May 2018 Volume 26 Issue 4 Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane Monthly Newsletter CREATE COMMUNITY FIND MEANING WORK FOR JUSTICE UPCOMING SERVICES May 6 May 13 May 20 May 27 Bloomsday UUCS Services are canceled due to Bloomsday activities. Education and the Measure of All Things Rev. Todd Eklof, UUCS Minister As public, private, and higher education are increasingly geared toward preparing citizens for employment, perhaps we should reconsider the deeper purposes of learning for both society and the individual. Lifting Up and Letting Go: Worship in a Unitarian Universalist Context Rev. Todd Eklof, UUCS Minister UUs often have an aversion to churchy words like church, God, faith, even the word, religion itself. Perhaps none sticks in the craw more than the word worship does. For many it conjures up images of crouching, cowering masses belittling themselves and shirking their own agency and responsibility before an imaginary deity. What does worship mean for us as UUs? Is it a word we can rightly use to describe what we do, or one that should be discarded for another? Criminal Justice and the Measure of All Things Rev. Todd Eklof, UUCS Minister If the authoritarian mindset is mirrored by its punitive response to criminal justice, then ours is the most authoritarian nation in human history. As a result, many in our society, both conservatives and liberals, consider prosecution and punishment the appropriate, if not exclusive, response to crime and wrongdoing. If we are to ever become the egalitarian society our belief in democracy calls us toward, we must break free of this punitive paradigm to envision and execute a better way. TODD S THOUGHTS In March 2017 I gave a sermon entitled, The Measure of All Things, about Erich Fromm s notion that, the sole criterion of ethical value, should be based on human welfare and the achievement of one s full potential. I ve decided to put this theory to the test through a series of thought experiments envisioning what it might be like if we were to adopt this as the sole criterion in a variety of areas. What would it be like if everything our society does were to focus on helping everyone fully blossom as individuals? In the coming months we ll explore this question through a series of sermons I m calling, The Measure of All Things. I ll begin this month by considering the areas of education and criminal justice. I ll continue in the coming month by also considering the question in light of economics, equality, business, arts and entertainment, journalism and news, politics, religion, globalism, and the environment. I m alternating Sundays to leave room to discuss other meaningful matters, but, by the time I m done, I intend to have the makings of a good book on a topic I hope might have a transformative influence in our society and the world. As I said in my more recent January sermon, Preaching to the Preacher, this principle has become my North Star, my guiding light, and I thank you in advance for the privilege of sharing this message with you, and, in turn, for the opportunity to share it with others. Rev. Dr. Todd F. Eklof, UUCS Minister 1
BOARD SLIVERS Greetings from your UU Board of Trustees. We are working hard on a number of things; our upcoming budget; the possibility of going to a two-year budget cycle; carrying out the strategic plan we recently adopted; preparing for our intern minister who will be arriving in September; looking ahead to hosting the UUA General Assembly in June 2019; and much more. But today in this column, I want to focus on something we rarely address: the amazing quality of our guest speakers when Todd is out of the pulpit. On Sunday, February 26, I was the lay leader for our guest in the pulpit, Francis Adewale, a public defender originally from Nigeria, who helps run Community Court, which is the kind of justice that we UUs stand for. He was a powerful speaker, the readings supported his message, and 9-year-old Sophia Okumu sang the most beautiful and haunting version of Leonard Cohen s Hallelujah that I have ever heard. The Sunday before that, Chris Crutcher, award-winning, nationally noted young adult author and family therapist, shared his powerful message with us. Late last fall, Venerable Thubten Chodron, co-author of several books with the Dalai Lama and founder of Sravasti Abbey outside Newport, spoke on sustaining hope through social action in our current political climate. Over the last several years, we ve been privileged to bring in Admir Rasic, who fled Bosnia as a child refugee and is passionate about inter-faith dialog between Muslims and Christians. We ve brought in Cheryl Stumbo, a long-time UU who, after surviving the Seattle Jewish Federation shooting, devoted herself to preventing gun violence. We ve also brought in Barry Moses, a spiritual leader from the Spokane Tribe. And this is just a small sampling of the amazing guests in our pulpit. This diversity of voices, after all, is what we UUs commit to when we say: The living tradition we share draws from many sources and go on to name the six key sources that illuminate our minds, open our hearts and nurture our spirits. Next time you notice that there is a guest in our pulpit, I invite you, actually I urge you, to come participate in a service that may well touch you deeply and will surely give you much to reflect on. Susan Virnig The Board of Trustees meetings are usually the 4th Wednesdays 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the church. Anyone is welcome to attend. VESPERS SERVICE The monthly vespers service will be held on the last Wednesday of each month. May s service will be Wednesday, May 30th, beginning with shared dinner at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel, followed by a reflective time of listening and sharing at 6:30 p.m. 2 O-Team Meetings SUNDAY STREAMS In the past 30 days we have had people log in from many states and countries to view our Sunday Services online. This is a wonderful way for our congregation to stay connected while traveling the globe. Viewers are tracked by their unique IP addresses, they are designated as live stream views or archive views. That data tells us that in the past 30 days we have had 143 unique IP logins from Washington, 56 from parts unknown, 15 in Idaho, 13 in Oregon, 12 in California, and 4 in Montana. We also have had a few IP logins from Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin. 17 other states each had one login. Globally we have had viewers log in from Canada, Romania, Mexico, Indonesia, The People s Republic of China, Columbia, Singapore, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Spain, and France. We have had 36 views of archival services in the past month as well. As for the live views, our highest ratings were for our Easter service Rise and Shine: Myths & Science of Resurrection which had 43 unique IP logins and for our March 4th service The Edict of Torda: Celebrating 450 Years there were 36 logins, followed by The Truth Myth: What s Wrong with Being Right which had 35 logins. We feel very fortunate to provide this service to our congregation as it allows us to spread our Church s mission nationally and globally while keeping our vast and wide spread congregation close to home. ~Erin Rosenkrance, UUCS Communications Manager. We are Now Streaming Our Services Live streaming of our Sunday services are available by going to our homepage at www.uuspokane.org and clicking on the Watch Services button. You can also watch past services by following this same link. If you need to leave the sanctuary, but don t want to miss what s happening, just find our wireless network (UUCS) and enter the access password: UUCSbooster. Then go to our website at www.uuspokane.org. The streaming access is on the homepage. WATCH SERVICES OPERATIONS TEAM Your Operations team meets regularly to discuss the daily operations of the church, address concerns of congregation members and teams, and plan how best to move the mission and vision of the congregation forward as per our Policy Governance charge. Our 1:00 p.m. meetings are held in the administration office workroom. Please check with Rev. Todd for the meeting days. Of course, all are welcome to attend the meetings. If you are unable to attend, but would like something to be put on the agenda, please contact Rev. Todd at (509) 325-6383 or minister@uuspokane.org.
CANDLES OF CARE REQUESTS Kindling our Candles of Care each Sunday is an important part of how we create community. In order to assure a timely response, please submit any requests by calling the church office during office hours Monday through Thursday (10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.), or sending them via email to our Communications Manager at commanager@uuspokane.org. We cannot guarantee requests submitted after Thursday will be included during the following Sunday s services, but will try. If not, we will mention the request on the following Sunday. SOCIAL JUSTICE UUCS/Spokane Alliance Brown Bag listening session: Filling healthcare gaps in Eastern Washington When the Spokane Alliance held a meeting last summer at our church to discuss pressing community needs, health care and mental health treatment were your top concerns. We ve been acting on your priorities! On April 24, the Spokane Alliance announced a partnership with WSU s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine to conduct research to help WSU determine how the medical school s new Mobile Medicine program should be used to address some of the health coverage gaps in our region. That research begins now with discussions inside our 30 member organizations, including the Unitarian Universalist Church. The UUCS listening session will be held on May 20, 12:30 to 2:00 p.m., in the Thoreau Room. Please bring your own lunch. If you have questions, please contact Karen Dorn Steele at steele.karend@gmail.com DEADLINES AND PUBLICATION GUIDELINES The SUUN (monthly newsletter) Upcoming Deadlines for Submissions Deadline for Submissions: The third Thursday of the month at 5:00 p.m. This will be true even if there are five Thursdays in the month. Submitting Articles to the SUUN Please remember that any and all submissions to the SUUN must be made through this email, suun@ uuspokane.org. Our wonderful SUUN volunteer Kathryn Alexander has stepped down as the editor of the SUUN and has been replaced by Scott Fitzgerald who creates this fantastic publication. We would like to thank Kathryn Alexander for her hard work and dedication to the SUUN! SUUNday FOCUS (Sunday bulletin) Deadline for Submissions: Every Wednesday by 10:00 a.m. Send SUUNday FOCUS submissions to focus@uuspokane.org To join our Weekly Focus e-newsletter and for other important email updates, please sign up on our website. Go to the homepage at www.uuspokane.org, scroll to the bottom and fill out the form Subscribe to Our Updates. Thank you for keeping connected with UUCS! Check Run Cut-off Dates Requests for checks from members, teams and staff need to be submitted, along with invoices or expense documentation, to the office by the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month. Check request forms (green slips) are attached to the front of bookkeeper s mailbox in the office. Office Hours Monday Thursday 10 a.m. 2 p.m. PARTNER CHURCH NEWS Thank you to our wonderful, generous congregation for another successful weekend learning about Unitarian history (Edict of Torda) meeting via Skype our new partner minister and supporting our partner church program. We raised $3,394 from the dinner and special collection, enough to cover airfare for the Rev. Palkó and his fiancée to attend GA here in 2019. With funds saved from last year we will also be able to send $300 each to the women s and youth groups in the Felsőrákos church. The partner church team is very grateful for your response and for all your help with the dinner, from setting up tables to dishwashing. Your participation makes all the difference. Six Spokane travelers, including two teens and the Eklofs, will visit Felsőrákos in August to meet Rev. Palkó and continue deepening the relationship between our congregations. AROUND THE CHURCH Our Hearing Loop System UUCS has a hearing loop system in the church sanctuary/ friendship hall area to assist people who have hearing loss. And remember, when in church for services or events, if you have compatible hearing aids, switch them to T-coil or ask at the sound booth for a hearing assistance headset. Streaming Our Services To view any Sunday service (including past services) simply go to our website http://uuspokane.org/wp2/ select the Worship menu and Watch Services. Enjoy! Contact me via email at commanager@uuspokane.org or by phone at (509) 325-6383 ext. 305 Erin Rosenkrance, Communications/Office Manager 3
CELEBRATING FAMILY MINISTRY Upcoming Children and Family Ministry Events: Family Game Night has officially made a comeback! Join us on the last Wednesday of the month, in the Friendship Hall for pizza at 6:00 p.m. and for games at 6:30 p.m. We ve got everything from Scrabble to Clue, and Poker to Hide and Go Seek. And as it gets warmer, we can start taking dinner and games outside. Bring a friend and a game to share; all are welcome! It s just about time for the Annual UUCS All-Church Retreat at Camp Reed! Featuring a special session of the Kerdcera Dojo led by Rev. Todd, a Music Workshop led by Deborah Jacquemin, and of course the classic Cardboard Boat Race, this weekend of fun is bound to be a good time for all. Registration closes on May 7th, so get your forms in ASAP! Hey Aria, I ve heard a lot about the All-Church Retreat lately, and I bought a flower basket to support it, but I m not really sure what it is or if it s for me. What can you tell me about it? Luckily, you ve come to the right place! Take a look below to see answers to some common questions about the All-Church Retreat. If you have any more questions, don t hesitate to reach out. Annual UUCS All-Church Retreat FAQ: What is the All-Church Retreat? Isn t that just Camp Starwheel? Yes! Kind of. Camp Starwheel has been a really wonderful feature of the UU community in Spokane for a really long time and is beloved. We are doing a little rebranding, to place an emphasis on the fact that this weekend is for our entire community and to let people know that there is something for everybody. Where and when is the All-Church Retreat? The All-Church Retreat is on Memorial Day Weekend (May 25-27th) at the YMCA Camp Reed Facilities, on Fan Lake. It s about an hour north of Spokane. What kinds of activities will be at the Retreat? This year there will be two new, special programs! We are excited to say that Rev. Todd will be doing a special session of the Kerdcera Dojo of the Mind, open to adults and youth. Our wonderful Music Director, Deborah Jacquemin, will be partnering with congregant Susan Bachmeier to do a fun music workshop that ll be geared towards kids ages 5-10, but to which everyone is more than welcome. In addition to both of those, we ll have the classic Cardboard Boat Race, and those interested can sign up on their registration form to do an Adventure Ropes Course. And, every year Terri Ray leads a group of people on a beautiful hike. There are always lots of games and crafts to do throughout the weekend, and if the weather stays nice, you can always hang out by the lake! What s the food like? Delicious! All of our food is prepared by a group of dads from UUCS, all of whom volunteer to spend their weekend of fun in the kitchen. You can let us know about any food allergies or restrictions on your registration form. What are the sleeping arrangements like? There are a couple different sleeping options at the Retreat. The main option is to stay in a cabin, with your and/or another family. However, adults can also indicate on their registration form if they would like to stay in a room in the Lakeview Retreat located in the lower level of the lodge. Beds are the pretty standard, camp mattresses. I want to join in on the fun of the Retreat, but I m not sure I want to stay for the whole weekend. Can I just come for Saturday? Yes, please do! We have a special Saturday-Only option, with individual and family rates. The Retreat sounds like a lot of fun, but I m a little worried about the cost. Weekend long events like this can get expensive We know that retreats and camps like this can be financially difficult for families, so we have a special, discounted family rate. This family rate is applicable for up to 2 adults and 3 kids. Each additional child is added on at the standard rate. However, no family will pay more than $400 to participate in the Retreat. We also offer scholarships to families and individuals! You can indicate on your registration form if you are in need of a scholarship and for how much. You can also always get in contact with Aria Curtis for more information about how to get a scholarship. Alright, I m in. How do I register? There are a couple of ways to register. You can go online to the UUCS website or Facebook page to find a link for an online registration form. You can also fill out a paper registration form and return it, with a check, to the UUCS Main Office. Please note, registration closes on Monday, May 7th. In love and faith, Aria Curtis, Director of Children and Family Ministry Remembering Camp Starwheel 4
All-Church Retreat Registration Form 2018 Sponsored by UUCS Children and Family Ministry The UUCS All-Church Retreat (formerly called Camp Starwheel) is at the YMCA Camp Reed facility on Memorial Day weekend from 5pm Friday night, May 25 th through 3pm Sunday afternoon, May 27 th. No registration forms will be accepted after Monday, May 7 th. Send your registration form and payment to the church office, 4340 W Fort George Write Dr., Spokane WA 99224, or drop it off at the church office. Please make checks payable to UUCS and mark All-Church Retreat Registration in the memo line. If you would like to pay for registration online, you may do so by going to the Donate page on the UUCS website. We want everyone to be able to join in for this wonderful weekend together! If you are in need of a scholarship, please contact Aria Curtis. Are you bringing a friend of the family to the Retreat? Please have their parents fill out the additional attached form and return it to Aria Curtis with your registration form. Contact Aria Curtis for any additional registration information at re@uuspokane.org or 509-325-6383. We know that retreats and camps like this can be financially difficult for families, so we have a special, discounted family rate. This family rate is applicable for up to 2 adults and 3 kids. Each additional child is added on at the standard rate. However, no family will pay more than $400 to participate in the Retreat. Registration Costs: Weekend Late Fee after April 30th Lakeview Lodge (over 18) $110 $120 Adult in Cabin $100 $110 Youth/Child (5-18) $65 $75 Little one (under 5) Free Free Family (2 adults, 3 kids) $245 $255 Family Cap $400 Saturday only day fees $55 per person $65 $135 per family $145 Please note: Registration canceled between May 11 th and May 22 nd will receive a partial refund. Any cancellations made after May 22 nd will not receive any refund. Camper Name Lodge or Cabin Please circle one Age Fees Weekend/Saturday Weekend/Saturday Weekend/Saturday Weekend/Saturday Weekend/Saturday Weekend/Saturday Method of Payment: Total:
Scholarship needed? How much? Mailing Address Phone number Email address Anyone (11 or older) interested in doing the Adventure Course? Name The Adventure Course takes place on Saturday morning and is only available to those who are 11 years or older. The Adventure Course requires an additional fee of $30, to be paid with registration. Do you have a Sr. High youth interested in the Youth Cabin (ages 14-18)? Name(s): Please list any special needs we should be aware of (severe allergies, vegetarian, physical challenges, etc.) here: Photo and Liability Release We often take photos and videos of adults, youth, and children as they participate in congregational events. These may include worship service(s), religious education programming, social/family events, and social justice and action events. We use these images to promote our church and our faith in print, on our website, and on social media. Unless otherwise indicated below, by signing this form you are indicating that you hereby authorize the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane to make use of your (and all minors listed in this registration form) likeness and voice in photographs, videos, or audio recordings on our website, in our social media, in our online photo albums and video channels, and in print. This grant is on-going until you revoke or put any limitations in writing to the Director of Children and Family Ministry. If you have any restrictions or limitations on photo use please use the space below to explain. I do not authorize the church to use photos that I or my child/ren appear in. Restrictions/limitations: I understand that participants will assume all risks relating to the UUCS Annual Retreat. I hereby release the Unitarian Universalist Church, its chaperones, employees and/or agents from liability in conjunction with any risks and /or injuries that may occur. Parent/Guardian Signature Date
BOARD OF TRUSTEE AND NOMINATING TEAM CANDIDATES The nominating team is pleased to present a slate of candidates for two positions on the Board of Trustees (BOT) and for two positions on the nominating team. The congregation will vote on this slate of candidates at the Annual Meeting in June. BOT candidates are Kathryn Alexander and Jon Bagby. Nominating team candidates are Deena Romoff and Rachelle Strawther. Their bios follow. Board of Trustee Candidates Kathryn Alexander I spent 15 years in the Boulder, Colorado UU church where I served as board president. Besides serving on the board I was on building and grounds (new soft chairs, stained glass window), did adult RE, created the Art Show committee, took 12 people to Boston to visit our headquarters (free plane fare), supported fundraising by doing an art auction and had a ball building the church. In return they supported me through my healing with liver cancer. At UUCS I have spent the past four years editing the SUUN, giving classes in sustainability and spirituality, attending the Kerdcara Dojo, and helping with the technology we use to put words up on the screen. My background in teaching and training leadership and my entrepreneurial spirit (10 companies so far) supports my ability to generate ideas and make them a reality. One of my newest ventures is Nature s Secrets Photography where I m making my 40 years of photos available for the enjoyment of others. I m active in my community as co-chair of my Bemiss Neighborhood Council. I m blessed with a sweet companion, Rowdy (Shih Tzu), and a fearsome cat, Sassy. My daughter recently joined the church, and I m enjoying living with her and her very old cat Darmo. It s been a pleasure to have an active family around! Jon Bagby My name is Jon Bagby, and I have been attending the Unitarian Universalist Church, on and off, since 1976. I was introduced to the church by my mother, Connie Bagby. We switched to the UU after I asked if we had to go to church? She said no, and I said I didn t want to go anymore (Manito Presbyterian). Over the next 30+ years I attended church when I was in town with one of my parents. After my mother s death in 2000, I attended exclusively with my father, George Bagby. My wife Melinda and I formally joined the church three years ago. Since then I have been involved with middle and high school RE. I am currently married to my wife Melinda, and we have a blended family with three children from her last marriage (Bri, Sydney and Tessa) as well as two from my first marriage (Sol and Sadie). I enjoy working on my house, organizing fundraisers, canoeing, bike riding, photography and reading. Nominating Team Candidates Deena Romoff I was born and raised in New York City. For 10 years, I lived on rural communes (with a set of twins) in both Minnesota and Washington State. After moving to Spokane in 1974, I worked for USPS and the Spokane Park Department and was the first woman laborer for the city water department. Getting too old for labor jobs, I earned a Masters Degree in Social Work at Eastern Washington University. Getting degrees in both Social Work and Drug and Alcohol Studies, I assisted Child Protective Services and City and Federal Probation and Parole by assessing the needs and making recommendations for drug and alcohol treatment. I was raised Jewish and still have a great love for Jewish values and culture. I practice Wicca and was in a Dianic coven for 13 years. In 2009, I came to the UUCS and have found a welcoming home among its members. I have taken on responsibility for the farmers market and have been the registrar for the Women s Retreat for five or six years. I look forward to the experience I ll gain working on the Nominating Committee. Rachelle Strawther Rachelle Strawther is a speaker, teacher, storyteller, and world traveler. As the Assistant Director of Leadership Training and Development for Gonzaga University s School of Leadership Studies, she designs and leads executive leadership programs on topics such as emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, innovation, and interpersonal communication. Rachelle graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in Anthropology and earned a Master s in Communication and Leadership from Gonzaga University. In addition to her full-time role in leadership development, Rachelle teaches at the undergraduate level and serves as President of Gonzaga s Staff Assembly, representing more than 800 employees. Prior to coming to Gonzaga, Rachelle worked in Kisumu, Kenya, for eight years, first implementing community-based programs for women and children affected by HIV and later leading a regional sports-for-development organization. She also taught English for a year in southern Ethiopia. She is a mother to 9-year-old Sophia and 13-year-old Zawadi, a big fan of the GU Women s Basketball team, and a proud Unitarian Universalist. 7
UUCS MUSICAL NOTES This is my second column on our Sunday service music survey, which is certainly giving us lots of data to help us look at ways to go in the music program! This time we will concentrate on the Music You Participate In portion or congregational singing. The first question in this section was, Which UU songbook do you prefer? The survey gave you two choices: the gray (hardback) hymnal or the turquoise (softback) hymnal. It became quickly obvious that we needed to add two other choices neither and both. We added those to the online survey as soon as we saw the problem. Some people opted out of this question, so we did not get 136 responses on this one. The gray hymnal tally was 48, the turquoise hymnal tally was 43. Three people said neither and 19 people said both. The second question was, In addition to our UU songbooks, would you like to sing songs from other sources? This question garnered a resounding YES from 105 congregational members. Twenty-two people said, NO and nine did not answer. Members who have been here for a while certainly know that we have been experimenting with adding in other songs for some time, so this was confirmation that we should continue this direction. The music team and I are aware, however, that this needs to be carefully done. Some of the songs we have chosen to add have worked well and others, not so well. The last two-part question opened the floodgates to really seeing our diverse nature in this congregation! We asked, What genre(s) of music would you especially like or not like to sing? I need to confess that I am still rereading, pondering and attempting to find ways to tally all these responses. It is not easy to get a clear overall picture yet. However, I will share what I have been able to determine at this point. Under what would you like to sing? many people asked for songs that are easy to sing, familiar and generally known. Eighteen people said they liked all or most all of what we already do. Some folks said that they were willing to try anything at least once! Nine people specifically wanted to sing hymns five of these wanted good old UU hymns, as one person put it. Folk was the genre that came up most forty people asked for it! Others mentioned pop, rock, global, (old) Broadway, rounds, gospel and sacred music. And 26 people who completed the survey did not answer this part of the question! Given the responses above, I am sure you can guess how wide ranging the answers were to the last part of this question, what would you not like to sing? Twenty-one people did not want to sing sacred/god-themed/religious/christian or typical church music. Seven people specifically did not want to sing dreary old church hymns, to quote one person. Fifteen people did not want to sing jazz songs. Other genres mentioned a few times were: pop, rock, rounds, folk, country, gospel and Broadway.And I got a real kick out of the person who did not want to sing any honky-tonk songs! Several did not like slow or somber music. Others wanted to stay away from anything too complicated or with lots of high notes, or that are meant to be solos, with tricky beats. And... 33 people did not answer this part of the question. So, although it will be impossible to please all of you all of the time, I want you to know that I will keep all of this data in mind when I pick hymns/songs with Todd for our Sunday services. All of your answers are precious, as they come from your real life experiences and perspectives. GENEROSITY MATTERS 8 Deb Jacquemin, Your music director April 29 marked the end of the 2018-2019 Generosity campaign Making Room. If the campaign seemed longer than in previous years, you re right. Six weeks of financial contributions to UUCS, Seven Sunday Generosity moments focused on our Seven principles and their connection to pledging, three SUUN articles, and one large packet of information on giving. Conversations and musings about why we give generously to this beloved community? Too numerous to quantify! As you read this, I am absolutely certain that we will have reached our goal of $409,000 in pledges for the upcoming fiscal year. It has been ever so gratifying to watch as pledgers made room in their personal budgets for these future donations, and very exciting to think about all that means for our staff, our programs, and outreach into our community. Whether you are a book-signing, card-carrying official member or a long-time friend, or even a recent newcomer, your pledge is appreciated. If you have not yet made a pledge, never fear! We can initiate the process at any time. Simply contact the church office for information. A special thank you to Team members Frances Goodrow and Sunny Cook who do the heavy lifting during the campaign; to staff Heather, Erin, Diane, Deborah; to office volunteers (especially Stephanie Samson!); and to Sunday speakers Jerry White, Betsy Lawrence, George and Lila Girvin, Sunny Cook, Erin Fitzgerald, Cheryl Conn, and Sheila Rawls. As always, kudos to Rev. Todd Eklof for his leadership through the campaign, and his open and honest comments each of these Sundays regarding the importance of giving financially as best we can to ensure the work of creating community, finding meaning, and working for justice. Gratefully, Cindy Phillips for the Generosity Team
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PASTORAL CARE TEAM The pastoral care team focuses on needs of congregation members such as (1) transportation for medical appointments or other events including church, (2) meals brought in to the home, (3) social visits and information regarding community services, (4) caregiver respite, (5) home repair and light hauling. These services are provided during times of crisis or life transition. Pastoral care also provides help with memorial service planning, and reception. Trained Pastoral Care Team Members are also available to attend medical appointments with those desiring help receiving and using information from medical personnel. Uses of pastoral team services are strictly confidential and are limited to the specific wishes of the congregation member involved. Please keep the pastoral team in your thoughts, and whenever you have a need, please contact us. Any team member may be contacted. Team Members Are: Rev. Dr. Todd Eklof, Minister Alice Peterson Ann Donahue, Contact person Anna Morrison Barbara Nelson Chris Kent Evan Armstrong John Beaton Majil Fausel Mary Giannini Ruth French Torge Lorentzen, Contact person USED ART FUNDRAISING EVENT The Generosity Team is sponsoring a used art sale this summer from June 1st thru August 31st. If you find any framed original paintings or limited edition prints that you no longer want please keep in mind we could make a few dollars selling them this summer. You can offer 100% of the profit to go to the church or a lesser amount of 50% to the church. We are hoping this will be a successful fund raiser. Please bring to the church with the attached form filled out. If you have any questions please contact Stephanie Samson at stephaniesamson@comcast.net. The Generosity Team Used Art Sale - June 1st thru August 31st 2018 Name of painting Name of artist Estimated value of painting % you want (0% to 50%) Contact Information Your name Phone number email Art Team TEAM AND GROUP NEWS Lions and Tigers and Birds, oh My! During the month of May the Art Wall will display illustrations and drawings by artist Kim Long, many of them closeup faces of people and animals. A reception following the second service, Sunday, May 20th, from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m., will feature refreshments and a workshop on mask making for children of all ages. Thanks to Marjorie Tracy (paintings), Georgette Thornton (needlework), and Kathryn Alexander (photographs) for their mixed-media show during April. Pride, Now More Than Ever This year s PRIDE parade and celebration in the park takes place on Saturday, June 9th from noon 6:00 p.m. The parade begins at noon. I am looking for people who would be willing to spend an hour at the UU Church booth that day, sharing information about our church. If you are interested please contact me at NancyTavery@ comcast.net or 509-385-1447. UU Women May Nancy Avery PRIDE team leader Second Wednesday Lunch. May 9th. 11:30 a.m. Thai Bamboo. 5406 North Division. Delicious food, easy parking, good company and conversation. If you would like to join the group, please RSVP Barbara Rodriguez at backyard@ sandyloop.net. New faces are always welcome. Third Thursday Book Group. May 17th. The book selection for May is The Immortal Irishman by Timothy Egan. It is a biography of Thomas Meagher- an Irishman who led an amazing life in Ireland, Tasmania and the United States. Among other things he designed the Irish flag! For more information, to join the group for a lively discussion please contact Donna Borden Rhodes at dbordenrhodes@ comcast.net. The book selection for June is The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. All church women are invited to participate in all UU Women activities. Memoir Writing For anyone interested in working on writing, particularly memoir, we meet in the Potter room the second Sunday of each month, 9:15-10:45 a.m. Bring along any new writing you d like to work on and/or share. For more info contact wesley.schantz@ fulbrightmail.org 10
OF INTEREST TO UUS To my amazement and pleasure, in the midst of a large room loud with Latin music and busy dancers, sat Marian Moos, 90-something and frail in her wheel chair and grinning like a teenager. Wow. What a tough lady she is, still living a lifetime of advocating and supporting liberal progress! It was the Latin Music Concert by Mariachi Arriba Jalisco, directed by Jesus Lopez, and Nic Vigil s fusion salsa band Milonga. The fund-raiser was initiated by our Immigration Justice Partnership (Sanctuary) team. The event had been in the works since last October. A team of more than 50 individuals and/or organizations donated their time, energy and money to the effort. A dozen artists gave up their creations for the auction. The effort generated revenues of approximately (final calculation continues) $5,520. This sum includes $2,023 from silent-auction sales. The concert/dance was underwritten by the Smith-Barbieri Progressive Fund, which in January awarded our church a grant of $5,000 to support immigrant individuals or families who need help for legal expenses. All revenues in our sanctuary account and from other events will be available to any church or non-profit in the community that is helping pay legal aid for immigrants. Southside Community Center was a delightful event venue. During the break between bands, Jennyfer Mesa, a City Planning teacher at Eastern Washington University and advocate for Hispanic students, held the music and dance audience in rapt attention as she told of experiences she and her family have endured for many years, trying to negotiate the immigration process. And now one of her students needs legal help and she will assist with an application to the fund. Maria Lopez, who plays violin in the mariachi band, said her older daughter, Carolina, 22, wants to volunteer with our Justice Partnership team. Carolina graduated recently from Washington State University in Social Services. Four students from SFCC volunteered and helped serve tortilla chips and salsa. One of the art pieces was donated by Rosemary Balazs, a stencil created by her late husband, Harold. She noted that, on the back side, was his hand-written note very old, one of his early works to create his famous washer-lid enamels. In sum, it was a lively, fun, very satisfying evening of combining entertainment with contributions to a worthy cause, publicizing immigrant needs and inviting a community-wide response beyond church congregations. These are the names of persons and/or organizations (we apologize if not all) who helped make it happen. Some were active early on, some toward the end, some through the whole trip: Pam Davies, Doug Huigen, Linda and Bill Greene, Patty Bedalov, Steve Parker, Sharon Smith, Don Barbieri, Kathi and Mark Eckerich, Mike Farrell, Tim Jones, Tom Schmidt, Lee Loudis, Luisa Orellana Westbrook, Greg Cunningham, Christiane Dechert, Shelley McLallen, Ann Donahue, Jennyfer Mesa, Beth Weller. Liz Moore, Karen Olson, Dan Gore and Kristi Winther and their SFCC helpers, Eileen Martin, Donna Borden Rhodes, Jean Stewart, Linda Moulder, Diane Huigen, Dorothy Mehl, Kara Massie, and staff, business manager Heather Koselke and communications manager Erin Rosenkrance. Churches and organizations involved included St. Clare Ecumenical Catholic Community, St. Ann s Catholic Church, St. Joseph s Catholic, Salem Lutheran Church, All Saints Lutheran, Messiah Lutheran, Advent Lutheran, St. Luke s Lutheran, St. Mark s Lutheran, St. Stephens Episcopal, Audubon Park United Methodist Church, Covenant UMC, Liberty Park UMC, Friends Church (Quaker), Westminster United Church of Christ, Veradale UCC, Temple Beth Shalom, Whitworth Community Presbyterian, PJALS, Hispanic Business and Professional Association, and World Relief. Artists and owners who donated their works to the sale were: Rosemary and the late Harold Balazs, Jacob Johns, Lila Girvin, Darrell Sullens, Evan Howell, Libby Beck, Gay Waldman, Ann Glynn, Jerry White, Jerry Robinson, Dan Eacret, Linda Greene, and Mary Benham. Many thanks to you all! 2019 UUA General Assembly Spokane was selected by the UUA to host the annual General Assembly in 2019. Everyone will have an opportunity to attend and even be one of the hundreds of volunteers needed to support this event. The dates for the 2019 General Assembly are June 19th thru June 23rd. More information will be communicated in the next 18 months. There are many ways to be involved, if you have any questions please contact Stephanie Samson at stephaniesamson@comcast.net. Given that Spokane will be the national UUA General Assembly (GA) in June 2019, you can be a special part of that celebration by hosting one or two visiting UUs in your home. A group of folks from our UUCS are putting together a list of those willing to host UU guests in their home. GA lasts for about five days, so your commitment would be for those days. Feeding guests is optional, although because GA activities can often go from early morning until late evening, the primary need will be a place to sleep and shower. If you d like to know more or help put this fundraiser together, please contact Phyllis Thayer (509-703-8863; phyl2mail@gmail.com) or Heather Koselke (509-325-6383, admin@uuspokane.org) 11
Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Spokane, WA Permit No. 1147 UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF SPOKANE 4340 W Fort Wright Drive Spokane WA 99224 Phone: 509-325-6383 FAX: 509-325-6635 www.uuspokane.org Address service requested. The SUUN is a monthly publication of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane. Minister & Staff Contact Information Rev. Dr. Todd Eklof, Minister...minister@uuspokane.org Deborah Jacquemin, Music Director...uumusic@uuspokane.org Heather Koselke, Business Manager...admin@uuspokane.org Erin Rosenkrance, Communications Manager...commanager@uuspokane.org Aria Curtis, Director of Children and Family Ministry...re@uuspokane.org Diane Critchlow, Membership Coordinator...membership@uuspokane.org Covenant Statement We, the Unitarian Universalist congregation of Spokane, promise to: support and care for one another, embrace diversity of persons and spiritual paths, search for truth and understanding, and work for social justice and environmental stewardship. With this covenant, we honor each other with our laughter and tears, our compassion, and respect. We are a community of open hearts, open minds, and open hands. If you no longer wish to receive the SUUN, please contact us at admin@uuspokane.org Board of Trustees: David Gard, President Patty Bedalov Warren Carpenter Julie Rector Allison Rosato Susan Virnig Jerry White Board of Trustees (Ex-officio): Open, Treasurer Jan Gard, Secretary Operations Team: Rev. Dr. Todd Eklof, Minister Heather Koselke Erin Rosenkrance Stephanie Samson Phyllis Thayer Dan Eacret Sue Stiritz Church Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.