From August 30 through September 20 WUUC’s lobby gallery will feature the work of Jacob Johns, a Hopi and Akimel O’odham environmental defender and artist who advocates for social justice, minority rights and environmental protection.
Jacob will be our special invited speaker at the worship service on August 30. After the service, he will lead a discussion of his art.
Jacob Johns is a multidisciplinary artist whose work serves as both a personal lifeline and a collective offering. Rooted in ancestral memory and forged through lived experience, Jacob channels the internalized stress of navigating a fractured world into the painful but necessary process of humanity’s reunification. Through painting, immersive installations, and experimental video, Jacob transforms the complexities of modern Indigenous identity into vibrant works that act as conduits for healing—both individual and communal.
Jacob’s creative force is inseparable from a life dedicated to advancing international climate policy and cultivating a world rooted in justice, health, and possibility. This global advocacy continues to shape a visual language infused with urgency, ceremony, and resilience. In 2023, while defending a peaceful gathering in New Mexico, Jacob was shot—an act of violence that became a defining moment. Rather than retreat, Jacob transformed the wound into deeper purpose, using art to heal, to expose, and to invite the world into sacred narrative space—where story, spirit, and form converge to help us all relax into the healthy, livable future we deserve.
We’ve been welcoming new members to our church community. The June, July and August newsletters will feature bios from our new members so our community can read and welcome these wonderful people to WUUC.
This newsletter will feature bios from Ryn and Drew Romanyk (and Alina), Rae Shepherd, and Annette and Dale Lowey. The June Newsletter featured bios from Alexis Green, Carol Zumbrunnen and Dave Tauscheck, Andy Rosen and Elizabeth Gray. The July Newsletter featured bios from Mark Rainey, Karen and John Somerville, and Becka Cormier. If you don’t want to have to look back for past editions you can see every bio in this linked document.
Ryn and Drew Romanyk (And Alina) Ryn and Drew met while attending the University of Texas at Austin. Drew grew up in Texas and has known since middle school that he wanted to become a software engineer. Ryn grew up as an Air Force brat and eventually moved to Texas after her father retired. They moved to Washington for Drew’s job at Microsoft, were married in 2022, and welcomed their daughter, Alina, last year. These days, Ryn is a stay-at-home mom who enjoys baking sourdough and sewing, especially baby clothes. Drew works at Databricks and enjoys gaming with friends and taking nature walks.
Rae Shepherd Rae is originally from Iowa and came to Washington via central California and the Bay Area. She and her husband, Dave, live in Monroe. 3 of their 5 children live in the area and have frequent get togethers. She grew up in a small town and in the Catholic church where she loved the sense of community. Rae was drawn to WUUC because she enjoys the sense of community and the many programs to get involved with such as the social justice group, book club and the women’s retreat. Since she is freshly retired, she is looking forward to becoming more engaged in the hiking group and art outings and discovering more about the world around her with the people she meets.
Annette and Dale Lowey Dale and Annette Lowey met in 2001, married and recently returned to Everett to be closer with friends and family (full time grandpa needed) after 11 years in British Columbia Canada. Dale was born in Ontario, Catholic and has 3 grown kids in Canada. Got Bachelors degree in accounting and currently works Full time as an accountant over 20 years. Loves hockey, race cars, and all sports, lego puzzles, dogs, baseball coaching, golf and spending time with Canadian brothers. Enjoys cooking and grilling, and mostly playing with grandkids. Likes to have meals with friends, trying new recipes and cribbage. Builds furniture. Looks for inclusion and same thinking connections with others. Annette is from Louisiana (moved 1988) where she grew up in a variety of religious experiences. Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, evangelical Christian, pentecostal. None fit the space. Finally found like minded people at Unitarian church in Shreveport where peaceful wanderings, discoveries and family dynamics became clear. Ended up in Seattle. Associates and Bachelor’s degree in nursing, MBA in Healthcare management. Two marriages and single parenting learned, met and married Dale and spent 11 years in Everett area. Moved to British columbia 2014 for Dale job change. With a need for connection she retired to focus on life. Now off 3 years from maternity nurse, RN UR and case manager (30 yrs). Many interests currently most important 2 grandkids and 2 grown boys with family nearby and friends. Have lots of family time now with oodles of play time, talks, sports and kissing hugs. Walking, Meditation, Reiki certification, reading, mental health work and moving forward in life.
The Advocates for Social Justice (ASJ) welcomes your input on who should receive funds from our special collections this year. Please go to this survey for details about ASJ Special Collections and to VOTE FOR YOUR TOP 10 organizations nominated for special collections April 2026 – March 2027.
Survey closes on Sunday, March 15, so why not do it right now?!
Complete your out of area contact card (OACC) and distribute copies to each family member . Put copies in your vehicle/or Go-Bags (more on this later). Your out of area contact should be more that 100 miles form here and capable of doing text.
Post emergency phone numbers in a visible location.
Teach your children how and when to call 911.
Prepare for Fire: Check your insurance coverage and exclusion limits. Make a photo and written inventory. Store off site. House fire: create an evacuation plan and meet-up area (see OACC above) Wild Fire: Look at how you will evacuate. Identify a family/friend who can provide shelter.
Prepare for Severe weather: Start a stock pile of emergency supplies (more on this later.) Make a plan of where you can go if there is prolonged power loss.
Learn your community Warning Signals King County and Snohomish County have alert systems. Add them to your phone.
Find out about Disaster plans at your workplace, your children’s school or childcare center, and other places your family visits regularly
In coming months we will address the following: Water, Grab and Go Kits, Important documents, and Get 2 Weeks Ready. For more information look at the following links:
We are launching a 12 month program to help WUUC members become prepared for emergencies. In January we will focus on Communications. The first step is to identify an
Out of Area Contact
As a family, choose a friend or relative who lives outside of the Pacific Northwest and ask them to be your out-of-area contact. In a disaster, you may be unable to make phone calls due to service outages or overwhelmed cell towers. Instead of trying to call, text your out-of-area contact where you are and if you are okay or need help. This person can serve as a relay between you and your family, sharing important messages and each other’s locations.
