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SEPTEMBER 2026 WUUC NEWSLETTER
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A Chalice Challenge: Find the chalice hidden inside one of the articles in this newsletter. Click on it, record your name on the resulting Google doc, and you will be entered to win a special little gift from Rev. Dan Lillie.
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Photo by Murillo Molissani from PexelsPhoto by Murillo Molissani: https://www.pexels.com/photo/side-view-of-a-red-volkswagen-beetle-on-the-road-8533613/
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Photo by Murillo Molissani: https://www.pexels.com/photo/side-view-of-a-red-volkswagen-beetle-on-the-road-8533613/Photo by Murillo Molissani: https://www.pexels.com/photo/side-view-of-a-red-volkswagen-beetle-on-the-road-8533613
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Totes to Go – September 2026
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ASJ Monthly Collection September 20
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Save the Date: Kimbrough Cafe
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Building & Grounds (BAG) Work Party
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Monday Morning Sister Circle
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Faithful Resistance Training
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Connected for Justice Pilot
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Building Your Own Theology
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Continuing Zoom & Hybrid Events
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Online Feedback & Suggestion Form
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Got comments on or questions about this newsletter? Please email office@wuuc.org
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September 2026 Soul Matters Theme
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Passage from Soul Matters Theme:
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“The beauty of our path is that we actually don’t know where we are going.” – Thomas Hübl Beginning is a big word in our culture. It comes with a lot of pressure. We are expected to be a hero of sorts: Clear about where we are going and courageous enough to …
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September Emergency Prep
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Emergencies happen. You need a plan…
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Under the Bed Day or night: Ready to respond When disaster strikes, it may be difficult to think as rationally as in normal conditions. The more procedures you have in place, and the easier they are to remember and implement, the more effective and efficient your response will be. We recommend that you keep these basic response supplies under the bed. That way, day or night, you’ll know where to go to get the essentials.
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Critical Under the Bed Items • Sturdy shoes — to protect your feet from broken glass • Work gloves, preferably leather — to protect your hands from broken glass • Flashlight & light sticks — essential for a nighttime response
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Additional Recommended Under the Bed Items • Hard hat — to protect you from falling objects like chimney bricks, and downed trees and branches. Bicycle helmets also work. • An OK/ HELP card or a sheet of paper and marker for you to write on yourself. • Tape or adhesive bandages to hang the OK/ Help card in the window or on the front door. • Place a copy of your out-of-area contact card in a plastic bag. • A whistle (to call for help).
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Totes to Go – September 2026
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Photo of Erin, our main contact, with the food in carts ready to take into the school.
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School is starting and WUUC’s Totes to Go program is fully underway! Totes to Go is a program that provides food items for kids who are at risk of missing meals on weekends, when school meals aren’t available. We supply a variety of food items and the school packs them into backpacks that the children take home on Friday afternoons. Northshore Schools start September 1st and our first delivery of the year is ready and waiting for them.
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We have almost 20 members who are “Totes Regulars” – people who commit to bringing the same items each month. They are the backbone or the program, but we always need occasional donors as well. If you would like to be a regular, contact Grace Simons or John Hartman. If you’d rather donate occasionally, watch for a message (usually around the 18th of the month) that tells what we need to complete our delivery. Every bit of help matters!
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We know that hungry kids can’t learn well. The Totes program helps to make sure that children are ready for Monday’s classes. We support 15 students at Maywood Hills Elementary in Bothell. We’ve been doing this for more than 15 years and the school is very appreciative. I met with some of the staff and PTA reps recently and they were very vocal about the difference we make. So, thanks to all who have supported Totes! Let’s keep it up!
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ASJ Monthly Collection – September 20
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We dedicate this month’s offering to Innovia Foundation’s Spokane Complex Wildfire Response Fund. Innovia is a community foundation serving Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho, helping communities recover and rebuild long after immediate emergency response has ended. Through this fund general fund and within it, the dedicated Tribal Neighbors Wildfire Relief Partnership Fund, Innovia serves the greater Spokane area, the Kalispel Tribe, the Spokane Tribe, and other nearby tribal people.
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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 (September 20th). Instructions for giving are posted during the service, and you can also donate anytime at 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. Visit wuuc.org/collection.
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Save the Date – Saturday, October 10
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Celebrate the 10th annual Kimbrough Cafe, a musical revue named for music-loving founding members Jim and Maggie Kimbrough. It will be an evening of live music from our own WUUC musicians along with delicious desserts and beverages. Our theme this year is “Be Our Guest.” Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Come enjoy a fun evening of music and a joyous celebration of community!
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If you would like to volunteer or perform, please contact Marian Johnson (mjohnson@wuuc.org) or Johnna Long.
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Super Seniors Potluck – Wednesday, September 2
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Super Seniors is a group for WUUCs age 77 and above. We meet every first Wednesday of the month for a potluck at 12:00 p.m. at the church. If you meet the age criteria we would love for you to join us for good food and good chatting. Questions? Contact Dottie Simpson at dottie9212@gmail.com
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Music Circle – Saturday, September 5
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Music Circle will be held on the first Saturday of every month from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. in Ditzler Hall. 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.
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*There will not be music Circles in January or August
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Circle Supper – Saturday, September 5
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September Circle Supper will be hosted by Ann and Jeff Lu on Saturday, September 5 at 5:00 p.m. Circle Supper’s are potlucks held at a different community member’s house each month. Find the link to the signup sheet sent out via the announce email list or email tevina.flood@gmail.com. Anyone who wants to attend can put their name down along with their dietary preferences and what they are bringing. If you’ve never been before keep reading…
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All-Church BAG Work Party Extravaganza
– Saturday, September 12
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WUUC’s annual Work Day Party in preparation of Ingathering will be held on Saturday, September 12, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Grab your garden gloves, favorite tools, and join us in providing a loving touch to our surroundings. There will be a wide range of job choices to sign up for, from low key tasks to the sleeve-roll-up hefty workout (probably not all that hefty). The Wonderful BAG committee looks forward to welcoming all who can join.
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Lunch is provided. Lots to do after a long summer. Jobs for all skill levels.
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Come join us at 9:00 a.m. or any time thereafter. All hands are needed to spruce up WUUC for the Fall and winter.
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Monday Morning Sister Circle – September 14
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– Dottie Simpson Monday Morning Sister Circle is a WUUC group which has met every second Monday from 10:00 – 12:00 p.m. We are a group of women who meet in the WUUC Library to discuss a person of interest or an essay every month. We have recently discussed women philosophers, women of action, NPR essays, spiritual essays, etc. The group is open to any woman at WUUC and we would love to have any interested woman join us. If you have any questions/would like to join Contact Dottie at <dottie9212@gmail.com>.
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Faithful Resistance Training
– Tuesday, September 15
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On Tuesday, September 15, at 6:30 p.m. In these challenging times, how can we work together with other faith partners to have a bigger impact in the community, to strengthen civic belonging, interrupt polarization, and model democratic values? Building interfaith communities is the antidote to apolitical agenda that relies on division. It reminds us that as human beings we need each other more than ever. WUUC is sponsoring a watch party to view Reimagining Interfaith from the Interfaith Alliance free training series.
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This training blends bridge-building, community trust, and strategic action. Participants examine real case studies, practice navigating interfaith conflict with curiosity. Join us in person, online, or watch this or other training sessions on your own. Watch for reminders on the announce@wuuc.org email list or contact defend-democracy@wuuc.org.
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Euchre (Card Game) – Friday, September 18
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We have a regular monthly Euchre night at WUUC. It will be the third Friday of each month from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. in Ditzler Hall.
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Newbies are welcome! It’s an easy card game to learn and we’re here to help. Lead by John Hartman
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All-Ages Drum Circle – Sunday, September 20
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Come at 12:00 p.m. on the 3rd Sunday of the month and get into the flow of some seriously joyful rhythm-making in the Sanctuary. A variety of hand drums will be provided, but you are beyond welcome to bring your own. There will also be small percussion provided—shakers, tambourines, even a cowbell. You needn’t have drummed before! More info? Contact Barbara Brachtl.
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Membership Classes – Sunday, September 20
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This short-form class is a crash course covering UUism in general as well as church and community structure at WUUC. Happening on Sunday, September 20 at the church in Portable 2 from 12:00 – 2:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required. Newly joined members or regulars are welcome to attend. If you are interested in attending, please talk to Kate Smith, Ann Lu, or Marcia Sprang.
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Connected for Justice pilot – September 22
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Strengthening Our Connections for the Work Ahead – Sept 22nd. After the events in Minneapolis, our state UU leaders asked congregations in Minnesota how they were able to respond so quickly and effectively in response to the ICE actions. The answer was long-standing multi-faith relationships and organizing in advance. Many congregations across our state don’t know what other congregations are doing. We are not fully drawing on one of our biggest sources of power: our relationships with each other.
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Your JUUstice Washington organization is planning a pilot series of gatherings of UU congregation members and ministers in Washington to help us get know one another better, build relationships before we urgently need them, and have more opportunities to work together. It will be a series of four Zoom gatherings open to all this fall, followed by an in-person gathering in winter. The first is coming up on Zoom at 6:30 on Sept 22nd. Watch for reminders on the announce@wuuc.org email list or contact Travis MacPhee at travis.juustwa.org.
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Golden Girls Lunch – Thursday, September 24
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– Stephana Ditzler All ladies are cordially invited to join the Golden Girls the last Thursday of the month at 11:30 a.m. for lunch and fine conversion at Olive Garden in Kirkland. The address is 11325 NE 124th St., Kirkland. We will be eating together in a private room busily getting to know each other better. Watch for an RSVP request closer to the date. Questions? Email ditzlers@gmail.com Looking forward to seeing you all!
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Men’s Breakfast – Saturday, September 26
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– Brad Hull Men of all ages gather to converse and eat breakfast on the fourth Saturday, at 8:30 a.m. at the Hagen’s Supermarket in Woodinville. Eat breakfast, drink coffee, talk about guy stuff. It’s the most fun you can have on a cold, wet Saturday morning. Information/RSVP: Brad Hull, bkhull@gmail.com
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Post-Service Potluck – Sunday, September 27
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A potluck in the sanctuary on the 4th Sunday of each month after Sunday service.
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Poetry Group – Sunday, September 27
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Our group is open to anyone who is curious about poetry. We meet on the 4th Sundays of the month after the service/potluck at 12:30 p.m.
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In each session of the WUUC Poetry Group, you have the opportunity to: • Share work/listen to with a supportive audience (it could be yours or someone else’s). • Generate new work by following group exercises.
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Youth Group – Sunday, September 27
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Youth Group is on the last Sunday of every month from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. in the WUUC Library! This is open to all 8th – 12th graders.
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Please complete the RSVP form that will be emailed out later in the month. Reach out to KatieCYF@wuuc.org with questions/if you are interested in joining.
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Building Your Own Theology (BYOT)
– 8 Tuesdays, September 29 – November 17
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8 Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the WUUC Library Every individual is on a spiritual journey. As a Unitarian Universalist community, we encourage each person to reflect on that journey, explore what they believe, and express those beliefs with increasing clarity and understanding.
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In this UU curriculum class, we will examine our values and beliefs about God or ultimate reality, human nature, ethics, and the meaning and purpose of life. Together, we will consider what is true for each of us and how our experiences have shaped—and continue to shape—our faith.
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This is not a “drop-in” class. It’s important to attend all eight sessions as they build on one another. Please contact one of us using the information below if you are interested. Facilitators: Chuck Bean (chuckcbean@hotmail.com) Terry Santmann (TASantmann@gmail.com)
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Continuing Zoom & Hybrid Events
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Dear WUUC, The pandemic has been hard on all of us. Engaging with our shared community is more important than ever. To that end, we encourage all folks who plan, develop, or coordinate WUUC events to carefully consider including people who may not be able to participate in person by offering hybrid or online options whenever possible. Training and/or help with setting up virtual/hybrid events is available. Please contact May Killorin, Office Administrator, for assistance.
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WUUC Online Feedback & Suggestion Form
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Dear Community, WUUC is committed to providing the best experience possible for all our congregation members, friends, and visitors. We encourage you to participate in our continuous improvement by submitting constructive suggestions regarding our church, our services, or even our website. Tell us your questions, comments, or concerns. Your feedback is a valuable part of our program. What can we do to grow and become a stronger and more welcoming faith community? Appreciation and positive feedback are also very valuable … What’s working well for you? What do you like about WUUC? Your suggestion will be reviewed promptly and considered for possible further action. You may use this link to submit your suggestion online. Anonymous feedback is permitted.
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Alternatively, you may send your suggestion in an email directly to the Board at board@wuuc.org. Thank you for your input.
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Numerous Zoom & in person meetings are held each week, including opportunities to grow our spirits and opportunities to connect for fun and entertainment. Please check the calendar link above for the schedule. Contact office@wuuc.org or your facilitator if you need the Zoom link to a meeting.
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SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS!
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We get the list Birthdays from the realm database. Please make sure your birthday is updated on the database so we don’t miss you. If you don’t want to display your birthday let May know by emailing office@wuuc.org.
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Justin Gertler – September 1
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Mary Alexander – September 5
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Amy Robertson – September 7
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Carol Taylor – September 12
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Holly Kuo-Lillie – September 19
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John Hartman – September 20
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Eli Rockenbeck – September 22
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Jan Radoslovich – September 23
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Linda Sherry – September 23
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Kristina Gray – September 24
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Tony Faraco-Hadlock – September 25
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Laurie Rockenbeck – September 30
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Which Side Are You On – A Look Into Labor Relations
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The US has a rich union labor history. Come explore a bit of it’s history and learn about how balance Indians an approach to managing between union and management.
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Meeting ID: 940 3686 1969
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For audio only, call: 253-215-8782
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Ingathering: Welcome Home
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After a full summer, we celebrate the re-gathering (or Ingathering) of our community. This service will include our annual Water Communion ritual, so bring water from your adventures, near and far. Welcome Home!
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Meeting ID: 940 3686 1969
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For audio only, call: 253-215-8782
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Theme of the Year: Invitation
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Each church year, we use a different theme as a lens for exploring our lives. This year (the 2026-27 church year), the theme for the year is Invitation. Let’s consider the ways invitation shapes our (individual and communal) lives, and how we’ll explore the theme together through the year.
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Meeting ID: 940 3686 1969
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For audio only, call: 253-215-8782
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Humanism
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Humanism has historically shaped Unitarian Universalism. Half of the 34 signers of the 1933 Humanist Manifesto were Unitarian ministers. In the decades after World War II, the growth spurt of Unitarianism was due largely to the growth of Unitarian Humanism. Come learn, or learn more, about Humanism, and how it shapes our church today.
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Jeff Lu has been a member of the WUUC since 2020, currently serving as the Board President. He is active in various church communities including Soul Matters, BYOT, and Men’s retreat. He is currently enrolled in the Doctorate of Ministry program at Meadville Lombard Theological School.
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Meeting ID: 940 3686 1969
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For audio only, call: 253-215-8782
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WUUC Facebook and SoundCloud Accounts
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