 Dear Alki UCC,
January is kick-off month for Alki’s Future Story! The discerning, praying and listening are now turning into plans, actions and deep learning. Throughout the month, we are hearing from a variety of religious traditions and seeking to embrace a posture of friendship and vulnerability in our own local interfaith relationships. There are a lot of wonderful things to learn and to lean into. I hope you are enjoying this January series!
Secondly, you should have received a letter last week from the council letting the congregation know that I have been offered a position in Salem, OR and if that congregation votes in the affirmative later this week, I plan to accept. The letter can also be found on alkiucc.org.
Friends – we have been through a lot together! I can honestly say this has been one of the richest, jam-packed transitional times and I am extremely proud of the work we have done. The Hope Partnership process which led Alki to a clear and compelling Third Act is a remarkable accomplishment. Remember those house groups from this time last year? Most folks were wrapping up their 3rd and 4th ones in January 2020 while the house group leaders were preparing to analyze the results and form preliminary recommendations. The fact that Alki was able to regroup after the pandemic hit and continue on with the discernment work is a testimony to the strength of spirit that resides within the congregation. It has been an honor to walk this path together.
The details of what the next few months will look like will be firmer after the Council holds its January meeting next Wednesday. Here’s a sense of the preliminary timeline as of now (subject to change):
January – Multi-faith focus during Sunday worship
February – Reflections and wrap-up with Pastor Kelly
February 21 – Pastor Kelly’s final Sunday
March 1 – Bridge pastor starts
Emily, our Council moderator, is giving this Sunday's Moment of Ministry during worship and will share a bit then as well.
Ever onward,
Pastor Kelly
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Worship this Sunday, January 17 at 10:00 am
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This Sunday we welcome guest speaker Jill Boone, a Buddhist lay  minister and interfaith chaplain-in-training. After a general overview of how Buddhism is practiced differently around the world, Jill will explain how the religion came to America and is practiced here today. There will be further focus on the Seattle scene and the traditions of her West Seattle sangha. She will also tell of her activism advocating for nuns’ and women's rights, and lead a short, guided meditation to illustrate one of Buddhism's core practices. (Photo by Jose Luis Sanchez Pereyra)
Jill currently leads a weekly meditation and Buddhist study group, open to the community, that meets at the Westside Unitarian Universalist Church when possible and for now, on Zoom. Her personal spiritual practice incorporates a variety of meditation teachers and retreats over the course of several decades, primarily in the Pali tradition. She has participated in the Courage and Renewal practice, which is inspired by Quaker teachings and Parker Palmer.
 Jill retired from being a sustainability manager for county government in 2015 and moved to West Seattle from California to be close to her daughter and grandchildren. She has fallen in love with the Pacific Northwest for its beauty, its weather, the opportunities to kayak and, of course, being able to spend time with her grandkids! (Pictured: Jill Boone visits Aloka Vihara)
Music Highlights:
Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing
James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamund Johnson
Third Hymn
How Can I Keep From Singing?
American Folk song/music by Robert Lowry
Introduced by Julia Chase
Peace Prayer Mandala
Music and Lyrics: Sophie/Gierke
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Alki UCC Winter Food Drive
and Call for Socks!
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Sunday, January 24
10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Front courtyard/6115 SW Hinds
Call for non-perishable food items including:
- Canned Meat/Soup/Fruit (pop-top cans, if possible)
- Rice, Noodles, Peanut Butter, Oats, etc.
- Toilet Paper
- Diapers/Similac Formula/Baby Wipes
- Can Openers
- Cleaning Supplies
- Hand Sanitizer
- Cclearly labeled) packets of pet food
The following items are especially appreciated and rarely donated:
- Boxed Milk
- Tea Bags and Coffee
- Sandwich Bread
- Sugar & Flour
Donations of Men's Casual/Work Clothes are also being taken, as well as NEW socks — the clothing item most requested by our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Thank you.
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Sue B requests prayers for her friend Toni who is in the hospital with a non Covid related condition.
Special Prayers for the family and friends of Walter Wallace,
Jonathan Price, Jacob Blake, Rayshard Brooks, Manuel Elllis, George Floyd, Elijah McClain, Dreasjon (Sean) Reed, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and the heart-breaking list of African-Americans and other people of color murdered or wounded by police or self-declared vigilantes in our nation over many decades. We mourn with you and we stand for justice and healing.
Special Prayers for all those on the front lines of working to protect us, keep us healthy, sane, grounded, informed, fed and comfortable during the current COVID 19 outbreak: our faith leaders, front-line health care workers, EMTs, police, firefighters, educators, transit bus and rail drivers, farmers, therapists, social workers, shelter operators, engineers, grocery/drug store personnel, caregivers, childcare specialists, pharmacists, custodians, organizations caring for the most vulnerable, sanitation workers, dispatchers and others keeping our supply chains operational, truth-telling journalists and all the many public servants who are so vital to our community.
For those grieving the recent death of a loved one:
Charlie H and family; Candace G and family; Ed B and family; Jeff D's cousin Jerry Elder and his wife Tami Elder; Todd S and family; Patty M, family and friends of Bob J, family and friends of Jim C, Kirstin and family; Larry G
Recent hospitalization, illness and other concerns:
Sandy and Jim's friend Al, his mom, Sue and friend Kay; Penny M; Kirstin D; Shannon P's father, Rev. Dr. Bill; Verona's younger brother Eric; Julia C's long-time friend Megan; Bonita C; Claire F; Dayle B; Imy P; Kirstin D's father; Don P; Jeff J; Bev C; John K; Jan C
For homebound members/friends of Alki UCC: Doris C
Wider World: Prayers for all those affected by the corona virus outbreak; all those suffering from PTSD in the military and around the world; 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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January Guest Speaker Series
for Sunday Worship
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As we kick-off Year One of our Future Story, we need to lay the groundwork for understanding and visualizing what it means to be a multi-faith center.
During January Sunday worship, we're meeting and greeting different faith leaders from our neighborhood and region.
The series was launched January 3 with Rev. Steve Davis, formerly with Plymouth UCC, who spoke about his direct experience working in a multi-faith building. Last Sunday, we welcomed Connie Burk, Executive Director of our partner synagogue, Kol HaNeshamah (KHN). This Sunday, we're exploring Buddhism with Jill Boone.
What should we focus on during Year One? We'll continue the conversation during facilitated Coffee Hour discussions after worship on January 17, 24 and 31. Stay tuned.
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New for 2021: Small Group Ministries
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This isn't about tasks, or to-do lists or calls to action. It's about nesting in and joining a few others from our community in cozier home-group settings.
We’ll be working with the Ministry Teams to form our new groups. Relax, restore, explore … Onward together!
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Seattle's 2021 MLK Celebration
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There are a host of powerful and free community workshops online in conjunction with Seattle’s 39th annual MLK Celebration.
Highlights of the weekend celebration also include a Youth Event on Sunday, January 17, which will be live-streamed between 2:00 and 4:00 pm on Rainier Avenue Radio's Facebook page.
The weekend culminates on MLK Day, Monday, January 18, with the 2021 March and Rally, based on the front parking lot of Garfield High School, 400 23 Avenue in Seattle. The rally is at 11:00 am; the march starts at noon.
— Your Outreach/Social Justice Ministry Team
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Zoom Registration Link for Sunday Worship
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You only need to register once for Sunday worship.
You will receive a confirmation email with your own unique link to join Sunday worship.
For additional assistance, phone or text Tech Deacon Shannon Peterson.
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Introduction to Conflict Resolution Webinar
Rev. Sophie Morse, facilitator
Thursday, February 18
10:00 to 11:00 am
No cost |
Register here
Sponsored by the PNCUCC Committee on Ministry (COM) Clergy, moderators, lay leaders and program staff are invited to attend.
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Click on the blue donate button to make a secure, online credit card donation and an overview of other ways to donate.
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6115 SW Hinds
Seattle, WA 98116
206/935-2662
Check for church news and calendar updates at www.alkiucc.org.
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