03/03/2021 by Shannon Day

The Shared Pulpit Series

You have a story. Each of our stories is part of a larger narrative of being human in this world, in this time. One of the most powerful spiritual practices we have is in the sharing of our stories and reflecting on the ways those stories awaken us to love, illuminate our humanity, connect us to the holy and ineffable—and common—experience of life. We invite you to join Rev. Christopher for a Shared Pulpit Workshop Series, which will guide you in developing your story into a sermon and worship experience that you can share with the congregation. Using a series

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02/19/2021 by Shannon Day

Under the Bridge

One of the things that was shared during the start-up and has been a continuing thread in my conversations, was a reflection that at Westside “conflicts have to become significant before we attempt to resolve them.”  It makes me think about those cracks in the wall of the first house I bought with my ex-wife. When we moved in there were some really big cracks in the plaster upstairs. If they’d been dealt with when they were small, it would have taken just a little work to patch and fill, but over time they grew wider and filling them became

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02/12/2021 by Shannon Day

With Trust and With Grace

This is the first in a series of posts talking about some of the cracks that I’ve perceived or received from members of the congregation. If we are going to forget our perfect offering and seek to let a healing light in through those cracks, a practice of honesty and accountability, seems essential to moving forward together. “Forget your perfect offering. Ring the bell that still can ring. There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” Poet and Songwriter Leonard Cohen, inspired by Sufi Mystic and Theologian Jalaluddin Rumi “What was I thinking?” is what I’ve

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02/10/2021 by Shannon Day

Some Racial Justice Learning Opportunities for February

One of the goals of the Racial Justice Change Team is to connect the congregation to our work. With that focus in mind, we want to help honor Black History Month and Lunar New Year (February 12). We would also like to bring to your attention some learning opportunities about Coast Salish tribal history and a book by a Korean-American author on the Asian American experience. Each learning opportunity is offered by a Seattle organization. (Note: Presenter and author names followed by * indicate the person is BIPOC. [WSUU] indicates that the presenter/facilitator is a WSUU member or friend.) Many

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02/05/2021 by Shannon Day

That’s How the Light Gets In

Forget your perfect offering.Ring the bells that still can ring. There is a crack in everything.That’s how the light gets in. I’ve heard from lots of folks this week that they are having a lot of different, sometimes conflicting, feelings after last week’s startup and Sunday service, but that these words in particular have been resonating with them. I’ve found the same, and have been singing them to myself pretty frequently. One of the things I’ve appreciated about these conversations is that they seem to carry a deep sense of a desire to be honest, to be really real, about

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01/27/2021 by Shannon Day

Racial Justice Change Team Goals for 2021

Wondering what the Racial Justice Change Team (RJCT) is working on this year? Here are the team’s goals for 2021: Become conversant in the recommendations of the UUA’s “Widening the Circle of Concern” report and align our actions to those recommendations. We have ensured that our planned actions below align with the general recommendations of the report, as well as the priorities of the WSUU Board. The report is available for free at the above link, or for a fee in print or as an Amazon Kindle ebook. Support our BIPOC members and continue to be connected and accountable. Currently,

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01/13/2021 by Shannon Day

Board Member Article for January – Thomas Terence

When Jeanette and Elsa and I started attending Westside in 2009, we were mostly interested in helping Elsa answer some of her questions about what religion could be. It came out pretty quickly that Jeanette was a teacher and I was a teacher in my previous career. We were asked if we would be interested in teaching RE and we both said yes right away. I have been with RE since – still teaching via Zoom (for now)  and serving on the RE Council for a couple of years. Through this, I’ve met many wonderful people – fellow teachers and

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01/13/2021 by Shannon Day

Connection Survey Results

In the December 20th and January 1st Westside Weeks we offered a survey of congregational connection during these challenging times. The results were overall encouraging, with almost 70% of respondents saying they were feeling connected or deeply connected and over 80% of respondents saying that they are okay with the level of connection they have, at least for now. That said, with only a little over 30 people responding, there are many community members we didn’t hear from. It’s also clear that those feeling the least connected are unlikely to be answering a survey about it. The answers still provided

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12/29/2020 by Shannon Day

President’s Letter January 2021- Vanessa Shaughnessy

We made it to 2021! I hope you had opportunities for rest and joy in the last few weeks of that very long year. I am deeply grateful that those of us on the board have been able to take some time for celebration and rejuvenation ourselves, especially because it’s about to get very busy! It’s been helpful for me to reflect that, through the hurt and uncertainty of the last several months, there have been opportunities unique to this time. Virtual gatherings have fostered connection and conversation that may not have happened in person. For example, my youngest is

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12/16/2020 by Shannon Day

Make the Circle Wider

John Britt, Pastoral Associate Imagine that we are back in our beloved building (Yay!)  You are heading downstairs after the service. You get your cup of coffee or tea and begin greeting people. If you are like me, there are people you regularly interact with, people with whom you share a mutually acknowledged connection. There are others I greet, however, where our relationship is friendly but more recent or less well established.  One of my early drumming teachers, Simone LaDrumma (yes, that is her real name) wrote a great song called “I Will Be Your Witness”. Having people recognize and

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