From the Minister ......................... 2 News From the Board ................... 3 Evergreen's Offerings ..................... 4 Children & Youth .......................... 5 UUA, Holidays and Days of Observance .................................... 6
Summer 2022 | Covers June 25th, 2022 through September 20th, 2022
please e-mail newsletteR@evergreenuu.org for a print copy
Summer services at EUUF
Newsletter
Evergreen
Table of contents
June 26th will be the last service of this church year and will be a live-stream event from General Assembly (GA); please check the weekly e-mail for details. Evergreen Sunday services have generally been less formal or, in the past even non-existent, from the end of the church year in June through the Labor Day Weekend. For a number of reasons we are planning to do Church Lite starting July 3rd. Each Sunday we will open the regular Zoom room at 10:15 am. Starting at 10:30, there will be Opening Words, a Chalice Lighting, sharing of Joys & Sorrows and an Offertory, especially on split plate Sundays, then join together or in break-out rooms for conversation. There may be guest presenters so keep a look out in the weekly e-mail for possible updates. You are also welcome to share appropriate poems, stories and musical presentations with our zoom attendees. Maybe you would like to try your hand at leading a less formal gathering. Please share your talents and ideas with Marilyn Bosckis at worship@evergreenuu.org. As chair of the Worship Committee she welcomes all volunteers and ideas. Individuals might choose to welcome others to an in-person gathering at a local park or a large private property, and summer may also be a time for you to investigate and visit, virtually or in-person, other congregations near or far. Please share your experiences, especially if there's something you think EUUF should try. See you this summer!
My dear folks, In this, my final newsletter article to you all, I would like to extend gratitude to all those who have given so much to this congregation. As a minister, it can be nice to receive gifts from congregants - and I’ve been grateful for those that I have received from you all - but the best thing of all is when congregants nourish themselves through their involvement in the congregation. That is what makes ministry a joy. So, here, for helping to make ministry a joy for me, I’d like to thank those who: in ten thousand different ways, steadfastly showed up to help make Evergreen run, thoughtfully reflected on something you heard in a worship service or congregational workshop, welcomed new frameworks for thinking about things or doing things at Evergreen, shared your creative perspective with us, invested in developing your relationships with those fellow congregants with whom you have less in common, showed up to meetings with a hunger in your heart to get to collaborate with your fellow congregants, or fantasized about new ways for Evergreen to be a powerful presence in Snohomish County. Congregations thrive when people are invested in being transformed and in transforming others. At this key turning point for the Fellowship, I can envision wonderful possibilities for your future. May it be so! In faith, Pr. Tom
NEWS FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
from the minister
Desmond Smith, President Chris Martinez, Vice President Jennie Lindberg, Secretary Ray Mutchler, Treasurer Ann Kelleher, Past President Tom Gaskin, Member-at-large Sandra Biggerstaff, Member-at-large
Members of the Board starting July 1st:
Summer 2022
Contact the Board: via Slack on the #board-buzz channel via email at board@evergreenuu.org
As we bring this 2021-22 Board year to a close, it is not the beginning of just any other summer transition. At the Annual Congregational Meeting on June 12th, the Membership came together first to open the proceedings by re-affirming our commitment to our Mission Statement as a Congregation. This was followed by General Business votes approving the minutes, the budget, and the updated banner policy. We then joined together to cast a very thoughtful and informed vote on the future of our sacred home – deciding by almost unanimous vote to sell the church building (31 approved, 1 opposed, I abstention) - and after endorsing an impressive slate of leadership candidates for the new term, we thanked the volunteers and adjourned the Annual Meeting. And then a most remarkable thing happened…folks remained together for about an hour to share thoughts and feelings about what had just happened. There seemed to be a collective sigh of relief that the decision was finally made…a sense of release…that the years of concern about the building and its uncertain maintenance and financial demands were finally at rest and they could move on to making plans for Evergreen’s future in the world. There was an almost tangible spirit of promise and possibility in the room. At the same time, there were many reflections about the growth and healing that had taken place in the Congregation during the years of Pr. Tom’s ministry…the listening and small group discussions that had encouraged an environment and capacity to make such mindful decisions. There were many enthusiastic ideas offered and many offers of assistance with next steps; and the Board is ready to harness that energy and support from the Congregation as it develops its action plans in the coming year to implement the Congregation’s direction regarding selling the building. The Board has a very full Agenda ahead as it works to recruit a new part-time Minister, engage a commercial realtor to represent Evergreen in the sale of the building, get hybrid capability operational, thoroughly investigate the partnerships available to determine what direction best meets Evergreen’s Mission and needs, consider rentals as well to see how they fit with our overall financial plan, and work with the Congregation to prepare the building and its possessions for an eventual move. Finally, on June 4th, we had a wonderful event for Pr. Tom at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo to celebrate our time with him and all of the gifts he has shared with us. For those of you who were unable to join us, I’ve included a picture that shows him wearing the stole that the Board presented to him that was so beautifully crafted by Judy Smith at our request. It has been lovely to see him wearing it these last few Sundays for his Sermons. The dedication from the Board that is embroidered on the inside reads: To Pastor Tom: Our trusted spiritual leader, healer, guide, and nurturer… 2017-2022 May the seeds you planted at Evergreen continue to bloom for years and years to come. We offer Pr. Tom our best wishes as he begins this new chapter in his life. ------------ It has been my honor and privilege to serve as President of the Board of Trustees during 2021-22. Ann Kelleher
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 Ann Kelleher boardpresident@evergreenuu.org BOARD OF TRUSTEES board@evergreenuu.org OFFICE ADMIN Alli Curtis administrator@evergreenuu.org RELIGIOUS EDUCATOR JW Wenzel redirector@evergreenuu.org NEWSLETTER newsletter@evergreenuu.org
(Click image to enlarge.)
Pastoral Associates are available by phone or e-mail, or zoom. Contact them at pastoralassociates@evergreenuu.org
Keep an eye out in the Fall for a new series being led on The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity.
Our Youth and Sunday RE programs have been going strong through the summer for the last 2 summers. But as things start settling into a kind of new normal, we will also bring forward our old tradition of taking a summer break. Youth will be on hiatus until August, when they will get together again to plan a camp out event. Sunday RE will be more informal, with stories and games. I hope everyone experiences the rest and rejuvenation that we often experience with the sunlight.
Summer Schedule
EUUF Walking Group - Fridays, 2:30 pm @ Ebey Waterfront Park The EUUF Walking Group walks the Ebey Slough Waterfront Trail each Friday (weather permitting). The walk starts at 2:30 pm from the trailhead at the Marysville Ebey Waterfront Park 1404 1st St. Marysville. All levels of walkers are welcome. If you are interested in joining us please contact Sandie at skbigg@live.com to get added to the email list so that you can learn of any changes to the schedule. Men's Circle - 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. Cedar Covenant Circle - July 20th, August 17th, September 21st (3rd Wednesdays), 6 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 June 29th - "The Hare with Amber Eyes: A Family's Century of Art and Loss" DeWaal, E. 354 pages. Traces the parallel stories of nineteenth-century art patron Charles Ephrussi and his unique collection of 360 miniature netsuke Japanese ivory carvings, documenting Ephrussi's relationship with Marcel Proust and the impact of the Holocaust on his cosmopolitan family. July 27th - "Conscious Living, Conscious Aging: Embrace and Savor Your Next Chapter" Pevny, R. 215 pages. We financially plan for our retirement, but do we plan for our wellbeing? Here is an empowering guide with practical tools to help you live a passionate, fulfilling second half of life. (NOTE - SNO-ISLE HAS ONLY 1 COPY OF THE JUNE AND JULY BOOKS) August 31st - "The Giver of Stars" Moyes, J. 399 pages A call goes out for a team of women to deliver books as part of Eleanor Roosevelt’s new traveling library; set in Depression-era America, a breathtaking story of five extraordinary women and their remarkable journey through the mountains of Kentucky and beyond. Contact Michelle Valentine for more information. The Common Ground Choir, WISE, and Big Questions will be taking a break over the summer and will resume in September.
The Artist's Way
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
evergreen's offerings
Coming up: Youth CAMP OUT! TBD Family Story Time (In Person!) August TBD
RE Families with Children and Youth
YouthCamp Is Back in 2022! Registration Is Open! New this year - All camps are open to Middle & High School Campers! Camp Blue Boat- Our week-long, residential camp in the Pacific Northwest. July 17-22, 2022 Ellensburg, WA Watch our camp promo video! Looking for Spirit QUUest? Don't worry, QUUest Camp is now open to both middle and high school campers with age specific programming and housing for the same camp experience you've always loved! *Note - All Staff and Campers will need to provide proof of COVID Vaccination or medical exemption Donate- After 2 summers off due to COVID we are in rebuilding mode! Camp is made possible by camper tuition and your generosity. Your donation helps us keep the costs down and make sure everyone can come to camp who wants to.
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.)
EUUF Calendar
July 2022: 1st: Canada Day (Canada) 4th: Independence Day (US) 29th (evening): Islamic New Year August 2022: The UUA doesn't list any holidays or observances for August, but you can find some fun ones here, and some tasty ones too, like National Ice Cream Sandwich Day on the 2nd. Mmmm. September 2022: 5th: Labor Day 11th: 9/11 Anniversary National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15—Oct. 15) 22nd: Autumn Equinox/Mabon 23rd: Celebrate Bisexuality Day 25th (sunset) to 27th: Rosh Hashanah
submission deadline for the Fall newsletter: September 12th date range: September 21st through December 20th Send your submissions to newsletter@evergreenuu.org Or submit using this form Send your submissions to newsletter@evergreenuu.org.
Did you miss General Assembly this year? You can view the Videos of public events from General Assembly (GA) 2022 on this page—no registration required. Watch General Sessions, the Sunday Morning Worship, the Service of Living Tradition, and the Synergy Bridging Worship.
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.
General Assembly 2022 in portland & Online