Anyone who walked into East Shore’s sanctuary from the cherry blossom-filled driveway last Saturday night would have been dazzled by the conviviality and love on display at the ESUC auction, and the blossoming community inside its doors.
As a brand-new member, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the auction. I was asked to join the core auction team my second Sunday at church last October, and figured why not? It was bound to be a great way to learn more about the church and its people. Numerous folks told me that the auction is the most anticipated and popular annual event, and I assumed these were simply well-meaning comments intended to encourage attendance by new members.
Through participating on the auction committee and then the auction itself, I learned that this community, this blossoming community, is dedicated to providing financial stability that will enable the continued momentum of practicing love, exploring spirituality, building community, and promoting justice. Well over $50,000 was raised by just 173 registered bidders on Saturday night, including in the Fund a Need, most of the money needed to complete the planned North Room refurbishment.
On the day of the event, 39 volunteers from ages 12 to 82 united to transform the sanctuary into an event venue, prepare food, serve beverages, provide entertainment, clean up, and restore the sanctuary back to normal for Sunday service the following morning.
This outpouring of generosity shows a congregation coming together in loving support of each other, and looking towards a collective future; a beloved community facing in the same direction, honoring shared beliefs, and working as one towards a common mission.
We’re excited to announce that registration is now open for East Shore’s Auction! You can view the full catalog of items on offer now, and online bidding will open on Saturday March 9th. With over 140 items to choose from, including everything from book bags to art works, themed dinners to Mariners and Seahawks tickets, and local hikes to vacation home stays, there’s something for every budget and preference. Anyone can participate in the bidding so encourage your friends and family to participate.
Live In-Person Event: Saturday March 16, 5-8pm
Part of East Shore’s mission is to build community. On Saturday March 16th, 5-8pm, there’s a wonderful opportunity to participate in the auction and socialize with members and friends of East Shore.
The “Live Auction” will be held in East Shore’s Sanctuary, with special guest, radio host and improv leader, Guy Nelson, as our Master of Ceremonies, along with East Shore member Arik Korman.
We have a new chef this year. East Shore member Christian Dimaano will be cooking up some fantastic dishes for the event, along with a team of volunteer helpers. Vegan and gluten-free options will be offered, so there’ll be something for everyone and it’s sure to be delicious.
This event will be a lot of fun! We encourage you to purchase tickets early to help us know how many people are coming. Tickets are only $10 each for adults to help us offset the costs of the food and wine, with free tickets available for children and those for whom $10 is a hardship. We want everyone to participate, even if you don’t plan on bidding. Free childcare is available so please let us know the ages of your children and your preferences for how long they stay with you, if you’d like to bring them.
If you’re not able to participate in person, be sure to join in the fun online via Zoom. You’ll be able to bid on your phone, while watching the festivities on a separate device such as a tablet or computer.
Schedule of Events
Note that non-bolded times are approximate, as it’s hard to predict how long bidding will take.
In Person event
Zoom event
5:00pm
Check in and socialize
Beverages available
Check in and socialize (breakout rooms as needed)
5:30pm
Food is served
Background piano music
Discussion & tech support to make sure everyone is set up to bid on phones
Then music streamed from Sanctuary
6:00pm
Welcome by Rev Maria Cristina
Introduction to bidding
Sanctuary streaming
Use “Chat” for any questions
6:10pm
Bidding on Live Items #1 – #3
Bidding closes for each item
6:20pm
Bidding on “Silent Auction” items
#100+
6:30pm
Time Fixed
Bidding closes on items #100+
6:35pm
Bidding on Live items #4 – #8
7:00pm
Break for coffee etc
Musical interlude
7:10pm
Thanks for youth program
7:15pm
Fund-a-Need presentation
North Room Refurbishment
7:20pm
Bidding on “Silent Auction” items #200+
7:30pm
Time Fixed
Bidding closes on items #200+
7:35pm
Bidding on Live items #9 – #12
7:50pm
Announce total raised
Explain check out options
Thank you to all volunteers
8:00pm
Event Closes
Collect any physical items you won!
Collect any physical items you won from East Shore Gallery (Sanctuary Foyer) on Sunday before or after service, or contact [email protected]
Volunteer
To help make this event a success, we need lots of volunteers to help, both before and during the live event. We have roles for set up, decorating, cooking, serving food and drinks, tech support, and clean up. If you can help on Saturday March 16th, please choose the tasks you can help with on this Signup Genius.
We hope you’re able to join our Blossoming Community, and participate in the Auction. Please contact auction chair, [email protected], if you have any questions.
East Shore Auction Core Team
Janet Covin, Rachel Herbert, Margot Horn, Kari Leon, Amanda Strombom, Mike Stunes
“Happiness held is the seed; Happiness shared is the flower.”– John Harrigan
Join us for the Auction on March 16, 2024
Some fabulous offerings are already sprouting from the group, including a rare single malt scotch, a Ladies’ Afternoon Tea, and a TV Dinner and Game Night featuring a gourmet spin on the classic TV Dinner plus cocktails, wine, great food, and board games.
We invite every member and friend of East Shore to dig in, find your row to hoe, and participate in whatever way you can. We’re especially looking for dinners and events we can do together to build community, but artwork, gift certificates, gift baskets and homemade food are also always popular. Can your Covenant Circle or Book Group come up with a shared item to contribute?
We need your contributions no later than February 4.
To contribute an item to the auction, fill out our Contribution Form
OR if you want to offer an item you’ve offered before, just email Rachel Herbert, our catalog coordinator, or Auction Chair Amanda Strombom.
“Don’t wait for someone to bring you flowers. Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul.” – Luther Burbank
Online Bidding: Saturday, March 9-Saturday, March 16
Live Event: Saturday March 16, 2024, 5:00-8:30 pm
East Shore’s annual auction is coming! The auction is a crucial fund-raising opportunity for the church, and a valuable way to build community within the church family. Auction items for sale are primarily made up of services and events offered from one member to another, establishing roots and intertwining relationships among the congregation.
This perennial gathering will celebrate our Blossoming Community with a *free in-person event* in the church. Everyone is welcome, regardless of intent to bid on any items. A parallel zoom event will be held online for those who are unable to attend in person. The auction will be managed online, including the catalog and the bidding.
How can YOU get involved?
Our goal is to build community by having every member or friend of the East Shore community participate in the auction in some way. The main ways to play a role are by offering auction items and volunteering.
Auction Items
Below are some ideas for items you might consider offering. Once you have decided what you’ll offer, please complete this Contribution Form. For repeat items from previous years, there’s no need to complete the form, just email our catalog coordinator, Rachel Herbert, with your contribution and any changes from last year.
Offer an event or service: Traditionally many members and friends fill their social calendars with events won at East Shore’s auction. Can you offer a ride to the airport? Are you a tech whiz who can help with computer issues? What about offering handyman/gardening/yardwork assistance? Each of us possesses gifts of specific skills we can offer to others.
Offer a themed dinner or other food-focused event: Last year’s Indonesian Satay dinner, Murder Mystery Luau, Jambalaya dinner, and Fajitas and Margaritas are attention-grabbing examples to pique your imagination.
Offer other group activities: Group bike rides and hikes, family-friendly events such as picnics, visits to farms, zoos or other outdoor locations, and online events which enable everyone to participate.
Offer a class: Do you have a passion for something you can share with others? Yoga, cooking, decoupage, baking, glass-making, pottery, drawing, Excel spreadsheets, soccer footwork – this is your moment to share your expertise with others.
Offer physical items: artwork, food, crafts, gift baskets and gift cards or certificates
As Gandhi said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” An auction is a large undertaking that requires the time and talent of many people, and is an opportunity to unfold your budding leadership skills.
Open positions:
If you are interested in joining the auction team, please contact Amanda Strombom, Auction Chair.
Contribution Coordinators – Role: contact members to gather their contributions
Training, tech support and finances – Role: help with website, tech support for members etc.
Catering coordinators – Role: help with organizing food/beverage/catering for the auction
Volunteer Coordinators – Role: organize day-of-auction volunteers
Day of auction volunteers (we will need an abundance!) – Role: show up ready to help out on the day of the auction (childcare, serving food/beverages, event set up, event tear down). Save the date – Saturday March 16, and sign up nearer the time.
We’re excited for another glorious auction!
If you have questions, please contact any member of the current auction team (this could be you!):
Amanda Strombom, Chair
Mike Stunes, Webmaster
Rachel Herbert, Catalog Coordinator
Kari Leon, Publicity
Auction bidding is now open! You can now start bidding in East Shore’s auction. There are over 150 items to choose from! Start choosing those items you wish to bid on by “starring” them now. That will make them easy to find using the Show Me option.
Register on Auctria from any computer, tablet or phone, to bid in the auction anytime through till November 5. Once registered, look for an email with an Access Code to be able to easily get registered on other devices, especially a phone or tablet you plan to bring to the live event on November 5.
If you need tech help in order to start bidding, contact Jim Shuman, 206-850-6021, to ask for help.
This year, we are holding an in-person, mask-optional event! This event is free to all and includes food, refreshments, and fun! Please RSVP Today to let us know how you plan to participate in the live event on Saturday, November 5. The deadline is Tuesday, November 1 for letting us know which food you prefer, and whether you need childcare.
To volunteer to help set up the Sanctuary, to provide technical support to those who need it, and to help clean up, reset the Sanctuary, and wash dishes. This is a great way for people to participate who don’t want to bid much! Contact me or Nicole Duff for ways to help.
East Shore’s Auction 2022 is coming up on November 5, 2022. We already have some fabulous offerings, including an Indonesian Satay Dinner, tickets for “Hello Dolly” at the Village Theater, a Salmon Dinner for 10, and six nights at an Alpental condo.
We invite every member and friend of East Shore to participate in whatever way you can. We’re especially looking for dinners and events we can do together to build community, but artwork, gift certificates, gift baskets and homemade food are also always popular. Can your Covenant Circle, or Book Group come up with a shared item to contribute? We need your contributions no later than by October 9.
To contribute an item to the auction, fill out our Contribution Form
OR if you want to offer an item you’ve offered before, just email Rachel Herbert, our catalog coordinator, or Auction Chair Amanda Strombom.
18- Month Auction – Due to the financial year change, there will not be another East Shore Auction until the Spring of 2024. So please consider offering two of each item, one for 2023 and one for 2024, to help spread out the auction benefits over a longer period.
To learn more about this year’s auction, watch this video:
