Dear Alki UCC,
Last Sunday we explored the theme Do the Good That is Yours To Do (sermon begins at at 10:55).
We are saturated by hero stories, tales of a special person emerging at a crisis point and conquering obstacles with their special powers in order to save the world. Yet, change doesn’t happen through one person taking dramatic action. It happens through ordinary people taking incremental action.
In David Lamotte’s book, You are Changing the World Whether You Like it or Not, he tells stories that show how it isn’t heroes, but movements, that change the world. You can listen to his Ted Talk here.
Even Jesus didn’t point to himself as a hero. He pointed to the Kingdom of God. Which means he pointed back to all of us, to humanity. To do the good that is ours to do. To join the movement of God's love and justice.
As we move ever closer to the mystery of Christmas, God-with-us, let us consider the good that is ours to do.
In hope,
Pastor Emily
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Christmas Eve at Alki UCC
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Tuesday, December 24 at 5:00 pm
Carols and Candlelight for All Ages
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel, Pastor
Stephen Anthony Rawson, Music Director
Lyn Fulkerson, Guest Cellist
Alki UCC Community Choir
Join us for this most holy night of song and story. Children are invited to recreate the nativity scene as we sing our way to Bethlehem.
 During the service, attendees are invited to bring new or gently-used cozy donations to the manger (blankets, hats/gloves, etc.) for distribution to those in need by the Westside Interfaith Network (WIN).
The service concludes with a candlelit Silent Night.
Image: "Abolition Baby" by Nicolette Peñaranda
Note: Service is in-person and online via Zoom. To stream the Christmas Eve service, just use your regular Sunday worship Zoom Link. If you're new, welcome! You can register here.
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Last Saturday, Anderson Hall was transformed into an elegant, festive lounge for our annual Christmas Cabaret — a celebration full of music, dance, laughter and cheer! The event brought the community together for an evening of entertainment, singalongs, and merriment that truly captured the spirit of the season.
Key highlights included exciting performances from the Community Choir, the lively Clogging Class, and musical sets by Frida, Albee, and Emily D.
 The audience was treated to a series of festive singalongs, including Maya’s original lyrics to “Jingle Bells” and a spirited version of "The 12 Days of Christmas" led by Marilynn.
The dance floor came alive with folks showing off their best “Charlie Brown” dance moves, and couples twirling to “Silver Bells.” It was a heartwarming reminder of the joy and togetherness that make the holiday season so special.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this event possible, from planning and setup to volunteering during the evening. Your hard work and dedication helped create a magical atmosphere for all to enjoy.
— Stephen
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"Alki UCC by the Sea" 2024
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Vote for "Alki UCC by the Sea" with donations of non perishable food items to be gifted to the West Seattle and White Center Food Banks
Festival of Trees at Fauntleroy UCC Fellowship Hall
9140 California Ave SW
through January 2
Food Donations Delivery Admission Schedule:
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am to noon
6:00 pm on Saturday, December 21
3:00 pm Sunday, December 22
(one hour before community Christmas concerts)
Note: The Fauntleroy community Christmas concerts feature the Chancel Choir, Fauntleroy Women’s Ensemble, members of the Peace Lutheran Choir, and additional singers from other choirs
All are welcome! Admission is FREE.
Read more about the Festival of Trees here.
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Abandoned Kitchen Treasures
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A major effort is underway to get the Anderson Hall kitchen to Ground Zero for the New Year. A HUGE shoutout to Julia P and Sandy for getting things cooking ... as it were.
The east Counter is loaded with items that are available to be picked up until January 5 when they will be donated to a charity.
Take a look. If you use the kitchen please keep the space neat and clean. Thank you for your help.
The Volunteer Kitchen Committee.
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Thanks to all who used our narthex Sustainable Cubbies
Sustainable Stewards Cubby Corner
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December/January
Featured Items:
Holiday String Lights. Drop off your holiday string lights that are still working and those that have lost their twinkle.
We will be collecting them through Sunday, January 12.
Styrofoam: Save all that packaging from not only your holiday shopping but also from your meat packaging and cookie trays. Bring your clean Styrofoam to the cubbies through January 12.
New Permanent Item:
Contact Lens packaging: we are making room in the cubbies to collect the contact lens plastic packaging and the foil tops.
We always accept:
Wine corks, plastic lids smaller than three inches, small batteries, bread tags, empty prescription bottles, standard size light bulbs, contact lens packaging and two types of plastic: Plastic Film (shipping bags, plastic bags, overwrap, air pillows and other stretchy plastics!) and Multi-layer plastic (food storage bags, pet food bags, frozen food bags, and more layered packaging).
We don't take plastic wrap like Saran Wrap, but any other stretchy plastic we do.
We appreciate the following cubbie donations:
New socks, underwear and toiletries. Keep them coming!
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Urgent! Your Voice Needed
to Protect Seattle's Trees!
Public Comments Due BEFORE THIS FRIDAY, December 20
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Your Outreach/Social Justice team wants you to know that the One Seattle Plan coming up for City Council review includes a proposal for regressive zoning that would severely impact the city's tree cover and fuel our urban heat deserts.
In 2007, Seattle officially instituted a goal of
30% tree canopy cover by 2037.
The current One Seattle Plan cuts that goal almost in half.
If you live in Seattle ... if you value our trees, please email Mayor Harrell and the Seattle City Council under your own name to tell them how important our tree canopy is to you.
Please encourage them to pass legislation
that protects trees, not developers.
Send to:
oneseattleplan.zoning@seattle.gov
bruce.harrell@seattle.gov
council@seattle.gov
Following is suggested text for you to edit or cut-and-paste:
Subject: Request for Zoning Code Revisions
Dear Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD), Mayor Harrell, and City Council Members,
Seattle’s urban trees are critical to cooling our neighborhoods, improving air quality and supporting biodiversity. Development is taking its toll on our tall trees.
The proposed upzones in the One Seattle Plan will undermine Seattle’s climate resilience and lead to increased environmental inequity.
I urge you to make the following changes in the zoning proposals:
• Eliminate setback reductions that limit essential space for both street and private-property trees
• Eliminate increased hardscape allowances that prioritize pavement over greenspace
• Increase tree requirements on new developments; these are crucial for maintaining canopy as neighborhoods densify.
• Where consistent with neighborhood character and infrastructure, encourage greater building height and clustered developments to help balance density with tree preservation.
New zoning codes must protect Seattle’s trees to ensure a livable, climate-resilient city for all. The proposed changes significantly reduce space for trees on both private properties and streets, impacting two-thirds of Seattle’s existing tree canopy. This plan places Seattle on a path to fewer trees, less shade, and higher temperatures.
Look to Portland and Tacoma for how to implement ordinances and zoning that support tree planting and retention.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
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For reference only:
Tree Action Seattle
Trees and People Coalition
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Ever-present God, we give you thanks.
We give you gratitude for the relationships in our lives and our community of faith.
We pray for all those who grieve.
Comfort their hearts and hold them close, especially Shannon P on the passing of her beloved father, Rev. Bill P..
We pray for all those who are ill, hurting or have a concern on their hearts.
We pray for Pastor Emily's friends Rich, Julie and Bryson, our Peruvian immigrant friends and for all who seek peace and safety in our country, for Sandy J's cousin Barbara, Dan K facing various health issues, Rev. Joan C, Cinda's mother Jackie S, Julia C's friend Jessie T and family, Amy Y's mother Corlene, Davney and Bob S, Sue's B's friends Mary and Louise, and Nick L.
We pray for our wider world.
Our hearts go out to the many people who are suffering in areas affected by natural disasters and the ongoing effects of climate change.
We pray for all the people and places in our world affected by war. We ask for wisdom for decision-makers and strength for justice-seekers. We pray for victims of violence, for refugees and asylum-seekers. We pray for all who are hungry, desperate, and in need of support.
In all of these things, we trust that you are with us. In all of these things, we ask for you to strengthen us. Help us to see you in those around us. Help us to love as you love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Please contact the church office to add or remove a prayer request. |
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Sunday Worship Videos Posted on YouTube
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 Sunday Worship recordings now online! |
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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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Worship this Sunday,
December 22
at 10:00 am
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Fourth Sunday
in Advent
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Liturgist:
Keith T
Scripture:
Isaiah 58:9b-12
Luke 3:7-16
Stephen Anthony Rawson
Music Director
Music Highlights:
461, Let Us Hope When Hope Seems Hopeless
119, My Soul Gives Glory
You’ll Never Walk Alone (from Carousel)
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II
593, Lift Every Voice
and Sing
Image:
"Joseph’s Dream"
by Lauren Wright Pittman
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When you register, please use your first/last name plus your email.
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Alki UCC
Neighborhood
Caroling
This Saturday,
December 21 at 4:30 pm
Meet at the church!
Join us for an evening of joyful song as we go caroling through our Alki neighborhood!
Whether you’re an experienced singer or just love to sing along, we welcome everyone to come and participate.
It’s a wonderful way to bring a smile to others’ faces, connect with the community, and enjoy the magic of the season together.
Music and lyrics provided; just bring your holiday cheer!
Image: Edoardo Botez onunsplash
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As the end of tax year 2024 nears please be reminded what Alki UCC means for each of us.
It is because of the thoughtful and generous
congregation this beloved community endures. Our programs and services are a result of all these efforts and giving.
There is still time to give a little more to support our ongoing efforts to continue "sharing God’s love with each other and the world.”
Please consider writing an extra check, putting extra cash in the collection plate or donating online.
Thank you.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.
— Your Financial Team
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Attention All Shopping Elves!
Gifts Due at Church by this Sunday
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We had a terrific response on Sunday, so many of you wanting to be elves!
There are only two gifts still unclaimed, so we would welcome a couple more helping elves.
Gift cards are also welcome ... lots of gift cards! ... so if shopping isn't your thing and you want to contribute, that's the best way. Target, Safeway, Fred Meyer, Walmart, etc.
Our goal is to have all gifts and gift cards delivered to the church by this Sunday: place your gifts in the decorated Narthex bins (thank you Julia P).
Contact Cinda if you can't deliver by Sunday.
Please wrap and label all gifts for the mothers ... leave the daughters' gifts unwrapped.
If you can contribute wrapping paper, bows, ribbons, and tape, that helps the moms out as well. Just leave those items in the decorated bins as well.
Thank you!
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Kitchen Item Donations Needed for a “Fill a Bin” Project
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Through our association with the Fauntleroy UCC Immigration Task Force, we learned that the asylum seekers at Riverton Park Methodist Church have been receiving work permits and jobs and are moving on with their lives furnishing their new homes. A "Fill a Bin" project is helping provide kitchen basics.
Attached is a list of needed items. This is a perfect opportunity to downsize your kitchen equipment and gadgets to help new residents set up housekeeping.
Beginning this Sunday and for the next several weeks, you can bring your donations to a labeled bin in the Narthex. When we have collected a fair amount of items, we will set aside a time to sort through them to complete some bins for this project.
Thank you for considering this way to help immigrants.
Your Outreach/Social Justice Team
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Alki UCC Spotlighted in Current Issue of Pacific NorthWest Conference UCC News
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Pastor Emily, Cinda, Kristin and Vicky were interviewed by PNCUCC reporter Mary Stamp for the lead article profiling selected conference churches.
Headline: Alki UCC embodies caring for community
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Tuesday and Sunday Zoom Bible Study
Schedule Update
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• There will be no Bible Study on Tuesdays, Dec 24 or 31. Tuesday Bible study resumes Jan 7
• Sunday Dec. 22 Bible study takes place as scheduled from 5 to 6 pm. Sunday Dec. 29 Bible study is canceled; the Sunday series resumes Jan 5.
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Participants are welcome to attend either on Tuesday at noon or Sunday at 5:00 pm (or both sessions!) on any given week ... whatever is most convenient.
There is a separate Zoom registration link for each series:
Tuesday registration link
Sunday registration link
Once you register, you will use the personal link for each series sent to you by Zoom. Pick up your copy of the Advent devotional this Sunday or request a link to the digital version from the church office.
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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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