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.

 

Minister’s Message: On The Edge of A New Year

Minister’s Message: On The Edge of A New Year

“Five hundred, twenty five thousand, six hundred minutes
Five hundred, twenty five thousand moments so dear…
How do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets
In midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches, in miles
In laughter, in strife
In five hundred, twenty five thousand, six hundred minutes
How do you measure a year in a life?
How about love?” (Seasons of Love: Song by Jonathan Larson)

Beloved East Shore Community:

As the New Year approaches, I am filled with gratitude for all the joys and sorrows that we shared in 2023. As your Minister, I have learned to appreciate and actually look for the hidden lessons and growth opportunities that come hand in hand with challenges and difficult times. I have also delighted in all the ways that serving as your Minister has brought so much joy to my heart. The best part of our shared ministry model is that I get to collaborate with so many wonderful people! This collaboration allows for rich relationship building, pooling of resources, and opportunities for learning and growing together in the ways we relate to each other and how we serve our Beloved East Shore community.

As I flip the calendar pages, I am overwhelmed by all the Blessings I have received from the ESUC community. While I couldn’t possibly mention each individual who has shown me kindness and supported our shared ministry in some way, please know that I could not do this without the help of our excellent staff and the dedication of our Board of Trustees, our Ministry Teams, and our dear congregants, to Practice Love, Explore Spirituality, Build Community, and Promote Justice.

January

In January, we celebrated the Feast of the Three Kings/Epiphany, learned from CB Beal about Pre-Emptive Radical Inclusion, built a Peace tree during the MLK service, and offered a very well received service on Parenting as a Spiritual Practice with moving testimonies. On January 25, I co-officiated a Memorial Service for Susan King.

February

In February, we continued with Pre-emptive Radical Inclusion, created a joyous Love Fest for all ages with twenty children participating in the Child Dedication ceremony, celebrated Mardi Gras, and lifted up the work of our Lay Pastoral Ministry Team.

March

In March, we welcomed Rev. Ashley Horan who preached about Bodily Sacredness as we grappled with the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The following Sunday, we honored the legacy of Dolores Huerta and César Chávez. On March 11, I officiated the Memorial Service for Mr. Pinorini and on March 25, I officiated the Memorial Service for Mr. Sam Glass.

April

In April, we celebrated Easter and Flower Communion, our Indigenous Connections Ministry Team coordinated a visit by Sul ka dub, Freddie Lane, member of the Lummi Nation, and we learned from Rev. Jennifer Alviar, who preached about “The Art of Language to Liberate & Empower” (neurodiversity & disability justice). On the 23rd of April we celebrated my Installation Ceremony, which was glorious thanks to the many volunteers! We welcomed Aisha Hauser, Christina Rivera, Julica DeLa Fuente, Rhonda Brown, Emma’s Revolution, our own East Shore Mighty Choir, local UUA clergy, and of course our Beloved ESUC congregation. I was so happy to share this important milestone with my son, Erick, and my mother, Mama Lily. Thank you East Shore community for the Blessing of calling me to be your Minister.

May

In the month of May, Barb Clagett and Milly Mullarky were honored by the Clara Barton Sisterhood. The following week we enjoyed a wonderful Music Sunday led by our talented Music Director, Eric Lane Barnes. On Memorial Day weekend, many of us gathered for the annual Seabeck Retreat which was my first. Kudos to our Dean David Langrock and to volunteer coordinators Ruth and David Baumgart for an excellent and memorable experience!

June

In June, we celebrated Pride, the RE Bridging Ceremony, welcomed Karishma Gottfried who preached about “Love at the Center” focusing on the UUA’s proposal to revise Article II, and attended the General Assembly virtually. On June 17, I officiated the Memorial Service for J. Page and on June 30, I officiated the Memorial Service for Mr. Fritz Roetman.

July

July was a vacation month for me and it was much needed after my move from Redmond to Bellevue. I am so grateful to live only five minutes away from church! During July, I was not completely away from church or congregational life as I volunteered to water the gardens twice a week, attended meetings, provided pastoral care, participated in auction events, joined in some of the outdoor group activities, and joined the members of the Indigenous Connections Ministry Team in Alki Beach for the Canoe gathering ceremony.

August

August was my study leave during which I had an opportunity to develop the worship calendar, review the Social Justice Ministry Team Charters, and review notes from the Board of Trustees meetings to better understand ESUC history, decision making processes, and goals. On August 12 and 13, we had the Board Retreat facilitated by Julica Hermann DeLa Fuente. The retreat was intense, informative, challenging, illuminating, and left us with lots of homework!

During my study leave, I read books as part of my professional development, to prepare for Sunday worship sermons, and to inform my participation in discussions during meetings. These are some of the books: “On Repentance and Repair” by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, “Beyond Welcome: Building Communities of Love” by Linnea Wilson, “An African American and Latinx History of the United States” by Paul Ortiz, “Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist” by Judith Heumann, “Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul: How to Change the World in Quiet Ways” by Dorcas Cheng-Tozun, “The Racism of People Who Love You: Essays On Mixed-Race Belonging” by Samira Mehta, “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George Johnson, “Healing Justice Lineages: Dreaming at the Crossroads of Liberation, Collective Care, and Safety” by Cara Page, among others.

September

I returned to the pulpit on September 3, honoring workers on Labor Day, and the following Sunday, we gathered to celebrate our annual Water Communion followed by a wonderful community salmon bake/potluck. We closed September with a service dedicated to the UUA common read “Repentance & Repair” followed by a deeply meaningful discussion session. September 21-24, I began serving on the UUA Ministerial Fellowship Committee (MFC) as the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association’s (UUMA) Representative.

October

In October, we had a lovely Blessing of the Animals service, honoring our beloved companions. We celebrated Indigenous People’s Day, reflected on Hope, enjoyed another fabulous Music Sunday, and ended October honoring our ancestors and dearly departed with a special service for the Days of the Dead/All Souls Day. During the month of October, we had the blessing of hosting guests participating in the Porchlight program (previously Congregations for the Homeless). Also in October, the Welcoming Congregation Ministry Team, represented by David Langrock and myself, collaborated with PFLAG Bellevue during Salmon Days in Issaquah.

November

On Sunday, November 5, Rev. Eric Kaminetzky and I did a “pulpit exchange” and I was invited to be guest preacher at the Edmonds UU Church, while he preached at ESUC. The following day, on November 6, all the Social Justice Ministry Teams gathered to share a community meal and to organize themselves as a Council, which will facilitate communication and collaboration among the teams.

On November 9, the UUA Regional Staff held a Town Hall to inform us of the outcome of the MFC investigation of Stephen Furrer, which resulted in his losing his Ministerial credentials and no longer being in Fellowship with the UUA. I continue to offer pastoral care to staff and congregants as they process this news.

On November 12, Nicole Duff, our Director of Membership Development and I led an East Shore and You Q&A session for those visitors wanting to learn more about UUism and East Shore.

Thanks to our Music Director, Eric Lane Barnes, we celebrated Diwali with the amazing Rhythms of India dance troupe. The following Sunday, we celebrated Thanksgiving by sharing our gratitudes, followed by a delicious community potluck. On November 20, the Welcoming Congregation team held a vigil to commemorate International Transgender Day of Remembrance. We closed November with a special guest speaker, Paula Peters, member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, who shared with us “The True Story of Thanksgiving.”

December

Which brings us to December, a month filled with opportunities to connect, celebrate, and build community. We began by celebrating Las Posadas to reaffirm our commitment to being a Sanctuary for all Immigrants and Refugees. On December 10, we celebrated yet another fabulous Music Sunday, followed by the Congregational meeting. On December 17, the RE staff and volunteers presented the Holiday Pageant. On December 19, a new Blue Christmas service was added to the calendar, so that we may offer a space of respite and contemplation for anyone feeling overwhelmed during the Holidays and on December 21, LeAnne Struble led the Solstice service. We closed the year with two Christmas Eve services at 4:00 and 7:00 pm.

Looking Ahead to 2024!

Beloveds, may the New Year 2024 bring you and family health, unity, joy, and many opportunities to give and receive the gift of unconditional love. A New Year brings the promise of healing and encourages us to let go of old ways of being. The New Year holds potential for new seeds of hope and compassion to grow strong within the warmth of our Beloved East Shore community. May the spirit of community guide us as we tend to those seeds gently and lovingly. May we greet the New Year with a sense of renewal and deep gratitude for all that is our life:

“For all that is our life we sing our thanks and praise;
for all life is a gift which we are called to use
to build the common good and make our own days glad.
For needs which others serve, for services we give,
for work and its rewards, for hours of rest and love;
we come with praise and thanks for all that is our life.
For sorrow we must bear, for failures, pain, and loss,
for each new thing we learn, for fearful hours that pass:
we come with praise and thanks for all that is our life.
For all that is our life we sing our thanks and praise;
for all life is a gift which we are called to use
to build the common good and make our own days glad.” Hymn #128

by Rev. Dr. María Cristina Vlassidis Burgoa

Volunteers Needed to Welcome Visitors

Volunteers Needed to Welcome Visitors

We, the Membership Development Team, want to make sure that the warmth of our community is felt by visitors. One of the ways is to invite them to sit with one of our faithful congregants during the service. We need congregants who would like to fulfill this role.

We are going to have badges made to identify participating welcomers. They will let the Membership Desk representative know where they are sitting. Upon greeting the newcomers, they will ask them if they would like to sit with one of our members for a welcoming conversation. If so, they will be escorted the newcomers to one of the badge wearers.

To extend our hospitality, the volunteer will ask the visitors if they would like to meet others by staying for coffee, tea and conversation. If so, the welcomer would stay with the visitors and make sure they continue to feel the friendliness of our community.

This opportunity is open to all. Please let Nicole know if you would like to participate.

by Ann Carlstrom, Membership Development Team

Blossoming Community: Auction 2024

Blossoming Community: Auction 2024

Online Bidding: Saturday, March 9-Saturday, March 16
Live Event: Saturday March 16, 2024, 5:00-8:30 pm

East Shore’s annual auction is coming! The auction is a crucial fund-raising opportunity for the church, and a valuable way to build community within the church family. Auction items for sale are primarily made up of services and events offered from one member to another, establishing roots and intertwining relationships among the congregation.

This perennial gathering will celebrate our Blossoming Community with a *free in-person event* in the church. Everyone is welcome, regardless of intent to bid on any items. A parallel zoom event will be held online for those who are unable to attend in person. The auction will be managed online, including the catalog and the bidding.

How can YOU get involved?

Our goal is to build community by having every member or friend of the East Shore community participate in the auction in some way. The main ways to play a role are by offering auction items and volunteering.

Auction Items

Below are some ideas for items you might consider offering. Once you have decided what you’ll offer, please complete this Contribution Form. For repeat items from previous years, there’s no need to complete the form, just email our catalog coordinator, Rachel Herbert, with your contribution and any changes from last year.

  • Offer an event or service: Traditionally many members and friends fill their social calendars with events won at East Shore’s auction. Can you offer a ride to the airport? Are you a tech whiz who can help with computer issues? What about offering handyman/gardening/yardwork assistance? Each of us possesses gifts of specific skills we can offer to others.
  • Offer a themed dinner or other food-focused event: Last year’s Indonesian Satay dinner, Murder Mystery Luau, Jambalaya dinner, and Fajitas and Margaritas are attention-grabbing examples to pique your imagination.
  • Offer other group activities: Group bike rides and hikes, family-friendly events such as picnics, visits to farms, zoos or other outdoor locations, and online events which enable everyone to participate.
  • Offer a class: Do you have a passion for something you can share with others? Yoga, cooking, decoupage, baking, glass-making, pottery, drawing, Excel spreadsheets, soccer footwork – this is your moment to share your expertise with others.
  • Offer physical items: artwork, food, crafts, gift baskets and gift cards or certificates

Still not sure what you’d like to offer? Check out our Auction Donation Ideas page.

Volunteering: Join our team!

As Gandhi said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” An auction is a large undertaking that requires the time and talent of many people, and is an opportunity to unfold your budding leadership skills.

Open positions:

If you are interested in joining the auction team, please contact Amanda Strombom, Auction Chair.

  • Contribution Coordinators – Role: contact members to gather their contributions
  • Training, tech support and finances – Role: help with website, tech support for members etc.
  • Catering coordinators – Role: help with organizing food/beverage/catering for the auction
  • Volunteer Coordinators – Role: organize day-of-auction volunteers
  • Day of auction volunteers (we will need an abundance!) – Role: show up ready to help out on the day of the auction (childcare, serving food/beverages, event set up, event tear down). Save the date – Saturday March 16, and sign up nearer the time.

We’re excited for another glorious auction!

If you have questions, please contact any member of the current auction team (this could be you!):
Amanda Strombom, Chair
Mike Stunes, Webmaster
Rachel Herbert, Catalog Coordinator
Kari Leon, Publicity