Click here for our News Submission Form Click here to find and archive of past news. We would love to help spread the word about your building renovations, exciting program offerings, installations of religious professionals, etc. share the news! We look forward to hearing from you! We are delighted to share the many news stories you are sending in. A printable version with some of the current news is available here and will be included in each congregational packet. You may wish to copy and distribute it to your congregation members or post it on a bulletin board.
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Welcome to the PNWD News Center
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Let us help spread the word about building renovations, exciting program offerings, installations of religious professionals, and other happenings in your congregation. Please submit your congregation’s news at the PNWD News link. (The password used to access submission forms throughout our site is pnwd.)
In the last week of August, Free Church Unitarian in Blaine , WA was delighted and surprised to be named "Yard of the Week" by the Blaine newspaper, The Northern Light. Previously, this award had been given only to homes. Free Church was the first "business” to receive the award. They sported a large sign on their sidewalk for the week and received many appreciative comments from townspeople passing by.
The Social Justice Committee of the Rainier Valley UU Congregation (Seattle, WA) organized an Alternative Gift Guide for 2009. Copies of the Guide can be downloaded from the RVUUC website. If you have any questions, please call Nancy Olsen at 206-760-2666.
The Cedars UU Church on Bainbridge Island, WA also has an Alternative Gifts Project. If you are interested in starting such a project in your congregation, they have created a manual just for you!
University Unitarian Church (Seattle, WA) held work parties in spring and summer at Marra Farm, part of the "Lettuce Link" network of sustainable, organic farms. UUs helped tend the crops that provide 12-14,000 pounds of fresh produce for the local food bank each year. UUC also donated its 2nd Sunday collections in July and August to Lettuce Link. To learn more about Lettuce Link and Marra Farm, visit www.solid-ground.org and look in the Programs & Services section for the link to the Hunger Action Center . UUC's Green Sanctuary committee will continue to promote fun, intergenerational community service with Marra Farm.
Eight pilgrims from East Shore Unitarian Church in Bellevue, WA and University Unitarian Church in Seattle , WA attended the 2009 Conference and Council Meeting of the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists (ICUU), a week-long event held in Kolozsvár, Transylvania , Romania early in September. The ICUU gathering was an amazing event with delegates from 5 continents and 20 countries - from the USA to Australia , Romania to India , Finland to Indonesia , Bolivia to Burundi .
This summer youth from University Unitarian Church made a pilgrimage to Transylvania . During their visit they delivered donated Sunday School supplies to UUC's partner church in Alsorakos.
Five people from East Shore Unitarian Church in Bellevue , WA recently attended the Sound Alliance Leadership Institute. They join six others from East Shore who completed these trainings last year. The Sound Alliance is a grassroots community organizing coalition of religious organizations, educators, unions and other institutions in the Puget Sound and Spokane and Vancouver regions. Sound Alliance focuses on advocating for the common good in local and state initiatives, such as the “Green Jobs” legislation (SB 5649) which was passed by the Washington State Legislature last year. The University Unitarian Church in Seattle, WA hosted one of the Leadership Institutes in October.
The Boise UU Fellowship, ID sponsored a November C elebration to welcome Robert Balint and his family from their partner church in Mészkõ, Transylvania . They served traditional dishes including Liptauer cheese spread; Gombaleves, a mushroom soup; Hungarian roast beef; and Palacsinta, crepes with nut filling and chocolate sauce.
The Mid-Columbia UU Fellowship in Hood River , OR has expanded their religious education program under the coordination of Nikki Brandon. They now offer nursery through high school programs and have trained teams to teach Our Whole Lives grades 4-6 and 7-9.
Rev. Dr. Mark Morrison-Reed is the Minister in Residence at First Unitarian Church in Portland , OR for the month of December. The author of Black Pioneers in a White Denomination and In Between: Memoir of an Integration Baby will preach on Sundays, offer a class on rituals, and present at various public events.
Also at First Unitarian Church , members with construction skills who are currently unemployed are traveling to New Orleans to refurbish houses.
Wy’east UU Fellowship in Portland , OR has been a sponsor of the Reed UU Campus Ministry for about 10 years and the group is alive and well. The Monday night meetings bring together about a half-dozen people on any given week. The Facebook page has about 18 followers. Rev. Sarah Schurr offers professional support and Amelia Harati is the leader of this year’s group.
Almost 165 adults and children walked across the Tahoma UU Congregation in Tacoma , WA parking lot in the rain to "safety" in the first fire drill in anyone's memory. Everyoe was forewarned and instructed in procedure, and the evacuation went quite smoothly. People with sight or mobility limitations were directed to a safe corner inside the building, each with a partner who would have assisted them out, had it been a real emergency. Then all returned to their places and went on with the service and RE program.
For a year now, the UU Congregation of Salem, OR has been opening its doors to the foster children in their area, offering foster parents the "Night Out" while the children are cared for at the church by invested, competent volunteers from UUCS, Temple Beth Shalom, and Salem Alliance Church. Not only does the program help the foster parents, the children thoroughly enjoy themselves and look forward to returning each month.
University Unitarian Church in Seattle , WA , East Shore Unitarian Church in Bellevue , WA , and Westside Unitarian Church in Seattle, WA gathered for the dedication ceremony of the all-UU Habitat for Humanity House in West Seattle ’s High Point neighborhood.
In early December, Edmonds UU Church, WA hosted the district’s reception and conversation with UUA Moderator, Gini Courter. Among the many topics Gini addressed were the roles and benefits of association among our congregations, UUA advertising, and an overview of the state of congregations throughout the association.
Milestone anniversaries were celebrated in 2009 by Cedars UU Church on Bainbridge Island, WA - 50 years; and The UU Church in Eugene, OR - 100 years!
And another centennial celebration took place in Eugene in October. The hundredth birthday of member Florence Douglas was marked with a huge party and many remembrances. Florence represented the Pacific Northwest District as our Unsung UU in 1997…when she was only 88!
On Sunday evening December 20th members and friends of UU Community Church of Washington County (Hillsboro, OR) gathered to celebrate a milestone. During a Winter Solstice Rite, they symbolically burned their church mortgage! In a circle, around a bonfire, they sang together and shared this significant accomplishment. The generous donations to their successful Capital Fund Drive made this possible. UUCCWC now fully owns their historic (over 100 year-old) church building, Parish House, and several adjoining lots free and clear.
The UU Congregation of Whidbey Island (Freeland, WA \) will be the recipient of our current Chalice Lighter call. They will use the grant to make improvements to their parking lot and to the acoustics in their sanctuary. If you have not yet contributed and would like to make your donation before 2009 slips away, go to our PNWD Payment Page.
On January 3, 2010, West Hills UU Fellowship (Portland, OR) began two Sunday services: 9:00-10:15 and 11:00-12:15. This change is part of their five-year plan to increase membership and improve worship at WHUUF.
The Director of Family Ministry Melinda Brooks of the Saltwater Church in Des Moines, WA is expecting the birth of her baby any day…
The Rev. Cecilia Kingman will be serving as Consulting Minister at Cascade UU Fellowship in Wenatchee, WA .
Scott Rudolph is the intern at East Shore Unitarian Church in Bellevue, WA this year.
Rebecca Fender is the new Director of Religious Education serving the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon in Bend, Oregon .
Dianna Hillis is the new Director of Religious Education serving the Unitarian Universalist Church of Yakima, WA.
On December 13, Cedars UU Church (Bainbridge Island, WA) held a celebratory honoring of Lisa Ashley for her six-plus years as Director of Religious Education. Lisa has stepped down as DRE to more intensely pursue her ministerial studies at Seattle University.
In late January, Cedars will welcome new DRE, Kim Beyer-Nelson, who is moving with her family from Michigan. (Prior to that, Kim was DRE for four years at our Lincoln, NE, UU congregation.)
With great regret we announce the death this summer of the Rev. Timothy Jensen. In the late 80’s Tim was minister of our congregation in Hillsboro , OR . He also served as Consulting Minister in Mount Vernon and Port Angeles , WA and in Bend , OR .
The PNWD Holiday Message is provided this year by the Rev. Bruce Davis, Evergreen UU Fellowship, Marysville , WA . Please take a moment during this hectic holiday season to read “Living Traditions” and smile at the accompanying photo.
The UUA Monthly Bulletin for Congregations is available online. The Monthly Bulletin for Congregations is a collection of announcements and updates from the staff groups and committees of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) of Congregations, and from the Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF).
The Unitarian Universalist Association’s latest Tapestry of Faith curriculum is available for free on-line. What Moves Us: Unitarian Universalist Theology by Rev. Dr. Thandeka is now available online. This adult program provides a framework for deep and longtime Unitarian Universalists to engage in theological reflection, not as an intellectual exercise, but as a process of meaning-making that equips one for living in the world as a Unitarian Universalist person of faith. It explores the life experiences of both historic and contemporary Unitarian Universalist theologians, highlighting that which caused in them a change of heart, a new direction, new hope, and a deeper understanding of their own liberal faith.
Standing on the Side of Love campaign is gearing up for a big Valentine’s Day expression of Love across the nation. What is your congregation doing to Stand on the Side of Love?
The PNWD office has purchased a Standing on the Side of Love banner. If your congregation would like to borrow this horizontal 4’ x 12’ banner to display, contact the district office to be added to the queue.
TheUUA Directory is now available on-line. The print version has become a thing of the past in order to keep costs down, preserve environmental resources and provide you with a more up-to-date resource. The downloadable PDF is electronically searchable.
Under the direction of Dr. Helen Bishop and her staff (Rev. Dr. Doug Wadkins, Rev. Dr. Liz Strong, Sara Cloe and Annie Scott) 20 religious educators from 18 congregations came together this summer for a week-long Religious Education Leadership School. The intensive school covered Unitarian and Universalist histories, worship, group dynamics and organizational development, religious education philosophy, individual leadership styles and skills, professional ethics, volunteer management and communication. Nearly two-dozen religious educators participated.
Puget Sound area UUs in grades 6-8 enjoyed Middle School Con at Camp Sealth on Vashon Island this past fall. The conference included archery, games, hikes, tie-dying, rocket making & launching, worship and more.
In October, congregations in the Southern Oregon Cluster met for a conference with the theme, “Spiritual Fitness in Our Lives and Congregations.” District Executive Janine Larsen provided the keynote address. Workshops included Stewardship in Good Times and Bad, Religious Baggage and Spiritual Fitness, and Spiritual Fitness in Facing Conflict.
East Shore Unitarian Church in Bellevue, WA hosted an OWL (Our Whole Lives) Extravaganza the first weekend in November with lots of food prep and home hospitality help from Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church in Edmonds, WA. Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Seattle , WA also helped with home hospitality. Jennifer Johnston (Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Tacoma, WA) and Stephen Caldwell (All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in Shreveport, LA ) trained 18 Elementary OWL teachers from 10 congregations. Jesse Jaeger (Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lynn in Swampscott , MA) and Carisa Kluver (East Shore Unitarian Church in Bellevue, WA) trained 19 Junior-Senior High OWL teachers from 15 congregations and agencies. Milly Mullarky (East Shore Unitarian Church in Bellevue, WA) and Tom Hartnett (Northwest UU Church in Kennesaw, GA) trained 8 Adult/ Young Adult OWL teachers from 6 congregations.
Eastrose Unitarian Fellowship in Gresham , OR hosted an Elementary OWL training for teachers the second weekend in November. Nine teachers from six congregations were trained. Rev. Lena Breen (Skagit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Mt. Vernon , WA ) and Samaya Oakley (North Shore Unitarian in Vancouver, BC) were trainers.
This fall, over 125 people participated in webinars (on-line seminars) hosted by the Pacific Northwest District. Topics ranged from worship to membership tracking to a series just for new Directors of Religious Education. If you have a topic request for the next season of webinars, contact Program Specialist Tandi Koerger at 253-278-4646.
Planning to head to the Winter Olympics in 2010? Beacon Unitarian Churchin the Tri-Cities suburb of Vancouver , BC is offering in-home bed and breakfast, January through March. For details check their website, or contact registrar Joy Silver at 604-939-2213.
PNWD member congregations are welcome to use the district's professional account with SurveyMonkey.com to conduct on-line surveys. For more information, contact the district office.
The entertainment for the 2009 PNWD Annual General Meeting in Salem last February was a play by the UU Congregation of Salem , OR Chalice Circle Players, Evolution Against Fundamentalism: The Scopes Trial Revisited . Phil Cogswell, a retired journalist from Salem adapted the actual trial transcript of "the trial of the century" which pit William Jennings Bryan against Clarence Darrow defending John T. Scopes from prosecution for breaking the law by teaching evolution in the public schools of Dayton , TN. If you would like to order a DVD of this performance contact Dennis Ehrp.
Details about the 2010 District Assembly (formerly known as Annual General Meeting), can be found on our website. This year we welcome new UUA President, the Rev. Peter Morales and Grammy-award winning musician, Bill Harley. Hope to see you this February in Bellevue , WA !
PNWD dates to note :
- Dec. 24-Jan. 4 - PNWD Office closed for holidays
- Jan. 14 - Last day for “early” District Assembly registration fee
- Jan. 22-24 - Jr./Sr. High OWL training
- Jan. 23 - Webinar: Creating a Safe Congregation
- Feb. 5 - Last day for District Assembly reduced hotel room rate
- Feb. 7 - Last day to register in advance for District Assembly
- Feb. 12 - Congregational Delegate Certification Forms (online) due
- Feb. 19-22 - 2010 District Assembly in Bellevue , WA
For full details, registration information and a complete listing of district events, check the online calendar. Please use the Submit an Event linkto let us know about building dedications, milestone events with your religious professionals, training events open to the wider district, etc. (The password used to access submission forms throughout our site is pnwd.)
Did you know that the PNWD website has a listing of Jobs in the District? If your congregation has a job opening that you would like us to post, submit a brief description of the position to the district office. Include congregation name, position title, and contact person with phone number and email address. Be sure to include the URL if you have a lengthier job description posted on your church’s website.
Note : While email and the Internet have helped make communications more accessible and timely for many people, there are still those who are not "on line." Please remember to include the "non-wired" in your congregation by providing access or print copies of electronic news and publications through your church office. If you are unable to provide such support locally, individuals may contact the district office toll-free at 800-313-PNWD (7693) to obtain a print copy of materials referenced in this bulletin.
All of our downloadable documents use Adobe format. These can be read with the Adobe Acrobat Reader (get the most recent version free at Adobe.)