The Unitarian Fellowship of Peterborough

Pride March
UFP has taken part in the annual Pride Parade for the past several years.  For more information, on Pride Week events, please visit this website.

Welcoming Congregation
The Sexual Diversity Working Group is thrilled to announce that the Welcoming Congregation Resolution passed at the Annual General Meeting on April 20, 2008. We received the CUC acknowledgement in May at the ACM in Ottawa.  For more information contact Paula Greenwood or visit the CUC website.

Mittens and Greens for Crossroads Shelter
Each December, members of the congregation bring scarves, hats, and mittens for the women and children of the YWCA's Crossroads Shelter. Alternatively, gift food cards and cash can also be given.

 AIDS Walk for Life
Each September, members of the congregation take part in this event which starts in Millennium Park.  See photos from past years and register your own group online to easily collect pledges here.

Red Ribbon Campaign
UFP takes part in PARN's annual Red Ribbon Campaign each November. Volunteers canvass at a variety of sites throughout the four counties by offering red ribbons to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. In 2007, over $6,000 was raised by PARN.

Gleaning Project
Gleaning is the act of collecting leftover crops from farmers' fields after they have been commercially harvested or on fields where it is not economically profitable to harvest. The Peterborough Gleaning Program became a grass roots organization in 2002, when the YWCA lost funding to run it. The O’Marra farm believed strongly in the importance of the program and urged everyone to seek alternate solutions. In the late spring several Faith Communities volunteered money to pay for buses, and they volunteered themselves to help to run the program. The bus company gave the Program a discounted rate, and still does, to allow for the buses to be affordable for Sponsorship. While the program is funded by Faith Communities, there is no religious component to the program. The Faith Communities see the Program as an opportunity to help those in need. It is estimated that for every adult Gleaner on the bus, three households benefit; the Gleaner’s home, the Gleaner’s neighbour’s home, and the Gleaner’s extended family. Sometimes, after Gleaners have picked for themselves they may choose to donate to local charities by picking for various places in need such as Crossroads, Y.E.S., and the Salvation Army. This allows the Program to extend the reach of the people benefitting, and it allows for the Gleaner to give back if they so desire.

Adopt a Road
The UFP has for many years been participating in the County of Peterborough's Adopt-a-Road Program.  This involves spring and fall roadside garbage removal.  We are responsible for 3.2 km of County Road #4 starting at the corner of Parkhill and Television Road and going East.

SMALL ONGOING PROJECTS

In three small ways, members and friends of the Fellowship offer support to others, every Sunday when they enter the Fellowship:

Kawartha Food Share
By bringing non-perishable canned and packaged foods for Kawartha Food Share, which distributes food to 39 Member Agencies in the City and County of Peterborough who operate food banks, food cupboards and meal programs. Check their web site for more info.

Grandmothers Together Peterborough
By dropping coins in the penny jar on "Florence's table."* This local group is affiliated with the Stephen Lewis Foundation which provides support to African grandmothers who are raising children orphaned by the AIDS pandemic. Check the web site: www.grandmotherscampaign.org

Oxfam Canada
Also on Florence's table is a container for cancelled postage stamps (Canadian, foreign and commemorative). These are sent on to Oxfam, which raises about $10,000 a year in this project, by selling the collections to stamp collectors. The money raised supports a variety of development projects around the world. For more information, check out the web page: www.oxfam.ca/stampoutpoverty

*“FLORENCE’S TABLE” is named in memory of Florence Maynes because of her commitment to social responsibility. As a member of the Unitarian Fellowship of Peterborough from 1975 until her death in 2004, Florence believed passionately that our values must be lived out through our actions, and she often had announcements about social justice, letters and petitions for us to sign. The table named in her honour is covered with interesting information about ways members and friends can support causes that are in harmony with our religious principles.