By Bridget Laflin Congregational Intern You all know me as the Director of Religious Education, but I am also a seminary student in my last year of my Master of Divinity program at Seattle University. My ultimate goal is to become an Unitarian Universalist minister. As a graduation requirement for my Master’s program, I need to do a congregational internship for two quarters. Rev. Dan and the Board of Trustees at WUUC were kind enough to let me do my internship here in addition to my work as DRE. A few things to know:
I only have 10 hours per week in this position, and will only be wearing my intern hat between the end of September and the end of March, so the scope of my internship will be limited.
The amazing Rev. Grace Simons will be acting as my internship supervisor and mentor. I am incredibly grateful to her for her generosity and wisdom.
I will be offering an adult religious education class at WUUC from November – March called “Improv as Spiritual Practice.” More info to follow.
I will be working with the worship team for the next several months and will be helping to create and lead several services between now and the end of March.
I will be working with the Lay Pastoral Associates to learn more about providing pastoral care within the church community.
I can’t wait to spend more time with you all in my new role as a congregational intern. Let me know if you have any questions!
This month’s highlighted volunteer opportunities are from the WORSHIP TEAM:
ZoomKeepers/ ZoomMates – These folks run Zoom for Sunday services. This Involves a commitment to be scheduled in rotation every 4-6 weeks. That week requires a couple of hours prep, Tech Run-through (currently on Friday late afternoon) and running Zoom production Sunday mornings.
Worship Tech Team – Want to operate the sound system and/or cameras for services when we broadcast from the Sanctuary? This involves a bit of training, then Tech Run-through (Currently on Friday late afternoon), and then setting up, working through the service and putting away equipment afterward. Tech Team members commit to working once every 4-6 weeks.
Worship Leaders – If you are curious about what’s involved in acting as the Worship Leader for services, let us know. We’ll tell you about the job, give you some materials to read and you can decide whether to apply and be trained.
If you are interested in any of these opportunities with the Worship Team, please contact Worship Team Leader Donna Johnson or Worship Support Specialist Linda Sherry.
ONLINE SOCIAL GROUPS AND SPIRITUAL EXPLORATION
Connections and Sunny Days Small Groups – These are small groups that meet on Zoom regularly, just for conversation. Leaders may offer up a topic, or just leave it open to the group. We expect to be starting up some new groups this month, the times are yet to be determined. If you want to join one, OR if you’d be interested in leading a group, please contact Tevina Flood.
Focused Small Groups – Check out our Sister Circle, our Parent Support Group, our Retired Folks Group and more…
There are many more opportunities for classes, focus groups and conversation online at WUUC. Please check out the Community Connections using the link below, and contact our Engagement Coordinator Karen Hyams if you need more information on getting started.
In response to parents from the Kenmore Greenleaf Apartments expressing a desire for more supportive relationships among their children, as well as to deepen their identities and leadership skills, members of the Racial Justice Task Force partnered with Fernell Miller of Root of Us and Greenleaf parents to create the Roots Summer Circle and Community Camp, which took place every Wednesday in July and August. Several WUUC volunteers supported the camp with snacks and general help, while Fernell and other youth and adults of color provided programming and mentorship.
The weekly camp sessions grew into an opportunity for Greenleaf parents to engage with each other and their children, as well as showcase a bit of their culture by bringing special dishes to share during snack time.
Says Denesha McCoy, Greenleaf parent: “I’ve watched the youth grow their relationships by building friendships and trust in each other. We partnered with some amazing groups like Kinara Park Kids and Youth Rising, and taught them sustainable life skills and responsible self-care values. I look forward to volunteering with these youth next summer and following their journey.”
Her 11-year-old daughter, Jasmin, adds: “It’s been a fantastic summer camp experience. I’m able to make friends and learn about respecting my friends even if we do not always agree or get along. I’m looking forward to next year’s summer camp.”
Monthly Special Collections
On June 20, our special collection of $450 supported Lambert House, a safe space in Seattle that empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth ages 11-22 through the development of leadership, social and life skills. In July, we collected $200 for EarthGen, a nonprofit organization that equips youth to grow their power as changemakers for a healthy environment. Through EarthGen’s science-based, action-oriented programs, young people gain the knowledge, skills, and experience they need to become leaders for climate solutions and environmental justice.
On Sept. 19, our special collection will replenish WUUC’s Black Student and Families Fund (BSAFF). This money, along with WUUC volunteers, assists families of students in the Northshore School District (especially those living at Greenleaf, a subsidized housing community) with a variety of needs – from essentials like food, shelter, and monthly bills, to community organizing, leadership development, and support for future dreams including college and career development. Your contributions will fund programs and services with the goal of providing a safe environment for students to explore and express their identity as they navigate the racial constructs of their world, such as the Greenleaf Roots Summer Camp described above.
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. Instructions for giving are posted during the service, and you can also donate anytime the following week 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 Monthly Collection” in the notes.
Virtually every child on the planet is exposed to at least one climate or environmental hazard right now.
850 million children are exposed to four or more climate or environmental hazards.
Thirty-three countries are considered extremely high risk for children, but those countries emit just 9 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions.
The 10 countries with the highest emissions collectively account for nearly 70% of global emissions, but children in those higher-emitting countries face lower overall risks associated with climate change.
Good News
Federal climate action is happening. (Thanks for voting!)
The Glasgow Climate Summit in November will put countries “feet to the carbon fire.” They will ratchet up the goals they set in Paris.
Countries are already signing up for deep carbon cuts. China aims to go carbon neutral by 2060.
Renewables are now the cheapest energy. At some point it will make economic sense to shut down and replace coal and gas power stations.
Covid was a wake-up call. It has reminded us that it is possible for our world to be upended in ways we cannot control.
Business is going green. Why invest in new oil wells or coal power stations that will become obsolete before they can repay themselves? Tesla is the world’s most valuable car company. Exxon stock’s value fell so far that it got booted out of the Dow Jones for major US corporations.
There is reason for hope. But even if we win the battle to create a carbon-neutral world the major fight will be in persuading the rich carbon-producing countries to support the countries who will suffer from the greatest impact of climate change. Creating a mechanism for this to happen will be one of our greatest challenges.
Join us on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. for a meeting of the WUUC Nonfiction Book Club, hosted by Alaine Davis and Donna Johnson. We will discuss An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States (Revisioning History Book 3) by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz. Depending on what the world looks like then, we may meet on Zoom or in person. RSVP to Alaine.
Every Sunday we say these words: We acknowledge that this land is the traditional territory of the Coast Salish People. Their presence is imbued in these mountains, valleys, waterways, and shorelines. May we nurture our relationship with our Coast Salish neighbors, and the shared responsibilities to this place, their homelands.
This land acknowledgement is necessary but insufficient if we just say the words and fail to accurately understand the past 400 years of US history. The next steps for WUUC might start with deep inquiry followed by actions that address the legacy of injustice against Native Americans.
An Indigenous People’s History of the United States is a good place to begin. It is “An extraordinary book by Indigenous scholar and activist Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz that challenges readers to learn US history through a narrative that centers the story, the experiences, and the perspectives of Indigenous peoples. Upending myths and misinformation that have been promulgated by leaders and media, it asks readers to reconsider the origin story of the United States taught to every US school child. Movements in response to global and local environmental emergencies, many involving UUs, are increasingly recognizing the connection between Indigenous rights and climate justice.” *
Goodreads says this about the book: “Today in the United States, there are more than five hundred federally recognized Indigenous nations comprising nearly three million people, descendants of the fifteen million Native people who once inhabited this land. The centuries-long genocidal program of the US settler-colonial regimen has largely been omitted from history. Spanning more than four hundred years, this classic bottom-up peoples’ history radically reframes US history and explodes the silences that have haunted our national narrative.” **
An Indigenous People’s History of the United States asks us to consider how acknowledging the reality of the trauma and resilience of indigenous people and taking steps based on this history might transform our society. Read the book and join us Oct. 16 to share your insights.
Four times a year, the WUUC Book Discussion Group gathers to read and talk about a nonfiction book. You only attend the meetings about books that interest you, so we end up with a different group of participants every time. We meet to connect and talk about a book in depth. Anyone is welcome to suggest a book and/or lead a discussion. Contact Alaine to RSVP, suggest a book, or offer to host a future discussion.
