Community Church Night: Tuesdays in November, 5:00-9:00 pm
We have been enjoying our Community Church Nights and want to 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 November, the social event schedule will be:
- November 5: 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”
- November 13: Sing-Along – Join Eric Lane Barnes for The Beatles sing-along!
- November 19: 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!
- November 26: Meaningful Movies Bellevue – Watch a powerful documentary about a relevant social justice issue and stay for a discussion. (see pg. 12) Snacks provided!
- Please note: we are taking a break in December to enjoy the holidays and our annual social events, but we will see you in January with some great new programming!
What Darwin Didn’t Know: The Modern Science of Evolution: Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00 pm
Visit the lectures on the evolution of the Theory of Evolution from the Great Courses series published in 2019. Dr. Scott Solomon from Rice University earned his Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology and states “There was a great deal that Darwin did not know, and it took more than a century before evolution was united with genetics, leading to the modern science of evolution.” Of course, dramatic changes in the theory have occurred in the last six decades also. Find out which of your assumptions about evolution are correct, incorrect, or in need of an update. The class format consists of watching a 30-minute lecture, then discussing it, followed by viewing and discussing the second lecture. Facilitated by Alan Carter and Gary Gustafson.
Witness to Hope Photo Exhibit: November 1-January 6
The winter show for the East Shore Gallery is a join effort with the Giving Tree Team. Social impact photography by Merrill Images highlights the work of non-profits in the Pacific Northwest and around the world tackling daunting societal challenges including homelessness, food insecurity, workforce development, education, and the climate crisis. These inspirational photographs, created by John and Lisa Merrill over two decades, feature powerful moments of connection, learning, and empowerment. To learn more and view online galleries, please visit www.merrillimages.com.
Cooking with Amanda: Plant-Based Cooking for the Holidays: Wednesday, November 6, 7:00 pm
We’ll talk about how to handle the many issues that come up at holiday times when cooking for or eating with your meat-eating family members, and discuss ideas for special vegan holiday dishes. We’ll make some delicious dishes that all your guests can enjoy. 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.
Humanist Discussion Group: Thursday, November 7, 7:30-9:00 pm
We will continue our monthly meetings on Thursday, November 7, at 7:30 pm in the RE Building. Our topic will be “Religious Faith vs. Science.” Here are some readings to prepare for our next meeting:
thehumanist.com/magazine/may-june-2016/features/science-not-conflict-religion; americanhumanist.org/what-is-humanism/war-science-religion/; plato.stanford.edu/entries/religion-science. All are welcome to attend.
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.
Faith Action Network (FAN) Annual Dinner: Sunday, November 10, 4:30 pm
FAN is holding its annual FAN fundraising dinner on Sunday evening, November 10, at the Renton Pavilion, 1055 S. Grady Way, Renton, WA. Invitations will be sent to individual members of FAN. East Shore is a member of this statewide network of 150 faith communities, and everyone interested in supporting FAN’s legislative social justice advocacy work is urged to attend. Rick Steves will be there, and usually offers a match for donations. To register, go to fanwa.org, and follow the link. For more information, contact Jane Sisk at [email protected].
RiZe Up with Roy Zimmerman: Thursday, November 14, 7:30 pm
Roy Zimmerman’s signature blend of heart and hilarity has never been more necessary. RiZe Up is ninety minutes of Roy’s original songs, a funny and forceful affirmation of Peace and Social Justice. It’s laughter and encouragement for progressive-minded people who need a lot of both. Tickets are $22, or pay what you can at the door.
Strong Women, Strong Communities: Saturday, November 23, 1:00-4:00 pm
Women’s Perspective invites all those who identify as women to join us for a dynamic panel and activities at East Shore the afternoon of November 23rd. Women leaders from several different communities–Native American, Muslim, Jewish, African-American–will speak about how they evolved as leaders involved in addressing issues their communities face. We will break up into smaller groups for discussion and hands-on activities in support of their efforts. For more information, contact Marilyn Mayers or Lynn Roesch.
Thanksgiving Potluck: Sunday, November 24, 12:00 pm
We come together this Sunday to affirm and give thanks for this community, our network of advocates around the world, the principles of our faith and each other. After 11:00 am worship, we will celebrate a community Thanksgiving meal. Plan to stay and feast! East Shore will provide the turkey, vegan field roast, and beverages. You are invited to bring your favorite sides and desserts to share. We still need help, if you are an expert turkey carver or want to help! Please sign up at tinyurl.com/ESUC2019Turkey.
Holiday Dedications & Poinsettias: November 24, December 1, 8, 15, & 21
The holiday season is the perfect time to celebrate the people we love. The Flower Team is offering the opportunity to remember those with a donation for a poinsettia. Each plant is $25, and dedications will be listed in the Christmas Eve bulletins. Days when envelopes will be available and collected are: November 24, December 1, 8, 15, and 21.
What Is Affordable Housing?: The Faces of Homelessness-Hearing from Our Neighbors: Monday, November 25 6:30-8:30 pm
Join us to hear about the experiences of people who have, or who are now, experiencing housing challenges. We will listen to our guests and then have a chance to talk with them and ask questions in both large and small groups. This series will incorporate film, conversation, and presentations from people in our region to explore the complexities of our housing crisis. Hosted by Carrie Bowman.
Meaningful Movies Bellevue: Tuesday, November 26, 7:00-9:00 pm
Join us for “Following the Ninth: In the Footsteps of Beethoven’s Final Symphony.” This story is about how Beethoven’s Ninth was used at 4 moments in history to rally the oppressed or comfort the mourning (East Berlin, Chile, Tianmen Square, and Japan). A suggested $5 at the door.