Dear Alki UCC,
I’m so grateful for our loving, supportive, compassionate community. A place where we can show up as our authentic selves and seek God together.
In gratitude, we care for one another. In gratitude, we serve the community together. I am so appreciative of our staff and many volunteers who make the ministry of Alki UCC possible!
This Sunday, in gratitude, we witness and bless the baptism of the youngest among us. Precious Annabell Sophia.
It is so profound to witness a baptism. To the question, “Do you, who witness and celebrate this sacrament, promise your love, support, and care to Annabell, about to be baptized, as she lives and grows in Christ?” We answer, “We promise our love, support, and care.”
Baptism is an outward and visible sign of the grace of God. That’s why even the very young are baptized in the United Church of Christ. Even before we are able to claim the faith for ourselves, we are marked by the water of grace.
Because it’s not about us, it’s about God. And it’s an act of the whole church body. Come, as we witness and bless with hearts full of gratitude.
In hope,
Pastor Emily
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"Alki by the Sea" Tree Ornament Creation
this Sunday, November 26 after Worship
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This Sunday is the last chance to combine our talents and create the art that will adorn our church's “Alki by the Sea” submission to Fauntleroy UCC’s Festival of Trees December fundraiser for local food banks. Join in for decorating after the service during coffee hour and the Baptism celebration.
We’ll have the materials, all you need to bring is your creativity!
Here are some views of last Sunday's session courtesy Aly H:
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How Does a Weary World Rejoice?
 Joy is often a companion to many other emotions. We can feel joy in addition to feeling many other things at once: grief, anticipation, anxiety, excitement, disappointment, exhaustion.
Perhaps many of us live with the myth that joy is not something we deserve—or that it is wholly out of reach. But our joy is rooted in the truth that we belong to God.
Can you tether yourself to that deep truth? You deserve to feel joy — fully. The world needs your joy, even if you are weary. Our joy is better when it is shared.
This theme of course alludes to a line in the familiar Christmas hymn, “O Holy Night,” which has an interesting history. The song was originally written by a French poet who was atheist, and the music was supplied by a Jewish composer. The hymn was later translated into English by an American Unitarian minister. In the 1800s, it became a popular hymn for Christian abolitionists due to its justice-focused language.
Like Mary’s song, the hymn reminds us that justice and joy belong together. Sometimes our joy is an act of resistance.
And so, this Advent, we will hold space for our weariness and our joy. We will seek a “thrill of hope” in our hurting world. We will welcome joy — even and especially if, like the prophet Isaiah, we cry out for comfort. In this weary world, may we find many ways to rejoice. — A Sanctified Art
Images: Annunciation to Zechariah
by Lauren Wright Pittman
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 Tuesdays: Nov 28 - Dec 20Noon to 1:30 pm via Zoom Advent Bible Study
As you prepare to enter Advent, consider what weariness you carry in your body and soul.
What does it look like for you to rejoice
when you are weary?
If you're already registered for Tuesday Bible Study, just use your unique link to log in. If not, welcome!
December 3
First Sunday in Advent
We Acknowledge our Weariness
The Problem of Certainty
Luke 1:1-23
"Advent Art Response" in the parlor following worship:
Collage Advent Candles
Saturday, December 9
10:00 am to 2:00 pm/Parlor
Advent Workshop
Enjoy a day of contemplation to orient your mind and heart in the season of longing. This quiet time together includes multiple forms of prayer including a labyrinth walk, visio divina (holy viewing of art), and candle lighting.
Saturday, December 16
6:00 to 8:00 pm
Christmas Decorating and Caroling
Come join in decorating the church for Christmas!
We'll break for pizza and round out the evening
with caroling in the neighborhood.
Friday, December 22
7:00 to 9:00 pm in Anderson Hall
Christmas Jazz Cabaret
We celebrate the season with a fun evening
of great music, mocktails, and a raffle.
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Calling All Cooks! Show your Stuff-(ing)!
Thanksgiving-Themed Welcome Table Lunch
This Saturday, November 25
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Aki UCC is providing The Welcome Table hot lunch this Saturday!
Show off your Thanksgiving chops by preparing your signature dish or a holiday favorite: roast turkey, potatoes, veggies, rolls, stuffing, cookies, pies and more!
Drop off pre-warmed casseroles by 11:30 am
Body of Christ Church, 1320 SW 102
White Center (two blocks east of McClendon's)
If you can cook, but are unable to make delivery, contact Cinda to arrange a pick up.
Please create your dish in a large-sized aluminum casserole pan, most likely a double batch. We need to feed 120+ people so we need the large sizes! We also need volunteers to stay and help out at the donation tables, just till 12:45. It's a lot of fun and worth your time!. — Cinda
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Update: Our Peruvian Families
Seeking Asylum
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Little Evaluna, who will be three in December, started a free drop-in Spanish/English preschool program at the Delridge branch of the Seattle Public Library on Monday. She loved it, and her grandma Gloria seemed pleased to see Evaluna so happy, and to have other Spanish speakers to talk to. They can easily take the bus to get there from their apartment and are looking forward to next week.
Dyland, our Denny sixth grader, and his family are settling into their Burien apartment and it took less than a week for Hop/Skip/Drive, a service provided by Seattle Schools thanks to McKinney Vento funding, to get him scheduled for a ride to Denny to finish out his school year. His sister, Gia, already had transportation arranged from her Burien daycare provider to Roxhill's Head Start program.
In this time of Thanksgiving, we are so grateful for the many programs and services that are available to our Peruvian asylum-seekers, and to all of you who have been supportive in so many ways. — Vicky S
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Free Community Movie Screening
The Oscar-Nominated Documentary on Child Migrants: "Which Way Home"
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Wednesday, December 6 at 6:30 pm
Alki UCC
Film followed by conversation
Which Way Home, a 2010 Oscar-nominee, tells the compelling personal story of immigration through the children who face harrowing dangers with enormous courage and resourcefulness, hope and courage, disappointment and sorrow.
Directed by Rebecca Cammisa, the acclaimed documentary follows several unaccompanied child migrants as they journey through Mexico en route to the United States on a freight train they call “The Beast." These are the people you never hear about -- the invisible ones.
Alki UCC and Fauntleroy UCC offer this free community event as part our discernment in "living into becoming Immigrant Welcoming Congregations."
Join us for an evening of film viewing, facilitated conversation, complementary popcorn, El Salvadoran treats and beverages.
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Prayers of Comfort and Condolence for family and friends mourning the passing of Kim B's cousin Trevor,
For those grieving the recent death of a loved one:
The Alki UCC community, family and friends of Wanda D, the Alki UCC community, family and friends of Verona R, Diane J and family on the death of her father Thomas G, family and friends of longtime Alki UCC member Jan C, family and friends of UCC minister Rev. Bobbi Virta, family and friends of longtime Alki UCC member Anne S, Liese F and family, Jeff D and family, the Alki UCC community and friends/family of Nick Tobler-Wolff, Todd S and family, Patty M
Recent hospitalization, illness and other concerns:
Julia C’s friend Ethan, Cinda's mother Jackie S, Rev. Joan Carter, Dan K, Alki UCC's Peruvian Families Seeking Asylum, Shannon P, former Alki UCC member Dawn N, former members Davney and Bob S and Davney's mom Suzanne H, Shannon P's Florida family: Bill, Gail, Mary Ann & Bob; Julia C's friend Chelsea W, Denis B, Don & Imy P and family, Patty M, Jane C and her family, Sue B's brother Tom and his wife Carla, Julia C's friend Jessie T & family, Amy Y's mother Corlene, Jeff D's brother Andy, former Alki UCC member Mark H, Sue B's friends Mary and Louise, Cindy, Jeff and Kirstin's sister-in-law Sue, Kirstin D, Shannon P's father Rev. Dr. Bill, Claire F, Kirstin D's father
For homebound members/friends of Alki UCC: Doris C
Wider World: Prayers for all those affected by the coronavirus 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 26
at 10:00 am
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Baptism Sunday
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Sermon:
“Maybe God Is Like That”
Liturgist:
Julia P
Scripture Reading:
Matthew 18:1-5, 10-14
(NRSV)
Music Director:
Stephen Anthony Rawson
Music Highlights:
Take Me to the Water
African-American Spiritual (arr. Nina Simone)
Pour Out Your Spirit / Like a Healing Stream
Christopher Grundy
& Bruce Harding
Amen
Jester Hairston
Peace Like a River
African-American Spiritual
#323, Little Children, Welcome Fred P. Green & Roy Hopp
#252, Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us
Dorothy A. Thrupp & William B. Bradbury
#351, I Was There to Hear Borning Cry
John Ylvisaker
#327, Jesus Loves Me
Anna B. Warner & William B. Bradbury
Join us either in-person (masks recommended) or virtually via Zoom.
If you're already registered for Sunday worship on Zoom, use your personal link. If not, welcome! Register here.
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It's “Bring Your Bible(s) to Church" Sunday!
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Join us for a meeting of the Faith Formation Team after worship this Sunday, November 26, from 11:15 am to noon. Everyone is welcome!
There will be a brief update on the team's work before we focus our time on reading and discussion. This is the first of several conversations about the Bible.
Bring your questions and bring your Bible(s)! Of course, we'll have plenty on hand if you don't want to bring your own.
— Penny M
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The church office is closed tomorrow and Friday In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Have a lovely holiday!
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Joe A's" Art for Hunger" Holiday Sale
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Sunday, Nov 26
11:00 am to 5:00 pm
The home of
Joe A and Julia C
8145 29th Ave, SW
Artist/Photographer/Writer Joe A is reprising his popular Art for Hunger Holiday Sale to benefit non-profits that provide nutrition for those in need.
No money is exchanged when a piece is sold – the buyer simply agrees to donate the negotiated amount to a non-profit organization of choice dedicated to feeding the hungry.
Joe writes: "My art includes oil, watercolor, charcoal, pencil and ink, wood block, mixed-media and photography. I also have published fiction including short stories and novels, poetry, and non-fiction. I enjoy sharing my work." "Father and Son" pictured above.
A more complete view of Joe's work is linked here.
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Native Art Market at Duwamish Longhouse
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4705 W Marginal Way SW
Friday through Sunday
November 24, 25 & 26
10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Info here
image: Redtail by Peter Boome
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Benefit Concert for the Cold Weather Shelter/Alaska Junction Veterans Center
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Saturday, Dec 2
5:00 to 8:00 pm
Kenyon Hall
7904 35 Avenue SW
Ticket Info here
Enjoy live music, great food, a cash bar and silent auction. It will be a great evening for an important cause and we would love to be in community with supporters.
Help raise critical funding for the shelter's operation! — Cinda
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Are you prepared for an Earthquake ...
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Know the location of your West Seattle Emergency Communications Hub,
the initial gathering locations for information and resources.
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Sunday Worship Videos Posted on YouTube
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 Sunday Worship recordings now online! Check out Alki UCC's very own YouTube channel. |
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Sunday Worship Registration
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If you've already registered on Zoom, just use your personal link. If not, welcome! You can register here.
When you register, please use your first/last name plus your email.
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For secure, online giving through Give Lively, click the button, OR, send your check, made out to "Alki UCC," to:
6115 SW Hinds,
Seattle, WA 98116
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6115 SW Hinds
Seattle, WA 98116
206/935-2661;
Church news/calendar updates at alkiucc.org.
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