News

Sunday, July 26, 11:15 a.m. in the Dix room and via Zoom

Help Welcome Rev. Jeremiah

Worship service at 9:30 a.m. in the chapel and via live stream

From UUC's Climate Action Team: Check out two events happening this week. The first is Pacific Northwest Climate week , Monday through Sunday, July 13-19 . They have tons of events, and it’s exciting to see how many topics are represented in the schedule . The second event is the monthly Community Potluck Night hosted by 350 Seattle , at Gasworks Park, Thursday, July 16 , 6:15-8:30 p.m. Click on this link to register . 350 Seattle is the local chapter of a major organization devoted to tackling climate change. They have a lot of projects underway, and they need volunteers for all sorts of roles if you want to get involved . Several UUC members went to the June 350 Seattle potluck in Maple Leaf Reservoir Park.

July 17–19 in Seattle's Discovery Park

Wednesday, July 15, 7–8:30 p.m. via Signal Our July meeting will be held via Signal video and a call will go out to everyone who is on the UUC Pink Haven Announcements list on Signal. Contact Allison to be added to the list. The advantage of using Signal for our video call is that no special link or code is needed—just answer the call. Or if you can’t attend, don’t answer the call. The disadvantage is it calls everybody on the Pink Haven Announcement Signal group list. (Open to feedback...) Before the meeting starts, have the Signal app open and then answer the call which will connect you to the video. (The Signal app can be installed on any device (iPad/Mac/PC). An important note: Leah Evison is now the third UUC Pink Haven co-chair and also treasurer. Thanks, Leah! Our next meeting, on August 26, will also be held via Signal. The Pink Haven Coalition is a national coalition responding to the baseless and severe discrimination against trans and non-binary individuals in red states who need assistance in moving to blue states. Our UUC group is part of this effort, in partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, to create a welcome network for trans/non-binary individuals and their families who are fleeing their homes in order to live freer lives and, if needed, to obtain gender affirming care.

Wednesday, July 22, 11 a.m. in Renton Optional 10 a.m. carpool from UUC Please sign up by Monday, July 20

Saturday, July 18, 10 a.m.–noon at Larsen Lake Blueberry Farm, Bellevue

Starting on Sunday, July 19, members of the Board of Trustees, Ministerial Search Team and Transition Team will be hosting a learning station in Nathan Johnson Hall to collect your ideas, suggestions and insider tips about living in the Pacific Northwest and becoming part of the UUC community. These suggestions will be compiled in some creative way and included in a “Welcome Basket” to be presented to Rev. Jeremiah when they arrive on Monday, August 17. Since many people travel during the summer months, there will also be an email address to which you can send suggestions. Check the Gateway each week to learn about the topic for that week, ponder it a bit, and then please contribute your suggestions! This is the first of many ways we can help welcome Rev. Jeremiah to their new home and our UUC community. See also UUC Welcomes Rev. Jeremiah on August 17 . 

Worship service at 9:30 a.m. in the chapel and via live stream

Alternate Saturdays starting July 11, 2-4 p.m. in Servetus

Saturday, July 11, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. in Knatvold (coffee at 8:30 a.m.)

Sunday, July 12, before and after the 9:30 a.m. service, and 2–5 p.m. in the UUC parking lot

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has proposed a rewrite of Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200 , the legal framework governing every federal grant to every recipient across every agency in the federal government. This rewrite would replace thoughtful peer/expert review with decisions made by political appointees, directed specifically to award only projects that “…demonstrably advance the President’s policy priorities.” We, UUC's Climate Action Team, oppose this rewrite. We encourage everyone to submit a brief, unique comment complaining about how the administration’s proposed changes would give political appointees the power to drive decisions regarding every federal grant proposal. The proposed changes would take the decisions out of the hands of subject-matter experts, and would upend how federal grants have been decided since at least the end of WWII, if not earlier. Deadline for comments is July 13, 8:59 p.m. Pacific time. For guidelines regarding your comment (there are four recommended points to be sure to include) and for directions on how to submit , scroll down to the end of the second article link below . The first link below focuses on changes to federal funding for science. The second discusses Medicaid, transportation, education, food assistance and more. https://elizabethginexi.substack.com/p/summary-of-key-changes-in-ombs-proposed https://elizabethginexi.substack.com/p/this-new-omb-rule-is-bigger-than We also encourage you to contact your elected Congressional representatives . spread the word, and encourage more folks do the same .

Meet the Artist - Sunday, July 12, 10:30 a.m. in the UUC chapel (Please note new date)

Saturday, July 25, 1–3 p.m. at the NWDC, 1623 East J Street, Tacoma

The UUC Board of Trustees held their first meeting on June 23 and elected the following trustees as officers for 2026–27: President: Becca Hutcheson Vice-President: Nicholas Eddington Treasurer: Mike Kasprzak Secretary: Laurie Mann In addition, the following trustees were selected to serve in various chair and liaison roles with different committees and groups within the congregation. BoT Nominating Committee Chair: Larry Soriano Stewardship Committee Liaison: Michael Linenberger Community Engagement Co-Chairs: Alison McCormick and Laurie Mann Right Relations Team Liaison: Michael Linenberger Safety Committee Liaison: Nicholas Eddington Accessibility Teams’ Liaisons: Nicholas Eddington and Larry Soriano All members of the Board will be wearing blue “Trustee” ribbons with their name tags this year. Please reach out to any of us if you have ideas, suggestions, concerns, or questions!

Tuesday, July 7, 7:00–8:30 p.m. in Knatvold Please sign up ASAP so we know if we have enough people to make it a go

Worship service at 9:30 a.m. in the chapel and via live stream

Over the next two months our new senior minister, Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae, will be finishing up their ministry in California and navigating all of the various transitions involved in moving to a brand new city, state, region and community. During this time the Board of Trustees, Ministerial Search Team, and Transition Team all ask that members of our UUC community wait to reach out to Rev. Jeremiah until they have formally started in their new role with UUC in mid-August. In this way they can have all of the time, energy, and space they’ll need to fully move through those transitions and arrive ready for the new beginnings with us. You can learn more about Rev. Jeremiah here . You can watch the worship service Rev. Jeremiah led at UUC on April 19 here . You can watch the worship service Rev. Jeremiah led at UUC on April 26 here. You can learn more about the Ministerial Search Process here . Reverend Jeremiah has expressed their deep appreciation for the warm welcome they received during Candidating Week, as well as the comprehensive overview of our operations, programs, and beloved community that we all provided. We look forward to many celebrations and opportunities to welcome them in the fall! Until then, please gather with us on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. throughout the summer to share quiet moments of inspiration and hope with our various pulpit guests followed by coffee and good company. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Rev. Victoria Poling or Becca Hutcheson , Board of Trustees President.

Registration open for Saturday and Sunday, August 22 & 23, in person or via Zoom

Every Wednesday, 7–9 p.m. in Nathan Johnson Hall

Sunday, June 28, 2026

Wednesday, July 1, 5–6 p.m. online meeting

Earlier this spring, UUC congregants met with representatives from Hand in Hand , a national organization advocating for domestic workers, to learn how to protect the rights of house cleaners, nannies, home care workers and others they might employ. We also learned that many domestic workers are immigrants facing additional stress and threats in their lives. The workshop was sponsored by UUC's Social Justice Steering Committee. If you hire a domestic worker in Seattle (and soon, in Washington state more generally), you may be a legal “employer” and have an obligation to: Pay minimum wage, sick and safe time, and overtime pay Provide rest and meal breaks Allow workers to keep their personal and identifying documents Create a workplace safe from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation Provide a notice of rights (not mandatory, but supportive!) Seattle has had a domestic workers ordinance since 2019. The state Legislature recently passed a bill that will take effect in 2027. Under the new Washington state law , employers will also need to have a written contract with employees who work more than four hours a month. But this is just the beginning. If you’re ready to create a safer workplace, you can find a more complete guide and Washington-specific resource list to support building trust, developing workplace accommodations that make sense for your employee, and thinking through the types of concrete support that you can offer them. This may be especially helpful for immigrant workers. There are over 100,000 domestic workers in Washington state and just as many employers. Hand in Hand is inviting people to host kitchen table conversations to share their experiences as an employer with their neighbors and friends to help ensure that all of Washington’s domestic workers have full access to their rights. If you are interested in hosting one, please reach out to Erica at erica@domesticemployers.org .

Even before the 2025-26 church year began, social justice teams at UUC had expressed a desire to step outside their issue silos and collaborate by identifying and carrying out projects that would attract a large swath of the congregation. The Social Justice Steering Committee answered this call in the fall by hosting a "Revival" that was well-attended. It generated three projects designed to help us overcome despair and experience joy, centering love in our lives. [Continue reading]

Sunday, June 28, 1-5 p.m. in downtown Seattle

Saturday, June 27, 1:00 p.m. in the UUC chapel

Worship service at 9:30 a.m. in the chapel and via live stream

Sunday, June 28, 11:15 a.m. in the King room and via Zoom

Sunday, June 28, 3–6 p.m. in the chapel

Please respond by Sunday, June 28

Thanks, garden volunteers! More opportunities below!

As Unitarian Universalists, we proudly affirm the worthiness and dignity of every single person. Our values move us to work for justice and equity so everyone truly feels that love and respect. For Juneteenth and Pride Month, your Acting for Racial Justice team and Social Justice Steering Committee are beaming with excitement to debut our brand-new Black Lives Matter banner and a beautiful companion Progress Pride banner! These vibrant additions show our neighbors how we side with love. Plus, we are proud to share that we ethically sourced our BLM banner from a wonderful Black-owned company, our Pride banner from the talented artist, Transpainter, and installed them with a veteran-owned sign company.  We can't wait to celebrate with you at a special banner dedication ceremony this fall—stay tuned for the date!

Tuesday, June 23, 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. in Nathan Johnson Hall by appointment

Tuesday, June 23, 5–7 p.m. in Knatvold

Saturdays, June 13 & 20, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (come when you can)

General Assembly Worship Service, 8:00 a.m. PT, online only (The UUC building will be closed)

Friday, June 19, various times and places

Sunday, June 21, 2–4 p.m. at Ravenna Park Picnic Shelter #1

Dear Friends of Lake City Partners, You did it. Because of the generosity of our community, the Aurora Oaks Birthday Campaign has officially concluded—and together, we raised $62,070 from 113 donations , surpassing our $50,000 goal by more than $12,000. We are overwhelmed with gratitude. What began as a campaign to address urgent health and safety repairs became something much bigger: a community-wide investment in the future of the Aurora Oaks Shelter and the people who depend on it every day. Your support is already making a difference. Thanks to your donations, the leaking roof at Aurora Oaks has been repaired, protecting the shelter and the people inside. The funds will be used to complete the remaining planned repairs, including improvements to the heating and hot water systems. We will also address the failing cold storage for food items. If there are any additional funds, we will address other critical building needs as they arise, helping ensure the shelter remains safe, warm, and welcoming. To everyone who donated, shared the campaign, encouraged others to give, or helped spread the word: thank you. This achievement belongs to all of us. We look forward to sharing project updates and celebrating the impact you have made possible. With heartfelt gratitude, Sue Bennett, Interim Executive Director, Lake City Partners

The number from our UUC community involved with Homelessness Ministries has grown to about 200, with engagement spread across the following. Direct service , like rolling up your shirt sleeves to do something. Think Lake City Partners Sack Lunch Team, Teen Feed Meal Team and more. Advocacy - During the legislative session, and other times throughout the year, folks have responded to requests to advocate for city, county, state and even national issues. Using your voice can influence funding initiatives, push legislation through, and advance systemic change. Education - Attending community meetings and training sessions, and sometimes, bringing speakers to UUC like Gregg Colburn. Maybe it's learning more about ways that UUC can share it's space to benefit those who are unhoused. Fundraising - Supporting efforts to combat and prevent homelessness in the community and support agencies that serve our unhoused neighbors. Year-end summary of our community's work during 2025-26 Direct Service Prepared and served 18 dinners at Teen Feed, feeding 85-100 teens for a total of over 1,600 meals for the year. Prepared and delivered sack lunches to feed 40 Lake City Partners (LCP) clients twice a month, for a total of 960 individuals lunches provided this year. Prepared and served 3 dinners at the LCP Winter Shelter Hosted Wednesday night potluck dinners for Tent City 3 when UUC hosted for the second time in 2025 Assisted Tent City with moves in July 2025 and again in May 2026 Prepared and delivered 60 lunches on Tent City Moving Day in July 2025 Organized Drive to collect blankets, winter coats, tents and more to benefit both Teen Feed, and other unhoused individuals, last winter. Coming of Age youth & mentors created centerpiece arrangements to decorate the Teen Feed dinner tables May 2026 Faith in Action – Created 100 personal hygiene/first aid kits for Teen Feed, with several UUC youth involved in the planning Invitation for UUC small groups to consider hosting a Teen Feed meal during holiday and summer months when there may be gaps in the schedule. The Men’s Group prepared and served dinner in early January, and Youngish will prepare and serve a meal in a few weeks. Advocacy Sent out regular advocacy alerts during 2025-26, especially during the legislative session. Some from UUC attended the Faith Action Network (FAN) Advocacy Day in Olympia. Several from UUC attended a King County Regional Homelessness Authority/Seattle City meeting to advocate with SHARE/WHEEL that Tent City 3 and Tent City 4 be allowed to continue at respective sites on public lands during Fall 2025. Several others sent emails and made calls to Mayor Harrell and Seattle City Council members. Educational Hosted Gregg Colburn talk, “Homelessness is a Housing Problem.” Several from UUC attended the Faith Shelter Summits (October 2025 and April 2026). Several have joined the monthly meetings of the Faith Action Network (FAN) Housing & Homelessness Work Group Met with representatives of Faith Land Initiative and other agencies to explore other ideas to impact homelessness such as serving as a Housing Assistance Point, being a center for the Point-in-Time Count, hosting a safe parking lot and serving as a location for an extreme weather shelter. Group leaders attended the Affordable Housing Week 2026 events Fundraising Hosted Second Sunday plates to benefit Teen Feed and Lake City Partners. Shared information about The Oaks 5 th Birthday Go-Fund-Me effort to raise funds for essential building renovations. With more joining this work over the past year, there is potential to do even more. Some ideas include expanding programs that involve families, teens and young adults; expanding our partnerships with more organizations in the community; and getting more involved in advocacy efforts organized by the Faith Action Network (FAN). Maybe you have more ideas you'd like to help launch, or join one of the existing efforts. If you enjoy gardening, consider getting involved with the new Community Garden project to benefit Teen Feed meal teams. Click here to learn about the June 20 garden work party . Questions, ideas or want to get involved? Contact Judy Oerkvitz or Pam Smith Mentz .  (Click below to enlarge photos)

From Karen Thomas, Director of Music: It is with sadness that I share the news that our beloved All Voices Choir (AVC) director, Jacob Finkle, is resigning from his position this summer. His letter (below) provides more information about his increasing responsibilities elsewhere. Jacob has done amazing work with the AVC for the past 12 years, helping to build a wonderful community of singers of all ages. He shepherded the choir through our time at Meadowbrook and during Covid, keeping the morale high during those challenging times. He's been an important member of the Music Program staff, and a constant joy to work with. Thank you for all your care and hard work, Jacob—you will be deeply missed! We will begin the search for a new AVC director this summer. Stay tuned for more information on that front.

Wednesday, June 17, 5:15–7 p.m. at Neumos

Wednesday, June 17, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. in Knatvold and via Zoom

Thursday, June 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Maple Leaf Reservoir Park, Shelter #1

Wednesday, June 17, 2–4 p.m. at the Greenwood Senior Center, free

Sunday, June 14, 4–6 p.m. in Nathan Johnson Hall

Sunday, June 14