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"Education is the most powerful weapon
which you can use to change the world"
~Nelson Mandela
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September 18, 10:30 a.m.: "Reclaiming Community in the Age of Me" Annual In-gathering Service Rev. Alex Holt This morning we will officially begin our new church year with water celebration and a baby blessing. We will also consider how important community can be in the American mythos of individualism gone wild.
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Water Ceremony- Ingathering Sunday, September 18
Our annual Water Ceremony is a time when all are welcome to bring a small amount of water to the service. This water can be collected from a body of water from a recent trip, a favorite local stream, your tap - all welcome! The annual water blessing is a meditation on the power of renewal and community. It will be done in silence while reflective music is played in the background.
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September 25, 10:30 a.m.:
"Transcending Mystery and Wonder in an IT World"
Rev. Alex Holt Today we will consider the First Source of our Living Tradition. How can the rise of the IT (Information Technology) Age still bring mystery and wonder beyond the technology and cat videos?
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Minister's Musings Among the Mountains
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Greetings, everyone, as we move into autumn in the Pacific Northwest. It's a beautiful time of year.
Here are two more questions posed at the "Stump the Minister" service a few weeks ago. I will continue to respond to all the questions I got that Sunday plus any others that came in later.
Question 1: "What advice (beyond growing membership) do you have for ensuring financial sustainability of our church?"
That's an excellent question in generally asked in all religious communities including Buddhist ones. To me it's a matter of vision. People generally will not give money to balance the budget; they will give money for a building project but not to take the recycling and trash out. They will give money for a beautiful space, a home they can call their own and is always there in times of joy and sorrow. They will give for a vision of the future when the next generations can build on the foundations we lay out by our giving. read more... |
WSUU Minister Search Team Online Survey is OPEN!
Have YOU taken the Survey?
We're writing now to announce the launch of our first information gathering effort to prepare for the Calling of our new Minister. We are inviting your feedback by participating in our WSUU Online Survey. You will find a link directly below this message that will take you to the website hosting our Survey. Your answers will be confidential, and your survey will be entirely anonymous. Only aggregate information will be collected. The Survey is easy and fast--only a few minutes, and you're done!
There will be more information available at Coffee Hour after Service this Sunday, and those who wish to can take the Survey at our special Survey Kiosk, right in the back of the Social Hall! We will also have paper copies available for those who favor this method. Weigh-in with your ideas, visions, and hopes for Westside as we embark on this next chapter in our community journey! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to any member of the Minister Search Team.
ministersearchteam@wsuu.org
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News from the Transition Team
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Interim Ministry 1.0 - In case you missed it in and earlier issue of eNews, here is a second chance to read about the WSUU Transition Team.
The process of interim ministry has been going on in the Unitarian Universalist tradition for about 25 years. From its early days, it has evolved significantly in terms of how it is done and the training of the men and women who do it as a specialized form of ministry.
Read more.
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Get Involved!
The effort to assist Dominique Davis' 180 Program is getting off the ground. We have a group of members who have expressed interest in helping and have room for as many more are interested. Please stop by our table on Sunday after the service or let Alan Mendel (ammendel@comcast.net) know you want to help. Dominique is planning a meeting in October with all King County churches who want to participate to work out details. In the meantime we need to complete background checks and receive some training. Details will be provided as they are received.
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Path to Membership Series Announced!
Interested in joining Westside?
Come to this series for newcomers and non-members.
1. Getting to Know UU - Sunday Oct. 2 Noon-2 Fireside Room - newcomers are invited to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and make a personal connection with Rev. Alex Holt, our interim minister, and others in the WSUU community.
2. Candlelight and Conversation - Friday Oct. 14 7-9 p.m. Home on Viv and John Monahan.
Join us for this special evening where we will get to know each other better and share our personal spiritual journeys. Discussion guided by Rev. Alex Holt, our interim minister.
3. How WSUU Works (and Plays) - Sunday Oct. 23 Noon - 2 Fireside Room
Meet Westside UU leaders, discuss the "nuts & bolts" of our thriving community, connect to personal interests, and complete your pledge.
RSVP not required for classes 1 & 3. Childcare an option, please inquire 3 days in advance. Other questions: Laura White Membership Chair,
laurahwhite@comcast.net or text 206.999.7810
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"Intimacy & Ultimacy"
Covenant Groups are Starting in October
Sign-ups are underway!
Covenant Groups are a vital component of our Congregation - offering a path of deep connection (Intimacy) through the diversity each of us brings to Westside; as well as offering a path of Ultimacy - a search for meaning in our lives.
Covenant Groups consist of 8-10 people, sitting together twice a month to explore a topic of discussion such as "Living Simply," "Imagination," or "Poetry." We will be meeting the second and fourth weeks of the month. Tentative meeting days and times: Monday morning, 10-11:30; Tuesday evening, 7-8:30; Wednesday morning, 10-11:30; and Wednesday evening, 7-8:30.
If you can make the commitment of deep, respectful listening and sharing twice a month, sign up for a group by visiting the table in the social hall after Sunday service or emailing Patti McCall at
pattimccall@seanet.com
.
*If you've been a member of a Covenant Group at Westside and might be interested in facilitating a group, please contact Patti at the email address above.
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Digital Photos Needed from WSUU Services and Events: If you have good-quality digital photos from more recent (last 2 years) services, church events and church-related service events that could be used on the website, we'd love to see them. We are in the early stages of redesigning the WSUU website to make it easier to update. Our new website design has more space for images and so the request. Again, these need to be somewhat recent digital photos of members, friends of WSUU, etc. at service or a WSUU-related event. They can be emailed directly to Nikki Roberg, Marketing & Communications Chair (
nikkiroberg@gmail.com). Thank you for your help in making the new website great! More to come on the website redesign project in the near future.
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Extra-Marital Repairs - a summary of Building Committee Activities
Soph Davenberry, Building Committee Chair
Greetings to all! I am three months into my reluctant role as Chair of the Building Committee, and I am extremely grateful to those who have Chaired before me, and especially to Shannon Day and Cliff Houlihan who are usually the first responders for any building issues which occur.
Activities over the last three months have included:
- Emergency boarding of a broken window in the Nathex by John Monahan, until repaired by professionals
- Ongoing assessment and repair of handrails in the stairwells, with labor by John Monahan and materials donated by Rose Sheppard, and insight by Charlie Wilson ....read more
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Help us plan & gather materials now
for our spring Plant & Garden Art Fair!
Donate items you no longer need:
- plastic nursery pots
- one gallon milk or water jugs
- large & medium size patio planters
- functional garden tools & accessories (clippers, trowels, bird feeders & baths, etc.)
- commercial size food cans
- 4x4 wooden post sections (untreated, any length)
- books about gardening, plants, herbs, or succulents
- children's rain boots
- 3-5" smooth, flat river rocks
- paint sticks (stirrers)
- metal or enamel colanders with legs
- old drawer pulls/handles
- fancy food tins (used for tea, olive oil, etc.)
Pot up plants from your yard!
Fall is a great time to take soft-wood cuttings and to dig up/divide your plants (bulbs, tubers). Need pots, potting soil, plant labels or help digging? Contact Rose at
rose.sheppard@comcast.net
or 206 240 9305.
Join us in preparing garden-related items to sell at the fair.
For the 2017 fair, we will be creating:
- indoor and outdoor herb gardens
- indoor and outdoor succulent gardens
- living salad bowls
- painted containers for flowers and plants
- plant markers and more . . .
Join the fun at one of our work parties or join our planning team?
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WSUU Moving to All Gender Bathrooms: WSUU's single stall bathrooms have long been all-gender. When someone recently pointed out that the men's room in the social hall is not accessible to disabled persons, it raised the question as to why we have gendered bathrooms in the social hall. A little further investigation revealed that the preschool at WSUU already treats the social hall bathrooms as all gender.
So, in the interest of providing safe, accessible, and comfortable bathrooms for everyone, the social hall bathrooms are going to be designated for all genders. Both bathrooms will be signed with a simple toilet icon. The current men's room will also have a urinal icon sign to alert users prior to entering that urinals may be in use in this room.
For more information about how groovy and safe all gender bathrooms are, check out this Stranger article on the
Optimist's all gender bathroom on Capitol Hill.
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Would you like to join the UU Greeters Team? You will help welcome people at the doors, hand out programs and help new visitors. It's good fun and a great way for new members to meet people. If you're interested, talk to Greeter Committee Chair, David Cycleback, or email him at
drudd@earthlink.net
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Partner Church Holiday mailing
- Calendars, note pads, even shopping bags are coming in my mail. If you are getting these too and want to donate them to our Partner Church Holiday mailing, bring them to our Partner Church table in the social hall on Sunday. We regularly set it up the 2nd & 3rd Sunday. Thanks from the TSGMT (Torockoszentgyorgy Ministry Team)
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Ingathering BBQ September 17 5-8 PM
Everyone is invited to join together for the annual Ingathering BBQ. Bring a side dish or dessert to share, and something for the grill.
We'll provide the condiments, plates, napkins and silverware. Low cost drinks will be available including beer, wine, sodas and water.
Come with your family, friends and neighbors and get ready for another fantastic parking lot cookout with the best views in town. There will be live music, activities for kids, a fire pit and a cooking competition (details to come). Please feel free to bring guitars, ukes and drums to gather and play music around the fire later in the evening.
The 2016 Great WSUU Bake Off - Traybakes
This year we are shaking things up at the Ingathering BBQ and our dessert contest will feature traybakes!
What is a traybake you ask? Squares, bars, slices - a desert made in a shallow pan and cut into single servings. Examples would be lemon squares, cheesecake bars, brownies, or nanaimo bars. These desserts are great for sharing!
Everyone is welcome to enter their traybake in the bake off contest. The categories for entry are: Chocolate; Fruit; and gluten free. The traybakes will be judged on taste and looks. Prizes will be given for the best entry in each category.
Need inspiration? Google "traybakes" or look on Pinterest for "tray bakes".
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Participate in Start-Up Saturday, September 24th
The whole congregation is invited to participate in Start-Up Saturday on September 24th from 9am - noon in the Social Hall. Rev. Judy Zimmerman will be working with us to:
1) Establish a reasonable (and short) list of priorities for the year of ministry ahead
2) Develop a clear and shared understanding about the roles and responsibilities of the minister, congregation, and staff
3) Give Rev. Alex insight into the values and culture of the congregation: and,
4) Begin to develop a productive and deep working relationship
After the morning session, the Board, Transition Team, and Committee chairs will take the afternoon to develop a more refined work plan for the year. Please come for the morning session and contribute to shaping our congregational year.
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Young Adult Con: There will be a young adult (ages 19 - 35) con on October 28-30 at Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Tacoma. Information can be found here:
https://sites.google.com/site/pnwuuya/
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Plans for the Music Ministry Retreat, October 7 - 9 at Camp Burton on Vashon Island are coming along well.
Exciting news: members of the Vashon Island Unitarian Fellowship will be joining us so it will be a great opportunity to get to know our neighbors.
The retreat is open to all Westside members whether or not you are currently in one of the performing ensembles or a soloist. We're working to create opportunities for everyone so all are welcome (sing-a-longs, voice classes, drum circles, singing around the campfire, and more).
Next week: more information on workshop offerings.
Contact Bert Gulhaugen at
music@wsuu.org for more information and to register.
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Save these Dates!
Ingathering BBQ Saturday: Sept 17, 5:00 - 8:00 PM Parking Lot and Social Hall
Ingathering Sunday: September 18
Start Up Workshop: September 24
Beyond Categorical Thinking Workshop: November 5
Holiday Art and Craft Sale: December 10
Annual Auction: February 4
Seabeck Family Retreat: May 5-7
Garden and Art Fair: May 6 & 7
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Environmental Justice Group Meeting - September 25; Sanctuary; 12:15 - 1:15
The Environmental Justice meeting has been postponed until September 25th. Please note that we will be meeting in the Social Hall at noon then will move to the Sanctuary at 12:15. Please join us.
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Over 25 faith communities have come together to plan the Faith and Climate Action Conference on Sat Oct 8th. Registration is now live at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2589332. There will be 21 workshops with topics that range from the science of climate change, to the principles of spiritual activism, to talking to kids about global warming. Please join us. Click here for full details.
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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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For information about Recipients of our Sunday Morning Plate Collection click here.
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Common Quest - Adult Religious Exploration
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Our Fall 2016 Common Quest Catalog Has Arrived!
Click the link below to see the complete brochure of adult religious education offerings.
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How to Negotiate for What You Want in a Relationship: Wed. Sept 21, 7-9 p.m. in the Library. This workshop will include: 1. Getting clear on what is important in your relationships, 2. Making agreements about dealing with frustration, 3. Practicing how to handle difficult conversations, 4. Deciding on whether to give in or not, and 5. Connecting with feelings and needs. Facilitated by Moreah Vestan, WSUU member.
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Civil Rights History - Illustrated Talk and Discussion with Steve Graves: Sunday, Oct. 16, 1:00-3:00 in Westside's Social Hall The leader of this session will discuss three areas and types of Civil Rights effort in the 1960s: 1. CORE's voter registration in Louisiana, 2. Selma to Montgomery 54-mile march for Voting Rights bill, and 3. Chicago marches for open housing. He will share his experiences, show pictures from that time, and lead a discussion.
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Religious Exploration for Children and Youth
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Will Haggerty is New RE Program Assistant!
We are delighted to announce that Will Haggerty, who some of you know from his having filled this position in the past, is returning to WSUU as our RE Program Assistant on Sundays! Will is a seasoned RE Program Assistant so we are truly blessed to have him with us!
RE Program Dates!
- RE Program Registration packets due for each child/youth (email dre@wsuu if you did not receive a packet).
- Ingathering - BBQ, Saturday, September 17, 5:00 pm!
- RE Program Begins - Sunday, September 18!
Books for 2-3 Year Olds
Have you books you no longer read for very young children? We'd love them for our Story Time class! Please drop by good condition books for 2-3 year olds in the office for Cynthia. Thank you!
Have questions about RE?
Please contact Cynthia Westby, Director of Religious Exploration if you want to meet her, ask her questions or discuss the RE Program. The RE Council and Cynthia will be scheduling "meet and greet" opportunities in October and November in the Social Hall after service. Watch for more information about those dates here.
Interested in teaching in the RE Program?
Please let Cynthia Westby, Director of Religious Exploration know if you want to be in the pool of Westside's RE teachers at dre@wsuu.org! Each class has teams of 4 teachers or more and your rotation into the teaching schedule could be as little as once a month!
Youth Fall Con: October 21st -23rd
at Cispus Learning Center in Randle, WA.
Youth Advisor Training Coming: December 3rd
(in or near Portland, OR). Mark your calendars. More on this soon!
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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, Cynthia Westby
dre@wsuu.org).
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Joys Sorrows and Gratitude
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Marion Kee's father-in-law is home from 2 weeks in the hospital in Indiana and is doing well. She is grateful for your thoughts!
Paula Franzen shares the joy that she is starting a new job at Highland Park Elementary in Seattle Public Schools. She'd previously taught in the Highline district for 7 1/2 years and welcomes this new opportunity!
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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.
Requests for pastoral support may be made by email at
pastoralteam@wsuu.org
or directly with an Associate on Sunday mornings.
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| Need some help navigating our growing congregation? here are some available resources: |
WSUU Women:
Mark the exception !
As not to conflict with the church Start Up Workshop the next Saturday meeting is rescheduled to October 1st at 10am.
The next Thursday meeting will be on October 13 at 7pm in the Fireside Room. Watch out for more details to follow.
For more information on the Women's Group and to get on the mailing list, please email Peggy Abby at peggyabby@me.com.
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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
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The Spiritual Study Group meets the 4th Thursday of the month, from 7:00-9:00 PM in the Westside Social Hall, from September to May. Our 1st meeting, for this year, is Thursday September 22th, you don't need to sign up, just come, everyone is welcome! For our September meeting, we will be reading chapters 1 and 2, of a groundbreaking book, much beloved by both hippies & beatniks: The Book- On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are by Alan Watts. It is inexpensive on the web & is free with a link. We focus on in-depth discussion, with a particular focus on the relevance to our lives. We are genuine and relaxed and often have a bit of fun. We hope you will join us and share your spiritual adventures! For information contact Cynthia Townsend at 206-261-5141 or cynthiastownsend@gmail.com
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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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U of Oregon Student researching LGBTQ and Environmentalism is looking for interested individuals to take the survey that can be found at this link. https://oregon.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_cSV8eHguBgzfXU1
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Don't Miss Our Own Ivy Ficarra in Hi-liner's Performance of Oliver this September: Highline Performing Arts Center, Sept 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, & 25. Tickets and Information:
www.hi-liners.org
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