Unitarian Universalists carry on legacy
Local congregation celebrates 125 years in the community
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This article was published 23/01/2017 (3345 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
One of Winnipeg’s oldest faith communities is celebrating 125 years in pursuit of equity and exploration.
In 1891, Icelandic settlers led by Bjorn Petursson and Jennie McCaine Petursson, founded the First Unitarian Church with a sanctuary built at Pacific Avenue (formerly Nena) and Sherbrook Street. Over a century later, the congregation started by the couple and their community continues to grow as the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg at 603 Wellington Cres.
Unitarian Universalism (UU) is a combination of two religious traditions that date back to the Protestant Reformation. Unitarianism rejects the notion of a Holy Trinity within Christianity and Universalism was a response to Calvinism, by spreading a message that all people have divinity and goodness within. Over time, the UU movement has embraced all major faiths, drawn inspiration from secular teachings, and operated on principles of justice and equity.
According to Lois Whyte, a longtime member of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg, some members of her congregation are atheists, Christians, Hindus, and those who don’t subscribe to one specific religion or belief. The diversity of experience in faith throughout her nearly 40-year membership has “stretched her soul,” she says.
“What I found when I came was a place of openness where there was no prescribed religious dogma,” Whyte explained. “It meant that you were encouraged to go on a journey of faith discovery and for me that has been the most meaningful aspect of our church.”
While the exploration of different faiths and experiences is encouraged, members of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg are united in the common principles of justice, equity, compassion, and the inherent worth and dignity of every person, interim Rev. Nicoline Guerrier explained.
Over the decades, members have pursued social justice action in different ways. Historical records show local Unitarians active in the women’s suffrage movement before 1905, and in 1974 the congregation granted one of the country’s first same-sex marriage certificates to a local couple, though the marriage wasn’t recognized by the province.
“That’s an example of an area where the congregants and the minster at the time saw an inequity in terms of who could marry in Canada, and so they took a stand and lead the way towards greater justice,” Guerrier said.
The church also participates in the local Pride parade and hosts a non-denominational, welcoming Sunday service in Memorial Park during the event.
More recently, the congregation has responded to the Syrian refugee crisis through sponsorship initiatives, has mobilized in poverty reduction programs, and hosts a weekly food bank for community members.
June Gislason founded the food bank 25 years ago to involve the church in the community at a deeper level, food bank co-ordinator Brian Klowak said. Gislason died in 2014.
Every Thursday, the church offers a welcoming place for people experiencing food insecurity to gather what they need for the month. Between 40 and 80 people attend the food bank and approximately 20 volunteers contribute time to keep it running.
“(Gislason) had a vision and wanted to help people whose lives weren’t as plentiful as ours and diminish the barriers between the people providing food and needing food,” Klowak said, adding that the food bank is arranged to give clients control over what items they take.
“Everyone has a responsibility to make this work,” Klowak said. “We embrace the value of mutual respect and making a safer space for everyone.”
While reflecting on the past 125 years, the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg is also going through a transition period as they look for a permanent reverend. However, Guerrier says justice and outreach are two objectives that will continue to define the community as it moves forward.
“What I’ve observed is that because Winnipeg is geographically isolated I think it’s real testimony to the generations that have built and sustained this church,” she said.
“I think this is a congregation where people with vision and commitment work really hard to build a place they love and a movement that represents a liberal voice in an area of Canada that has had a lot of conservatism in terms of religion.”
The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg will conclude its anniversary year with a choral concert on Jan. 28 at 6:30 p.m. titled Voices of Earth: A Musical Celebration of 125 Years. The free event is open to everyone but requires a seat reservation. Contact Lois Whyte at lawhyte@mymts.net or 204-284-0686 to reserve a ticket.