“People come to church longing for, yearning for, hoping for … a sense of roots, place, belonging, sharing and caring. People come to a church with a search for community, not committee.” — Glenn Turner
The Covenant Circle program deepens and broadens personal spiritual growth. A group usually consists of 8-10 members who meet, usually once every two weeks. Each meeting is focused on a spiritual or religious topic. The goals are to:
Listen and be listened to in a safe place
Learn about the mysteries of our world and our spiritual paths
Build new and deeper personal connections
Serve our community and the needs of one another
Maintain personal connections and a caring community
Each group has a facilitator who links the group to the minister. The minister provide overall guidance, recruit new members and establish new groups, and develop session plans.
Current Openings
We have a few Covenant Circles looking to add to their group.
2nd & 4th Mondays, 12:30-2:00 p.m.: We meet in multi-platform format. We are all women in our 70s – 80s. We are beautiful, brilliant, kind, funny, spiritual, generous, etc etc.😉 and we bring sweets to enjoy together at our meetings! We do prefer only women.
1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m.: We currently have 5 members (4 women and 1 man); both men and women are welcome. We rotate meetings at the homes of 3 of our members who live in Bellevue or sometimes do Zoom, depending on the weather and the current situation.
If you are interested in either group or starting a new Covenant Circle, contact Nicole Duff.
Why Join a Covenant Circle?
Here are just a few members sharing in their own words why they are in a Covenant Circle:
“I love our supportive and nurturing environment to explore our spirituality in a shared space & the deep relationships we build together through our sharing & topic discussions.”
“I enjoy Covenant Circle from the standpoint of sharing finding a topic each meeting. I also feel our group puts out topics that are topics to really think about. I also feel we have some great discussions on these topics.”
How do Covenant Circles work?
Ministry happens in the meetings, which focus on spiritual or religious topics through a process of deep listening and service projects. Topics that may be shared during meetings include: sacred places, perfection, mothers, community, living simply, music, and healing. Groups choose their own order, direction and pace. Service projects are expected from each group once a year. In general, projects tend to be ones that serve the church community or the local community, but they can be larger projects that reach beyond our church community.
What is expected of members?
Group members are expected to commit to regular meeting times and to practice deep listening. Deep listening is a way of focusing intently on what another person is saying without interruption or simultaneously formulating a response. Deep listening also gives an individual an opportunity to speak without interruption or comment.
What are Covenant Circle sessions like?
Opening Words: Gathering in, settling down, reminding participants of the special opportunity of the gathering, possibly reflecting the topic of the session. The meeting may begin with the lighting of a candle or a chalice.
Check-In: Participants share news of what has been happening in their lives. Each group develops its own customs as to the length of sharing. This portion of the meeting may expand from time to time when circumstances call for it.
Topic/Discussion: A paragraph or two lays out a topic and presents questions that will elicit thoughtful discussion and significant reflection. A group may stay with a topic several weeks or be done in one evening.
Check-Out: Likes and Wishes: This is an opportunity for feedback.
Closing Words: This brings the formal session to and end. Groups are encouraged to start and end on time.
In June 2024, ESUC members will be electing a new slate of Board members and Nominating Committee members. These members are charged with guiding our congregation to fulfill our mission as we live our UU and ESUC values. The Nominating Committee is asking you, the members of ESUC, to nominate people you feel have the qualities, skills, and commitment to lead us – and this includes nominating yourself if you have any interest!
We are seeing a renewed energy in our community as we enjoy the stability of a new settled minister and the warmth and joy that Rev. Maria Cristina brings to our congregation. As we continue to grow into our values, involvement in leadership and governance is more important than ever, as well as more rewarding.
We are also interested in hearing from you about ways you’d like to become involved in teams other than governance. We can help to channel your interests towards involvement in many teams, not just governance related. There is no better way to become connected to the ESUC community than to become involved.
For more information, please look over the Board job descriptions in the link below. These descriptions will give you an idea of the positions and time commitments. We have also included a link to our nominating forms below. Or, if you’d prefer, please complete the Nominating Committee Survey regarding leadership development at ESUC. We look forward to hearing from you!
“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
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.
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 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.
