 Dear Alki UCC,
The small group that collaborated to come up with our Advent series theme kept coming back to the idea of a collective Mary that bears the cosmos. Of a blurring of boundaries between us. If all life is one in Christ, if you and I are one, and we are one with all, then we are one with Mary. Mary is everyone. And so we bear the light of Christ too. We sing a song of liberation too. We bear the whole cosmos.
And then I saw the icon above. Mary clothed with the galaxy. The artist is Kelley Latimore, and her icon is called Mary: Love Forever Being Born, and it’s based on this poem by Sister Ilia Delio:
What do the stars say?
The light that meets our eyes after millions of years
summons us to look beyond.
The dark that hovers over us is filled with light.
That underneath the appearance of the stable heavens is the bubbling energy of the universe.
We are forming, forming, forming and nothing can stop us.
There is a palpable power of attraction,
pulling us toward we-no-not-where.
Love alone is the guide of the universe
and the whole universe is in the human heart.
Tend to the heart and the power of love will name itself as God.
Let us put our hope in Emmanuel, God-with-us. Let us tend to the heart, for our connectedness is sacred. We are One.
In hope,
Pastor Emily
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To schedule time with Pastor Emily, check out this handy online form.
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Adopt a Family for Christmas
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In our long-standing Alki UCC tradition of supporting local immigrant families who have come to the US for a better, safer and more secure life, the church has adopted two families associated with MC Communities for Christmas gift-giving.
Thank you for the heartwarming response last Sunday to our call for gift elves to shop (or provide gift cards) for our two adopted families. Thank you so very much!
We still need quite a few gifts to make sure every kid has two. If you're heading out to shop this week, reach out to Cinda to learn what you could pick up — don't wait 'til this Sunday! She can tell you what is needed and match it to your shopping!
As for Gift Cards, the parents request grocery cards for their holiday meals (Safeway, Fred Meyer, Costco, Walmart), and to shop for their kids (Target, Fred Meyer, Walmart).
They also request the opportunity for date night, like gift cards for Applebee's or Olive Garden. All of these are readily available at your local grocery store. Starbucks is welcomed as well — always a treat!
— Cinda S
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Alki UCC Candlelight Christmas Eve Services
Invitation to be in Christmas Pageant!
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Wednesday, December 24 at 6:00 and 11:00 pm
Mary is Everyone:
A New Song of Liberation
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel, Pastor
Daniel Self, Music Director
Alki UCC Community Choir
Both services include a Special Offering for Gaza relief efforts, and a Candlelit Silent Night.
 6:00 pm:
Featuring "We Were There," an All-Ages Christmas Pageant with original script by Pastor Emily. You're invited to participate! See Pageant registration information below.
11:00 pm
Showcasing original arrangements of Christmas favorites by Daniel Self. Pastor Emily's sermon is titled “Radical Hospitality.” Guest musicians include Samantha Farrells on Cello, Andrea Wooley on Clarinet and Robyn Watson on Bassoon.
Christmas Pageant Invitation/Registration
You (and your friends/family) are invited to be a part of this year's Christmas Pageant: "We Were There."
Our production includes all ages, from tiny tots to elders, with both speaking and non-speaking parts.
We rehearse on Monday, December 22 from 5:00 to 6:30 pm; the Pageant is an integral feature of our Christmas Eve service on Wednesday, December 24 at 6:00 pm.
Please fill out the brief registration form linked here.
Our services are livestreamed, so we will need a photo/video release for all minors (included in form linked above).
Please note that the Pageant Rehearsal is not a drop-off. Caregivers are asked to stay and support the endeavor. We will have pizza for everyone!
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Alki UCC Mayflower Circle Beans for Soup
on Sale after Worship this Sunday
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 It took us almost a decade to get rolling again but as with many traditions the good ones come back.
This Sunday we will have only 15 jars of delicious Mayflower Circle bean soup jars for sale.
2025 is the 70th anniversary of the Mayflower Circle, Alki UCC's revered women's service group, and our timing and jars celebrate the legacy.
The jars are perfect for your own fall comfort meal or gifting during the holiday home visits. Still only $6 a jar. Stop on by!
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Alki UCC "Tree of Plenty" Entry in 2025 Fauntleroy UCC Festival of Trees:
Bring Non-Perishable Food Donations through January 8
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Come share in the joy of the season
while supporting our neighbors in need!
Bring Non-Perishable Food Donations
to Add to Alki UCC "Tree of Plenty" Creation
 This year, Alki UCC is contributing a “Tree of Plenty” to Fauntleroy UCC’s Festival of Trees. Our tree is built entirely from non-perishable food — and you’re invited to help it grow.
When you visit the Festival, please bring a can or package of non-perishable food to add to the expanding “tree skirt” at the base. All donations go directly to our local food banks, spreading nourishment and hope throughout the community. Donations accepted now through January 8 during hours listed below.
There’s plenty of room to build up the “forest floor,” especially with protein-rich items. Together, we can create something beautiful that also makes a real difference.
PS Your donation also counts as a "vote" for the Alki UCC tree.
—Aly H and the Festival of Trees Team
Fauntleroy UCC
9140 California Ave SW
Festival of Trees open for public admission in Fellowship Hall through Thursday, January 8 during the following hours:
• 9 am-noon, Monday-Thursday
• During a 6 pm pre-reception before the 7 pm Christmas concert on Saturday, Dec. 20
• During the reception following the 4 pm concert on Sunday, Dec. 21
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Shades of Praise Gospel Choir Presents
Kent Stevenson’s "The Gospel Magnificat"
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 Saturday December 13 at 2:00 pm
St. Therese Parish,
936 35th Ave
Saturday December 20 at 7:00 pm
Plymouth United Church of Christ
Featuring jazz band, dancers and narration, The Gospel Magnificat is a gospel rendition of Mary's hymn of praise after learning she will bear the Son of God.
Tickets: $25 ($15 students) available online here and at the door
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Tuesday Bible Study via Zoom
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Led by Pastor Emily and Rev. Penny, we meet from noon to 1:30 pm for spiritual practice, deep listening and wisdom-seeking.
Faith formation is what happens when we set aside our own agendas, individually and collectively, and show up for God. Our faith is formed when we listen to our own inner longing in response to God’s call in our hearts.
Join us for the journey!
If you already registered, just use your same unique link to join us. OR sign up to attend here.
Attend all sessions, or occasionally ... whatever works for you.
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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 and hold them close.
We lift up remembrance prayers for Ray Sr. who died on Thanksgiving. We give gratitude for his 92 years.
We pray for all those who are ill, hurting or have a concern on their hearts.
We pray for Shannon's Aunt Liz who is hospitalized with COVID; Michael Sr; Charlie's friend Peggy; continued healing for longtime member Bonita C; Jeff D who had surgery on October 27; Jan and Bob's son Tom; Autumn, who had a recent heart transplant; Vicky S' friend Sue; 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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6115 SW Hinds
Seattle, WA 98116
206/935-2661;
Church news/calendar updates at alkiucc.org.
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Worship this Sunday,
December 14
at 10:00 am
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Third Sunday
of Advent
Mary is Everyone:
A New Song
of Liberation
"Joy of Liberation"
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Scripture:
Luke 1:46-55
The Magnificat re-imagined by enfleshed, adapted for the collective
Marilynn M
Liturgist
Daniel Self
Music Director
Music Highlights
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
(Revised with lyrics for Palestine)
#106, My Heart Sings Out with Joyful Praise
#119, My Soul Gives
Glory to My God
#378, Jerusalem,
My Happy Home
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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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Celebrate Yuletide!
This
Saturday, December 13
Decorate the Church
3:00 pm
Caroling and Cocoa
6:00 pm
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Join us in an all-ages decorating party on Saturday, December 13 beginning at 3:00 pm until Caroling at 6:00 pm.
We’ll adorn the Sanctuary with swags, decorate wreaths, and even make ornaments to bring home or give as gifts.
Please RSVP with the church office so that we know how much pizza to order.
6:00 pm
Join fellow carolers of all skill levels and talent (ahem, no talent) in belting out "Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer" and "Frosty the Snowman" as we delight our Alki neighbors with holiday song.
We'll meet at church to warm up our voices then trek around the hood.
Wear your festive gear! We'll return to church to warm back up with cocoa and treats. Note: we received many cheers and even squeals from our neighbors last year. It's really fun!
Image: Beatriz-Camaleao on Unsplash
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Want to lead a song this Sunday?
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If you see a song on the music highlights that you'd like to lead the congregation in singing this Sunday, come on by the church between 9:45 to 10:00 am on Sunday morning and let Daniel know which song you'd like to lead and/or co-lead.
Singers of all ages and abilities are welcome to lead singing!
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Bring your loose coins to church and fill up our container to support our fund-raising efforts!
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Collect and Bring in Your WS Thriftway Receipts to Benefit the WS Food Bank
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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.
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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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Secure Online Giving to Alki UCC
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or
Donate Using the QR Code:
1. Open your smartphone’s camera app.
2. Point it at the QR code above.
3. Tap the link appearing at the top of your screen
to visit Alki UCC's official donation page.
4. Choose your amount and submit your gift.
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