Date: Passed: Saturday, October 20, 2018, 8:00 pm EDT
Our UN Sunday service was held on October 21st, 2018 in North Hatley, Quebec. Rev. Carole Martignacco and Phyllis Baxter planned the service together. We read through the packet and chose some elements from the packet and were inspired by others. We decided to focus on an organization that helps Asylum Seekers who are irregularly entering Canada daily. This fits in appropriately with the theme of Just Migration. These are people who have been living in the United States and have become afraid that they will be deported and forced to return to their countries of origin where they are not safe. The Bridges Not Borders website explains who and why this has been happening since the Trump administration has been in power in the USA.
Three members of our congregation visited Roxton Pond where many are coming into our province. Adele Ernstrom, Rachel Garber and John Mackley each spoke about a different aspect of this reality. Wendy Ayotte, from the organization spoke to us and answered questions via zoom.
To help those fleeing into Canada with only what they can carry with them, we were asked to send warm hats, scarves, mitts and gloves that would be easy to wear or carry in a pocket. In the weeks following the service our congregation did this and it was delivered to Roxton Pond.
Thank you to the UUUNO for inspiring us to bring this issue to the attention of our congregation in our UN Sunday. We all learned about a very pressing issue and were able to take a small but significant action.
CUSJ, Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice is monitoring this situation.
Phyllis Baxter,
UUUNO envoy for UUEstrie
For details about the service, view a copy of the Order of Service for this UN Sunday Service.
Address
201 Main St
North Hatley QC J0B 2C0
Canada