My name is Silvia. I retired from gainful employment in the Healthcare field shortly after leaving my marriage several years ago. Divorce felt devastating.
After regaining some sense of “normalcy,” I began volunteer work co-facilitating a support group for women in Domestic Violence situations. The focus was on “self-empowerment” which actually helped my own healing process.
However, I never accomplished practicing enough detachment when listening to the women’s often tragic accounts of their turbulent relationships. Their despair became infectious and I grew weary and discouraged. I needed to look for volunteer work that was not draining and instead would be energizing and lift me up.
I found two such opportunities:
A friend at the Redmond Senior Center, who also grew up in Europe needed help teaching ESL, as her class had grown beyond her capacity to handle it alone. We taught for two years until the pandemic forced us to quit.
What I took with me from that experience was the appreciation and love we received from our students. Several of them brought gifts upon returning from trips to their respective countries. I won’t forget how the diversity in our group taught me not only to better understand other cultures but, more importantly, how similar we are in our common experience of simply being human. Two of the women, one from China, the other from Russia became naturalized U.S. citizens during that period.
For some time now I have been volunteering at the little “Discovery Thrift Shop” in Redmond. All work is done by volunteers. The money made off donations goes to benefit cancer research. We sell almost anything donated that is in good condition, from clothing, jewelry, hardware and books to items initially hard to identify. Not infrequently, once we do figure out what we are pricing it makes us chuckle. Additionally, I really value the mindset of recycling. Sometimes we come across rare items of significant value and spend extra time researching their origins.
I especially enjoy cashiering. People from all walks of life stand in line with their “treasures.” A personal benefit is that I get to practice Spanish with many of the Hispanic shoppers. It is a language I spoke until age 7 before my family moved back to Germany from Bolivia where they had spent the years during World War II and beyond. I was born there.
I thrive in multi-cultural environments because I feel a certain kinship with people who are immigrants to this country. As some shoppers struggle with language and we communicate with hand signals I smile with them when they finally feel understood.
In summary, I have experienced several fun ways to make a difference. With the barrage of domestic and global bad news unloaded on us every day it’s easy to become cynical. My volunteer work helps to keep me balanced. It has become easier to acknowledge the dichotomy between good and evil about being human in this, our world.
For many years, WUUC has participated in the Totes To Go program. What is that? It’s a system through which schools in our general area identify students who are at risk of missing meals over weekends, when school breakfast and lunch programs aren’t available. We provide a variety of food items that are placed in a backpack for each of those students to take home with them each Friday. They are mostly single serving items as the living situations of the students may be unstable.
The WUUC program started up again with the new school year. We packed bags for each student after the Sept. 1 service and our first delivery was made on Sept. 5. Deadline for collection of October supplies is Oct. 2. Here’s the link to what we need: inventory
This year we are supporting 15 students in two Bothell schools. We’ve had a strong response from our congregation and are so grateful for your participation! Those 15 students send a big ‘Thank You!’
Please remember the ‘Totes’ program when you get your groceries. Everything goes more smoothly when we don’t need last minute calls for still-needed items. We are making a difference!
By Linda Sherry Based on Soul Matters Materials Relationships are not just about people. We have relationship with many aspects of our lives. While this month’s theme primarily focuses on connections with people, might I suggest we also consider our relationships to what nourishes us, and what stresses us, and how we cultivate the garden that is our lives.
As the seasons change, we cultivate the soil; we choose what to plant we carefully feed and water; we delight in the first sight of a new green sprout; we cull the garden to allow space for healthy growth; we pull weeds; we relish the flowers that delight; and eagerly enjoy the fruits of each. Each season of our life is a little different.
What do you want and need in your garden at this time of your life?
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ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE
The precious people in our lives know we love, appreciate and adore them, but there’s something about giving voice to the reasons for our love that makes that love tangible. When we identify the specific ways our lives are enriched by another, saying it out loud breathes life Into our connections.
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What relationship in your life needs to be restored? What connection have you ignored for too long?
Is it time to stop cultivating a relationship and instead walk away from it?
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ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS AND THE COVID PANDEMIC
How has the Covid-19 pandemic affected your relationships? Have you had more time or inclination to think about them?
Have you experienced unexpected closeness with anyone?
When you’ve felt lonely or isolated, who have you yearned for most?
What was the most nourishing new relationship you cultivated during the pandemic time? Was it with an unexpected person? A new habit? A new part of yourself? And what’s your plan to intentionally nourish that relationship moving forward?
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ABOUT RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR BELOVED COMMUNITY
Building community is to the collective as spiritual practice is to the individual. Grace Lee Boggs
We are like aspen trees – who have mistakenly thought that since we look like many trees that we are separate beings – but under the ground, our root system is one – we are fully alive when we are connected because we are, we were always, part of one another. Rev. Hilary Krivchenia
What do we live for if it is not to make life less difficult for each other? George Eliot
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ABOUT CONFLICT IN RELATIONSHIP
How Do You NOT Cultivate Relationship? It’s counterintuitive but true: arguing well can strengthen relationships unlike almost anything else. Those skilled at navigating the tense waters of a fight know that it’s not the fight itself but the way one fights that tears the threads of relationship. To have had a fight with someone that “fights fair” is to know that you can trust them when things get rough again. It leaves one clear that what matters most to the other is not winning but the relationship itself. Here’s the good news: we can all get better at arguing well, at fighting fairly! And a great place to start is with recognizing the ways in which you don’t fight fairly.
Each month WUUC embraces a theme that we carry into our Worship, some of our small groups, and hopefully into our quiet conversations and personal reflections. These themes are offered and supported by the UUA’s Soul Matters program.
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.
