Greetings beloved ones!
This month, on November 20, many places and organizations observe the Trans Day of Remembrance (TDoR ), also known as the International Transgender Day of Remembrance. TDoR has been observed annually (from its inception) on November 20 as a day to memorialize those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia. It is a day to draw attention to the continued violence endured by trans people.
TDoR was founded in 1999 by a small group including Gwendolyn Ann Smith and one of my acquired sons, Justice Roe Williams, to memorialize the murder of Rita Hester, a Black trans woman, in Allston, Massachusetts. By 2010, TDoR was observed in over 185 cities throughout more than 20 countries.
Most years, at least one of the names on the list has been someone I’ve known, loved, held. This year is no exception.
The current list can be found here.
Through September, the number totals 409 reported worldwide. The number is always lower than reality. Many deaths are unreported and/or the victims are misgendered by the press, police and their families.
This week during our prayer time, I’ll light a single candle in remembrance and in prayer for the families and communities that grieve every one of these victims of violence, hatred and ignorance.
I wrote this poem a few years ago. I hope in sharing with you, you’ll read it and hold us in your prayers and in your hearts!
We Gather
We gather to remember
Your vibrant light & your soaring laughter
We gather to remember
The hands you held & lives you touched
We gather to remember
Your uncommon tenderness & your unwavering strength
We gather to remember
The sunrises that we greeted in revelry & the sunsets that we christened with our tears.
We gather to remember
That your essence will never be just a statistic, a number, a headline
Your life was too big for that
You are not just an unsolved case or a misgendered news article
You are my sister, my brother, my kindred.
I'll hear you in the rustle of a skirt
I'll smell you in the warmth of my grandmother's kitchen
I'll taste you in the saltiness of my tears
I'll see you in the flowers' new bloom
I'll feel you in the heat of an embrace.
We are the stones that the builders rejected
We are the honey in the lion's belly
We are the sword in the stone
We are the rose that blooms in winter
We are the fresh spring in the desert.
Common and unique
Mundane and magical
Secular and sacred
Visible and hidden
Frightened and courageous
Endangered and eternal,
No song can fully contain the music of us
No portrait can fully capture the beauty of us
No law can regulate us out of existence
No act of harm can extinguish the flame of us,
Together, we grow supple and strong
Nurtured by our many gifts
Watered by our tears of becoming
Though pruned by circumstances
We continue to bloom anew
In every season.
We are truth embodied
We are the intersections of all that is and ever was
The tapestry we weave with our lives,
Multi-textured and vibrant,
Is the answer to questions, ancient and yet to come.
In our authenticity, in our joy,
Even in the midst of hardship
We are the embodiment of creation
Birthing a world and a time
Of safety, self-determination
Of love and celebration.
We gather to bear witness to our grief and anger together
Today we read these names with heavy hearts
We gather to celebrate you and your life
Knowing that your seeds have been planted
We gather to see the faces of those that remain
Trusting our ability to nurture each other
We gather to show the world
A time when there will be no need for this way of naming us
We gather to show the world and each other
That all of our lives are valuable.
— Rev. Louis J. Mitchell (2013)
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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In-Person Worship Returns
Sunday, November 28
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Welcome back!
Advent Sunday, November 28, marks the beginning of "hybrid" worship at Alki UCC. You can still stream our 10:00 am service online live via Zoom, or gather in the Sanctuary to join other members of our community in prayer. Finally!
Your safety is our number one priority. Kindly note the following guidelines
- In order to attend in-person, you must be fully vaccinated for COVID. You only need to present your proof of vaccination on your first visit.
- Face coverings are required.
- Social distancing is encouraged.
In order to make the check-in process efficient,
no later than Noon on the Friday
before attending on Sunday.
If you don't have access to a computer, contact the church office for an alternate process.
No worries if you can't pre-register ... just show up! All are welcome.
Check-in Process at the Church
Enter through the Hinds Street front entrance and take an immediate left to sign in at the Parlor registration table. You will then be guided to an open pew row and asked to sit socially-distanced from those who are not part of your family/friends unit.
During Worship
The Order of Worship and hymn/song lyrics will be displayed on a big screen near at the front of the sanctuary; paper bulletins will not be available. You can also request a hymnal for reference to some of the musical selections.
When service ends, exit through the rear sanctuary doors and proceed outside, where you are welcome to gather for conversation under the courtyard tent. As you arrive and exit, please note the collection plates at the back of the sanctuary.
Please email Shannon P if you have any questions.
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Volunteer Opportunities for In-Person Worship
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Altar Arrangements Committee
For many years, Verona R's lovely and distinctive altar arrangements have been an important part of Sunday worship.
Now that Verona is staying home for a while as she recovers, we're forming a creative team to provide and arrange flowers (or other) decorative altar arrangements for Sunday worship.
Tidying Up!
Humans needed to :
- Take extraneous items from the Lost & Found box to Goodwill or another donations site.
- Organize the Narthex nametag wall and drawers in the lamp table and Parlor cupboard.
- Cast your creative eye on the church bulletin board in the narthex and offer suggestions on how to make it informative and welcoming.
Contact: office@alkiucc.org
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Call for Thanksgiving Cooks:
WIN Hot Lunch Saturday, November 20
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Can you believe it's almost Thanksgiving? We're Calling all Cooks to make the best Thanksgiving ever for the WIN hot lunch on Saturday, November 20!
 We need large casserole pans of roasted turkey or chicken, stuffing, gravy, potatoes (roasted or mashed), sweet potatoes, yams, roasted veggies, casseroles of green beans or rice, rolls, etc.
We deliver the dishes pre-warmed to the Body of Christ church in White Center (1320 SW 102nd, two blocks east of McClendon's), or, we can arrange to have your dish picked up.
Many of us stay to help out at the donation tables, manage the toiletries/clothing/food donations, while bringing good cheer and love to those who frequent this event.
Drop-off is by 11:30 am, stay to help out as long as you can (we put everything away around 1:00 pm). Contact: Cinda S
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Insights and Reflections from the Faith Formation Field Trip to Tacoma Art Museum Kinsey Art Exhibit
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Following are reflections from a few of the folks who recently toured the Kinsey Family Exhibit of African American Art at the Tacoma Art Museum:
 Julia C says:
There was so much to see and learn and experience emotionally. I was impressed by a book written posthumously in 1782 about Ignatius Sancho (1729-1780), "Letters of the Late Ignatius Sancho." Born on a slave ship and later a resident of England, he was the first known African to vote in a British election. Sancho wrote music and poetry. His biography was one of the most widely read books in England at the time.
From Marcy:
I enjoyed the exhibit and appreciate the Kinsey family for their efforts collecting and sharing such precious pieces. The historical documents were/are startling to see in person. Knowing the facts is one thing, but seeing actual accounts of the census and sales records of slaves is jarring. Those horrendous things happened. No denying.
Rev Louis notes: I thought the exhibit was great and was also awed by the work of the family to compile and curate such a broad collection.
It was hard to experience it in a group. It felt very vulnerable. I'm open to talking more about the exhibit and welcome hearing more about how others experienced it!
From Joe M:
I found the exhibit thought-provoking and very worthwhile, and certainly encourage others to take the time to go see it. While I was impressed with a number of the works of art, the most memorable pieces were probably the bill of sale for the slave in SC, and the list of "property" listing the slaves and their distinguishing characteristics. It is one thing to intellectually understand the reality of slavery, another to see it there in writing.
I especially appreciated the focus on how many important and meaningful things were accomplished by African Americans, even as they were enslaved and then oppressed in the many decades after slavery.
# # #
The acclaimed display, comprising the second largest collection of African American art and historical documents outside the Smithsonian Museum, was gathered by the family over the last 50 years.
If you haven’t seen the exhibit yet, please do! It’s well worth the trip. Info linked here.
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Prayers of Healing and Recovery for Vicky's friend Janelle O as she deals with myriad health concerns.
Prayers of Condolence and Comfort for family and friends on the passing of Rev. Ron Marshall, beloved member of our larger community as cited in this West Seattle Blog story.
Continuing Prayers of Protection and Support for the people of Afghanistan.
Special Prayers of Support and Safety for Kirstin, Jeff, and all the educators and students in our community and beyond ... and for all who work in the school environment.
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; Todd S and family; Patty M, family and friends of Bob J, family and friends of Jim C; Larry G
Recent hospitalization, illness and other concerns:
Verona R, Julia C's friend Peter, Emily H's friend Donna, Jim and Sandy's friends Jim S and Mary Jane, Dan's brother Bill and Bill's wife Helaina, 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 misguided immigration policies; 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
November 14
at 10:00 am
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The Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Louis J. Mitchell
Contemporary Voice
"Labor is also teamwork. It is a [parent] and baby learning together how to push and how to be born, how to yield and separate from the union of pregnancy. You are not in control nor are you out of control during labor. The best way to approach labor is with an attitude of learning rather than controlling.”
— Dr. Gayle Peterson
Scripture Readings:
1 Samuel 1:14-20
Mark 13:10-15, 18-20 (NRSV)
Sermon:
“Doula to the Impossible!”
Liturgist:
Julia P
Guest Accompanist
David Duvall
Music Highlights
I Will Trust in the Lord
African-American Spiritual
I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry
John Ylvisaker
Children Will Listen
Stephen Sondheim
Just A Closer Walk
with Thee
Traditional
Sunday's Order of Worship, including the scripture text, is linked here.
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Pastoral Search Committee
Sunday, November 21
Time TBA
Thanksgiving
Food/Clothing
Donations Drive
Sunday, November 21
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Front Courtyard
Outreach/Social Justice
Tuesday, November 30
7:00 pm
Contact: Cinda S
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Pastor Kelly Featured on PBS "American Veteran" Series
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Rev. Kelly Wadsworth, Alki UCC's former transitional pastor, served with the US National Guard, including deployment to Iraq. She is one of many diverse vets featured in the PBS "American Veteran" series — airing locally on Tuesday, November 16 (part four) and available anytime online through the PBS Passport streaming service.
Interviews with Pastor Kelly are in parts three and four of the series.
From the Viewer Guide: "America has 18 million living veterans from WWII to Afghanistan and Iraq vets. Told exclusively through veterans’ voices, "American Veteran" presents their experiences in this four-part series.”
Rev. Kelly served as an Army Chaplain in Iraq and speaks about how serving changed her perspective on war.
You can read more about it in this terrific Seattle Times profile of Pastor Kelly.
Alki UCC honors
all our vets.
Thank you for your voice. Thank you for your service.
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Faith Action Network (FAN) Virtual Annual Dinner Celebration and Watch Parties
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Sunday, November 21 5:30-6:30 pm
Registration here.
Join us online to celebrate FAN's 10th anniversary of interfaith movement for justice, and all we’ve accomplished together.
Register by November 15 and consider hosting a watch party! While we can’t gather together in a large room, we can join with a few others to make the evening more fun and meaningful. Access your Watch Party Packet here for suggestions.
Tickets are by donation, and the event links will be sent out closer to November 21.
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How to Register Your COVID Vaccination Card
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Part of our shared new reality is the requirement to show Proof of COVID Vaccination in numerous venues and situations. Be prepared!
Here are a couple of online registration options:
MyIRMobile
Your COVID card is not
replaceable. Here's a site where you can set up an account and upload your WA immunization/vaccine records, which will be updated with boosters or additional shots. If you lose your COVID vaccination card, you'll have an online record for backup.
WAVerify
Enter a few details for a link to a QR code and digital copy of your COVID-19 verification record that can you access online or print as needed.
Note: Tip of the hat to Normandy Park UCC for running this important information in their current newsletter.
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The news and events update from our regional Pacific Northwest
UCC Conference is now online.
Check it out here for:
Mike's Blog
Conference Calendar
Staff Column by Courtney Stange-Tregear
COP26, the United Nations climate summit,
and other popular features.
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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.
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For secure, online giving through Give Lively, click the blue 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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Sunday Worship Videos Posted on YouTube
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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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