Anyone who walked into East Shore’s sanctuary from the cherry blossom-filled driveway last Saturday night would have been dazzled by the conviviality and love on display at the ESUC auction, and the blossoming community inside its doors.
As a brand-new member, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the auction. I was asked to join the core auction team my second Sunday at church last October, and figured why not? It was bound to be a great way to learn more about the church and its people. Numerous folks told me that the auction is the most anticipated and popular annual event, and I assumed these were simply well-meaning comments intended to encourage attendance by new members.
Through participating on the auction committee and then the auction itself, I learned that this community, this blossoming community, is dedicated to providing financial stability that will enable the continued momentum of practicing love, exploring spirituality, building community, and promoting justice. Well over $50,000 was raised by just 173 registered bidders on Saturday night, including in the Fund a Need, most of the money needed to complete the planned North Room refurbishment.
On the day of the event, 39 volunteers from ages 12 to 82 united to transform the sanctuary into an event venue, prepare food, serve beverages, provide entertainment, clean up, and restore the sanctuary back to normal for Sunday service the following morning.
This outpouring of generosity shows a congregation coming together in loving support of each other, and looking towards a collective future; a beloved community facing in the same direction, honoring shared beliefs, and working as one towards a common mission.
We’re excited to announce that registration is now open for East Shore’s Auction! You can view the full catalog of items on offer now, and online bidding will open on Saturday March 9th. With over 140 items to choose from, including everything from book bags to art works, themed dinners to Mariners and Seahawks tickets, and local hikes to vacation home stays, there’s something for every budget and preference. Anyone can participate in the bidding so encourage your friends and family to participate.
Live In-Person Event: Saturday March 16, 5-8pm
Part of East Shore’s mission is to build community. On Saturday March 16th, 5-8pm, there’s a wonderful opportunity to participate in the auction and socialize with members and friends of East Shore.
The “Live Auction” will be held in East Shore’s Sanctuary, with special guest, radio host and improv leader, Guy Nelson, as our Master of Ceremonies, along with East Shore member Arik Korman.
We have a new chef this year. East Shore member Christian Dimaano will be cooking up some fantastic dishes for the event, along with a team of volunteer helpers. Vegan and gluten-free options will be offered, so there’ll be something for everyone and it’s sure to be delicious.
This event will be a lot of fun! We encourage you to purchase tickets early to help us know how many people are coming. Tickets are only $10 each for adults to help us offset the costs of the food and wine, with free tickets available for children and those for whom $10 is a hardship. We want everyone to participate, even if you don’t plan on bidding. Free childcare is available so please let us know the ages of your children and your preferences for how long they stay with you, if you’d like to bring them.
If you’re not able to participate in person, be sure to join in the fun online via Zoom. You’ll be able to bid on your phone, while watching the festivities on a separate device such as a tablet or computer.
Schedule of Events
Note that non-bolded times are approximate, as it’s hard to predict how long bidding will take.
In Person event
Zoom event
5:00pm
Check in and socialize
Beverages available
Check in and socialize (breakout rooms as needed)
5:30pm
Food is served
Background piano music
Discussion & tech support to make sure everyone is set up to bid on phones
Then music streamed from Sanctuary
6:00pm
Welcome by Rev Maria Cristina
Introduction to bidding
Sanctuary streaming
Use “Chat” for any questions
6:10pm
Bidding on Live Items #1 – #3
Bidding closes for each item
6:20pm
Bidding on “Silent Auction” items
#100+
6:30pm
Time Fixed
Bidding closes on items #100+
6:35pm
Bidding on Live items #4 – #8
7:00pm
Break for coffee etc
Musical interlude
7:10pm
Thanks for youth program
7:15pm
Fund-a-Need presentation
North Room Refurbishment
7:20pm
Bidding on “Silent Auction” items #200+
7:30pm
Time Fixed
Bidding closes on items #200+
7:35pm
Bidding on Live items #9 – #12
7:50pm
Announce total raised
Explain check out options
Thank you to all volunteers
8:00pm
Event Closes
Collect any physical items you won!
Collect any physical items you won from East Shore Gallery (Sanctuary Foyer) on Sunday before or after service, or contact [email protected]
Volunteer
To help make this event a success, we need lots of volunteers to help, both before and during the live event. We have roles for set up, decorating, cooking, serving food and drinks, tech support, and clean up. If you can help on Saturday March 16th, please choose the tasks you can help with on this Signup Genius.
We hope you’re able to join our Blossoming Community, and participate in the Auction. Please contact auction chair, [email protected], if you have any questions.
East Shore Auction Core Team
Janet Covin, Rachel Herbert, Margot Horn, Kari Leon, Amanda Strombom, Mike Stunes
Halleluiah by Mary Oliver Everyone should be born into this world happy and loving everything. But in truth it rarely works that way. For myself, I have spent my life clamoring toward it. Halleluiah, anyway I’m not where I started! And have you too been trudging like that, sometimes almost forgetting how wondrous the world is and how miraculously kind some people can be? And have you too decided that probably nothing important is ever easy? Not, say, for the first sixty years. Halleluiah, I’m sixty now, and even a little more, and some days I feel I have wings.
When I proposed to the Lay Pastoral Ministry Team that we create a book discussion group focusing on aging, I couldn’t imagine that it would spark such great interest. Over 20 people have been participating both in person and on zoom! While we initially planned to schedule only three sessions, when the time came to end the series, people asked to continue on a monthly basis. Ours is a welcoming, diverse, and dynamic group that offers wisdom from life experiences and shares information and resources. Most of all, we are creating a space where people can feel heard and held in community. I have personally found this group to be a tremendous source of strength and support as I care for my mom “Mama Lily” who will be 94 in September.
Here are some of the topics we have covered and keep coming back to: The importance of community in building resilience and combating isolation; Reviewing your medical directives, wills, and making sure your family knows where these documents can be found when needed; Aging while also caring for aging parents; Approaching the age of retirement while raising teens and caring for aging parents; Articulating and processing grief over loss of independence, mobility, friends, and family members; Fear of dementia; End-of-Life care options; Green burials; Decluttering as a spiritual practice and a kindness to our family members.
Do any of these topics interest you? Do you have another topic related to aging that you would like to discuss with the group? Would you like to meet individually with a member of the lay pastoral care ministry team, or with the Minister to discuss any of these issues? Please feel free to contact Milly Mullarky at [email protected] or Rev. Maria Cristina at [email protected]
Our next meeting is scheduled for Sunday March 24 from 12:00 to 1:00 pm in person or on zoom. Everyone is welcome!
While it is not necessary to have read the books that are inspiring our conversations, you might want to check them out: 1) The Gift of Aging: Growing Older with Purpose, Planning, and Positivity, by Marcy Cottrell Houle and Elizabeth Eckstrom. 2) From Age-ing to Sage-ing: A Revolutionary Approach to Growing Older, by Salman Schachter-Shalomi and Ronald S. Miller. 3) The Seasoned Soul: Reflections on Growing Older by Rev. Eliza Blanchard (Unitarian Universalist).
As we prepare for the return of the church program year, Water Communion, Salmon Bake and so much more we wanted to update our COVID Policies.
The threat of COVID, RSV, and the flu haven’t gone away, so as we come back we also know the timing aligns with the most likely time of year to catch a bug. We want to ensure all those who come through our doors feel safe in this space, and we want to grow the feeling of community. Beginning September 1, we will be transitioning from masks required to masks ENCOURAGED.
We want do want to share a few other items regarding this.
We continue to remind you about consent and continue to encourage you to talk about comfort in masking and touching.
We ask if someone requests you to wear a mask, especially indoors, that you respect that request.
Staff may have individual requirements for their workspace. We have some staff members who are high risk and may ask that you wear a mask while in their office area, we ask you all to respect that.
Individual groups can make their own decisions. Ministry Teams, Covenant Circles, and more should have a discussion about how everyone in the group feels. Please approach these conversations with care and a sense of community.
We will continue to provide masks to all who wish to wear them.
We ask everyone who has any cold symptoms such as: fever, cough, runny nose, etc. to please stay at home (and join us via Zoom!)
We encourage all of you to get your boosters and flu shot this year.
Air Flow in Buildings
If you are planning to come to East Shore and are not sure if you want to wear a mask, please know we have a lack of airflow in our Sanctuary. We added air purifiers in the Sanctuary to help. We do have a CO2 monitor in the back of the Sanctuary to help you make an informed decision. We have also added air filters to the classrooms in the Education building.
Practicing Consent and Compassion
Part of being a beloved community is respecting others and showing compassion. When making decisions, always practice covenantal consent—taking time to listen deeply to one another’s concerns and fears before making any decisions that might put members of the community at risk, either physically or mentally.
We need to acknowledge everyone has different comfort levels when it comes to risk. Please remember, these are your fellow East Shorians and we want to respect people’s decisions on how they participate in worship.
We also want to talk about hugging, handshakes, high fives, etc. As we teach our youngest children in Our Whole Lives (OWL), consent is very important. Even those friends who you may have always shared a hug with before may not feel up to it yet. Let’s show our children and each other we understand consent. Before hugging, please ask… AND be prepared to hear “no.” This includes members of the staff. We all love you… and we want to stay safe too.
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
From June 21-25, more than 2,300 Unitarian Universalists traveled to Pittsburgh. Among them were two of our Delegates, Grace Colton and Dave Baumgart, Board President Signe Lalish, friends Cecelia and Julia Hayes, and staff member Nicole Duff. They were joined by our other Delegates online including Paul Buehrens, Maury Edwards, Ryam Hill, Marcy Langrock, and Mike Radow. Other staff members, Rev. María Cristina and Rebecca Chatfield also attended online.
Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt was elected to serve as President of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) with more than 95% of the vote. Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt was appointed interim co-president of the UUA in 2017, and was the UUA’s first woman president. Now she will be both the first out queer individual and the first woman of color elected to the role.
“Unitarian Universalism has a vital, liberating message for our time. Our nation and denomination are experiencing challenges in a time of significant division, change and radicalization,” said Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt. “But together, I know we can serve one another, organize for justice, widen the circle of concern, collectively imagine new ways forward in community, and grow spiritually. I am looking forward to the continued work of radical inclusion, faithful witness, and the embrace of a wide range of voices and leaders for our faith.”
Additionally, UU delegates from all 50 states representing 715 congregations participated in voting democratically on denominational business including the new proposed bylaws for the association. Article II of the Unitarian Universalist Association Bylaws – “Principles and Purposes” – is the foundation for all of the work of the UUA, its member congregations and covenanted communities. Delegates voted to advance recommended changes to Article II, which last underwent a wholesale revision in 1987. A final vote on the revised Article II will take place at the all virtual General Assembly in 2024.
East Shore’s own delegates wanted to share about their experiences. Stay tuned for details about a GA Delegate Forum and a worship service. Here is what they say:
Paul Buehrens
Attending GA as a delegate via zoom was actually easy. Attending the program itself was also easy, and more fun by far. I got to hear the main talk to the UUMA about fascism, and it was so meaty I decided to sign up for two follow-up webinars. I also believe the threat of fascism here has never been stronger than it was on January 6, and it’s still a threat. I heard the talk from Imani Perry, author of Breathe, which Jeanne Lamont and I offered to the congregation as a common read if not a UUA common read. It was gratifying to see Article II amendments that were sensible and reasonable, and others fail, and then for the revision to get overwhelming support by 86%. I’m sure it will pass the all virtual GA next year and enter the bylaws of the UUA, while nothing historical is ever lost to our memories! Next year, YOU should consider being a delegate for ESUC!
Dave Baumgart
This was my first GA and my first impressions were: This is a BIG event, it is overwhelming in several respects, and the other participants are very friendly and willing to help me determine how to best participate. The program guide was about a 100 pages, so there were many opportunities to attend workshops that would be interesting to me. It took several hours of review to determine my best response to all the business items, aligned with how I believe the East Shore members would want me to vote. I was surprised to learn there were 3 different processes for processing the business resolution, the AWI’s, and the Article II amendments. My greatest enjoyment came from the wonderful music, and carrying the East Shore Banner with Grace Colton into the Assembly Hall.
I will definitely want to go to the 2025 GA (2024 will be virtual only). Many thanks to my fellow ESUC participants, especially Nicole, Maury, Grace, and Rev. María Cristina for their guidance.
Ryam Hill
I attended GA as a business only representative via zoom. This allowed me to attend the business sessions and read all the online discussion which helped me with the votes taken. The sessions were informative, and I enjoyed hearing from UU members of congregations all over the country. The processes for amendments, resolutions, being a candidate, etc., go on over months. Keeping up with UUA activities is key to being part of the governing and decision making that will impact all the member churches. I look forward to East Shore learning more about and participating more fully in this larger process, so we are well represented and well-informed on current issues. It’s what we pay our dues to support, and there is exciting work going on that East Shore can be part of. And happily, Article II passed with a large majority.
Grace Colton
I attended Disrupting Church: Creating What’s Next and was reminded that taking risks in times of change can have joy in it. Knowing how to deal with conflict, apologize and repair goes a long way toward making lemonade out of lemons. Also, the UUA is continuing to integrate the Widening the Circle of Concern’s recommendations into how it operates and Article II was approved by about 86% of delegates to continue being discussed for the next year before a final vote at GA 2024, which will be all online.
Mike Radow
I was struck by how orderly we managed to move through a full agenda. With proper space for celebration, music. Even though the divestment and reparations business item was rejected, I hope the younger UUs keep trying. As always, reaching across divides is the key. What impressed me most was the continual modelling of accountability, as reported and shown by the care team. They admitted mistakes, avowed that “we will do better”, and nicely reminded us to be mindful of everyone’s accessibility needs.
Nicole Duff
This was my fourth in-person General Assembly and I find them more and more meaningful each year. This year I was thankful for the passionate sermons and wonderful music, but I found myself often drawn to the exhibit hall. In my role with the UU Association of Membership Professionals, I spent time talking to so many ministers, religious professionals, and members from across the country about the future of Unitarian Universalism. And from my view… the future is bright!
