A big THANK YOU to everyone who attended the virtual Justice Panel after the service on Sunday, Oct. 24. We had the opportunity to hear from leaders of each Justice Ministry under the umbrella of Advocates for Social Justice: Racial Justice, Economic Justice, Welcoming Congregation (LGBTQ Justice), Indigenous Rights, and Climate Justice. Leaders shared information about their teams’ current efforts toward activism, the intersectionality of the different ministries, and how members can get involved. For more information, contact Cora Goss-Grubbs at CGoss-Grubbs@wuuc.org.
Monthly Special Collections
In August we collected $295 for Cascadia Growth Fund for Unitarian Universalism. Their mission is to enhance places and ways in which UU’s of all ages gather. They offer loans and grants to congregations in the Pacific Northwest District and British Columbia. WUUC has received support from this fund over the years, including a recent grant for our air filtration project and costs relating to creating online worship at the beginning of the pandemic.
On Sept. 19, our ASJ Special Collection added $1095 to WUUC’s Black Student and Families Fund (BSAFF). This fund, 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 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.
Our October ASJ collection went to Honor the Earth, a native initiative to create awareness and support for Native environmental issues and to develop needed financial and political resources for the survival of sustainable Native communities. Learn more at: https://www.honorearth.org/. Among other activities, Honor the Earth is currently supporting actions of Water Protectors to oppose pipeline 3 in the Midwest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a98gUC53NYo&t=90s. You can still donate to Honor the Earth by following the directions below.
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 Special Collection” in the notes.
The forecast is for tropical breezes as Villasenor and “the Katz,” our WUUC Auctioneers, are ready to catch your waves – that is, take your bids on your favorite auction items. Wax up your mouse pad and don’t hold back – Hang Five, Hang Ten, drop in and shoot the curl. Just don’t be a Hodad.
When: Saturday, November 20, 7-9pm, live auction & party!
What: Silent auction online November 14-20; live auction and entertainment Saturday, November 20, 7-9pm
Where: Zoomcast from a recently discovered tropical island!
By Linda Sherry Worship Support Specialist There are so many rewarding ways to be involved at WUUC, from non-fiction book groups, a variety of classes and small group opportunities to enjoying our Sunday worship services. And many of us find volunteering in one way or another is deeply rewarding in many ways, such as deepening your understanding of UUism, to getting to know people with similar interests, and just the joy of working to support the health of our wonderful spiritual home.
A few current volunteer opportunities:
Sing with your voice and heart – Join the choir!
We may not be quite ready to safely join together physically in song, but our choir has risen above the obstacle and developed ways to sing together, so rise up and sing – with the WUUC choir.
Techie Types – help with production of Sunday Services!
As we prepare to create hybrid services that can be enjoyed simultaneously at home or in the sanctuary, we need a few more folks to help run sound and cameras at church. Tech Team-mates will rotate duties, so you would be scheduled about once a month.
Keep our building and property welcoming and beautiful!
Our Building And Grounds team (BAG) need more folks to help keep up the landscape, do repairs, and generally maintain the physical space of our spiritual home. There’s a work party at church on Saturday, Nov. 13.
To learn about more opportunities to deepen your relationship with the community, please look at the Ways to Get Involved page under the Connect tab on the WUUC website: www.WUUC.org
Or get in touch with Karen Hyams, WUUC’s Engagement Coordinator: engage@wuuc.org
“Sing your song Dance your dance Tell your story I will Listen and remember” ― Utah Phillips
By Bridget Laflin Congregational Intern The Soul Matters theme for November is “Holding History.” As I reflect on this theme, I think about those loved ones who have passed away. In the past two years, we have lost more people to illness than any time in recent history. It has had a deep impact on all of us. There is blessing used in the Jewish tradition when offering sympathy to people who have lost a loved one, “May their memories be a blessing.”
And so I recall the blessing of the memories of those who have died. I remember our history together. I relive the adventures we shared, the times we laughed, and the times when we supported each other. I dwell for a time in the love that we shared and regret the times we were distant. I revel in the memory of their life intertwined with mine. I am grateful for the gifts they shared with me; their courage, their wisdom, and their love. I am a different person for having loved them and for their having loved me.
And I think about the future. How can my memory be a blessing to those who remain after I die? What memories can we make together that will bless their future?
And so I offer this prayer: May the memories of those who have gone before me be a blessing to me, and may I live my life in a way that my memory will be a blessing to those who come after. Amen.
UU 101 is a two-session class offered quarterly that covers some basics about Unitarian Universalist History, Theology, and Polity. What is polity, you ask? Come to UU 101 and find out! The next UU 101 dates are:
Session 1: Wednesday, October 20, 6:30 – 8:00 pm, via Zoom
Session 2: Wednesday, October 27, 6:30 – 8:00 pm, via Zoom
Improvisational Comedy (Improv) has become incredibly popular over the past several years as a form of entertainment and as a way for actors to build their skills. Improv can also be a powerful form of spiritual practice. Bridget has been performing and teaching improv for over 20 years and it has been an integral part of her personal and spiritual growth. You are invited to come play, laugh, and learn improv basics with her while also learning how these skills can aid in your spiritual journey.
When: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month (Nov. 2-March 15) from 7-8:30 p.m.
Where: WUUC Sanctuary (This will be an in person class. Masks will be required. Social distancing will be practiced as much as possible.)
Who: High School Youth and Adults (Limited to 18 participants)
This 4-session course provides an opportunity to explore Spiritual Practices as a way to engage the holy and deepen our spiritual lives. We will learn about and try out a few Spiritual Practices together, and then we will share and reflect on our experience.
The four sessions will be on Saturdays from 1-3 p.m. Oct. 23 and 30, and Nov. 6 and 13.
This course will be in-person at WUUC, outdoors when weather permits, and masks required when indoors. This course is limited to 9 participants. Registration deadline is Wednesday, Oct. 20, but may fill up sooner. Please register for the course by emailing Rev. Dan Lillie (revdan@wuuc.org).
The WUUC Auction is ON!, Please plan to join us on Gilligan’s Island for the live auction and party Saturday, Nov. 20 7-9 p.m. Start planning your auction items, events, and attire.
The event will be Zoomcast and/or in person, depending… Stay tuned for email announcements coming soon!
Gilligan, the Skipper, and crew guarantee a fun time for all!
