Greetings beloved ones!
 I am overcome with joy at being with you and being a part of you. I was just on a panel and talking about what Alki UCC is doing and seeing as our future story in ministry and service!
I truly believe we are the “New Church” in the making.
As we enter this time of focus on stewardship and giving, I’ll admit to you that most of my church life has been about tithes and offerings. I’ve had to acclimate to the idea of pledging. But, as with most things, they need not be mutually exclusive.
Time, talent and treasure! Most of us have more of one than the other, but all of us have something to offer!
When you consider your pledge, consider it to be at least a tithe. Certainly, more if you’re able and God has blessed you with liquidity and resources. But your tithe as your pledge is blessed and wonderful!
A tithe can be calculated as 10% of your gross or of your net, as you feel led. My mom and I had a lengthy conversation about this a few years ago. Her faith compelled her to tithe from her annual gross income. She’s on a fixed income, but her first payment every month is to her church.
The awesome thing about tithing is that your 10% is equal to anyone else’s 10%! If you are barely making it or are well off, your tithe is your commitment to the work of the church and is a cherished gift to our collective future.
I want to encourage you to pray and to do some study of what your tithe represents. It is a spiritual discipline, like prayer, bible study, singing songs that make you feel closer to Divine Source. It is an act of faith that God will provide abundantly when you joyfully offer your first fruits. So, again, I encourage you to pledge your tithe and if you are able, stretch beyond it.
I will be joining y’all this year with pledging my tithe. It isn’t a bundle, but I will prayerfully and joyfully pour my lot in with yours! We have much to do and it is important that we honor our financial commitments.
It may seem too soon to say, but I love y’all! And I love what God is doing with and for us!
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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June 13 is Stewardship Sunday!
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This is the day by which we hope to have everyone's pledges turned in to prepare for our Annual Meeting on June 27.
Thank you for being part of Alki UCC's faith community. A special thanks to those of you who support worship and all our programs through your pledges and donations. In a year when much of the world has stalled-out, Alki UCC has Zoomed forward!
It has been really important to have Alki UCC as a place of refuge and renewal through these wacky, challenging times. A place where we can be reminded that problems are surmountable through faith and the actions that God calls on us to take.
We're sending out the Stewardship snailmail packet this week that includes our Financial Snapshot of the coming fiscal year and a handy printed Pledge Card for you to fill out and return. OR
Click here to pledge online.
You can also view the online version of our Narrative Budget here.
We invite you to prayerfully consider your 2021‐22 Pledge and if possible, increase your Pledge to see us through this time of transition. Please give generously so that we can continue moving toward the future that God is calling us to create together!
Sincerely,
Your 2021 Stewardship Team:
Gary Gesellchen
Julia Chase
Shannon Peterson
Thank you!
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Annual Meeting of the Congregation
Sunday, June 27 at 10:00 am
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 Join us via Zoom for a brief worship service, followed by our Annual Meeting, when we will discuss and pass the 2021/2022 budget and elect the next slate of Council Officers and Ministry Team representatives.
Council Moderator Emily H would like you to know that the Alki United Church of Christ Bylaws are available in advance.
The Bylaws include the Purpose Statement and the Vision Statement accepted last Fall, as well as the addition of the word "virtual" as one of the venues for congregational meetings. Please contact the church office if you would like to have the document sent to you.
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Faith Action Network (FAN) Online Spring Summit June 6
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 Alki United Church of Christ is a member of the Faith Action Network (FAN), a powerhouse advocacy group of diverse faith communities working to promote justice across our state.
FAN's second virtual Spring Summit is Sunday June 6. I attended on May 23, when I suggested the following list of concerns for legislative advocacy:
• Elimination of Cash Bail
• Implementing curriculum of the true history of the US in our public schools (along the lines of the 1619 Project and Critical Race Theory), to be taught at all grade levels
• At the local level, to change how Seattle public schools are funded by local neighborhood tax dollars (this creates systemic racism). Instead, city tax dollars should be equally distributed across all schools in all neighborhoods.
What is weighing heavy on your mind ... there's still time to take action. Sign up for June 6 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and have your thoughts heard! Register here. — Cinda
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Prayers of Continued Healing and Gratitude for Good News!
Dan K writes:
After four chemo infusion sessions for my lymphoma/hemolytic anemia, last Thursday was the day to see if it worked and if my blood is improving. My oncologist came in, sat down and opened her laptop to show me my numbers and said, “You’re doing well!” Sweet. I don’t need to come in for a follow-up visit for three months. All good. Thank you for your conversations with God on my behalf, not to mention your many favors. And be well.— Dan
Special Prayers for the family, friends and communities of Ronald Greene, Andrew Brown Jr, Adam Toledo, Ma'hia Bryant, Andrew Brown Jr, Daunte Wright, 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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Sunday Worship Videos Posted on YouTube
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For secure, online giving through Give Lively, click the blue button.
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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Worship this Sunday
June 6
at 10:00 am
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The Second Sunday after Pentecost
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Communion Sunday
Rev. Louis J. Mitchell
preaching live from the Alki UCC Sanctuary
Sermon:
“Gratitude is a
Power Tool!”
Scripture Readings:
Psalm 138 (NRSV)
2 Corinthians 4:13-18
(The Message)
Contemporary Voice:
“If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are halfway through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook on life will change. Fear of people and economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us - sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them.”
— From the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous
Liturgist: Joe M
Moment of Ministry:
Outreach/Social Justice
Music Highlights:
More Than Conquerors Rend Collective
In Bread and Wine Southern Folk Hymn
Beautiful City
from "Godspell"
Stephen Schwarz
Pues Si Vivimos
(In All Our Living)
Mexican Folk Hymn
Introduced by Emily H
Sunday's Order of Worship, including the scripture text, is linked here.
Worship and Music Team Meeting
After worship
Contact: Joe M
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Stewardship Sunday
June 13
Contact: Gary G
Annual Meeting of the Congregation
Sunday, June 27
at 10:00 am
Contact: Emily H
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Message on Reopening from
Conference Minister Rev. Mike Denton
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As we begin more in-depth conversations about when we should come back together as a congregation in the sanctuary, conference minister, Rev. Mike Denton, sent around an email providing good food for thought.
Click here to read his thoughts and insights.
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Call for Church Council Nominations
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The Nominating Committee is searching for a "few good folks" willing to serve Alki UCC during the 2021-2022 term. Church Council elections are scheduled for June 27 and so far the Ballot looks like this:
Moderator: Joe M
Vice Moderator:
Shannon P
Treasurer: Gary G
Worship/Logistics:
Kirstin D
Nominating Committee: Jeff D
We are seeking nominations for:
♦ Worship and Music
♦ At-Large and
♦ Nominating
Please contact Emily H or Julia P to nominate yourself or another!
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Photo Friday
Call for Pix
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Send in your pictures for our weekly showcase of images that speak to your heart, tickle your fancy, inspire, amuse, instruct or just because.
Email pictures to the church office (only one or two per email, please). .
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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.
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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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