Theme: Integrity

by | Dec 20, 2019 | Announcements

The January 2020 theme for worship, RE, and small groups at WUUC is: What Does It Mean to be a People of INTEGRITY?  Our monthly themes and resource materials come from Soul Matters Sharing Circle, a network of Unitarian Universalist congregations.  A small sample of thoughts about integrity from Soul Matters:

  • Integrity stems from the Latin word “integer” which means whole and complete. In mathematics, an integer is a number that can’t be divided into fractions.  Integrity requires an inner sense of “wholeness” and consistency of character.  When you are in integrity, people should be able to visibly see it through your actions, words, decisions, methods and outcomes. When you are “whole” and consistent, there is only one you.  You don’t leave parts of yourself behind.  
  • Integrity isn’t simply something we build; it’s something already there. We UUs talk about mostly about inherent worth, but we also believe in inherent integrity. All the building blocks are there, waiting. Our parents who role modeled values we admired and can embrace. Our teachers and mentors who imparted wisdom about what really matters. Our spiritual community that pushed us to grow in the understanding of our faith. It’s all there, just forgotten.  They are calling to us from the edge of the woods, from the center of the deep pond of our souls. 
  • On some questions, Cowardice asks the question, “is it safe?”  Expediency asks the question, “is it polite?”  Vanity comes along and asks the question, “is it popular?”  But Conscience asks the question, “is it right?”  And there comes a time when we must take a position that is neither safe, nor polite, nor popular, but we must do it because Conscience tells us it is right.   Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • Can you remember who you were, before the world told you who you should be?  Charles Bukowski
  • I am different, not less.  Temple Grandin
  • Be yourself, everyone else is taken.  Oscar Wilde

For spiritual materials on our monthly theme, go to https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RtLNkY8X_tOC7veFfDdk6zMoVdbYgmc9/view?usp=sharing

For a Sacred Words supplement on Soul go to https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wupn9i7085IMvZSdtYszaaitej7fjKNR/view?usp=sharing

Totes to Go – Jan.

Totes to Go – Jan.

by | Dec 20, 2019 | Announcements

Happy New Year!  We begin 2020 with a last-minute call for support for the January Totes delivery.  At this writing, we still need quite a few items, including peanut butter, juice packs and snack packs for this month’s delivery.  We’re packing later than usual (Jan. 5) because of the schools’ winter breaks.

Just to review, our Totes to Go program assists 15 kids identified by the schools as being at risk of missing meals over weekends and school breaks when school meals aren’t available.  We serve two Bothell schools – an elementary and a Middle School.  Each month we fulfill a list of food items and the school staff sends a selection of those items home with each student on Fridays. All the items are shelf stable. No refrigeration needed.  You can see the variety of items in the baskets across the hall from the library.  Questions? Contact John Hartman or Grace Simons

Many, many thanks to all our supporters!  It’s a pretty ambitious program, but one that’s much needed!

Happy Holidays, WUUC!

Happy Holidays, WUUC!

by | Dec 18, 2019 | DRE Blog

(Photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary)

This time of year always gets me thinking about family.  And like many people, my extended family lives far away from me.  My parents and siblings all live halfway across the country, and I find myself getting nostalgic. 

When I miss my family, I am so grateful for my friends and specifically my church community.  A church community really can feel like family sometimes.  There can be arguments and disagreements, but these relationships are also (hopefully) based in love, compassion, and respect.

One of the most beautiful things about church life is that we have an opportunity to spend time with people who are in many different ages and stages in their lives.  Opportunities to engage with people outside our own generation are few and far between in our society.  But being part of a church community opens up so many possibilities for developing loving supportive friendships across multiple generations.

So, how can we
access these amazing relationship possibilities?

If you are you
a grandparent (or of grandparent age) and miss your grandkids or the presence
of young children in your life, think about striking up a conversation with the
parents whose children are wandering around the sanctuary.  Or offer to
hold a baby, or play with one of the pre-schoolers.  You could also
volunteer in the nursery or teach a Religious Education class.  We have an
amazing group of creative, intelligent, amazing, loving children in our
congregation.  Most of them would love it if you got to know them as
individual people.  Your lives will be richer for having these wonderful
people in your life.

If you are a
parent of younger children, especially if your parents don’t live nearby, seek
out conversations with some of the older members at church.  Introduce
them to your children.  Maybe you will develop some “adopted grandparent”
relationships with people who can share their wisdom with you and play with the
kids once in a while. You and your childrens’ lives will be enriched by the
love, experience and wisdom of the elders in our community.

We have a
unique and special chance to increase understanding and to share wisdom through
building relationships with our church family.   Let’s consider
taking advantage of the precious gifts of getting to know one another as we
enter this new year.

Peace,

Bridget Laflin,
DRE

Climate-Friendly New Year’s Resolutions

by | Dec 6, 2019 | Announcements

      It is challenging to make and keep New Year’s Resolutions but the planet needs our help. Instead of going on that exercise plan (which only lasts two weeks anyway):) how about resolving to invest your energy in clean-energy solutions for 2020?

Here are some suggestions:

    1. Choose public transportation whenever possible over driving solo to a destination.

     2. Take fewer long-distance flights/ choose to substitute bus or train trips.  

     3.  Support UU Ministry for Earth financially .

      4. Get involved with the WUUC Green Sanctuary Program.

       5. Write or call your state and national lawmakers on green renewable energy initiatives.

        6. Plant trees and flowers to attract pollinators.

         7. Patronize environmentally friendly stores and businesses—

       Pure Clean, Redmond (chemical free rug cleaners)      

Root Cause, Seattle & Mercer Island (tree care provider)

         Herban Wellness, Kirkland

         Sam’s Pressure Washing LLC, 425-442-1444 (toxin-free vinegar treatment for roof moss)

      There are many many others switching to plastic-free production and conserving energy that you already use. Please recommend your sources to one and all. 

        With best wishes for a Happy New Cleaner & Greener 2020 !

What’s the Board Up To? Dec.

What’s the Board Up To? Dec.

by | Nov 29, 2019 | Announcements

At the board meeting on Nov. 5, board Secretary Terry Santmann gave a report on the bylaws vote: 71 people voted in total. 67 people voted in favor of the first bylaws proposal. 70 people voted in favor of the second proposal. The third bylaws proposal was approved unanimously. The Board spent the rest of the meeting on an extensive and detailed review of the edits to the model ministerial contract recommended by the board subcommittee.

The Board had previously discussed the pros and cons of multi-generational worship on Sundays and has asked the Ministry Council to evaluate the best method to analyze and explore the idea of Sunday Forums.

The Board had requested that The Ministerial Search Committee (MSC) make a recommendation regarding whether the church should proceed with a search for a settled minister or choose a different search path (.e.g. Developmental, Contract, etc.) The MSC has discussed at length the results of the recently concluded survey and cottage meetings. Based on those results, as well as on the committee members’ own impressions of the congregation’s readiness, the MSC has unanimously recommended that that the search for a settled minister should continue. At the Nov. 19 meeting the Board voted unanimously to follow the MSC’s recommendation to continue the search for a settled minister. The group also discussed at length Rev. Duane’s feedback on the proposed draft minister contract. (Rev. Duane is WUUC’s ministerial transition coach.) The ministerial contract team will meet again to recommend further revisions.

We have a dilemma regarding our dire need for immediate improved internet service and the delay in funding which would likely result if we attempt to fund the technological upgrade through Chalice Lighters. David will further research the possibility of getting both a $4,000 Chalice Lighters matching grant immediately for the internet upgrade as well as later applying for a full Chalice Lighter grant for further technological upgrades. The Board authorized the release of $4,000 from the solar fund reserve in response to a request from one of the donors. The $4,000 would be used for the internet upgrade, should we apply for the matching grant.

David will buy extra headphones and receivers for the hearing loop, so the church will have ten in total to provide on Sundays. Rev. Diana will include hearing loop information and procedures in an Announce email about accessibility.

The next board meeting will be held in the WUUC library at 6:30 pm on December 10th.

For minutes of the Nov. 19 board meeting, go here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hyMIMdp9NIOl0ZmEIVdUuyH8jlMdt6u-/view?usp=sharing
For minutes of the Nov. 5 board meeting, go here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sk1ERqIXqOxY-VTCvDkOC-oCyNceXPXb/view?usp=sharing
For minutes of the Oct. 20 Congregational Meeting, go here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ux8yIBzpFk7g5lD9pNVGtx5taI59tTFX/view?usp=sharing