Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Waco: Welcoming Congregations Process, 2013 – 2014 (addendum)
Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship · Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship October 2, 2019 Meaning &...
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Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship October 2, 2019 Meaning & Purpose Throughout my teens I was a theistic christian.* I don’t recall believing that this worldview was supreme, but I did hold it as a deep conviction. Then, in my early college years, I found myself looking for some justification for why I believed what I believed. Not finding this, I abruptly set my christianity aside and looked far and wide for an alternative. It was out there, I knew. By this point I did not feel the need to discover The Truth for All People for All Time, but I did want a way, at least for myself, to tie it all together: ethics, love, biology, mind, culture, and self. This was an enjoyable exploration, most of the time. The trouble was that I would only accept a system that was both comprehensive, and above all, consistent. That quest was frustrated again and again and again. In retrospect, I guess this was more of a quest for meaning than for purpose. Ordinarily, meaning and purpose go hand-in-hand, but though I was fortunate throughout this period to have clarity about my purpose, I never felt like I could nail down meaning. (Regarding purpose, I knew that going to school, being a partner and parent, adventuring, and work — as in genuine stewardship of my gifts — this was enough.) The funny thing is, even if meaning and purpose do go hand-in-hand, I was not fully conscious that my questions about meaning were, year after year, already being answered by my purpose. That is: by what I was doing. Because our ethics — for every one of us — are formed in what we do. And our understanding of what the world is, how it works, and what, if anything, is true — these too are formed in what we do. Anaïs Nin wrote: There is not one big cosmic meaning for all; there is only the meaning we each give to our life, an individual meaning, an individual plot, like an individual novel, a book for each person. I recognize Nin’s perspective within the “I am From” poems we’ve been sharing. (These are poetic reflections on our personal origins/identities based not on geography or demographic categories, but on the direct experiences that have made us who we are. I wrote a short one for the MWU a few weeks ago, and a longer one that I shared in a Sunday service — https://admin.thrive.am/files/121/Sermons/I-am-from.pdf — then this past Sunday we had an exercise in which everyone worked on one for themselves.) That is, a quest for meaning can carry us forward in life ... and it takes shape in every moment of experience ... and it’s often recognized through memory. Peace to you in this spiral journey, Paul *Theistic is not the only way to be a christian. One can be a non-theistic, deistic, ignostic (look it up), naturalistic, unitarian, and/or universalist (etc) christian as well. There is no such thing as Christianity, just christianities.
Transcript of Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship · Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship October 2, 2019 Meaning &...
Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship October 2, 2019
Meaning & Purpose
Throughout my teens I was a theistic christian.* I don’t recall believing that this worldview was supreme, but I did hold it as a deep conviction. Then, in my early college years, I found myself looking for some justification for why I believed what I believed. Not finding this, I abruptly set my christianity aside and looked far and wide for an alternative. It was out there, I knew. By this point I did not feel the need to discover The Truth for All People for All Time, but I did want a way, at least for myself, to tie it all together: ethics, love, biology, mind, culture, and self. This was an enjoyable exploration, most of the time. The trouble was that I would only accept a
system that was both comprehensive, and above all, consistent. That quest was frustrated again and again and again. In retrospect, I guess this was more of a quest for meaning than for purpose. Ordinarily, meaning and purpose go hand-in-hand, but though I was fortunate throughout this period to have clarity about my purpose, I never felt like I could nail down meaning. (Regarding purpose, I knew that going to school, being a partner and parent, adventuring, and work — as in genuine stewardship of my gifts — this was enough.) The funny thing is, even if meaning and purpose do go hand-in-hand, I was not fully conscious that my questions about meaning were, year after year, already being answered by my purpose. That is: by what I was doing. Because our ethics — for every one of us — are formed in what we do. And our understanding of what the world is, how it works, and what, if anything, is true — these too are formed in what we do. Anaïs Nin wrote:
There is not one big cosmic meaning for all; there is only the meaning we each give to our life, an individual meaning, an individual plot, like an individual novel, a book for each person.
I recognize Nin’s perspective within the “I am From” poems we’ve been sharing. (These are poetic reflections on our personal origins/identities based not on geography or demographic categories, but on the direct experiences that have made us who we are. I wrote a short one for the MWU a few weeks ago, and a longer one that I shared in a Sunday service — https://admin.thrive.am/files/121/Sermons/I-am-from.pdf — then this past Sunday we had an exercise in which everyone worked on one for themselves.) That is, a quest for meaning can carry us forward in life ... and it takes shape in every moment of experience ... and it’s often recognized through memory.
Peace to you in this spiral journey, Paul
*Theistic is not the only way to be a christian. One can be a non-theistic, deistic, ignostic (look it up), naturalistic, unitarian, and/or universalist (etc) christian as well. There is no such thing as Christianity, just christianities.
Upcoming Sunday Services: Sunday October 6 Clearing Clutter as a Sacred Act – Carrie Koehnline Throughout October, we'll be exploring the experience of “sanctuary.” On this Sunday, we'll be exploring what it means to create a feeling of sanctuary in our homes by clearing away what is unsupportive and distracting, and opening up physical and metaphorical space for what feels life-giving and meaningful.
Taize at BUF First Mondays of the Month Next Service: Monday, October 7, 7:00 – 8:00 pm Families Welcomed! Childcare provided. Return again, return again, return to the home of your soul. Return to who you are, return to what you are, return to where you are, born and reborn again Taize offers an opportunity for quiet reflection in the midst of our busy lives. It is a service of candlelight, simple music sung in a chant-like manner, readings and silence. Sensitively accompanied on the piano by Andrea Rakl, we will hear Taizé melodies, beautiful yet powerful in their simplicity. To inspire reflection during this intimate one-hour oasis of calm, readings are offered from carefully selected writings on a particular theme each month. Following a time for silent meditation, there is an invitation to light candles as prayers for peace, healing, or for whatever is on your mind or in your heart. October’s theme is: Fall Song Parents, this is for you, too! It’s an opportunity for you to have one hour to yourselves for quiet centering while your children are lovingly cared for upstairs in our DLL rooms. For questions or comments please speak with Rev. Tessie Mandeville, BUF Community Minister, or Ms. Andrea Rackl, pianist.
Pastoral Care Tom Day died last night. Tom was an active member of BUF for many years. I don't have any information about gatherings yet. Tom had been in declining health, had a wonderful day Sunday at the symphony and dinner, then experienced chest pain. He was well cared for at St. Joes; his son and siblings were able to be present. He will be missed, but he was clear about his wishes and it is comforting that he went on his preferred terms. Elizabeth Skinner
Music to look forward to at BUF: There is some incredibly wonderful music coming up at BUF, with a great variety of vocal and instrumental selections on Sundays and two special Saturday evening concerts. Mark your calendars, and we’ll see you there! ~BUF Music Director Kevin Allen-Schmid October theme: Sanctuary Sunday 6 Chalice Choir sings “A Pilgrim and a Stranger”
Phoenix Ensemble sings “Come & Find the Quiet Center” Saturday 12 Booktoberfest musicians line-up: Ken Pickard on the accordion Andrea Rackl at the piano Robin Brown and Carol Olson on violins Kevin Allen-Schmid, Elie Friedlob and Patricia Conover with vocal trios Chad & Karen Nuckles-Flinn and Dave Wagner with their band Sunday 13 Phoenix Ensemble sings “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor” and “Guantanamera” Sunday 20 Alan & Elie Friedlob & Patricia Conover sing “Let the Mystery Be” Sunday 27 Treble Voices sing “Lade Isle of Innisfree” November theme: Memory Sunday 3 Chalice Choir sings Flight Song
Phoenix Ensemble sings “Beau Soir” in French and “Fogadalom” in Hungarian Saturday 9 7:30pm Montana Troubadours Rob and Halladay Quist present a concert together with
Bellingham’s Tango Cowboys (Rich Hinrichsen and Tom Bourne) Tickets: $20, available online from brownpapertickets.com
Sunday 10 Rob Quist plays and sings guitar; Phoenix joins in on “Waters of the Salish” Sunday 17 Treble Voices sing for the service. Saturday 23 3pm and 7:30pm, BUF Chalice Choir performs as guests on Choir of the Salish Sea concert entitled “Sing Your Way Home: Songs of Origin, Flight and Sanctuary”
tickets $20/$5, available online from brownpapertickets.com Sunday 24 Andrew Schoneberg & Elie Friedlob sing “An American Hymn”
Pathways to Membership Classes Tuesdays, October 15, 22, and 29 / 7-8:30 pm Today’s Unitarian Universalism is deeply rooted in the complex history of Christian ideals, institutions, and corruptions — and fed by streams of many other traditions of faith, practice wisdom, and devotion. In our three-part introduction to UUism and BUF, we’ll review our principles and sources, our proud and not-so-proud places in history, and our aspirations today and for the future. It’s a good intro to becoming a BUF member (and appropriate for anyone new or not) as we look together at the way we do things at BUF, and why, and how one might be a part of it all. The “why,” of course, is to further our shared mission — and that is the meaning of membership. For more information or to register for Pathways, please contact Rev. Paul Beckel at [email protected].
Community to Community Development, Recipient for Special Collections, October 2019 “This is a time of agonizing resistance in our own country to the principle of equality before the law for all people….” Rev. Paul Beckel “Grant me the courage to serve others: for in service there is true life.” Cesar Chavez, “…Farmworkers’ Struggle.” Community to Community (C2C) is a women-led, grassroots organization working for a just society and healthy communities. Rosalinda Guillen is its leader. Since 2012, BUF has a formal partnership with C2C in support of justice for farm worker and immigrant families. Together, we helped form the historical, first indigenous, independent farm worker union, Familias Unidas por la Justica. The collaborative vision is that jointly, we will create a vibrant multi-racial and cultural community in Bellingham by supporting equal justice and community building for those traditionally excluded populations, namely, farm workers, and immigrant families, and LGBTQ people of color. BUF – C2C collaborative activities are based on most of BUF principles. Problems of undocumented immigrants have not abated, and C2C forms a vital link in the advocacy and assistance to this group with its complex and difficult issues. C2C is the link to support farmworkers and undocumented immigrants in our community and to promote food justice. As partners we, at BUF, are committed to solidarity with C2C to offer this
community social, financial and spiritual support. Our partnership is enriched by our member participation in the work, and your financial contribution will go a long way towards their current efforts to thrive within our community. “No one should have to feed themselves with food that was produced through the exploitation of humans, innocent creatures, or through the poisoning and exploitation of Mother Earth.” Rosalinda Guillen, C2C. For information please contact: Kara Black, BUF: 360-676-2300 [email protected]
OCTOBER in R.E. Monthly theme: Sanctuary
October 6 S.E.T. Sunday (Skill/Expertise/Talent sharing)
We will then introduce the concept of sanctuary and how we can create sacred places of beauty and peace. After looking at pictures of sanctuaries of different religions from around the world, Claire Lending will coach K-5th graders in Sacred Dance. Preschool will also have class and make their own “sanctuaries”. October 13 RE classes FIRE DRILL !! Preschool, K-2 and 3-5th grade classes will continue exploring Sanctuary in individual classes. K-2 will use Spirit play as the medium. 3-5th graders will discuss different types of sanctuaries; physical places offering safety and peace, our own inner sanctuary where we can rejuvenate and find grounding, and animal and wildlife sanctuaries. We will watch a short film about an elephant sanctuary and discuss how we can offer protection to other life. We will be holding a fire drill with all the children. We will keep it low key and will be taking children over to Fouts Park and return in the middle of class. We will not use alarm bells. October 20 Field Trip Class Room Sunday Preschool will meet as usual. K-5th grade will explore how churches can offer sanctuary to people fleeing violence and read a story about immigrants to the US. Using the “Umbrella Story” we will continue to discuss how we can offer sanctuary, or safety, to other people in our own daily life. October 27 Art Sunday Children from K-5th grade will make mini sacred gardens to create their own sacred space for their home or bedroom. Preschool will meet separately.
COSTUME PARADE!! Come in your Halloween Costume for our annual parade during the service!!
Booktoberfest is Coming! Fun, family event returns Saturday, October 12th from 5 to 8 PM Downstairs at BUF. Cost: Under 10 is free, Age 10-18 is $10 and over 18 is $15 OR $20 with a commemorative glass which also includes 1st drink FREE. Used and new books on sale in BUF library, Lots of good food and refreshments, including Hot Dogs, Sausages and Veggie Sausages too. Enterntainment, polka dancing, yodel contest and so on. Little kids will love the BUF Bouncy House, and also games, face painting and more. Wear a costume and get a free pretzel. New this year: You’re invited to participate in an author’s table at this year’s Booktoberfest! In addition to acting as a fundraiser by the selling of used and new books (Village Books will have a curated selection on hand), Booktoberfest is a great, affordable, all-ages friendly event that encourages community members to come together for fun and a shared love of reading. While you certainly may designate some or all of any proceeds you make from the sale of your books to the fund-raising effort, the main goal of the Author’s Table is to enhance the community-building aspect of the evening. How - We will have a bookshelf dedicated to BUF’s authors’ works and the opportunity for the author to be at the Author’s Table for a 30 minute set time to answer questions and sign any of your books that may be purchased. Of course, the evening is also a great chance for you to invite your friends and fans outside BUF to Booktoberfest. More info on author’s table, please contact Jae ([email protected] or 503-467-8255.
Beginning Sunday October 6th!
Rev. Bill Haney: The Apostle Paul Was Not A Christian!
The New Testament Letters of the Apostle Paul
Sundays, 4:00-6:00 pm in the Conference Room.
Paul of Tarsus, along with Jesus of Nazareth, was claimed by the Christian Church as theirs by the 2nd-century, putting a spin on each one. They were Jews devoted to the tradition at that time. Join in the attempt to discover who Paul of Tarsus was, based on his letters and what his ministry was about. We will meet from 4-6 PM each Sunday in the Conference Room beginning 06 October through 10 November for six consecutive session
World Peace Poets Community Write-In on Peace and Justice
World Peace Poets encourage harmony through words for international writers and promote public readings. When the poet unites the heart and the head and the soul, s/he calls forth the power of words to share a higher vision. World Peace Poets was inspired by a worldwide international "poetathons" first launched 10/23/13 by World Poetry Canada. We encourage poets in other communities to create World Peace Poet events. World Peace Poets events are organized by Evan Ingalls, Carla Shafer, Shannon Laws, Betty Scott and C.J. Prince.
Open to the writers and musicians for self-directed writing on the themes of peace and/or justice. Some poems or writings to spark your own ideas will be available. A World Peace Poet volunteer may be on hand. If you have questions call Carla at 360-961-2320 or C.J. at 360-393-3439 Register your participation at [email protected] or sign in at the door. BUF will be hosting a write-in on October 21st (see later in the midweek update).
The schedule for write-in sessions September 21 to October 26, 2019 can be found here: https://thepoetrydepartment.files.wordpress.com/2019/09/write-in-calendar-2019-9-18.pdf
Sunday Coffee Hour Hosting Invitation As we move into Fall at BUF, the Hospitality Team would like to renew our request for each of BUF’s Chalice Circles, teams, groups and committees to sign up for hosting the after-service treat table. Essentially, that means the group will supply the baked goods, veggies, and fruit for a crowd of about 150 people at Coffee Hour. You will be acknowledged for doing so and have the opportunity to set up a table in the Social hall to promote your group. How wonderful it would be if each and every
cohortchose at least one Sunday to participate. Contact Judy Kasper, Hospitality Team Chair, with questions: 360-656-6748, [email protected] The Building and Grounds Action Team and all the B&G subcommittees will meet Sunday, October 6th, after the service, in the library. More information, contact Frank McDonald at [email protected]
Interfaith Coat Drive
Dear BUF friends, we started the annual Interfaith Coat Drive on Sunday, September 15th. Bring in your gently used clean coats, hats and mittens for children and adults to the large box in the coat closet at BUF. Your last day to donate is October 13th when the coats etc. will be delivered to Assumption Church for dispersal.
~THANKS, Ann Stevenson, Interfaith Rep.
NSEA Work Parties Gearing up for October - December
For details on the work of creek and watershed restoration critical to our salmon, check out NSEA’s work party schedule at https://www.n-sea.org/work-parties. Put a work party date on your calendar! Also check out their Habitat Restoration Tours on October 18th and November 15th (https://www.n-sea.org/upcoming-events).
Humanitas:
The Humanitas Ministry Team has been selected to be SEJC’s special collection recipient for the month of September. The collection was held on the Sept 15th service (look for the articles elsewhere in all of September’s midweek updates). If for some reason you were unable to attend that service, please feel free drop any donations off at the office and please indicate that the donation is for the Humanitas special collection. Thank you for all your support! ~ Humanitas Team
Lummi Food Bank: Lummi Food Bank is operated and staffed by members of Lummi Nation’s Commod Squad. It is a commodity food program for low income Tribal and non-Tribal people who live on the reservation. BUF collects both financial and material donations (see the red shopping cart in the foyer); however, a financial donation allows the Commod Squad to purchase needed food items in bulk, like beans. They also provide food stuffs like milk, cheese, peanut butter and vegetables. When available, it also provides food for pets. The Commod Squad also provides nutrition educational activities for LFB clients; including gardening for fruits and vegetables. Each Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season it provide food baskets to the Lummi Community.
~ Native American Connections Committee
Family Promise: In May, our BUF Family Promise team completed week 6 of our partnership supporting host congregation Garden Street Methodist Church in providing help and shelter for homeless families under the umbrella of the Interfaith Coalition organization. Seventeen wonderful BUF volunteers helped set-up beds, sleep over, provide hospitality and meals for three moms and seven children. Our next week of responsibility is August 4 to 11. There is always a need for more volunteers. If you are interested in joining the Family Promise team as a volunteer, contact Ann Stevenson: [email protected] ~ Family Promise Team
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Fall/Winter Office Hours at BUF Monday through Thursday, 9am-3pm
360 733-3837 www.buf.org
Minister’s Schedule Tuesday through Friday
BUF Board of Trustees and Officers Rory McLeod, President • Murray Bennett, Vice President •
Melissa E. Swift, Secretary • Sky Hedman, Treasurer • Angie Lindquist, Trustee •
David Curley, Trustee Rod Haynes, Trustee • Debbie Boots, Trustee Bharti Kirchner, Trustee
• Rev. Paul Beckel, ex officio
AT A GLANCE: BUF WEEK ACTIVITIES AND MEETINGS
Wednesday, October 2
10:00 AM Humanitas
6:00 pm Community Night Dinner
6:45 pm Chalice Choir
8:10 pm Phoenix Ensemble and Treble Voices
Thursday, October 3
2:00 am Flowering Cherry Sangha Mindfulness Meditation Group
Friday, October 4
No events or activities Saturday, October 5:
9:00 am 12 Step Meeting
Sunday, October 6
10:30 am Worship Service
11:30 am Coffee Hour (Social Hall)
11:30 am Post-Service Reflection Discussion
12:00 pm Building and Grounds
12:30 pm Dungeons and Dragons
3:00 pm Middle School OWL
3:00 pm High School OWL
4:00 pm Bible Study with Bill Hanley
Monday, October 7
4:30 PM Life Exercise
6:30 PM Multifaith Network for Climate Justice
7:00 pm Taize Tuesday, October 8
10:00 am Security Planning
12:00 PM Lunch with Paul
6:00 pm IT Monthly Meeting
7:00 PM 12 Step Group – B
COMMUNITY NIGHT DINNER—WEDNESDAY, OCT 2ND Burrito bar, with shredded chicken, Moosewood Refried Beans,
avocado (if I can find ripe ones), cheese, all the veggie toppings and a
salad bar…for dessert, Gluten free apple crisp with vanilla ice
cream. Hope to see you there! Ann Stevenson
SUNDAYS, SPECIAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
October 4
Making the Road by Walking: 15 Years with C2C
Join us for a CELEBRATION! Come and listen to Correo Aereo's beautiful music that perfectly matches our Movement! Come and listen to our vision for the next 15 years! We are still here. 15 years and our name Community to Community, De Comunidad a Comunidad, C2C and our logo are recognized and respected in Whatcom and Skagit County, King County, Olympia and other areas of the State.
We are still active. Fighting with immigrant families against unjust detentions, working with our sister organization Familias Unidas por la Justicia to enforce labor rights and organize farm workers, collaborating with our statewide allies on climate justice and protecting Mother Earth. You have all walked with us on easy sunshine filled roads, deep dark rough valleys and helped us climb some steep mountains! The road we are building together has included building bridges across deep divides, together we built sails that got us through rough waters. But the road is not finished, we know Another World is Possible! The current deep and dark political waters demand we all float together in a strong ship. Come and join us as we begin the next phase of C2C!
Get tickets here: https://walkingwithc2c.brownpapertickets.com/
Sunday, October 6
Clearing Clutter as a Sacred Act – Carrie Koehnline
10:30 am. Throughout October, we'll be exploring the experience of “sanctuary.” On this Sunday, we'll be exploring what it means to create a feeling of sanctuary in our homes by clearing away what is unsupportive and distracting, and opening up physical and metaphorical space for what feels life- giving and meaningful.
11:30 AM Coffee Hour in the Social Hall
12:00 PM Building and Grounds Action Teams Meeting
12:30 PM Dungeons & Dragons
3:00 PM High School OWL
3:00 PM Middle School OWL
Adult Education Class: The Apostle Paul Was Not A Christian!
Sundays, 4:00-6:00 pm in the Conference Room with Rev. Bill Haney. Paul of Tarsus, along with Jesus of Nazareth, was claimed by the Christian Church as theirs by the 2nd-century, putting a spin on each one. They were Jews devoted to the tradition at that time. Join in the attempt to discover who Paul of Tarsus was and what his ministry was about. We will meet from 4-6 PM each Sunday in the Conference Room beginning 06 October through 10 November for six consecutive sessions
Monday, October 7
Dignity Dialogue: San Antonio Report Back
7:oo pm at St. James Presbyterian. Come learn about C2C's recent joint trip with leaders of Raid
Relief to Reunite Families to San Antonio, TX where we met with front line grassroots community
organizations, unions, a multi-faith coalition, and city officials regarding their immigrant justice work
in response to the worsening conditions for migrants crossing the southern border into Texas. There
will also be an update about the recent steps taken by the Bellingham City Council towards creating a
new work group to once again consider policies for protecting immigrant families in Bellingham. It is
especially critical that all of our allies that have been holding down the weekly C2C Dignity Vigils led
by Brenda Bentley attend. Your commitment to speaking truth to power is needed more than ever. We
invite all community members to join us in a participatory dialogue after our report back. Together we
can take actions needed to create a safer community for all families.
Saturday, October 12
REGISTER NOW! - JUUstice Washington Annual Justice Summit - “Navigating Intersectionality”
7:30 am – 5:15 pm (with pre- and post- events on October 11th and 13th) Olympia UU Congregation 2315 Division St NW, Olympia, WA 98502
Join BUF member Deb Cruz at this year’s Justice Summit! Navigating Intersectionality, is the theme for this year’s Justice Summit and together, we’ll explore the many faces of intersectionality and consider how we can build on our understanding to make our justice work more powerful and inclusive.
The day begins with registration and a light breakfast you might carry with you as you tour exhibits and short presentations that spotlight worthy intersectional justice programs that are finding success in our state (Intersectionality Justice Fair from 7:30 to 8:30 AM).
Our first plenary session, Intersectionality: Meaning and Challenge, will explore moving beyond traditional frameworks that separate social problems into singular issues and/or distinct challenges faced by specific groups. We start by considering the premise that our multiple identities can cause cumulative or offsetting impacts with more than one type of oppression and privilege.
The second Plenary Session, Meeting the Challenge, will explore practical ways that persons from diverse and overlapping identity groups can work together to achieve more just and effective outcomes.
In addition, intersectional breakout groups during both the morning and afternoon will jump-start the process of working together on some of the most compelling intersections of justice issues in our state and nation.
For more information use the links below or contact Sharon Varosh at [email protected] .
Quick links:
Register for the Summit: https://juustwa.org/Register4Summit19
Download the Brochure: https://juustwa.org/SummitBrochure19
Program Schedule – 2019 Summit: https://juustwa.org/program-areas/conferences/summit18/summit-schedule/
Extras! Accommodations, Childcare & More: https://juustwa.org/program-areas/conferences/summit19/extras/
Booktoberfest is Coming Back to BUF! Fun, family event returns Saturday, October 12th from 5 to 8 PM Downstairs at BUF. Cost: Under 10 is free, Age 10-18 is $10 and over 18 is $15 OR $20 with a commemorative glass which also includes 1st drink FREE. Used and new books on sale in BUF library, Lots of good food and refreshments, including Hot Dogs, Sausages and Veggie Sausages too. Enterntainment, polka dancing, yodel contest and so on. Little kids will love the BUF Bouncy House, and also games, face painting and more. Wear a costume and get a free pretzel. New this year: You’re invited to participate in an author’s table at this year’s Booktoberfest! In addition to acting as a fundraiser by the selling of used and new books (Village Books will have a curated selection on hand), Booktoberfest is a great, affordable, all-ages friendly event that encourages community members to come together for fun and a shared love of reading. While you certainly may designate some or all of any proceeds you make from the sale of your books to the fund-raising effort, the main goal of the Author’s Table is to enhance the community-building aspect of the evening. How - We will have a bookshelf dedicated to BUF’s authors’ works and the opportunity for the author to be at the Author’s Table for a 30 minute set time to answer questions and sign any of your books that may be purchased. Of course, the evening is also a great chance for you to invite your friends and fans outside BUF to Booktoberfest. More info on author’s table, please contact Jae ([email protected] or 503-467-8255.
Sunday, October 13
Adult Education Class: The Apostle Paul Was Not A Christian!
Sundays, 4:00-6:00 pm in the Conference Room with Rev. Bill Haney. Paul of Tarsus, along with Jesus of Nazareth, was claimed by the Christian Church as theirs by the 2nd-century, putting a spin on each one. They were Jews devoted to the tradition at that time. Join in the attempt to discover who Paul of Tarsus was and what his ministry was about. We will meet from 4-6 PM each Sunday in the Conference Room beginning 06 October through 10 November for six consecutive sessions
Interfaith Coat Drive – LAST CALL!
Dear BUF friends, we started the annual Interfaith Coat Drive. Bring in your gently used clean coats, hats and mittens for children and adults to the large box in the coat closet at BUF. Your last day to donate is October 13th when the coats etc. will be delivered to Assumption Church for dispersal.
~THANKS, Ann Stevenson, Interfaith Rep.
Tuesday, October 15
Pathways to Membership Classes Scheduled in October
Classes are scheduled for Tuesday evening, from 7pm to 8:30 pm in the Library, on October 15th, October 22nd and October 29th.
For more information, contact Rev. Paul Beckel at [email protected]. The registration form is downstairs at the Membership kiosk.
Sunday, October 20
Adult Education Class: The Apostle Paul Was Not A Christian!
Sundays, 4:00-6:00 pm in the Conference Room with Rev. Bill Haney. Paul of Tarsus, along with Jesus of Nazareth, was claimed by the Christian Church as theirs by the 2nd-century, putting a spin on each one. They were Jews devoted to the tradition at that time. Join in the attempt to discover who Paul of Tarsus was and what his ministry was about. We will meet from 4-6 PM each Sunday in the Conference Room beginning 06 October through 10 November for six consecutive sessions
Monday, October 21
World Peace Poets Community Write-In on Peace and Justice
1:00 – 3:00 pm. World Peace Poets encourage harmony through words for international writers and promote public readings. When the poet unites the heart and the head and the soul, s/he calls forth the power of words to share a higher vision. World Peace Poets was inspired by a worldwide international "poetathons" first launched 10/23/13 by World Poetry Canada. We encourage poets in other communities to create World Peace Poet events. World Peace Poets events are organized by Evan Ingalls, Carla Shafer, Shannon Laws, Betty Scott and C.J. Prince.
Open to the writers and musicians for self-directed writing on the themes of peace and/or justice. Some poems or writings to spark your own ideas will be available. A World Peace Poet volunteer may be on hand. If you have questions call Carla at 360-961-2320 or C.J. at 360-393-3439 Register your participation at [email protected] or sign in at the door.
COMING IN NOVEMBER
Saturday, November 9
Rob Quist & Halladay Quist with Tango CowboysTwo shows in one! The father-daughter duo Rob Quist & Halladay Quist and Tango Cowboys will each play a one hour set at the Unitarian Fellowship Hall.
“The music of Rob Quist and Halladay Quis glides over the boundaries of country, bluegrass, folk, pop and blues with stellar lead vocals and close harmony. They bring the easy camaraderie of seasoned road warriors to the stage. Don't miss hearing some of America's best-loved songs by the artists who composed them.”
The Tango Cowboys will join with a set of cowboy songs from North America and vocal tangos from Argentina. Get ready to sing along with your favorite cowboy songs like "Cool Water," "Colorado Trail," "Git Along Little Dogies," and "Shenandoah." Joining the Tango Cowboys will be Jan Peters on harmonica/guitar/background vocals.
Tickets available at Brown Paper Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4353855
Saturday, November 16
Family Promise: Benefit Concert
