As countries around the world face growing urgency to address climate change and build environmental sustainability, policy makers at all levels of government are considering various policy options. Here in Washington, state government has passed significant legislation to address some aspects of the climate crisis. Cities too are taking action to reduce carbon emissions and transition to a clean energy economy.
Bellevue prides itself as a “City in a Park”. It has taken steps to address declining tree canopy, and agreed on targets to reduce carbon emissions from the transportation and building sectors. This is a crucial time for the city to implement significant plans to enable the city to reach these targets even as the population grows. The ability of Bellevue City Council to implement necessary measures will depend in large measure on who makes up the City Council in 2024 going forward.
East Shore’s Earth & Climate Action Ministry team along with local climate and environmental organizations (350 Eastside, Eastside Audubon, Indivisible Eastside, 300 Trees, Trees4Livability, Save Coal Creek, People for Climate Action/Bellevue chapter) invite all Bellevue residents to attend the Bellevue City Council Candidate forum on Tuesday evening, September 19th, here at East Shore.
All candidates will be asked to address specific questions related to the climate crisis and environmental stewardship. As a number of candidates are new and unknown to many in the Bellevue community, this in-person forum provides a great opportunity to get to know a bit more about their background and priorities before the November election.
Before the program begins, join us for dessert and informal conversation starting at 6:30 in the Sanctuary! The program itself will start promptly at 7:00 and conclude by 9:00. Pick up a raffle ticket and see what you might win at the end of the evening! (BTW, a recording will be available within days after the event if you cannot make it.)
In 1993, Congregations For the Homeless began their rotating shelter with churches on the Eastside. East Shore is a founding member of the program. Over the past 30 years, the program has evolved and grown. This year marks a new era with a new name, expanding programs while continuing the founding program.
The name PorchLight embodies the guiding principles and values underpinning their work: Relationships, Dignity & Respect, Community, and Empowerment. Just as a porch light provides a beacon of hope and warmth, they provide a guiding light for those in need, offering a safe space, support, and a sense of belonging to individuals experiencing homelessness.
East Shore will continue to support PorchLight/CFH during the month of October. The men will arrive on September 28 and stay throughout the month of October. As we are renting our space in Spring Hall, the men will sleep in the sanctuary with access to the North Room. They will be in our sanctuary from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 a.m. Sunday through Saturday. There will be two Saturdays (dates to be determined) when the men will stay on campus all day. In our welcoming environment, we will continue to provide a hot meal each night, access to breakfast and lunch foods, showers and laundry facilities and comradery. Currently, approximately 15 men participate in the rotating shelter program with the intent to boost numbers to 20.
How can you support this program? Soon you will receive information and link to sign up utilizing Sign-up Genius for supplies, dinners, hosting and shopping. Please sign up and get involved! Contact Peggy Phillips to join the Ministry team for this incredible service opportunity or to ask questions.
A tremendous thanks goes out to Doug Strombom for his work in coordinating updates in Spring Hall kitchen and bathrooms; and Dianne Upton and Rebecca Chatfield for championing the program through the SLT and Board of Trustees.
Stay tuned for updates, check your calendar, start your meal plan and contact Peggy! This is a program that allows for everyone to participate!
East Shore Member Rev. Jennifer Alviar was recently awarded the EqUUal Access Carolyn Cartland Sermon Award for her sermon “The Art of Language to Liberate & Empower,” which she preached at East Shore on April 16, 2023.
This annual contest highlights disability-related themes and topics.
The Outreach Team has been working hard to design a new East Shore t-shirt to wear at rallies, marches, East Shore outings, worship, or even just out and about. In the end, we came up with three designs. Big thanks to East Shore member Katherine Fugitt who works at Buttonsmith for helping to put our vision into reality.
The three shirts tie in with our mission statement. You will have the option of three slogans: “My Faith is Love (with the UUA’s Side of Love heart symbol)” “My Faith is Community,” and “My Faith is Justice” The back will have the East Shore logo and name. All the shirts will be printed on soft navy shirts and there are adult and children’s sizes.
The t-shirts will cost about $20-25. We believe this is a great price and we also made choices which we feel reflects our values. Buttonsmith is a local, union supporting, fair wages paying mom & pop shop. These are all values we want to support and that often means paying a bit more. Those members who have financial hardships can speak directly with Nicole Duff and any member who wishes to buy an extra shirt for someone who may not be able to afford one is encouraged to do so!
Here are some tips to keep it lasting a long time:
Wash with cold water, inside out
Line dry or dry on low heat, inside out
The shirts will be available for pre-order at Salmon Bake on September 10th! We ask for you to pay with a credit card. We will have samples of each shirt plus other shirts for sizing. Shirts will also be available for ordering online through Realm!
We look forward to seeing groups of East Shore members and friends proudly wearing these shirts to spread the good word of Unitarian Universalism and ESUC!
by Nicole Duff, Director of Membership Development
The MMIWP display was created earlier this year under the auspices of Carolyn DeFord, Puyallup tribal member and East Shore’s Women’s Perspective (WP) and Campus Aesthetics Team (CAT). “Invisible No More” is now being shared in the wider community. In April, shortly after the display at East Shore came down, CAT arranged to take the display to Mercer Island library where it was exhibited for more than a month.
Librarians assembled books related to indigenous women and other issues for children and adults to accompany the display. In June, the exhibit was moved to Issaquah public library where it was on display for the month. Librarians at both sites have indicated that the display has been well received and has generated curiosity and interest among library visitors. CAT members hope to bring the display to other sites in the community over the coming months. We are glad to have been able to extend the message Carolyn brought to us with the larger community, and she has expressed her thanks for our doing so. Congratulations, Carolyn!
Trinkets and Treasures is our annual church sale that benefits the Friendship School operated by our Unitarian partners in the Khasi Hills of India. East Shore’s members have always been so generous in helping us run the sale and contributing items to be sold. We’re glad to be back after two successful PartnerPalooza events during Covid!
We’ll hold the sale in the Sanctuary Building on August 3-5. August 3rd is a special members-only presale event.
We’re asking you to please step up to this challenge again during the first week of August. Here’s how you can help:
Save your stuff for the sale! We need usable clothing for all ages, sizes, and shapes, plus usable housewares, sheets, towels, dishes, sports equipment, toys, games, art, jewelry, special items and more. We won’t be selling books, large electronics, or furniture this year.
If you need to unburden yourselves of any items right now or won’t be here in August to deliver them to the Sanctuary, please contact Doug Strombom. We have a back-up plan.
Step up and volunteer! We need helpers to sort, organize, price, and sell all the donations. We’ll begin collecting items in the North Room after worship service on Sunday, July 30, through Wednesday, August 2. We’ll have volunteer job opportunities all week until the sale ends on Saturday, August 5.
This sale finances the Khasi Hills Friendship school for an entire year! Every donation counts. Thank you in advance!
