July 5, 10:30 a.m. “Excellence and Equity”  Lauren Ramers;  Lisa Reitzes, Service Leader
How do our UU values and beliefs align with local educational initiatives?  Lauren Ramers has been working on behalf of students in the academic middle from at-risk backgrounds, who are the first in their family to go to college.  She will address the inequities of the current system and share her experience with AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), a non-profit educational organization, that is changing the demographic of who goes to college in America today.

Lauren is an experienced educator, having spent 5 years in the classroom motivating east San Diego students to reach their dreams of college.  For the past six years, Lauren has served as a national consultant, staff developer, and curriculum writer and a consultant in Bellevue Schools.  She is a nationally Board Certified English Teacher, and was her district’s teacher of the year in 2002. Lauren is currently enrolled in University of Washington's Danforth Educational Leadership Program, focused on turning schools into high-performing, high-impact community models of excellence and equity. 

 July 12, 10:30 a.m.  “Nomadic Ethics “  Keo Capestany; Jill Fleming, Service Leader
The super emphasis on reproductive morality and  patriarchy are directly connected to the ancestral influence of a tribe of desert nomads.  Patriarchy, the inequality of women and homophobia result from the nomadic sexual ethics that still influences us. By separating sex from reproduction modern science will gradually liberate us from that trilogy. The sermon contrasts ancient prejudices with our passionate UU morality of individual responsibility.

Keo is a beloved member of our congregation and always a popular speaker in our pulpit with his keen mind and wit.  He works as a professional translator in our public court systems and for other organizations. 

July 19, 10:30 a.m.  “The Prodigal Son Revisited” Bill Graves, UU Ministerial Candidate
Virtually every minister tries her or his hand at a sermon based on the parable of the Prodigal Son found in the book of Luke, ch. 15.  It is a story of three archetypes that virtually everyone can relate to.  Let us see what meaning we can derive from it for our lives and even for our nation at these perilous but hopeful times.  

Bill Graves has been been a FOP ("Friend of Peg") for almost 30 years.  He is a retired attorney that is now a UU ministerial candidate and recently completed two years as Intern Minister at Skagit UU Fellowship in Mount Vernon.  He lives on Whidbey Island with his wife, Frances.

July 26, 10:30 a.m. Shelby Greiner and Kathleen Tracy
“We are in Charge of Celebrations: Finding the Music and Means for Celebrating What We hold Sacred.”
Liturgical practices are what groups of people do to celebrate the things, events and days that they call sacred.  What would a UU collective liturgical practice look like?  Shelby and Kathleen will explore this using music, poetry and contemplation.

Kathleen is a musician and song writer, who was music director at Rainier Valley UU for many years.  She is a UU, and a mom of daughter Kira.  Shelby is a member of our congregation, is attending Theological School at Seattle University, and just finished a one year term on our Board of Trustees.

August 2, 10:30 a.m.  Rev. Peg

August 9, 10:30 a.m.   "Divine Desire:  Finding Our Collective JOY”  Julia McKay
It has long been said that music is a language that communicates beyond words. Come explore exactly what is it - that is “beyond words!”  In this FUN, innovative and interactive service, we will make contact with the unmistakable energy that is felt when we are moved by music and artistry, AND build community in the process!  In the end, many find that this alternative worship service actually invites the whole congregation into an experience of shared JOY.

Julia McKay, MA, M.Div. is a Ministerial Candidate with the Unitarian Universalist Association, and graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry, May 2008.  She most recently served Shoreline UU Church as their intern minister.  Julia has had previous professional lives as a public school music educator, psychotherapist, and non-profit director.

As a cultural creative, Julia McKay has participated in and facilitated many forms of public arts ministry. Julia is passionate about expanding forms of worship and creating sacred space using the arts. Some met Julia at Seabeck where she was the Music Coordinator for the Winter Eliot Institute 2007.  She has produced and recorded a CD of original contemplative solo piano music entitled  "Where the Light Shows Through.”

August 16, 10:30 a.m.  Rev. Peg

August 23, 10:30 a.m.  “From a Distance” Lisa Reitzes
In the interdependent web of things and beings, it does matter where we stand.  Changing our vantage point can be exhilarating, illuminating, and unsettling.  Lisa Reitzes will share her belief that empathetic imagination is vital for creating and sustaining relationships, and for making peace.

Lisa Reitzes and her partner Jill Jackson have been members of WSUU since May, after having been at East Shore Unitarian Church for 7 years. They moved to Seattle in 2001 and found the place that feels like home. They live in Columbia City in a newly expanded 1920s house with their two cats.  Lisa has been a UU lay leader in San Antonio, TX and Bellevue and is excited to be a part of the worship program at WSUU. She works as an Executive Assistant at Seattle Children’s Hospital and has begun a new role as art coordinator for the hospital facilities.

August 30, 10:30 a.m.  Rev. Lena Breen
Rev. Lena was our part time minister in the mid 90’s, and has since served our UU continental body by being director of religious education at our Boston headquarters of the UU Association.  She subsequently came back to the northwest and served as minister for the Skagit Valley UU Congregation, and is currently retired from parish ministry but continues teaching Yoga and doing guest pulpit appearances.  Lucky us.

 

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