Dear Alki UCC,
Lent was originally a season for new converts to learn and prepare for their baptism on Easter. During that time, they would study what was central to Christianity.
This year’s theme for Lent, Tell Me Something Good from A Sanctified Art, is about what was central to Jesus’ life and ministry: radical welcome, love for neighbor, care for the vulnerable, nourishment for the hungry, nonviolence in the face of injustice.
At the heart of Jesus’ teachings, we find liberation, love, mercy and grace — all of which are meant to be very good news for us all.
Jesus’ words are easily distorted and sanitized in our modern world. Following Jesus leads to a richer, more expansive life, but it’s not necessarily comfortable. Jesus’ ministry can be described as “radical” which comes from the Latin word “radicalis,” meaning “root” or “ground.” Therefore, the good news should bring us back to our roots.
Emulating Jesus and embodying his teachings should ground us in who God created us to be. Can we be “good news” people in a world too often burdened by bad news? This Lent, let us remember that the good news really is good news. It is joyful—like fine wine saved for celebration. It grows like a mustard seed and smells like perfume poured from an alabaster jar. It tastes like bread passed endlessly through a hungry crowd. It sounds like laughter and feels like mercy. The good news is alive in the world.
Tell Me Something Good provides fertile ground for conversation and worship, rooting our hearts and lives in the expansive goodness of God. This Lent, let the teachings of Jesus lead us forward. May the good news inspire us to take action in a world desperate to hear, see and taste what is good.
Let’s get ready to get rooted in the Good News.
In hope,
Pastor Emily
|
|
"Hearts for Alki UCC"
Valentine's Celebration Fundraiser
Saturday, February 14
|
The Biggest Event of 2026 is fast approaching! We're going to have a  fun, festive evening of great food, lively dancing and community spirit. Come enjoy building community together and supporting Alki UCC.
Many of you are involved volunteering for tasks to help make the event go smoothly ... thank you so much!
A couple more people are needed for:
• kitchen prep Saturday afternoon
• watching the Silent Auction tables during the event
• clean up after the event.
It's not too late to attend! RSVP at link above (preferred), or just show up! All are welcome! Don't forget your appetite, dancing boots and love of community.
# # #
"Hearts for Alki UCC" Fundraiser
Saturday, February 14
Anderson Hall:
🕔 Doors Open: 5:00 pm
🍝 Italian Supper Potluck:
6:00 pm ($30)
🎶 Introduction to Square Dancing: 7:00 pm (Free)
Led by our very own Diane J who will be teaching and calling as we dance the night away!
🛍️ Silent Auction: 5:00 to 8:00 pm
Cool experiences and stuff to bid on during the evening!
We're looking forward to a fun, festive evening full of great food,
lively dancing and community spirit.
Let’s make it a Valentine’s Day to remember.
|
|
"One Parish, One Prisoner" Team Update
|
Alki UCC's One Parish, One Prisoner team continues to write letters and build a relationship with our new friend, Rihan! With 10 members in total, our team has sent about 40 letters combined since forming in late 2025.
Building trust with each other takes time, especially with the many barriers that stand in the way. We have navigated the significant complexities of providing a postage fund and setting up email correspondence with Rihan, and many of us have also started the months-long applications for future in-person visits.
We have learned how uncertain Rihan’s life can be from within prison walls, and just how complicated it can be to try to reach inside, whether it be through sending letters or yarn!
Despite these setbacks, our team continues to take things day by day. We keep trying to reach out, even when it feels difficult. And all of us look forward to hearing from Rihan with each letter we receive!
— Alki UCC OPOP Team: Dan K, Cinda S, Emily D, Kristin M, Tiare M, Grace J, Marilyn M, Jeff W, Ann P, Julia C
For background, check out the One Prisoner, One Parish website here.
|
|
Westside Interfaith Network (WIN)
An invaluable community resource ...
|
For those of you who are unfamiliar ... Both Alki UCC and our partner synagogue, Kol Ha Neshamah, are active members of the Westside Interfaith (WIN).
From the WIN website:
We are an interfaith group in the West Seattle-White Center area working together to address the needs of our neighbors through service, compassion and action.
Our own Cinda S is WIN's President.
Consider subscribing to the WIN newsletter, sent out when there are events of immediate interest to our collective community. You'll read about a range of opportunities to have your voice heard and make a difference.
|
|
Merciful God, we give you thanks.
We give you gratitude for the beauty of this life, for our relationships and our community of faith.
We pray for all those who grieve.
May they find strength and peace.
We pray for all who seek comfort, guidance or healing.
We lift them up to your loving care.
We pray for our wider world.
We pray for the earth, your good creation entrusted to our care. We pray for those affected by violence, war, and disaster. We pray for leaders to act with integrity and be held accountable for their actions.
In prayer, O God, you hear us and know us. In prayer, we are unburdened and restored. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
# # #
Please contact the church office to add or remove a prayer request.
|
|
6115 SW Hinds
Seattle, WA 98116
206/935-2661;
Church news/calendar updates at alkiucc.org.
|
|
|
|
Worship this Sunday,
February 15
at 10:00 am
|
Transfiguration
Sunday
Rev. Tiare Mathison
Guest Preacher
Hey everyone:
This Sunday is the final witness of the glory, the doxa, before we begin our journey of wilderness through the Season of Lent.
You are invited to bring a short story of a moment of "aha," of time stopped…
That is a moment of transfiguration.
It is the process of transformation to integrate this moment into our lives.
We will learn to see Jesus in these moments of glory!
Courage, every one,
Rev. Tiare Mathison
Joe M
Liturgist
Scripture:
2 Peter 1:16-19
Matthew 17:1-8
Daniel Self
Music Director
Music Highlights
Balm in Gilead
Traditional Spiritual
Arr: Jack Schrader
Threefold Amen
Here I Am to Worship
Tim Hughes
Longing for Light,
We Wait in Darkness
Bernadette Farrell
#183, Jesus,
Take Us to the Mountain
# # #
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.
|
|
Lent/Holy
Week Highlights
|
|
Ash Wednesday
February 18
Noon service
followed by Ashes Community Walk-By
Palm/Passion Sunday
March 29
Maundy Thursday
April 2 at 6:00 pm
A service of handwashing, Communion meal with soup and bread,
with flute by Daniel Self
Alki UCC Parlor
Good Friday
April 3 at Noon
Easter
Sunrise Service
Alki Beach
April 5 at 6:15 am
Easter
Sanctuary Service
April 5 at 10:00 am
The Good News is . . . alive in the world
Community
Easter Egg Hunt
April 5 at 11:30 am
Image:
There Is Still Room
by Lauren Wright Pittman
|
|
Take a Brief Christmas Eve
Survey!
|
Help us plan next year's Christmas Eve services by answering three quick questions!
Alki UCC's Worship and Music ministry would value your input regarding this past year's Christmas Eve services and welcome your ideas for planning next year's Christmas Eve services to meet the needs of our congregation and community.
— Vicky S
|
|
Sunday Worship Livestream
|
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.
|
|
|
