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Alki UCC Weekly Messenger July 10, 2025
From the Pastor
Dear Alki UCC,
 
We have begun our Summer Worship Series: Dear God . . . Summer Plunge into the Psalms. The Psalms are a collection of 150 ancient poems that get right to the heart of humanity's deepest longings.
 
We began our series with a Psalm that pleas for justice for the most vulnerable of society, Psalm 82 (sermon linked here).
 
Looking to expand your exploration of the Psalms beyond Sunday morning? You might consider checking out one of these resources for a deeper dive. A companion in the depths. You can flip through them after church this Sunday to help decide if you would like one or two for your library.
 
If you are looking for something . . .
 
Nerdy (not stuffy!)
Psalms for Normal People: a Guide to the Most Relentlessly Theological Book in the Bible by Joshua T. James. This is my Psalms book rec for those wanting to learn how to read the Psalms.
 
Wonderfully accessible in tone and progressive in theology. Excellent.
 
Embodied
Praying with the Body: Bringing the Psalms to Life by Roy DeLeon. Ah, This has been a favorite on my shelf for many years. The author is a Benedictine oblate with St. Placid Priory in Lacey. He integrates Psalms with yoga-like prayer postures. The invitation is to full-body movement, but the prompts can be adapted to seated poses. It’s a lovely book.

for Daily Prayer Practice
Psalms for Praying: an Invitation to Wholeness by Nan C. Merrill.
 
If you’ve been in a meeting with me, or to church even occasionally, you’ve heard readings from this book. It is my go-to prayer book! If you are looking to pray the Psalms free from the distractions of patriarchal language, this is for you.
 
Provocative

The Words of Her Mouth: Songs for the Struggleedited by Martha Spong. Here is another that I have drawn from often for worship. These feminist re-imaginings of the Psalms do not hold back in their wrestling with the Psalms. They will grab hold of you, take you on a whole journey and may just leave you breathless. This book is published by our very own UCC publishing house, The Pilgrim Press.

for Children
Psalms for Young Children by Marie-Helene Delval. This beautifully illustrated book of paraphrased Psalms distills them to their essence. I love flipping through this picture book and noticing how my breathing calms simply by taking in the art and reading the succinct pleas, praises and other prayers to God.
 
Free!
The Living Psalms Book is a free, online resource of reimagined Psalms and artwork. This digital collection is created by UCC Witness & Worship Artists’ Group, a Network of UCC-connected artists, activists and ministers bridging the worship and liturgy of the local church with witness and action in the community. You can access the text here.



May we plunge into the depths of this poetry that is the heartbeat of our faith, that we might emerge more whole.
 
In hope,
Pastor Emily
 
# # # 
 
To schedule time with Pastor Emily, check out this handy online form.
"Psalms of Pilgrimage" Highlight Lay-Led
Sunday Worship July 20
Hello all you fellow Alki UCC pilgrims. Sunday, July 20, will be a lay- led service, centered around Psalms of Pilgrimage.
 
You are invited to share a brief story of the pilgrim journey that brought you to Alki UCC. Your sharing can be as short as a 30 second statement, or up to three minutes long if you want to provide more in depth background.
 
Even though some of you have shared your pilgrimage story before, there are lots of new people who haven't heard from you. This is a great way to build community and create an occasion for all of us to get to know each other better.
 
We would love for at least six folks to sign up in advance by contacting me or Diane J. We will also invite folks to come up and share those stories during worship. We welcome your questions.
 
Please join us,
— Joe
Open Call to Join the
Alki UCC Fundraising Team
Thanks to Shelby for very ably facilitating a meeting of folks who have expressed an interest in helping with fundraising for our church. 
 
We met Wednesday to brainstorm ideas for activities/events we think could generate the projected income goal for our current fiscal year. In a lively session, the group expressed many creative possibilities before narrowing the list down to a few fun activities that could raise the needed funds.
 
We will present our ideas for discussion at next Wednesday's Council meeting when we will ask for an expression of support.
 
Yesterday's gathering was just a start. Look for announcements of future planning sessions and please consider joining in the fun and fellowship of fundraising! All are welcome. We need your talent, your insight, your energy, your spirit for this important endeavor.
 
We hope to see you soon.
 
— Vicky S
Alki UCC Fall Retreat September 19 - 21
Registration Open Now!
Our all-church retreat is Friday, September 19 to Sunday, September 21 at Pilgrim Firs in Port Orchard.
 
Sessions are co-facilitated by Pastor Emily and Rev. Penny and 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.
Collect and Bring in Your WS Thriftway Receipts to Benefit the WS Food Bank
West Seattle Thriftway actively supports the West Seattle Food Bank by donating 1% of customer receipts to the food bank.
 
Save and bring in your receipts to help feed our Neighbors in Need.
 
Look for the labeled Tupperware container (thank you, Marilynn!)  on top of the Sustainable Steward Cubbies.
Thanks to all who use our narthex Sustainable Cubbies
Sustainable Stewards Cubbie Corner (SSCC)
Please drop off your wiped down clean, crumb free,
totally dry items in the Cubbies
at the northwest corner of the Narthex.
 
The use of the Sustainable Stewards Cubbie Corner (SSCC) continues to grow as new people add their wiped down clean, crumb free items in the Cubbies at the NW corner or the Narthex.
 
A full list of items collected weekly is linked here.
 
Contact Aly H with questions.
 
Thank you for being a sustainable steward,
— Outreach/Social Justice team
In Our Circle of Prayer
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.
Thanksgiving for Tiare's return home from the hospital and prayers for her continued recovery from illness.
 
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.
 
# # #

Please contact the church office to add or remove a prayer request.
Alki UCC Contact Info
6115 SW Hinds
Seattle, WA 98116
206/935-2661;
Church news/calendar updates at alkiucc.org.
Worship this Sunday,
July 13
at 10:00 am
 
Royal:
Psalms of God’s Sovereignty
 
Rev. Emily
Tanis-Likkel
  
Liturgist
Shelby M
 
Scripture
Psalm 98
 
Daniel Self
Music Director
 
Music Highlights
You Are the One
Jonathan Cole Sow & Johnetta Johnson Page
#592, God of the Ages
#259, A Hymn of Glory
Let Us Sing
#439, A Mighty Fortress
Is Our God
 
# # #
  
 
# # #
 
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. 
Newsletter on  Hiatus Beginning Next Week
Check your inbox for a weekly Thursday email with service information and relevant news.
 
The church office is on a week-long summer break beginning tomorrow to reopen Monday, July 21.
Alki UCC Forming New Queer Activity Group
 Announcing a new queer activity group for spiritually-affirming people in their 20s & 30s.
 
Our first meet-up is Wednesday evening, July 16.
 
Contact Shelby M or email pastor@alkiucc.org for details. 
Calling All Cooks!
Alki UCC to Host WIN Welcome Table Lunch Saturday, August 23
Save the Date! Alki UCC is co-hosting The Welcome Table Saturday lunch on August 23.
 
We'll join Admiral UCC and the Westside UUs to feed 150+ people in White Center, as part of the Westside Interfaith Network's weekly hot meal program.
 
Please mark your calendars and start thinking about what you might to provide as a "casserole of resistance."
 
Contact Cinda for questions or to sign up!
Join the Choir For A Day – It’s Pickup Choir Sunday!
Calling all shower divas, commute concert masters and all-around music-making enthusiasts. You're invited to join the Alki UCC Community Choir for a one-day event: Pickup Choir Sunday on August 10.
 

 
You'll be part of a Sunday morning music rehearsal to learn a song with choir members before we share our musical chops with church friends and family during the 10:00 am service.
 
No prior music experience is required, only a love for music-making and an adventurous spirit. Musical selections are chosen to be accessible to all voices and abilities while being Big Fun to Sing.
 
Please RSVP for Pickup Choir Sunday by contacting Alki UCC Music Director Daniel Self at music@alkiucc.org
Livestream Info: UCC General Synod Sessions 
July 11 - 15
As many plan to gather for General Synod in Kansas City in just a few weeks, the United Church of Christ National Setting has prepared special options for people to tune into parts of Synod’s work and worship from near and far.
 
 
A livestream, to be hosted on a special page of the UCC website (linked here) will broadcast the plenary sessions, keynote speaker Rev. Jennifer Butler, and worship gatherings of General Synod.
 
More info here.
Alki UCC Tuesday and Sunday
Zoom Bible Study on Summer Hiatus
Sessions resume in September.
 
Stay tuned!
On-Line Giving
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
Sunday Worship Livestream
 
The Sunday worship Livestream video appears at 10:00 am every week at the top of the pageSunday Worship recordings
are accessed at the same link.
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Alki UCC  •  6115 SW Hinds  •  Seattle, WA 98116

http://www.alkiucc.org

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