Upcoming Events: January 2020

Dec 21, 2019 | News

Community Church Night: Tuesdays, 5:00-9:00 pm

In January, we will bring back our Community Nights! We encourage all members to come and spend time getting to know one another in a casual, fun way. Starting at 5:00 p.m., you’re invited to gather for a potluck dinner. We start to eat at 5:30, so come any time! At 7:00, meetings and the social event will begin. For January & February, the social event schedule will be:

  • January 7 : Meditation with Science of Spirituality – A free program for both new and experienced meditators who wish to deepen their practice of meditation on the Inner Light”
  • January 14: Sing-Along – Join Eric Lane Barnes for a themed sing-along!
  • January 21: Game Night – Join Nicole Duff for an all-ages game night! Bring a game you love, or learn a new one. All ages and skill levels welcome!
  • January 28: Meaningful Movies Bellevue – Watch a powerful documentary about a relevant social justice issue and stay for a discussion. (see below) Snacks provided!
  • January 28: Radical Hospitality: Ideas for Growth—Join Nicole Duff and Aisha Hauser for a crash course in inclusivity. (see below).

Humanist Discussion Group: Thursday, January 2, 7:30-9:00 pm

The Humanist Discussion Group’s next topic will be “Humanist History and Heroes.” Here are some readings to prepare for the meeting:

All are welcome to attend. We typically have about eight people at each meeting, and we welcome newcomers. Contact: John Thompson

Cooking with Amanda: Losing Weight, Defeating Diabetes: Wednesday, January 8, 7:00 pm

We’ll talk about what foods are most helpful in losing those extra pounds, and how the same foods can also reduce your insulin resistance and treat Type II Diabetes. We’ll make some really simple starter plant-based meals to get you started on a new way of eating for the New Year. Amanda Strombom, President of Vegetarians of Washington, gives regular cooking classes to support those interested in moving toward a plant-based diet and learning new ways of preparing food avoiding animal products. Each class focuses on a different aspect of going veggie, whether it’s on specific food groups, on a particular health topic, shopping or even holiday cooking. Plenty of samples to taste are always provided. A nominal charge of $5 per class helps us cover the cost of the ingredients and materials. Register online or at the door.

Mindfulness and Presence in Communications: Second Mondays of Each Month, 7:00-8:30 pm

Being more mindful immediately improves the quality of your life, as well as the lives of those around you. Often people think you must meditate for hours a week, or have an intense practice, but not so! In this class you’ll learn some creative and immediately useful techniques to bring mindfulness into your life every day, with minimal effort. This monthly class, led by Brett Hill, is packed with information and practices gleaned from working with founders of mindful-based practices such as Hakomi, Loving Presence, and Matrix Leadership Workshops.

Women’s Perspective Movie & Potluck: If These Walls Could Talk: Sunday, January 19, 6:30-8:30 pm

All those who identify as women are welcome to a movie night and potluck. Bring your favorite dish to share and watch “If These Walls Could Talk.” This 1996 broadcast movie on HBO follows the plights of three different women and their experiences with abortion. Each of the three stories takes place in the same house, 22 years apart: 1952, 1974, and 1996. All three segments were co-written by Nancy Savoca. The women’s experiences in each vignette are designed to demonstrate the popular views of society on the issue in each of the given decades.

Debuting at the Toronto International Film Festival, “If These Walls Could Talk” became a surprise success and was the highest-rated movie in HBO history. It was nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards, including Best Miniseries or Television Film. Its stars include Demi Moore, Shirley Knight, Catherine Keener, Hedy Burress, Sissy Spacek, Anne Heche, Cher, Jada Pinkett, Eileen Brennan and Rita Wilson.

Discussion to follow led by Milly Mullarky.

Fourth Wednesday Book Club: Wednesday, January 22, 7:30-9:00 pm

Please join us to discuss The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert on Wednesday, January 22, at 7:30 pm in the Library. Spanning much of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the novel follows the fortunes of the extraordinary Whittaker family as led by the enterprising Henry Whittaker—a poor-born Englishman who makes a great fortune in the South American quinine trade, eventually becoming the richest man in Philadelphia.

East Shore LIVE Presents Jeannette d’Armand with John Patrick Lowrie: Saturday, January 25, 7:30 pm

Jeannette d’Armand presents a breathtaking evening of memorable songs by Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Sting, George Harrison and others. Accompanied by guitarist John Patrick Lowrie, this evening is a love song for your heart and soul. Tickets are $23, or $18 for East Shore members.

East Shore LIVE offers patrons a diverse season line-up in a unique venue that is family friendly. The 2020 season includes a rich assortment of performances that will satisfy music lovers from around Puget Sound! Consider buying a season pass for yourself, a family member or friend who will support the arts at East Shore. A season pass is just $85.00/person and can be purchased here. This is a savings of $5-$35 ($23 for non-members and $18 for members per show).

What is Affordable Housing: Monday, January 27, 6:30-8:30 pm

Join us in January to begin a conversation about how we as individuals and as a community can shift the narrative about housing and examine ways that we can contribute to local solutions. This series incorporates film, conversation, and presentations from people in our region to explore the complexities of our housing crisis. Hosted by Carrie Bowman.

Radical Hospitality: Ideas for Growth: Tuesday, January 28, 7:00-8:30 pm

In June, ESUC Members voted on a budget for growth… but it doesn’t just take money. It takes everyone to learn about and practice Radical Hospitality! We will use a video series to launch a discussion on how to Repel Fewer Visitors, Help New Comers Become New Members, and to Close the Revolving Door. We will also be using a multicultural welcoming handout to ensure we are being fully inclusive. Help us help East Shore! Led by Membership Development Manager Nicole Duff, and Director of Lifelong Learning Aisha Hauser. Please register here.

Meaningful Movies Bellevue: RACE—The Power of an Illusion, Part 3: Tuesday, January 28, 7:00-9:00 pm

If race doesn’t exist biologically, what is it? And why should it matter? Part 3 is the first film about race to focus not on individual attitudes and behavior, but on the ways our institutions and policies advantage some groups at the expense of others. Its subject is the “unmarked” race: white people. A suggested $5.

Women’s Perspective Retreat: March 13-15, Registration Opens January 19!

Every year the Women’s Perspective group organizes a retreat for all those who identify as women. This is a time to relax, enjoy each other, and learn more about how to embrace our femininity and use it. This year the theme is “Celebrating Our Bodies, Our Selves: Stages of Women’s Lives.” As women grow and mature, we change both physically and emotionally, affecting us socially and sexually. This Retreat provides an opportunity to discover how biological, emotional, and sometimes medical factors interplay, and how we can better enhance our well-being throughout our lives with curiosity and joy. The event takes place at Rainbow Lodge in North Bend, day passes available. Registration will open on January 19.