During earthquakes, many people’s fight/flight instinct urges them to run — even when they know they should “Drop, Cover and Hold on.” Studies show that people tend to be hurt by falling objects, not collapsing structures. If you are on your feet trying to move in an earthquake, you are in danger of being thrown to the ground and/or injured from toppling book cases, breaking windows, flying dishes, falling TVs, collapsing fireplaces or shifting furniture.
Drop, Cover and Hold On — what does it mean?
DROP – Where you are, onto your hands and knees. (This position protects you from being knocked down and also allows you to stay low and crawl to nearby shelter).
COVER – Your head and neck with one arm and hand. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter. (If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall away from windows. Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs).
HOLD ON – Until shaking stops. (Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts. No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.) Drop, cover, hold on is the national standard for earthquake safety in our country.
Kick off the holiday season! Our Giving Tree will be ready for decorating, with gift tags for local organizations. During Children, Youth and Family 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.
🎁 Crafting & Children’s Gift Shopping
Sunday, December 6 • 11:30 a.m.
Join us for simple holiday crafting and art activities that are fun for all ages! Children will also have a chance to shop (free) for small gifts to wrap and give to family and friends. After the kids are done, the shop will open to the rest of the congregation.
Please bring new or gently used unwrapped “giftable” items to the church on or before December 6.
🍪 Cookie Exchange & Neighbors in Need Gifting Project
Sunday, December 13 • 11:30 a.m.
Bring 1 or 2 dozen of your favorite holiday cookies for exchange, along with a list of main ingredients to help accommodate dietary needs.
We’ll also assemble care packages for neighbors in need in our local community. Watch your email for a list of requested items. While we pack, you’re invited to write holiday cards to include in the kits.
❄ All-Community Brunch
Sunday, December 20 • 11:30 a.m.
After the Sunday service, stay for a delicious pancake-and-eggs brunch sponsored by the Men’s Group. Vegan options available. 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.
❄ Solstice Labyrinth Walk
Monday, December 21 • 4:00–7:00 p.m.
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.
🕯 Children, Youth & Families Christmas Pageant
Wednesday, December 24 • 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Children, youth, and families are invited to enjoy cookies, cocoa, and Christmas treats while Rev. Dan reads a beloved holiday classic.
🎵 Carol Singing for All Ages
Wednesday, December 24 • 4:30–5:15 p.m.
Lift your voice in joyful song! Join our special music coordinator Johnna accompanied by Terry Levitt as they lead us in familiar holiday carols for all ages between our Christmas eve pageant and candlelight services.
Our Christmas Eve service will be filled with music, storytelling, and reflection, concluding with our cherished tradition of candle lighting.
♨ Burning Bowl Service & Potluck
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. • A burning bowl to release what no longer serves you. • Water for symbolic cleansing. • Stones to hold your intentions for the new year. • Cloth strips to let go of grief or harm from the past.
Come “cleanse the chambers of the heart” and make space for what’s to come.
From August 30 through September 20 WUUC’s lobby gallery will feature the work of Jacob Johns, a Hopi and Akimel O’odham environmental defender and artist who advocates for social justice, minority rights and environmental protection.
Jacob will be our special invited speaker at the worship service on August 30. After the service, he will lead a discussion of his art.
Jacob Johns is a multidisciplinary artist whose work serves as both a personal lifeline and a collective offering. Rooted in ancestral memory and forged through lived experience, Jacob channels the internalized stress of navigating a fractured world into the painful but necessary process of humanity’s reunification. Through painting, immersive installations, and experimental video, Jacob transforms the complexities of modern Indigenous identity into vibrant works that act as conduits for healing—both individual and communal.
Jacob’s creative force is inseparable from a life dedicated to advancing international climate policy and cultivating a world rooted in justice, health, and possibility. This global advocacy continues to shape a visual language infused with urgency, ceremony, and resilience. In 2023, while defending a peaceful gathering in New Mexico, Jacob was shot—an act of violence that became a defining moment. Rather than retreat, Jacob transformed the wound into deeper purpose, using art to heal, to expose, and to invite the world into sacred narrative space—where story, spirit, and form converge to help us all relax into the healthy, livable future we deserve.
We’ve been welcoming new members to our church community. The June, July and August newsletters will feature bios from our new members so our community can read and welcome these wonderful people to WUUC.
This newsletter will feature bios from Ryn and Drew Romanyk (and Alina), Rae Shepherd, and Annette and Dale Lowey. The June Newsletter featured bios from Alexis Green, Carol Zumbrunnen and Dave Tauscheck, Andy Rosen and Elizabeth Gray. The July Newsletter featured bios from Mark Rainey, Karen and John Somerville, and Becka Cormier. If you don’t want to have to look back for past editions you can see every bio in this linked document.
Ryn and Drew Romanyk (And Alina) Ryn and Drew met while attending the University of Texas at Austin. Drew grew up in Texas and has known since middle school that he wanted to become a software engineer. Ryn grew up as an Air Force brat and eventually moved to Texas after her father retired. They moved to Washington for Drew’s job at Microsoft, were married in 2022, and welcomed their daughter, Alina, last year. These days, Ryn is a stay-at-home mom who enjoys baking sourdough and sewing, especially baby clothes. Drew works at Databricks and enjoys gaming with friends and taking nature walks.
Rae Shepherd Rae is originally from Iowa and came to Washington via central California and the Bay Area. She and her husband, Dave, live in Monroe. 3 of their 5 children live in the area and have frequent get togethers. She grew up in a small town and in the Catholic church where she loved the sense of community. Rae was drawn to WUUC because she enjoys the sense of community and the many programs to get involved with such as the social justice group, book club and the women’s retreat. Since she is freshly retired, she is looking forward to becoming more engaged in the hiking group and art outings and discovering more about the world around her with the people she meets.
Annette and Dale Lowey Dale and Annette Lowey met in 2001, married and recently returned to Everett to be closer with friends and family (full time grandpa needed) after 11 years in British Columbia Canada. Dale was born in Ontario, Catholic and has 3 grown kids in Canada. Got Bachelors degree in accounting and currently works Full time as an accountant over 20 years. Loves hockey, race cars, and all sports, lego puzzles, dogs, baseball coaching, golf and spending time with Canadian brothers. Enjoys cooking and grilling, and mostly playing with grandkids. Likes to have meals with friends, trying new recipes and cribbage. Builds furniture. Looks for inclusion and same thinking connections with others. Annette is from Louisiana (moved 1988) where she grew up in a variety of religious experiences. Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, evangelical Christian, pentecostal. None fit the space. Finally found like minded people at Unitarian church in Shreveport where peaceful wanderings, discoveries and family dynamics became clear. Ended up in Seattle. Associates and Bachelor’s degree in nursing, MBA in Healthcare management. Two marriages and single parenting learned, met and married Dale and spent 11 years in Everett area. Moved to British columbia 2014 for Dale job change. With a need for connection she retired to focus on life. Now off 3 years from maternity nurse, RN UR and case manager (30 yrs). Many interests currently most important 2 grandkids and 2 grown boys with family nearby and friends. Have lots of family time now with oodles of play time, talks, sports and kissing hugs. Walking, Meditation, Reiki certification, reading, mental health work and moving forward in life.
We’ve been welcoming new members to our church community. The June, July and August newsletters will feature bios from our new members so our community can read and welcome these wonderful people to WUUC.
This newsletter will feature bios from Mark Rainey, Karen and John Somerville, and Becka Cormier. The June Newsletter featured bios from Alexis Green, Carol Zumbrunnen and Dave Tauscheck, Andy Rosen and Elizabeth Gray. The August Newseltter will feature bios from Ryn and Drew Romanyk (and Alina), Rae Shepherd, and Annette and Dale Lowey. If you don’t want to wait for future editions you can see everyones bio at this linked document.
Mark Rainey
Mark is a retiree and drum fanatic. He has been going through some big life changes, and when friendship and circumstances led him to WUUC, he decided having a spiritual community was a good idea. Mark especially appreciates the values of UU, which are very close to his personal values. Thank you for welcoming Mark into the community.
Karen and John Somerville
John and Karen moved to Woodinville in 2019 after 41 years in Connecticut. Growing up in a military family, John moved often until his family settled in the Hartford area when he was twelve. Karen was born and raised in Seattle. They met “over the phone” while both worked for a major insurance company. After raising their two daughters in Connecticut, one daughter moved to the Pacific Northwest and the other to North Carolina, so they decided it was time to return to Karen’s home region. In addition to their daughters and sons-in-laws they have two grandchildren nearby and three in North Carolina.
John likes sports and reading American history books influenced by where he has lived. Karen likes needlework and spending time with her grandkids. They had intended to find a church community when they moved to the area, but it was put on the back burner when COVID arrived. They are very happy to have found that community at WUUC.
Becka Cormier
Originally from Montana, Becka moved to Washington in 1999. She and her husband, Jake, moved to Woodinville in 2001. After raising and homeschooling her daughter, she is now working from her home studio as a figurative artist and sculptor.
Becka was a member of WUUC from 2000 until 2011. She helped build the church when she was pregnant with her daughter, Amelie.
Casually brought up in the Methodist church, after college Becka became a Wiccan. She was initially drawn to the UU church in search of other pagans. Once at WUUC, her beliefs slowly changed and she left Wicca behind. In 2011, she realized she was an atheist and left the church.
Even though she had just left the church, the community of WUUC helped her get through a brain surgery to remove a benign bone tumor between her left eye and her brain. She is forever grateful for their support.
Becka came back to check out WUUC at the request of her now-adult daughter in August of 2024. She participated in some small groups and the women’s retreat and realized she loves the community here. Still an atheist, she feels like she is at home once again at WUUC. She’s happy to be here.
We’ve been welcoming new members to our church community. The June, July and August newsletters will feature bios from our new members so our community can read and welcome these wonderful people to WUUC.
This newsletter will feature bios from Alexis Green, Carol Zumbrunnen and Dave Tauscheck, Andy Rosen and Elizabeth Gray. The July Newsletter will feature bios from Mark Rainey, Karen and John Somerville, and Becka Cormier. The August Newseltter will feature bios from Ryn and Drew Romanyk (and Alina), Rae Shepherd, and Annette and Dale Lowey. If you don’t want to wait for future editions you can see everyone bio at this linked document.
Alexis Green
Before moving to Washington in 2018, she lived in several different parts of the country, including upstate New York, Baltimore, Texas, and Portland. Music is what first drew me to this church, and you’ll often find her playing flute or singing in the choir. She works in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), enjoys the outdoors, and has two cats. She is so grateful to have found this wonderful community!
Carol Zumbrunnen and Dave Tauscheck
Carol and Dave both grew up in the Midwest, Dave in southern Minnesota, Carol in South Dakota and Minnesota. They have been Unitarians for over 35 years, and were married at Eastshore UU almost 35 years ago. They had left their Lutheran and Catholic upbringings years before.
Dave is a retired English and Social Studies teacher, Carol is a retired school counselor from the Renton School District. They enjoyed skiing or bicycling regularly when they were younger. Now they attend the Seattle Symphony regularly, walk, and participate in activities at their senior co-op in Bellevue. They have three adult children and seven grandchildren, all living in the area.
Andy Rosen
Andy’s witchy story keeps changing. When he moved to this neighborhood in 1996 with his Pagan high-priestess wife Marjorie, five‑year old son William, and his son’s aunt Shelley, Andy was pursuing a plan to inject Hollywood sensibilities into the Redmond software industry. Andy says if you want to hear the goddess laughing, you make a plan. Just eight years later, Marjorie had passed away, and all the household covens broke up.
Today Andy and Teri are a happy couple celebrating a multi-creed homestead that includes our friend Sonia Hoglander. Even though Sonia keeps her separate spaces and beliefs, the whole house appreciates the open‑minded and big‑hearted energy of the WUUC congregation that she introduced us to.
Elizabeth Gray
Elizabeth is a Seattle native who moved to Woodinville to live with her husband and wonderful stepsons. She is a lifelong bodyworker, has been a therapist, and has worked in hospice. Elizabeth loves to hike, sing well in the shower, and is refinding herself as a poet. She has been a Buddhist for 20 years; was raised Catholic, and practiced as a solo Wiccan growing up. Elizabeth was drawn to WUUC for the social justice opportunities, such as the Faith Action Network, and she has stayed for the warmth, community, wisdom, and friendship.
