Dear Alki UCC,
It’s a weaving weekend! Whether you are retreating to the woods at Pilgrim Firs for our Alki UCC Fall Retreat, or joining for worship led by Lisa Dodge-Johnson, you will have the opportunity to consider how the process of weaving reflects your own life journey and the connections we all share.
I’ve loved the rich metaphor of weaving for a long time. Even the church I started years ago was named Tapestry, with the tagline woven together in faith. We kept a tapestry loom in our worship space, adding more ribbons and yarn over time. The loom was on loan from my basketweaver friend Kaila, and each Sunday we would weave ribbons and yarn onto it and watch our creation grow.
In 2012 I invited Kaila to lead a basketweaving retreat for our little community. On the fourth weekend of September that year, 11 kids and 10 adults wove baskets at Pilgrim Firs.
This fourth weekend in September 2026,19 of us will weave baskets at Pilgrim Firs. We’ll learn basketweaving from my friend Kaila, as those Tapestry families did years ago.
There is just something so powerful about the art of weaving. However you are able to connect to the theme, whether on retreat or in worship or your own reflections, may you be blessed by weaving, blessed by the Weaver who creates in and among us still.
In hope,
Pastor Emily
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If you would like to make an appointment to meet with Pastor Emily,
to her bookable calendar.
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Minutes from the
Alki UCC Congregational Meeting
September 20, 2026
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The meeting was called to order by Cinda Stenger, Vice Moderator, right after the postlude, with enough members present to have a quorum.
Two Agenda Items:
1) Calling attention to the Financial Report (handout) for the first 2 months of our fiscal year. One question came from the floor. No action necessary, just sharing information with the congregation
.2) Motion to call Pastor Emily Tanis-Likkel as our settled pastor was made by Russ Thornock and seconded by Shannon Peterson. Passed unanimously.
Celebration ensued! Pastor Emily will officially be Alki UCC’s settled pastor.
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Vice Moderator Cinda Stenger adds:
It was noted that this must have been the shortest congregational meeting ever (maybe 7 minutes?). And maybe the most joyful!
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Reminder:
New Mission Update Process
for Sunday Worship
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It's an experiment! Our goal is to create a smoother, clearer way to keep the congregation informed and the service flowing.
Instead of folks coming forward to speak, email your announcement in advance for inclusion in the Sunday bulletin. The congregation will be referred to their bulletins for the information, and team representatives who are present will stand so folks know who to contact for details.
Submission deadline: Wednesday by noon for Sunday bulletin listing. Email your mission update to office@alkiucc.org. Thank you!
— Your Worship and Music Team
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Announcing Alki UCC Open Gym:
A Play Space for Community, Rain or Shine
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Beginning Monday, September 28
• Mondays from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• Anderson Hall/Alki UCC;
Enter through Hinds Street entrance
• Free and open to the public;
free-will donations gratefully accepted
• All ages are welcome;
program especially geared for kids under five
 Alki UCC Open Gym was inspired by an email sent to the church this summer by a local parent who was struggling to find nearby places to take her one-year-old that were both free and indoors for rainy days. The collaboration between church and neighbor began, as we dreamed together about how to create a gathering and play space for community.
Our goal is to create a space in the community where parents and caregivers can bring their children to play safely all year round, no matter the weather. We hope you’ll join us!
Registration required. Please sign up here.
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Blessing of the Animals
and World Communion Sunday
October 4
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Bring your furry/feathered pets and service animals for a Blessing of the Animals with Pastor Emily Tanis-Likkel and Rev. Penny Matthews.
Important! All pets must be on a leash or in an appropriate carrier.
You are also invited to bring stuffed animals and photos of the animal companions you have loved to add to our In Memoriam table.
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Evening Jazz and More
with the Susan Pascal Trio
Launches
2026-2027 "Arts at Alki" Free Concert Series
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Thursday, October 1 at 7:00 pm
Alki UCC Sanctuary
Led by acclaimed Seattle jazz vibraphonist Susan Pascal, the Susan Pascal Trio launches Alki UCC's “Arts at Alki” 2026-2027 Concert Series on Thursday, October 1 at 7:00 pm.
Pascal has been greeted by enthusiastic audiences at concerts in Singapore and across the United States, including appearances at Earshot jazz Festival and Consortium Jazz Port Townsend. she has been a a special guest artist with the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, the Seattle Baroque Orchestra and Seattle's Gypsy jazz group, Pearl Django.
Her eclectic musical interests are reflected in her own projects, including her "straight-ahead" jazz group, the Susan Pascal Quartet, which has been nominated twice for Best Acoustic Group by Seattle's Earshot Jazz. Check out her website here.
"Arts at Alki" concerts are free, open to the public and appropriate for listeners of all ages. Pay-what-you-like donations are welcome; proceeds help fund future concerts at Alki UCC.
We invite you to drop in, unwind, unplug and treat yourself to beautiful, live music.
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Alki UCC
Autumn Festival
& Art Market
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Saturday, October 10
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
 Alki UCC's second annual Autumn Festival & Art Market promises to be a day full of creativity, fellowship and delight.
Featuring work by talented local artists, the market will be complemented by arts activities, making this a family-friendly event where everyone can take part.
Tasty treats and baked goods are offered throughout the day, as well as a Build-Your-Own Taco lunch and a 6:00 pm dinner.
Check out the Autumn Festival webpage here.
We need volunteers! Contact Vicky if you can help.
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It's spicy ... It's spirited ...
It's the 3rd Annual WIN Chili Cookoff!!
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Friday, October 16
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
Walmesley Event Center
3410 SW Myrtle St SW
Time to start testing that hearty new chili recipe to compete for the Golden Crockpot Award! Will Tibbetts UMC win it for the third time?? Who will stop them? Join in for a wonderful evening of community and fun at WIN's biggest fundraiser of the year ... a great time for everyone.
To make it all happen, we need volunteer chefs, bakers and dessert makers to come together and make it a delicious and entertaining evening filled with joy and celebration. Sign up here to provide chili, bring cornbread and/or veggies, or donate a delicious dessert.
How the evening works:
1) Faith Communities (and individuals) enter their favorite pots of chili (we need 16!)
2) Bakers make cornbread and desserts to round out the menu, plus veggie platters for the healthy stuff
3) Attendees sample the different chilis then vote for their favorites
4) Winner earns the Golden Crockpot to display for the year with serious bragging rights.
There will be raffle baskets, silent auction items and the delicious Dessert Dash. Activity tickets for raffle baskets, beverages, and voting are sold throughout the evening at $2 each, or in discounted bundles.
Event tickets are $30 for adults and $10 for kids 4-12. Purchase your tickets here
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The Westside Interfaith Network (WIN) is an interfaith group in West Seattle and the west of King County, working to address the needs of our neighbors through service, compassion and action.
Proceeds benefit the many vital WIN programs, including The Welcome Table, a weekly hot lunch program with fresh produce and supplies for low-income folks and those living unsheltered; rent, cellphone, and utility assistance; transportation support, etc.
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Tuesday Zoom Bible Study
in Session
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Join us via Zoom for our ongoing Tuesday Bible Study. 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.
We welcome you for the journey!
You will receive your own unique link
to access Bible Study.
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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Worship
this Sunday,
September 27
at 10:00 am
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Fall Worship Series:
The Next
Faithful Step
"Weaving Our Stories"
Lay-Led
Worship
Lisa D-J,
Worship Leader
Theo J
Liturgist
Scripture
Ecclesiastes 4:12Colossians 2:2
Daniel Self
Music Director
Music Highlights
Step By Step
Rich Mullins
Your Grace is Enough
Matt Maher
Restless Weaver
10,000 Reasons
Matt Redman
Putting’ It Together
Diana Wilson
Photo:
Kaila Russell
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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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First Session Tonight!
"WA: Reparations"
8-week Zoom Education/
Action Series
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Led by reparations experts Rev Dr Elizabeth Gordon, Michael Gordon, Rev Dr Craig Rennebohm and Rev Jermell Witherspoon, pastor of Admiral Church, sessions feature education, personal testimony and interactive action planning.
The series is free with registration requested to enable break-out planning. Sign up here.
Course leaders recommend background reading of “From Here to Equality” by William Darity and “Getting to Reparations” by Dorothy Brown.
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Fauntleroy Church Immigration Task Force (from Peruvian family fame) Asks for Your Help!
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We are looking for an in-law or small apartment for a woman and her five-year- old daughter who wants to move to West Seattle.
If you have a place, or know someone who does, please contact Dianne Sprague, ITF co-chair.
Thank you so much!
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KHN High Holy Days Continue
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The joyous holiday of Sukkot, from sundown on September 25 through nightfall on October 2, marks the end of the harvest season, followed by Simchat Torah (“Rejoicing with the Torah”), marking the completion of the annual Torah reading cycle.
Note:
The beautiful “paper cut” banner at the front of the Sanctuary, which will be in place through the High Holy days, depicts honey comb, pomegranate, apples and other bounty to celebrate the sweet promise of a new year.
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Fall Recycle Roundup
at
Fauntleroy UCC
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Saturday, October 3
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
9140 California Ave SW
Parking Lot
Volunteers and the crew from 1 Green Planet will be there to take your recyclables from home, office or school – drive up, ride up or walk up.
The church has been offering these events since 2010, and reported last spring that more than 400 tons of recyclables have been collected over the years!
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Introduction to Clog Dancing
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Come Check Us Out!
Anderson Hall
Sundays:
1:00 pm Beginners
Thursdays:
1:30 pm Beginners
2:30 pm Easy Intermediate
Experience the fun of clog dancing, an active, rhythmic dance form that originated in the Appalachian Mountains blending Irish, Scottish, German, and Native American influences into one lively tradition!
While rooted in bluegrass, today’s clog dancing embraces a wide variety of genres, from country to pop, so there is something for everyone!
With more than 30 years of teaching experience in the Pacific Northwest, instructor Diane Jacobsen shares her passion: “I am so excited to introduce dancers of all ages to the basics and beyond! No partners needed so everyone can go at their own pace!”
No formal attendance fee, suggested freewill donation of $10 per class to Alki UCC.
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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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Make a one-time or recurring donation via the
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6115 SW Hinds
Seattle, WA 98116
206/935-2661
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