Healing Through Prayer & Meditation: January 2-13, 6:00 pm
Start your New Year in support of your resolutions! Elaine will offer an opportunity to experience participating in a daily spiritual practice. The class will follow an adaption of Lectio Divino, a monastic form of meditation. We will use a variety of meditative options, painting, working with clay, movement, and journaling. The most challenging aspect of the course is setting aside 12 evenings to attend. Start planning now and register today.
Casual Bridge: Saturday, January 6, 6:30 pm
This casual bridge game is intended to be fun and there will be no uninvited coaching. We will have a covenant of behavior for all players. Someone will always be available to answer questions and make sure that everyone is enjoying the game. We offer two mini lessons at 6:00 p.m. – a beginner lesson and a review topic for more experienced players. Once play begins, there will be a special beginners table with someone to help and answer questions. You do not need to come with a partner, nor let us know in advance if you are coming. We will work with whoever shows up. Bridge is a game best enjoyed in a friendly atmosphere. Please contact our new coordinators, Dean Dubofsky (425-495-3328) or Trish Webb (425-495-3327, [email protected]) with questions.
Exploring the Historical Jesus: Thursdays, January 11-March 29, 10:00 am
How did a Jewish preacher come to be viewed as the Son of God decades after his death? We will explore this question while watching 24 half-hour lectures (two lectures per meeting) given by a very popular New Testament scholar, Prof. Bart Ehrman. During our discussions, we will review all that we’ve learned during the meetings of the Historical Jesus Book Group a few years ago. But there is no book to read for this class – just come and enjoy the lectures and discussions. Led by John Thompson, previously the leader of the Historical Jesus Book Group. Register here. Suggested donation of $25 for all 12 meetings.
Healthy Food, Healthy Planet: A Vegan Cooking Class: Saturday, January 13, 10:00 am
This fun cooking class will show you that saving the planet never tasted so good. We’ll discuss the impact of our diet on the planet, answer your plant-based cooking questions, and cook up lots of delicious vegetarian recipes (no eggs or dairy) with plenty of samples to taste.
Dancing with the East Shore Stars: Saturday, January 13, 7:00 pm
Calling people of all ages! Come and jive, twist, boogie, mash potato, stroll, cha cha, swing, and sing out loud to music from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s as played by the renowned WayBacks. All ages and dance styles welcome. Refreshments will be served. This event will be held in East Shore’s Sanctuary on Saturday, January 13 starting at 7:00 pm. We welcome unlimited dancers at $15 per person / $30 a family. It’s a great intergenerational evening, so ALL AGES ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US!
J Mase III: Poet and Performer: Sunday, January 14, 6:00 pm
Are you excited about multiculturalism? Spirituality? Racial justice? Art? Poetry? Performance? Empowering youth and young people? We are! Please join us Sunday, January 14, from 6:00-9:00 pm in the Sanctuary to welcome local artist J Mase III. As part of East Shore’s high school regional conference, we’re opening Mase’s workshop and show. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn about what J’s work and message are. J will be facilitating participants to write from their experience as well as performing his own original work. Learn more about J Mase here jmaseiii.com and check out our events page for up-to-date information. This is an opportunity to show support for our own youth and for art made by people of color. Whether you want to learn about his experience, reflect on your own, or hear from our youth about theirs, you’ll have a chance to do it all! J Mase III’s work centralizes around issues we care about here at East Shore and your attendance will help make this a success! Tickets are $10 if purchased by emailing [email protected] by Friday, January 5, or will be $15 at the door.
Conversation About Race: Sunday, January 14, 8:30 a.m.
How did we get our notions about race? Is race “out there”? Or is it something inside of us? We are going to spend the next 6 months exploring the concept of race by viewing and discussing the PBS Documentary series “Race – The Power of an Illusion.” This foundation will deeply ground our conversations about race, so don’t miss it!! The series is three hours and we’ll watch about a half hour each session and use the rest of the time for discussion. At this first session, we’ll view the first half of “The Difference Between Us,” which focuses on the biological facts around race. Think about these questions before you come:
• How would you define race? What does it mean to you?
• How many races do you think there are? What are they? How do you decide which race someone belongs to?
• Look around your church or community. Who do you think is likely to be most similar to you, biologically or genetically? Why?
• Where do your ideas about race come from? What are the sources of your information?
We’ll provide some breakfast snacks!
Statewide Poverty Action Network Lobby Day in Olympia: January 15, 9:00 a.m.
The Statewide Poverty Action Network will have its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. lobby day on Monday, January 15 at St. John’s Episcopal Church; 114 20th Ave SE; Olympia, WA 98501. Most of the issues being lobbied relate to various aspects of racial and economic justice. To see their full policy agenda, visit their website. The event will start at 9:00 am and run to about 3:30 pm. No fee, and breakfast and lunch will be provided – but a collection to cover costs will be taken. If you would like to carpool to the lobby day, please contact Dick Jacke at 425-869-8306.
Learn about Eastside Neighbors Network (ENN): Sunday, January 21, 8:30 a.m.
Eastside Neighbors Network (ENN) is a “virtual village” in development for residents of Bellevue, Washington. It is not a physical place, but a plan for thriving as we grow older in the homes and communities we love. A virtual village is a member-driven, grassroots, non-profit community organization that brings neighbors together to help one another thrive as they progress through life’s Third Act. Come find out more on January 21st before the morning service here at East Shore. Presenters from ENN will be here to share ideas and answer questions. We will meet in Spring Hall starting at 8:30 am. Coffee, fruit and pastries will be served. And invite your friends!
Celebrate the Power of Women Coming Together!: Sunday, January 21, 6:30 p.m.
Please join Women’s Perspective and Women Helping Women as we discuss our various social justice projects and how we can make a difference, both locally and globally over tea and desserts. Updates on Sophia Way, Days For Girls, Lake Hills Elementary and our newest UUSC partner project, helping Rohingha refugees.
East Shore Gallery: Quilts: Coming in January!
The new Gallery Team is looking forward to our next show and need your help! Thanks for the suggestions, we decided to do a show all about quilts. This exhibition only show needs YOU! Please drop off any quilts you are willing to display in Nicole Duff’s office by January 14. Please put any and all information on the back. We will give priority to quilts made by members, but want to see those family quilts as well. Also, anyone interested in joining the team or just helping with this show is WELCOME! Just contact Nicole at [email protected].
Fourth Wednesday Book Club: Hazel Wolf: Fighting the Establishment: January 24, 7:30 pm
Please join us in the ESUC Library to discuss Hazel Wolf: Fighting the Establishment by Susan Starbuck on Wednesday, January 24th at 7:30 pm. When Hazel Wolf died in 2000, at the age of 101, more than 900 of her friends – from the governor of Washington to union organizers, from birdwatchers to hunters – crowded Town Hall in Seattle to honor the feisty activist and tell the often outrageous “Hazel stories” that were their common currency. In this book, Hazel herself tells the stories. From 20 years of taped conversations, Susan Starbuck has fashioned both a biography and a historical document, the tale of a century’s forces and events as played out in one woman’s extraordinary life.
Hazel Wolf earned a national reputation as an environmentalist and was awarded the National Audubon Society’s Medal of Excellence, an honor she shared with Rachel Carson and Jimmy Carter. She laid the groundwork for a unique coalition of Native Americans and environmentalists who are now working together on issues related to nuclear energy, fisheries, and oil pipelines. She lectured and taught at schools and universities all over the US. She lobbied Congress on irrigation, labor rights, nuclear energy, and peace, and she corresponded with a global network of environmental leaders. But for all her influence, she never held a political post higher than precinct committee officer in Seattle’s 43rd legislative district, and her highest office in the environmental movement was that of secretary in the Seattle Audubon Society, where she served for 35 years.
East Shore LIVE!: Tap it Out: Saturday, February 17, 7:30 pm
The Alchemy Tap Project presents a modern and creative take on a classic American art form. With innovative choreography, impressive technique, and infectious performance, ATP takes tap dancing to a whole new level! The program will include material set to jazz, Latin, and electronic music, and will incorporate the use of drumsticks, chairs, comedy, and even a little audience participation. Join us for an evening that just might change the way you see the art of tap dancing! Tickets are $15 and will be available at eastshorelive.com or at the door.
Climate Action Ministry: Drawdown Discussion: Beginning February 18
Climate Action Ministry is starting a new series of breakfast discussions starting February 18 (third Sunday of the month) based on the book Drawdown (edited by Paul Hawken).
Drawdown identified the 100 most effective measures to reduce global greenhouse gas concentrations in order to drastically slow down climate change. Each discussion will pick a theme from the book, such as food (plant rich diet is #4), women and girls (educating girls is #6 on the list), energy, buildings and cities, and transportation.
We will have readings, brief presentations, and lots of opportunity to explore these topics and discuss their implications for our own lives. Some of these topics are closely tied to other Earth and social justice issues that East Shore members are involved in and we hope it will serve as a way to see the intersection among them. These discussions offer a great way to become aware and educated about the most effective ways to fight climate change.
Women’s Perspective Retreat: February 23-25
Come join us for the annual Women’s Perspective retreat at Rainbow Lodge, North Bend, on February 23-25. This year, the retreat will center around art and music with a presenter from the Arts Unity movement. A musician and an artist, our presenter will lead us in healing musical and artistic activities and guide us as we create our own worship service. Our retreats always include wonderful connections, conversations, games, treats, wine, massage, hiking, yoga, and more in the delightful company of other East Shore women! Look for more details about registration to come!
Fourth Wednesday Book Club: Your Heart is a Muscle the Size of a Fist: February 28, 7:30 pm
Please join us in the ESUC Library to discuss Your Heart is a Muscle the Size of a Fist by Sunil Yapa on February 28th at 7:30 pm. On a rainy, cold day in November, young Victor – a nomadic, scrappy teenager who’s run away from home – sets out to sell as much marijuana as possible to the throng of WTO demonstrators determined to shut down the city. With the proceeds, he plans to buy a plane ticket and leave Seattle forever, but it quickly becomes clear that the history-making 50,000 anti-globalization protestors – from anarchists to environmentalists to Teamsters – are testing the patience of the police, and what started as a peaceful protest is threatening to erupt into violence.
In this raw and breathtaking novel, Yapa marries a deep rage with a deep humanity. In doing so he casts an unflinching eye on the nature and limits of compassion, and the heartbreaking difference between what is right and what is possible.