What’s all this, then?

From Liz:

In the fall of 2019, Rev Fulgence approached me to ask my support in raising the money needed to bring a group of six refugees to Canada, under the private sponsorship program. I have personally supported Fulgence’s work for years—when he was a Minister at the UU Church of Bujumbura in Burundi, when he was in prison for his work supporting UU values, and when he made it to Canada as a refugee. Now, Fulgence is working to support the others in his congregation and community who had to flee, and to bring them safely to Canada to join him.

That fall, the UU Hysterical Society sprang into action. Using our trademark goofy wit, we created a set of printables and some products to sell, and some infrastructure to collect donations. That winter, we raised over 16,000. We raised enough for half of the group—although we needed to wait to raise the rest of the funds to file the paperwork for everyone at once. Fulgence has since then been working tirelessly to secure additional funds from a variety of sources, and we are now within 5000 of our goal (although we would also like to raise additional funds beyond that for Covid support).

I remember, last Christmas, taking shipment after shipment to the post office, and at one point being asked by the attendant “So, uh, what is a UU Hysterical Society?”.

Normally, when I am asked that question, I look away and mutter something like “I run a humour group that makes fun of it’s own religion” which isn’t very accurate but generally ends the conversation. This time, I held my head high, and answered “we are a humour based community that raises funds for refugees”. Mirth and DIGNITY, goes the saying… And there is nothing that brings more dignity than a chance to build a life for yourself somewhere safe.

It is hard out there, and there’s so much that we can’t solve. But we are so close to this goal. We are so close to having the funds to file the papers that will change the lives of that group of six people forever. I hope you can be a part of it.

You can read more of Rev Fulgence’s story here and here, and listen to a special episode of the Cracked Cup Podcast, talking about the project here.

With every donation in support of Flaming Chalice International’s Refugee Fund, you’ll receive THESE AMAZING PRINTABLES!