A MEMO FROM REVEREND AMANDA
Dear Friends,
In September I took a step outside my comfort zone and preached a pretty
strong political sermon. I got some feedback on it. Some people said
they loved it and it was a breath of fresh air. Some people said it had
crossed a line and was very inappropriate.
So what do you think? Should Northlake be a place of sanctuary where
nothing too disturbing or upsetting is ever heard? Or should it be a
place of engagement where people feel free to speak about their
convictions?
One thing that does seem very important is that people should not
presume that everyone else thinks the same way about political or social
issues. We all need to remember that there are Unitarian Universalists
of all political stripes and hues. I think that if an issue is
particularly dear to someone' s heart, they should feel free to speak
out about it -- as long as they make it clear that their opinion is not
necessarily shared by all, and that they welcome feedback and difference
of opinions. There is no need to fear - is there?
What do you think?
Please remember that I am available for counseling and conversation; I'd
love to make an appointment with you to talk about whatever is on your
mind. Just call or email. My office hours are on Thursdays, but I can
also meet with folks on some Tuesday evenings.
Looking forward to making those deeper connections.
Faithfully, Amanda
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS : A PLACE TO BELONG
Dear Friends,
Our church school year is off to a great start! It's wonderful to see
our RE children and youth settled in their own age groups.
Janet Hall and Alan Garrels are fabulous with the M&M's (mid-age
maniacs) Their theme for Fall is Unitarian Universalist heritage, with a
focus on our famous UU ancestors. If you don't know who famous
Universalist John Murray is and what he did, just ask one of our
4th/5th/ or 6th graders!
Ted Marshall is doing a fantastic job with our teens. They are 'cookin
up' all kinds of topics for discussion, activities, and looking at
possibilities for creating a youth only space at the church. Hooray for
Ted!
Kristen Dibeh and Jennifer Reif are awesome with our younger 'mixed-age
miracles' Jennifer Reif will be directing "Celebrating Winter in Poetry
and Song" for the intergenerational holiday family service on December
19. This will be a great opportunity for our children and youth to
share their creative gifts in musical expression, singing and acting. I
know our kids are bursting with talent, and Jennifer is so skilled at
giving children the confidence and encouragement to bring forth their
creativity. If you have not met Jennifer yet, you are in for a treat.
She is a professional actress actively involved in children's theatre on
the Eastside. Please join us for our information meeting about this
event after the service on November 14.
Thanks to all parents who have registered their kids for church school.
If you are a parent and have not yet registered, not to worry, there is
still time. See me downstairs on Sunday morning to get the new
registration forms.
Blessings,
Shannon Gordon, Director Religious Education
PS : Shannon will be in the office 3 days a week. Please call for
appointment : 425-822-0171
COVENANT GROUPS AT NORTHLAKE
Covenant Groups address the religious needs for ultimacy and
intimacy, needs that perhaps brought you to Northlake. Each group is
made up of around 6-12 people who meet regularly. With the help of
trained facilitators, and ministerial guidance, participants talk,
learn, work and play together over time.
Participants may feel better connected and happier with their lives
after taking part, but these meetings are not therapy. They are also
not a religion course or a replacement for Sunday worship. What you
should expect from this small group experience is to:
- better appreciate your own spiritual journey
- feel more strongly connected to this church and its
congregation, and
- participate in a project that is meaningful to you and to the
community.
At each meeting there is an empty chair, signifying the willingness
of that group to embrace a new member at any time.
For more information about ongoing groups and meeting times, talk to the
interim Covenant Group Coordinator, Warren Jessop, e-mail
whj@cs.washington.edu, and
pick up a copy of the "Covenant Groups at Northlake" brochure at church.
HARVEST FESTIVAL PICTURES
Enjoy some pictures taken at the
Harvest Festival and the
related service.
THANKSGIVING FEAST AT NORTHLAKE
You are cordially invited to join us for the second annual
Thanksgiving feast at church, November 25th beginning at 5 p.m. Please
bring a dish that signifies Thanksgiving to you, or your signature dish,
or a dish you'd like to share with about twelve people. Turkeys will be
prepared and we'll pass the hat for those wishing to partake. Beverages
will be provided. Last year we had live music and games for all ages.
Who knows what will happen this year! RSVP appreciated: please call Rina
Fa'amoe Johnson (425) 556-4192 or Jackie Mason (206) 431-5781.
HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER?
Membership in our church does not require adherence to a theological
creed. We welcome you in your search for truth and meaning, for we are
all searchers. To be an official member of our church you need only sign
our membership book and make a financial pledge of your choosing.
Financial waivers are available if there is a need.
The membership committee offers periodic orientation meetings and
recommends attending one before making the choice to join so that all of
your questions about the church can be answered. Please phone Jackie
Mason, membership committee chair, if you have any questions about the
process. email:
seattle_jackie@hotmail.com.
SEVEN DEADLY SINS
Reviewing the first four books written around the seven deadly sins,
Dan Cryer gives the following quotes: "Of the Seven Deadly Sins,
according to Epstein, "only envy is no fun". And, "What is advertising
but a vast and intricate envy-creating machine?"
Now in print: Greed by Phyllis Tickle, Envy by Joseph Epstein,
Gluttony by Francine Prose and Lust by Simon Blackburn. Read the whole
article in the Sept./Oct issue of UU WORLD, P.56
QUILT RAFFLE & CRAFT FAIR TO BE HELD DECEMBER 5TH
AND 19TH
The 2004 Raffle Quilt, produced by the Northlake
Quilting Circle, is complete and hanging in the foyer. It will be
raffled off on Sunday, December 19, 2004 - just in time for a wonderful
gift for the lucky winner. Tickets for the raffle will be available from
all Quilting Circle members and are $5.00 each or 5 tickets for $20.00.
In last month's Compass, it was announced that the Craft Fair would take
place on Saturday, December 4, 2004 at Northlake. There has been a
change of plans and for this year, the sale will be held on two
consecutive Sundays - December 5th and December 12th - before and after
the church service. The Craft Fair will again include gifts, wearables,
decorations and homemade foods made with care and donated by Northlake
members. Please call Kathy 425-788-0637 or Jackie 206-431-5781 for
additional information.
ENERGY SAVINGS?
Daniel Poore is a member of the building committee at
his church in Anacortes, and he entered the Puget Sound Energy Contest,
with a saving recommendation for his church. He estimated that the
church could save as much as $5,100, over 3 years, by replacing 204
incandescent bulbs with fluorescent bulbs!
Puget Sound Energy estimate that replacing 200 incandescent bulbs with
the new fluorescent bulbs could yield savings ranging from $1,180 to
$2,540 per year, based on using them 5 hours a day, average.
Fluorescent bulbs are said to last from 5-7 years. Think of the savings
in human energy, not having to climb up and down those ladders!
Puget Sound Energy has a web site:
www.pse.com, then select Business Energy Audit. It will help you
estimate the energy savings the church could expect. There are also
grants and rebates available. There is also an "Energy Advisor" at
1-800-562-1482. Any I.T. whizz kid up for this?
NOT JUST A CUP OF COFFEE
We are proud that here at Northlake we are serving
Equal Exchange, fair trade coffee, after the service on Sunday mornings.
Through the UUSC Coffee Project, we can enjoy great coffee while helping
small farmers build a better future for themselves. Farmers earn a fair
price for their coffee, and gain a long-term trading partner. Through
the project, we make a contribution to UUSC programs that support human
rights and social justice work.
Choir Practice: 6:30 p.m. Sunday Call Beth Kahn at
425-562-2296.
Circle Suppers: 3rd Saturday of every month. Dinner is
potluck, held in someone's home. Northlake members and friends share a
meal, conversation and friendship. To be a host or a guest at a potluck,
sign up in church on a Sunday or contact
Marianne Brennan.
Quilting Circle: Every 3rd Monday of the month at 7 p.m.
To participate, contact
Kathy Bean.
Short Story Book Club: 3rd Tuesday of the month—Contact:
Mary Jane Jessop 206-525-6094.
Stone Soup Folk Group: We would like to start a folk group
at Northlake. Anyone about age 10 and up who would like to join is
welcome. We can teach basic guitar cords to get people started and
should be able to find some extra guitars for beginners to try. Please
sign up on Sundays or email
geller_family@hotmail.com if you are interested. We could use some
singers and other instrument players as well. Please include your
optimal practice times.
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