Dear Alki UCC, 
I came across this monument on a walk through a cemetery with friends in Bainbridge Island last weekend. This angel captured for me the vulnerability and rawness of grief. That even sacred beings weep.
I know that many of you are overwhelmed by the enormity of the world’s grief. We are on empathy overload.
Approach your grief with care and tenderness. Not only the grief of the world, but your own and your loved ones too.
Liberation starts within. It’s hard to accompany the oppressed when we are exhausted. We are called to collaborate with God to transform the world. But maybe take a nap first. Eat a nourishing meal. Fill a glass of water slowly and take in that moment as a blessing from God.
Together, let us wait for the mystery of Christ being born in our midst. May we emerge from darkness to bear the light.
In hope,
Pastor Emily
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To schedule time with Pastor Emily, check out this handy online form.
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A Gift of Love and Hope: UCC Christmas Fund Special Offering at Worship this Sunday
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 As we celebrate the joy and wonder of Christmas, we are reminded of the power of generosity and compassion. For more than 100 years, the United Church of Christ’s Christmas Fund has been a beacon of hope, providing financial assistance to retired and active clergy, as well as lay employees who have faithfully served our churches.
Many of these dedicated church leaders face unexpected financial challenges due to health concerns, emergency needs or limited retirement income.
The Christmas Fund supports a variety of needs including:
• Emergency Grants
• Supplemental Pension Assistance
• Health Premium Assistance
• Christmas “Thank You” Gift Checks for retired clergy
Your gift makes a real difference. Every donation of any size is an expression of gratitude and care for those who have given their lives to ministry.
Let’s come together as a community of faith to honor and support those who have blessed us with their service. Thank you for your compassion and for making this Christmas brighter for others.
Questions: stewardship@alkiucc.org
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Adopt a Family for Christmas
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 Our Wonderful Elf Team has made Santa very proud with their efforts and outstanding commitment to bringing JOY. So many have already completed their tasks and brought the gifts to church - thank you Alki Elves, for being so prompt and attentive! Shiny gold stars all around 🌟 🌟 🌟
For those elves still out and about making the perfect choices, we will be at church TODAY ... this afternoon ... to receive that bounty from 4:00 to 5:00 pm. Please drop by and maybe stay to help wrap the parents' gifts so we can deliver to the parents on Friday.
Contact Cinda if you cannot make that time to make other arrangements
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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 candlelit Silent Night; 10% of the evening's offering supports Gaza relief efforts.
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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Post-Christmas Worship Sunday, December 28
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 Come join us for a relaxed, post Christmas celebration during 10:00 am worship on Sunday, December 28. We will be sharing Christmas stories, poems, scripture and songs.
We invite you to share a personal story of the season. It will be a chance to laugh and share the joys of Christmastime, with lots of music. We'll be singing favorite carols and Diana will be taking requests.
If you have an idea of something you would like to share (or request) in advance, please reach out to me so I can include it in the order of the service. You are also welcome to just volunteer on the spot once you are among church friends on Sunday morning.
May you all have a blessed Christmas! — Joe M
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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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Scenes from Saturday's
Decorating and Caroling
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Shades of Praise Gospel Choir Presents
Kent Stevenson’s "The Gospel Magnificat"
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 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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 Saturday, January 10, 2026, 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
Fauntleroy United Church of Christ
9140 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA
or Online Via Zoom (the link will be sent to those who register.)
"And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12
The Church Development Committee is excited to announce that we are hosting our first Church Development Workshop! Weaving Our Stories! The purpose of Weaving Our Stories is both practical and prophetic. We find ourselves living through an empire's collapse, uncertain of how difficult the road ahead may become. In this moment, we must come together to strengthen the ties that bind us as the Pacific Northwest Conference and to help build the kindom of God. Now is the time to create networks of mutual care and support, so that we can help one another not only survive, but thrive.
Registration Deadline: December 31, 2025
Registration form here
Video invitation here
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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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Worship this Sunday,
December 21
at 10:00 am
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Fourth Sunday
of Advent
Mary is Everyone:
A New Song
of Liberation
"Birthing the Light"
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Scripture:
Psalm 80: 1-7;17-19 reimagined by
Nan C Merrill in Psalms
for Praying
Matthew 1:18-25
NSRVue
Brett T-L
Liturgist
Daniel Self
Music Director
Music Highlights
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
(Revised with lyrics for Palestine)
Longing for Light,
We Wait in Darkness
Bernadette Farrell
#168, O Radiant Christ, Incarnate Word
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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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— Stand with KHN at "Pop-Up Hanukkah" at the Junction this Sunday
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 A very important request from our KHN friends: their world has been undermined, again, by antisemitic hatred around the world.
The public lighting of the Hanukkah Menorah is at Junction Plaza Park on Sunday December 21 at 5:00 pm. KHN requests allies to be present to counter any discord that might arise during that time (they will have security but would like allies to be present). See Cinda for more info
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Adjusted Newsletter Schedule
Next Two Weeks
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Tuesday, December 23
Streamlined issue showcasing upcoming services only.
Tuesday, December 30
(article submissions due Friday, December 26)
# # #
Thursday publication resumes January 8. Ongoing submission deadlines: Tuesdays
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Donations Drive this Sunday, December 21
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11:00 am to 2:00 pm
(note earlier end time)
Front Courtyard
This Month's
Priority Need:
FOOD!!
Feed the People!
The Alki UCC Food Drive helps stock the food pantry at The Welcome Table, Westside Interfaith Network's weekly hot meal program.
Also in great need:
New Socks and Gently Used Cold Weather Outerwear
.
Pet Food in marked Ziploc bags is welcome, as well as gift cards to local grocery stores.
Bring your donations anytime to church, but especially this Sunday for our monthly donation drive.
The Westside Interfaith Network (WIN), our donations drive partner, distributes your contributions through WIN's "The Welcome Table," a weekly Saturday meal for low income and unsheltered folks
hosted in White Center.
This distribution serves as a stop-gap for many people relying on weekly visits to the food bank. Thank you for your generosity!
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Way to go, Joe!
Joe A's 2025 Art for Hunger Holiday Sale Raises $1000+ for Nonprofits Feeding the Hungry
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Joe writes:
On December 7, I held my 6th Annual Art for Hunger sale, a project supported by the Outreach and Social Justice Team. Now an annual event held in our home, those seeking to buy original art and original art-related items agree to donate directly the amount negotiated to non-profits working to provide food to those in need.
I do not receive any money in these transactions. The total donated for this year was $1110 and the grand total for all six years is $4925. Thanks to all!"
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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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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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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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6115 SW Hinds
Seattle, WA 98116
206/935-2661;
Church news/calendar updates at alkiucc.org.
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