"The River"

March 19, 2023

10:30 am

Spealer: Rev Bruce Bode

Celebrant: Rosemary Stevens

“In Quest of ‘Living Religion"


What is religion and how may one speak of it? In this sermon a retired Unitarian Universalist minister will take a look at the current attempt in Unitarian Universalist circles to give verbal expression to its approach to religion.


 Suggested preparation for the sermon: Read the Article II Study Commission report to the UUA Board of Trustees, paying particular attention to pages 11-24, at this link: https://www.uua.org/files/2023-02/article-II-study-report-2021-23.pdf


Order of service
Link to  service
Dial in:
+1 253 215 8782
Meeting ID: 83222201810
Sunday Service On-Line:
Click the link on Sunday morning to join our services on Zoom

Services are in person 10:30 am at the Fellowship, 500 W Section St, Mount Vernon and on Zoom

If attending services in our building

 

You need to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 per the current CDC guidelines. 

 

 Masks are still to be worn during the service and masks are now optional during coffee hour. Do NOT attend if you have had a runny nose or cough or fever in the previous 5 days.  

Services coming in March and April

March 26

Lucy DeCrace, Outreach Manager for Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group.


Since 1999 she has been engaging community volunteers and students in salmon habitat restoration in the Skagit and Samish watersheds.


April 2

Doris Brevoort

Building your own Theology


April 9

Joseph Bednarik


April 16

Rev. Barbara Gildaky


April 23

4th Sunday Famillllllllias KUKnidas Por la Justica


April 30

Iman Jamal Rahman

Listen to previous SUUF services here

SUUF Events and news

New Member Installation Ceremony: Sunday, March 19, 2023

A group of us are meeting with Vashon Island UU and Quimper UU in Port Townsend for the UU Common Read. Our team has Andra, Brenda and Dundas, Jim Heard, Linda Riggers, and me. Brenda is the contact person.

Cheer-ho,

Donna Rieper


NOTES TO SHARE, from MARCH 2, 2023 DISCUSSION, "MISTAKES AND MIRACLES"

(Present from Skagit UUF team: Dundas Winn, Brenda Cook, Linda Riggers, Donna Rieper)

Agreed the SUUF Board has power, backed by Fellowship's approval for how budget is allotted. Under them, the Worship Committee has power over progamming the ministers and speakers who will address the Fellowship during the year . Celebrants also have power, as they work with the speaker to choose music and words for the elements of the service. The Fellowship makes suggestions for which organizations would like to have speak for Fourth Sunday services (organizations represented receive the offering). The Social Justice Committee makes its recommendations to finalize 4th Sunday speakers.

We noted that change is hard for everyone. For any such change as we have been discussing, to become a "Beloved Community," and have that intention stated in the mission and bylaws, for example, it is crucial for everyone to be on board from the very beginning. One participant commented they didn't sense any resistance among the members toward these ideals.

To involve our members and get their support for these ideas and changes will require education for everybody. We are a small, but growing Fellowship, so it is hoped most everyone will feel ownership and that they have a say in what happens at SUUF. That's where we are right now, at the beginning of the process.

------- Other ideas bandied about, not included in this report for the book grou:

Need a new banner for outside the building that expresses who we are /what we stand for; maybe a group session writing ideas could be productive.

What about a "Bread Communion" for fall harvest celebration? One of the congregations in the book, Phoenix, does this --sounded cool --everybody brings a type of bread to share typical of their heredity, home country, ancestors -- no matter how long ago one's relatives came to the U.S. (or are indigenous to US, as far as that goes).

Also a discussion of power in the neighborhood and neighbors who cut down trees willy -nilly, and other neighbors can do nothing about it.

As you may have heard, Pat Young's health has declined significantly since most of us saw her. She's also had a recent fall and is bruised. Please keep this in mind if you plan on visiting her. She will most likely only minimally respond or acknowledge you. You are welcome to be a steadying support, holding her hand and accompanying her as she walks through the building. The staff is very supportive, so feel free to ask for guidance during your visit. She is at:

Birchview Memory Care

925 Dunlap St., Sedro-Woolley


No need to call ahead, but doors are locked after 5pm, with an after-hours buzzer. A visit is ok anytime, even during meal times which are 8, 12 & 5. To leave the building, use code 1911* to get out.


Her family is very appreciative of all expressions of care from her SUUF family.

Please review your listing in the February 2023 Contact book. If you have changes or corrections, email the office at skagituu@gmail.com. I will be issuing an updated book in June. Thanks, Claire

SUUF West will be meeting at the Anacortes Library Community Room from 12:30 until 2:30 in March, April, and May. It is okay to bring bag lunches as long as we clean up. If you live in Anacortes or other places west of Mt. Vernon, you are invited to join this informal discussion group. Please call Rosemary with any questions. (360-293-4146)

The Covenant Circle is a mid-week gathering, a chance to chat and share with others outside of the Sunday service.

Covenant Circle 

Tuesdays at 5:30. All are welcome! The conversation is wide-ranging and easygoing. ("Who could ask for anything more?")


Zoom link here


Passcode: 407993

Happy March birthdays!!! Best wishes to Matt B, Jasmine, Iola, Susan Wi, and any others celebrating your special day this month.

SUUF Zoom Links For This Week


(Click on an item during the meeting time to attend.)


Sunday, March 19, 10:30 AM | Sunday Service 


Tuesday, March 21, 5:30 PM | Covenant Circle



Thursday, April 13, 6:30 PM | Board Meeting

Happy Wanderers Wednesday Walking GroupEnjoy a walk in the great outdoors with fellow SUUFers, Due to weather variability, the weekly walk day and time may vary or get changed as the weather is assessed. If folks want the weekly walk info, please contact Linda Kuller 360-420-1506. and she will add you to the texts with walk info and notices of any changes.

4th Sunday recipients list


You can send your donation using our online donation link or by mailing a check to SUUF.

Mar -: SFEG Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group

 Apr - Familia Unidas por la Justica

May - OPOP One parish One prisoner

Jun - Helping hands foodbank

Hospitality

If you are attending services in person, drinks or snacks that you bring to share are much appreciated


Souper Sunday Fundraiser: To be announced



News from SUUF members and Friends 

This space awaits a photo or poem or news or reminiscence from you when you're ready. Email your contributions to the office.

1601  A Socinian conference opened at Rakow, Poland to discuss the nature of Christ, his relation to God , and whether he should be worshipped.


1965 600 civil rights marchers who set out from Selma, Alabama, on their way to urge passage of the Voting Rights Act, were attacked by local law enforcement officials at the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Known as "Bloody Sunday," this event led Martin Luther King to call on clergy of all faiths to join him in Selma. More than 125 Unitarian Universalist ministers answered the call. On March 21, 1965, more than 3,000 marchers left Selma for Montgomery and by March 25, 25,000 marchers entered Montgomery. On August 6, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act. Three people were killed during the Selma marches--James Reeb, a Unitarian Universalist minister, Jimmy lee Jackson, an African-American laborer and church deacon; and Viola Liuzzo, a Unitarian Universalist layperson from Detroit.


SUUF West will meet on Friday from 12:30-2:30 at the Anacortes Library's Community Room. You may bring non-sloppy food or snacks. If you drive west after church, come join us.


Rosemary Stevens

Occasionally, we get notification of an event and it is too late to get it in the weekly announcements. If you are interested in getting additional emails about racial/ social/climate/ justice issues please email me at brendundas@outlook.com or call (360) 424-5003.

Community events and news

Forest Defenders' Easy Actions! Including Town Hall Meetings THIS SATURDAY. March 18.


Dear Earth Cherishing Friends,

Please consider taking the actions suggested here, which were passed along to me by Alex Harris from Resources. I wanted to let you know also, that on Monday March 27th, there will be a wonderful opportunity to hear Brel Froebe of the Center for Responsible Forestry, Alex Harris from ReSources, and Michael Feerer from the Whatcom Million Trees Project presenting, and in conversation with one another and those gathered that evening, on their work with trees and forests in the local efforts to build climate resilience and protect biodiversity. Please see the Save the Date poster below. I know this will be a lively, informative and inspiring event sponsored by the Multifaith Network for Climate Justice. A flyer with more details is included here BELOW! 


Jillian and I feel deeply moved by how many of us are sustaining the effort to stay on the path of protecting the legacy forests. I know it was not long ago that I imagined that these online efforts might or might not bear fruit; the possibility of "wasted time" created resistance to taking a few minutes to follow action steps, such as those listed here! I am now a convert to JUST DOING IT. Why? Because I have seen results that feel so important. More than once, I have witnessed forests come into protection through these simple acts we can take. Please consider engaging with these steps, and passing along the email to others in these grassroots efforts.


Warm greetings of spring on the horizon, Elizabeth 


ACTION STEPS HERE, FROM ALEX:


1. Contact DNR: If you haven’t already done so, please submit a comment to protect Brokedown Palace HERE—and please share this action widely with your networks. HERE is the informational webpage (the video is embedded on this page). Over 1,400 people have signed so far — we need to keep up the pressure!


2. Contact your legislators: HERE is the campaign page to ask state leaders to protect “carbon dense, structurally complex” legacy forests as part of the Climate Commitment Act. Please share this widely as well.


3. Urge Whatcom County to weigh in: We need 15-20 people to testify at the Whatcom County Council meeting at 6pm on April 4th to show support for the Brokedown Palace Forest. Let us know if you’re able to show up in person (or via zoom) to testify — more details and talking points to come.


4. Attend a town hall with your state reps: Town halls for the 40th and 42nd legislative districts are happening on Saturday 3/18. We need as many people as possible to show up and raise their hand in support of protecting Brokedown Palace and all WA legacy forests.

40th town hall: 11am-12pm, Skagit PUD #1, Aqua Room, 1415 Freeway Drive, Mount Vernon (MAP)
42nd town hall: 1-2pm, Ferndale High School Auditorium, 5830 Golden Eagle Drive, Ferndale
Eileen Gribble

   There will be an extra Planned Parenthood rally this Saturday, March 18, in front of the clinic at 1805 Division in Mt. Vernon. The reason for this is because the anti-abortion people will be out too. Try to remember to not engage with them. Hope to see you there. Sheila

Sheila McCandlish

sheilamcc@comcast.net

360-873-8091

The contact person for OPOP (One Parish, One Prisoner) is Eileen Gribble.

Skagit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (SUUF)
PO Box 1203
Mount Vernon, WA 98273

Here's the address above for mailing pledge checks and donations. Thank you for your continuing support!
Donate or Pay a Pledge to SUUF
Link to online pledge card 2022-23
Visit SUUF website http://skagituuf.com
Email SUUF skagituu@gmail.com
Office Administrator, Newsletter: Claire Phillips skagituu@gmail.com Hours: Tue. & Thur. 12-4 pm

Board contact: Emily Bianconi, President pres@skagituuf.com
2022-23 Board of Trustees
Emily Bianconi - President
Rosemary Stevens - Vice President
Ken Stern – Treasurer
Linda Kuller – Secretary
Mike Murdock
Pete Smith
Jim Heard
Donna Rieper
Skagit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
500 West Section St.
PO Box 1203
Mount Vernon, WA 98273