The holiday season is fast approaching and the next Totes delivery will be for December! I will take our items to Maywood Hills Elementary in Bothell right after Thanksgiving. Please don’t forget Totes in the swirl of holiday preparations. As a treat for the season, it would be great if we could add some (individually wrapped) Christmas goodies. Maybe small candy canes, cookies, etc. Holidays can be pretty sparse for families who risk missing regular meals!
For those who aren’t sure about Totes, it’s a program to provide weekend food for kids who are at risk of missing meals when the school cafeteria is closed. We know that hungry kids can’t learn well, so we help get them to school on Mondays without being “starving”! Qualifying children pick up a backpack with a variety of food items on Friday afternoons and return the empty pack on Mondays. Only a very small number of people know who the beneficiaries are, certainly no one from WUUC.
Please watch for occasional e-mails about Totes needs on the WUUC chat. Many, many thanks to our regular donors, and to everyone who has supported this program! If you have questions or comments, contact John Hartman or Grace Simons, co-coordinators.
Shelter in place is not the same as “staying inside” a building. Sheltering in place is creating a “safe room” in your home. A true shelter-in-place order is because of a chemical, biological or radiological threat. If a chemical agent leak happens (i.e. ammonia, radiation, hazardous materials), authorities will instruct people to either shelter where they are and seal the premises (shelter in place) or evacuate immediately. A chemical release is an accidental release of harmful chemicals into the air.
Before an Incident
To properly shelter-in-place you will need to prepare a “safe room” in advance. You will likely need to stay inside several hours, but not several days, so choose a room and stock supplies to get you through the time. A good example of this includes a master bedroom with an attached bathroom to give you access to a toilet and running water or a bathroom. If you live near industrial areas or are within 2,000 feet of a major highway or train tracks that carry industrial materials, you are in an area that may be prone to chemical leaks.
Preparing your Safe Room
Purchase plastic sheeting and duct tape. Pre-cut the plastic to fit all windows, vents, and doors of this room, and label each piece. Create a box or container for your safe room to hold the pre-cut plastic, tape and these additional supplies:
• A battery-powered AM / FM radio (power may be out) with extra batteries
• Water and snacks
• Some towels and blankets (if this is another room than the bedroom)
Help us kick off the holiday season! Our Giving Tree will be ready for decorating, with gift tags for Friends of Youth (physical gifts). During Children, Youth and Family (CYF) time, children will make decorations to add to the tree. Bring a Post-Thanksgiving potluck dish to share as we enjoy community, food, and a little holiday sparkle together.
Join us for simple holiday crafting and art activities. Fun for all ages! Children will also have a chance to shop for free gifts to wrap and give to family and friends. After the kids are done, the shopping will be open to the rest of the congregation. Please bring new or gently used unwrapped “giftable” items to the church on or before December 6, as well as gift wrap and gift bags. Early donations can be placed in the labeled box in the lobby (by the front door).
Bring 1–2 dozen of your favorite holiday cookies for exchange, along with a list of main ingredients to help accommodate dietary needs. During their CYF classes, children will assemble hygiene packages for neighbors in need in our local community. Watch your email for a list of requested items.
After the Sunday service, stay for a delicious pancake, eggs and sausage brunch (vegan options included). Enjoy warm company as we celebrate the turning of the season. After brunch, volunteers will be needed to help clear tables and chairs to prepare for the Solstice Labyrinth Walk the following evening.
The labyrinth is an ancient symbol used by many faith traditions for reflection and renewal. Walking its path is a spiritual journey through three phases:
1. The walk inward – releasing and quieting. 2. The center – resting in light and heart. 3. The return – integrating insight and renewal. Come enter the darkness and walk toward the in-breaking of light. The path will be lined with glowing luminarias, adding beauty and reverence to our sanctuary.
This family-oriented Christmas Eve service will feature a no-rehearsal pageant. All ages welcome to participate, no prep required! We’ll conclude the service by lighting candles.
Lift your voice in joyful song! Join Laura Hume and Terry Levitt as they lead us in familiar holiday carols for all ages between our Christmas eve pageant and candlelight services.
Our traditional Christmas Eve service will be filled with music, storytelling, and reflection, and, of course, our cherished tradition of lighting candles.
Sunday, December 27 • 10:00–11:00 a.m., followed by potluck
As the year turns, join us in a ritual of release and renewal. Four altars will invite reflection. Come “cleanse the chambers of the heart” and make space for what’s to come. Please bring a potluck dish to share afterward in our Post-Service Potluck.
Our last 2025/26 delivery of food supporting weekend meals for students at risk has been completed. Congratulations and thanks to all who have been part of the Totes to Go effort at WUUC! We have partnered with Maywood Hills Elementary School for over 15 years, helping kids arrive at school on Monday mornings ready to learn. From small beginnings, we’ve increased to support 15 students who are likely to miss meals on weekends. We’ve made a big difference!
The WUUC Totes program depends on our generosity, especially the contributions of our “scheduled donors” who’ve signed up to bring certain items every month. Special thanks to those folks!! Thanks also to those who step up to fill in the gaps at the end of the month.
Totes is now on vacation until August. We encourage you to donate to the Maltby Food Bank. Our WUUC coordinator is Susan McBain. The Northshore Schools Foundation, which has a program that provides food support during the summer, also welcomes donations. Tevina Flood can provide more information about them. Many thanks for all your support of WUUC’s Totes to Go program! As coordinators, we depend on your participation! Questions or concerns? Contact Grace Simons or John Hartman.
Everyone should have their own kit (some supplies are for the group). Encourage kids to make their own kits, too, because what’s important to them, may not be as important to you. In the event of fire or rapid evacuation, you’ll appreciate having more than just the clothes on your back.
How to Store an Evacuation Kit
1. You should take proactive steps to create a kit that you can take with you in times of an emergency that will last you for two to three days as long as it’s light weight and easy to carry or tow along.
2. Store these items in something that is portable and easily carried, like a backpack or tub/suitcase with wheels. Place items in plastic bags to protect against water. Plastic bags used for produce (like apples and oranges in a grocery store) could be a good choice. These can later be used for disposing of waste.
Water For this grab and go kit, keep a supply of water that will last you 2-3 days for each person in your household. Only pack drinking water, ~ 1 quart per person per day.
Food Store a supply of food that will last you two to three days. Select foods that require no refrigeration or cooking, and little or no water. Purchase foods you like so it will be easy to rotate items near expiration and consider specific dietary needs as well as chemical/food sensitivity:
• High energy foods — peanut butter, granola bars, trail mix;
• Comfort foods — cookies, hard candy, etc.;
• Dry meats like beef sticks and jerky.
Pet Grab and Go Pets need a grab and go kit, too! Have two to three days of food, water, any of their medications, leashes and cages if reasonable. The full document is is here page 8 of https://mil.wa.gov/asset/5f171cc0a935f
