Dear Alki UCC,
Counterweights are everywhere.
Last Sunday we began exploring the idea of adding something meaningful to our lives to balance out the burdens we carry. (Link to sermon here)
In her book Counterweights: An Essential Practice of Holding Hope in a Heavy World, Shannan Martin writes: “The practice of gathering counterweights is about creating moments of sustenance from the raw materials of what we’re given. It is about holding everything in honest tension. Both/and. Our counterweights help us move forward and breathe through the heaviness.”
What counterweights are you noticing this week? Here are a few of mine:
A lovely matcha latte from an independent coffee shop.
A dance class with my spouse.
Practicing the choir songs for the upcoming Earth Mother concert.
A nap in the sun.
My brother’s little dogs who are elated to see me.
Two beautiful children’s picture books that I bought for myself.
A Bible Study with colleagues where we have so much catching
up to do that we run out of time to actually read the Bible.
It all belongs.
Let us gather our counterweights. Let us be a counterweight for one another. Burdens are all around us. So are counterweights.
In hope,
Pastor Emily
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Stewardship Season Underway!
Abundance Grows Where We Give
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Our Stewardship journey continues this Sunday when we hear from Diane J during Sunday worship.
“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
Last Sunday, May 3, we began our 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 several 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.
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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 Thank you to Charlie H, Julia P and Rod P for clearing out the attic!
This space was once a choir loft of the old church building, and is now used for storage.
We don’t have a “before” picture, but just imagine: this room was crammed so full of stuff that it was nearly impossible to retrieve anything! The floor was barely visible.
Charlie and Julia have adopted this space, completely organized it and are committed to making sure it is kept that way for the foreseeable future. It’s a key storage area for us, holding seasonal and event decorations, banners, baskets and all kinds of things. It is also where we keep an ample supply of mobility aids for lending. Charlie and Julia also organized the Sacristy, which unravels pretty quickly with its heavy use.
Adopt-a-Space
We have lots of spaces in the church
that could use organization and regular attention.
Would you be willing to adopt a space
at church to sort and tend?
Possibilities include the Lost & Found, kitchen, parlor kitchen, the closet next to the office level restroom, the storage room in Anderson Hall and the stage. Ask a friend or two to help or do it on your own and at your convenience.
Please contact Charlie or the church office and we will connect you with a space!
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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.
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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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Council for Educational Travel USA
(CETUSA) Seeks Host Families
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 CETUSA, a US Department of State Exchange Visitor (J-1 visa) sponsor organization, seeks volunteer hosts for two high school exchange students hoping to come to the area for their 2026-27 exchange year. Although they don't arrive until just before school starts in the fall, their placement needs to be secured with a local family this month.
The students speak English, have their own health insurance, and will have their own finances to cover all personal expenses. A host family simply welcomes them into their home as one of their own. A volunteer host family can be a single adult or married couple, with or without children of any age. Students will attend the high school closest to their host family so they can take school transportation, carpool, or walk/bike depending on the distance.
The students write:
Dora, Hungary: I am a 16-year-old girl who enjoys an active lifestyle and new experiences. I have been playing tennis since kindergarten, and I also like playing basketball and going on long walks, so sports are an important part of my life. I also do Pilates, which helps me stay strong and balanced. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I am open to new things and very excited about my upcoming school year in Washington!
Jorge, Spain: Nice to meet you, my name is Jorge. I’m a positive and hardworking student, curious and who really enjoys meeting new people. In my free time, I play soccer - I’m a big fan, not only of playing but also of following matches and sports events online or on TV. I also like cooking, trying new recipes, and discovering food from different places. I enjoy traveling too, especially when it helps me learn about other cultures. I’m really happy to have this opportunity because it will help me improve my English and meet people from other countries. People describe me as friendly, responsible, and someone who is always willing to help. I’m excited for everything I will learn and for all the experiences I’ll have during this exchange.
If you are interested in hosting one of these great kids, or know someone who would, here is the link to the Host Application. CETUSA also has a Local Coordinator in the area who will be you and your students’ support throughout their stay.
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Council for Educational Travel
From the CETUSA Website:Council for Educational Travel, USA (CETUSA) is a not-for-profit international student exchange organization
coordinating exchange experiences for high school students, university students and young professionals.
Our mission is to transform lives through cultural exchange.
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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.
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.
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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
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Worship this Sunday,
May 10
at 10:00 am
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Counterweight:
They Are Mother
Rev. Emily
Tanis-Likkel
Designated-Term Pastor
Rev. Tiare Mathison
Liturgist
Scripture
John 14:15-21
New Revised Standard Version, updated edition for inclusive language
Daniel Self
Music Director
Music Highlights
They Are Mother
Jennifer Lucy Cook
Open Our Hearts
Jim Strathder
God of the Women
Traditional Irish Ballad
How Like a Gentle Spirit NCH 443
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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All Community Welcome Table this Saturday, May 9
Come Help Out!
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From the WIN newsletter:
We don’t have a host congregation providing the meal this Saturday, but we do have OSL making a feast for our beloved community. We need volunteers and desserts, as well as food donations for our Food Pantry (it was pretty empty last week).
Please come join us, it’s great fun and so rewarding. Tell us you’re coming and maybe what you can bring here.
We set up at 11:15 am and welcome folks in at noon. If you’re bringing desserts please bring by 11:45, food pantry donations can come anytime after 11:00 am — cereal, canned foods, tuna, peanut butter, bread, tortillas, boiled eggs, snacks, etc. All needed and all given away to our hungry neighbors!
New Beginnings Church:
1320 SW 102nd St, White Center.
2 blocks east of McClendon’s across from Steve Cox Park
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Free!
"Earth Mother" Alki UCC Spring Community Concert
Thursday, May 14
7:30 pm
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Daniel Self,
Music Director
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:
A Green Voice
Mari Isabel Valverde
Earth Song
Frank Ticheli
Fire from “The Elements” Katerina Gimon
The Music of Living
Dan Forest
The Rose
Ola Gjeilo
They Are Mother
Jennifer Lucy Cook
The Water Is Wide
Rene Clausen
Free Admission/
Donations Welcome
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It’s that time of year again . . . the West Seattle 5K.
Although it’s a great event, the run brings significant traffic to our church neighborhood.
We encourage you to consider carpooling on May 17. We have permission to use the Admiral UCC parking lot, 4320 SW Hill St, as a carpooling hub that morning.
If you would like to join a carpool, please meet at the lot at 9:40 am. Alternatively, peruse the church directory if you have one and form a carpool of your own!
If you are attending the Listening Session only, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding parking, as the runners will likely have cleared out by then.
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Preventive Health Screenings at Alki UCC
Friday, May 22
Anderson Hall
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Lifeline Screening, a company offering preventive 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
No Insurance Required!
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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