The Advocates for Social Justice (ASJ) special collection on January 21st will support the Advocates for Immigrants in Detention Northwest. This fund Serves immigrants in detention and when released, through welcoming services focused on transitional support and connection to vital resources for resettlement. This selection honors the passion for immigrant’s rights championed by the late Bob Ditzler, builder of our beautiful church facilities.
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.
Our first ever Music Circle will be held on January 6th at 1:00pm in the sanctuary. You are invited to bring your voice, your drums, your guitars or whatever instruments you want for impromptu music making. Bring music if you want, or just jump in any way you can and have some fun with music-minded WUUC folk.
Special music for Sunday services
On Sundays, in addition to the choir and hymns we have special music. A song or two in the service sung or played by church members or friends. There are many opportunities throughout the month. Sometimes Rev. Dan asks for a specific song and sometimes the available musicians come up with ideas that fit the week’s theme. You don’t have to do it alone, we can help connect you with other interested participants or let you know when there is a specific need that you might be just right for. Please contact Johnna if you are interested at johnnaebanks@ymail.com.
As we move into 2024, we approach the halfway point of the school year. Time for a quick reminder about the “Totes” program. WUUC has been making monthly deliveries of food for students at Maywood Hills elementary school who are at risk of missing weekend meals. We serve 15 students there. Thanks and kudos to all of you who have supported the Totes program. Baskets with the items we collect can be found in the church hall across from the kitchen. Each month we collect shelf-stable milk, cereal, fruit, peanut butter, mayonnaise, canned fish and meat, juice boxes, granola bars, crackers, one-dish meals and snacks. Many of these items have regular donors, but we still need donations near the end of the month to fill the needs. Watch for e-mail notices around the 20th of the month. If you have questions or comments, feel free to contact John Hartman or Grace Simons, co- coordinators. Again, many, many thanks for supporting this program. We know that hungry kids can’t learn well, and we can help!
Communication Creates Connection – submitted by Board Co-secretary Linda Sherry
One of the Board’s continuing goals for this year is to Enhance Board/Congregation Communication with this description:
We will work to have continuous engagement with Members and Friends in all matters of church life, and are committed to not only healthy transparency, but also to sincerely listening to concerns as they are raised and discerning responses in the best interests of the entire community.
The Board is dedicated to the health of the congregation and sincerely wants to hear what you think about how things are going.
Send email to any Board member: President Jan Radoslovich, Vice President Jeff Lu, Co-secretary Jeff Anderson, Co-secretary Linda Sherry, Treasurer Kermit Sprang, Azure (Blue) Forte, Trina Roulet.
Submit an Online Feedback Form. This form will be read only by a Board Secretary who will respond to you and direct your input to the appropriate person. Please note that including your name makes it much easier to clarify and follow up, but it is not required.
Here is both a link (which I hope works through this newsletter) and the full URL to the form: WUUC Feedback Form
Contact Rev. Dan Lillie at: RevDan@WUUC.org , or through the church office.
Contact the church office at: offfice@WUUC.org, or call 425-788-6044
Talk to any Board member at church or a social function, and also remember that we are not on-duty at all times, so we may suggest another time to talk.
How the Board shares with the Congregation
The Board sends all congregational communication to the ANNOUNCE@wuuc email list which is dedicated to official info affecting the whole church. Board members send items that are pertinent to their role. (Secretaries send board minutes, Treasurer sends financial updates, etc.)
Each month, there is usually a newsletter article about Board activities (like this one). The newsletter has a LOT of great info about what’s going on at WUUC – I/we highly recommend reading it regularly.
The weekly Order of Service at Sunday services includes announcements.
The weekly announcement email from the office (office@wuuc.org)
Some Board members act as liaison between the Board and other working groups in the community, including the Ministry Council, Finance Committee, Worship Team etc.
And there are many ways to communicate with one another, including:
The topic specific email lists. Most popular is WUUC@wuuc.org, often called the discussion list or the community list. There are many others for Music/Choir, Women’s Retreat, RE, Politics etc. The office can supply you with a list of lists, and instructions to be added or removed from WUUC lists.
Talking with one another at church or social functions, online, or even a phone call!
There is a church roster within the WUUC website’s Secure Site (see home page of wuuc.org website, scroll down to the bottom for Secure Site Login) If you are a member of WUUC, you should have access to this members-only area of the website.
MISocial media – In the past WUUC has used Facebook and Discord in the past, and I’ve asked MarCom (Marketing/Communications) team to let us know what’s active now.
So my friends, let’s get connected and stay connected. This beloved community can only function when we are exchanging our thoughts and views. As the hymn says, “From you I receive, to you I give, together we share, and by this we live.”
We’re launching our 2023 Giving Tree, which will again support families living in the Greenleaf Apartments, a King County subsidized housing community in Kenmore. You can give any amount now at https://onrealm.org/wuuc/-/form/give/givingtree.
Donations to the Giving Tree Fund will help purchase gift cards that families can use toward gifts for their children and groceries for the family.
We are hoping to raise $2,900 to support about 13 families, including 23 children.
$10 helps a family buy new socks or cleaning supplies
$25 covers a Lego set or new shirt
$50 purchases a warm sweatshirt for a teen
$100 helps a family purchase groceries for their holiday meal
Choose from three ways to contribute by Dec. 14
Use this link and donate through Realm: https://onrealm.org/wuuc/-/form/give/givingtree Be sure it says “Giving Tree 2023” in the “Fund” category. This option allows you to use a credit card.
Scan the QR code that will be on several ornaments hanging from the tree in the WUUC sanctuary starting Dec 3. The cards will have a QR code on them that takes you to the Realm form described above.
Drop off cash or check at the church for our Office Manager to deposit. Please note that it’s for ‘Giving Tree 2023’ on the check or envelope.
Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated! Please feel free to share this info with family and friends who are looking for a way to give back this holiday season.
The Advocates for Social Justice (ASJ) special collection on December 17th will support the Na’ah Illahee Fund. This fund supports and promotes the leadership of Indigenous women in the ongoing regeneration of Indigenous communities in the Pacific Northwest. Their work addresses climate and environmental justice, food security and food sovereignty, civic participation, youth leadership, and advancing regenerative economies from a personal to systemic level.
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.
