MEMO FROM AMANDA
Dear Friends,
Last year was such a tough one for so many of us. We worried about the
war in Iraq and were especially concerned for those in our Northlake
community who have loved ones in the armed services. Many of us were
deeply unhappy with the results of the November elections. We all felt
personally affected by the terrifying destruction of the tsunami. And
many of us experienced the loss of a friend or family member.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard so many people speak of feeling hopeless.
It’s at times like these that we turn to whatever we hold in faith. No
one can say what that should be for you. And no one but you can say if
your faith is adequate — whatever that might mean — to carry you through
the toughest of times, the leanest of years.
One thing we can do is compare notes. That’s what being in a religious
community should be all about. What gives you strength may spark a light
of hope in me, and vice-versa. We shouldn’t be shy about this!
To start that conversation — in what do I put my fragile faith when all
the news seems bad?
I put my faith in the Divine, Who lures us always towards the best and
the highest and the most creative.
I put my faith in the essential goodness of humanity, however difficult
that may be to discern.
And I put my faith in history, which shows that the pendulum swings in
both directions. For every action, a reaction. For every swing to the
right, an answering swing leftwards.
I’d like to hear about your fears and your hopes and your faith. Let’s
talk.
Faithfully, Amanda, Minister.
Religious Education HIGHLIGHTS
I came across this quote during my study time, and felt it worth
sharing with you. “Everything we do is educating religiously”.
As I contemplate these wise words, my understanding of our mission in
religious education becomes clearer to me. I was inspired to remember
that religious education is mostly about relationships. It is more about
‘doing’than ‘saying’ and it can occur at anytime, and anyplace, where
open minds and caring hearts are present. Our lives give us many
opportunities to live religiously, and to enjoy the comforts of our
faith.
My goal, as RE Director, a Unitarian Universalist, and a caring person,
is to capture those spontaneous ‘teachable moments’ that occur in life,
that give us the opportunity to share our values and live our faith more
actively.
As our religious education program grows, I am hoping for those
wonderful, magical ‘teachable moments,’ to occur between our children
and Northlakers.
“Church Pals” is a great opportunity for that magical connection
between child and adult. This program will run for seven consecutive
Sundays, from February 27th to April 17th. The goal of this program is
to live the belief that ‘everything we do is educating religiously’. By
participating, adults as well as kids can truly have a sense of what it
is like to belong to our church family.
Let’s all join in, and learn more about ourselves and our wonderful
community of friends.
Blessings,
Shannon.
NEWCOMER ORIENTATION
If you would like to know more about the meaning of Unitarian
Universalism, or would be interested in knowing how to become a Member
of Northlake, the next orientation session will be after the service on
Sunday, March 6th.
Everyone is welcome. There will be information about the Unitarian
Universalist Association and about Northlake’s goals and activities.
Reverend Amanda Aikman will be present to answer questions and snacks
will be available. Child care can be provided by prior arrange-ment.
Please call Ellen Hanly at 827-5606.
UU Family
Camp is calling you
Have you ever been to a camp for Unitarian Universalists and their
friends at Seabeck WA, or at Naramata Centre on the Okanagan Lake in
B.C.? It is both a conference and a holiday for individuals, couples and
families—a one-of-a-kind experience of play, community and worship.
At Naramata, July 2 - 9, the adult program will feature Rev. Stefan
Jonasson from Manitoba, while the children and youth have their own
programming. Afternoons are free time filled with offerings of
work-shops, art, swimming and music. The Naramata Centre even boasts its
own labyrinth, not to mention the many vineyards between Naramata and
the next town! There is lots of music around the campfire on the beach,
as well as a lantern parade on the last night. Once you have tried it,
you will want to come back year after year!
To encourage more people to come to Naramata, the Eliot Board is
offering a $200Cdn discount to the first nine families (minimum one
adult, one child) who are first-timers to this camp! Eliot Institute
also has ample funds to support others who need financial assistance.
Don't be shy about applying for scholarship funds. Naramata is a unique
experience. Don't miss it!
For application forms and more information about Eliot at Naramata as
well as the camps at Seabeck, visit the web-site at
www.eliotinstitute.org or call 206-374-2497
Congratulations to our new author!
Heartiest congratulations to Suzy Mygatt Wakefield, Ph.D., on
publication of her new book “Unfocused Kids—Helping students to focus on
their education and career plans.”
On P.184, it states “Our findings suggest that the sorry state of
American student achievement is due more to the conditions of students’
lives outside of school than it is to what takes place within school
walls”.
The book goes on to suggest “Disengaged parents have, for one reason or
another, ‘checked out’ of child-rearing. They have disengaged from
responsibilities of parental discipline—they do not know how their child
is doing in school, have no idea who their child’s friends are, and are
not aware of how their child spends his/her free time”.
Suzy has very kindly donated a copy of this important book to our
Northlake Library. See our Librarian, Linda Wheeler, on how to borrow
books from our library, or better still, buy your own ’autographed’ copy
($33) direct from Suzy
Wakefield
This is a wonderful resource for teachers, counselors, parents, home-schoolers,
etc.
NEW & IMPROVED!
Congratulations to Member, Phil Giesy, inventor/promoter of a new and
improved composter. He exhibited his product on February 17th at Flower
& Garden Show at the Convention Center in Seattle and attracted a lot of
attention from gardeners weary of wasting money on products that don’t
work. Made of recycled materials, the device enables folks to
quickly turn their compost with a minimum of effort. For details on
price, delivery etc. contact Phil at:
www.tilterator.com,
phone: 425-806-6082
FREE DOCUMENTARY FILM SHOW AT NORTHLAKE
Mark your calendars! We have been invited to join our tenants, East
Lake Washington Audubon Society, for a screening of the documentary,
“Oil on Ice” on Monday March 14th at 7 p.m. This film examines the issue
of oil development within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. It
features the views of environmental and energy experts, legislators, as
well as the Native Gwich’in Indians and Inupiat Eskimos. Other aspects
covered are: global climate change, indigenous people’s rights, vehicle
fuel efficiency standards, wildlife protection and renewable energy
sources. “Oil on Ice’ also features magnificent cinematography of the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge including the wildlife and incredible
scenery.
You may, of course, make a donation to this branch of the Audubon
Society during the evening.
Read more at
www.zeidenmedia.com/oilonice/
SHOP TILL YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
The way we shop can make a tremendous difference in the lives of
others. If we “walk the talk” and “put our money where our Affirmations
are,” we become part of the process of improving life on earth for
everyone.
Visit the Ten Thousand Villages store at the corner of Roosevelt NE and
65th, near the University District. This unique store is staffed by
volunteers and supports artisans in developing nations by marketing
their unique handcrafted merchandise.
This store carries diverse, fairly traded merchandise from over 30
developing countries, including recycled sari accessories from Nepal,
hand-fired pottery and other home decor such as Kisii stone from Kenya
and onyx lamps and candleholders from Pakistan. Handmade paper products
from Bangladesh and beaded Indian jewelry are also very popular, as are
toys and puzzles for children.
Watch out for their new home and garden display featuring beautiful
ceramics from Vietnam starting February 17, as well as a "Spring
Celebration Day" March 19.
NOT JUST ANOTHER CUP OF COFFEE
We are proud to be among the 500 Unitarian Universalist congregations
serving Fair Trade coffee after the service.
All Souls Unitarian Church in Washington D..C. began serving Fair Trade
Coffee years ago, and they estimate they have sold 1,000 pounds in that
time.
We buy our coffee from Equal Exchange, a worker-owned Fair Trade
organization. Other churches also serve fair trade coffee, but Erbin
Crowell of Equal Exchange says “Its been amazing—Unitarian congregations
have been the most enthusiastic of our religious partnerships.” “Last
year,” Crowell said, “participating congregations bought more than 22
tons of fairly traded coffee, tea and cocoa. This makes an enormous
difference for small farmers and their families around the world”.
About 20 cents per pound (about $18,000 so far) goes to our national
Social Justice Committee, and out of this, $12,000 has been given to a
coffee-growing cooperative in Guatemala.
About 85% of the coffee is certified organic, which encourages small
growers to engage in sustainable chemical-free farming.
We can all be pleased that we are putting our money where our conscience
dictates and helping others at the same time.
UU Singles
Website Launched at General Assembly 2004
UUsingles.com provides match-making services for Unitarian
Universalists and other like-minded liberal religious thinkers. They
make it fun to meet other singles while promoting the inherent worth and
dignity of every individual — a fundamental principle of Unitarian
Universalism. Individuals age 18 and older of all sexual orientations
are welcome to join. Posting ads is free and membership dues are modest.
This matching service differs from other like services in several ways:
- Minimal Advertising. Keeping true to their values, the owners
limit the amount of advertising you will be exposed to while
connecting with other singles.
- Commitment to Social Justice. UUsingles.com donates ten percent
of all profits to further the work of the Unitarian Universalist
Service Committee (http://www.uusc.org).
- Privacy. Your email address will never be sold or shared with
another company or organization.
Take a few minutes and check out this new service at
www.uusingles.com.
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 425-823-7102.
Quilting Circle: Every 3rd Monday of the month at 7 p.m.
To participate, contact
Kathy Bean.
Photography Club : Contact
Lorraine Day for details.
Short Story Book Club: 3rd Tuesday of the month—Contact
Mary Jane Jessop 206-525-6094.
“Reading the Bible Again for the First Time” - Led by
Reverend Amanda Aikman. Feb. 8th & 15th.
Voluntary Simplicity Group - Thursdays, and running for
8 weeks. . Cost of Work Book $15. Contact
Rina
Johnson-Fa’amoe for details.
Religious Education Classes : Contact
Shannon Gordon to reserve child care or to enroll children.
|
