by WUUC | Dec 16, 2021 | Announcements
My name is Jaime Holthuysen. I am a real estate broker and adjunct professor of anthropology. I wanted to share my experience volunteering last year at the start of the pandemic.
In March 2020, I had a heart-wrenching conversation with a good friend who was a doctor helping Covid patients. She was simply overwhelmed. There was such a shortage of masks they had to resort to reusing ‘sanitized’ paper masks. At the same time a local woman in Woodinville had started printing 3D face shields and needed help organizing and delivering supplies and masks to medical facilities that were in dire need of protective gear.
We formed a small group, a core team of organizers and began asking for volunteers. This rapidly grew to hundreds of people producing 3D printed masks in their basements and garages, and nearly 100 volunteer drivers. We established distribution hubs and sought out support from large companies such as Amazon and Microsoft. Our designs were NIH approved, our core team was led by doctors and engineers but also firefighters, stay-at-home moms and people from a variety of backgrounds. We became a 503C non-profit. Our goal was to provide face shields until supply could catch up with demand.
My role was in organizing supply chain and distribution. Our operation lasted several months. There were many late nights and countless numbers of hours volunteered by our community. In the end, we distributed over 500,000 face shields, $1.5 million worth of free protective gear nationwide to frontline medical providers, senior homes, homeless shelters, First Nations reservations, and to local protests supporting Black Lives Matter.
I share this because it is a story of community and what can be accomplished when people care about others. In my work as a real estate broker and professor, my motivation has always been to support others in achieving their goals. It was a privilege to have been a part of this, seeing the immense dedication and the incredible result of such mobilization.
I firmly believe that change can be made standing together, uplifting each other, and supporting each other. 2020 was a year of hardship, loss, and struggle. It was also a year that demonstrated how, together, we have the infinite capacity to make change through our compassion and humanity.
by WUUC | Dec 12, 2021 | Announcements
We have two open positions for childcare providers.
These positions are available immediately. Email DLL@WUUC.org to apply.
Position Title: Childcare Provider
Reports to: Nursery Coordinator and Director of Lifelong Learning
Coordinates with: Religious Education and Lifelong Learning (REALL) Committee
Compensation: $15.00 per hour, part-time, non-exempt
Work Schedule: Sunday mornings and occasional special events (approximately 15 hours/month)
Vision:
WUUC is a thriving church of 170+ adult members and 80+ children and youth. Childcare providers are responsible for the safety and well being of the children and youth in their care or under their supervision during church-sponsored activities. The ideal candidate will have the skills and temperament to work with children of all abilities along with an open heart and open mind toward families of all types, however they define themselves. Additionally, she/he will have a flexible and cooperative attitude toward co-workers, parents, and church members.
General Job Duties:
- Provide care for the children and supervision of youth helpers on Sunday mornings during church services, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Facilitate a provided lesson plan (e.g. attendance chart, chalice, story, lesson, activity, play, clean-up)
- The ability and willingness to move and lift typical children’s furniture, collapsible tables, and chairs in order to set and reset the meeting space before and after class
- Model appropriate, effective, and welcoming behavior and attitudes toward the children and youth under your supervision
- Communicate regularly with nursery coordinator regarding classroom issues, scheduling concerns, supply needs, etc.
Additional Skills and Requirements:
- CPR and First Aid training is strongly desired.
- Candidates must be willing to submit to a background check and sign a code of ethics.
by WUUC | Nov 29, 2021 | Announcements
Whether you are at home or in the WUUC building, there are so many ways to be involved. Please check the website www.wuuc.org for information on social groups, classes or volunteer opportunities.
As we are now offering Hybrid Sunday services, there are several way you could help out on Sundays:
Online/Zoom:
If you are comfortable Zooming, and expect to be worshipping from home sometimes, we need a couple of Zoom-worship support people. Not hard if you’re a Zoomer.
In Person:
Ushering – contact Chuck Fowler at Chuck & Jean Fowler fernhaven@comcast.net
Greeting arrivals – contact Karen Hyams engage@wuuc.org
Sound Tech – contact Linda Sherry lindasherry@wedges.com
Camera Operator – contact Linda Sherry lindasherry@wedges.com
AND
LOVE TO SING??
The Virtual Choir will be transforming into the Hybrid Choir, and will be performing in the Sanctuary when the Covid Safety Team says it is safe.
by WUUC | Nov 28, 2021 | Announcements
WUUC’s 2021 Giving Tree
WUUC will once again host a Giving Tree for families living in Greenleaf needing extra support with gift giving during the holiday season. WUUC collaborates with the Greenleaf housing community in Kenmore through our Black Student and Families Fund project. Our ongoing contributions to Greenleaf families provide a safe environment for Northshore students to explore and express their identity as they navigate the racial constructs of their world. Watch the WUUC email lists for more information soon about how to contribute to the Giving Tree.
Black Student and Family Fund (BSAFF) Friendsgiving success
On Nov. 22 the Kenmore Community Club transformed into a celebration of gratitude for friends and family for the Friendsgiving/Harvest Festival put on by the Greenleaf families and Root of Our Youth leaders. The kids planned the decorations and activities during the Mentor Monday sessions (that happen every Monday after school at the Kenmore Community Club) and everyone worked together, including our WUUC BSAFF team, to create the potluck event with face painting, cupcake and cookie decorating (thanks Alaine and Lane), musical chairs, and a youth-led fashion show. The kids had a great time and are excited for the next event on Dec. 20.
Thank you Carol Taylor, Steph Young, Lisa Villasenor, Alaine Davis, Lane Owsley, Cora Goss-Grubbs and thanks to everyone for your ongoing support of BSAFF
Monthly Special Collections
Many thanks for donating to our October ASJ special collection. Your support of $695 went to Honor the Earth, a native initiative to create awareness and support for Native environmental issues and to develop needed financial and political resources for the survival of sustainable Native communities. Among other activities, Honor the Earth is currently supporting actions of Water Protectors to oppose pipeline 3 in the Midwest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a98gUC53NYo&t=90s.
On Dec. 19 the ASJ special collection will benefit the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, a nonprofit, nonsectarian organization advancing human rights together with an international community of grassroots partners and advocates.
The ASJ Committee thanks WUUC members and friends for their generous support of our monthly special collections, which take place during services on the third Sunday of every month. Instructions for giving are posted during the service, and you can also donate anytime the following week at https://onrealm.org/wuuc/-/give/now, or by sending a check to WUUC at P.O. Box 111, Woodinville, WA 98072. Please make checks out to WUUC and write “ASJ Monthly Collection” in the notes.
by WUUC | Nov 28, 2021 | Announcements
Mahjongg or mah-jongg is a tile-based game that was developed in the 19th century in China, and it has now spread to WUUC!
Several folks have seriously come on board and taken the steps to learn. Beginners are becoming routine players at a fine pace. We are having a great time in offering our brains this colorful and suspenseful alternative to the usual demands of a day’s thinking. Will anyone catch Mahjongg Fever? Probably, but it only helps. It can’t hurt.
Our regular weekly meeting is set for Mondays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. listed as 1:30 p.m. just in case we need the extra time to pack up the tiles and all equipment. Beginners are welcome. Anyone who has never played before will be given individual special time. Contact Blue with questions or interest in joining in by texting 413-768-9120, or email azforte@gmail.com
