Oh, my! It’s August already! Summer is slipping away and school will soon start again. That means the Totes to Go program needs to get active. Totes provides food for kids who are at risk of missing meals on weekends, when school meals aren’t provided. We support 15 students at Maywood Hills elementary school in Bothell. WUUC has been part of the Totes program for more than 15 years. The school knows it can depend on us and we’ve made a difference for hundreds of kids! Many thanks to all of you who have supported this program!
We have a specific list of items that we collect and deliver to the school by the first weekend of the month. A number of our church members have signed up to buy particular items and bring them to the church soon after the 15th of each month. You could be one of these special donors! We are looking for volunteers to bring these items: 3 boxes (12 sleeves) of salt crackers, 15 cans of tuna, 30 snacks, 12 one-dish meals, or up to 60 granola bars or juice packs. Please contact Grace Simons if you would like to volunteer for one of these on a regular basis.
I put out an update late in the month, asking for folks to fill in any gaps remaining after the “regulars” have brought their items. Please look for those and help out as you are able. Again, thanks so much for your support of Totes. We are helping to see that kids are ready to learn, especially on Monday mornings!
Questions or concerns? Contact Grace Simons or John Hartman, co-coordinators.
The Northwest Abortion Access Fund is an abortion fund serving Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska. Trained, compassionate volunteer advocates run our toll-free helpline. We help people pay for their abortion care by sending funding directly to the clinic. We also help people get to and from the clinic. And we make sure people traveling for care have a safe place to stay. 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 (July 20). 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.
After the worship service on June 15th, we are having a Congregational Meeting where we will vote on the proposed 2025-26 budget and for the candidates for the elected positions on the Board of Trustees, Endowment Committee, and Nominating Committee. The members of the Nominating Committee extend our gratitude to those completing their terms this year, and to the following members who have agreed to serve in the coming years. We propose the following slate of candidates:
Board of Trustees Candidates
Jeff Lu
Jeff is the current WUUC Board President, serving on the Board since 2022. Since joining WUUC in 2020, Jeff has been an active member, engaging in the Crossing Paths, Soul Matters, Circle Supers, BAG cleanups, Men’s breakfast and Men’s retreat. Jeff also volunteers on technology crew for the sound, video, lighting and Zoom for WUUC services and events.
Jeff is a retired executive, with a career focus on computing hardware technology and product development. Jeff spent a dozen years working in China and Taiwan, experiencing many cultures and faiths while visiting many countries in Asia.
Lane Owsley
Lane Owsley has been a member of WUUC for more than 20 years. He has served as an RE teacher and youth advisor. He was a longtime member of the Building and Grounds Committee, as well as the Membership Committee. He currently serves on the Safer Congregations Task Force and the Auction Team.
Endowment Candidates
Grace Simons
Rev Grace Simons is Minister Emerita of the UU Fellowship of Stanislaus County (CA), and also served High Country UU Fellowship in Frisco, CO. Before beginning her ministry, Grace was a Peace Corps Volunteer and long time Jr High Science teacher and track coach. Grace has served as a UU Ministers Association coach and as a member of the Pacific Northwest District’s Transition Team. She preaches occasionally and served the Evergreen UU Congregation during a period of crisis. She and her husband David have two adult children and four grandchildren. Grace coordinates the Totes to Go program here at the church, sings in the choir and generally tries to be helpful.
Nominating Committee Candidates
Tony Faraco-Hadlock
Tony and his wife Katie began attending WUUC in 2022. He is a member of the tech team (Zoomkeeping, Sound, and Camera) and as of recently is leading Gen XYZ. He really enjoys being a part of this vibrant community and is passionate about continuing to build a church community that is dedicated to improving our world and nurturing its members. He is honored to be nominated for the nominating committee and looks forward to giving back to the church through this work.
Join your WUUC friends for the 2025 Summer campout!
It’s that time again! July is the annual WUUC campout – Thursday July 24 to Sunday July 27, at Deception Pass State Park.
The campout is the longest-running activity at WUUC. It’s a great weekend getaway, for people and families of all stripes, and includes campfires, a potluck, games, hikes, music, swimming, beach walks, and of course lots of informal hang-out time with your WUUC campers, in one of the most beautiful state parks in Washington.
Over 20 WUUC adults/families signed up when reservations opened back in October, BUT – if you didn’t get in on reserving a site, it still may be possible to add you in!
Additionally, Deception Pass is close enough that even if you’re not camping, we invite you to come up for the day. Saturday is the best day for doing that, as we have our evening potluck!
Please contact Jack Brand at jackbrand@gmail.com or 206 683-5149 if you are interested or have questions – or if you have decided you no longer can use a reserved site,
We welcomed multiple new members to our church recently. The May & June newsletter will both feature bios from our new members so our community can read and welcome these wonderful people to our community at WUUC.
Alison Sattler
Alison Sattler is a Seattle-area native who grew up in Queen Anne and Lake Forest Park. She currently resides in Lynnwood with her husband Andrew, whom she met through the Cascade Bike Club. She currently volunteers to help immigrants and refugees improve their English language skills–a longtime passion of hers. In addition, she works as a part-time nanny. She and Andrew love spending time with their intentional family (a mother and her two boys). Her other favorite activities include playing pickleball, hiking, biking, going for long walks, kayaking and playing board games. She enjoys being amongst kind-hearted people, which she’s found in this community!
Eli and Lily Taylor
Eli grew up nearby in Lynnwood, Washington. He now lives in Snohomish with his spouse, his daughter Lily, and their dog Betty. Eli and Lily first came to WUUC in the summer of 2024, looking for a safe and supportive spiritual community for Lily to grow up in. We were warmly welcomed, and Lily immediately asked if we could keep coming back. Eli keeps busy working as a data analyst, attending online courses for a doctorate in data science, and also working part-time as a registered nurse. He enjoys nature and gardening, reading, board games and video games, and anything science-fiction related. As a family we also enjoy learning taekwondo together.
Eastside Pride PNW is a community-based LGBTQIA+ education and advocacy organization comprised of LGBTQIA+ community members, students, parents, and allies who are committed to enhancing the lives of the Eastside LGBTQIA+ community. Eastside Pride was created to make sure that our LGBTQIA+ community is seen, heard, celebrated, and feel a genuine sense of belonging. Eastside Pride represents the Eastside cities of Bellevue, Bothell, Carnation, Clyde Hill, Duvall, Issaquah, Kenmore, Kirkland, Newcastle, North Bend, Redmond, Sammamish and Woodinville.
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 (June 15). Instructions for giving are posted during the service, and you can also donate anytime at 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.
