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THE NEW NEWPORT NEWS
March 22, 2026
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Clerk’s Report to the Congregation – March 15, 2026
Here are highlights from this week’s Session meeting:
1. Session reaffirmed their support and excitement as we continue to explore partnering with the City of Bellevue and 4 Tomorrow to offer expanded Safe Parking on the Newport campus. As a reminder, 4 Tomorrow is experienced and effective in providing families experiencing housing insecurity needed on-site quality case management services. Since program inception just over a year ago, 4 Tomorrow has served a total of 73 households, including 95 children. More than 72% of these households (53 in total) have been able to move out of homelessness as a direct result of program support. You can read more about the City’s and 4 Tomorrow’s safe parking program at https://bellevuewa.gov/city-government/departments/city-managers-office/office-housing/homelessness-bellevue/safe-parking-pilot.
During February and March, the City and 4 Tomorrow with assistance from Newport elders commenced communication and outreach to our neighbors in the Greenwich Crest community. The City provided information about the potential program on the Newport campus and invited neighbors to future opportunities to learn more. Many individuals were very supportive of the program. There were also neighbors who expressed concern. The City, with our support, continues to engage and communicate with neighbors, both to listen and provide further details surrounding the program and the practices that have led to successful outcomes. Communication, including in-person meetings with neighbors, will continue.
The permitting process, to allow the City and 4 Tomorrow to provide safe parking on the Newport campus, continues. It is expected that this will take a few months to complete.
We are excited to share more details with you. Immediately after worship on Sunday March 29, please join us for a 10-minute presentation providing more details as to what the program might look like on the Newport campus.
2. This month Session renewed the license agreement with Bellevue Taiwanese Presbyterian Church, through February 28, 2027. We are pleased to continue to host this small congregation.
3. Session noted that this month marks Kelly’s and Austin’s 3-year anniversaries with Newport Presbyterian Church. Session expressed deep gratitude for the work we get to do together.
Session thanks you again for your support and prayers.
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NEW NEWPORT PROGRAM
QUARTERLY MEALS FOR THE SOPHIA WAY, a women’s shelter and one of our mission partners, commenced on Wednesday, 3/11/26 with a meal coordinated by our Deborah Circle.
Our Mission and Peacemaking Committee has voted to try a new all Church program of Meal Donations for the guests of The Sophia Way, Women’s Shelter, the Bellevue location, one time each quarter.
The committee has budgeted a small subsidy to enable volunteers to purchase, if they wish, ready made meals, to simplify the process.
M and P has also created a printed manual that facilitates the planning, purchase, production and delivery of these meals, in accordance with the guidance of The Sophia Way staff.
Please consider volunteering to support this program. As planned each quarter, we will need two people donating an hour to shop and two or three hours to prepare and deliver, either ready made, or home cooked meals. Any interested members and friends may get more information by contacting Carolyn Baker, Samantha Kunkel or Jayne Ranheim.
Thank you,
Your Mission and Peacemaking Committee
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Hopelink 2026
In April, our Mission and Peacemaking committee is asking that we focus on feeding our neighbors in need. By supporting the work of our Mission Partner, HopeLink.
HopeLink’s Food Assistance Program –
When a family doesn’t have enough food, stability in other areas is impossible. Hopelink’s Food Assistance Program offers a safe and welcoming environment where households can receive fresh, healthy, culturally appropriate food. Through our five no-cost HopeLink Markets, families can choose from a variety of fresh and shelf-stable options in each food group: grains, fruits, vegetables, proteins, and dairy products. Once enrolled, clients can visit a HopeLink Market twice per month. For those that have difficulty accessing an on-site HopeLink Market, our Mobile Market makes 10 stops across our service area (including a stop on Mercer Island) and provides the same variety of fresh and shelf-stable options for households.
Throughout 2025, HopeLink saw a consistent increase in usage of our Food Assistance program compared to previous years. In fact, from January to December 2025, the Food Assistance program served over 15% more people than those served during 2024. In particular, in November 2025, the program served 10,880 people – a 24% increase in the number of people served compared to November 2024 (Source: HopeLink Food Program, CaseWorthy database; Callendar Year 2025).
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March Classes
In our own backyard: civil rights, immigration, and faith
During March our Lifelong Learning classes will focus on the current ICE raids in the Eastside. We will talk to immigrant rights organizations, explore the history of ICE and it’s current practices, and hear first-hand accounts of the impact of ICE raids.
And, like Pandora, we’re going to dig down through the mess and look for hope. Where is God in these raids? How do we connect with all people, especially those who disagree with us? How do we make that human connection, which is a God connection, and help end these catastrophic attacks on our neighbors?
Here's a brief list of topics.
22 Bible verses later: the blessings of immigrants
Understanding ICE past and present
How faith communities are responding on the Eastside
How are ICE raids effecting youth, immigrant or not, on the Eastside?
Looking for hope. Creating a plan of ongoing assistance and welcome.
| | | | To join us for bible study on zoom click on the picture above. | | | To send an email to Kristen click on the picture above. | | | To join the artisans on Zoom on the picture above. | | | NEWPORT DEACONS & NEIGHBORHOODS | | | |
When someone makes you doubt your faith in humanity, what do you do?
One answer would be to pass the hatred/fear/name-a-bad-emotion-here on to your family, friends, or the strangers you meet in the Safeway parking lot.
Or…instead of being part of the problem we can spread love and joy to those we meet. We can practice kindness.
Today, chose one of these ideas and spread some love and joy:
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Smile: The first and easiest way to spread kindness is to smile. Smiling is a powerful, simple, and universal act of kindness that fosters connection, reduces stress, and boosts endorphins for both the giver and receiver.
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Listen: When you take time to listen to another person you are giving them the rare gift of your undivided attention. You can be the unique person who isn’t looking at their phone while a person talks to you.
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Give a complement: A heartfelt compliment can have a huge impact on someone’s day. Take time to admire a coworker’s outfit, notice a stranger’s pair of glasses, or give compliments to the chef!
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Check in on your loved ones: A quick text or phone call to check in on your loved ones can spread lots of kindness. People feel more connected and loved when you take the time to see how they are doing and what they might need.
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Be kind to yourself: We are all human and imperfect, but we often forget to be kind to ourselves when we make mistakes. Give yourself some forgiveness and grace and do the same for others.
Have a few extra minutes? Read this article from the Mayo Clinic on all the great benefits you get from being kind.
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