Nonfiction Book Club – Fall 2022

Nonfiction Book Club – Fall 2022

Join us on Saturday, November 5, 2022 @ 6 pm for a meeting of the WUUC Nonfiction Book Club, hosted by Alaine Davis and Lane Owsley at their home in Kenmore. We will be discussing Our Dogs, Ourselves: The Story of a Singular Bond by Alexandra Horowitz. RSVP to Alaine <alaine.davis@yahoo.com>.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Horowitz, an eye-opening, informative, and wholly entertaining examination and celebration of the human-canine relationship for the curious dog owner and science-lover alike.

We keep dogs and are kept by them. We love dogs and (we assume) we are loved by them. We buy them sweaters, toys, shoes; we are concerned with their social lives, their food, and their health. The story of humans and dogs is thousands of years old but is far from understood. In Our Dogs, Ourselves, Alexandra Horowitz explores all aspects of this unique and complex interspecies pairing.

As Horowitz considers the current culture of dogdom, she reveals the odd, surprising, and contradictory ways we live with dogs. We celebrate their individuality but breed them for sameness. Despite our deep emotional relationships with dogs, legally they are property to be bought, sold, abandoned, or euthanized as we wish. Even the way we speak to our dogs is at once perplexing and delightful.

In thirteen thoughtful and charming chapters, Our Dogs, Ourselves affirms our profound affection for this most charismatic of animals—and opens our eyes to the companions at our sides as never before.

 (Modified from Amazon.com)

Four times a year, the WUUC Book Discussion Group gathers to read and talk about a nonfiction book. You only attend the meetings about books that interest you, so we end up with a different group of participants every time. We meet to connect and talk about a book in depth. Anyone is welcome to suggest a book and/or lead a discussion. Contact Alaine to RSVP, suggest a book, or offer to host a future discussion.

September 2022: Board Report

September 2022: Board Report

– Written by Leslie Morton

Hi there!

I currently have the honor of being your Board President. I would like to take the opportunity to make regular comments on what the Board is up to. At our last meeting we had the opportunity to thank outgoing member David Simons for his service. He will be sorely missed. We also took the time to welcome our newest member Jeff Lu. I am looking forward to getting to know Jeff. We will be having a retreat September 9-10 and look forward to a time to get to know one another better and to set some goals for the coming church year. The rest of the Board includes: Jan Radoslovich and Jessica Belmont (co-vice presidents), Kermit Sprang (Treasurer), Terry Santmann (Secretary) and Linda Sherry and Jeff Lu (members at large).

It was brought to our attention by a member of the ASJ team that there is currently a proposal to make changes to Title IX that would explicitly name protections for transgender/non-binary students public comment. The rule is currently open for public comment until midnight September 12, 2022. The Board are strongly encouraging people to take the time to seriously review this and submit responses as they feel moved. To be clear, we are not asking for a formal endorsement from the congregation as a whole, but for individual support.  

The Board meets the third Wednesday of each month from 6-8 pm and all are welcome to attend.  

Thanks you,

Leslie Morton

Totes To Go 2022

Totes To Go 2022

WUUC’s ‘Totes to Go’ program is off to a great start for the 22 –23 school year!  We had such a strong response for September that we covered quite a lot of October’s needs as well.  Thanks so much to everyone who has supported this effort!

Just as a reminder, Totes to Go is a program that supports students who may be at risk of missing meals over weekends when school meals aren’t available. We support fifteen students at Maywood Hills Elementary in Bothell.  We don’t actually know who they are. The school identifies the kids and distributes our food items.  Each Friday, backpacks are filled with an assortment of the items we provide; some – like milk – every week, others – like peanut butter – once a month.  We collect 12 different items and deliver them to the school at the beginning of the month.

We are now beginning to gather supplies for November.  Please put your donations in the baskets across from the kitchen. The deadline is Sunday, October 30th. I will send out a reminder about mid-month, but you can check on our needs any time by going to this link.

Questions or concerns? Contact Grace Simons or John Hartman

Successful September 2022 Blood Drive

Successful September 2022 Blood Drive

Hello WUUC Blood Drive Team,   

Well WOW!!!  The results at your pop up blood drives are always wonderful, but this week, the Woodinville community turned out in mass!  You had 144 donors coming thru your doors to help save lives.  Thank you so much for supporting our community and Pacific Northwest hospitals in this way.   

We are set to be with you again November 28-30, and already you have an incredible 70 donors booked with appointments!  November is a great month for gratitude and giving in so many different ways!  If you hear from folks who want to join the party in November, please share this link, Book a November Blood Donation Appointment at WUUC  so we can fill the rosters to capacity! 

In support of Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, take 10 minutes to listen to this story from our Bloodworks 101 Podcast, and know that with each day you open the doors at WUUC for blood donors, you are helping parents and patients!  https://bloodworks101.buzzsprout.com/775991/11356312-in-the-names-of-their-children-christine-o-connell-s-cancer-moms-s4-e2?t=0

Have a Good Weekend,

Karen Chernotsky

Community Engagement Liaison
Bloodworks Northwest

Welcome New Admin

Welcome New Admin

by Lori Varosh
Outgoing Office Administrator

I am delighted to introduce May Killorin (pronounced kah-lor’-in), who has been hired as the new WUUC Office Administrator. She and I will work together until the end of June.

May lives in Lake Forest Park. She grew up attending University Unitarian Church in Seattle, where she became very involved in leadership. She is now involved in national UU young adult groups.

She graduated from Western Washington University in June 2020 with degrees in the Global Humanities of Religion and Culture, and Theater Stage Management. 

May loves to listen to music, dance, play board games and cook.

Please be patient with her (I know you will be!) There is a lot to learn!

As I prepare to retire, I want to thank you all for making my 14 years as office administrator a warm and enjoyable experience. You have been a wonderful congregation to work for and with.