by WUUC | Oct 27, 2021 | Announcements
“Sing your song
Dance your dance
Tell your story
I will Listen and remember”
― Utah Phillips
By Bridget Laflin
Congregational Intern
The Soul Matters theme for November is “Holding History.” As I reflect on this theme, I think about those loved ones who have passed away. In the past two years, we have lost more people to illness than any time in recent history. It has had a deep impact on all of us. There is blessing used in the Jewish tradition when offering sympathy to people who have lost a loved one, “May their memories be a blessing.”
And so I recall the blessing of the memories of those who have died. I remember our history together. I relive the adventures we shared, the times we laughed, and the times when we supported each other. I dwell for a time in the love that we shared and regret the times we were distant. I revel in the memory of their life intertwined with mine. I am grateful for the gifts they shared with me; their courage, their wisdom, and their love. I am a different person for having loved them and for their having loved me.
And I think about the future. How can my memory be a blessing to those who remain after I die? What memories can we make together that will bless their future?
And so I offer this prayer: May the memories of those who have gone before me be a blessing to me, and may I live my life in a way that my memory will be a blessing to those who come after. Amen.
by WUUC | Oct 27, 2021 | DRE Blog
It’s hard to believe that it is already November! It has been my tradition for the past few years to share a daily gratitude post on social media throughout the month of November. It feels like right now there is so much to be grateful for!
We will soon be able to regather for church services and activities in person. Most of our children will soon be eligible for Covid-19 vaccinations. Life feels so valuable and precious, and I am grateful for so many things.
I have so much gratitude for the WUUC congregation and your commitment to maintaining the connection of our beloved community throughout the past year and a half. I have witnessed so many instances of love, compassion, kindness, creativity, and hard work from you all as we have navigated this new world we live in. I want you to know that your contributions have been seen. Your dedication is appreciated, and I am so grateful for you.
As we move forward into the next phase of our congregational life, I rejoice in this beloved community and am deeply grateful for all of you.
Peace and Laughter,
Bridget
by WUUC | Oct 1, 2021 | Announcements
1) UU 101
UU 101 is a two-session class offered quarterly that covers some basics about Unitarian Universalist History, Theology, and Polity. What is polity, you ask? Come to UU 101 and find out! The next UU 101 dates are:
Session 1: Wednesday, October 20, 6:30 – 8:00 pm, via Zoom
Session 2: Wednesday, October 27, 6:30 – 8:00 pm, via Zoom
Please email Rev. Dan Lillie (revdan@wuuc.org) to register.
2) Improv as Spiritual Practice
Improvisational Comedy (Improv) has become incredibly popular over the past several years as a form of entertainment and as a way for actors to build their skills. Improv can also be a powerful form of spiritual practice. Bridget has been performing and teaching improv for over 20 years and it has been an integral part of her personal and spiritual growth. You are invited to come play, laugh, and learn improv basics with her while also learning how these skills can aid in your spiritual journey.
When: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month (Nov. 2-March 15) from 7-8:30 p.m.
Where: WUUC Sanctuary (This will be an in person class. Masks will be required. Social distancing will be practiced as much as possible.)
Who: High School Youth and Adults (Limited to 18 participants)
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/QAKK2kzxJfFRkTjE7
3) Exploring Spiritual Practices
This 4-session course provides an opportunity to explore Spiritual Practices as a way to engage the holy and deepen our spiritual lives. We will learn about and try out a few Spiritual Practices together, and then we will share and reflect on our experience.
The four sessions will be on Saturdays from 1-3 p.m. Oct. 23 and 30, and Nov. 6 and 13.
This course will be in-person at WUUC, outdoors when weather permits, and masks required when indoors. This course is limited to 9 participants. Registration deadline is Wednesday, Oct. 20, but may fill up sooner. Please register for the course by emailing Rev. Dan Lillie (revdan@wuuc.org).
by WUUC | Sep 24, 2021 | Announcements
The WUUC Auction is ON!, Please plan to join us on Gilligan’s Island for the live auction and party Saturday, Nov. 20 7-9 p.m. Start planning your auction items, events, and attire.
The event will be Zoomcast and/or in person, depending… Stay tuned for email announcements coming soon!
Gilligan, the Skipper, and crew guarantee a fun time for all!
by WUUC | Sep 24, 2021 | Announcements
My name is Silvia. I retired from gainful employment in the Healthcare field shortly after leaving my marriage several years ago. Divorce felt devastating.
After regaining some sense of “normalcy,” I began volunteer work co-facilitating a support group for women in Domestic Violence situations. The focus was on “self-empowerment” which actually helped my own healing process.
However, I never accomplished practicing enough detachment when listening to the women’s often tragic accounts of their turbulent relationships. Their despair became infectious and I grew weary and discouraged. I needed to look for volunteer work that was not draining and instead would be energizing and lift me up.
I found two such opportunities:
A friend at the Redmond Senior Center, who also grew up in Europe needed help teaching ESL, as her class had grown beyond her capacity to handle it alone. We taught for two years until the pandemic forced us to quit.
What I took with me from that experience was the appreciation and love we received from our students. Several of them brought gifts upon returning from trips to their respective countries. I won’t forget how the diversity in our group taught me not only to better understand other cultures but, more importantly, how similar we are in our common experience of simply being human. Two of the women, one from China, the other from Russia became naturalized U.S. citizens during that period.
For some time now I have been volunteering at the little “Discovery Thrift Shop” in Redmond. All work is done by volunteers. The money made off donations goes to benefit cancer research. We sell almost anything donated that is in good condition, from clothing, jewelry, hardware and books to items initially hard to identify. Not infrequently, once we do figure out what we are pricing it makes us chuckle. Additionally, I really value the mindset of recycling. Sometimes we come across rare items of significant value and spend extra time researching their origins.
I especially enjoy cashiering. People from all walks of life stand in line with their “treasures.” A personal benefit is that I get to practice Spanish with many of the Hispanic shoppers. It is a language I spoke until age 7 before my family moved back to Germany from Bolivia where they had spent the years during World War II and beyond. I was born there.
I thrive in multi-cultural environments because I feel a certain kinship with people who are immigrants to this country. As some shoppers struggle with language and we communicate with hand signals I smile with them when they finally feel understood.
In summary, I have experienced several fun ways to make a difference. With the barrage of domestic and global bad news unloaded on us every day it’s easy to become cynical. My volunteer work helps to keep me balanced. It has become easier to acknowledge the dichotomy between good and evil about being human in this, our world.
