It’s so hard to comprehend the loss of life and property that people in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida, the Caribbean, India and Bangladesh are dealing with right now. It feels as if the earth itself, and its people, are crying out for care. I wish I could do more right now than just write a check for disaster relief, but I remind myself that money is exactly what is needed right now and in the months ahead as millions of people try to rebuild their lives.
 We’ve been encouraging you to donate, through Alki UCC, to the United Church of Christ Disaster Ministries program. While there are many organizations through which we can send money; I just like knowing that 100% of what I send through the UCC is spent on direct services to those in need.
Meanwhile, an even more direct opportunity has come our way, which some of you heard about last Sunday in worship. Laura Petrie works at Denny Middle School, where a man named Casey Johnson has just been hired to teach math. Casey and his fiancé lost everything in Hurricane Harvey, and he quickly decided to look for a job out of state. They drove 36 hours straight to get to Seattle for the job interview, he was hired, and they want to make a new start here. All that remained of their possessions fit in their car. Laura and Shelley Petrie are housing them for the time being, and school staff are gathering household goods for them. On Sunday Laura and I invited the congregation to make a donation to help Mr. Johnson and his fiancé get on their feet, and a number of us did so.
If you haven’t already made a donation for hurricane disaster relief – or want to donate more – please do so. And please consider directing your donation to the Johnson family (just make a note on your check “for Johnson’s”). I’d love to see us partner with the folks of Denny Middle School and do what we can to help this one couple get a new start. Laura is happy to answer any questions, and Casey may be joining us in worship this Sunday.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Diane
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* Faith Formation
& Learning Opportunities
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New Members Class Continues This Sunday
After worship and a coffee break, we’ll meet upstairs in the main children’s classroom (Room 22, up the stairs and to your left). It’s fine if you missed last week!
Discovering Islam Series
 It turns out a number of people want to see the videos, but can’t make the Thursday morning viewing at Alki UCC or the Friday night sessions at Admiral Church.
So, we’re making the DVD set available for you to view on your own schedule in the comfort of your home. Maybe you’d like to invite some other church folks to watch with you (which lends itself to great discussion afterwards).
There are six videos of 30 minutes each, so you can easily watch the whole thing in one or two sittings. If you would like to be on the “distribution list” let Pastor Diane know.
Bible Study: "Bad Girls of the Bible"
Wednesdays, 1:00-2:30 pm
Through December 6
What a great group of folks we have, engaged with a fun topic, that also engages us in serious Bible study. You’re still welcome to join us.
You can order the book on Amazon, in paperback or Kindle version, but be sure you get the right one, Bad Girls of the Bible by Barbara Essex and not some other book by the same name.
For next week, September 27, read the chapter about Lot’s Wife.
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*Join the Alki UCC CROP Walk Team
on Sunday, October 1
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Walk. Give. Change the world.
CROP Walk
Sunday, October 1
12:30 pm sign-in for 1:00 pm walk
Join the Alki UCC CROPWalk Team!
 The walk takes place Sunday, October 1 after worship, leaving from Alki UCC for an easy loop along Alki beach.
For the last two decades, we’ve walked in solidarity with others who journey for resources, whether these individuals are displaced, located far from water/food sources, or are homeless within our own communities.
Contributions are dispersed globally, with 25% going to support well-known resources fighting hunger in our own community, including Mary's Place, the West Seattle Food Bank and the White Center Food Bank.
Shannon Peterson invites you to join the Alki UCC team of hunger fighters. For more information and to register online, visit www.crophungerwalk.org/seattlewa.
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Wider Church & Community Events
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Seattle Mayoral Candidate Forum on Housing and Homelessness
Monday, September 25, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Trinity United Methodist Church
6512 23rd Ave NW, Seattle
Seattle Mayoral Candidate Forum on Homelessness and Affordable Housing
Thursday, September 28, 6:30 to 8:00 pm
St. James Cathedral Hall
803 Terry Ave
"Promised Land" Film Screening
Sunday, October 1, 2:00 to 4:30 pm
Central Lutheran Church
1710 11th Ave,
This award-winning documentary follows the Duwamish and the  Chinook tribes as they fight for the restoration of treaty rights they've long been denied.
The showing will be followed by a discussion featuring the filmmakers and Ken Workman, 4th Generation Great Grandson of Chief Seattle and Duwamish Tribal Council Member. Admission is free.
Donations will be accepted to support the Duwamish Tribe.
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Remember the Sunday in July when we were asked to stay after worship and pose with signs about hope? It was to help one of our newest members, Sara Jane Walsh, with a project. She spends her  time creating inspirational videos for children living with life-threatening or chronic illnesses.
For her most recent project she included two of the photos taken at church. She writes, “Thank you so much again for contributing and helping me get people to take a group photo. It filled my heart so much! I hope you enjoy the video!” The two Alki UCC pics go by really quickly, but watch the video imagining you are a six year old with a life-threatening illness and how it would feel to have this video made just for you.Thanks, Sara Jane!
Check out the video here.
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* Kol HaNeshamah (KHN) High Holy Days Services
at Alki UCC/KHN September 29 & 30
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Jews around the world welcomed in a New Year on Wednesday. The Jewish year is determined by both the movement of the moon and the sun. The holiday of Rosh HaShanah begins as the sun sets, starting a 10-day period of intense reflection, introspection and teshuvah (atonement and forgiveness).
The period culminates at the conclusion of Yom Kippur when the sun sets Saturday evening, September 30. During this time, Jews reflect on their actions and interactions of the past year, taking a "fearless moral accounting"... asking forgiveness from those whom they may have hurt, and forgiving those who may have hurt them. Many Jews fast from sundown to sundown on Yom Kippur, wear white, and refrain from wearing leather or other "luxuries."
It is an intense and powerful period of renewal. The High Holy Days are then followed by two joyous holidays, Succot and Simchat Torah. During Succot, Jews build temporary huts in which to eat (and sometimes to sleep!), celebrating the bounty of our lives, as well as reminding ourselves of the fragility of life itself. On Simchat Torah we complete the cycle of the reading of the Torah — finishing the last portion of the Book of Deuteronomy, and beginning all over again at the beginning of Genesis. The fall holy days are often referred to as "The Chagim," the holidays.
— Rabbi Zari Weiss
Kol HaNeshamah, Alki UCC's partner synagogue, is holding its High Holy Days services at home, at Alki UCC. Here's this week's schedule:
Friday, September 29, 7:00 pm
Kol Nidre
Saturday, September 30, 10:00 am (children’s service at 9:00 am)
Yom Kippur
Services through 6:45 pm when congregants break their fast.
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* In Our Circle of Prayer
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Prayers
Charley Rosenberry, whose mother in Massachusetts and grandfather in Minnesota both passed away this week.
Dayle Banks, still recovering from ankle surgery at home.
For those grieving the recent death of a loved one:
Lisa Doepken and her grandson's family, the family of Mary Mason, Russ Thornock, Doris Colbert, Jason Huynh, Trish Dodds, Cinda Stenger, Sue Backs, Cynthia Jolly, Julia Chase, Scott Mathews, Maria Brodahl
Recent hospitalization, illness and other concerns:
Mike Crowley, Lesa Henry, Shelley Webster, Bob Jackson, Jeff Jolly’s nephew Craig
Persons with ongoing needs: Jan Cochran, John Chowning, Eric Erickson
For home bound members/friends of Alki UCC: Ruth Okada, Doris Colbert
Wider World:
Victims and survivors of the devastation in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida, the Caribbean, India and Bangladesh — for all the workers and volunteers who are helping with clean-up, supplies, and search and rescue; victims of white supremacist violence in Charlottesville and all those standing for peace, love and equality; prayers for fewer guns and for all victims of gun violence; victims and all those affected by acts of hate, extremist violence and political unrest; the migrants seeking refuge around the world, and for those who are trying to help and serve them. The rest of the missing schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram, who remain in our hearts as long as they remain missing. The hungry and homeless, the ill and the addicted, the lost and the lonely; the unemployed; US officials and troops serving abroad.
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This Sunday,
September 24
at 10:00 am
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This will be the second in a two-part series on forgiveness. The biblical texts are Psalm 103 and Matthew 18:21-35.
New Members class meets after coffee hour.
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A Grand Night for
Singing Benefit
Saturday at 7:30 pm
Choir Rehearsal
Sunday at 9:00 am
Worship
& Church School
Sunday at 10:00 am
New Member Class
Sunday at 11:30 am
Board of Directors
Tuesday at 5:30 pm
Choir Rehearsal
Tuesday at 7:00 pm
Bad Girls of the Bible
Wednesday at 1:00 pm
KHN Yom Kippur
Services
Fri, 7 pm; Sat, 10 am
Alki Kids Place
Monday - Friday
Afternoons
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* Tomorrow!
A Grand Night for Singing! Benefit Concert
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Saturday, September 23
7:30 pm
Alki UCC Sanctuary
An evening of Broadway show tunes, jazz standards and other favorites. Join us for a relaxed cabaret style evening of memorable tunes.
Featuring Diana Wilson on piano with Steven Kim on bass, Cinda Stenger on percussion, and vocalists Judy Johnson, Lisa Dodge-Johnson, Verona Ryan and Joe Mitter
Net proceeds benefit the West Seattle Helpline, a beloved nonprofit social service agency offering emergency assistance for West Seattle residents.
A free will offering of $20 is suggested. Treats and refreshments served at intermission.
Contact Joe Mitter for information.
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* Food Donations Drive Ends this Month
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 Thanks to all to have brought food donations for the West Seattle Food Bank.
Please keep them coming through the end of the month!
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*Child Wanted for a Wonderful Alki UCC Family
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Cindy Ogasawara and Mike Delaney are ready to adopt another child, and are listed again with Open Adoption & Family Services, the agency they worked with for Theo's adoption four years ago. They’re spreading the word far and wide, so if you'd like to help them get the word out, feel free to post or share their profile.
This next link contains a useful explanation of what open adoption entails.
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*Classes for Family Caregivers
at Normandy Park UCC
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Saturdays, October 7 and 14, 9:30 am to 1 pm
Normandy Park United Church of Christ
19247 1st Ave South
Join us for a program that addresses concerns vital to caregivers — anyone caring for an adult with a chronic condition — whether from aging, illness or disability.
Classes are open to the community, all who are caregivers now, and is especially helpful for those anticipating a caregiver role in the future.
Sessions will be led by the same team who taught last year's classes at Alki UCC: Julia Chase, Emily Hitchens and Kathie Torgison. The suggested donation is $5 to cover the cost of materials.
Information/registration:
Rev. Amy Hitchens, Normandy Park UCC, (206) 824-1770 or
Alki UCC Church Office at office@alkiucc.org
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Alki UCC Board of Directors
2017-2018
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Rod Peeler, Chair
Shannon Peterson,
Vice Chair
Jason Huynh,
Secretary
Susan Fairo
Sandra Johnson
Dan Kennedy
Patty Magnuson
Scott Mathews
Ex Officio:
(Voice but no vote)
Doug Gunwaldsen, Treasurer
Kristin Michael,
Business Manager
Diane Darling, Pastor
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Supporting Alki UCC:
Online Giving
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