You Cannot Turn Your Back

“You can turn your back on me, but you cannot turn your back upon the idea of justice. You can turn your back now and you can keep the club in your hand, but you cannot beat down justice… And we will register to vote, because as citizens of these United States we have the right to do it.” Rev. C.T. Vivian A Civil Rights organizer, Rev. Vivian, died a little more than a week ago and I regret that I had only a faint sense of who he was before the eulogies started to come out. While John Lewis’

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Special Announcement from UUA President, Susan Frederick-Gray

In this sacred season, let’s open our communities to all who need a life-saving message. This is a significant week in so many ways. The Surgeon General predicts this week and next may be some of the most difficult and deadly in the pandemic. For me, the virus has hit close to home with both a dear friend as well as a family member experiencing symptoms. This will be true for more and more people over the course of the next couple of weeks. This week is also a sacred time in both Judaism and Christianity. The celebration of Passover

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Beloved Community Check In

A quick summary of 2020 to date: January was long, February was fast, and March has been weird.  As we journey into April together the essence of this month begins to unfold.  One bit of clarity we do have – we will remain a virtual community for the month of April. For our First Sunday of the Month Joys and Sorrows candles, you are invited to prepare a candle to light in your own home for the ritual and/or to place a candle in the chat box during worship on Sunday.  A virtual candle will be available in the chat

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Shifting to the Long Haul Together

Monday marked an intense day for the West Seattle and Westside UU community, with the announcement about the West Seattle bridge closure and the Governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order happening almost at the same time. However this news landed for you, we invite you to take a moment, take a breath, and be gentle with yourself.  The changes will continue to unfold AND you are a part of a beloved community that cares about you.  Please do not struggle in silence or alone. Westside UU Congregation continues to adapt with intention, holding our mission and vision central to our

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Inclusive Language Is Evolving Language – by Jade Sylvan, UUA LGBTQ Ministries and Clara Barton Gender Justice Fellow

Dear Friends, Many LGBTQ+ people see their self-identifying language shift over their lifetimes, even if their identities themselves do not change. As our access to language and community evolves, we might “come out” to our friends, family, and congregations, sometimes many times within a relationship. In fact, new language continues to be workshopped in LGBTQ+ communities as we search for words that best communicate our particular and shared experiences. I feel this is a great strength of the LGBTQ+ community. At our best, we are always actively evolving. I often see challenges arise around change within Unitarian Universalist communities, both

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We Are Bringing Back Congregational Care Clusters!!

The board would like to offer gratitude for the good thinking and input we have received to help to navigate our path through this time. Input and ideas are always welcomed, so that we can benefit as a community from the collective awareness and wisdom we bring. The board has identified caring for one another as a top priority at this time. We do have budget-making processes going forward in the background. AND we are making space to focus on what it can look like to strengthen our connections and mutual support. These radical times are an opportunity for us

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An MLK Day Message from UUA President, Susan Frederick-Gray

“The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state, and never its tool. If the church does not recapture its prophetic zeal, it will become an irrelevant social club without moral or spiritual authority.”  ~Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.   Deanna, On this MLK Day it is imperative that we not only remember his words but understand how his words, actions and leadership call us to live and act today. Some imaginations give us

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Bridge Notes 1.10.2020

It was a joy to begin a new year and a new decade worshiping with y’all on Sunday, dear ones.     After service, the Worship Planning Team met, and I have a few notes to share. Revisiting the arch, with good process this time (with gratitude for the grace of everyone who experienced the abrupt change in December that did not honor the change-making process of this congregation):   One of the loving traditions at Westside is to sing children and youth to their religious exploration (RE) programs after the Time for All Ages.  For many years, congregants have turned and formed

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Holiday Bridge Notes – Rev. Deanna Vandiver

This Public Service Announcement brought to you by your Unitarian Universalist bridge minister who has just been creatively reminded by the universe of this important truth.   Beloveds, in the crush of this season of holidays, remember that YOU GOT PEOPLE.   Contrary to the images of loneliness and unworthiness being projected onto us during this commercialized season – you are intimately and ultimately connected to all of creation. Whether you buy or receive holiday gifts, send cards, light menorahs, kinaras, Christmas trees, or bonfires – during the longest nights of the year and during the longest days and every

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Season’s Greetings from Rev. Christopher Wulff

Seasons’ Greetings Westsiders! Here in Toronto, we’ve been buried under some big snows, cast angels in the billowing powder, and careened down hills on carpets of magic. This morning’s snow has left only a light dusting on the ground, but we are surrounded by signs and sounds of the season at every turn. As much as it has been hard being away from you all, this fall has been an enormous gift of time with family and friends, resting in the love that is and anticipating all that is yet to come. The spirit of advent, that pregnant pause of

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