Dear Alki UCC,
I am always so grateful when new people cross the threshold into Alki UCC. I know that visiting a particular faith community for the very first time can feel nerve-wracking.
Even as an ordained minister and lifetime church-goer, I always feel anxious when attending a service that is new to me. I inevitably feel self-conscious, hope to feel a sense of belonging and worry about where to park!
For those who have been wounded by a church in the past, visiting any church can produce a trauma response. “Church shopping” is not often a light-hearted outing, it is fraught on so many levels. That is why I am so pleased, my spirit buoyed, my heart bursting, that I have heard from many newcomers to Alki UCC that they feel warmly welcomed, a sense of coming home.
As I said in my sermon last Sunday (linked here), We are a different We than we were a year ago, because we are growing, church!
You weren’t all here last year. Newcomers are such a gift. And as I like to say, newcomers get to be new for one week, after that they are welcomers like the rest of us. Because that self-conscious, nervous, not-enough feeling that newcomers sometimes have? It’s not reserved for newcomers. It’s just human. We all need each other to be reminded that we are enough, as we are, precious and beloved in God’s sight.
In belonging,
Pastor Emily
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You can always schedule an appointment with Pastor Emily by using this handy online tool linked here.
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 Diana Wilson has had an extensive professional music career as a music director, pianist, composer and choral conductor. She has led the music programs in several Seattle area churches and 13 years at Alki UCC.
Often known as “DJ”, she has performed in musical theater with national artists such as Ethel Merman, Della Reese and Marni Nixon. Her works were featured in ACT’s creative production “5 X 5” and she has been Music Director at The 5th Avenue Theater, ACT, The Crepe de Paris, The Bathhouse Theater and Seattle Children’s Theater.
Fully trained in classical music, she attended the Eastman School of Music and is a graduate of USC. Diana is currently Music Director at Forest Ridge Girls School in Somerset, WA.
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A Re-Imagined "Alki UCC by the Sea"
on Parlor Display
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 The creative/production team behind this year's entry in Fauntleroy UCC's Festival of Trees has carried on the tradition of transitioning "Alki UCC by the Sea" to give the "tree" life beyond the Christmas season.
Inspired by the Orca theme of the tree's decoration, group member Maya had the idea to celebrate Seattle's own J-Pod with an artistic display featuring a branch, her paper-mache depiction of a baby whale (more on that next week!) and a  mobile arrangement of Orca ornaments.
The group met in the Parlor last night for a happy, inspired installation ... and treats!
(Note: Finished tree above left; Parlor display below)
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Thanks to all who used our narthex Sustainable Cubbies
Sustainable Stewards Cubby Corner
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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 pray for all those who grieve.
Prayers of appreciation and gratitude on this National Day of Mourning for former President Jimmy Carter.
Comfort their hearts and hold them close, especially those missing beloved family and friends in the holiday season.
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.
Prayers of safety and recovery for all those affected by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. In particular, our hearts go out to faith communities including the congregation of Altadena Community United Church of Christ whose building was destroyed.
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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6115 SW Hinds
Seattle, WA 98116
206/935-2661;
Church news/calendar updates at alkiucc.org.
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Worship this Sunday,
January 12
at 10:00 am
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First Sunday after the Epiphany
"Gospel Stories"
Rev. Emily
Tanis-Likkel
Liturgist:
Marilynn M
Scripture:
John 4:4-26
Living Water
DJ Wilson
Interim Music Director
Music Highlights:
Empty Jar
Jim Manley
Teach Me
Sandy O'Shea
#459, Come, O Fount of Every Blessing
Chalkboard Image:
Home Studio/Unsplash
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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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Sunday Clogging Class at 1:00 pm
Join instructor Diane J and fellow cloggers in Anderson Hall.
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Kitchen Item Donations Still Needed for a “Fill a Bin” Project
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The call for Kitchen Item donations continues!!
Through our association with the Fauntleroy UCC Immigration Task Force, we learned that the asylum seekers at Riverton Park Methodist Church have been receiving work permits and jobs and are moving on with their lives furnishing their new homes. A "Fill a Bin" project is helping provide kitchen basics.
Attached is a list of needed items. This is a perfect opportunity to downsize your kitchen equipment and gadgets to help new residents set up housekeeping.
Thanks to all who have already donated. We're accepting your kitchen donations for the next several weeks.
Just bring your items the next time you're at church. When we have collected a fair amount, we will sort through them to complete some bins for this project.
Thank you for considering this way to help immigrants.
Your Outreach/Social Justice Team
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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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Sunday Worship Videos Posted on YouTube
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Sunday Worship recordings now online!
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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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