Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
Greetings, CTU Members and Friends –
Our theme for September is “Embodying our connectedness with all human and non-human life.” With the coming of spring, the question easily arises: “how do we remember and embody our connections with the world around us? Join us for several opportunities to ponder this question.
If you live near Somerset West, don’t miss Rev. Roux Malan’s talk on Zen Buddhism on the first Saturday. All the details can be found below.
Thank you to everyone who helped make Hans Moolman’s 50th Birthday everything he deserves! (Eek! The photographer left out people on the left and right side.)
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
Community Choir
Council Updates
Sunday Services
Please note: All Sunday services are hybrid and start at 10:30 am SA time
7 September, Exploring our theme of connectedness. Nima will introduce our theme for the month, “Embodying our connectedness with all human and non-human life”, and we will each have an opportunity to craft some art that conveys your personal way of connecting.
14 September, Flower Communion, Nima and others. Join us in a celebration of spring with our beautiful flower communion and spring equinox celebration. We invite everyone to bring flowers or plants to the service.
21 September, Megan Moll: Connecting to ourselves and building nervous system stability. Megan will provide some basic education around the nervous system and offer some tools for connecting to ourselves, and building stability and capacity in our own nervous systems, supporting us to navigate our own stress and trauma more easily.
28 September, Gur Mouanga. My Appeal against Perfectionism. A confession of life lessons to foster personal and communal growth. Based on his life experience, Gur will explore and share ways of re-framing expectations as a therapy of a mindset shifting to adopt healthier and more flexible approaches to tasks and life.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
Somerset West Fellowship
Vonke Meeting Room, Vonke House, 121 Lourensford Rd, Somerset West
10 am Saturday 6 September 2025 Speaker: Rev. Roux Malan
Beyond Dogma: Spinoza's Radical 5-Point Blueprint for a Rational and Meaningful Life: How a 17th-Century Exile's Radical Philosophy Can Transform Your Daily Existence
Who was Baruch Spinoza? A Jewish heretic excommunicated for his "abominable heresies." A lens grinder by trade. A quiet, solitary figure who became one of history's most courageous philosophical minds. In an age of rigid dogma and religious wars, he dared to reimagine God, not as a judgmental king, but as the very fabric of Nature itself—a unifying force present in everything.
But Spinoza didn't just write dense metaphysics; he offered a breathtakingly practical path to human freedom and happiness. He argued that true joy isn't found in wealth, fame, or piety, but in a powerful shift of perspective available to anyone.
Join Rev. Roux Malan to explore Spinoza’s revolutionary 5-point framework for daily living. Discover how this philosopher's timeless wisdom—born from conflict and exile—can teach us to:
* Master our emotions through understanding, not suppression.
* Transform resentment into clear-eyed acceptance.
* Find profound connection in a seemingly indifferent universe.
* Cultivate a resilient and authentic joy rooted in your own power.
Learn how to move beyond dogma and discover a radical, rational, and deeply hopeful guide to building a more peaceful and powerful life.
📞 **Contact:** Rev. Roux Malan – 084 679 5466
🌐 **Website:** https://swunitarians.carrd.co
🌟 Bonus: A free Zen meditation session will be offered beforehand at 8:55 AM in the same venue.
This is a free event—all are welcome!
Sangha: Cape Town Buddhist Gathering
Saturday, 20 September
2–3:30 pm (SA time)
Online only
Sangha is an opportunity to learn Buddhist teachings and practice with others. There is power in a community of practitioners who support and encourage each other on their spiritual paths. We’ll say some Buddhist prayers, mantras and meditate.
We will discuss the book by Ezra Bayda, “At Home in the Muddy Water: a guide to finding peace amid everyday chaos.” (No need to read the book unless you want to!)
Contact Nima for the Zoom link.
CTU Choir
You are welcome to join your voice when you are ready. All are welcome, irrespective of experience level.
Please contact Camille with any questions you may have about the choir.
Council Updates
Next Council meeting will be Sunday, 21 September 12h00-14h00 SA time. All are welcome Contact Community@CapeTownUnitarians.org for the documents to be discussed.
Have questions or comments for Council? Please email us at community@capetownunitarians.org.