For me, this is always the time of year when winter feels like it has gone on far too long and spring seems like a distant hope. Yet as any farmer, gardener or soil-lover will tell you, nature's underground world is far from asleep at this point in the year. The bursting forth that will soon take place is actually already at work within the branches, among the roots and between the microbes.
 I love it when our communal rhythms mimic those of the natural world and Alki UCC is fairly synced with our surrounding ecology. After a winter spent deep in House Group conversation, we are ready to emerge from that work into the final, and more public, phase of our collective discernment. The investment that many of you made to your group and to one another is a wonderful testament of how deep the care for this community runs. I, like most of you, do not yet know what the results from the House Group leaders will be but I can say that from my view, the church is absolutely ready to embrace a vibrant and exciting future. I say this with a couple of specific things in mind
- The six ministry teams and five standing church committees have been diligent in meeting regularly and shaping their work in the world. They are organized and ready to dive into a new mission for the church!
- The Council has been faithful in its monthly meetings and even continued working amidst the increased demands of the holidays. On December 18, between the Christmas Concert (12/15) and Christmas Eve (12/24), they still gathered together to attend to the work of the church. This commitment has reaped dividends of trust, rapport and positive working relationships. They are ready to lead the congregation into her next steps!
- The operations team, ranging from staff to our stewardship team to finance personnel, have had many conversations over the past six months about how to equip the church for her mission in the world. In early February, the Task Force-Budget met to discuss not the narrow question of how to balance the ‘20/‘21 budget but rather how to equip and fund the Future Story that will be bequeathed to us from the House Groups. A beautiful example of mission first, living into our call with optimism and joy.
Many of these things happen behind the scenes and I want to share that I am confident that we are in a strong position to embrace the next steps of life together.
On a related but separate note, there are a number of unique educational opportunities in February and March which I encourage you to partake of if you are not already.
Painting the Stars, a provocative video/discussion series exploring the communion of science and faith, is co-led by Julia Peeler and Russ Thornock. The group meets Thursday evenings through March 12. Contact the church office for details.
Pastor Kelly and Kol HaNeshamah's Rabbi Zari lead an Anti-Semitism Workshop on Sunday, March 15, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.
Take a fascinating journey through the lively, and at times scandalous, history of the UCC.at a springtime New Members Class on Sunday March 29 from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. Lunch is provided and childcare is available with advance reservation through the church office. Ever onward,Pastor Kelly |
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Our Year of Discernment: The Next Phase
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 Over the last two months, many of you participated in one of six different House Meetings to build on the important work we started last summer with the Hope Partnership New Beginnings program. Thanks to all who attended each three-session series. Your investment of time and caring and commitment to our community is appreciated by all.
A special shout-out to our House Meeting leaders — Laura Petrie, Claire Foster, Jane Gunwaldsen, Kathy Herigstad, Sandy Johnson and Shannon Peterson — for planning and facilitating these small group discussions that are central to shaping our path forward as a congregation. This stellar team has been meeting together during the past few weeks, and we anticipate a report of their work before the end of the month.
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In the Christian tradition the season of Lent is 40 days, a practice mirroring the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness (Matthew 4) preparing for his adult work, as well as the 40 years the Israelites spent in the desert (Exodus) preparing for life in a new land.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 26, with the disposition of  the ashes, a clear marker that our spiritual community has entered a time of soulful reflection and renewed confession. The examination of our lives, as individuals and as a collective, is one our oldest religious practices.
Because Lent is associated with fasting and reflection, the night before has developed in places as a festival of feasting and merry-making, otherwise known as Mardi Gras. At Alki UCC, we feast and merry-make on Sunday, February 23 with an all-ages Mardi Gras-themed service and a Spanish Creole-inspired luncheon.
 Three days later, we host a community Ash Wednesday Open House from 5:00 to 7:00 pm with ashes, an indoor labyrinth, candles, music and a special (short) meditation for children as they arrive. Come for a quick drop-in or longer stay.
“Clearing our house, clearing our spirit” is our spiritual community’s focus this Lent. The theme reflects the ancient practice of contemplation and action as two sides of the same coin. During Sunday worship, we focus on the five social ills of poverty, health care, anti-Semitism, gender-based violence and tyranny — and offer corresponding suggestions for advocacy and action.
Let us enter into this season of confession and repentance through the lens of clearing away the layers which keep us embroiled in a mess and far from God. — Pastor Kelly
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A Church of Extravagant Welcome 2.0
New Members Class
Set for Sunday, March 29 after Worship
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"Everyone is welcome here."
 Extending an Extravagant Welcome is one of the UCC's foundational tenets. Anyone can worship with us, get involved in church life and support our community projects. Your voice is heard.
For those ready for a deeper commitment to the collective, to the Meta, Faith Formation is offering a springtime New Members Class on Sunday, March 29 after worship.
 Your voice already counts, but only members can serve in leadership positions or vote, a critical function in our congregational tradition. Every healthy church needs members who are willing to become educated on issues vital to the well-being of our faith community.
The class is set for Sunday, March 29 at 11:30 am. Lunch is provided during the 2 1/2 hour session at Alki UCC. Childcare is available with at least a week's advance reservation.
RSVP with the church office. Join us!
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From Outreach/Social Justice
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 Climate Corner
Speak out for our trees to alleviate the climate crisis!
Washington's forests have the incredible untapped potential to mitigate the effects of today's world-wide climate crisis. Just by existing, trees remove large amounts of carbon from the atmosphere and store it for decades in their own bodies and the surrounding soil.
Although the Washington State Dept of Natural Resources (DNR) manages more than two million acres of public forest, the agency lacks a specific strategy for incorporating climate and carbon science into its management decisions.
Last year, environmental groups asked the DNR Board to develop and adopt an official carbon policy to address climate change. Now it's time to add our voices to the advocacy:
Click HERE to urge the DNR Board to take action NOW to protect our forests in the climate change fight:
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A One-Click Advocacy Request from the Washington Low-Income Housing Alliance
One of the most important actions we can take to solve our state’s housing crisis is to build and preserve homes that are affordable for people with the smallest incomes.
Housing organizations in King county and regions across the state are jointly asking citizens/organizations to advocate for key legislative priorities:
(1) Invest $10 million into a Housing Trust Fund for preservation of affordable homes.
(2) Allow local municipalities the option for 1/10 of 1% sales tax increase for affordable housing.
(3) Create a Real Estate Excise Tax exemption for selling property to a nonprofit or public housing authority who buy it for affordable housing.
(4) Fix the property tax exemption for affordable rental housing for low-income households.
If you agree, click here to read the proposed legislation and email your lawmakers. Make your voice heard!
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Our Wider Community:
Of Interest Online ... Getting Out & About ...
Making a Difference!
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In anticipation of Women's History Month
 Meet Elaine Weiss, author of
The Woman's Hour:
The Great Fight to Win the Vote
Wednesday, February 26 at 7:00 pm
Mercer Island High School Performing Arts Center
9100 SE 42nd Street, Mercer Island 98040
Elaine Weiss, a national author visiting the Seattle area, recounts the courageous and dramatic fight by women to win the right to vote. The Woman's Hour explores core themes of American history: race, class, money, gender, state's rights and how it all came to a head in Nashville, during the summer of 1920. The Woman's Hour is set to be developed into a television production by Steven Spielberg.
 Womxn’s March on Seattle
Sunday, March 8. 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Meet at Cal Anderson Park
1635 11th Avenue in Seattle
Come out in solidarity for this year’s anniversary march, focused on amplifying the voices of womxn, femme, non-gender conforming people pushed to the margins of society and supporting youth leaders. More info here.
NOTE: Plans are afoot to partner with Admiral and Fauntleroy UCC to make signs and coordinate transportation. Contact: Cinda Stenger
Parenting Forward Presents:
An Online Conference for the Intersection of Parenting and Progressive Faith
April 20-22, 2020
More info here.
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For those grieving the recent death of a loved one:
Family and friends of Jim Connor, family and friends of Barbara T. Shadel Madden Andersen, Kirstin Duckett and family, the family of Nancy Van Wyk, Julia Peeler's sister; Larry Gill; the family and friends of Ruth Okada; family and friends of Shelley Webster; Kathy Herigstad and family; Amy Young and family
Recent hospitalization, illness and other concerns:
Jane Gunwaldsen, new moms Gina Erickson and Ashleigh Johnson, Bob Jackson, Imy Peterson, Sandy Johnson, Dayle Banks, Kirstin Duckett's father, Don Peterson, Jeff Jolly, Bev Connor, John Kinsman, Kathy Herigstad's sister Jackie, Jan Cochran
For homebound members/friends of Alki UCC: Doris Colbert
Wider World: Prayers for all those affected by the corona virus outbreak; prayers for the earth and for all those affected by the devastating bushfires in Australia and the earthquakes in Puerto Rico; for all those affected by the increasingly cruel and inhumane US immigration policies imposed by the current administration; prayers for fewer guns, for all victims and those affected by 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.
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Worship
This Sunday,
February 16,
10:00 am
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The Sixth Sunday
after Epiphany
Scripture:
Matthew 7:12-29
Color: White/Gold
Liturgist:
Charley Rosenberry
Lend a Quick Hand
Please stay for a few minutes after worship this Sunday to help remove church items from the pew racks. KHN has a special event next Saturday and has asked for our help.
Everything will be returned by next Sunday.
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Alki UCC "Mardi Gras Sunday"
February 23
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The celebration begins with a special New Orleans-themed service and Mask Decorating station at 10:00 am.
Worship is followed by a festive inter-generational, Fat Tuesday-inspired luncheon buffet spotlighting Gumbo Stew Over Rice, a southern Creole favorite. Salad, dessert and beverages are also included and pancakes will be available for the non-Gumbo crowd.
Just bring yourself; no need to potluck. A free will offering will be taken to help defray expenses.
The Mardi Gras mask decorating continues throughout lunch with an added Selfie Station for you to express your Inner Reveler!
Call for Volunteers!
Contact Dave or Vicky Smith if you can help set up, decorate and/or prep ingredients at 3:00 pm on Saturday, February 22, or cook, serve and/or clean up on Sunday.
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Lent/Easter Calendar Highlights
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Ash Wednesday
Open House
Wednesday, Feb 26
5:00 to 7:00 pm
The disposition of ashes, an indoor labyrinth, candles, music and and a special (short) meditation for children as they arrive. Come for a quick drop-in or longer stay.
Worship Themes during Lent
Sundays at 10:00 am
March 1: Poverty
March 8: Health care
March 15 Anti-Semitism
March 22: Gender-based
violence
March 29: Tyranny
Related Action Opportunities
Sunday, March 15
at 11:30 am
Anti-Semitism Training, co-led by KHN’s Rabbi Zari Weiss and Pastor Kelly
Poor People's Campaign National Rally in Seattle
Friday, March 20
Plymouth UCC hosts nationally acclaimed activists Rev. Barber and Rev. Theoharis for a day of inspiration and action.
Alki UCC/KHN Building Cleanup Day
Sunday, March 29
after worship
Palm Sunday Worship
Sunday, April 5
at 10:00 am
Good Friday Worship
Friday, April 10
at 7:00 pm
Easter Sunday April 12
6:00 am:
Community worship
on Alki Beach
10:00 am:
Sanctuary Service
Celebrate the resurrection!
11:00 am:
Community Easter Brunch & Easter Egg Hunt
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Here a few more of the Beatitudes written by congregants during Sunday worship last week. We'll feature more in future issues.
Blessed are …
— our cats who show care, instant forgiveness and remind us to stop, pause and purr; be present.
— the teachers that lift our children up and guide them on a path of knowledge and citizenship
— the single mothers who must provide for their children, while modelling courage, strength, dignity without the support and encouragement of a loving partner.
— the dying and their caregivers, for they will find compassion and support.
— the writers and artists and poets. They relieve the torture of being misunderstood.
— the teachers, for they fill our hearts and minds with food to quench the desires you put in our hearts
— the leaders who need to inspire good
— the adoptive parents who love hard for other parents’ shortcomings
— the children that are working hard in their own life to overcome the tough hands they were dealt unfairly to them and to rise above it – grow and become healthy, strong, loving, compassionate adults
— the single parents who tried to raise their children in God’s sight
— the mentally unwell. Their altered chemistry is conducive to creativity.
— mothers who embody self-sacrifice and who shape the leaders and caregivers of the future.
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February Ministry Team Meetings and Upcoming Events
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Stewardship:
Sunday, Feb 16, 8:30 am
Faith Formation:
Sunday, Feb 16, 11:30 am
Personnel:
Sunday, Feb 23, 8:30 am
Minute for Ministry
during Worship
Council
February 16:
Sanctuary Task Force
February 23
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Free Tax Prep Services
Offered by United Way of King County
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Through April 18, households making less than $66,000 can have their taxes prepared by a certified tax preparer and get connected to other community resources and public benefits.
There are two easy ways to file:
Online, file for free with United Way’s ‘My Free Taxes’ tool.
In-Person at one of 33 locations throughout King County. To find a location, languages available, a list of what to bring, etc., visit United Way’s website or call 2-1-1.
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Click on the big blue donate button to learn how to donate by check or a secure online credit card donation.
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