Letter from the Office

Hello UFL and Friends,
Now that tax season is behind us and we can look forward to the beautiful weather coming soon, the first edition of the Chalice of my tenure as office manager is now here. It has been a steep learning curve but I hope that things will settle down into a regular schedule of productive support for the UFL and all of its activities. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all those who have made this transition easier.
The Chalice has been on my to-do list since I have started my new position and I hope everyone is patient as I learn to navigate the in and outs of the process. Any comments or questions can be directed to me or the board by email or in person going forward. Please feel free to share it as widely as possible to get the word out about the UFL to as many people as possible.
The Chalice provides us with an opportunity to let the people learn about our activities and events, and to help people understand more about who we are as a faith community. Please feel free to share it as widely as possible to get the word out.
I encourage UFLers to submit articles and events for future editions of the Chalice. Please send submissions to ufl@execulink.com by the third Friday of each month.
normand corbeil

Unitarian Fellowship of London Repudiates the Doctrines of Discovery and terra nullius

Unitarian Fellowship of London Repudiates the Doctrines of Discovery and terra nullius

At its meeting on 20 December 2025, the Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Fellowship of London (UFL) passed the following motion. “The Board of the UFL, on behalf of the congregation, repudiates concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous lands and peoples, such as the Doctrines of Discovery and terra nullius.”

Background: The Doctrine of Discovery and concept of terra nullius (nobody’s land) were used by European nations to justify the conquest of non-Christian lands, which were deemed “empty” or “uninhabited” by Christians. Many faith groups have formally rejected these doctrines, which justified centuries of colonialism and harm against Indigenous communities, including the atrocities of the residential school system and the removal of the use of land from many first nations. Indigenous and government leaders have recognized this rejection as a necessary step for healing and reconciliation. In response to Call 94 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, the Canadian Unitarian Council formally repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery in 2023 and the doctrine of terra nullius in 2024 and urged its member congregations to do the same.

Further information on this issue:

To read the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, click here.

To view the Calls to Action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, click here.

To read the resolution approved at the CUC Annual General Meeting in 2023, click here.

To read the resolution approved at the CUC Annual General Meeting in 2024, click here.

 

Bravo Awards

Inaugural Bravo Award Winner - Bill Ratcliffe

At Sunday service on 1 March 2026, Bill Ratcliffe was presented with the inaugural Bravo Award. 

Bravo Awards were recently established to recognize and thank volunteers for exceptional service or achievements in supporting the work of the Unitarian Fellowship of London. Bill’s nomination read in part “an 80-year-old man who cleans [snow off] the sidewalks and driveway entrances on Sundays. Bill also contributes in so many other ways”. Bill’s contributions include leadership of the Pride Celebrations Committee, service as a worship leader, gardening in the warmer weather, and helping with Stewardship campaigns, the service auction, rhubarb fest, and other activities. 

In his many volunteer roles, Bill has demonstrated leadership and dedication; enriched the lives of many UFLers; and served as a role model for others within the congregation. A hearty Bravo to Bill!

Bravo Award Winner - Raghul

At Sunday service on 8 March 2026, Raghul Ramakrishnan was presented with a Bravo Award recognizing his volunteer contributions to the Unitarian Fellowship of London. The congregation is well aware of Raghul’s important weekly contributions involving expert management of the audiovisual aspects of Sunday services.

Raghul’s nomination also stated that “[he is] always willing to pitch in and help with any task, has great ideas, and makes meaningful contributions to dialogs after Reflections …” In addition, Raghul does many things behind the scenes, including setting up Zoom meetings, representing the UFL at numerous external events, and assisting individual members of the congregation with household chores, repairs and drives to appointments.

Raghul provides sustained, selfless service to the Fellowship and enriches the lives of many UFLers. He clearly embodies the volunteer spirit which is the lifeblood of the UFL.

A hearty Bravo to Raghul for all that he does for the UFL!

Bravo Award Winner - Jamie

On Sunday 22 March 2026, Jamie Otte received a Bravo Award recognizing his volunteer contributions to the Unitarian Fellowship of London. Jamie’s nomination stated that he deserves recognition “for jumping in to volunteer to organize our coffee time, when Bob Harrington was convalescing from his accident”. In addition, Jamie often volunteers to help set things up for Sunday services and many other tasks, such as clearing dishes and preparing for special events like the Services Auction. He has also helped externally at Pride Celebrations and events organized by the London Area Interfaith Collective. Thus, Jamie has provided dedicated, sustained service, that has touched the lives of many congregants. A hearty Bravo to Jamie for all that he does for our Fellowship. 

Bravo Award Winner - Imran

On March 29, Imran Khan was presented with a Bravo award to recognize his many volunteer contributions to the Unitarian Fellowship of London. Imran received two nominations for the award from members of the congregation. The first simply stated that Imran is a “great treasurer”.  The second said in part that “Imran does so much – big and small – providing service to our faith community – treasurer, rhubarb fest baker, [and] organizer. He steps in wherever needed, for example … collecting the offering” during services. Imran also helps with the Stewardship campaign, the London Movie Night Outreach Project, the Rental team, and the Finance committee. As a volunteer, Imran has clearly demonstrated initiative, leadership, and dedication; he has provided sustained, selfless service; and is an excellent role model for other members of the congregation. Congratulations to Imran on this well-deserved award!

Bravo Award Winner - Karen

On April 19, Karen Kidd was presented with a Bravo award to recognize her many contributions to the Unitarian Fellowship of London. Her nomination read in part “I would like to nominate Karen Kidd for her outstanding achievement in welcoming a new family to the UFL. They were so impressed with her care and loving demeanor that they told me how wonderful she was in making them feel comfortable.” Karen has been a member of the UFL for about 14 years, during which time she has had a positive impact in many ways. For example, she has served on the Board of Trustees and as President of the Board. She is a thoughtful contributor to dialogs after Reflections. Karen also has great ideas as a member of the Social Justice Network – for example, it was her idea to launch the very successful annual sock drive. Outside of the UFL, Karen has had many volunteer roles including working at women’s shelters, as a crisis-line worker, and as a language tutor.  Over the years, Karen has touched the lives of many others within the UFL, and provided it with dedicated, sustained service. A hearty Bravo to Karen on this well-deserved award!

Rhubarb Fest

4TH ANNUAL RHUBARB FEST

This year’s Rhubarb Fest is going to be bigger and better.  There are 15 social service organizations who will be offering information about their programs and services.  The scope of this information-sharing event will include child and youth services, mental health, social justice, food security, employment, cancer support, climate change, library services and more.  There will be a bake sale, plant sale, refreshment café, fun activities for children, some crafters and a FREE DRAW.  Generous prizes have been provided by Argyle businesses who have agreed to support this initiative.  The organizing team and many volunteers are working hard to create the best Rhubarb Fest so far.  Watch for our promotional materials on social media and please support the festival by sharing the link with your contacts, “liking” UFL’s posting on facebook, or by obtaining a poster to place in a location in your community. The Rhubarb Fest has developed a “following” as a unique friend raising, fundraising community building event promoting the Unitarian Fellowship of London’s principles of public engagement.

A few ways to help:

Gardeners: Please consider donating divisions from your perennial plants to the plant sale. If you bring potted perennials to the UFL Ann can care for them until the sale. Contact Ann at ann.klinck@gmail.com if you need help potting them up.  (No invasive species will be accepted.)

Check here for the growing list of ways you can help make the event a success.

Help Wanted: at the Toonie Mystery Bags Table. No experience necessary to fill these exciting positions.
Contact Kat: blackfriarskat@gmail.com Use the sign-up sheet at the UFL

Plant Pots Needed: Do you have any of the following items to donate for the plant sale? Plant pots, plastic trays or flat cardboard boxes for transporting plants, decorative indoor or outdoor pots. Please bring them to the UFL any Sunday morning.

The London Movie Night Outreach Project (L.M.N.O.P.)

a raisin in the sun

What Good Is Sitting Alone in your Room?

The London Movie Night Outreach Project (L.M.N.O.P.) invites you to come out and join us as we watch Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeil and Ruby Dee in Lorraine Hansberry’s.

A RAISIN IN THE SUN

at the Unitarian Fellowship of London’s Monthly Movie Night

Saturday, April 25, 2026

From 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM 

Doors open at 5:30 PM     

Pizza’s arrival 5:45 PM        

Movie begins 6:00 PM

Pizzas (Cheese, Pepperoni or Vegetarian), popcorn, soft drinks and other movie

snacks are provided free of charge.

We encourage you to bring your family, friends and neighbors.

Donations are not necessary but appreciated.

100% of all donations collected is given to the Unitarian Fellowship of London

Directed by Daniel Petrie and released on May 29, 1961

Written by Lorraine Hansberry, based on her own 1959 play.

The film stars Sidney Poitier, Caludia McNeil, Ruby Dee. It was first performed as a stage plan in 1959 then adopted into a movie.

Walter Lee Younger is a young man struggling with his station in life. Sharing a tiny apartment with his wife, son, sister and mother, he seems like an imprisoned man.

Until, that is, the family gets an unexpected financial windfall.

This story is based in fact and was ultimately the result of United States Supreme Court Decision. 

Sunday Services

April 2026

The Earth Rebounds from the Impact of People

Service and Worship Leader: Alison Konrad

Title: The Earth Rebounds from the Impact of People 

Reflection: People have impacted nature, influencing ecosystems around the globe. While human impact remains a cause for concern, this reflection will share ways that the earth rebounds from this negative impact, often in interesting and surprising ways. The information shared in this reflection comes from the 2021 book by Cal Flyn, entitled, “Islands of Abandonment: Nature Rebounding in the Post-Human Landscape.”. 

19 Apr
10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Unitarian Fellowship of London
557 Clarke Road,London, ON N5V 2E1
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Upcoming UFL Events

UU Men’s Lunch Group

A warm welcome is extended to men within our Congregation who would like to join other Unitarian Universalist men for food and conversation on the third Monday of the month, April 20th, at 1:00 pm, at the Family Circle Restaurant, at 147 Wellington St., London. The normal attendance is 4-7 men.  A warm welcome awaits you. Tom […]
20 Apr
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Family Circle Restaurant
147 Wellington St. London
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UFL Book Club

The UFL Book Club:  The UFL Book Club met on Tuesday, March 17, 2-4 pm. There are two books for March, ‘How to Pronounce Knife’ by Souvankham Thammavongsa and ‘Recursion’ by Blake Crouch. More information will be included in the UFL Book Club email.
21 Apr
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Grand Wood Park Retirement Home
81 Grand Ave, London
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Submissions to the Next Chalice

Please submit any information to the office email by the third Friday of each month to be included in the next edition of the Chalice.