News from the Districts - November 16

White text on PWR background says News from the Districts and then lists the four districts.

Pacific Central News

Chalice Lighters: Help PCD UUs get to Regional Assembly

The fall PCD Chalice Lighter call is designed to bring more PCD Unitarian Universalists to the Regional Assembly in Portland, Oregon, April 27-29, 2018.

It is our goal to make Regional Assembly accessible to all congregations in the PCD. The Board voted unanimously to make a minimum of $500 available to each congregation within our District to send representatives to Regional Assembly. We want to eliminate financial ability as a factor in who gets to participate. Soon, each congregation will get information from the Board on how to access this resource.

All the funds raised in this Chalice Lighter call will be used for sending UUs from the PCD to Regional Assembly. Please support access to Regional Assembly with your gift today.

Can you afford to give $20? We are grateful for whatever you can contribute. Payments will be accepted towards this call through November 20. Ten percent of each call reimburses expenses to administer the program. You can make your payment online or mail a check, payable to PCD Chalice Lighters to: PCD Chalice Lighters, 7511 Greenwood Avenue North, #414, Seattle, WA 98103-4627. Please write PCD CL on both the memo line of your check and on the payment envelope. Questions may be directed to your volunteer PCD Chalice Lighter Coordinator, Karen Urbano at pcdchalicelighters@pwruua.org.

Thanks for your support!

Make a Donation

Pacific Northwest News

PNWD Supply Preaching Directory

Whether your congregation is lay-led, your minister is on sabbatical, or there’s just an open Sunday you need to fill, be sure to consult the PNWD Supply Preaching Directory and find the link to a list of available speakers. The directory includes UU clergy in the Pacific Northwest who have indicated a willingness to be called upon for supply preaching and workshops, as well as weddings and other rites of passage. If you decide to engage a guest preacher, be sure to read Best Practices for Guest Preachers in UU Pulpits. This UUA resource addresses the responsibilities of both the guest minister and the host congregation, and also offers suggestions for day-of hospitality.

Inheriting the Flame Youth Con

January 14-15, featuring local poet and performer J. Mase, III

What is East Shore Unitarian Church FLAME Mini Con all about?

FLAME Regional mini-con is a PNWD tradition of hosting a mini-con focused on the intersection of spirituality and social justice. This year, we’re honoring this tradition by holding the event over MLK Jr weekend. East Shore is bringing in J. Mase III, a trans person of color from Seattle whose intersectional and faith-based work will both teach and inspire the youth. His performance will include the youths’ voices, and there will be time to share with one another their workshop-generated poetry, vision, and activism.

Please consider these questions beforehand, and we will explore them together!

  • How can we create space for non-white narratives?
  • What are spiritual practices that can be used to cultivate justice and compassion?
  • How can we sit with discomfort and approve our ability to empathize and self-reflect?
  • How can we acknowledge and work against the inequity and violence of our society?
  • How can we be accountable as allies?
  • What do solidarity and liberation look and feel like?
  • What are the communities we want to create; how do we envision them?
  • What role do I play in the creation of this beloved community?

Inheriting the Flame Details and Forms [docx]

PNWD Chalice Lighter Call - Growth Technology Initiative Grants

The PNWD Fall 2017-18 Chalice Lighter Call supports the Growth Technology Initiative Grants. Please help your fellow PNWD congregations communicate more effectively, inclusively, and vibrantly! Previous calls devoted to tech grants led to 15 grants of up to $2500 in 2013 and 2015 and revealed that significant unmet need remains, particularly for slightly larger grants. Tech grants have funded microphones, speakers, web conferencing equipment, video screens, projectors, assisted listening devices, and more. Grants of up to $4000 will be funded by this call. In order to apply to receive a grant, please download the tech grant application.

Donations will be accepted for this call through December 4. Questions may be directed to pnwdchalicelighters@pwruua.org. Thank you for your generosity!

Make a Donation

Pacific Southwest News

Key Dates and Events for PSWD Camping Ministries at Camp at de Benneville Pines

PSWD Fall Jr. High Camp at de Benneville Pines – Nov. 17, 5pm to Nov. 19, 12pm. More information.

PSWD Winter Sr. High Camp at de Benneville Pines – Dec. 27, 2pm to Jan. 1, 2018, 12pm. More information

PSWD Winter Elementary/Family Camp at de Benneville Pines – Feb. 17, 12:30pm - 19, 12:30pm. More information.

PSWD Summer Elementary Camp – July 8-14 – Registration opens on March 1st.

PSWD Summer Counselor in Training (CIT) Camp – Jul. 8, 2pm - 14, 12pm – Registration opens on March 1st.

PSWD Summer Jr. High Camp – Jul. 15, 2pm - 21, 12pm – Registration opens on March 1st.

PSWD Summer Sr. High Camp – Jul. 22, 2pm - 28, 12pm – Registration opens on March 1st.

PSWD Summer Family Camp – Jul. 29, 2pm - Aug. 4, 12pm – Registration opens on March 1st.

PSWD Young Adult Camp – Aug. 31, 12pm - Sept. 3, 12pm

Camp at de Benneville Pines website

PWR Congregations in the News

Unitarians stand behind undocumented immigrants with sanctuary church vote - The Davis Enterprise
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis voted Sunday to become a “sanctuary church.” The unanimous vote came at a special membership meeting called by the church board. It follows months of discussion about how the congregation will respond to harsh rhetoric and threats of mass deportation of undocumented immigrants by the Trump administration.

Open house at the men's shelter - Corvallis Gazette-Times
This year, the shelter will operate under the non-profit status of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis. The church’s minister, Jill McAllister, said taking on financial management of the shelter was a part of the church’s justice and outreach efforts. McAllister said the church stepped forward when a financial manager was needed because people’s lives are at stake.

Boulder church plans vote on becoming sanctuary for undocumented immigrants - The Denver Post
The congregation at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder is expected to vote on Sunday on whether to proceed with preparations to outfit itself as a sanctuary for undocumented immigrants seeking to avoid deportation. The move, however, has caused some concerns among parents of students at the Active Boulder Kids Preschool, which is housed in the same building as the church.

Minister: 'It's going to take more than prayers' to keep churches safe - YakTriNews
Doak Mansfield has been a minister for over 40 years and every Sunday he's at the Community Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasco preaching. Like many ministers across the nation, the news of 26 church members killed and 20 hurt had him very worried Monday. “I don't want to be watching for people coming in to shoot my church up," said CUUC minister Doak Mansfield.

Church Celebrates 60th Anniversary - The Independent
On a balmy evening Saturday, October 7, more than one hundred members and friends gathered to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Unitarian-Universalist Church in Livermore. Folks gathered around tables under the arbor and the back lawns to chat with friends, some who traveled far distances and who were founding members and congregants during the 1960s and '70s.