Thank you to everyone who helped build the new playground. It has been used and loved by children already, and I am sure that it will continue to be loved for a long time to come. A special thank-you to the engineering team that put together the geodesic climbing dome; I am so happy that I did not have to figure that one out!
RE Is Back
We have been together outdoors during these Covid times, and this year we are looking forward to regular RE classes. Please watch for information and a link to sign your children up for RE classes. Our first class together will be on Sunday, September 18.
RE Leaders Needed
In order to have a successful RE program, we need your help. We are looking for volunteers in the RE program, and would like to build teaching teams of four for each age group. You do not need to have experience to be a great RE volunteer. We will have an RE volunteer training day on Saturday, September 10. Please reach out to amanda alice uluhan or LeAnne Struble if you have questions or if you would like to volunteer with the RE program.
Happy Jewish New Year!
Rosh Hashanah (Hebrew:רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה, literally “head of the year”) is the Jewish New Year and is a two-day celebration and observation of the beginning of the Jewish new year, year 5783. This year the holiday is September 25-27.
Rosh Hashanah begins probably the most important of Judaism’s high holy days. Yom Kippur means “Day of Atonement” and follows Rosh Hashanah during October 4-5. “Atonement” can be broken down into: “At-one-ment,” implying that when we forgive and are forgiven, we are brought back into relationship with one another.
Read the prayer below at dinner or bedtime, written by East Shore’s former Director of Religious Education, to let go of what has been done and prepare a space for something new. L’shanah tovah—to a good new year.
A Place to Forgive and to Be Forgiven
By Cathy Cartwright-Chow
For those we have hurt in any way, whether through words or deed or thoughts.
Here is a place to forgive and to be forgiven.
For the excuses we have made, just to be right.
Here is a place to forgive and to be forgiven.
For the blame we have placed on someone else, again and again.
Here is a place to forgive and to be forgiven.
For passing up the opportunity to help because we were afraid.
Here is a place to forgive and to be forgiven.
For hiding the truth from someone.
Here is a place to forgive and to be forgiven.
For working beyond the anger and resentment.
Here is a place to forgive and to be forgiven.
For the times I have not felt heard.
Here is a place to forgive and to be forgiven.
Forgiveness is never easy, whether for yourself or someone else.
Here is a place to forgive and to be forgiven.
by amanda alice uluhan, Director or Religious Education & LeAnne Struble, RE Coordinator
The Community Mural Project got off to a big start in June. This project is the brainchild of amanda alice uluhan, Director of Religious Exploration, to brighten the learning environments in the Education Building. In collaboration with LeAnne Struble and Doug Strombom, the project took shape in early 2022. Wenda Collins was enlisted to create a beautiful ‘Northwest Nature’ design for the walls near the preschool and Dianne Upton and Celil Cakmak supported the project on the facilities end.
During the week of June 20, more than twenty eager volunteers gathered to paint the background for the mural. The next week, we were greeted by more than 40 elementary aged children and middle school youth who attended the Art In Community Summer Camp. On Monday, the children learned the process of drawing objects in their journals, sketching on the walls in chalk and then painting on the walls. On Tuesday, the children learned about PNW plants and created a flora on the mural. On Wednesday, they added the animals commonly found in the Northwest.
The experience of engaging more than 50 members of our church and community to create a beautiful, calming, and inviting space for learning at East Shore has been so fulfilling for all. You will be able to explore the mural when you next visit our campus. And we expect the future to hold more community.
Children and and youth Sign up for a watering shift during at least one week this summer to help our baby native plant garden establish their roots. Sign up here. Check out this video tutorial for more information.
Can you help assemble and install some playground equipment? We are getting some new equipment and need some energy to put it together. Email Dianne Upton, Facilities Manager, and lend your time (ages 11+) this summer.
Register for a free, three-day summer camp at East Shore with community partner Camp Kindness Counts and learn about how to develop your strengths through service to others. Ages 5-10 on August 8, 9, and 10th. Families welcome. Register here.
Save the Date: In Person RE Facilitator Training, September 10, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Volunteer members and friends facilitate and lead our programs with children and youth. If you haven’t experienced the power of mentorship, consider doing so this year. Parents are asked to contribute their time to our cooperative model of education.
Ministry programs for children and youth start Sunday, September 18. Come to a multiplatform, RE Info Session at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 14th (Zoom here). We’re excited to be with you next year and to keep growing our souls for peace and justice in this world. Stay tuned for registration and program details.
by amanda alice uluhan, Director of Religious Education
East Shore’s Community Mural Project is our main community action project for 2022. This project will help us explore collaboration and creativity, inclusion and agency across generations. This year we will complete the first phase: a mural in the hallway outside the preschool room and bathrooms in the Education Building. We’d like to express our gratitude to the Aesthetics Team and to East Shore’s wonderful staff who have been enthusiastically supporting the community mural.
This first phase of the mural will be painted during the Art In Community summer camp, which will run from 9am to 3pm on June 27 through July 1st. The camp is for 5-12 year olds, with teen counselors and adult leaders. The first-phase of the mural depicts our Pacific Northwest natural heritage, including our region’s land, mountain and water-scapes, and rich plant and animal diversity. The campers will be encouraged to depict their favorite PNW plants and animals.
Our own Wenda Collins has designed the overall mural, choosing very calming and beautiful colors and forms. We are so lucky to have such talented artists as Wenda in our community. Wenda has this to say about the project:
Long ago I heard the phrase “when you touch a flower you are touching star dust”
I tried to keep this phase in mind as I designed the mural
I think we live in a place where the sea, mountains, moist air and sun, the flora and fauna affects our life and our hearts.
Above is Wenda Collin’s design for phase one of the community mural.
We are eagerly seeking volunteers to be “muralists.” Volunteer positions are available June 20-July 1 in 3-hour shifts. Muralists will help with setup, painting and clean up. You can work with young people to translate their creative ideas onto the mural wall. All you need to bring is some work clothes you won’t mind getting splattered with paint. You can use this link to sign up for as many shifts as you can help us. Please contact the mural project manager, Doug Strombom ([email protected], 4259858587) if you have any questions about the mural or volunteering. Please volunteer… it will be fun!
On Sunday April 24, more than 40 people from East Shore attended the Religious Education Forum with the ministerial candidate. We had a diverse audience of kids, youth, young adults, parents, caregivers, Board member, OWL teachers and RE teachers and staff. We’re so grateful that the Ministerial Search Team and candidate reached out to this amazing group of people, and that such good feelings were shared on both sides. How we engage children, youth, and young adults in creating this next chapter of East Shore is integral to our vision and growth as a congregation. They are each unique with passions, interests, and skills as diverse as our own. Everyone looks forward to the next stages of partnership with the minister and congregation as we adapt to new and diverse needs. Here is some of what participants and the minister shared about our values:
supporting parents on the journey of parenthood
partnering with families to take UU into their homes and lives
support for transitioning to multigenerational worship services
caring for youth and families with pastoral concerns and crises
committed adult volunteers to help tend and rebuild a youth program for high schoolers
youth leadership development on the Board, service, music, and more
adapting congregational events and environments for neuro-diversity and different learning styles
youth involvement in music, outdoor, community service and social activities helps with their friendships and adult connections
young adult ministry from finishing high school through twenties and beyond.
by amanda alice uluhan, Director of Religious Education
Do you want to get a better understanding of what UU kids programs are offered at the church and how you can engage? Check out this brief video and reach out today. With more demands on families now than ever before – many households with two working parents, cost of living expenses and the requirements of capitalism, recovering and healing from the pandemic, and more – how we come together to care for parents and youth makes all the difference. The UU kids programs are such a vital and life-affirming ministry of the church and help to grow a stronger society. The UU faith raises kids who believe in respect, justice, and love, and who go out and do good in the world. Be a part of this meaningful community at East Shore by volunteering today!
by amanda alice uluhan, Director of Religious Education
Rosh Hashanah (Hebrew:רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה, literally “head of the year”) is the Jewish New Year and is a two-day celebration and observation of the beginning of the Jewish new year, year 5783. This year the holiday is September 25-27.
