Dear Alki UCC,
In Bible Study this week we savored the following words from the Advent devotional, Words for the Beginning:
You are a blessing . . .
For our creating God
breathed life into your being
And there is simply no way that,
along with that life,
some of God’s goodness
didn’t slip right in.
 Our belovedness is not up for debate. God created us this way: blessed to be blessings. In my sermon last Sunday (linked here) I said that we are a blessing whether we know it or not.
Being a blessing is not based on feeling it. It’s not because of our great accomplishments or intellect, it’s simply who we are. As Mary bore Christ from her ordinary humanness, we do too.
God can do a lot with ordinary. You bear Christ’s work. You radiate God’s love. This Advent season, may we wrap ourselves in these words for the beginning: You are a blessing.
In hope,
Pastor Emily
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Celebration of Life Service for
Rev. Dr. William "Bill" Peterson
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This Sunday, December 8 at 2:30 pm
Alki UCC Sanctuary
As a full-circle moment, we return to Seattle to celebrate the life of Rev. Bill, who began his ministry career in the late 60s as a Church Youth Leader on Mercer Island. In recent years, he returned to Seattle and shared his ministry with us at Alki United Church of Christ—also Shannon's (Bill's daughter) home church, for over 20 years..
If you can, please come to remember and celebrate Rev. Bill's life and legacy. He touched this church community with wisdom and love as a preacher and counselor. Join this church community of friends and family as we tell stories, sing songs and celebrate his life together in this small setting led by Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel with music led by Stephen Anthony Rawson.
If you have a story or memory you'd like someone else to share, please email Shannon, or you can bring your voice to share in person during this celebration.
If you're not able to attend in person, you can register to watch the Seattle virtual service on Zoom using this link. A personal Zoom link will come back to you so you can watch the service virtually.
Photo: 2022 Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field with family
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Come to the ...
Community Christmas Cabaret
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Saturday, December 14
Holiday Music, Dance, Food and Fun!
Anderson Hall
beginning at 7:00 pm
Celebrate the season with a festive musical evening, emceed by Alki UCC Music Director, Stephen Anthony Rawson. The evening’s program includes jolly carols by the Alki UCC Community Choir, an open call for requests, spontaneous sing-alongs and more than a couple chances to bust some moves out on the dance floor. Delight in seasonal bites and beverages. Festive attire encouraged.
Tickets are $15 advance and $20 at the door.
Invite your friends!
Purchase advance tickets either
• in-person before/after worship or
• online via the "Donate" button at alkiucc.org.
Be sure to enter "Cabaret" in "dedicate your donation" so we can add your name to the list.
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Call for Christmas Shopping Elves!
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 Every Christmas, Outreach/Social Justice adopts a family or two in the Multi-Communities (MIC) network. MIC is a local non-profit run by Bettie Williams Watson, a domestic violence survivor and fierce community advocate.
We partner with her to bring joy and community to her clients, many struggling to find their way in this new country.
We're looking for shoppers who would love to fulfill the wish lists of two single moms, each with a toddler daughter.
Contact Cinda if you would like to help make their holiday warm and bright!
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Charlie and Scott light the Advent Candle; Eva makes Orcas for "Alki by the Sea;" Cinda lets the mulch know who's boss; Diane J inspires her energetic clogging class.
Photos by Aly H
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Thanks to all who used our narthex Sustainable Cubbies
Sustainable Stewards Cubby Corner
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December/January
Featured Items:
Holiday String Lights. Drop off your holiday string lights that are still working and those that have lost their twinkle.
We will be collecting them through Sunday, January 12.
Styrofoam: Save all that packaging from not only your holiday shopping but also from your meat packaging and cookie trays. Bring your clean Styrofoam to the cubbies through January 12.
New Permanent Item:
Contact Lens packaging: we are making room in the cubbies to collect the contact lens plastic packaging and the foil tops.
We always accept:
Wine corks, plastic lids smaller than three inches, small batteries, bread tags, empty prescription bottles, standard size light bulbs, contact lens packaging and two types of plastic: Plastic Film (shipping bags, plastic bags, overwrap, air pillows and other stretchy plastics!) and Multi-layer plastic (food storage bags, pet food bags, frozen food bags, and more layered packaging).
We don't take plastic wrap like Saran Wrap, but any other stretchy plastic we do.
We appreciate the following cubbie donations:
New socks, underwear and toiletries. Keep them coming!
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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 give joyful thanks for Charlie H and Scott L who were married on November 11 and we join them in celebration. May God bless them in their life together.
We pray for all those who grieve.
Comfort their hearts and hold them close, especially Shannon P who asks for prayers on the passing of her beloved father, Rev. Bill P on Monday, October 28. Please grant all of us who knew him peace and strength in this time of grief. May we feel God’s presence and love, providing comfort in every sorrowful moment. Please guide his soul to eternal rest, and surround our family with warmth and healing light. Help us cherish his memory and honor his legacy with love.
We pray for all those who are ill, hurting or have a concern on their hearts.
We pray for Pastor Emily's friends Rich, Julie and Bryson, 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, Davney and Bob S, Sue's B's friends Mary and Louise, and Nick L.
We pray for our wider world.
Our hearts go out to the many people who are suffering in areas affected by natural disasters and the ongoing effects of climate change.
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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For secure, online giving through Give Lively, click the button, OR, send your check, made out to "Alki UCC," to: 6115 SW Hinds,
Seattle, WA 98116
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Sunday Worship Videos Posted on YouTube
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 Sunday Worship recordings now online! Check out Alki UCC's very own YouTube channel. |
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6115 SW Hinds
Seattle, WA 98116
206/935-2661;
Church news/calendar updates at alkiucc.org.
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Worship this Sunday,
December 8
at 10:00 am
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Second Sunday
in Advent
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Liturgist:
Marilynn M
Stephen Anthony Rawson
Music Director
Music Highlights:
#4, Joyful, Joyful,
We Adore You
#539, The Servant Song
#81, God Be With You
Image:
"Binding Braids"
by Nicolette Peñaranda
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When you register, please use your first/last name plus your email.
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Crafting for Community
this Sunday
Join us after hospitality hour in the Parlor Bring your crafting tools of choice or borrow from our communal supplies. Would you like to learn to crochet or knit? We’d love to teach you!
Come work on a current project or make items to share with those in need. We’ll gather 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.
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Community Christmas Cabaret
Saturday, December 14
at 7:00 pm
(see story at left)
Christmas Eve Service
Tuesday, December 24
at 5:00 pm
Carols and Candlelight
for All Ages
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Joe’s Art for Hunger Holiday Sale
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Sunday December 8
11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Joe and Julia's Home
8145 29th Ave SW
(just off Thistle on 29th)
The artist notes:
All proceeds go to a non-profit of your choice that helps provide nutrition for those in need.
No money is exchanged when a piece is sold – the buyer simply agrees to donate the negotiated amount to a non-profit organization of choice dedicated to feeding the hungry. Full info here
Picture: Autumn Scene
Print from an original watercolor
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Special Screening: "All We Carry"
Documentary of Honduran Family
Seeking Asylum in West Seattle
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Tomorrow! Friday, December 6 at 6:00 pm
Fauntleroy Church UCC
9140 California Ave SW
Panel Discussion Follows
In 2018 Magdiel, Mirna, and son Joshua made their way from Honduras to West Seattle, and were ultimately sponsored by Kol HaNeshamah Synagogue as they sought asylum. They made a very special place in our hearts and the wider community. This highly regarded documentary tells the story of their harrowing journey to the US, their detention at our border, and the emotional battle for asylum.
Limited seating: please register in advance here.
A note from Fauntleroy Church: "In this time of unprecedented attacks on immigration this film offers both hope and promise on how Seattle and America has been protecting asylees. The Immigration Task Force has begun exploring how it can step up efforts to help refugees in the coming years."
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"Many Hands Make Light Work.” Nehemiah 3.
Last Sunday, many hands gathered to mulch the south yard, which has needed our love and care for some time.
Huge thanks to Cinda S for her inspiration to get the job done and for ordering the mulch to be delivered. Thanks to Rod P, Joe M, Dan K, Cinda S (of course) and Ann P.
All with wheelbarrows and shovels in hand covered a large part of the gardens and cleaned up the walkways for the Monday morning Preschool arrival.
— Julia P
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Through January 5
Participants are welcome to attend either on Tuesday at noon or Sunday at 5:00 pm (or both sessions!) on any given week ... whatever is most convenient.
There is a separate Zoom registration link for each series:
Tuesday registration link
Sunday registration link
Once you register, you will use the personal link for each series sent to you by Zoom. Pick up your copy of the Advent devotional this Sunday or request a link to the digital version from the church office.
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Saturday, December 14 12:00 to 7:00 pm
The Opera Center
363 Mercer Street
Peruse unique treasures from Black artists, artisans, and Black-owned small businesses to discover handmade gifts, one-of-a-kind decorations, and delectable treats, all while supporting local artistry and community.
More info here
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Sunday Worship Registration
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If you've already registered on Zoom, just use your personal link. If not, welcome! You can register here.
When you register, please use your first/last name plus your email.
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