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"Sometimes you've got to let everything go-purge yourself... If you are unhappy with anything... whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you'll find that when you're free, your true creativity, your true self comes out."
~Tina Turner
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April 24, 10:30 a.m.: "Obedience to Oppression = Climate Injustice - How we can Serve Humanity with Our Conscience" Zarna Joshi
The climate crisis is a spiritual crisis. This sermon will go deep into the roots of climate injustice and how we can evolve our spirituality as a community to serve both Humanity and Nature. We are bound together by love so let us utilize our love to break the bonds of oppression around the world.
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As a part of this special Earth Day service this Sunday we are asking for members and friends to consider bringing snacks that are vegetarian or vegan in hopes of boosting awareness of the effect our food choices have on our beautiful planet.
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May 1, 10:30 a.m.: "Everyone Deals with Change Differently; Here's How We Deal with Change" Youth Led Service Change is inevitable. Sometimes it's scary, sometimes it's unwanted, sometimes it's a breath of fresh air. Sometimes it happens gradually and sometimes it happens suddenly. We view change as an opportunity to expand our minds with new ideas, a chance to reflect on what is most important to us, and motivation to grow into our best selves.
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We are closing in our goal of $300,000 in pledges. We have met the matching fund requirement of 18 year over year pledge increases of $1,000 or more and will be able to claim the additional $18,000 for next year. We need your help to make our goal though. There are still some pledge forms outstanding. Now is the time to get those pledge forms back to your steward or turned into the office. We are so appreciative of all your pledges. It takes each of us to fund this beloved community. Thank you all!
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The Westside Summer Choir:
If you've ever thought about singing in a Westside choir for a worship service, here's your minimal time commitment opportunity to do just that. The Summer Choir is a multigenerational choir that sings for five worship services in June, July, and August. You choose which dates you want to sing: sing one time or all five, it's up to you.
Membership requirements: Singers of all ages are welcome to participate. You must have previous vocal ensemble experience and be able to carry a tune. The music will not be difficult.
Rehearsals will be the morning of each performance date in the sanctuary at 9:00am and music will be available in advance. Bert will be available most Monday evenings if you'd like help learning your part.
Dates are: June 5 (RE Sunday. We'll sing "We Will"), June 19 (Father's Day and Poetry Service), July 10, August 14 and 28.
Contact Bert at
music@wsuu.org and let him know which dates you'll be attending.
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Westside Kitchen Crew Needs You
Want to get to know others at Westside and contribute a much needed service to our beloved community? We really need several more volunteers for coffee hour setup OR cleanup. There are slots available for doing it once per month or as an alternate.
- Set up: making the coffee and setting out the snacks - time frame commitment: 9:45-10:15 with time at the end of the service and into coffee hour - 12:15 or so.
OR
- Clean up: clearing away dishes and running the dishwasher - time frame commitment: 12:15 to approximately 1:00 pm.
Clear posted directions and training for new volunteers provided -- teens who need community service are very welcome. Families who want to volunteer together also welcome - kids love to put away dishes when it is not their own home. Go figure.
J
Contact Wendy Swyt at wendyswyt@yahoo.com if you are interested.
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Westside Will Participate in
GiveBig 2016 & Our Giving Page is Live NOW!
This means you can visit our page at any time between now and midnight on May 3rd to make a one time gift or pay toward your current year or upcoming fiscal year pledge. The Seattle Foundation will stretch your gift. Last year our bump was about 8%.
Click here for complete information.
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| Opportunity to help our partner Church with a project: Our Partner Church in Torockoszentgyorgy, is raising money to expand their community hall. You can read testimonials from our Partner Church minister, Rev. Emese Finta here. If you are interested in reading more about the project or making a donation click here. |
Newcomer Orientation April 24, 12:00 in the Fireside Room. (This is a date chenge from 4/17) You've found us, you think you like what you see... what's next? Join a Westside member to learn more about Unitarian Universalism, our beloved community, and how you can get connected. RSVP to office@wsuu.org or just show up!
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The Westside Plant & Garden Sale
is coming soon
Saturday, April 30-Sunday, May 1
and WE NEED YOUR HELP
to make it a success!
Here are a few simple things you can do to help:
pick up some promotional cards to distribute to family, friends, co-workers or local West Seattle merchants.
- Contact Alice Britt (alicebritt@comcast.net or 206 323 3062) to sign up if you won't be at coffee hour.
- Create a Facebook "event" to save the date now and send a reminder just before the event.
- If you are a parent of one of our children or youth, work with Betsy on some fun activities for the kids.
The Garden Fair will be open to the general public and will be a terrific opportunity for WSUU to increase its visibility in the wider community!
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| Chamber Music Concert - Save the Date! Friday, June 10, 7 - 9 p.m. Westside's Sanctuary. This will be a delightful evening of chamber music performed by Westside UUs and friends. All proceeds will go to our community. Refreshments and celebration after the concert. |
| Rummage Sale Rescheduled! We have rescheduled our Rummage Sale from May 14-16 to July 9 & 10 due to the conflict of our initial dates with our annual meeting. Please start to set aside treasure for this important fundraiser. We will begin collecting items in late June. |
Save these Dates!
Westside Garden Sale April 30 & May 1
Westside Annual Meeting May 15
Music Ministry Concert May 22
RE Celebration Sunday June 5
Rummage Sale July 9 & 10
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After receiving 9 applications and holding a round of phone interviews, we have selected 3 strong candidates for in-person interviews. These interviews are scheduled the weekends of April 24 and May 1. We're delighted that we have such a strong pool and look forward to getting to know them better. We still need children, K-6 grade, to participate in the Chalice Chapels the candidates will be invited to present. We'd also like to invite youth to join us in observation. Please contact us if anyone in your family will be available for this important piece of the process. Thank you for your continued input and support. As always, we welcome your questions and feedback:
dresearch@wsuu.org
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Thank you!
Amy Hance-Brancati & Vanessa Shaughnessy, Co-Chairs of DRE Search Team
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New Resources for Our Environmental Justice News at Westside
There is so much happening with our very active Environmental Justice Group that it is dif
ficult to include it all in eNews.
Please take advantage of the
se new tools to keep informed and share ideas...
- Click here to view the Environmental Justice Calendar of Events
The Environmental Justice Committee meets monthly on the Third Sunday at Noon in the Sanctuary. If you have questions or are interested in joining our mailing list please send an email to Anne Miller:
climate.wsuu@gmail.com
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Hosting Mary's Place families at Peace Lutheran:
Mark your calendars! We will be providing dinners, spending time in the evenings, and staying overnight (in our own host room) with 4 or 5 families at Mary's Place Rotating Night Shelter at Peace Lutheran Church (39th Ave. SW & SW Thistle) from Tuesday evening, April 26th through Tuesday morning, May 3rd. This will be our fifth hosting stint for Mary's Place shelter for women and children at Peace Lutheran. Look for the signup table in the social hall after service this Sunday, and start thinking about how you can help us in this joyful effort. Questions? Contact Regina Brennan at:
rmbrennan@comcast.net
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For information about Recipients of our Sunday Morning Plate Collection click here.
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Religious Exploration for Children and Youth
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Do you want to know what's happening in our vibrant RE programs? Click
here
to read about RE Program News and Events (
www.wsuu.org/re_news
)
If you are a parent, teacher, RE volunteer, or would just like to be included in the weekly RE news that is emailed on Fridays, please contact our Director of Religious Exploration, Betsy Lowry (
dre@wsuu.org).
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Common Quest - Adult Education Classes
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Spring Common Quest Catalog
We are excited to announce the the spring offerings for our adult education program, Common Quest are now available for your viewing.
Click here to view the catalog. RSVPs for all classes can be emailed or phoned to Theresa McCormick:
theresamcco@comcast.net, 206.932.3886
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Book Discussion Group: This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate by Naomi Klein
Sunday, May 1, in the Fireside Room
This group, led by John Fawcett-Long will discuss approximately two chapters per session. Paperback copies available for purchase from WSUU Environmental Justice Group. Full details in Common Quest Brochure |
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Inter-generational
Art Class: Thursdays April 14 through May 19, 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. in the social hall. This Art Class brings together 4 & 5 year olds and seniors to engage in learning the fundamentals of art while building relationships with each other. Read more in the Common Quest Brochure linked above. All materials included. Teachers: Bridget Daly, artist and educator and Betsy Lowry, Westside DRE
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Embodied Spirituality: Focusing and the Mind-Body-Spirit Connection: Sat. April 23, 10:00 a.m. - noon Social Hall Would you like to learn about a research-based practice that helps people connect deeply to themselves through a gentle inner listening process? Focusing is an embodied approach to personal and spiritual growth that allows us to find and work with our most stuck places so that they unwind and bring positive change. A long-time Focuser and meditator, Jeffrey will offer both information about Focusing and many experiential exercises so you can begin to experience the essence of change that can be found through Focusing. Led by Jeffrey Morrison, MA a local psychotherapist
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Journey to Israel and Jordan: Sunday, May 29 12:30- 2:00 Fireside Room Ginger Brewer says, "My trip to Israel and Jordan last October was quite an experience and I'm going to share some of these experiences with you. Many of us were told Bible stories in our Sunday school days and there are references in song and sayings we hear every day. How does all this fit in with the places in Israel and Jordan that I walked and climbed? I am working on putting these parts and pieces together with the help of The Bible is History, a very detailed history book that is quite interesting."
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Joys Sorrows and Gratitude
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| Thank you to all the wonderful folks who came to help with our Spring Clean last weekend. The building looks fantastic!! Our wonderful workers include: Peggy Abby, Steve Burrows, Karin Cumming, Gail Engebretson, Marie Kaz, Lisa Reitzes, Kristin Grace, Claire and Grace Bucklew, Jim and Lynne Schlough. |
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Our healing thoughts are with Margaret Smith who is 30 weeks pregnant and hospitalized with pneumonia at Swedish First Hill. Margaret has undergone many tests and other than the pneumonia, mother and child are healthy. Ed Smith asks for thoughts and prayers for his family in this time.
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We are saddened to learn of the passing of Richard Duncan, one of the earliest members of Westside. Richard was a retired professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Washington---a fierce environmentalist, and a passionate world traveler and explorer. He leaves behind three daughters. Our thoughts are with them. Richard was 84.
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Leon Hopper, East Shore Minister Emeritus and founder of the Partner Church Ministry, has entered hospice care. He would welcome and enjoy your cards and letters. His address is Horizon House SL224 900 University St., Seattle, WA 98101
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Albert Lorenzana has been admitted to Bellevue's Eating Recovery Center
and will be there for at least the month of April. He welcomes encouragement through notes & cards, or visitation. Contact his mother, Roseanne Lorenzana, for address and information.
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Do You Have a Joy or Sorrow to Share?
You are invited to share personal joys or sorrows with our Congregational community. How? Simply write your joy or sorrow in the Book of Joys and Sorrows located in the foyer of the Sanctuary. You may do so any day of the week up until the service begins on Sunday morning. Or you may email your joy or sorrow to Rev. Beatrice or Rev. Mark at any time. Rev. Beatrice or the Service Leader for the morning will include your joy or sorrow--or both--in the morning's pastoral prayer or meditation. Let us stay connected in this way at this time.
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Congregational Concerns Committee is here for you: Need help with questions, concerns or conflict? Try the Congregational Concerns Committee. We can be a resource for you. This group is guided by our Covenant of Right Relations and is here to serve our members and friends. Email: ccc@wsuu.org
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| Need some help navigating our growing congregation? here are some available resources: |
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Did you know you can give to the Sunday Morning collection just by sending a text?
It's true! No longer will you be foiled by your lack of cash. Take a few minutes to register your contact
and payment information and then it's as easy and sending a quick text.
Full Instructions here.
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Family Circle Suppers: are taking a hiatus and will be held periodically. Watch the RE News and eNews for updates.
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May Circle Supper - Sat. May 14
May needs a host. There are 6 people who are interested in being guests. I will be away in May and I am trying to get this circle supper organized in the next two weeks. Please contact me at
jmwhitley@comcast.net or
WSUU.circle.suppers@gmail.com if you'd can host. Also, more guests are welcome for May and June. Don't be shy about with hosting or guesting!!
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Covenant Groups: Are you looking for a way to get to know more people in our congregation?
If so, Covenant Groups might be right for you!
Each week
we reflect on different topics that help us to examine our own attitudes, feelings,
and beliefs. Topics cover a wide range, including UU Principles, moral choice,
friendship, mentors, and life's challenges.
We always have room for one more, and you may join anytime. For
more information, contact Steve Becker at 795.7386 or at
stevebecker7@comcast.net
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The Spiritual Study Group: 3rd Monday of every month, at 7 PM in the social hall. The tiny gem of a book,
Peace is Every Step by beloved Thich Hhat Hanh that we will be reading for our May and June meetings, is available free online! Check back here next week or call for details. We approach our books with genuineness, practicality and sometimes downright goofiness. At our May 16th we will discuss part 2, which is only about 50 pages. All are welcome & we sincerely hope that you will join us. For information contact Cynthia Townsend at 206-261-5141 or
cynthiastownsend@gmail.com
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Westside Women's Group meets Saturday April 23, at 10 a.m. at Peggy Abby's home. We'll meet again Thursday, May 12, at 7 pm in the Fireside Room. Contact Amy Youngblood at
gowestyoungblood@gmail.com for more information and to get on the mailing list.
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Men's Group:
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior: 2nd and 4th Tuesday nights,
7 - 9 p.m. Westside Social Hall.
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior. Join the Men's Group for an evening of grounding, which starts with a short meditation. "We check in by describing our time since we last met. Then we share stories: we tell about experiences with facing success and difficulty; stories of new starts, work, travel, health-care, and creative expression. These are the beginnings of personal histories. They are the age-old tradition around the campfire."
Contact Richard Clark:
richard@secondroot.org
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Theresa McCormick, Ed.D., member of Westside UU Congregation is the guest speaker at Saltwater UU Congregation on Sunday April 24. Her topic is "Our Shared and Unique Stories--Growing Up and Out of Fundamentalism." She will share the story of her struggle to leave behind her Christian fundamentalist background and carve out a new spiritual identity and life for herself as an educator, artist, and writer. She will talk about the importance and benefits of preserving our heritage through writing and sharing our unique personal stories. She'll also invite the audience to reflect on the stories we share in common and how they can strengthen our sense of community and belonging.
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Looking for housemates? Amy Youngblood and her husband Mike West will be scouring for a place to call home starting in May. Ideally we'd welcome the chance to share a house, since our possessions are minimal now. We can offer pleasant and respectful company, a dedication to keeping common areas clean, a Guy Who Fixes Things, and two well-behaved goofball cats. Contact Amy:
gowestyoungblood@gmail.com
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| Emma's Revolution in Concert: Sat. April 23 @ 7:30 PM at Northlake UU Church (308 4th Ave S, Kirkland) Tickets $18 advance/$22 door. Tickets available here. |
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