Greetings beloved!
Ubuntu: A person is a person through other persons.
It’s an old concept. Lifted up by Archbishop Tutu in "The Book of Joy," but also reclaimed by African-Americans since the creation of Kwanzaa. This opportunity to trigger the joy that we are built for comes from engagement, relationship and service to others.
I’m still learning of the long legacy of giving that is a part of the Alki UCC tradition. And it certainly goes a long way to explain the joy that I’ve been greeted with! I am inviting you to go deeper and farther with me. Who are our neighbors?
In my short time of hanging out in West Seattle, I’ve seen great diversity! As we move toward our destiny of multi-faith and practice relationships, it is so important to have a relational intent and practice.
Just as Tenzin (the Dalai Lama) and Desmond (Archbishop) were able to see each other’s similarities and differences, parallels and intersections and still navigate relationship, so must we. It isn’t as easy or as hard as it may seem! It does take some work and the work can be challenging, but we can find such joy in the tasks together! Take heart! We can do this together! We’ll wrestle with whatever holds us back and celebrate our successes together!
I’m so excited about our journey! I can see it! Can you see it? A place of praise, haven, sharing, growing! Admittedly, I lean towards optimism most often. I have seen too many miraculous things not to believe in miracles of change, redemption and joy!
Put your journey shoes on, fellow travelers! Let’s keep moving to the place that God has called us to be!
Praying with you as we move forward in creating lives of practice, purpose and praise!
May the grace of God, the teachings of Christ and the fire of the Holy Spirit surround, inform and infuse us as we go!
Blessings,
Rev. Louis
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Pastoral Search Committee
to be Commissioned during Sunday Worship
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During worship this Sunday, April 11, the Pastoral Search Committee will be Commissioned to begin our work of calling a new Pastor to Alki UCC. The Committee has met with PNCUCC Minister Rev. Mike Denton to ask questions and begin the search process.
We ask for your prayers as we begin establishing our meeting schedule, clarifying committee roles, communicating with the congregation and gathering information for writing our Local Church Profile. All this needs to be done before submitting our Profile to the regional conference, who will in turn forward it for posting on the national UCC website.
As you can see we have much to do and welcome your prayers as we move forward. Please join us to express your blessings during worship this Sunday. Thank you for your confidence and trust.
Your Pastoral Search Committee
— Bob C, Lisa D, Emily H, Julia P, Vicky S, Cinda S, Russ T
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Registration Extended to April 15
for "The Book of Joy"
Community Discussion Groups
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Sundays at 5:00 pm or Tuesdays at 2:00 pm
 Your Faith Formation team invites you to a community book study of The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World, the New York Times bestseller by Nobel Peace Prize Laureates His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Julia P reports: It is so gratifying and joyful to share with each other the wisdom we gather from two very wise men of different faiths. There is so much to digest and ponder! Our reading assignment for the coming sessions is pages 93-168.
Participant Dan notes: The Book of Joy has had something to say to each person in our community book group. I appreciate hearing how the book is touching others and sharing how it touches me."
Registration is open until April 15. New participants should get their own copy of "The Book of Joy" and begin reading. Join in for one or both six-week sessions … or switch it up!
• Zoom registration link for Sundays at 5:00 pm
• Zoom registration link for Tuesdays at 2:00 pm
Questions? Contact jepeeler@comcast.net.
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Alki UCC Food/Men's Casual Clothing Drive
Sunday, April 18, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
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 Outside in our front courtyard
6115 SW Hinds
Non-perishable food donations and personal hygiene items are distributed by the White Center Food Bank. 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.
Cinda can use some helping hands any time ... but especially around 3:00 pm to help bring the donations inside.
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Call for Cooks!
Westside Interfaith Network (WIN) Lunch
Saturday, May 15
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The Westside Interfaith Network provides a hot meal every Saturday in White Center called "The Welcome Table." Alki UCC has been a big supporter of this program over the years.
Our intrepid leader, Mary Anne deVry, shares this experience from a recent Saturday:
Last week as I was leaving the meal site, several regular guests were razzing one guy. I stopped to ask what they were all laughing about. Their spokesman related that during a mid-morning meet-up, one guy said he was leaving. They asked, "Where ya' going?" He replied, "I'm gonna go get me some lovin'!"
So, they all hooted, saying "Who's gonna give ya' lovin'?" His reply: "I'm going to the Saturday meal. Those people give me a weekly potion of love that carries me through to the next Saturday."
Each man started listing the ways we make them feel loved: we greet them with smiles, we talk to them, we ask them about their week, ask if they need anything, treat them like they are "somebody."
They said all sorts of people give things for us. "We see the cars drive up; people carrying bags and boxes of things for us; those people must care about us." They feel the lovin' that goes into all the bags of bandaids, blankets, boots, and bananas.
So, if you ever wonder if all the weekly shopping/sorting/baking is worth the time and effort, IT IS WORTH IT! You provide the lovin' that helps people get through their week. So my friends, the men’s clothing, socks, toiletries, etc. that you donate are appreciated! The recipients feel your love and caring.
To learn and experience even more, we are joining Admiral UCC to provide the hot meal on Saturday May 15.
Mark your calendars, start researching easy nutritious casseroles, and LMK if you want to be a part of this great program. — Cinda
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For secure, online giving through Give Lively, click the button below.
 You can also send your check, made out to "Alki UCC," to: Alki UCC Church Office,
6115 SW Hinds, Seattle, WA 98116
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Prayers of Appreciation and Support for our own Jeff and Kirstin D, front-line educators who wrote in to say that: "We are choosing to teach in-person. Jeff starts back with students on the 12th and Kirstin on the 19th. We also ask prayers for our staffs and students as we return to the building. Prayers to our students and staff members who are remaining online."
Prayers of Appreciation and Support to all the essential workers from our own community and region who have served on the front lines during this challenging time.
Wanda Dray called in to express her thanks "for the congregation singing Happy Birthday to me at church last Sunday. I also appreciate everyone who sent a birthday card or greeting for my birthday this week. I was overwhelmed with the good wishes."
Holocaust Remembrance Day
Prayers of Commemoration today to mark the global observance of the Days of Remembrance to "honor Holocaust survivors, remember the six million Jews murdered, and pay tribute to American soldiers who liberated the victims."
(from the US Holocaust Memorial Museum Website)
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:
Friends and family of Bev C; 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:
Larry G, Dan K, Cinda's sister-in-law, Sue B's friends Mary and Louise, Cindy, Julia P, Jeff and Kirstin's sister-in-law Sue, 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
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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Worship this Sunday
at 10:00 am
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The First Sunday
after Easter
Rev. Louis J. Mitchell
preaching from the
Alki UCC Sanctuary
Scripture Readings:
Psalms 133:1-3
Acts 4:32-35
The Message
Sermon:
“Dream Bigger, part 1"
Contemporary Voice:
“When I say I love you more, I don’t mean I love you more than you love me. I mean I love you more than the bad days ahead of us, I love you more than any fight we will ever have. I love you more than the distance between us, I love you more than any obstacle that could try and come between us. I love you the most.” – Unknown
Liturgist: Vicky S
Music Highlights:
Are You Washed In The Blood Of The Lamb?
Gospel Hymn
Elisha Albright Hoffman
Beautiful Things
Michael and Lisa Gungor
Amazing Grace
(My Chains Are Gone)
Chris Tomlin
The Pastoral Search Committee will be Commissioned during worship to begin their work of calling a new Pastor to Alki UCC. Your prayers are welcome!
Sunday's Order of Worship, including the scripture, is linked here.
# # #
Music and Worship
team meeting this Sunday after worship. Contact: Joe |
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Outreach/Social Justice
Monday, May 3, 6:30 pm
Contact: Cinda
"The Book of Joy"
Community Study
Tuesdays at 2:00 pm
Sunday's at 5:00 pm
Contact: Julia P or Russ T
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Candidate Suggestions Sought for 2021/2022 Church Council and Nominating Committee
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It is that time of year when we begin to prepare for the Annual Meeting and elect officers/members for the Church Council. In forming the Pastoral Search Committee, we had such good success for nominations coming from members and friends that we would like to do this again.
In addition to the two available officer positions, Moderator and Vice Moderator, we will have an open position called “At Large,” whose role is like a roving reporter, listening to the members and friends of the congregation and communicating with the Council.
We also welcome suggestions for two Nominating Committee candidates to be appointed by the Council.
Submit names to Emily H. or Julia P. and we will follow-up and prepare a slate by April 15.
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Spring Issue of PBCUCC Now Online
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The Spring 2021 issue of the Pacific NW United Church of Christ News is now online.
Check it out here for stories on Kelle Brown as Plymouth-Seattle's new senior pastor, conversations on dismantling racism at Annual Meeting, a Westminster-Spokane youth speaking at a March 20 rally to stop the hate of Asian Americans, and more!
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PNCUCC Annual Meeting
April 30 - May 2
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Our theme, "Rooted in Love," is the same as this year's national UCC General Synod. All events are online via Zoom.
Come worship with everyone in a candlelight service on Friday evening, April 30. Other engaging, faithful worship will take place on Saturday and Sunday. Online registration available here.
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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 un ique link to join Sunday worship.
For additional assistance, phone or text Tech Deacon Shannon P.
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6115 SW Hinds
Seattle, WA 98116
206/935-2661
Check for church news and calendar updates at www.alkiucc.org.
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Sunday Worship Videos Posted on YouTube
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