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We are looking for...

Coffee Hour Hosts - Please contact Suzan B-W. (reimbursements available)

Readers & Worship Leaders - Please contact Gail F. or Manny S.

Help with Sanctuary Care & Up-keep - Please contact Marilee N.

Tutors & Literacy Volunteers - Please contact Lin C.

Companions for the home-bound and sick - Please contact Carol S. or Manny S.

Members 40ish and younger to host young adult gatherings: game nights, potlucks, etc. - Please contact Sadie C.

People with a strong commitment to racial justice - Please contact Brooke R.

Since we are an advocating congregation with the Faith Action Network, we are looking for some good social action advocates to march, write letters, and help affect positive change! If that's you, please contact Tom N.

This Week at UBC:

Any Directory updates? If you've got them, we want them!

2011 Team Leads, if you haven't sent in your annual report yet, please do.

Lift up your voice and sing with the UBC Choir! The choir gathers to practice at 9:15 am in the sanctuary every Sunday.

This coming Sunday, January 15th at 10:30 a.m., our faith community gathers to reflect on the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and how his testimony and life can help us find new strength in our work for justice, peace, and reconciliation. The sermon title is “Come and See” based on the readings from 1 Samuel 3.1-10 and John 1.43-51.

After service, join Pastor Manny for “Lunch with the Pastor” at 12:30 p.m. in the Gathering Place (downstairs) this Sunday, January 15th for the beginning of a discussion based on the book of Revelation. Bring your brown bag lunch and share your thoughts on this amazing book of the Bible.

Pub Theology continues on Tuesday, January 17th at 6:30p.m.

The Communications Team will not meet until further notice. 

The Peace, Justice, and Reconciliation Team meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 18th at 7:00pm.  The meeting will be held at Lin Carlson's home (701 N. 68th St. - corner of N. 68th St. and Fremont Ave N.).  This first meeting of the year is focused on setting goals and plans for 2012.  Refreshments will be provided.  Please contact Lin if you have questions or need directions (206-940-7155 or ).

Upcoming Events:

Caring and Coping continues on Monday, January 23rd at 6:30 p.m.

The Working Group on Race will meet on, Wednesday, January 25th at 6:30pm.

The Stewardship Council Retreat will be held from 10a.m. to 3p.m. on Saturday, January 28th.

The Congregational Annual Meeting will be held on January 29th after worship. Please mark your calendar!

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Community Events:

WHEEL/Church of Mary Magdalene Women in Black will stand vigil TODAY, Wednesday, January 11th from 12 noon to 1 p.m. outside the Seattle Justice Center (5th and Cherry), downtown Seattle. They will stand vigil for five late-2011 homeless deaths: Jerry Westmoreland, John Jacobs, Antonio Tiki, Clark Damon, and Garey Braaten. At least 28 homeless people died outdoors or by violence in 2011. For more information, contact WHEEL at 206.956.0334 or email . 

The Washington State Religious Campaign Against Torture invites you to a candlelight vigil TONIGHT, January 11th, as part of a National Day of Action Against Guantanamo on Wednesday, from 5 - 6 p.m. at the Jackson Federal Building, 2nd Avenue between Madison and Marion in downtown Seattle. Please bring your own candles and signs. For more information, please visit the WSRCAT's blog here.

Meaningful Movies will be screening I Am on Friday, January 13 from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. at Keystone Congregational Church, 5019 Keystone Place N., Seattle 98103.

The Church Council of Greater Seattle and the Faith Action Network invite you to attend a rally on Friday, January 13 at 1:30 p.m. at the Bank of America at 4701 University Way NE, Seattle, to celebrate the disinvestment of the Church Council of Greater Seattle funds and to disinvest the funds of the former Washington Association of Churches (now FAN) from Bank of America.

"Occupy Trident: The billions spent on nuclear weapons are needed to house, feed and care for each other - not threaten the world with annihilation" is the theme as Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action honors Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at Bangor, Washington. The full day includes discussion on the connection between the struggle against Trident and the Occupy Movement, nonviolence training, action planning, and a vigil and nonviolent direct action at the entrance gate to

the Bangor Trident nuclear submarine base. For more details about the event check the events page at www.psnukefree.org or contact Alice Zillah at 360.357.7705.

The Seattle Chapter of Fellowship of Reconciliation presents Larry Kerschner, Jody Mackey, and Doug Mackey on "Peace, Friendship, and Pure Water in Afghanistan" on Sunday, January 15 at Woodland Park Presbyterian Church, 225 North 70th St., Seattle. A potluck begins at 5 p.m., announcements will be at 6 p.m., and the program starts at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Free, but an offering will be taken. They will discuss the current situation in Afghanistan and prospects for the future. For more information, call 206.789.5565 or email .

Please see the attached flyer inviting you to join the Emergency Feeding Program of Seattle & King County on Sunday, January 15, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. for the annual Share the Dream concert, celebrating the life and enduring legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. Featuring soul-stirring performances by the Total Experience Gospel Choir, members of the Black Nativity Choir and the Black Nativity Dancers, along with a reflection from Seattle Times columnist Jerry Large, this will be an afternoon of music and inspiration you will long remember.

Join the Fig Tree and FAN for an Eastern Washington legislative conference on Sat., January 21, 8:45 AM-3:00 PM at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John, 127 E. 12th Ave., Spokane.

Keynote speaker Julia K. Stronks, JD, PhD, of Whitworth University, will speak on "The Global Economy and Us." Workshop sessions include State Budget Issues, Advocating Congregations, Environmental Stewardship, and time for interaction with the keynoter and panelists on Faith and the Economy. For information, contact Malcolm Haworth at The Fig Tree, (509) 535-4112, or Rev. Paul Benz at FAN, (206) 625-9790 or . Download this flyer for registration information and to share with your faith community.

Two important advocacy events concerning our state budget and policy are schedule in the near future. If interested, give Lin Carlson a call and he will be glad to connect you with other UBC folks that plan to attend.  The Poverty Action Network holds its annual event on MLK Day, Monday, January 16th (9:30am-3:30pm, Women's Club of Olympia, 1002 Washington St. SE).  The Faith Action Network has an InterFaith Advocacy Day on February 14th (United Churches of Olympia, 110 11th Ave. SE, Olympia, WA). To register for these events, go to their website or call:  Poverty Action Network  (www.povertyaction.org  206-694-6794)  Faith Action Network ( www.fanwa.org  206-625-9790).

Looking forward:

2010 CNN Hero of the Year Anuradha Koirala will make two appearances in Seattle.  Seattle University's College of Education and The Center for the Study of Justice in Society invite you to an evening with Anuradha on Thursday, January 19th from 7 - 9 p.m. at Seattle University's Pigott Auditorium.  Admission is free. No registration required. Space and parking is limited.  Visit www.seattleu.edu/coe for more information.

Move To Amend Occupies The Courts: Join them on Friday, January 20, for a rally at the Federal Courthouse (700 Stewart Street). Bring signs and banners between 10- 4 to show your solidarity with your fellow humans, grassroots organizations and local governments countrywide, entertainment and speakers from 11 to 2. (At the US Supreme Court and 77 Federal Courts so far! 700 Stewart Street Seattle.) The action continues from 12-4 on Saturday, January 21 with a rally, entitled: People Ignited AgainstCitizens United.  They’ll have informative speeches, music, and interpretive activities at Westlake Park (4th & Pine). At 2pm, they will march from Westlake to Seattle City Hall and continue on to the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building (915 Second Avenue, between Marion & Madison). For more information: http://movetoamend.org/occupythecourts                                          

Installation service for the Rev. Bruce Chittick as Pastor of Burton Community Church will take place on Sunday, January 22nd from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. The preacher for the occasion will be the Rev. Eliana Maxim. Burton Community Church,  23905 Vashon Highway SW Vashon Island, WA 98013

Attached you will find the flyer for this year’s annual worship service in observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  Sponsored by the Church Council of Greater Seattle, The School of Theology and Ministry at Seattle University, the Archdiocese of Seattle and First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Seattle, this year we will hear from Father Michael Ryan, Dean of St. James Cathedral along with Presiding Elder Shermella Garrett of the AME, and the First AME Choir, New Directions, under the direction of Sandra Smith-Jackson.  We are delighted to be hosted by First Episcopal Methodist Church of Seattle, 1522 14th Ave  - Seattle 98122 as they observe the 125th anniversary of their congregation. The celebration will be held on the Tuesday of the Week of Prayer, January 24, 2012 at 7:00 pm.

Environmental Lobby Day is set for Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at the State Capitol.No one who attends this exciting and engaging day goes away unchanged. Participating in the democratic process is joyful and empowering. Please join Earth Ministry staff, many people of faith, and friends of the environment throughout Washington State in Olympia to meet your legislators and support good climate legislation. Your voice will make a difference! Registration for Lobby Day will be available in January.

Attend the Earth Care Summit: Environmental Justice and Faith on January 30 between 5:30-8:30pm at the Highland Christian Center (7600 NE Gilsan St, Portland, OR).  Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon's Interfaith Network for Earth Concerns invites all congregations striving to care for creation and our communities to learn, share, and be inspired at its third annual Earth Care Summit.  The event will include a locally-grown dinner, keynote and presentations from congregations about their greening efforts.  Resource people from the community will be on hand to discuss a variety of topics on putting faith into action around environmental justice, including food justice, transit equity, and environmental health. Come network with others and be inspired! Congregations and denominations are encouraged to co-sponsor. You may register securely online, or download a registration brochure.

The Search for Meaning Book Festival will be held on Saturday, February 4th from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Seattle University's campus. The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited so registration is required. Over 40 authors surrounding the human search for meaning on issues of spirituality, faith and social justice. The diverse group of guest authors, both men and women, represent a range of belief systems and faith traditions. Tickets are still available for overflow seating for NY Times bestselling author and official chaplain of the Colbert Report, Fr. James Martin, S.J. and also for the four general sessions. To register for the overflow seating or general sessions, visit www.searchformeaning.us. To learn about some of the authors, click here.

Recycling made FREE & EASY: Saturday , February 4th, from 10:00AM-3:00PM at University Congregational United Church of Christ 4515 16th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105. Bring your recyclable items (working or not!) to the event. Proceeds from recycled raw materials fund operations and benefit local charities, homeless shelters, and food banks. Seattle Children’s Hospital and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital are among those assisted through your recycling donations.

Vancouver First Congregational United Church of Christ is organizing teams for an Interfaith March for Marriage Equality from Vancouver to Olympia, February 9-15. The march begins with a prayer breakfast in Vancouver on the 9th and ends on the Capitol steps on the 15th. The Equality Day Rally is the next day in Olympia, Feb. 16. Find more information about the march and organizing a team in this flyer. Registration deadline is January 19. Contact or (360) 693-1476 with questions. Clergy and lay leaders are sought for the prayer breakfast/first day of the march and for the arrival in Olympia.

The Marcus Borg Lecture Series will be here in February 2012.  On Friday, February 10, 2012, from 7 - 8:30 pm, Dr. Borg will present a lecture on "Speaking Christian: The Problem and a Way Forward".  Saturday, February 11, 2012, Marcus Borg will give a series of 3 lectures from 9 am - 2:30 pm, titled: "Speaking of Christian Yearning: Salvation, Kingdom of Heaven, Eternal Life.  This World or Next?", "Speaking of Christian Values: Mercy and Righteousness? Or Compassion and Justice?", "Speaking of Good Friday and Easter: What is the Gospel?" The cost is $15 - $50 and tickets are available at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/211853.

Interfaith Advocacy Day is scheduled for Tuesday, February 14th at the United Churches and State Capitol in Olympia. This event, sponsored by Earth Ministry, the Washington Association of Churches, the Lutheran Public Policy Office, the Religious Coalition for the Common Good, and several other religious organizations, brings people of faith from all over Washington to Olympia for a day to advocate for a unified social justice agenda. On this day, Earth Ministry members and friends come together to speak as one voice with the larger faith community on behalf of creation care and protection of our climate. This year, because our goals are strong and challenging, your voice is particularly important to convince legislators to be bold in voting for climate protection. Questions? Email or call 206-625-9790.

You are invited to a gathering focusing on Spirit Inspired Leadership for the Common Good on Friday, February 24th from 6 - 9 p.m. and Saturday, February 25th from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the Dumas Bay Center, 3200 SW Dash Point Rd., Federal Way. Exploring and re-membering what it means to be a Spirit inspired leader for the common good is the purpose of this gathering - most importantly what it means for you as you respond to your longing for compassionate social justice. For more information and registration, contact Judith at or Bill at . Registrations made prior to January 20th for the retreat and Saturday lunch are $240. For Friday night lodging and Saturday breakfast, add $60. Registrations after January 20th add 20%.

A memorial service for Annabelle Jacobsen, former member of UBC, who passed away early Saturday, January 31st, will be at 1p.m. on February 25th at Rose Hill Presbyterian Church in Kirkland (12202 NE 90th Street).

Saturday, April 14, 2012 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. "Why, God, Why?" Breaking the Cycle of Violence at Bothell United Methodist Church.

SAVE THE DATE: The 4th Annual Save The Frogs Day - April 28th, 2012. Find more information at savethefrogs.com/day.

Due to a number of circumstances, the date for the Seattle Race Conference is now Saturday, May 12th, 2012 at Seattle University. The keynotes are confirmed and it’s going to be an amazing event. The theme for this year is Building Community to End Environmental Racism: Learn, Connect, Flourish. The tracks include 1) Where We’re At: The Environment We Live In, 2) Strategies for Change: The Environment that Supports Us, 3) Where We’re Going: The Environment Where all Flourish. For more information, visit www.SeattleRaceConference.org. Contact Mona Baghdadi to get involved: 253.232.4763, . They are currently looking for additional financial sponsors and planning team members.

Ongoing:

Tuesdays, 7-8 pm – Kundalini Yoga for increased energy, strength and flexibility, and a sense of well-being. Room 226, UCC. $6 donation per class.

Judson Park Retirement Community in Des Moines, WA, seeks volunteer musicians for their Sunday evening (6:00pm) services. Contact Bill Painter at 206.870.6676 or for more information.

Senior Services Transportation Program is seeking volunteer drivers to help senior get to their medical appointments on time. The program is flexible, allowing you to use your own vehicle and choose the days and times you drive. If you’re interested, please reach out to Melissa at 206.748.7588 or .

In June, 2011, the Burma military renewed attacks against the Kachin people of northern Burma. There are now an estimated 30,000 Kachin living in hiding in the jungles, in camps set up by Kachin Baptist churches, or in the borderlands of China. This is in addition to over 700,000 refugees from Burma already living in Thailand, Malaysia, and India. In September and November, Rev. Sandra Hasenauer, associate executive director of AB Women's Ministries, traveled to the U.S. State Department in Washington D.C., with other American Baptists serving on our denomination's Burma Refugee Task Force (ABCUSA). The delegates advocated for the rights of refugees from Burma in the U.S. and abroad, and pressed for the U.S. to increase its pressure on Burma's government to stop human rights abuses and engage in dialogue with ethnic minorities in a true democratic process. Although the U.S. news is currently reporting improvement in the situation in Burma, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's pending visit certainly offers some small glimmer of hope, the reality is that while U.S. and Burma are engaged in diplomatic conversations, the military continues to confiscate property, burn entire villages, gang-rape women, imprison and torture men, and kill civilians. We urge American Baptist women to lead in prayer and action on behalf of the peoples of Burma.

What You Can Do

    Educate yourself on the situation in Burma. Google "Human Rights Burma", or begin by visiting these websites:  http://womenofburma.org/; http://www.kachinwomen.com/; http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/11/03/burma-s-continuing-human-rights-challenges; http://www.chro.ca/; http://www.khrg.org/. 

    Explore the relationship between Burma and American Baptists. Visit http://www.abwministries.org/resources/category.cfm?CategoryID=84 for resources.

    Pray for the people of Burma. Put specific prayer requests on your church and women's ministry prayer list as you follow the news and learn about the situation.

    Have a special time of worship or prayer vigil. Share planning and leadership with members of ethnic communities of Burma living in your own community, if possible; use videos or music available at the sites listed on this page.

    Contact your congresspersons and urge continued attention to human rights abuses in Burma and increased pressure on the Burma government for real transformation. Visit U.S. Campaign for Burma at www.uscampaignforburma.org for information about the UN Commission of Inquiry into crimes against humanity in Burma, and other advocacy efforts.

    This message was received from the American Baptist Women's Ministries, ABCUSA, www.abwmbreakthechains.org, www.abwministries.org