EUUF Info ..................................... 2 Connection Page ........................... 3 From the Minister ......................... 4 News From the Board ................... 5 Evergreen's Offerings ..................... 6 Children & Youth .......................... 7 UUA, Holidays and Days of Observance .................................... 8 Anti-Racism Learning Circles..........9
Early Autumn 2021 | Covers September 28th through October 31st, 2021
please e-mail newsletteR@evergreenuu.org for a print copy
from the minister - on page 4
Newsletter
It is now Autumn. The air is cooling and the days growing shorter. At this latitude, it is shifting to that time of year when we tend to spend more time huddling indoors with one another. And, yet, the pandemic persists - making that huddling riskier. And, yet, the opportunities for exploration continue. (Continue reading on page 4...) Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking virtual congregational field trips on Sunday mornings
Evergreen
Table of contents
Pastoral Associates are available by phone or e-mail, or zoom. Contact them at pastoralassociates @evergreenuu.org Resources and Needs Survey
Welcoming Activities...
Specific tasks create a welcoming environment for our Sunday Service on Zoom. These tasks have been shared by a few dedicated people who learned how to use the features of Zoom. In hopes of engaging more of us actively to create this welcoming experience. An explanation of each task will be included in the Weekly Update starting October 29th. The Welcoming Activities are: Usher Chat Greeter Messaging and Tracking Visitors Taking Attendance Spotlighting the Speaker Each week’s explanation will also include links to a video tutorial, put together by Mari. There is also a Google Doc with screen captures and written instructions. Here is what the first one for Usher looks like (Click the image to enlarge): There is a rehearsal for the Sunday service at 9:30 am. It isn’t necessary for you to attend if you have signed up to do activities 1-4, but is for Activity #5 (Spotlighting the Speaker). The rehearsal is accessed and runs through the #TechHosts Slack channel. More on this later. These tasks are a virtual version of those that used to be done by the greeters but are easier. For one thing in a pinch you can do them in your PJ’s. If you want to sneak a peak on this upcoming series, here is the link to the sign-up sheet, clicking on the header with the name of the activity takes you to a Google Doc like the one shown on the left. The easiest activity to learn is ‘admitting’ which is comparable to being an usher. This is how people are allowed to join our Sunday service. First, plan on joining the service by 10:15 am. Once you have been ‘admitted’, and your audio is on, click on the participant icon and scan the list to see who is identified as the host. Inform the host that you signed up for ‘admitting’. The host will make you a co-host. Now when anyone wants to join, a window will appear on top of your Zoom window with the person’s name and a button with the word Admit. Click the button and the person gets to join the service. Sometimes more than one person requests admittance at the same time. In this case your popup window will show a button labeled view. Clicking on the button takes you to the participant window where you can view the name of each person requesting admittance and a button to admit them. And that is all there is to it. If this explanation is not clear, Mari has created a video tutorial, as well as written instructions. To view the one on admitting click here. Click here to go to the sign-up sheet to volunteer. These forms are Google Spreadsheets and if you don’t want to deal with them, just e-mail me and I’ll sign you up. If you have any questions please contact me, Barb Johnson or Michelle Valentine. -Sandie Biggerstaff
Amazon Smile
connection page
Submit Something For the Weekly Update, Newsletter or Sunday Announcements! Check out the form for submissions for the Weekly Update, Newsletter, Sunday Announcements and more! You can choose what the title will be, in which publications you'd like the announcement to run, how long it will be publicized, and what images will be included (if any.)
Early Autumn 2021
AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support Evergreen every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is available at smile.amazon.com on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS and Android phones. Learn how to set it up here. As of August, we've received $593.92 from those that have selected Evergreen as their charity when shopping with AmazonSmile! Thank you to those that have chosen to give to EUUF!
Please join us for an evening hearing and discussing how we can use our voting power to work for equity for the LGBTQ+ Community. This gathering is part of our renewal as a Welcoming Congregation. If you are interested in this meeting, or in the Welcoming Congregation work, please contact Skyler at contact.me@comcast.net.
September 28th - October 31st Sunday Worship Service 10:30 am Join Zoom Meeting Evergreen Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 1607 4th St., Marysville, WA 98270 www.evergreenuu.org 360-659-6621 Office Hours Please check with the Office Admin via email for in-person office hours MINISTER the Rev. Tom Bozeman BOARD PRESIDENT Fred Haist boardpresident@evergreenuu.org BOARD OF TRUSTEES board@evergreenuu.org OFFICE ADMIN Alli Curtis administrator@evergreenuu.org RELIGIOUS EDUCATOR Mari Budlong redirector@evergreenuu.org NEWSLETTER newsletter@evergreenuu.org
It is now Autumn. The air is cooling and the days growing shorter. At this latitude, it is shifting to that time of year when we tend to spend more time huddling indoors with one another. And, yet, the pandemic persists - making that huddling riskier. And, yet, the opportunities for exploration continue. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking virtual congregational field trips on Sunday mornings to “Explore The Interdependent Web” of nearby UU congregations’ worship services. (And, afterward, we’ll regather in our usual Sunday morning Zoom room - to share our Joys & Sorrows with one another, have an Offering, discuss the worship service, and have some fellowship time together.) This is a delightful opportunity in this time of online connection: to open ourselves to the sparks of inspiration or clarity that can come with doing a new thing together. And the Board will be leading the congregation in one of this year’s two Open Questions: “How do we expand our financial resources?” And, later on this Fall, we will circle back to the question that was introduced in the Spring about our facilities: “Which option should we pursue regarding our facilities that will fulfill our mission?” The future of Evergreen is still being written. Over the past couple of years, we’ve built a good foundation of self-understanding. The next step is to direct our energies to realizing our dreams. In this prolonged second season of COVID, I hope that you will reach out to me for support if/when you need it. As a society, we are challenged in ways we had not anticipated - and we still need each other. So, may we continue to be a blessing to one another in any way that we can. In faith, Pr. Tom 774.353.0523 (call/text)
NEWS FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
from the minister
Meet with Pastor Tom
To schedule a phone/virtual meeting, go to calendly.com/ therevtombozeman. Or, if something urgent comes up, you can always call/text him at 774-353-0523.
The Board has been focusing time and energy during these first few months of the fiscal year in looking toward how we will begin to return to our pre-pandemic lives – mapping out what that may look like as we face a number of challenges ahead. We realize that events can change so quickly and the future continues to be uncertain; we must be able to “plan in pencil” as part of our resilience tool kit. We are grateful to the Safety Team for their diligence and careful monitoring of the constantly changing conditions and recommendations from local, state and federal authorities as well as UUA guidelines in keeping with our own Mission, Core Values and Beliefs. To enhance and reinforce the Safety Team’s efforts in ensuring that all of the aspects of their recommendations necessary for a coordinated and comprehensive return to the Church building are addressed in a systematic way in time for that return, the Board has activated a Readiness Advisory Task Force to advise the Board on readiness for phasing in or moving to in-person services and larger group gatherings. This group will have broad congregational representation and address such concerns as building issues, health concerns, hybrid services, RE/Family concerns, procedures for in-person services, communications, supplies, and policies for renters. We are using our Developmental Meetings to prepare for this year’s Open Questions conversations with the Congregation on how to expand our financial resources and pursuing a plan for our facilities that will fulfill our Mission. For our August Developmental session, Dr. Melissa James, UUA Pacific Western Region Specialist for Stewardship and Fundraising, joined us via Zoom and conducted a workshop for the Board on strategies for developing an integrated approach for stewardship and fundraising and developing a sustainable financial plan. We spent the September Developmental session exploring the material from the workshop in even greater depth and specificity as it applied to Evergreen. We will be finalizing plans for the financial Open Question Congregational meetings at our October Developmental meeting and will be scheduling the Building Open Question meeting in December. We are regularly posting information on what will be on the monthly Board Agenda and highlights of the Board Business meeting in the Weekly Friday Update as well as in the Slack Board Channel #board-buzz. We now have 23 members on #board-buzz and invite you to join the conversation if you have not yet signed up. Ann Kelleher Board President
Join us for an evening of family-friendly trivia (and feuding!) We'll have a couple different themes and styles, including Family Feud, Kahoot, and Jeopardy. October 24th 4pm RSVP for link. RSVP Requested!
Family Fellowship
Registration
Split Plate Offering Highlight - Oct. 24th - UU@UN
evergreen's offerings
We had a great summer traveling the world learning about faith traditions and spiritual practices. So much so, we are going to continue this series through the fall. You can find our class recordings and more in the Virtual Classroom.
Youth Event
RE Families with Children and Youth
No matter if you have been participating for years, or this is your first time registering your children: now is the time! Please fill out our form, even if you are not currently participating, to be included in the conversation about returning to in person programs.
October's Split Plate Offering is for the Unitarian Universalist Office at the United Nations. The UU@UN has held a prominent place at the UN since 1962, advocating for UU values on the global stage. Within our lifelong quest for a world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all, the UU Office at the United Nations is one way that we are getting closer to that goal. By engaging every day with Member States and agencies and speaking out in defense of human rights and to protect our planet, right now the UU Office at the United Nations’s advocacy is focused on bringing the global community together to share solutions for demilitarizing local police forces and to amplify just and inclusive ways to keep communities safe. The UU@UN uses its affiliation with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to bring representatives of Unitarian Universalism to speak for our values at UN climate conferences. As nationalism, climate injustice, and racism continue to threaten our world community, having our UU voice represented at the UN is critical, and the UU@UN relies on congregational and individual donations to continue its work. AND October 24th is United Nations Sunday! The 2021 UN Sunday theme is based on the April Intergenerational Spring Seminar topic, All In for Climate Justice: Food Equity and Sustainability. Contributing to the UU@UN is one of the requirements to receive a Sixth Principle Award as a congregation. This Award is an annual recognition that the UU@UN grants to congregations who demonstrate their commitment to building a world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all (our UU Sixth Principle’s goal). If you're interested in learning about the other requirements for becoming a Sixth Principle congregation, check it out here. Learn more about UN Sunday here. Learn about ways to get involved with Unitarian Universalist Office at the United Nations here.
EUUF Writer's Night - October 13th (2nd Wednesdays), 6:30 - 8 pm Join in an evening of sharing your written works. Non-writers are welcome; the last part of the meeting will be dedicated to workshop / sharing writing techniques, methods and inspiration. Join Zoom Meeting. Contact Jen Broadway for more information. Cedar Covenant Circle - October 20th (3rd Wednesdays), 7 pm This Covenant Circle has room for new members, so anyone who would like to give us a try will be welcome. If you have any questions please contact Sandie B. skbigg@live.com. Book Discussion Group - Last Wednesday of the month 7:15 - 8:45 pm Sept. 29th - "Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know" by Adam Grant, 320 pages Oct 27th - "Unsettled Ground" by Cassandra Tate The Whitman Massacre and Its Shifting Legacy in the American West, 304 pages Contact Michelle Valentine for more information. Men's Circle - October 12th & 26th 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, from 7-9 pm We are a group of men who gather to share with each other our authentic joys, challenges and insights, with the goals of personal growth and mutual support. We pledge to create affirmative, compassionate gatherings through heart-felt sharing, deep listening, honest communication, and confidentiality. We currently meet via Zoom. Contact Dan Hall for more information. Big Questions - October 8th & 22nd 2nd and 4th Fridays, from 7 - 9 pm Join here to discuss fundamental questions in philosophy. The questions take the Socratic form, “What is …?” What is justice? What is truth? What is it to be spiritual? All are welcome. Contact Desmond Smith for more information. Common Ground Choir Oct. 28th, 4th Thursdays, from 7-8:30 pm The choir has been rehearsing via Zoom meetings held on Thursdays at 7 p.m. If you would like to join us, please contact Kathleen. All are welcome. We have also been rehearsing with practice audio files which can then be added to tracks on SoundTrap. This way we can still provide music for the virtual services and maintain our identity as a choir and as worship leaders. This is a valuable tool which we will continue to use even after things get back to the "new normal". EUUF Walking Group - Fridays, 1:30 pm @ Ebey Waterfront Park The trail is fully paved, flat and has several benches along the way for those who want to sit a bit and watch the water flow by. The fitter and faster walkers can get all the way to the cut in the leavee that is allowing the restoration of the Qwuloolt Estuary. Contact Sandie B. for more info.
Adult Programs Is there a program you'd like to offer? Contact Desmond at adultprograms@evergreenuu.org. Find more details on our website! www.evergreenuu.org/adult-programs
We're changing things up a bit in October Youth Gathering. We will NOT be gathering on the 1st and 3rd Friday, but rather will have a fall Spooky Stories night on October 22nd at 4pm. Youth are encouraged to bring their favorite (appropriate) story to share and a goody bag will be delivered for some fun activities.
FALL IS HERE!
October 2021: LGBT History Month 10th: Clergy Appreciation Day 11th: National Coming Out Day 11th: Indigenous Peoples' Day 11th: Canadian Thanksgiving 26th: Intersex Awareness Day 31st: Halloween 31st: Samhain
December 11 & 12, 2021 What is Compass? It’s a national virtual event It’s a regional gathering* It’s a time to learn together - worship together - share our wisdom It’s a time to be with other congregational leaders on the journey towards our shared future. Registration opens October 1st.
Gather, Inspire, Launch! : Two-part Fall Social Witness Convening of the Commission on Social Witness Part One: Wednesday, Oct 6, 7-9 pm ET/4-6 pm PT Part Two: Wednesday, Oct 13, 7-9 pm ET/4-6 pm PT Across the world, we UUs find ourselves pulled in many directions for justice & health, humanitarian aid, and earth care. Amid this trying time, let us inspire one another through collective action! At the UUA General Assembly this past June, the delegates voted to affirm three bold statements for healing action. The delegates also adopted a formal UUA Statement of Conscience on Undoing Systemic White Supremacy. Join these two meetings to find out what UU leaders around the country are doing, what you can do, and who you can partner with to carry forward these bold actions full of inspiring possibilities. Gather, inspire, and launch your social witness action! The Commission on Social Witness invites you to the Fall Social Witness Convening in two parts. Attend both sessions to find out about all the statements and actions!
UUA news, holidays & days of observance
Please check the calendar on the Evergreen website for the most current offerings, activities, events and worship services. New to Evergreen? Please fill out the Guest Card at evergreenuu.org/sunday.
Fall Social Witness Convening
EUUF Calendar
Anti-Racism learning circles
You are invited to join us for Anti-Racism Learning Circles, which begin in early to mid-October. Hosted by First Unitarian Portland. Since it’s on Zoom, you can join from anywhere! LEARNING CIRCLES are small discussion cohorts based on a book or podcast that provide: Important learning about white supremacy, racism, and our national history The opportunity to build trust and go deep in small group discussions over time A safe place to have difficult discussions and deal wih discomfort Creating and strengthening relationships with other UUs Connection, focus and purpose in a virtual setting How Do LEARNING CIRCLES Work? Each cohort (typically 4-12) gathers for a series (from 4-10 sessions) of facilitated Zoom discussions. Register to for a particular Learning Circle HERE. Meeting dates & times vary. Each individual is given the opportunity to share reactions, then discuss as a group We ask that you attend all sessions so we can build bonds of trust and insight For descriptions, schedules & to register go to: LEARNING CIRCLE REGISTRATION Podcasts: Seeing White: Season 2 of Scene on Radio The Land That Has Never Been Yet: Season 4 of Scene on Radio Books: Caste: The Origin of our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How we Can Propser Together by Heather McGhee Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right’s Stealth Plan for America by Nancy MacLean My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love by Valerie Kaur We Do This ’Til We Free Us: Abolitionist Organizing and Transforming Justice by Mariame Kaba
submission deadline for Late Autumn newsletter: October 24th date range: October 31st Through December 19th Send your submissions to newsletter@evergreenuu.org Or submit using this form Send your submissions to newsletter@evergreenuu.org
Reflect, Rejoice, renew: Pacific Western Regional Assembly 2022
Reflect, Rejoice, Renew: Pacific Western Regional Assembly 2022 will gather UUs from across the west to hold space for multigenerational community, large and small, group worship, activities, discussion, and learning. Come celebrate our history and people and connect with each other, our faith, and our future Friday, February 4 through Sunday, February 6, 2022 @ the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay, 1441 Quivira Road, San Diego, CA Find the latest details here.