UUCG will be closed June 16 through June 30 for a volunteer vacation and staff furloughs.

Members and friends are encouraged to use this time to rest, renew, rejuvenate, and reflect. Spend time with family, in nature, reading, and other activities that feed your soul.

We’ll all return on July 1st to celebrate and restart our shared ministry.

Our selection for the month of July is The Boat People, by Sharon Bala

“A novel about a group of refugees who survive a perilous ocean voyage only to face the threat of deportation amid accusations of terrorism.

When a rusty cargo ship carrying Mahindan and five hundred fellow refugees from Sri Lanka’s bloody civil war reaches Vancouver’s shores, the young father thinks he and his six-year-old son can finally start a new life. Instead, the group is thrown into a detention processing center, with government officials and news headlines speculating that among the “boat people” are members of a separatist militant organization responsible for countless suicide attacks–and that these terrorists now pose a threat to Canada’s national security. 

As the refugees become subject to heavy interrogation, Mahindan begins to fear that a desperate act taken in Sri Lanka to fund their escape may now jeopardize his and his son’s chance for asylum. 

Told through the alternating perspectives of Mahindan; his lawyer, Priya, a second-generation Sri Lankan Canadian who reluctantly represents the refugees; and Grace, a third-generation Japanese Canadian adjudicator who must decide Mahindan’s fate as evidence mounts against him.” 

All are welcome to join us in the UUCG Library for fellowship and discussion.  Light refreshments will be provided.

 

Mark your calendar for the Annual UUCG Yard Sale, taking place during the last weekend of September.

Start now to set aside items in your home or office that are ready to be released to be enjoyed by someone else.  Items you wish to donate may be dropped off at the church beginning the week prior to the sale.

It takes a lot of helping hands to make this annual event a success.  If you would like to get involved and help, speak to Karen Smith.

All proceeds from this event will go toward the UUCG operating budget.