During the church service on Sunday, November 12^th, 2006, a new pulpit commissioned by the Northlake Seamsters Union was dedicated to the memory of Mary Leber. There was special music from the choir and a display of quilts made by members of our group was featured on the sanctuary walls.

The Northlake Seamsters Union was founded in 2000 by women who shared an interest in quilt making. Some of us were neophytes, others veterans. Together we have learned from each other and have shared many laughs along the way. From the beginning we set a goal of giving to our church community and to the community at large. Money has been donated for upgrading the playground equipment, sanctuary lighting improvement and now for special sanctuary furnishings. We have made quilts for the neo-natal intensive care unit of Evergreen Hospital and we are currently working on microwavable buckwheat bags for residents of Tent City 4. Our funds have come from annual holiday bazaars and, for the past five years, raffle quilts. (The 2007 raffle quilts will be hanging in the church foyer Sept. 9^th – Dec 27^th — tickets $5!)

We feel that dedicating the pulpit to Mary’s name is a fitting memorial to the important place she has in our hearts and in Northlake’s history. Over the course of her long membership Mary played a key role in the life and vitality of Northlake. Here are just a few of the many ways Mary served our church and denomination:

• as a religious education teacher for children and adults she served on just about every committee at Northlake, including a ministerial search committee
• she also served on Northlake’s board, once as president and, at the time of her death, as our treasurer
• was a charter member of the choir (and reliable high–note hitter)
• was a campout planner and regular attendee
• volunteered on many a church bazaar and auction
• hosted countless all-church brunches and potlucks
• served on the board of the Pacific Northwest District of the Unitarian Universalist Association and attended PNWD Leadership School
• helped plan the Spokane General Assembly of the UUA

Additionally, Mary and Bruce Leber were staunch financial supporters of Northlake and left a generous bequest to Northlake from their estate.

The NorthlakeSeamsters Union
Jackie Mason