Photo by frank mckenna on Unsplash
Greetings, CTU Members and Friends –
Please read our two donation requests for Fred and Gur at the end of this newsletter. I hope you might consider giving a small (or large!) donation to support two of our most wonderful and dedicated members.
On Sunday 7 December, we have our Festive Service. NOTE THAT THE TIME FOR THIS SERVICE IS 6 PM IN THE EVENING. NO MORNING SERVICE WILL BE HELD THIS SUNDAY. I hope you will join us to sing Christmas Carols and find some ground beneath our feet.
We will also have a special hybrid (online and in person) Finance meeting at 5 pm this Sunday 7th December, where Leigh will share an update on the progress made on our financial statements and our budget for next year. Contact me for the separate Zoom link and the excel spreadsheet that will be reviewed.
Lastly, as we end this year, I know many in our community are struggling with what it means to be part of the Cape Town Unitarians. Being part of a community can be challenging, because we humans have different upbringings, cultures, perspectives, opinions, judgments and needs. We don’t always get the balance right of how best to be together. And yet, in spite of these challenges, I personally believe in the power of spiritual community to transform us in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. I am in the process of meeting with many members and friends of our community. If you would like to meet with me one-on-one, please let me know!
With love and light,
Nima
nimajanettaylor@gmail.com // WhatsApp 076 024 9120
In this issue of the newsletter
Check out our events page to view our church calendar. This includes events posted in the building and outside of the building. If you would like your event added, please contact us via email at: community@capetownunitarians.org
Sunday Services
Somerset West Update
Buddhist Sangha meeting - no meeting in December; back in January
Council Updates
Sunday Services
Please note: All Sunday services in December will be hybrid.
All services will start at 10:30 am SA time
(except the 7 December which starts at 6 pm)
7 December, Annual Festive Service. Join us at 6 pm for our annual Festive Service. Garth will be playing our organ for us, and we’ll sing Christmas Songs and reflect upon Peace from different perspectives.
14 December, Compassion and Boundaries. We’ll explore how compassion and boundaries can coexist.
21 December, Summer Solstice. Finding our grounding at this time of year. We’ll welcome some Pagan rituals and connect more deeply to nature and the natural rhythms of the earth.
28 December, Burning Bowl. At the end of each year, we reflect on what hurts, concerns, situations, emotions, thoughts we might be hanging on to, that might not be serving us. We will take the time to write down on a piece of paper whatever it might be. Then we will burn the paper to symbolically let go of what is holding us back, in order to start the new year with a fresh perspective.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
Somerset West Fellowship
Vonke Meeting Room, Vonke House, 121 Lourensford Rd, Somerset West
12pm Saturday 6 December 2025
“Festive Season Bring and Share”
You are warmly invited to a Bring-and-Share gathering on:
📅 Date: Saturday, 6 December
⏰ Time: 12h00 (note time)
📍 Venue: Vonke Meeting Room, Vonke House
121 Lourensford Road, Somerset West
Please bring:
Enough food for yourself plus a little extra to share
Your own plate, glass, and cutlery
Any serving utensils your dish may require
Your own drinks (wine welcome)
Coffee and tea will be provided.
To help us with planning, please RSVP before Wednesday at 12h00.
We look forward to enjoying good conversation and a shared meal together.
📞 **Contact:** Rev. Roux Malan – 084 679 5466
🌐 **Website:** https://swunitarians.carrd.co
This is a free event—all are welcome!
Sangha: Cape Town Buddhist Gathering
No Sangha meeting in December, back in January
Fundraising
Fred Benning’s wife, Denise, became paralysed after back surgery with a rare (0.5% likelihood) side effect. As a result she needs a full-time carer in their home. Fred asks that you read his loving request on BackaBuddy: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/fred-and-denise
Gur’s GoFundMe link: https://gofund.me/150067d08
We almost have the money needed to change Gur and his family’s life dramatically for the better by getting their permanent residency approved. Most have donated via EFT to CTU. If you’d like to give in that way, here are the details: Unitarian Church, Standard Bank, account # 070440719, Swift Code SBZAZAJJ. 50 people giving R500 will achieve our goal! 5 people giving R5,000 works as well. Any amount is appreciated.
Council Updates
Recap of 16 November Council meeting: A special proposal was passed by nine Council members (three Council members voted against). If you would like a copy of this proposal, please contact Nima at NimaJanetTaylor@gmail.com
Have questions or comments for Council? Please email us at community@capetownunitarians.org.