What Is Outreach?

What Is Outreach?

Community outreach is you sharing with the wider community that you are a proud member of East Shore Unitarian Church. Sharing your excitement about finding a beloved community that shares your values and works to make our world a better place for all. Outreach is both big AND small.

Each quarter the ESUC Outreach Team will be selling T-shirts that you can wear out and about. Order yours here now! Here are a few ideas of places you can promote our Church:

  • Your child’s parent teacher conference
  • Making a public comment at a city council meeting
  • Marching in the Pride Parade
  • Black Lives Matter Flash Stance
  • Local farmer’s market or festival.
  • Patronizing a local business that demonstrates social justice such as The Taproom in Renton (hosts Drag Queen Story Hour) or Black Coffee Northwest in the Central District.

by Jeanne Lamont, Outreach Team

Calling all Textile Lovers

Calling all Textile Lovers

The East Shore’s Campus Aesthetics Team (CAT) is planning on displaying textiles owned by East Shore members from late March through April. Do you have some treasured textiles at home which you would be willing for us to display in the Sanctuary foyer?  We would ask you to share a story behind your selection.  How did you acquire it?  Did you or a beloved make it? Was it an inheritance handed down in your family?  Something you picked up during your travels?  What does it signify to you?  Why do you treasure it?

Textiles may be woven, quilted, knitted, crochet, embroidered pieces, articles of clothing, rugs, painted silk, textile art, etc. Probably most pieces will be hung in some fashion so be sure to keep that in mind when selecting pieces to share.  Others might be laid on tables.

We will collect, review and select pieces for display over the first two weeks of March.   If you would like to participate, please speak with or send a photo and dimensions to one or more CAT members:  Barbara Van Dyke Shuman, Marilyn Mayers, Kathy Moritis, or Doug Strombom.

You can also leave them with one of us before or after Sunday morning services in early March. Alternatively, we  can arrange with you to pick them up from your home.

As International Women’s Day takes place in the month of March, we hope colorful textiles will help us celebrate and honor women who historically have been so closely associated with the love and production of textiles.

We also plan to host a “kickoff” event on March 24th after the church service to share our items and tell the stories that accompany our pieces. Fashion show anyone? If you are interested in helping us plan and hold such an event, or you have textiles to share, please let us know.

We think this would be a fun and interesting way to share aspects of our lives with others and build community. Keep an eye out for more details coming in March. In the meantime, if you have questions, please reach out to CAT or Women’s Perspective.  We look forward to viewing your textiles and listening to your stories!

General Assembly 2024

General Assembly 2024

General Assembly is the annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists, where we conduct business of the Association, explore the theological underpinnings of our faith, and lean fully into our mission and principles. Please join us online Wednesday, June 20 through Sunday, June 23, 2024 for this 4-day immersive experience where we participate in inspirational worship services and informative workshops, reconvene with friends and colleagues, and explore our virtual exhibit hall. GA is an unforgettable experience for the thousands of UUs who participate. You’ll leave with renewed energy and innovative ideas to share with your congregation and community-at-large!

Registration

Registration is available at UUA.org/GA. Register before March 1 for the lowest rate. Rates will increase on March 1 and again on May 15.

There are those who may find it more manageable to spread out their GA registration fee in smaller, periodic installments rather than one lump sum. When you register you many now choose to pay with a payment plan option to spread out your payments over several months. Registration can be paid in installments, with as little as $50 down.

Excellent Programming

GA will offer dozens of outstanding programming selections (workshops, panel discussions, worship services, and other presentations) over the course of five days. Programs will provide attendees with concrete and usable tools to further the work, and the balance needed to explore multiple identity-based and theological perspectives. The theme for General Assembly 2024 is “Love Unites, Stories Ignite.

Like Unitarian Universalism, GA offers a wealth of theological diversity. A variety of worship choices are offered throughout GA. The Service of the Living Tradition is where we commemorate fellowshipped and credentialed religious leaders, those who have died, those who have completed active service, and welcome those who have received fellowship or credentialed status in the past year. Sunday Morning Worship at GA is a powerful, communal worship experience and is the largest annual gathering of UUs in Worship.

Congregational Participation from Off-site

The votes that GA delegates cast have a huge impact on Unitarian Universalism. They determine our elected leaders, amend the bylaws and rules that govern our Association, and shape the justice work that we do as a movement. If you are interested in serving as a delegate from your congregation, talk to your minister or your congregation’s governing body. If you are interested in representing East Shore, contact Nicole Duff. The Board has asked the Building Beloved Community Committee to help select delegates.

Accessibility

The UUA is committed to addressing the inclusion of all people, whatever their abilities might be, in all GA activities. In 2024, we hope that rather than convening geographically, UU constituent groups will create online networking opportunities and meet-ups, centering the inclusion of those for whom travel to in-person meetings is not possible or practical.

Children

All children are welcome to attend GA events with their parents or guardians. Children who have not yet entered high school (or its equivalent) are welcome to attend GA events with their parents or guardians at no cost but are still required to register. A guest child may be added to any adult registration, and multi-generational programming will be offered.

Youth

Attending the annual General Assembly as a high school aged youth (grades 9-12 in the preceding school year, or the equivalent for home-schooled youth) is an incredible experience. Not only do you get to worship, witness, learn and connect in a multigenerational continental community, you can get to know hundreds of other youth and participate in making an impact on the Association through the democratic process.

Additional Materials

Volunteer Opportunity: Library at East Shore Unitarian Church

Volunteer Opportunity: Library at East Shore Unitarian Church

Are you passionate about education and learning? We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join us in cataloguing books, labeling, and maintaining the overall organization of our library at East Shore Unitarian Church. 

Roles and Responsibilities: 

Benefits: 

  • Contribute to a vibrant community space 
  • Gain experience in library management 
  • Work alongside fellow book lovers 

Time Commitment: Flexible hours based on your availability. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference! 

How to Volunteer: If you’re interested in becoming a library volunteer, please contact [email protected]  

Join us in creating a welcoming and organized library space for everyone! 

 

Let’s Talk About Healing the Earth

Let’s Talk About Healing the Earth

Let’s Talk about Healing the Earth!

The Earth and Climate Action Ministry (ECAM) has started to talk with groups around church to hear ideas, concerns and hopes about taking better care of the earth..  We are gathering East Shore’s passions and perspectives and we need YOURS!

We would appreciate the opportunity to have a short conversation about:

  • What are some positive outcomes you dream about for the Earth and climate?
  • What relevant issues or activities do you think are important for ESUC to address?

Our goal is to gather as many perspectives as we can, pull them together, and celebrate our joint passions and ideas at a church service and special event near Earth Day (April 21).

Either Zoom or  in-person meetings would be possible. If your team meets regularly, perhaps we could have a short time on an agenda for this activity.  We are also open to individual conversations and written input.

Hope to join you sometime soon for this important church-wide conversation! Please contact Kristi Weir or another member of the ECAM Team below who may reach out to you to get started.

ECAM Team: John Chmaj, Karin Elofson, Ann Fletcher, Ron Lovell, Marilyn Mayers, Jill McGrath, Mark Norelius, Kari Ann Hailey, Kristi Weir

Connect with 350 WA

Here is an easy way to support bold, sound, and just climate legislation in the Washington state during this year’s short session (Jan 8-Mar 7).
Join the 350 WA Civic Action Team (CAT) which will send you two easy-access emails per week which are tailored with options for how much time you have (from 5 to 20 minutes). The bi-weekly email lists the climate bills with top priority for the week. After the brief explanation of the bill, click on a link to register your Pro or Con position on a bill. You may add a comment, but it is not required.

350WA says: “We recognize that folks don’t always have time to get all the way through our actions, and that is okay! Every little bit helps. We just ask that you get through as many sections as you can and then scroll to the bottom and click the orange “Done” button to submit. This way we can keep an accurate tally of how many actions the CAT campaign takes this session. Here is the link to join the CAT: https://www.350wa.org/cat

FREE TREES for Eastside Residents from 300 Trees!

300 Trees will hold its Spring 2024 Tree Giveaway on March 15-16 at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in South Bellevue.

For the first time since 300 Trees began distributing free trees in 2020, we are opening our program to all Eastside residents, schools, faith communities, and small businesses!

Order Trees: Our goal is to distribute at least 1000 trees during this event. Each participant may request 1-3 trees using our online order form: https://300trees.org/freetrees/.

  • We will accept orders until February 25, but we have limited quantities of some tree types, so don’t delay!
  • The trees can be picked up at the church parking lot on March 15-16. All trees will fit in normal passenger vehicles, and our volunteers will can load them for you.

Volunteer: If you would like to volunteer to help us during the event, sign up on Sign Up Genius here.

 

Bylaws Review Project Begins its Final Phase

What is the Bylaw Review Project?

The Bylaws Task Force, a sub-group of Policy & Governance Committee, has been developing proposals for changes to our bylaws for members to vote on at congregational meetings. We were created in spring of 2020 and include Grace Colton (P&G member), Marcy Langrock, a rotating SLT member, Ryam Hill , Mary Anderson (P&G member), and David Langrock (Board Liaison). We were empowered by the Policy and Governance Committee to look at ALL of East Shore’s Bylaws to ensure that they are up-to-date, comply with Washington State Law, conform to UUA standards, minimize oppression, and are useful and easy to understand.

What does the last phase include?

The Task Force plans to conclude this project by East Shore’s June 9, 2024 Congregational Business meeting. This is an aggressive schedule that includes review of the bylaw sections that cover committees and ministry teams, ministers, congregational meetings, public witness activities, elections, Officers & Trustees, and the appendix. A review of each bylaw includes input from various stakeholders from throughout the congregation and includes the Board, Staff Leadership Team, and Reverend Maria Cristina as the primary stakeholders of these sections. This last, and final phase began at the conclusion of East Shore’s Congregational Business meeting in December 2023.

What is the timeline?

Following stakeholder input, the congregation will be invited to comment and react to revisions and updates. The Bylaws Task Force has begun talking with the Board and lay leadership about possible changes. In March 2024 we will offer several discussion forums for congregation wide input. The Board will approve a final revised version of the bylaws at their May Board meeting. Also, the Bylaws Task Force will offer several Information Forums in early June before the June 9 congregational meeting. At the June 9 meeting, the congregation will vote on the revised bylaw document.

Questions can be directed to Grace Colton.