This Sunday, Worship at 10:00 am
|
 On April 1, 1961, Norman Rockwell’s iconic illustration, "Golden Rule," graced the front cover of the Saturday Evening Post. In it, more than 30 individuals from different religions, races and ethnicities are gathered together, framed by the words “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Twenty years later Golden Rule was crafted into a large mosaic by Venetian artists and gifted by First Lady Nancy Reagan to the United Nations in New York City where it still resides today.
The well-known illustration was born out of Rockwell’s world travels ten years prior and many of the distinct figures were inspired by the range of humanity he encountered in his own American town. Few  know that the beautiful medley so gracefully painted by Rockwell had an earlier version in 1953. In the first iteration, the world’s people were gathered around the U.S. the U.K. and the U.S.S.R ; three permanent members of the newly formed U.N. Security Council.
in this version, the masses appear as if they are tirelessly waiting for the powers of the earth to at last usher in peace. Rockwell abandoned this rendering, feeling as if it were “empty and pretentious.” He had tapped into the ways that the early hope of the U.N.’s humanitarian mission was tempered by the height of the Cold War and the advent of the Korean War. Rockwell lived an ambivalence that many of us have encountered – is the Golden Rule powerful enough to combat our worst impulses or is it a naïve tale sold to the gullible? The lectionary this week brings us to Luke 6:31 where Jesus enters into the same question with his students.
I warmly invite you to worship this week.
Pastor Kelly
Rev. Kelly Wadsworth is a Seattle-based pastor and preacher. For 10 years, she was called to serve in the Armed Forces as an Army Chaplain and deployed to Iraq (2008-2009) with the Washington Army National Guard. She hung up her combat boots in 2011 and accepted a call to serve as pastor of Exeter House, an urban congregation in downtown Seattle for 7 years. In 2018, after leading them through a rich period of renewal and deep change, Pastor Kelly sensed it was time to pass on the baton. Later that year she completed her PhD, a labor of love which focused on the spirituality of finding home after periods of separation.
Pastor Kelly is passionate about equipping the church to thrive in Seattle’s religious ‘none zone’ as well as cultivating among the people a vibrant life of faith in the post-modern era. When she isn’t curled up with a good book drinking a hot cup of dark roasted coffee, you can find her marching with the Poor People’s Campaign or speaking on behalf of Veterans for Peace. Pastor Kelly is looking forward to where God will call her next.
|
|
Call to Join the Lenten Worship Design Team
|
A volunteer group came together last Sunday to begin forming a Lenten spiritual plan. Please join us! Lent begins on Wednesday, March 6 and now is the time to step up and get involved.
As we wait to work with an interim pastor, the Alki UCC community  has been presented with some basic questions we must answer — individually and as a congregation — before being ready to call a new permanent pastor. Why did we come to Alki UCC, why do we stay, and what do we want Alki UCC to be as we move forward?
Each Sunday in Lent gives us a unique opportunity to explore those questions. Our idea is to have a person or small team lead a service on March 10, 17, 24, 31 or April 7. You'll share your own faith journey, using those questions as a guide. We're not asking anyone to dive into this process alone! A guest pastor will be involved throughout the Lenten season to help us develop our plan and each Sunday service.
Several of you have already reached out to say you would like to participate and share your stories. If this sounds like something you are called to do, please get in touch with me. You can also talk to one of our initial team members: Claire Foster, Gary Gesellchen, Patricia Magnuson, Verona Ryan or Shannon Peterson.
Everyone in our faith community has gifts worth sharing. We look forward to hearing from many of you during this season of searching ... this season of Lent. — Joe Mitter
|
|
Congregational Meeting Sunday, March 17
|
 Join us after worship!
You'll hear important updates and get all your questions answered about current church matters, including our search for an interim pastor and recent discussions with Admiral Church.
|
|
UPDATE!
Your Emails/Letters Still Needed to Advocate for
Camp Second Chance (CSC)
|
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan will soon decide whether or not to extend the Camp's permit to stay at its current location on Myers Way. Since her decision will be based to a large extent on the Department's recommendation, our advocacy needs to be focused on:
Mayor Jenny Durkan
600 4th Avenue, Floor 7
Seattle, WA 98104
206-684-4000
and
The Department of Human Services
700 5th Ave Suite 5800
On your subject line, write "Camp Second Chance." Write a simple message like:
"Camp Second Chance is a valuable part of our community and we want its residents to stay on Myers Way. Displacement is traumatic and expensive. The money needed to move a camp should be used instead to further help this camp's residents get jobs and housing. We have a homeless crisis so it is poor policy to ruin something that works."
You can relate your experience with CSC or write whatever you want to say.
Thank you for adding your voice to this important effort!
|
|
For those grieving the recent death of a loved one:
Friends and family of Jeanne Anderson, Amy Young and family, friends and family of Eric Erickson, Lesa Henry, Charley Rosenberry
Recent hospitalization, illness and other concerns:
Kathy Herigstad's sister Jackie, Dave Smith, Don Peterson, Kathy Herigstad's father, Dayle Banks, Larry Gill's nephew, Paul; Penny Matthews, Shelley Webster, Jan Cochran
For home bound members/friends of Alki UCC:
Ruth Okada, Doris Colbert
Wider World: All those affected by myriad inhumane immigration policies; prayers for fewer guns and for all victims of gun violence; victims and survivors of extremist violence around the world; migrants seeking refuge around the world, and for those who are trying to help 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.
|
|
|
|
It’s just days away—or, to be exact, one week and one day. We’re sure you’ve circled the date in red on your calendars, but here’s a reminder:
Saturday, March 2, 5:30 pm. Can’t wait to see you there
On Tuesday, we’ll be sending out an email to everyone who’s signed up to attend. It will have all the information you need, including parking directions. And, of course, you can always call Julia or Charlie with questions.
If you’ve told us you’re coming, we’ve reserved tickets for you. If you haven’t actually paid yet, please see Charlie on Sunday, right after worship, and we’ll get you processed, either with check or credit card.
One last note: the dinner menu looks awesome!!
Your grateful gala team
Charlie Hinckley
206-718-2574
Julia Peeler
206-595-2059
|
|
Tiny House Build
Saturday 9 am to 5 pm
Jeanne Anderson
Memorial
Saturday at 2:00 pm
Choir Rehearsal
Sunday at 9:00 am
Worship
Sunday at 10:00 am
Choir Rehearsal
Tuesday at 7:00 pm
|
|
Jeanne Anderson Memorial Service Saturday, Feb 23 at 2:00 pm
|
Longtime Alki UCC member Jeanne Anderson will be remembered at a "musical celebration" in the Sanctuary on Saturday, February 23 at 2:00 pm,
The service, which will be officiated by Admiral UCC's Pastor Andrew Conley-Holcom, will feature many of Jeanne's musical friends.
Volunteers are needed to bring sweet/savory finger food and assist with setup/cleanup for the post-service reception.
Contact the Church Office if you can help out
|
|
Tiny House Build at Camp Second Chance this Saturday
|
|
Vote for Mary's Place to win $10,000 grant!
|
Mary's Place provides safe, inclusive shelter and services to support women, children and families on their journey out of homelessness.
The beloved Seattle nonprofit is one of five shelters across the nation competing for $10,000.00 in the annual #BeautyWishes2019 contest, sponsored by Project Beauty Share.
Voting begins today at 6:00 pm!
You can vote daily here through Friday, March 1.
|
|
Click on the big, blue donate button at alkiucc.org to make your secure online donation.
|
|
|
