universityucc.org · 2018-01-20 · ny retirement program. send cover letter and resume to...

February 2018 Volume 70, Number 2

February Calendar Thursday, Feb 1 1st day to drop off Superfluity donations

Sunday, Feb 4 12:00 spirit workshop vigil

Tuesday, Feb 6 6:00 men’s soup supper

Saturday, Feb 10 5:30 Child ministry pizza night

Sunday, Feb 11 11:30 Inquirers lunch

Monday, Feb 12 12:00 Senior lunch

Wednesday, Feb 14 12:00 Ash Wednesday service 6:00 Ash Wednesday service

Saturday, Feb 17 4:30 parents with little ones dinner

Sunday, Feb 18 2:00 spirit workshop orienteering

Monday, Feb 19 Building closed: Presidents Day

Wednesday, Feb 21 7:00 Church Council meeting

Sunday, Feb 25 11:30 Racial Justice workshop Mary’s Place party End-of-life discussion 2:00 spirit workshop: write with intention

Monday, Feb 26

6:00 All Women Extraordinary dinner

On February 11, we will have a pancake breakfast at our regular Fellowship Breakfast time. Pancakes are traditionally served before Lent as a way of using food supplies that were traditionally not eaten during Lent. Our pancake breakfast will include a “Mardi Gras” style celebration, with pancakes flipped by your pastors.

“Do It Yourself” Ash Wednesday and Lenten packets will also be available on Sunday February 11 for those who cannot make it to church on Ash Wednesday, and those who would like to have a Lenten devotional practice.

Lent is a season of simplicity and contemplation. Here at our church we begin this season with two opportunities on Ash Wednesday, February 14.

• At noon the pastors will be outside the church offering the imposition of ashes to anyone passing by who would like to participate in this ritual. You are invited to join us.

• At 6 pm we will have an Ash Wednesday service in the chapel.

Lent Begins with

Pancakes and Ashes

Church and Home Print Edition, February 2018

Deaths

Molly Pritchard

Born: July 30, 1964 Died: January 10, 2018

Molly grew up in this church, and became a member in 1978. She was active in this congregation, involved with moms’ groups, Seabeck, the Women’s retreat, and Veriditas. An inspiring teacher, she was most recently at the Center School for over fifteen years. Molly taught drama there and also directed the plays

Molly was the mother of Bronwen, daughter of Sally Pritchard, and sister of Rev. Meighan Pritchard.

Please hold Molly’s family, especially Bronwen and her husband Simon, in your thoughts and prayers during this tender time.

Memorial Service

A memorial service will be held in our Sanctuary on Saturday, February 3 at 2:00. A reception will follow.

Welcome new

members Janet Park

Born: September 23, 1928 Died: December 19, 2017

Janet had been a member here since 1980, but hadn’t been able to attend in recent years. She was a freelance writer, and had a strong volunteer ethic — helping in schools in Guatemala and Mexico and at the Hearth-stone where she lived.

Janet appreciated the UCUCC community and the visits from Parish Visitors, Parish Associate, and our Pastors.

Memorial Service A memorial service was held January 7, 2018 at The Hearthstone Chapel

New members who joined on January 21


Find information on our newest members in the paper edition of Church & Home available in the church

building


Call to Action! Superfluity 2018

Annual rummage, collectibles and plant sale April 19-21, 2018 Superfluity is a highlight of every Easter Season. As a result of last year’s sale, more than $30,000 was distributed to area nonprofits. It is one event that combines our time and talent to create treasure.

• Go through your household for things that you no longer need or use and bring them in for the sale (see suggestions below).

• Help sort donations Wednesdays, Feb. 7 - April 11 General Sorting: 9:30 am - noon Book Sorting: 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm

• Pass out postcards and flyers to friends (available in February).

• Pot up perennials from your garden or grow seedlings for the plant department.

• Volunteer during sale week.

• Bring friends to the sale - this really helps!

• Make delicious edibles to be sold during the sale. These could include pies, soups, cookies, bars, quiches or other goodies.

Here’s how you can get involved and help:

These items consistently sell well:

Bring donations to room 133 starting February 1 All items need to be clean, in good working condition and have all their parts.

• Antiques and collectibles

• Plants and garden tools

• Children’s clothes and toys

• Books and games

• Records, CD’s and DVD’s

• Linens, towels, craft items

• Sporting goods

• Decorative items for the home

• Housewares and small appliances, kitchen items, glassware, utensils

• Tools and electronics

• Jewelry, scarves, purses

• Men’s hats and belts

Please do NOT bring

Large furniture, artificial Christmas trees, Christmas lights, dried/plastic flowers, rolled up pictures/posters, macramé plant hangers, stuffed animals, disposable plastics, computers, printers, TV’s, VHS or audio tapes, office supplies, adult clothes or shoes, text books, Readers Digest Condensed books, skates, tire chains.

Email Mary Ellen Smith to volunteer or if you have questions. [email protected]

February 2018 Special Offering


U-District Nickelsville 2009

Longest Night vigil Dec. 21

Blessing the Nickelsville camp at W. Marginal

Tent City 4 start in Bothell, 2004

Show your support through the February Special offering. Please mail your gift, or place it in the offering plate on

Sunday. Thank you for your giving!

Interfaith Taskforce on Homelessness Since 2001, affirming charity, compassion, and justice

Current crisis: 42% of the unsheltered live in a car, RV, or van. The ITFH is leading the countywide response


Along the way ~ Debra Jarvis

Last July I stood at a reception sipping champagne and smiling as I watched the UW Department of Allergy and Infectious Disease celebrate my husband’s ten years as department chief.

“Wes has been with the University of Washington for thirty-one years!” someone pronounced. Everyone clapped and cheered.

At that moment I realized: “Wow. I will never have that.” I haven’t been in any job for more than seven years. I wasn’t envious or jealous, just surprised.

My life has never been a straight path. It’s been full of curves and swerves, dips and climbs, dead ends, roundabouts, roadblocks and sudden U-turns. My road hasn’t always been paved and some of the most gratify-ing and fun paths have often been rocky and steep.

And you know what? I wouldn’t change a thing.

Someone asked me this week if I was proud of the work I did while leading worship and blogging at U. Cong. I said, “Well, ‘proud’ is not exactly the word I would use. I’m satisfied and gratified by the work I did there. I got to use my gifts in a new way.”

She pushed me. “You mean you’re not proud?”

I said, “Here’s what makes me proud: losing five pounds. Then I’m proud. Exercising more and eating less feels really hard because I don’t enjoy the process.” The end result of losing weight is gratifying. Pulling on those jeans is gratifying. But not the process. It’s differ-ent with writing and preaching.

The last five months has turned into a deeply reward-ing spiritual discipline because of the process. When I sit down to write a sermon or a blog post, I have to wait—and trust. Trust that it will be given and wait for it to be given.

This is a wonderful spiritual practice for me, one that I’ve learned to practice all the time not just when I write. Sometimes Spirit speaks to me while I’m cooking or walking or cross-country skiing. I just never know. And of course the classic place to hear God’s voice: in the shower. (You didn’t think I was going to say in church, did you?)

There is one thing that I am proud of: I’ve been a member of this church community for over thirty-one years. I’m proud to be among you. Many thanks.

Ministry Update Sabbatical Coverage ~ David Anderson

On February 1, I will begin a three-month Sabbatical. My focus will be on service, education, and focus for this position of Church Administrator here at UCUCC, including time at Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan, and tours in Jordan and Egypt.

During my Sabbatical time, Interim Administrator Wendy Blight will be the point person for the admin-istration and operations. Wendy is uniquely qualified for this role, having been the Church Business Admin-istrator at Plymouth UCC in downtown Seattle for ten years, with other related experience prior to that. Wen-dy will carry out specific tasks, but also examine the roles and expectations present in my position and offer reflections. Wendy will have good support from great colleagues:

Administration Team Leads

♦ Su Devan, Bookkeeper: financial. Su will connect with Wendy and Don Guthrie, treasurer.

♦ Robert Moore, Facilities Manager. Robert will con-nect with Wendy and Tom Furin, Facilities & Equipment Board chair

♦ Erin Lovejoy-Guron, Communications and Lay Ministries Coordinator. Erin will connect with Wendy, and Erin will continue to be point person for the Thursday email and any special communica-tions. Erin and Wendy will respond to the unusual questions, requests, etc. to address or pass along to leadership staff

♦ Mikhail Roque, Office Coordinator. Mikhail will connect with Erin and Su as his supervisors, and with Wendy as needed.

Leadership Staff

♦ Amy Roon will be the lead on communications issues and questions. Also, Amy will be the point person and agenda coordinator for the weekly lead-ership staff management meetings and monthly full staff meetings

♦ Peter Ilgenfritz will be the leadership staff link to Wendy Blight, Personnel Committee, and Church Council

♦ Catherine Foote will be the link with the South End Task Force, looking at options for 1st floor South use when Trettin moves to the North wing


Congratulations to Tom Pruiksma

Tom Pruiksma has received a translation fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts to support his translation of Tiruvalluvar’s book of poetry, Tirukkural, written in Tamil between 100 BCE and 400 CE. Tom grew up at UCUCC and returns season-ally to infuse bible stories with his unique “Poet’s Magic” for the elementary schoolers.

Cody Baggenstoss is moving

Cody has been a part of our custodial staff for over 16 years. He has been an integral part of making sure our facility is ready for all the events we host. We will great-ly miss his presence, humor, and willingness to get the job done. He and his wife are moving to Ohio for new opportunities. His last day will be February 9. He is not the kind of person who would appreciate be-ing the center of attention, but we will figure out some way to honor him, and all the work he's done to make the work of our church possible.

Search begins for a new custodian

This is a full time position for Monday through Friday. Requirements include; janitorial and cleaning experi-ence with some knowledge of grounds and building repairs and maintenance; history of reporting to work on time and reliable attendance; ability to lift up to 50 lbs, and move awkwardly sized tables and chairs; effec-tive communication skills and comfort working with people; and working knowledge of Microsoft Word and general email applications. Compensation: $15/hour. Benefits: time off for vacation, sick leave, health insurance, and after one year - contributions to compa-ny retirement program. Send cover letter and resume to [email protected].

Wendy Blight, Interim

Church Administrator ~ Wendy Blight

What a great blessing it has been to work with this faith community over the past year!

My first interim position, filling in as Coordinator for the Youth Program was a good fit for my skills, and a gentle re-introduction to the church I grew up in and participated in well into my adult years. Of course, the frosting on the cake for that first interim position was getting to know the fantastic youth of this church and their parents.

As most of you know, I moved into the Interim Facilities Manager position at the end of June last year. That position was a closer fit to my previous manage-ment experience at Horizon House, and Plymouth Church as their Business Administrator.

Now, I have the wonderful opportunity to fill in for my longtime and respected colleague, David Anderson. His are big shoes to fill, but hopefully, with your help, I can keep things moving along for three months until his return.

This is a vibrant and caring faith community, and I look forward to serving with you beginning February 1.

Thank You, from Peter ~ Peter Ilgenfritz

My deep thanks to our congregation and my colleagues for your support, so I could take a leave of absence to finish the next step in my writing project last Fall.

I indeed did get done what I hoped to, and have a next draft completed that I have been able to share with a reader for editing and feedback. This time away allowed me to have the focus I needed to do this final creative stitching together with this process. While my book on Learning to Sail is still in process, someday I do expect to be able to share it with you!

For now, if you would like to have a real-life experience of sailing with me, come for a sail with me this winter – Saturday or Sunday afternoons at 2:30 at the Center for Wooden Boats. Let me know some dates and times that might work for you for an hour sail and perhaps a cup of tea to follow!

I look forward to connecting with you!

February News


Observe Black History Month in the

Scheyer Library

Learn about the experiences of African Americans, Native Americans, Latino Americans, and Asian Americans through story!

We are expanding our racial justice collection in the library. We have recently acquired novels, mem-oirs, children’s books, even poetry! Over 20 new books and additional copies of popular books have been or-dered or donated (thanks to Molly Ebert, Carol Hamil-ton, Lily Lahiri, Mary Panaanen, Secret Garden Bookshop, and Racial Justice Leadership Team).

Look for the special collection in the library. Contact Jessie McAbee, [email protected], for full list or to donate books.

Books include:

• A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara (children’s board book)

• Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay

• Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

• Sing, Unburied, Sing: A Novel by Jesmyn Ward

• My Life, My Love, My Legacy by Coretta Scott King, as told to Barbara Reynolds

• Negroland, A Memoir by Margo Jefferson

• We Were 8 years in power by Ta-Nehisi Coates

• Welcome to Braggsville by T. Geronimo Johnson

• Why I'm No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge

• So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

• America’s Original Sin by Jim Wallis

• Waking Up White by Debby Irving

• Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

February Racial Justice Update

~ Toni Higgs

A huge thank you to everyone who worked on the De-Escalate Washington campaign. More than enough signatures were collected and delivered to the State Legislature. My understanding is that this was the only initiative that qualified. Look for it on the ballot this Fall if legislators don’t pass it as is. More congratula-tions go to Elizabeth Dickinson and Barb O’Brien for the courage and commitment to present their work-shop “Micro-Aggressions” on January 21.

Exciting racial justice events continue to unfold here at church. Don’t miss:

◊ Sunday, Feb 25: Let’s Talk About Race: “Too Important to Ignore: Finding a Way into Anti-Racism” led by Carol Hamilton and Candace Tkachuch.

◊ March workshop date and topic TBD.

◊ Sunday April 22: Seabeck preview: “Imperfect, Messy & Striving: God Calls Us to Talk About Race” with Diane Schmitz & Cynthia Macleod. Lunch included.

◊ July 8-13, Seabeck, see above.

As I write this it’s MLK weekend, and after attending related events and reading about his work, I’ve been thinking about the power and moral force of nonvio-lence. The way Dr. King was introduced to me as a white child in a white Catholic community was as a peace loving, hand-holding, almost hippie like saint. Now I know how whitewashed that was, and am beginning to realize how disruptive and threatening nonviolence is to the status quo, and how much courage it takes to truly practice it.

Here are the six principles of nonviolence by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:

1. Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people.

2. Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and under-standing.

3. Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice, not people.

4. Nonviolence holds that suffering can educate and transform.

5. Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate.

6. Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice.

I pray for all of us to find more ways to practice non-violence as we move forward in our racial justice work.


November 2017 Council Meeting Summary submitted by Bob Fleagle, Secretary

The University Congregational United Church of Christ Church Council met on November 15, 2017.

Interim Administrator: Wendy Blight was authorized as Interim Administrator and additional signer on the UCUCC HomeStreet accounts.

Financial Report: David Anderson: We’re a little ahead on pledge receipts. We have not yet accounted for Lot C revenue loss due to Tent City. David ex-plained the handout on budget. It will be presented at the Congregational Budget Meeting (11/19/17).

Sacred Earth Matters banner: The church council and all present had a heartfelt and passionate discussion about significant theological issues regarding incarna-tional understandings of God, the place of inclusive language, and how we talk about our faith in our com-munications and in our own faith journeys. Following extended discussion, the council voted:

1. To affirm the October 18, 2017 church council decision to grant $1000 to Sacred Earth Matters for a banner about our solar power

2. To affirm the goals stated by Sacred Earth Matters as the goals for such a banner: a. Raise awareness in the community of our solar panels and UCUCC’s commitment to healing the earth b. Let the community know that UCUCC is a wel-coming Christian place where we are committed to following the teachings of Jesus c. Have a clever sign that would catch the attention of people who drive or walk by this busy corner of 45th and 15th.

3. To invite a group of volunteers to bring back to Church Council a proposal with inclusive language that meets the approval of Sacred Earth Matters.

2018 Budget: Robin Turner walked through some of the specifics and heartfelt decisions the Budget Com-mittee made in this recommendation. It will be present-ed at the Congregational Budget Meeting (11/19/17).

Brokerage: We voted to end our relationship with Wells Fargo Advisers as our primary brokerage and authorize a new relationship with Stifel Investment Services.

Time Away:

◊ Amy: Approx. Nov 20 – Feb 18: family leave [edit: Amy will not be taking Family Leave at this time]

◊ David: November 20-24: vacation

◊ Peter: Nov 6 through Dec 6: partially-unpaid leave of absence

◊ Catherine: November 23-25: out of town (Debra Jarvis and Greg Turner on call); December 27-29: vacation

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm

January marks "Mwanzo" New

Beginnings

~ Mwanzo Board

For our preschool and primary students, it is the start of the school year. And we certainly celebrated big this year, with the addition of a new teacher and class (Grade 4) at the Mwanzo Education Center.

While the teachers and students enjoyed the December break, activity on the school compound continued at an unbelievable pace - both with the construction of the second story of the primary school, and with our water project. Exterior walls on the second floor are finished, as is the new roof which is allowing us to build a comprehensive water capture/retention system.

Every day since November 2017, many workers have toiled heroically in digging the underground space for our 4 new 10,000 liter cisterns, to provide our students, teachers, and limited numbers of community residents a more reliable and safe source of water.

Another surprise that brings us to tears: Our primary school students got together and decided to elect a Class President and grade monitors. This was a tradi-tion of children's education in Luo society, which "disappeared" for many years. Imagine the joy of seeing our young students restoring this practice, and the dig-nity of tradition. One of our brightest students, Natasha, who lost her grandmother, her caretaker, in 2017, was elected Class President for the 2018 School Year!

From the bottom of our hearts, I thank you for your support to and solidarity with the residents of Rabuor Village and the 11 nearby communities, who benefit from your gifts of the heart!

Liz Gilbert, Margaux Kendall, Terry Moore, Loyce Ong'udi, and Mark Peterson (Board)

February Events

Need help contacting someone?

Want to be a part of an event, but there isn’t a mode of communication you are comfortable using (emails listed, but you only have a phone) contact the office 206-524-2322 or [email protected], and we will help.


Celebrate our time with Mary’s Place

~ Liz Gilbert

We could never have successfully operated our Hosting Ministry without the countless ways you all supported our program.

Your support began when you voted in favor of our church participating with the hosting program, along with our steadfast partners from University Presbyteri-an and University Christian Churches. Your support continued when you so generously made Special Offer-ing donations. And hundreds of you stepped forward to offer your time and talents in so many ways. That’s why everyone is invited, encouraged, and yes, “eligible” to attend!

Although the Rotating Shelter is no longer a Mary’s Place program, we have much to be grateful for and to celebrate. So how do we do that?

We have a party, and everyone is invited!

Marty Hartman, CEO of Mary’s Place, along with her colleague Liz McDaniel (many of us remember Liz from our early hosting days) will be participating in our celebration. They will bring us up-to-speed on new de-velopments at Mary’s Place and suggest a variety of ways we can continue to assist the families they serve as they move toward greater stability and permanent housing. While we may have heard about the generous gifts of corporate angels, there are lots of ways ongoing support from faith communities is needed.

Mary’s Place celebration

Sunday, February 25, 2018, 11:30 – 1:00

Lunch will be provided for you!

Everyone will have a chance to participate in some ra-ther unique ways.

RSVPs are requested, but not mandatory at all. Liz Gilbert 206-465-3237 or Vicki Farmer 206-714-7743

More Vigils for the Common Good! Our New Year’s Eve public witness for the Common Good was such a powerful experience, we plan to do it again!

Sundays, February 4 and March 4 — we will stand vigil at the corner of 45th Street and 15th Avenue NE, from 12pm – 1pm.

We’ll meet in the Narthex shortly before noon to cen-ter ourselves, then head out to the corner. Sign making materials will be on hand or bring your own sign of what you are standing for (rather than what you are standing against).

Offered in partnership with Spirit Workshops, the church’s outreach program.

Orienteering with Spirit Workshops

2 different ways to set our internal compasses are planned for February’s Spirit Workshops.

On Sunday, February 18, 2pm -4pm, join us for a potluck tea party and orienteering to our 2018 spirit adventures.

On Sunday, February 25, 2pm – 4pm,

we welcome writer Corbin Lewars for Writing with Intentions. Corbin invites us to connect powerfully with our best intentions through simple writing exercises and reflections. Your words can move you – and the world towards the change you wish to see.

Both programs take place in the lounge. RSVPs and questions to Beth Amsbary at [email protected] or the office 206-524-2322. Spirit Workshops are gatherings to tap wisdom and bring life to your work in the world. All beliefs are welcome.

A new way to connect with

church members

MyUCUCC

At universityucc.org, scroll to the bottom of the homepage, and find the icon for “MyUCUCC Login”. This will give you access to a virtual version of our church’s directory.

For everyone’s security, the only way to access people’s contact information is to request a log in. Once we confirm that you are in our database, then you will get a unique user name and password.

Once you establish your log-in, you can manage your church identity, and access our member directory.

Our database software was created by ACS, one of the most reliable software companies used by thousands of churches nationwide. We added this feature to our website for member’s convenience. We believe that your information has the same degree of security in this version of the directory as it does in the paper ver-sion.

Want to opt out? The information currently in our paper phone directory is what those with access will see online. If your infor-mation is in the paper directory, but you don’t want it in the online directory, contact the church office 206-524-2322 or [email protected] and we will make all your information private.

Church and Home Print Edition, February 2018 Page

2018 End of Life Discussion Series

“What we learned in this end of life class was comprehensive and valuable. It was a comfort to both of us. When John passed, we were prepared. I was able to handle the paper-work correctly and am taking the time I need to process this huge event in our lives.”

~ Eleanor Sundqvist

“As I moved into my mid 70's, I realized that I had work to do so that making arrangements, plans, and decisions not only reflected my wishes, but most

importantly reduced the burden for my family. This course comprehensively covered topics I hadn't even considered, and I'm very grateful to have the written

materials as guidelines to follow.”

~ Lisbeth Gilbert

This 5-week series, every Sunday from 11:30—1:00 February 25 to March 25 in the Chapel, is a part of UCUCC’s desire to provide a safe and caring environ-ment to talk about how we approach the end of our lives.

How do we engage in conversation with our families? How can we incorporate our values into our health care choices? How do we leave a gift of legacy for our family?

Weekly topics:

1. View and discuss the film, Speaking of Dying.

2. Overview of palliative care and end of life options.

3. Advance directive overview and planning.

4. Leaving a legacy & memorial planning.

5. Living through grief.

RSVP or let us know what questions you have.

Gretchen DeRoche (425) 640-8217 [email protected]

Cheryl Ellsworth (206) 612-0935 [email protected]

Editor’s note: people of all ages can benefit from getting end-of-life plans down on paper — especially if you have dependents or a spouse.

Children’s Ministry news Youth Ministry news

Contact Director of Youth Ministry Margaret Swanson for information on any Youth Ministry activity [email protected] or (206)524-2322.


Please contact Jermell Witherspoon, Children’s Ministry Director, for more information, [email protected], 206 524-2322.

Feb 10, Family Pizza Night February 10 from 5-7 pm Lounge Join fellow families and friends for pizza and play.

In the Lounge, the evening will feature a Seabeck-styled Sunnyside Joke night to introduce Seabeck to the littlest in our community. In the Library, there will be a Seabeck Inn styled game night.

Please RSVP to Jermell Witherspoon at [email protected].

Feb 11, Food-packing service project Join Lisa & Bart Klinger, and Diane & Steve Adam on February 11 to pack food-bags for hungry folks in 1st floor hallway, after church for about 20 minutes.

This is a great all-ages service project that even the little ones can do. Please contact Diane Adam at [email protected] for information

Feb 5, Children’s Ministry Board

7:00 in the Turner Lounge, join others in being a voice for our ministry.

Feb 17, parents with little ones dinner In light of our growing number of young or expectant families, a new small group ministry has started up.

Expectant parents and parents with infants up to 2-years will gather on February 17 at 4:30 in the Lounge over a light meal for connection and refection on family faith journeys. Please RSVP to Sarah Marshall at [email protected] to get more details.

Youth Group

Sundays, February 4, 11, 18, 25:

9am Youth Group and 10am Worship & Youth Pew

Youth Group is open to youth in grades 6 – 12. You are invited to come for discussion, reflection and activi-ties to explore your faith, and to have time to connect with your peers for friendship and support. Through-out the year there will be retreats, service projects and other fellowship events outside of the 9am time-frame.

Our Whole Lives Class for 7th and 8th grade

• February 4: no class due to Superbowl

• February 11: Class 6 – 8pm

• February 18: no class due to Mid-Winter Break

• February 25: Double Session Class 4pm – 8pm

Junior & Senior Small Group

Wednesday, February 28: *7pm – 8:30pm Pilgrim Room

Note the different date for this month due to mid-winter break*

Juniors and Seniors in High School are invited to par-ticipate in this small group that offers support and en-couragement to each other in these last years of high school. We will do a check in and then have different topics for discussion to help in your discernment throughout these years. We meet every 3rd Wednesday of the month. Note: the date might change for Decem-ber, we will be in touch via email.

Further 2018 Dates to Anticipate: ◊ March 2 – 4: Boys & Girls Retreats

◊ March 24: Moving Mountains

◊ May 5: Lamb Day, Pastor Catherine’s Farm, Whidbey Island

◊ May 20: last day of youth group

◊ May 30: Teen Feed

◊ June 3: Youth Worship

◊ June 10: End of year party


For those who cannot attend church

(and those who can) ~ Carol Scott-Kassner

A Time to Laugh . . . . . . . . . . . . My mother used to say, "Getting old ain't for sissies!" As I age, I'm coming to understand the truth of that more clearly. My body aches, my eyesight isn't what it used to be, it is harder to get up from chairs, and I worry about my memory. Sometimes I just have to laugh.

Thank heavens other people help all of us to laugh at the vicissitudes of aging. I believe God is laughing right along with us. Try these on for size.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I feel like my body is out of shape, so I got permission from my doctor to go to an aerobics class. I squirmed, gyrated, twisted, jumped up and down, and perspired for an hour. By the time I got my leotard on, the class was over.”

“Know how to prevent sagging? Just eat till the wrinkles fill out.”

“It's scary when you start making the same noises as your coffee maker.”

“I've sure gotten old! I have outlived my feet and my teeth. I've had two bypass surgeries, a hip replacement, new knees, fought prostate cancer and diabetes. I'm half blind, can't hear anything quieter than a jet engine, take 40 different medications that make me dizzy, winded, and subject to blackouts. I have bouts with dementia and poor circulation. I hardly feel my hands and feet any more. I can't remember if I'm 85 or 92, and I've lost all of my friends. But thank God, I still have my driver's license!”

“The Senility Prayer. Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference.”

(http://www.searchtheword.org/doseofhumor.html)

Become a Justice Jubilee Fellow! Want to learn skills for creating a more just and loving world? Deepen the integration of your faith and your commitments to social change? Become a Justice Leadership Jubilee Fellow!

This 6-10 month fellowship program provides adults-over-30 the opportunity to explore faith and justice in a community of peers from other congregations. As a Jubilee Fellow, you would participate in the following four activities each month:

♦ 24-40 hours bringing your experience and skills to a community organization committed to social or environmental justice (You can propose your own organization!)

♦ 4-8 hours providing leadership in your home congregation in an area of justice meaningful to you

♦ A workshop to develop skills such as: community organizing, advocacy, and anti-oppression awareness

♦ A facilitated gathering each month to explore with other Jubilee fellows topics like: Sabbath, reading the Bible through a justice lens, and faith practices for social change. This is also a time of reflection and mutual support for our congregational and community organization work.

Want to learn more? Check out the Justice Leadership Program website: www.justiceleadership.org Contact Claire West or Elizabeth Dickinson at [email protected] or 206-320-0432

Church & Home is published monthly by University Congregational United Church of Christ. Submissions are due the 15th of the month. Please send submissions to: [email protected].

The purpose of our newsletter is to serve as a vehicle for information about UCUCC and its activities. It is an instrument of, by and for the congregation; to reflect the church at large; to inform readers of programs & priorities of UCUCC.

100 word announcements to 300 word articles are encouraged


with Rev. Dr. David Vasquez Levy, President Pacific School of Religion March 9. 10. 11, 2018

Join Rev. Dr. David Vasquez-Levy, immigration leader and President of Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California, for a hopeful and practical look at our com-munities’ ability to reframe this critical conversation. Tickets go on sale Sunday, January 28. Watch for more information.

Friday, March 9 7 – 8:30 pm: Law and Story: Reframing the National Conversation on Immigration

Our laws and our narratives—the stories we tell our-selves—and the ways we interpret them, are key to framing our understanding of ourselves and our com-munities. In the face of growing nationalism in our own country and abroad, our academic, legal, and religious communities have an opportunity and an obligation to move our discussion of immigration away from fear and towards a more compelling vision of our place in an increasingly global society.

Saturday, March 10

9 am – 2:30 pm: Faithfulness Beyond Boundaries: Reading Ruth on the Move

Whether following a dream or leaving behind a difficult situation, humans have, throughout history, followed the pull and push of migration. The marvelous story of the book of Ruth captures the fears, challenges, and hope of those who find themselves away from home. But more than that, it invites us to realize that bounda-ries—of creed, space, or culture—are no limit for God’s faithfulness. Explore how this ancient text, seen through the eyes of contemporary immigrants, can challenge and inspire our understanding of our increas-ingly interconnected world. Sessions include:

• 9:00-10:15 Pushed by Loss, Pulled by Faithfulness (Ruth 1)

• 10:30-12:00 Daring by Hope (Ruth 3)

• 1:00-2:30 pm Forward Together (Ruth 4)

The Lecture Series presents:

Faith on the Move: Reframing the National Conversation

Sunday, March 11:

9 – 9:45 am: Prophetic Imagination: Spiritually Rooted Leadership for a World on the Move

While not original to the period of the Reformation, this phrase—“The reformed church, always reform-ing”—captures the movement of the Spirit throughout the history of the church. As we live through a time of major transition, what New York Times columnist and author Thomas Friedman calls “the age of accelera-tion,” how does the church draw on its tradition of re-form to lead a world in desperate need of prophets and visions? How might we engage a world literally on the move to revisit and draw on our Sacred Text to learn anew to be a people on The Way?

10 am Sunday service sermon: The Gospel Outside: Healing at the Border Luke 17:11-19


In the coming months Midlife Transition Class

Join others in midlife who are experiencing the in-vitations and challenges of this time of transitions.

April 18 - May 16 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, Wednesdays in the Lounge

Most of us experience shifts in our roles as children, parents and/or professionals. Some of us feel drawn to make radical changes by quitting jobs, and doing some-thing entirely new. Some feel caught in the middle of the sandwich generation.

Carol Scott-Kassner is a Commissioned Minister of the UCC to a ministry of the Spirituality of Aging, spiritual director, and Certified Sage-ing Leader.

She offers this Mid-life transitions course every other year. Her course provides a rich opportunity to discuss what is coming up for you, and provide support for discerning whatever is next. This five-week course is most appropriate for people aged 45 to 65.

The cost is $50. Let Carol know if you need scholarship support. Sign up by contacting Carol at: [email protected] or 253-921-1621.

“Take this class! Carol offers warmth; knowledge-base; freedom to discuss difficult subjects with others in similar

situations; and gives food for thought for our lifelong transitions.”

~ Lorraine Woods

Help Bring UCHA Over the Top

University Congregational Housing Association (UCHA) is gearing up for a festive annual fund-raiser on Satur-day, March 24 to be held at the lovely Seattle Yacht Club. Soprano Cristin Miller will provide musical entertain-ment, accompanied by David Nichols.

This is certainly something to celebrate!

Amazingly, in only 2 ½ years, we are within sight of completely paying off our mortgage on the Westwood House for homeless women who are struggling with mental illness.

Our featured speaker is Mark Putman, who has been active in the housing crisis for many years. He recently took the job of heading the YMCA Accelerator program which provides services and housing for homeless youth, including UCHA’s McGrath House.

Save the date invitations will go out in early March to those who previously attended the dinners.

New guests are very welcome, and my sign up in the Narthex several weeks before the event.

Seabeck is around the corner Summer is not that far away which means it’s time to start planning for Seabeck! From now until July, we will have regular reminders of the fun, games and creativity to be found at our church camp on Hood Canal.

First, on February 10, the Elementary Pizza Night will feature a Seabeck styled Sunnyside Joke night as a way of introducing Seabeck to the littlest in our community. Start time is 5:30 pm in the lounge. At the same time, a Seabeck Inn styled game night will be going on just down the hall in the library for those who are too old for the elementary program.

By the end of February registration packets will start arriving in your mail so they can be filled out and turned in.

Seabeck Sunday, March 11, is the official start of registration. The lounge will be full of pictures of Seabeck, diagrams of the separate houses/cabins, and folks who can answer any question you may have about Seabeck.

Please set aside July 8-13, and plan to join your church family there where Diane Schmitz and Cynthia McLeod will lead us further on our journey toward understanding the issues regarding race, our roles, and what we can do to make a difference.

Oh, and late breaking news: Betsy Rose will be our musi-cian again!

4515 16th Avenue N.E.

Seattle, WA 98105-4201

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postage

P A I D

Permit No. 4237

Seattle, WA RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

TIME VALUE MAIL

Please Deliver by February 1

Worship and Preaching Calendar—Sunday worship service—10 am

February 4, 2018

Living Rooms: hosting the Lord of Hosts Preaching: Christopher Grundy Scripture: Luke 14:1,7-14

February 11, 2018

Living Rooms: God demands our hospitality Preaching: Catherine Foote Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Church & Home has been simplified, as we better

use our website. See https://universityucc.org/

whats-up-now/ to find all the updated news in the

life of our church.

Lenten Worship Series: The Gospel Outside

Many settings of our Jesus stories take place outdoors. In this series, we will take special note of how where these words and actions take place informs our understanding. On a migration journey, where we are affects everything. How does noticing where Jesus is help us take meaning from these words?

In keeping with our migration theme, in this series, every story is specifically set under the sky. These settings, more than any other biblical settings, are the ones that largely still exist today. Consider exploring photography and images of the regions mentioned in these stories. What might your body be experiencing in such a place?

The series arc begins with the story of Jesus’ baptism, in each of our four Gospels, the clear indicator of the begin-ning of his ministry. The arc ends with the story of “Palm Sunday”, often considered the beginning of the end of his ministry. Join us as we explore “The Gospel Outside.”

February 14, 2018 — Ash Wednesday Noon service on the corner of 45th & 15th 6 pm service in the Harrington Chapel

February 18, 2018 The Gospel Outside: Immersion Preaching: Peter Ilgenfritz Scripture: Mark 1:9-11

February 25, 2018 The Gospel Outside: Wilderness Preaching: Amy Roon Scripture: Mark 1:12-13

universityucc.org · 2018-01-20 · ny retirement program. send cover letter and resume to...

Documents