Are you inspired to help marginalized communities register to vote?
In 2020, many of us were very motivated to ensure that people in marginalized communities in states such as Georgia and Alabama, were encouraged to register to vote. Working with an organization called Reclaim Our Vote, we mobilized more than 150 East Shore members and friends to write many thousands of postcards to these communities. The result was that many more people registered to vote, and in some states that made a difference to the election results.
I’m sure you all know what has happened since then, and how many states have restricted voting rights further. As a church, we do not advocate for any specific party or candidate, but we are very passionate about ensuring that every citizen who wants to vote is able to do so. Since 2022 is another election year, we are gearing up to write postcards again. Are you ready to help?
There will be several different campaigns throughout this year, targeting the primaries of 9 different states:
Texas primary March 1
North Carolina primary May 17
Alabama and Georgia, primaries May 24
South Carolina primary June 14
Virginia primary June 21
Arizona primary August 2
Florida primary August 23
Louisiana primary November 8 (tentative)
David Edfeldt is coordinating this project in the role of a wholesaler by purchasing large quantities of postcards up front, and coordinating address label distribution. Lynn Roesch and Marilyn Mayers are collecting postcards from David, printing labels and distributing packets to those who are willing to write. We encourage you to purchase your own stamps if possible, but please let us know if that’s a hardship for you.
We are looking for one or two additional coordinators to help with distributing the cards and labels (from East Shore or your own home). This gives you an opportunity to meet lots of members and work to facilitate writing a lot of postcards. If this project inspires you and you really want to get involved, please contact David, Lynn or Marilyn to offer your support.
If you’d like to write postcards, Lynn or Marilyn will include you in their email lists, and let you know which projects are coming up. Since this is going to be almost a year-long project, there is no need to participate in every campaign. We encourage you to pace yourselves and only take on what you can handle, but of course, we’d love for you to write as many postcards as possible!
The deadline for writing cards for the first campaign, the Texas primary, is February 14. If you’d like to participate, please let Marilyn or Lynn know as soon as possible.
Amanda Strombom, Publicity coordinator, Get Out the Vote campaign
Is East Shore important in your life? Can you give some of your time and energy in service to this community? Are you interested in learning more about leadership positions that might match your skills? If so, we invite you to have an exploratory, no-pressure conversation with one of us on the Nominating Committee. Even if you just know someone else whom you think should be in leadership — the Nominating Committee wants to hear from you with your suggestions.
We invite all members who are willing and able to give a part of themselves to serve in leadership roles at this church. You don’t have to be a long-time member and you don’t have to have special experience. You do need to have a genuine interest in the well-being and future of this church, and a willingness to listen deeply, and with respect, to people who may not share your opinion. The Nominating Committee wants to learn more about you, to discover what skills and life experiences you have, then match you up with potential opportunities to serve on the Board or in one of our many terrific teams and committees.
We’ve made it easy to express your interest and set up an initial, no-pressure conversation with someone from the Nominating Committee. Simply do any one of the following:
Fill out one of the Learn More / Indication of Interest form on the website
Talk to any member of the Nominating Committee (Marcy Langrock, Sheridan Botts, Leta Hamilton, Ann Carlstrom, or Ryam Hill)
Your church needs you to take us into the future! Please complete the Learn More/Indication of Interest form online or contact us by any of the other means listed.
Last year, we hoped to be open in 2021, and while that hope didn’t come true, we did still accomplish so much in 2021 we wanted to take time to celebrate the past year. Take a look at just some of the things we did:
East Shore holds an auction every year in November to build community and raise money for the church. This year we are aiming to REUNITE EAST SHORE with a live event, if Covid numbers allow! We will still be managing the auction online, including the catalog and the bidding, so that everyone can participate, but we are also planning a free live event in the church for the evening of Saturday November 13th, to help us all REUNITE! Be sure to keep that date free! A parallel zoom event will be held online for those who are unable or uncomfortable to be there in person.
We’d love to bring the East Shore community together by having every member or friend involved in some way, so now is the time to start thinking about what YOU can contribute. Traditionally many of us fill our social calendars with events we bid on at East Shore’s auction, and we’re hoping that you can offer an event or service to other members and friends of East Shore as part of this.
Themed dinners and other food-focused events are always popular as they help us to build community by sharing a meal together, but activities such as 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, can all contribute to the church and the community.
In addition to events, services such as gardening, handyman assistance, and offering rides to the airport are always popular, and physical items such as artwork, food, crafts, gift baskets and gift cards or certificates are particularly welcome. Here’s a list of Auction Contribution ideas 2021 to help you come up with what you can do.
The Auction Team will be contacting you to see what ideas you have, so start contacting your friends if you’d like to team up with someone, and start planning. You can complete this Contribution Form when you’re ready, or contact any of the following members of the Auction Team to discuss your ideas.
We are writing today to share recent developments in regard to in-person participation in services, religious education, and all other activities designed to take place within our congregational buildings and on our grounds as we navigate the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
At its August 24th monthly meeting, the Staff Leadership Team and the Board of Trustees discussed the continued surge of the Delta Variant, the results from both Reopening Surveys, conversations with members, information from a medical professional in our congregation, and the site CovidActNow.org. We discussed various activities and have made the following decisions:
Based on this information, the Board and SLT recommend we not open in September for In-person worship. We also note, medical experts do not expect the surge to reverse before October. Expressed another way, it’s unknown how long this surge will last, but it almost certainly is going to get worse over the next month. Because of this, there will be no large in-person indoor events until further notice.This does NOT mean we are closing! We have so many great events happening, and more to come.
Worship & Large Gatherings
At this time, we will be postponing our in-person worship services. Virtual services will continue, even when in-person services begin. The East Shore staff and volunteers who will make the multi-platform services a reality will require approximately two weeks “lead time”. So, the good news is when we do get the “go” signal, we ought to be able to transition quite rapidly. This may also affect other large gatherings later in the fall, such as the in-person auction, and those decisions will be made based on the information above and changes in models as we near the events.
Small Groups
We have already begun booking rooms and outdoor spaces for small (under 20 people) events. Groups include Covenant Circles, book groups, and some teams. We are using rooms throughout the campus including Spring Hall, the North Room, and the North Room patio. These spaces allow us to have enough ventilation. Please note, masks are still required in all buildings regardless of vaccination status, so any food and beverages may only be consumed outside. If you would like to reserve a space, please fill out this form.
Religious Education
Our kids, especially those unable to be vaccinated are missing in-person RE! After reaching out to a sampling of parents, we will be offering in-person, outdoors RE for all ages, twice a month for the months of September and October. All teachers will be fully vaccinated, and everyone will be masked and socially distanced. Parents will be welcome to sit in on RE classes or have other opportunities during this time including family covenant circle, speakers, etc.
Outdoor Events
Based on the survey results, we see many of you would like to get back in person for small outdoor gatherings! We are excited to see these events happen and are looking for members to take the lead in planning some social gatherings to allow you to see our beloved community. Staff is available to help with logistics and more, and we hope the inspiration comes from YOU! Please keep an eye on these events and note that we may require registration to keep the numbers manageable. If you would like to plan one of these events with some staff assistance, please contact Nicole.
Rentals
We know 15% of our income comes from rentals, with many of whom we have a long-standing relationship. We will begin welcoming renters into the space following state guidelines as well keeping groups to less than 20 people. Please note, a regular Wednesday night renter is the Polish school which may include children ineligible for vaccines. If you prefer to not be in the RE building during this time, please inform Dianne when making room reservations.
Staff & Office Hours
While the staff is all vaccinated, we also want to make sure we are keeping our staff safe and healthy. We are keenly aware when the building reopens, members and friends can choose their comfort level of certain activities and participate accordingly. The staff is being asked to assist in running events and classes and would not have the same choice. On behalf of the entire staff, thank you for your support these past 18 months and your continued care.
The staff will begin returning to the office more regularly! We will be slowly returning all to our full hours. We will have facilities staff onsite daily and we will have office hours with a staffed front desk every Thursday and Friday from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Other staff may also be available during these times and are available by appointment for in-person meetings. Please reach out directly to a specific staff member for their availability.
In Summary
Staff will begin returning to campus for more access to the buildings
No eating or drinking inside until further notice (which limits some types of gatherings)
Larger groups outside also OK, works as long as weather permits
So…. this means sorry! no in-person worship on Sundays until further notice
Looking Forward
We will continue to provide updates as needed, and greatly appreciate your patience and support as we continue to navigate the impact of Covid-19 challenges. We will continue to talk to medical professionals and will likely send more surveys to obtain member input.
We thank you for your steadfast support, responses and understanding while these quick decisions need to be made.
Sincerely,
Steve Furrer, Rebecca Chatfield, Nicole Duff, with the full support of the Board of Trustees
On Sunday, July 11, East Shore was honored with members of the Red Road to DC Totem Pole Journey who arrived in the afternoon for a blessing celebration of this year’s 20th anniversary journey. The 5,000 pound, 25 foot totem pole was carved from a 400-year-old cedar by members of the House of Tears Carvers in Bellingham. At the end of the journey across the U.S., the totem pole will be gifted to the Biden Administration and stand outside the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian before being transferred to a permanent location.
This year, the carvers have dedicated their travels to bringing awareness to social justice issues such as the need to protect indigenous sacred lands, the threats of the climate crisis and extractive industries, the impact of centuries of generational trauma, and the power of healing strength and community. Images represented on the totem pole depict Native heritage, stories, and mythologies. For example, the full moon at the top signifies Grandmother Moon as she watches over the earth’s waterways. The eagle symbolizes power and strength, and the Chinook salmon signals its important role in the lives of the indigenous people throughout our region.
At about 3:00, an audience of approximately 140 people burst into applause as the Red Road to DC crew pulled into the north parking area. As the crew organized their display, people were able take a close look at the totem pole and talk with other attendees. Mural painting, music and song, picture-taking and writing cards to the Biden administration added to the afternoon of inspiration and celebration!
The two-hour blessing celebration opened with a welcome to all by Rev. Steve Furrer as well as Board President Mike Radow. At the close of the event, Rev. Jennifer Alviar offered another blessing to send the Lummi off in a good way.
Duwamish elder, Ken Workman (Yayustubsh) then welcomed the Lummi onto Duwamish land in English, Lushootseed, and other languages spoken by Pacific Northwest tribes.
Lummi participants, Freddie Lane (Phreddie Xwenang Lane), Doug James (Sit Si Kadem) and Siam’ewlit, spoke eloquently of historical trauma and the need to protect indigenous sacred sites as well as the land, air and waters. Elected officials Lynne Robinson (Mayor of Bellevue), Patty Kuderer (WA State Senator, 41st District), Representative Vandana Slatter (48th District) and Janice Zahn (Bellevue City Councilor) responded by acknowledging that government must consult with the tribes more effectively and urgently address climate change along with other environmental challenges. Melanie Schambach, a social artist from Guatemala who is accompanying the Red Road to DC Journey, provided an 18’x18’ foot canvas mural she had created on which children and adults painted images and wrote messages.
Thanks to Eric Lane Barnes for making a video of all the photos submitted by East Shore members and friends in attendance.
We would like to acknowledge the special role that Beth Brownfield and Deb Cruz of Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship have played in amplifying the reach of Lummi efforts to engage the wider community. Through their efforts, members of East Shore and other Unitarian congregations in the Northwest and beyond, have learned from and connected with the Lummi. In addition, East Shore members have developed relations with other tribes, most notably the Duwamish on whose lands East Shore is situated. Our Land Acknowledgement recognizes this relationship and our responsibility to their homeland. In committing to the 8th principle, we hope East Shore will continue to strengthen our relations with local tribes and learn more about indigenous issues. Watch for future book groups, film showings, speakers, and programs which will help deepen our understanding and attain our goal. Bearing witness to the Red Road to DC journey is an important step in that direction.
A special thanks to the staff and congregants who shared their time and energy to make this a very special afternoon for all as we gathered together to honor the Red Road to DC Journey. Also to the East Shore Earth and Climate Action Ministry Team who endorsed the journey and is recognized on their page.
If you would be interested in getting more involved in exploring indigenous issues here at East Shore, please contact Lynn Roesch or Marilyn Mayers.
To learn more about the Red Road to DC Totem Pole Journey or make a donation, you can go to redroadtodc.org or watch this YouTube video.
Two recent articles about the Totem Pole Journey are:
