"One has to be a light to oneself; this light is the law. There is no other law ... To be a light to oneself is not to follow the light of another, however reasonable, logical, historical, and however convincing." 

~J. Krishnamurti 

When we open ourselves, when we dive in and find ourselves able to love fully, we can't help but to be transformed. As I've been preparing to leave this role as your Director of Religious Exploration (DRE), my reflections have brought up a fountain of gifts that have come from this experience, including some gifts of the spirit that don't always appear right away as gifts. I look forward to sharing three gems from the Westside Unitarian Universalist community that have transformed me while serving as your DRE.

People with a lived experience of mental illness and addiction, along with their families and friends, often struggle with bias, ignorance, misunderstanding, exclusion and a lack of support and funding for even the most basic of services. As one in five or six people struggle with mental illness or addiction issues, this situation impacts nearly every family in our communities. Rev. Barbara will reflect on her ministry with those who struggle and how our congregations could consider an alternative response to the mentally ill and the addicted with compassionate presence at the foundation.

 

As president of Westside UU, I am honored to be working with your new, awesome Board of Trustees -- Jill Jackson, Allan Lang, Sue Holly, Judi Finney, Michael Franzen, and Jean Mendel.  Jill and I are slated for confirmation as vice-president and president at a congregational meeting immediately following the August 14th service.

 

It's an exciting time to be on the Board as we have a lot of positive things happening. The settled minister search team is in full swing and is meeting weekly. Paula vanHaagen is the chair of the search team and they will be communicating their progress to the congregation as the search progresses.

Pastoral Care During Chaplain Mark's Absence : Mark will be away until June 30. If pastoral care is needed, please contact Westside's Pastoral Associates at pastoralteam@wsuu.org. Marie, John or Fred will assist you.

Approval of This Year's President and Vice-President on August 14:   Many thanks to the 2016 Nominating Committee for going into overtime to find a president this year.  As a result of their hard work, the Nominating Committee recommended that the Board fill the position of President with Tracy Burrows and the position of Vice-President with Jill Jackson. The Board voted to accept the Nominating Committee's recommendations. Consistent with the WSUU By-Laws, the Board's action to fill these vacancies is subject to a vote of approval at a Congregational meeting of the Congregation. This meeting will be held on Sunday, August 14th immediately following the Sunday Service.

O.W.L. (Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education Program) Goes to Dumaguete, Philippines (from the UUPartner Church Council Spring 2016 Newsletter) ...Some of you may know we will be taking Facilitator Training for Our Whole Lives (OWL)  to Dumaguete in May.  We will be training approximately 20 people, including UUCP staff, as OWL facilitators, and then will assist as they facilitate the OWL Program to 60 youth from several different language groups in the Philippines.  WOW!!!  Rev. Jory Apate translated the program.

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. More info. here.   Contact Bert at music@wsuu.org and let him know which dates you'll be attending.

Westside's Pastoral Associates:   Westside has continued to grow in a variety of ways over the past several years. With that growth comes a need for increased attention to the pastoral needs of our members. To help address those needs three of our members have completed training as Pastoral Associates and are now available to serve our members and friends,along with our Chaplain, Mark Newton. They are: John Britt,  Marie Hoover, and Fred Matthews.

 

John, Marie, and Fred will offer compassionate caring and confidential support to Westside's members and friends by listening, accepting, and being fully present to those they serve. They will wear name tags on Sunday mornings with the designation "Pastoral Associate."

 

Requests for pastoral support may be made by email at pastoralteam@wsuu.org  or directly with an Associate on Sunday mornings.

 

John, Marie, and Fred bring much talent and experience to this new role. We are fortunate to have them offer this important ministry to Westside's members and friends.

 

In Community, Mark Newton, Chaplain

Partner Church Ministry Team: Meetings are 1st Sunday of the month, 12:15-1:15, Westside north classroom, lower level.  We build and maintain cross culture friendships through on-going communication with our Unitarian Partner Congregation in Transylvania.  We are doing this through Pilgrimages/exchanges, emails, cell phone & skype calls, and now pen pal letters with interested kids.  We welcome all who are interested in knowing more. Visit our Partner Church table during social hour the 2nd & 3rd Sundays or pop in on our meetings.   www.UUPCC.org  for the international partner program.  For Westside - jcslatkin@comcast.net

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 .

The Spiritual Study Group:  We break for the summer & will take July & August off. But never fear, we'll start up  again in September!  Attention people who have Monday night conflicts, (including our choir): we've changed our meeting night!  In September we'll start meeting on Thursdays evenings. Stay tuned for more! For information contact Cynthia Townsend at  206-261-5141 or  cynthiastownsend@gmail.com

UU Music Director from Cedar Falls, Iowa seeking a place to stay in Seattle on July 12 & 13.  If you can help please email Jessica at forte.lieb@gmail.com