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University Unitarian Church eNewsletter
October 23, 2026
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Sunday, October 25: "Ancestors' Breath"
Worship services at 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. in the chapel and via livestream
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Rev. Victoria Poling and Rev. Emily Melcher will lead the services. Music by the Loft Choir; Charles Robert Stephens, baritone; and Dwight Beckmeyer, piano.
Order of Service
UU Youth from around our region will be joining us in worship and in building a shared altar in NJ Hall to honor our ancestors. You are invited to bring a memento or a photo of a body or spirit ancestor to add to the altar, which will remain in NJ Hall through November 1 as a way for us to collectively honor our dead in this season. [Continue reading]
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Post-Election Candlelight Vespers
Wednesday, November 4, in the chapel
Doors and snacks at 6:15; service 6:30–7:30 p.m.
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As the election approaches, many of us are experiencing the effects of anxiety. So much is at stake. Whatever the results, however we are feeling, this is a moment to come together.
Revs. Jeremiah and Victoria will hold space for us to gather as a community on Wednesday evening, November 4, to sing, lament, hope, and pray together. Please come into each other's tender-hearted company, lay down your burdens for a moment, and open yourself to the courage, healing, love, and grace that is here. Childcare will be available.
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UUC Hosting PNW Youth Con
October 23–25, 2026
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When you show up at UUC on Sunday, you will probably notice a presence on site—that of 40 teens and adult sponsors from around the Pacific Northwest who will be our guests from Friday night through Sunday at noon. This gathering of youth is all about putting our UU shared values into practice in a safe container in which we create a UUtopia together one weekend at a time a few times a year (our next Con will be in Port Townsend in March). These gatherings are powerful in the lives of teens, helping them set a course for who they want to be in their lives. [Continue reading]
(Photo above is from the 2024 Climate Con at UUC)
| | CAT: Data Center Resistance | |
This week, the Climate Action Team (CAT) directs you to information about 350Seattle’s "Data Center Resistance" campaign. The campaign is organized within the framework of Seattle’s data center construction moratorium (passed June 9, 2025 by the City Council) and its various decision points. [Continue reading]
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Thanks so much to everyone who have participated in our UU the Vote Team’s democracy work in the last few months!
Let’s celebrate what we've done so far this season:
We completed and sent 4,000 Reclaim Our Vote postcards to voters in the key states of Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and Texas as part of the voter engagement/get out the vote work for the midterm elections. [Continue reading]
| | A Heart Ablaze with Love and Courage | |
From UUC's Acting for Racial Justice Team:
On October 10, Jacob Johns, Hopi and Akimel O-odham, and a fellow Unitarian Universalist, came from Spokane to share his story of art, courage, and activism. He shared a story of finding his spiritual heart of flaming love and courage. He told us of his journey from time in a maximum security prison where he taught himself to draw and paint portraits as a way to cope with hours of solitary time and begin to heal his soul. [Continue reading]
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Common Threads: Earring Making
Sunday, October 25, 1:15–2:45 p.m. in the Dix room and via Zoom
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Deborah de Raadt has volunteered to bring her earring-making supplies and expertise to our October 25 Common Threads meeting! Come join us and make your own with Deborah's help. Or bring your own knitting or other hand-work to join us in conversation. [Continue reading]
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The Artique Group: Selected Works
Sunday, October 25 in the UUC chapel
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“The Artique Group: Selected Works,” will be our art exhibit in the chapel for the next several weeks. All are invited to meet the artists in the chapel immediately following the second service on Sunday, October 25, or to attend the public art reception from 1–3 p.m. that afternoon. Refreshments will be served. The exhibit will hang until December 12, 2026. [Continue reading]
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November 1 is Music Sunday
9:30 and 11:15 a.m. in the UUC chapel and via live stream
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Join us as the UUC Loft Choir, soloists and orchestra present Vivaldi’s beloved Gloria during our worship services.
Karen P. Thomas, conductor
Amy Peer, soprano
Cally Lindenmier, alto
Danny Szydlo, tenor
Charles Robert Stephens, baritone
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Faith in Action: Artful Activism with 350Seattle
Saturday, November 7, 12–3 p.m. in Nathan Johnson Hall
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This will be an opportunity for families and individuals of all ages to participate in an art build with 350Seattle and create art that draws attention to important climate action and social justice issues.
All ages and skill levels are invited to participate. Wear clothes you feel comfortable getting paint on. You can bring ideas and materials for your own climate justice projects, or work with a 350Seattle volunteer on their banners for upcoming events. No experience required! [Continue reading]
| | UUC's UUJME: Taking a Position | |
UUC’s chapter of UUs for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME) has endorsed a letter of support for Palestinian activist Mohsen Mahdawi. In publicly taking this position, we join the national UUJME organization, the ACLU, and UU congregations and individuals across the country in advocating for immigrant justice, free speech, and the inherent worth and dignity of every person.
We encourage members of our beloved community to join us in signing UUJME's letter of support. [Continue reading]
| | Care Team Asks "How Can We Help You?" | |
The UUC Care Team serves people in the UUC community when they encounter illness, grief, medical events, and other life issues. We all need a little help sometimes. If you find yourself needing a listening ear or a little help, please email the Care Team or leave a message on our confidential voicemail at (206) 454-7722. We are trained lay volunteers. We check for messages twice daily and keep your information confidential.
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ARJT Book Discussion
Wednesday, November 18, 7:00–8:30 p.m. in Channing
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Please join UUC's Acting for Racial Justice Team (ARJT) for a discussion focusing on developing respectful relationships with our Indigenous kin, based on the book In The Spirit of Right and Respectful Relations: Conversations about Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being in Nature, as told to Kurt Russo. [Continue reading]
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Jesus and Plato in the Gospel of Thomas
Tuesdays beginning October 27, 7:00–8:30 p.m. at Shoreline UU Church, by RSVP
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Darrell Udd, long-time member of Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Church, has just published a book that is on the cutting edge of scholarship, Jesus and Plato in the Gospel of Thomas, and is offering a seminar on Tuesday evenings starting October 27. The seminar will explore how research on the ancient Gospel of Thomas can revolutionize reconstructions of the historical Jesus and the history of his earliest followers. It is free and open to the public. [Continue reading]
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Create a Living Will
Saturday, November 7, 1:00-3:30 p.m. at Shoreline UU Church or via Zoom, by RSVP
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Purpose of Advance Care Planning/Living Will Seminar
To consider, then complete, sign, and have witnessed, the five important documents relating to your wishes for critical care medical interventions. Increase your chance to end your life on your own terms and protect your loved ones from guilt about not supporting you, even if you develop dementia. [Continue reading]
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Divali Service
Sunday, November 8, 8:30 a.m. online (link provided upon RSVP)
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Worship together with Madira & Michael McKee, Menaca Padakandla
Join us for a UU celebration of Divali, the Festival of Lights. Through devotional music, traditional dance, and reflections on light overcoming darkness, we will explore compassion, spiritual renewal, and the light that shines within us all. [Continue reading]
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Our worship theme for November is "Healing."
See Themes and Our UU Values and Theme Core Questions.
Sunday, November 1
Music Sunday: Vivaldi’s Gloria
Sunday, November 8
Rev. Jeremiah will lead the services. Music by Chris Rule, bass; Terry Spinelli, violin; and Dwight Beckmeyer, piano.
Sunday, November 15
Rev. Victoria and Rev. Jeremiah will lead the services. Music by the Bell and Loft Choirs; Cally Lindenmier, mezzo; and Dwight Beckmeyer, piano.
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Sunday Worship
Join us for our Sunday morning services at 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. in our chapel or via our live stream.
Sprouts Care for young children (6 months–4 years old) is available during both services, upstairs in the Children's Suite.
Small groups for elementary-age children are available during both services in the Children's Suite.
World Religions, for 6th-8th grade, and Youth Group, for 9th-12th grade, meet during the 11:15 service in the King and Servetus rooms. For more details, see What to Expect in Family Ministry This Year.
Facemasks are optional but welcomed at UUC. You can find facemasks on our welcome desks and in the church office. For the well-being of everyone in our community, please stay home if you have cold or flu-like symptoms, even if you're sure it’s "just a cold." UUC follows county and state guidelines regarding public health protocols.
Please continue to check in at a kiosk or on the paper sign-in sheet when entering the building. This helps us better understand attendance on Sundays and for programs and meetings throughout the week.
Click here for more information about Sunday mornings.
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