I was born and raised in the city of Ottawa. As a youth, I attended Westboro United Church. I went to Carleton University, where I met and married Esther, my wife of 54 years. Subsequently, I attended the University of Western Ontario and then worked as a dentist in Perth, Ontario from 1977 to 1980. There, as part of a local social justice group, we helped sponsor a refugee family from Vietnam and then a second family fleeing the Pol Pot regime in Cambodia. This experience demonstrated what a small group of dedicated volunteers can accomplish. After further training at the University of Toronto, we returned with our young family to London where I took up a faculty position at the University of Western Ontario. I was a full-time faculty member there until 2018, when several health challenges led to my retirement. As fledgling snowbirds, we visited Florida a few times before Trump’s recent antics. In Florida, we attended a UU church for the first time – the Unitarian Universalist Church of Brevard in Melbourne (see accompanying photo). We had such a great experience at the UU Church of Brevard that we decided to visit the UFL when we returned home to London. Here, we had a similar experience – a welcoming inclusive community, great fellowship, and values that we share and could accept. A bonus was the opportunity to reengage in the fight for social justice with like-minded members of the UFL. As a member of the UFL Board, I hope to contribute to the smooth operation of the Fellowship. Joining the Board has also given me an appreciation of the tremendous effort expended by our staff and many volunteers in maintaining this thriving faith community.
“Mirth & Dignity, the Canadian not-for-profit behind the wildly popular UU Hysterical Society, is holding a retreat this autumn in beautiful southern Ontario! Spend four days/three nights at the Crieff Hills retreat centre (just outside of Guelph, ON) laughing together, dedicating time to rest and recharging, and connecting with other UUs.
Some of your favourite Canadian UUs are going to be there: UUHS founder Liz James, songleader Wendy Luella Perkins, storyteller Katharine Childs, and animator Amber Dawn Bellemare will be leading the programming!! We can’t wait for you to join us!!”
Find out more at uuhystericalsociety.com/retreat
On October 25 at our regular Sunday service, led by the Social Justice Committee, we will learn about the organization called SeedChange. Sally Humphries, a board member of that organization, is coming from Guelph to speak to us in person.
SeedChange has a very interesting history, which began in 1945 when it was called the Unitarian Service Committee. The founder was a Czech woman, Lotta Hitschmanova. She was born into a moderately comfortable Czech Jewish family. During WWII, her parents were rounded up, put into a holding camp, and died on route to the Auschwitz concentration camp.
Lotta Hitschmanova fled to Paris where she worked assisting refugees from the war. She eventually immigrated to Canada where she continued her work with refugees. In 1945, she helped organize the Canadian branch of the Unitarian Service Committee (USC). It was affiliated with the Unitarian Church in Canada, but not part of that faith organization. In 1948, USC became an independent organization giving aid to the thousands of refugees in war torn France and Czechoslovakia.
Previous London Unitarians used to tell stories of meeting with Lotta Hitschmanova and helping with her cause. At the UFL, the late Ameilia Wehlau staffed a book cart, proceeds from which went to the USC. Other UFL members also engaged in activities to raise funds and support clothing drives for the USC
While touring across Canada, Lotta Hitschmanova wore a military uniform. She was very demanding as a passionate leader of the USC. She knew how to get media attention. Between 1945-1984, the USC raised almost $129 million.
In 2019, USC Canada morphed into SeedChange. Its new focus was on sustainable agriculture promoting and strengthening local food systems and healthy seeds. It is now active in seven countries worldwide.
Please put Sunday, October 25 in your calendar. Service at 10:45 AM, followed by a luncheon of soup and buns. Donations will be received going to support SeedChange. To ensure that we have enough food, please RSVP using the sign-up sheet in the sanctuary or email Jeff by clicking here.
