The January 2020 theme for worship, RE, and small groups at WUUC is: What Does It Mean to be a People of INTEGRITY? Our monthly themes and resource materials come from Soul Matters Sharing Circle, a network of Unitarian Universalist congregations. A small sample of thoughts about integrity from Soul Matters:
Integrity stems from the Latin word “integer” which means whole and complete. In mathematics, an integer is a number that can’t be divided into fractions. Integrity requires an inner sense of “wholeness” and consistency of character. When you are in integrity, people should be able to visibly see it through your actions, words, decisions, methods and outcomes. When you are “whole” and consistent, there is only one you. You don’t leave parts of yourself behind.
Integrity isn’t simply something we build; it’s something already there. We UUs talk about mostly about inherent worth, but we also believe in inherent integrity. All the building blocks are there, waiting. Our parents who role modeled values we admired and can embrace. Our teachers and mentors who imparted wisdom about what really matters. Our spiritual community that pushed us to grow in the understanding of our faith. It’s all there, just forgotten. They are calling to us from the edge of the woods, from the center of the deep pond of our souls.
On
some questions, Cowardice asks the question, “is it safe?” Expediency asks the question, “is it
polite?” Vanity comes along and asks the
question, “is it popular?” But Conscience
asks the question, “is it right?” And
there comes a time when we must take a position that is neither safe, nor
polite, nor popular, but we must do it because Conscience tells us it is
right. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Can
you remember who you were, before the world told you who you should be? Charles Bukowski
Happy New Year! We begin 2020 with a last-minute call for support for the January Totes delivery. At this writing, we still need quite a few items, including peanut butter, juice packs and snack packs for this month’s delivery. We’re packing later than usual (Jan. 5) because of the schools’ winter breaks.
Just to
review, our Totes to Go program assists 15 kids identified by the schools as
being at risk of missing meals over weekends and school breaks when school
meals aren’t available. We serve two
Bothell schools – an elementary and a Middle School. Each month we fulfill a list of food items
and the school staff sends a selection of those items home with each student on
Fridays. All the items are shelf stable. No refrigeration needed. You can see the variety of items in the
baskets across the hall from the library.
Questions? Contact John Hartman or Grace Simons
Many, many
thanks to all our supporters! It’s a
pretty ambitious program, but one that’s much needed!
Join us for Seminary for a Day on Saturday, Jan. 25 at First Unitarian, Portland. This year’s spiritual theme is entitled, “Spiritual Practice for Difficult Times.”
This year’s keynote presenter will be Rev. Dr. Robert M. Hardies, senior minister of All Souls Church, Unitarian in Washington, DC, a large, dynamic and multicultural congregation in our nation’s capital. Rob is a former member of First Church, Portland, where he discovered Unitarian Universalism in the early 1990s. Rob’s own spiritual life has been deeply influenced by his 20-plus-year study of the spiritual practices of our Unitarian and Transcendentalist ancestors. At Seminary for a Day he is eager to share some of what he’s learned with folks at First Church.
Rev. Robert Hardies will join us for two dynamic workshops on spiritual practices. Additional offerings throughout the day will include such topics as Stories of Hope in Uncertain Times, Life and Nature as Sacred Text, The Practice of Prayer: A Holy Charge, Dancing to the Rhythms of the Earth, Writing in Response to Transcendentalism, and many more.
It is challenging to make and keep New Year’s Resolutions but the planet needs our help. Instead of going on that exercise plan (which only lasts two weeks anyway):) how about resolving to invest your energy in clean-energy solutions for 2020?
Here are some suggestions:
1. Choose public
transportation whenever possible over driving solo to a destination.
2. Take fewer long-distance flights/ choose to substitute bus or train trips.
3. Support UU Ministry for Earth financially .
4. Get
involved with the WUUC Green Sanctuary Program.
5. Write or call your state and national lawmakers on green renewable energy initiatives.
6.
Plant trees and flowers to attract pollinators.
7. Patronize environmentally friendly stores and businesses—
Pure Clean, Redmond (chemical free rug cleaners)
Root Cause, Seattle & Mercer Island (tree care provider)
There are many many others switching to plastic-free production and conserving energy that you already use. Please recommend your sources to one and all.
With
best wishes for a Happy New Cleaner & Greener 2020 !
At the board meeting on Nov. 5, board Secretary Terry Santmann gave a report on the bylaws vote: 71 people voted in total. 67 people voted in favor of the first bylaws proposal. 70 people voted in favor of the second proposal. The third bylaws proposal was approved unanimously. The Board spent the rest of the meeting on an extensive and detailed review of the edits to the model ministerial contract recommended by the board subcommittee.
The Board had previously discussed the pros and cons of multi-generational worship on Sundays and has asked the Ministry Council to evaluate the best method to analyze and explore the idea of Sunday Forums.
The Board had requested that The Ministerial Search Committee (MSC) make a recommendation regarding whether the church should proceed with a search for a settled minister or choose a different search path (.e.g. Developmental, Contract, etc.) The MSC has discussed at length the results of the recently concluded survey and cottage meetings. Based on those results, as well as on the committee members’ own impressions of the congregation’s readiness, the MSC has unanimously recommended that that the search for a settled minister should continue. At the Nov. 19 meeting the Board voted unanimously to follow the MSC’s recommendation to continue the search for a settled minister. The group also discussed at length Rev. Duane’s feedback on the proposed draft minister contract. (Rev. Duane is WUUC’s ministerial transition coach.) The ministerial contract team will meet again to recommend further revisions.
We have a dilemma regarding our dire need for immediate improved internet service and the delay in funding which would likely result if we attempt to fund the technological upgrade through Chalice Lighters. David will further research the possibility of getting both a $4,000 Chalice Lighters matching grant immediately for the internet upgrade as well as later applying for a full Chalice Lighter grant for further technological upgrades. The Board authorized the release of $4,000 from the solar fund reserve in response to a request from one of the donors. The $4,000 would be used for the internet upgrade, should we apply for the matching grant.
David will buy extra headphones and receivers for the hearing loop, so the church will have ten in total to provide on Sundays. Rev. Diana will include hearing loop information and procedures in an Announce email about accessibility.
The next board meeting will be held in the WUUC library at 6:30 pm on December 10th.
For minutes of the Nov. 19 board meeting, go here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hyMIMdp9NIOl0ZmEIVdUuyH8jlMdt6u-/view?usp=sharing For minutes of the Nov. 5 board meeting, go here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sk1ERqIXqOxY-VTCvDkOC-oCyNceXPXb/view?usp=sharing For minutes of the Oct. 20 Congregational Meeting, go here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ux8yIBzpFk7g5lD9pNVGtx5taI59tTFX/view?usp=sharing
Our heads are engaged with holiday activities, but Totes to Go is preparing for the New Year. Let’s get “our” kids off to a good start in 2020. Remember, these children are students in Bothell schools who have been identified as being at risk of missing meals over weekends. We supply food to supplement their needs. Every Friday, the school packs up a selection of the items we donate and sends that home with the child. The empty backpack comes back to school on Monday. Each month we supply shelf stable milk, one-dish meals, a pack of crackers, fruit cups, juice packs, granola bars, snack packs, cereal, peanut butter and canned meat or fish. We hope that when you shop for groceries, you pick up a few items for Totes to Go. We make a difference for kids who may be trying to learn when their stomachs are growling. Thanks so much for your ongoing participation in the Totes program! Questions? Contact John Hartman or Grace Simons, coordinators.
