Dear Alki UCC,
It’s a heavy time.
In her book Counterweights: An Essential Practice of Holding Hope in a Heavy World, Shannan Martin points out that “carrying something heavy becomes more efficient, more doable, if we carry something equally heavy in the other hand . . . If our grand plan is to find a way to keep going, the answer is to double up on the weight. Redistribute it. Get back to work.”
When we are feeling the too-muchness of the world, our tendency might be to numb out. Instead, add something meaningful. Pick up a spiritual practice, notice or create beauty, nurture a relationship.
Church is a counterweight to the world’s chaos. We are a counterweight.
Over the next several Sundays, we will explore together how we can choose to live more fully into being that counterweight.
If you’d like to dive more deeply into this theme, I commend Shannan Martin’s book to you. It’s not a book about church, per se. But it is a book about living an abundant life.
May you find your load lighten as we explore the abundance that can be discovered when we add meaningful weight to our days, shift and experience it all.
In hope,
Pastor Emily
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Stewardship Season Begins This Sunday:
Abundance Grows Where We Give
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“Abundance grows where we choose to give.
When we offer what we have—our time, our presence,
our yes — we become part of a community that lifts one another higher. Generosity isn’t measured by size but by willingness,
and every small act becomes a counterweight
that steadies someone else’s world.”
— Shannan Martin, Counterweights
This Sunday, May 3, we begin our six‑week stewardship journey—a season of reflection, gratitude and courageous generosity. Our theme this year is rooted in a simple but transformative truth: abundance grows where we choose to give.
In a world that often tells us to hold tight, to protect what’s ours and measure our worth by scarcity, our congregation dares to live differently. We are shaped by commitments to God’s love and abundance. We are shaped by a shared reality we create together through harmony, compassion and the Godly work of supporting one another.
Over the next six weeks, we’ll explore how our giving becomes a counterweight in a world tilted by inequality. We’ll hear stories of how this community challenges injustice, nurtures spiritual resilience and offers belonging to those pushed to the margins. And we’ll celebrate the everyday miracles made possible by your generosity: lights that stay on, programs that flourish, staff who are supported and a church that continues to be a beacon of hope and justice.
As we begin this season, we invite you to listen deeply, reflect boldly and consider how you might offer your own “yes” to the work we share. Together, our generosity becomes a living testimony that abundance is real—and that we are ready to build it.
— Shannon P for the Stewardship Team
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Godly Play this Sunday after Worship
11:30 am to 12:30 pm
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Sessions are the first Sunday of the month
in the preschool space downstairs.
 Have you longed for a spiritual practice to meet the needs of your progressive family?
Come and experience Godly Play at Alki United Church of Christ!
The Godly Play® method is a creative, imaginative approach to Christian formation and spiritual guidance. Godly Play values process, openness, discovery, community and relationships.
Godly Play at Alki UCC is for kids ages 3-12 and their caregivers.
Children and adults explore spirituality alongside one another in our circle. Contact Pastor Emily with questions.
I wonder what part you will like best . . . ?
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All our volunteers are valued beyond measure, and we don't thank you enough.
Our intrepid Moderator, Julia P, sent the following pictures of essential tasks she and B&G team member/husband Rod recently took on and resolved. Thank you!
Invasive moss cleaned from "Old Entrance" steps and Directional Sign installed; Ornery Parlor Door Stop fixed!
If you see something around the building that needs attention, please let us know!
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PNCUCC Minister Search Committee
"Listening Session"
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Invitation to join special session at Alki UCC
Sunday May 17, 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.
Hosted by Tyler Torres (see bio below)
The Search Committee looking for our next Conference Minister is putting together a 'Conference Profile' as the first step in the process. This involves hearing from as many churches as possible to answer some questions we have about our identity and relationships as a conference.
Your participation is greatly appreciated!
We hope to see you there.
# # #
My name is Tyler Torres! I live in Seattle with my partner and my cat. We've lived here for four years, having moved from the San Francisco Bay Area, and have been attending Fauntleroy Church UCC for two years.
I have the pleasure of serving in our Christian Education ministry and leading our Sunday evening youth groups, and get excited about creating spaces where we can realize God's kingdom through relationship.
I am so happy to have found the UCC, with all of its diversity of people, theology and expressions of love. Outside of church, I study Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Seattle University, and enjoy walking around West Seattle (say 'Hello!' if you see me!).
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Join us via Zoom for Ongoing
Tuesday Bible Study
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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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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.
Prayers of Condolence and Comfort to the family and friends of beloved long-time member Ruth Bell, who passed peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 5.
Ruth's daughter, Sandy, sends the following notice about Ruth's Celebration of Life in Seattle on Saturday, June 20:
Dear friends at Alki UCC,
Ruth Bell's Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 20, 2026, 2:00-4:00 pm at Seaview Terrace in the community building overlooking the pool.
It will be a casual gathering with appetizers and pastries. We will celebrate who she was and what she meant to each of us.
Please dress for a cheerful garden party to celebrate Ruth.
Seaview Terrace
7019 47th Ave SW
Seattle, WA
We pray for all who seek comfort, guidance or healing.
We lift them up to your loving care.
Special prayers of Comfort and Healing for our own Russ T, currently recovering at home from a recent brain bleed.
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.
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Please contact the church office to add or remove a prayer request.
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Worship this Sunday,
May 3
at 10:00 am
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Counterweight:
Peace for
Troubled Hearts
with
Communion
Rev. Emily
Tanis-Likkel
Daniel B
Liturgist
Scripture
John 14:1-14
New Revised Standard Version, updated edition
Daniel Self
Music Director
Music Highlights
Pray for the Wilderness Lee Yu San
God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending
NCH 565
Bridge Over
Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel
A Green Voice
Mari Esabel Valverde
Image:
Irewolede
on Unsplash
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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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Wanted:
Empty Prescription Bottles for Recycling
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Bring bottles in
by Sunday, May 3
The bottles can be any color, have their lids or not. They can not be over the counter containers like Tylenol or supplements.
The pick up is strictly for prescription bottles, color doesn't matter. Remove the label if possible or just cover your name with a dark sharpie, either one is fine.
Bottles need to be in the cubbies this Sunday, May 3 for a Ridwell pick up on May 5.
Thank you.
— Your Outreach Team
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Last Call for Singers!
Sign up by
Monday, May 4
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Add your unique voice to
Earth Mother,
Alki UCC's Spring Community Concert
Thursday, May 14, 7:30 pm
All singers ages 16 and older of all experience levels are invited to participate.
The deadline to sign up to sing is Monday, May 4. The only requirement is to attend two mandatory rehearsals at Alki UCC on Wednesdays, May 6 and 13 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
The Earth Mother program, featuring the Alki UCC Community Choir and friends, celebrates themes of nature and motherhood through a range of provocative and compelling contemporary choral works by living composers.
To sign up, email music@alkiucc.org by May 4 to express your interest in singing with us.
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Preventive Health Screenings at Alki UCC
Friday, May 22
Anderson Hall
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Lifeline Screening, a company offering preventative screenings
for heart disease, stroke and other diseases at 14,000 locations nationwide, has rented Anderson Hall to offer the larger community non-invasive preventive health screenings
that are typically not a part of a routine physical.
Four Preventive Health Screenings Offered:
Carotid Artery Disease
Peripheral Arterial Disease
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Atrial Fibrillation
Contact for
Special Pricing Info
or
Call toll-free: 1-800-324-9458 Priority Code: HABC001
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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
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