"The River"
This Sunday
February 24
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Peter Luton
Celebrant: Jorge Manzanera

TODAY IS "BRING A FRIEND" TO SUUF SUNDAY . Since the sermon is all about the value of friendships, we would like to meet your friends, and this is a chance to share what you love with them. Why? Well, it's simple. That's what friends do. So look around... who can you invite? Consider your invitation... this is not a 'membership' appeal. It's just one friend asking another to see where your heart is. 
February 24
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Peter Luton
Celebrant: Jorge Manzanera
The Glory of Friends and Friendships
What makes someone a friend? They are the people who really listen to us without judgement or defensive dismissiveness. Dr. Luton will speak about how congregations are, at their core and at their best, such places... sanctuaries in which people are allowed, yea invited, to connect with their soul and share their most core hopes, dreams, fears and commitments. A miracle happens when we feel genuinely listened to, heard, seen, and affirmed as someone with inherent worth and dignity.  
4th Sunday! Your generous donations will go to Bread of Life Food Bank.
Souper Sunday following the service this Sunday. Soup and Bread $3. Children less. Thank you Patti Yount for making soup!
For the Children:   Children's Religious Education will follow the service on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Sundays of each month.

Also the smaller babies room now was a speaker system installed. If you should need to leave the service, you can still hear everything in there..
Mid-year Pledge Drive through February
The situation:
We lost a significant pledge, about 5% of income, when Garth resigned
Expenses increased by some $2,000 when the board hired bi-weekly custodial services and raised the office manager’s pay.
Annual church expenses are about $52,000, $1,000 weekly.
We are about 50 strong, members and friends.
It costs $20 per person each week to open the doors and “have church”.
Please consider increasing your 2018-2019 pledge by February 28, using a pledge form.
Larger donations in the Sunday plate collection are a good option, but only a pledge is “budgeted”.
The church leadership council will agree on a revised budget at its March 6th board meeting.
Please call Ken Stern to discuss: 360-202-4660
Happy February birthdays!!! Best wishes to Eileen, Pete, Ken, and Russel V. and any others celebrating your special day this month.
March 2019 services
 
March 3
 Speaker: Lina Zeine
Celebrant: James Heard
Understanding the Bahai' Faith
Practiced without any religious clergy and administered by democratically elected councils, the Baha'i Faith embraces the unity of all religions and the equality of all people. A presentation accenting the Baha'i commitment to gender equality and to social justice in general will include a beautiful video followed by a discussion and an opportunity for the congregation to ask questions.
March 10
 Speaker: Nicki Hamilton
Celebrant: Doris Brevoort
The Second Sex
In honor of Womens History month, we'll consider the challenge, the courage, the commitment for change, and living the dream. In solidarity we'll then share a common meal: a communion from Unitarian Universalist sources.
March 17
Speaker: Ken Stern
Celebrant: Rosemary Stevens
The Pain of Universalism
Since Universalists proclaim "God is love" and everyone goes to heaven, why should Universalists be in pain? This is also true: all lives are difficult, each of us often hurt. And, because we love all our neighbors, we ought to feel their pain. A sprinkling of Universalist history included.

March 24
Speaker: Jon Prescott
Celebrant: Matt Bianconi
Finding Freedom
Jonathan Prescott, a Buddhist monk and founder of Wise Caring, will present a sermon with a theme of Finding Freedom. He will talk about the nature of liberation and how to foster it in your everyday life. Jonathon
speaks frequently about finding the happiness that is always nearby and will help us do so this Sunday.   
Nancy B. Miller is offering an interactive class on the 7 principles based on Rev. Bruce Davis , "A String of Pearls", An introduction to the UU Principles and Purposes. This class will be on the 2nd Sudays following coffee hour.
It began Oct. 2018 and will continue for seven second Sundays omitting the second Sunday in Dec.

February canceled due to snow. This will be the topic for March. Our Fourth Unitarian Universlaist Principle
"We covenant to affirm and promote the free and responsible search for truth and meaning." It is this search that we will explore together. Please join us.

"Free" search for truth and meaning means that I will consider many and diverse possibilites. But "responsible" search means that I will only claim the truth that is a really true for me. I will only claim the meaning that is authetically meaningful for me. In the context of the covenant or loving commitment you have toward yourself, it means leveling with yourself. It means being willing to separate from that which no longer provides meaning even if it is hard to do so.

How is it that we can create communities where a diversity of philosophies and theologies are valued?

What are these values Unitarian Universalists strive to live by and how do they interact with your evolving search ?

The UU's Seven Principles and Purposes came out of conversations in 1961 and were edited in 1984 (they continue to be revised at intervals to ensure their vitality.)

Please come and share your current thoughts on how you feel connected or not to each of the 7 Principles as they are each individually discussed.
Looking forward to your sharing and connecting.
May you be blessed with wisdom,
Nancy B. Miller
General Assembly is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association. Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. Anyone may attend; congregations must certify annually to send voting delegates. The 2019 General Assembly will be June 19-23 in Spokane, Washington.
The Covenant Circle discusses periodical and book and news. Lately the topics have centered on major socioeconomic issues of the times. The discussion is lively and the spirit is convivial.

They meet every Thursday afternoon at 1:30 at Haggen on Division Street, except the second Thursday of the month, when they convene over lunch somewhere at 1:00. Call Joy Lindberg (360-424-8090) for further information.
New email address:
 skagituu@gmail.com
This space awaits a photo or poem or news or reminiscence from you, when you're ready. Email your contributions to the office.
Office Administrator, Newsletter : Claire Phillips skagituu@gmail.com Hours: Tue. & Thur. 12-4 pm
Worship Team Leader : Sally Riggers suufmusic@gmail.com Board contact: Rosemary Stevens rr_stevens@comcast.net