The season of gratitude and giving is upon us. The exciting news is that we are able to continue our traditional Giving Tree supporting 6 local agencies. These agencies need our help more than ever and families need our support as they struggle to make life “normal” and survive.
Our Giving Tree decorated with tags is coming back to the foyer of our church! The tree will be up starting November 8. Elves will be on site to help you with questions and selection!
Our 6 chosen agencies are: Childhaven, Friends of Youth, Hopelink, The Sophia Way, Sound Mental Health, Youth Care. These agencies support youth, families, seniors, and others in need.
You have the option of shopping at a store or shop in the comfort of your home! There are four ways to give. In either case: Step 1: Visit the Giving Tree in the foyer of the church and select a tag. All tags and “gifts” to be returned by December 10. Tags vary in amount of value but are generally $25-$35.
Select a tag from the tree – purchase the gift, attach the tag, and return to ESUC by December 10, 2023.
Amazon Wish List – Some agencies prefer to use an Amazon Gift list. Look for a tag on the tree indicating that preference. Go to the WishList link for agency you choose to give to, and just as you purchase anything from Amazon, click on your choice and be sure to designate you want it to go to the agency address provided as you go through the ordering process. Because you are sending a gift, you can indicate on the gift message Amazon lets you fill in that you are from East Shore Unitarian Church. Return the tag to the church Giving Tree elves or designated box under the tree noting that you have “sent an Amazon gift.” This will help us track how many gifts are sent.
Gift Cards – If you prefer to purchase a Gift Card – Select a tag from the tree that requests a gift card. Return the tag with Gift Card attached to ESUC. The Giving Tree Ministry will sort and deliver to the appropriate agencies.
Monetary Donations – If you prefer to donate money; you can give to East Shore online here or mail in a check (12700 SE 32nd Street, Bellevue, WA 98005). In both instances, please put “Giving Tree” in the memo line. The money will be distributed evenly between the six agencies. Please note, all donations go to the East Shore Operating Fund to support programs like Giving Tree and more.
Remember – this is a great opportunity for family giving! We thank you in advance for your generosity to these people in need.
The Giving Tree Ministry team is comprised of Janis Pock (chair), Sydney Rivera-Gatins, Paula Doe, Kathie Moritis, Milly Mullarky, Marian Hayes, Janet Fleck, Peggy Phillips. Do you want to join our team? Contact Janis Pock.
There is an opportunity for you and one other to represent ESUC in the Bellevue Police Interfaith Advisory Council.
The Bellevue Police Department (BPD) has seven councils on which it seeks advice on ideas and concepts. We were represented by Reverend Elaine and Aisha Hauser in the 2016-2018 years. When they left, Dr. Louise Wilkinson and Maury Edwards represented the church from 2021-2023. Maury resigned for health reasons and Louise is out of the country for 9 months. Our seat on the council is currently vacant.
The responsibilities include monthly attendance by one of the two representatives from the church at council meetings or general meetings of all of the councils; and. providing feedback on topics presented. The BPD has a long history of supporting ESUC in our community.
If you are interested in this vital community work, contact Nicole Duff at [email protected].
P-Patch now has some new ways for people to make their donations for the produce table. Have you noticed the produce table outside the foyer after services? P-Patch ministry shares fresh veggies and fruits from our campus and home gardens. People make donations for the produce.
We’ll soon be selecting a local food justice nonprofit to benefit from this year’s produce table donations. If you have ideas for a worthy local recipient, please let Ann Fletcher or Evelyn or Leroy Smith know.
For the last 15 years P-Patch Ministry Team has been combining healthy delicious organic food with earth and social justice! Please let us know if you are interested in learning more or participating. We hope to have a produce table in late September and/or early October. Then resume again next year. Those making donations have several options:
Pay with cash or check at the table or send to the administration offices (P-Patch memo line)
Text “ESUC PPatch” to 73256 to give using your mobile device.
East Shore’s Earth & Climate Action Ministry team thanks all six Bellevue City Council candidates—John Stokes, Paul Clark, David Hamilton, Mo Malakoutian, Janice Zahn and Betsi Hummer–for participating in a panel discussion at the Climate & Environmental forum hosted by East Shore on September 19th. Mayor Lynne Robinson and Bellevue City Councilor Jeremy Barksdale were among the approximately 130 audience members listening attentively to candidate responses to questions regarding climate policy.
ECAM is one group among a coalition of grass-roots environmental and community groups (including People for Climate Action/Bellevue, Indivisible Eastside, 350 Eastside, Save Coal Creek, 300 Trees, Eastside Audubon, Sierra Club, Trees4Livability, Sustainability Ambassadors and Futurewise) who came together to organize this event.
An important aim of the forum organizers is to educate both candidates and the public about the urgent need for action to address the climate crisis. A related aim is to demonstrate to city leaders the support among Bellevue residents for measures to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment while preparing for greater urban density and equitable development. Panelists were allowed two minutes to introduce themselves after which they were asked a series of pointed questions which they had received in advance. In response, all the candidates shared their priorities and spoke to the need for collaboration at all levels of government and civil society.
The evening began with desserts (thanks to all volunteers who donated) and casual conversations among guests and candidates. A fun raffle concluded the evening—two audience members won $500 coupons towards the purchase of heat pumps or water heaters; five audience members won coupons for meals at local vegetarian restaurants and one audience member won a month subscription to RIdwell. The raffle prizes encourage all of us to consider vegetarian options and to learn about small businesses whose practices are environmentally sound.
Thanks again to the organizers, all who volunteered and everyone who attended this very informative and fun event! And thanks above all to the candidates for running for office and sharing their thoughts and priorities with us. As the principal city on the Eastside, what happens in Bellevue affects not only this city but the entire region. So please be sure to VOTE in the upcoming November election!!
For those of you who were unable to attend the forum, a recording of the event is available at this link:
Earth and Climate Action Ministry (ECAM) and the Indigenous Connections Team invite you to University Unitarian Church in Seattle and Northlake UU Church in Kirkland for a presentation and Q&A offered by Jacob Johns. Jacob is part of an international effort to organize and include Indigenous perspectives at the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Chante (COP28) in Dubai in November and December this year.
Jacob (Akimel O’odham and Hopi tribes) and over 20 Indigenous activists from all over the world are working together to incorporate diverse perspectives and traditions into contemporary climate policy. The group states, “….we face obstacles in our journey towards a sustainable future. The Conference of Parties (COP) often excludes us, the Indigenous and front-line communities, from the official negotiations that set the course for global climate action. This exclusion creates a significant challenge: it hinders our ability to contribute meaningfully and create impactful actions to address climate change. Therefore, it is imperative that we work together to ensure that our perspectives are not only heard but also translated into actionable policies. By amplifying our voices and ensuring our active participation in COP, we can bring forth the wisdom and knowledge that arise from our deep connection to the land and nature. Together, we can shape a future that respects and integrates the diverse perspectives of all communities, forging a path towards a more sustainable and equitable world.”
Contact Carrie Bowman ([email protected]) if you would like to go and are interested in carpooling.
DATE/TIME: Sunday, October 15, 2pm WHERE: University Unitarian Church sanctuary / 6556 35th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115 FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
NEED MORE INFO? Contact Carrie Bowman at [email protected]
On the last day of August, East Shore was again honored to welcome the Lummi House of Tears Carvers. The occasion, the one stop they made in King County, marked the day they set out on their Leonard Peltier Totem Pole Journey to Washington DC where they were scheduled to arrive September 12th. There they pleaded for the release of Leonard Peltier, a long time American Indian Movement activist, who has been in federal prison since 1977.
East Shore members and the wider community warmly welcomed the Totem Pole crew–Jewell James, Freddie Lane, Doug (James) and Siamel’wit and Junior and youngsters, Junor and Ronnie. 14 foot totem pole, created by Master Carver Jewell James, conveys sacred images as well as symbols of federal violence against the Lakota at Wounded Knee in 1890 and again in the 1970s. The images vividly portray the continuing violence experienced by tribal communities to this day.
The indigenous Connections team gives thanks to all who shared in this ceremony: Amanda Alice Ulluhan for the opening prayer and for leading us in song and to Kari Ann Hailey and Arthur Knapp for the special songs they shared. To numerous East Shore members who helped with set-up, food prep and serving and clean-up. To all who took time to come and learn! To Pamela She-Monster who stepped in to regale the audience with native tales as we awaited the arrival of our Lummi friends. To Janice Zahn, Bellevue City Counselor, for coming and expressing her support for the Lummi on their journey and for events like these which help build inter-community relations.
The Indigenous Connections Team raises their hands to all who came and shared their time with our Lummi friends! And to all who couldn’t come, but were there in spirit!
