Photo by Amy Harrison on Unsplash
Greetings, CTU Members and Friends –
Spring is finally arriving! We have several exciting programmes happening this month. See below for all the details.
Some of you remember Bill and Erica Strauss who were a vibrant part of CTU for several years. They led the effort to convert our choir loft into an enclosed room for the children as well as supporting Gur in his Unitarian education at the Meadville Lombard Institute in the USA. Bill passed away recently, and we want to honour him with a celebration of his life on Sunday 13 September. See details below.
Mark your calendars for a spiritual story telling workshop preview on Sunday 4th October 12-2 pm. See more information below from Carl.
As always, I am here to support you on your unique spiritual journey. Please contact me for help.❤️
With love and light,
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
Upcoming Activities
Council Update
Sunday Services
All services will start at 10:30 am SA time
Contact Community@CapeTownUnitarians.org for the link
6 September, ONLINE ONLY Purpose and Contribution. What is mine to do? This Sunday, we’ll explore some thoughtful questions that enable us to pursue our purpose and make a positive contribution to society. Come with any insights you have on your own purpose and contribution or perhaps the challenges of finding one’s purpose. Let’s have a lively discussion on this important topic!
13 September, ONLINE AND IN PERSON Reflections on the life of Bill Strauss, with Rev. Gur Mouanga. Gur, Nima and Roux will share a celebration of life for Bill Strauss. Join us as we reflect on the purpose and contribution through a life well lived.
20 September, ONLINE ONLY Francis Clerke. Science versus Religion. Francis will give a talk on the clash between Science and Religion. Francis is a retired attorney who has been researching this topic for many years. He intends to publish a book on the topic in the near future, to be entitled “Science vs Religion in a Nutshell”. In his talk, Francis will give an overview of his proposed book which will cover the Origin of Gods and Religion, the History of Religion from early Animistic beliefs to Newton’s Scientific Theology, the Science vs Divine Creation debate, and evidence for the Immortal Soul, the Afterlife, and Ultimate Reality.
27 September, ONLINE ONLY Purpose and Contribution, Part 2. This Sunday we’ll spend some time crafting our individual purpose and contribution.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
SPIRITUAL STORYTELLING
with Carl Lindemann
“Beware of the stories you read or tell; subtly, at night, beneath the waters of consciousness, they are altering your world.” - Ben Okri, poet and novelist
Thanks to all for participating in the two Sundays where we piloted the storytelling service. What we need now to advance the project are more stories! For that, we need a method to cultivate them from our community.
What I discovered personally, and from learning of Gordon’s experience of gathering his memoir, is that developing your personal myth/spiritual autobiography is an extraordinary process. In fact, the experience of those sharing their journey with the congregation is secondary to it.
As such, the very heart of this proposed new direction for CTU is to create a structure for all to participate in this personal reflection. This is really nothing more than developing a shared process to accomplish our core commitments that are stated each week in our opening words:
We endeavor to grow in awareness, understanding and insight;
We commit to nurture each other on our unique spiritual path…
How to go about that? Create a course for those that want to gather together and engage in this work. Fortunately, I have developed something like this for adult education that can easily be adapted. The aim would be to have a six-session course made up of a two-hour class each week. The reading material include examples of spiritual autobiography taken from Unitarian and kindred liberal religious writers. We will be talking about love, work, interests – all the things that define our lives. Readings, movies and songs from various sources serve as prompts to get us telling our own stories.
For newcomers to CTU, this serves as an introduction to our history and tradition. For all participants new and old, this helps define who and what we are.
This is not just about uncovering the stories that shape our lives. By bringing them to conscious awareness, we can reshape these to put them at our service. I have seen this be a life-changing process for those who engage in this deeply.
We can conduct this both online and/or in person. The initial outreach for this yielded just a handful of responses. Hopefully these recent services will inspire others to participate. We will gather on Sunday 4th October 12-2 pm at the church and online for our first workshop.
Please contact me (Carl ) via WhatsApp at +27 79 021 5079 if you are interested in attending or have a question.
Somerset West Fellowship
SATURDAY, 5 SEPTEMBER 2026 @ 10h00
Venue: Rotary Club of Somerset West, cnr Lourensford & Cloetenberg Rds
Speaker: Rev. Roux Malan
DID WE DISCOVER MATHEMATICS—OR CREATE IT?
What This Ancient Debate Can Teach Us About Religion
Do we discover truth, or do we create meaning? This question lies at the heart of mathematics, science, religion, philosophy—and ultimately our own lives.
Join us as Rev. Roux Malan takes us on an unexpected journey that begins with a confession: he never loved mathematics at school. Preferring history, literature, and philosophy, he never imagined he would one day be reading philosophy of mathematics. But when he did, he discovered that the book wasn't really about mathematics at all—it was about one profound question. Did we discover mathematics, or did we create it?
The presentation explores both sides of this ancient debate, from Plato's view that mathematical truths exist independently, waiting to be discovered, to the modern formalists and constructivists who argue that mathematics is a symbolic language created by human minds.
Along the way, Rev. Malan draws a compelling parallel to religion—a debate that has wrestled with the same question for centuries. Did we discover God? Or did humanity create religion?
Drawing on history, psychology, and lived experience, the talk invites us to consider whether discovery and creation need to be enemies. Perhaps we discover patterns and create languages to describe them. Perhaps mathematics and religion both involve elements of discovery and creation.
The presentation concludes with a reflection on wisdom, humility, and the importance of keeping ideas in conversation with lived reality. Whether you are interested in science, faith, or simply enjoy exploring life's biggest questions, this promises to be an engaging and thought-provoking discussion.
Vonke Meeting Room, Vonke House, 121 Lourensford Rd, Somerset West
📞 **Contact:** Rev. Roux Malan – 084 679 5466
🌐 **Website:** https://swunitarians.carrd.co
This is a free event—all are welcome!
Unlock the Healing Power Within You
The King Technique - 1-day workshop
Spiritual healing is not a rare gift for the chosen few – it’s a natural ability we all have the potential to develop.
In this inspiring and practical workshop, you’ll learn The King Technique – a simple yet powerful method of spiritual healing using natural universal energy. This technique helps to restore balance and harmony by channelling energy through the chakras into the aura – with profound benefits for the physical body and mind.
What You’ll Learn:
• A safe, easy-to-learn method of contact healing
• A technique for absent healing – sending healing energy to others from a distance
• How to enhance your intuition and psychic sensitivity
• The spiritual principles behind healing – and how you can apply them every day
• Ways to strengthen your connection to a higher source of love and energy
Whether you're completely new to healing or looking to deepen your spiritual practice, this interactive, supportive workshop is designed to empower you with tools to help others – and yourself.
You’ll also receive a FREE copy of The Magic of Healing – a beautiful, practical guide to help you get the most from the workshop and beyond.
Presented by Zascha Brésilley (Aetherius Healing Cape Town), a lifelong student of the spiritual sciences, known for her passionate and down-to-earth approach to sharing this wisdom.
Join us and make a real difference – in your life and the lives of others.
Please note: Your spot is only confirmed once you’ve booked and paid. Walk-ins on the day won’t be accepted. There are only 6 spots available, so be sure to secure yours early!
“The more you give spiritual healing, the more you will grow – the more you will be helped.” – Dr. George King, Founder of The Aetherius Society
Connections & Conversations BREAKFAST
Venue: Gate House Centre, 91 Brommersvlei Rd, Constantia
Cost: R50.00 includes a light breakfast of muffins and fruit, tea and coffee.
Date: Thursday 17 September 2026
Time: 8.30am to 10.30am
RSVP: gatehousesc@gmail.com or WhatsApp text 060 993 3771
Website link: https://capetownswing.co.za/
Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/capetownswing
WhatsApp Group Link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/D18f5nNmtSRHI4dI3lXNLV
Council Updates
Next Council meeting is scheduled for Sunday 20 September 12-2 pm. Contact Nimajanettaylor@gmail.com if you would like to attend.
Have questions or comments for Council? Please email us at community@capetownunitarians.org.