This month’s collection goes to Lambert House. Since 1981 the Lambert House LGBTQ Youth Center has cared for, championed, and celebrated over 15,000 individual minors and young adults through over 500,000 service contacts. Today, our employees and 123 skilled weekly volunteers provide in-person and online programs to more LGBTQ+ youth than any other organization in the Northwestern United States. Long known as Seattle’s LGBTQ youth center, Lambert House is the only social service agency in Seattle and King County, WA, (Pop. 2.25 million) dedicated solely to LGBTQ+ youth. Its programs also draw youth nationally and internationally. Lambert House is a force against prejudice in the effort to build a world in which LGBTQ+ minors and young adults are healthy and safe, and command equality in their families, schools, and communities.
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 (January 19th). Instructions for giving are posted during the service, and you can also donate anytime 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 Special Collection” in the notes. Visit wuuc.org/collection.
Did you know that WUUC has an Endowment fund? If you are looking to make a charitable donation for 2024 before the end of December, please consider making a contribution. The fund is an investment in the long-term health of WUUC and can serve many significant purposes: a source for short-term funding of an activity WUUC would not be able to fund otherwise, or a means to take advantage of unusual major opportunities for growth or service, or even as a source of financial backup in case of major emergency. Consider contributing as part of your end-of-year giving plan. Learn more at wuuc.org/endow.
If you shop at Fred Meyer, you can support donations to WUUC through their Community Rewards Program. To participate in the program, you need to register your Fred Meyer loyalty card and designate WUUC as your non-profit of choice. You must re-designate WUUC as your community rewards partner every June to keep participating.
Fred Meyer doesn’t donate a particular percentage of what you spend. Instead, the company has set aside a set amount per quarter, to be divided amongst registered non-profits in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, according to how much supporters have spent.
To participate, go to www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards. You’ll be asked to create an account with your e-mail address and a password, and to register your loyalty card and associated phone number. Then you select WUUC as your non-profit by entering either our number, 93846, or the name of the church.
Then you just shop as usual, presenting your card or entering your phone number. You’ll continue earning your Rewards Points, Fuel Points, and Rebates.
Your BAG committee has been using your reserve account to good use this summer and fall. Come in the back door and you’ll see a new concrete walkway. No more repairs and staining the worn cedar there. To your left, atop Portable 1 is a new one piece rubber roof. Turns out the slope of the roof lets conventional shingles leak. P2 is steeper, no new roof needed. Lastly check out the windows at the second level of Deitzler Hall. A number of windows that leaked water vapor between the dual panes have been replaced and well as May’s window in the office. Next up, replaciing the electric lights control panel.
A reminder, our building will be 25 years old this coming year.
Marilyn was raised in California and moved to WA state with husband Randall in the early 70’s. We have two grown children Allison and Robert. Before retiring, Marilyn was a Home Health Occupational Therapist for Evergreen Health covering the Snoqualimie Valley. Marilyn enjoys gardening for polinators, caring for the humming birds, weaving, playing with Cali our very spoiled cat. We live on beautiful Lake Margaret in Duvall.
Ben Lu
Ben moved from Silicon Valley in California to Lake Sammamish in Washington this spring. He has no regrets about leaving the hectic pace of tech startups to spend more time hiking with his parents, taking care of his cat and dog, and exploring a more spiritual side of life. Ben enjoys books, games, hikes, bikes, cooking, climbing, and most recently getting way too obsessed with disc golf.
Toren Koppenol
Toren is a self-trained mathematician in the field of foundational systems and schematic spaces for developed theories. He enjoys philosophy, physics, game design, world religions, poetry, Zelda, and teaching. Toren volunteers in the religious education for children classroom.
2024 December Holiday Happenings at WUUC at Sanctuary/Ditzler Hall
We can only make all these events happen with the wonderful volunteers in our community. Please click on the link below to view a description of all the holiday events and sign up to participate in person and/or contribute items for the events.
Decorating the Giving Tree and Ditzler Hall, Potluck 12/1 11:30 a.m. Our Giving Tree will be set up and ready for decorating. Gift tags from Friends of Youth will be available. Enjoy some additional decorating of Ditzler Hall to kick off the holiday season. Bring a potluck offering to share with the community.
Crafting and Children’s Gift Shopping, 12/8 11:30 a.m. Simple holiday crafting and art activities will be available for the enjoyment of children and adults alike. We will also offer the children an opportunity to choose small gifts to wrap and give to their family members and friends. After they are done, it is open to the rest of the congregation to “shop”. Gift items are all free. Please bring new or gently used unwrapped giftable items to church on or before 12/8. If before 12/8, put gift items in a box in the church office by the desk in the far back corner that will be labeled for the “Children’s Gift Shopping.”
Cookie Exchange and Neighbors in Need Gifting Project, 12/15 11:30 a.m. Please bring 1-2 dozen of your favorite holiday cookies for exchange. Include a list of main ingredients with your cookies to accommodate a variety of dietary choices and for allergy awareness. Gather with others in our community to assemble care kits/packages for neighbors in need in our geographic area. Watch your email for a list of things that we’ll be asking people to bring to put in the kits. Cards with holiday wishes can be written as well during this activity.
Solstice Labyrinth Walk, 12/21 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The labyrinth is an ancient symbol that has been used by pagans and Christians alike. To walk the labyrinth is to walk an inner journey of contemplation and reflection. The walk has three phases: the walk in, outer circle to inner circle; the center is the deepest place of the heart and light; the journey of return, inner to outer circle. Come enter the darkness and walk toward the inbreaking of light. The WUUC labyrinth path is lined with luminarias: decorative winter holiday lanterns made with paper bags, which are partially filled with sand and a lit tea candle. Once set and lit, they glow with a unique warmth and beauty in our sanctuary.
All Community Brunch, 12/22 11:30 a.m. After an all-music Sunday worship service, enjoy a delicious pancakes/eggs/sausage/fruit brunch with others in the community. Vegan options will be available.
Burning Bowl Service, 12/29 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., then Potluck after Service The beginning of the calendar year is an opportunity to let go of the old and set one’s intentions for the new year. There will be four altars set for that purpose: a burning bowl to burn away the old, water to symbolically cleanse one’s self, oil to anoint one’s self with intention, and candles to light to give the hopes light and the fire of commitment. Come and “cleanse the chambers of the heart,” to make room for the new. Bring a potluck offering to share with the Community.
DATE/TIME
LOCATION
ACTIVITY
COORDINATOR(S)
NOTES
December 1 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Ditzler Hall/Sanctuary
Decorating the Giving Tree and Ditzler Hall Potluck
Ann Lu
Giving Tree will have gift tags for Friends of Youth
December 8 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Ditzler Hall/Sanctuary
Crafting and Kids’ Gift Shopping
Jan Radoslovich
Invite congregation to bring items for kids’ gift table
December 15 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
Ditzler Hall/Sanctuary
Cookie Exchange and Homeless Gifting Project
Jan Radoslovich and Rachel Eddy
Invite congregation to bring cookies for exchange
December 21 4:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m.
Ditzler Hall/Sanctuary
Solstice Labyrinth Walk
Ann Lu and Tevina Flood
December 22 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
Ditzler Hall/Sanctuary
All Community Brunch
Jan Radoslovich and Tevina Flood
Serving: pancakes, eggs, sausage, fruit
December 24 3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Ditzler Hall/Sanctuary
Carol Singing for all Ages
Johnna Ebanks and Terry Levitt
Cookies and hot cider available
December 24 4:30 p.m. -5:30 p.m.
Ditzler Hall/Sanctuary
Christmas Eve Service for all Ages
Rachel Eddy
December 29 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
