Dear Alki UCC,
I have a habit of avoiding preaching on July 4 weekend. How to address the dissonance so many feel about celebrating our country? How to thread the needle of thanksgiving for our land of the free and validating those who don’t feel all that free?
Well . . . what does Scripture have to say?
This Sunday we embark on our summer worship series: Dear God . . . Summer Plunge into the Psalms.
The book of Psalms is an eclectic collection of songs and poems that express the myriad of emotions, beliefs and experiences of people grappling with a life and society full of ups and downs and everything in between. Many Psalms ping-pong us from joyous thanksgiving to the deepest lament and back again. Those writers felt everything at once. So do we.
We live in a beautiful country full of beautiful people. We are indebted to those who fought for our independence. And we are dismayed at the direction our country is going. All our feelings about that are valid. So bear with me, church, as this Sunday I tackle what I typically avoid. Because, as it turns out, the Scripture has a lot to say about it.
In hope,
Pastor Emily
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To schedule time with Pastor Emily, check out this handy online form.
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 What a great idea to hold the annual meeting during worship. Between singing, praying, reflecting on the past year and on our future, and voting on the budget, it was a joyous occasion. Worship video linked here.
Daniel had the congregation singing oldies we love and the choir singing a new anthem that stirred my heart. Many thanks to Daniel and the Choir for getting us up and moving.
Pastor Emily reflected on the past year activities here at Alki UCC month by month. It reminds us all of the dedication and love we have for this place and the world. Thanks to her leadership we will continue to do God’s work in the world.
In prayers and thanksgiving we celebrated the Leadership and Staff here in the building. Thanks to Larisa in the office, our Custodian Kim, and our new grounds company, GRN Space Landscapes, and others who keep us moving forward and on task.
With a quorum of members on site and on-line we were able to do some serious business of approving last year’s minutes, confirming the appointment of Council leadership, approving the budget and use of the Trust Fund.
The Council-recommended 2025-2026 Budget was presented and unanimously passed. The budget included an 20% increase in pledges (thank you friends and members Alki UCC) and confirming a 3/4 time pastor with a salary package increase recommended by the Conference guidelines.
We still have work to do to cover the deficit but we approved using the Trust Fund to cover operating expenses in the coming year if needed.
With God’s help and the addition of our new tenant and future users of our building we look forward to new beginnings and continuing the work that was started 112 years ago.
Please take time to read the Annual Reports that were sent by email or printed and distributed at worship. They reflect the work that the Ministry Teams and Committees have done over the past year. It takes a lot of moving parts and bodies to keep our mission visible in the world.
Again a Big Thanks to all the folks who help in so many ways to keep this Beloved community a safe and engaging place. See you in Church.
—Julia P.
Alki UCC Moderator
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Alki UCC Fall Retreat September 19 - 21
Registration Open Now!
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 Our all-church retreat is Friday, September 19 to Sunday, September 21 at Pilgrim Firs in Port Orchard.
Our weekend will be co-facilitated by Pastor Emily and Rev. Penny and will include both large group gatherings and time for rest and exploration of the serene woodland setting.
Our theme is Coming Home to Ourselves: The Practice of Observing Silence.
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Shout-Out to All Archive Room
Work Party Helpers!!
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 It was a big job to move the archive boxes from the third floor all the way downstairs for storage.
Too many names to list, but “many hands make light work”. Also thanks to ACB and KHN for their flexibility and help.
We're so grateful to everyone who showed up on Monday to lend hands and heart to preserving our treasured history.
Thank you all!!
— Julia P
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Thanks to all who use our narthex Sustainable Cubbies
Sustainable Stewards Cubbie Corner (SSCC)
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Please drop off your wiped down clean, crumb free,
totally dry items in the Cubbies
at the northwest corner of the Narthex.
The following categories are accepted in the cubbies weekly:
Batteries, household size batteries • Bread Tags • Contact lens packaging • Electronic cords, chargers, adapters • Laptops • Light bulbs, household socket bulbs • Loose plastic caps (the small caps on soups, milk, beverages) • Metal Bottle Caps • Multi Layer Plastic Film • Plastic Film • Portable devices, cell phones, tablets • Prescription Pill Bottles and caps • Reusable egg cartons-dozen eggs only, plastic or cardboard • Rubber Bands • Twist Ties • Wine corks
Questions? Find a Sustainable Steward: Aly H, Ann P, Cinda S, Joe A, Julia C, Lisa G, Nancy H, Marilynn M,
Thank you for being a sustainable steward,
— Outreach/Social Justice team
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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 the hearts of all who grieve and hold them close.
We pray for all those who are ill, hurting or have a concern on their hearts.
We pray for Vicky S' friend Sue; Julia C's cousin Scott M, facing a critical health challenge; 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; Sue's B's friends Mary and Louise; and Nick L.
We pray for our wider world.
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 Livestream
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The Sunday worship Livestream video appears at 10:00 am every week at the top of the page. Sunday Worship recordings
are accessed at the same link.
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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,
July 6
at 10:00 am
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This Is My Song:
Psalms of
Justice and Peace
with
Communion
Rev. Emily
Tanis-Likkel
Liturgist
John C
Scripture
Psalm 82
Daniel Self
Music Director
Music Highlights
Make Them Hear You from “Ragtime”
Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens
#591, This is My Song
For the Healing of the Nations
Come to the
Table of Grace
#594, How Beautiful
Our Spacious Skies
#593, Lift Every Voice
and Sing
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Sunday Worship Livestreamed on YouTube
The Sunday worship Live Stream video appears at 10:00 am every week at the top of the page.
Please "subscribe" to the Alki UCC channel
in order to participate
in the live chat.
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Church Office Closed Friday, July 4
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Have a safe, happy holiday weekend!
Chris Linnett, Unsplash
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Alki UCC Tuesday and Sunday
Zoom Bible Study on Summer Hiatus
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Sessions resume in September.
Stay tuned!
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URGENT Call to Action from
UCC Justice & Peace Action Network
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The administration's massive Cut/Spend bill was just passed in the Senate and is now being deliberated by the House.
The bill defunds most federal programs for the poor and specifically reduces federal Medicaid spending by $723 billion over the next 10 years.
The impact on rural hospitals, clinics and doctors’ offices will be especially devastating to the communities they serve.
Please contact your congressional representative NOW to say NO!
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Alki Community Choir Open Rehearsals
Sundays:11:30 am
to 1:00 pm
Music Director Daniel Self invites you to share in the joy of music-making!
No previous music or singing experience required. All are welcome, no matter where you are on your musical journey.
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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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