invite people to say five things they love and appreciate about their partner.

It amazing how the energy in the room instantly changes. I ask people to look their partner directly in the eyes and tell them what they like and love in them. The receiver is asked to acknowledge each statement by saying “And so it is!” to receive the love!

Strangely enough I find that the longer couples have been together the harder it usually is for them to say 5 things they appreciate in their partner! Its a wonderful way to connect people with love.

Here is a powerful story on how appreciation can transform:

The lifestyle of the Babemba tribe in South Africa was featured a number of years ago in a TV documentary on Apartheid. Within that community, antisocial or criminal behavior is rare.

However, when it does occur, the Babemba have an interesting and beautifully creative way of dealing with it…

If a member of the tribe acts irresponsibly, he or she is placed at the center of the village. Work stops, and every man, woman and child in the village gathers around the accused in a large circle.

Then, one at a time, each individual, including the children, call out all the good things the person in the center of the ring has done previously. Each person in the village recalls the specific good things the person in the centre of the circle has

done in his/her lifetime. All the positive attributes and the kind acts are recited carefully and at length. No one is permitted to exaggerate or be facetious.

The ceremony often lasts for many days and doesn’t stop until everyone has said every possible positive comment he or she can muster about the transgressor. Not one word of criticism concerning the accused’s irresponsible, antisocial deed is permitted.

At the end, the tribal circle is broken, a joyous celebration takes place, and the person is symbolically and literally welcomed back into the tribe. Proof of the success of this creative response to wrongdoing seems evident in the fact that these ceremonies are quite rare.

This is an actual application of the spiritual teaching:

“Love me most, when I deserve it least!”

Let us all learn from the outstanding example of this tribe. Imagine what the world would be like if we used the power of appreciation in our families, schools, workplaces and communities!

Let us start today…appreciating in great detail the goodness in others!

Nithya Shanti

With permission from the author

So, what does it mean to be a member of a religious congregation? Covenantal relationship, being deeply, officially a part of the beloved community, being able to join in the leadership to guide the future of the congregation. Membership means being able to shape that future in congregational meetings, as well. Never doubt the power of a vote. The year is new yet, not dewy as some new things, since all the dew available is frozen pretty solid. Yet new and hopeful and looking for each one’s dedication.

Prayerfully and respectfully, I invite non-members to consider membership and members to “step up to the plate” (It may be mid winter but baseball will start in Florida very soon.)

In the midst of a developing recession, some of our members are, or will be, facing financial challenges. If you are concerned about your personal situation,or about that of loved ones or friends please make contact with the minister. Besides a listening ear, the minister has a Discretionary Fund for financial assistance.

This money comes almost exclusively from the blue Birthday Bank, and when I have done outside weddings (none in 2008, none yet scheduled for 2009), I have used the money made from those to supplement this discretionary fund. If you are not among

those facing financial challenges, I invite you to stuff paper more than coins into that bank to give the minister a fighting a chance at assisting both members and non-members alike in this difficult year. May we be one with each other, giving as we can, feeling held and respected when we can not. This is also what it means to be a member of a religious congregation.

Faithfully and in faith, Rev. Christine

The Woman’s Association is made of of a group of ladies who are members of the church. Over many years, the association has raised monies from church yard and bake sales to help the church board maintain the parsonage rooms where we have our coffee hours. These same monies are used to fund the coffee hours themselves which are a very

popular aspect of Sunday activities. The floral committee of the Women’s Association have always remembered the sick and shut-ins with cards and floral tributes.

This group also works closely with, and funds the caring committee.

Carabel Ringrose

Secretary and Treasurer of the Association

The caring committee is a group of members of the church who coordinate visitation to church members. We also organize floral and food tributes to members who are ill or have lost a loved one. The caring committee was first formed under our current

minister, the Reverend Christine Hillman. It works in association with, and is funded through the Women’s Association.

Carabel Ringrose

Chair of the Caring Committee

This church is founded on the faith that love is a more positive force for good than fear.

Welcome Visitor…

Welcome to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Olinda. We are an inclusive, caring, and questioning community of people who believe that you can find a place with us. As a congregation, we welcome people of all races, religious affiliation, cultural origins and sexual orientation. Our church, the Unitarian Univeralist Church of Olinda, is a community where freedom of thought and spiritual exploration are encouraged. Unitarian Universalism is a liberal and inclusive religion with roots in the Christian and Jewish traditions. Ours is a faith that is open to the spiritual questions people have struggled with over the course of time. We believe that personal experience, conscience, and reason are crucial to life and that ultimately religious beliefs lie not so much in a book or person or institution but within each of us.

Sunday Services at Olinda

We meet at 10:30 each Sunday morning (except in July and August) seeking fellowship and growth. Our minister, the Reverend Christine Hillman, preaches at most of our Sunday services. We also hear from members of the congregation and invited guest speakers from outside our community. The service topics range from traditional to the contemporary; and may include eithics, philosophy, world religions, creativity and science. Music, song and poetry may also add to our church experience. Following each Sunday service, we meet for fellowship and refreshments. We hope all visitors and church members will stay for this gathering to further discuss the service, meet others and renew friendships.

The Children at Olinda

Most Sunday services include a story for all ages, after which the children participate in a program designed specifically for them. Religious education (RE) has long played a significant role in our church. Many parents begin their association with Unitarian Universalism because they seek a community where children can experience critical thought and respect for all. Through the RE curriculum our children learn about world religions and develop an awareness of the natural world and the environment. In addition, they consider what it means to make moral and ethical choices, and, of course, they learn how their own Unitarian Universalist tradition responds to important societal questions. A supervised and well-equipped nursery is provided for the very young children.

Our Principles

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote:

The inherent worth and dignity of every person;

Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;

Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;

A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;

The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;

The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all;

Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are but a part.

–The Canadian Unitarian Council

Sources…

The living tradition which we share draws from many sources:

Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openess to the forces which create and uphold life;

Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;

Wisdom from the world’s religions which inspire us in our ethical and spiritual life;

Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbours as ourselves; 

Humanist teachings which counsel us to head the guidance of reason and the results of science and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit;

Spiritual teachings of earth-centred traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

–Canadian Unitarian Council

Quotes from members…

“I am excited to discover that I am not without spirituality or belief. That I just needed to find a church where my spirituality is accepted and I am encouraged to discover what religion, belief and spirituality mean to me.”

“Open, accepting and welcoming. A sense and feeling of belonging without being directed on how or what to believe or feel.”

From the church as a whole…

“We believe that each person has a share of the truth and we need one another to become whole. Our differing gifts and strengths join together to make a vibrant, loving community. Once again, we welcome you to our congregation.”

 

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Olinda

Established 1880

Sunday Services at 10:30 AM

Sunday School and Nursery

 

Phone: (519) 326-4352

Website: www.mnsi.net/-janik

Blog Site: http://uuolinda.org

Address: 2953 Olinda Side Road

Off County Road 34

2 km. north of Ruthven

Ontario, Canada, NOP 2GO