10/05/2021 by Shannon Day

A Wide, Wild Welcome -Rev. Christopher Wuff

Preemptive radical inclusion is a bit of a mouthful it’s true, but it’s the essence of our desire to be a place of welcome and hospitality to the many folks who long for a spiritual community like Westside. How do we embrace the reality that there are a multitude of invisible identities and experiences in every gathering of people, and make plain our desire to build that bigger welcome table, draw that wider circle? Join Rev. Christopher, Worship Associate Chris Darnell, and The Rainier Reunion as we explore the many ways that Westside welcomes.

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08/24/2020 by Shannon Day

Moving, Hand in Hand

From our very beginnings, we have known that we Unitarian Universalists cannot travel this path of discernment and commitment alone. We feel the blessing of having others companioning us on our journey; but the accompanying burden, of being a good companion to others, we often carry with real discomfort. In this service we’ll reflect on the blessings we’ve received on our spiritual journey, and consider paths to being stewards of one another’s spirits.

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07/07/2020 by Shannon Day

Put Your Roots Down!

In these times, when some feel so unsteady in all the upheaval and uncertainty, and some feel inspired by a new vision of love and justice on the horizon, and where many feel both and none of these things, and so many other feelings. In these times, what does it mean to be grounded? When you are parched, where do you push your roots down into for your relief and your renewal, and what do those roots hold on to?

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07/06/2020 by Shannon Day

We Are Claimed by Love

In our tradition and movement seeking love and justice, we are asked often to reflect on what we claim and what claims us, how we claim this faith and what claim it makes upon us. In this last service of our Bridge Ministry we will say a most grateful goodbye to Rev. Deanna Vandiver who has journeyed with us in the mystery, with love and compassion and serving our deep yearning for justice. We will honor transitions in the congregation’s leadership with so much appreciation. And we will, at long last, welcome our called settled Minister, Rev. Christopher Wulff.

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06/23/2020 by Shannon Day

We Are Part of a Larger Whole: General Assembly and our Denominational Connections

Just as our congregation is made up of individuals who voluntarily come together to form a community of faith, so Westside is part of a larger whole. We exist in regional, national, and international communities of autonomous UU congregations. Next week, the annual General Assembly of our denomination – the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA) – will take place, for the first time entirely by remote communication. What does it look and sound like when 3000 – 4000 UUs gather as a multi-generational community of faith to connect, govern, learn, worship, bear witness? Gracie Bucklew and Lisa Reitzes will

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06/15/2020 by Shannon Day

Celebrating Religious Exploration (Sermon Only) – Rev. Deanna Vandiver

Faith formation is marked by rituals of transition. This annual Westside service celebrates our Religious Exploration (RE) children and youth transitioning into kindergarten, middle school, high school, and graduating into adulthood. During this service, we will also offer our thanks to all our incredible volunteer teachers, RE Council, and other amazing friends of RE who were an important part of co-creating this faith formation experience. The portion of the service with images and names of our children and youth was not recorded per our safety policy.  We are including here Rev. Deanna Vandiver’s sermon and some musical offerings.  Thank you

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06/09/2020 by Shannon Day

And Service Is Our Prayer

Love is the doctrine of this congregation, The quest for truth is our sacrament, And service is our prayer. To dwell together in peace, To seek knowledge in freedom, To serve humanity in fellowship, Thus do we covenant with one another. Join us in honoring the embodied covenant of this congregation as we celebrate the many gifts of service and love that make WSUU possible, as well as honoring the larger work of our faith in the world through the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC).

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06/03/2020 by Shannon Day

In This Together

As we continue to live through this global pandemic, how do we imagine our future? Do we return to life as it was or anticipate a different tomorrow? As individual liberty threatens collective wellbeing, and social inequities deepen, how do we maintain solidarity in this restless time? Richard D. Kim, M.Div., brings over 7 years of professional experience engaging a person centered approach to engaging race, culture and identity in various non-profit and education settings. Most recently, Richard worked as the Intercultural Credibility Coordinator/Consultant at The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, where he also received his M.Div. Richard also

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06/02/2020 by Shannon Day

Moving Towards Conciliation: Finding Middle Ground in a Zealotted World

How can we find middle-ground in what feels like a zealotted world? How can we have productive conversations with people who hold opposing views? Together, we will look at sources of conflict rooted in anti-intellectualism and power, trying to unwind and understand why people hold conflicting viewpoints and how we might be able to have an impact within our everyday conversations.

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05/18/2020 by Shannon Day

Taking Action as an Ally

Have you witnessed someone being discriminated against or treated with disrespect, and wish you knew how to be a stronger advocate – an ally? Join Anastasia-Renee in a conversation and sermon around effective ally-ship for better understanding of how to navigate this path. Anastacia-Renee is a writer, TEDx Speaker, Deep End Podcast co-host and interdisciplinary artist. The recipient of the 2018 James W. Ray Distinguished Artist Award for Washington Artist (Literary), Seattle Civic Poet (2017-2019), and Poet-in-Residence at Hugo House (2015-2017), she has received fellowships and residencies from Cave Canem, Hedgebrook, VONA, Artist Trust, Jack Straw, Ragdale, Mineral School, Hypatia in the Woods, and The New Orleans Writers

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