View this email in your browser July 11, 2019 Sunday Services at 9:15 and 11:00 am

Upcoming Services



July 14, 2019

Getting Our House in Order: Economics, Universal Basic Income, and Guaranteeing a Basic Quality of Life

Rev. Dr. Todd Eklof



July 21, 2019

Leaving Earth: Trajectory and Projections

Rev. Dr. Todd Eklof



July 28, 2019

Was Jesus a Humanist?

Rev. Dr. Todd Eklof

Check out our UUCS Website for descriptions of services, calendar of events and MORE! See the online weekly FOCUS for more details. Services Video Archive Since the publication and distribution of my book, The Gadfly Papers, I’ve been asked a few times about the direction I’m now hoping to take our church. My response is that I have no intentions of taking us in any direction other than the direction we’ve been heading since I arrived eight years ago. The Gadfly Papers is a fundamental expression of who I am, what I stand for, and my willingness to take a stand when I believe doing so is right and necessary. Although my book calls for us to consider dissolution of the Unitarian Universalist Association if it has permanently abandoned our historic commitment to reason, freedom of conscience, and our common humanity, and if it doesn’t finally seek to achieve the purpose of these two venerable traditions, Unitarianism and Universalism, joining forces to begin with by establishing a nonsectarian universal religion of humanity, I sincerely hope this does not happen. My strong position, suggesting we should begin seriously talking about dissolution is meant to be a wakeup call to the important concerns Gadfly raises.



Nevertheless, it is not my wish nor intention for ours or any church to leave the UUA at this time. In fact, I hope we have the will and resources to continue fully paying our dues to the Association, that we maintain our full right to be heard and voice our concerns for an organization we cherish. I do, however, intend to establish an Independent Unitarian Society within the UUA, much like the UU Humanists, UU Christians, UU Mystics, and so forth, to help promote the Unitarian tradition UUCS has also cherished for far longer than the UUA has existed—reason, freedom of conscience, and uplifting our common humanity. In my opinion, we must be vigilant about these values during this perilous time within the Association and in our nation.



Another question I’ve been asked is what it means for our congregation should I be excommunicated from the UU Ministers Association (UUMA) or have my fellowship status revoked. It might make it more difficult for me to ever go to another congregation, though, given the incredible amount of support I’m receiving from UU Ministers and members around the nation, this may not be much of hurtle after all. To be clear, however, so far, nobody, to my knowledge, has threatened to pursue such a course of action. More importantly, our congregations are autonomous and, thus, free from any hierarchical church authorities. Our congregations have the exclusive responsibility for ordaining, calling, and installing ministers. Neither the UUA, the UUMA, or the MFC (Ministerial Fellowship Committee) have any authority to determine who is or isn’t a minister.



So, for as long as I’m your minister, I shall continue to do what I have always done, including being a prophetic witness in the world when I’m called to do, always representing our congregation in the best light in the process. As one of my colleagues recently wrote to an entire group of other supporting colleagues, “Todd could have kept his mouth shut and gotten on with his other projects. Instead, he saw what was happening and, rather than merely mumble sotto voce, he took a brave, faithful, loving stand, in defense of Unitarian Universalism and of us. It requires no faith, love or courage to join in the condemnation of Todd. It requires no faith, love or courage to remain silent.” I continue to appreciate reassuring messages like this that are daily filling my inbox. And I continue to appreciate the tremendous support I’m receiving from the members of our congregation. I also know there are those among us who disagree with my book and my giving it away. I appreciate you too and continue to trust, as our great tradition has long claimed, “We need not think alike to love alike.” If you have additional concerns or question, please don’t hesitate to have a conversation with me. If I hear certain questions repeated often enough, I’ll address them as I have here.



Finally, as I mentioned in my June 30th sermon, my book isn’t about the concerns of individuals who may be upset by it, nor about the fallout to my life and career, nor its impact on our church, nor even the UUA. It is meant to address a much larger phenomenon that is threatening to transform our society into everything Unitarians and Universalists have stood against for hundreds of years. To read of a more recent and chilling example of this phenomenon, which parallels my own experience and the response to my book, check out Ryszard Legutko’s essay, The Demon in Middlebury(https://www.firstthings.com/article/2019/08/the-demon-in-middlebury?fbclid=IwAR0ldICSpCwkkycK8k5V4Oym0k9fm-7Gua5B__SeMdtpU-wiatv_HwYXfd0) It’s a disturbing story demonstrating the urgency I feel, the courage I will continue to muster, and my commitment to addressing the troubling turn liberalism is taking in our nation and faith no matter the impact upon my reputation and career.



Todd



The Board will review the notes from all the groups, then share with you what we’ve learned and what steps we invite you to be part of.



If you weren’t able to attend the listening session, and if you have concerns, questions or suggestions about what has happened, feel free to contact me, or any member of our Board — Kathryn Alexander, Patty Bedalov, Allison Elston, Jon Bagby, Ian White and Dominique Wallace.



In the meantime, I invite all of us into curiosity. Consider — and ask! — why other beloved members and friends feel the way they do. Listen with respect and further curiosity to their responses. Please don’t assume that “everyone” feels a certain way, because our congregation is all over the map about recent events.



Finally, remember what Francis David said over 400 years ago: “We need not think alike to love alike.”



In community,

Susan Virnig, Board President

susan@newstories.org

509-879-9216 On behalf of the Board, I’d like to thank all of you who attended our listening session on June 30. We had 180 people who participated, and they sorted themselves into 17 smaller groups to listen respectfully to the variety of opinions and experiences of our members and friends, since Todd released his book.The Board will review the notes from all the groups, then share with you what we’ve learned and what steps we invite you to be part of.If you weren’t able to attend the listening session, and if you have concerns, questions or suggestions about what has happened, feel free to contact me, or any member of our Board — Kathryn Alexander, Patty Bedalov, Allison Elston, Jon Bagby, Ian White and Dominique Wallace.In the meantime, I invite all of us into curiosity. Consider — and ask! — why other beloved members and friends feel the way they do. Listen with respect and further curiosity to their responses. Please don’t assume that “everyone” feels a certain way, because our congregation is all over the map about recent events.Finally, remember what Francis David said over 400 years ago: “We need not think alike to love alike.”In community,Susan Virnig, Board President509-879-9216 A New Opportunity As you have heard, Aria Curtis is leaving us for a new opportunity at University Unitarian Church in Seattle, which will provider her many new and exciting experiences and allow her to be closer to family and significant other. I’m very grateful for all that this incredibly gifted individual has brought to our church and to our children and families during her time with us. I also wish Aria all good things as she make this big move in her career. Please plan to stick around after our second service on her last Sunday with us, August 11th, to thank her and wish her well during a special goodbye celebration.



Todd



(Please see a special message from Aria below, in the Children and Family Ministry section.) There will be a remembrance celebration for Marion Moos

on Sunday, July 21st at 12:30pm, following 2nd service.

We will hold space fo people to remember Marion and

then move outside to the memorial garden. It is with regret we announce the death of Mary L. Knight on May 22nd. Mary was a longtime member of our congregation, a community minister, and hospital chaplain in Spokane until moving to the west coast several years ago, where she continued her work and ministry. She earned a Masters of Divinity at Marylhurst University in Portland, and was ordained as a UU minister in 2007. Mary was known for her brightness, kindness, and compassion, and will be missed. There will be a memorial service July 14 at 2:00 PM at the First Unitarian Church of Portland, OR. Donations in Mary’s honor can be made to PAWS (no kill cat shelter) at P.O. box 1037, Lynwood, WA 98046. Cards can be sent to: The Knight Family at P.O. Box 17761, Seattle, WA 98127. Sunday, July 21st, 6 pm at the Magic Lantern We skipped June because of GA but Meaningful Movies is back! We have moved the venue for Meaningful Movies to get more community involvement and exposure. The shows will now be at the Magic Lantern Theater, 25 W. Main. The start time and the day have been changed also- to 6pm on Sunday. The July offering is 13th: From Slave to Criminal with One Amendment. Although slavery technically ended over 150 years ago with the passage of the 13thAmendment to the Constitution, this documentary asks us to delve deeper and realize how mass incarceration is an extension of slavery. A panel of 5 including members of Smart Justice, SCAR (Spokane Community Against Racism), Inland Health Foundation and NAACP will discuss how this plays out in Spokane. Meaningful Movies empower citizens to gather, educate, inspire, connect, and commit to effective, non-violent solutions in building a more peaceful and just world. Come join us Sunday, July 21st, 6 pm at the Magic Lantern. Free. Donations encouraged and gladly accepted. ATTENTION UUCS Members!

There are many opportunities currently available to volunteer here at UUCS. Giving of your time and talents is a valuable asset to the functioning of our church programs. If you are interested in volunteering, please click the link below to see some of our available openings. For all volunteer opportunities, please click HERE.

please visit our website by clicking To view the new UUCS Emergency Procedures document prepared by our Safety Team,please visit our website by clicking HERE Our Sexton program provides safety and security to our parking lot during UUCS Sunday Services. If you are interested in joining the Sexton program, or would like more information, please contact John Lowe at jnelowe@comcast.net. For Your Health and Wellness

UUCS WEEKLY EVENTS UUCS WEEKLY EVENTS For ALL Weekly events happening at UUCS please click HERE! The Kerdcera Dojo means, “The practice of heart and mind,” and meets in our chapel each Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Rev. Dr. Todd Eklof and Dr. Candace Schmidt guide participants in the practice of logic and Emotional Intelligence techniques. UU Women's Events Join the Women’s Book Group for the summer! The Women’s Group will meet July 18th at 1pm. The book for July is The Library Book by Susan Orleans If you have questions or wish to join us contact Donna Borden Rhodes at dbordenrhodes@comcast.net We always welcome new readers! Read ahead, the book for August White Working Class by Joan Williams. UUCS Children and Family Ministry Day of Mindfulness coming up next Sunday, July 21st!

12:45 – 4:30 p.m., in the Thoreau Room As part of our focus on mindfulness and planting this summer on Sundays, this afternoon of pizza making and mindfulness activities will be a way for community members of all ages to engage together in practices of intentionality. It is going to be a lot of fun and an opportunity to learn some mindfulness tools that you can take home and use on your own! Members who would like to participate in the honoring of Marion Moos, are welcome to join us a little later. Now is a great time to be thinking about how you’d like to be involved in Family Ministry this Fall! If you think you might enjoy learning alongside our children and youth about the religions of the world or you’d like to hang out and play with some of our kids on a Friday night, please let Aria know! She will work with you to find the best fit with your interest, time, and experience for getting to know the kids in our community. Special Reminder to All: For the safety of children in our community with severe nut allergies the religious education wing at UUCS is now, officially, a nut free zone at all times. For more information about what this means, please refer to Aria's article in the For the safety of children in our community with severe nut allergies the religious education wing at UUCS is now, officially, a nut free zone at all times. For more information about what this means, please refer to Aria's article in the February issue of the SUUN For more information about any of the above, please contact Aria Curtis at re@uuspokane.org or call the main office at 509-325-6383. Social Justice Information

For more information please contact Dian OBrien

gvdianobrien@gmail.com. Social Justice Council team meeting is held the second Monday of the month at 5:30 pm.For more information please contact Dian OBrien SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS

From the Social Justice Coordinating Council

For Social Justice events be sure to check the kiosk in the entry way.



SECOND HARVEST FOOD SORTING:

Join other volunteers to sort & pack food for emergency food outlets.

Sign up online at 2-harvest.org



SPOKANE NAACP:

Join us for our next general membership meeting!

Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Update

A panel featuring:

Chief Craig Meidl, Spokane PD

Mike Sparber, Interim Superintendent Spokane County Jail

Maggie Yates, Spokane County Law & Justice Administrator

Judge Charnelle Bjelkengren, Spokane County Superior Court Monday, July 15, 7-8:30pm

East Central Community Center

500 S Stone St, Spokane

COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS ABOUT REPARATIONS:

Saturday, July 27, 2019 @ 4:00-6:30 pm

Carl Maxey Center - 3116 East 5th Avenue, Spokane, WA 99202 CENTER FOR JUSTICE:

Get help with clearing

records, restoring drivers’ licenses, debt

collectors, prisoners’ rights, legal financial

obligations & more.

Call 509-835-5211 for an appointment. Social Justice Events are also posted in the church on the bulletin boards. Important UUCS Reminders UUCS Administrative Office Hours:

Our UUCS Administrative offices are open Monday - Thursday 8:00AM - 4:00PM. During these hours you may contact one of our office volunteers or our administrator Heather for assistance. Please note that requests made outside of these hours may not be responded to until the next business operating day. Please be aware of any deadlines so that requests can be addressed appropriately. Thank you for your understanding.



SUUN Monthly Newsletter - Guidelines for submitting:

Email submission to: Submissions are due the THIRD Thursday of each month by 5:00 PM. Our UUCS Administrative offices are openDuring these hours you may contact one of our office volunteers or our administrator Heather for assistance. Please note that requests made outside of these hours may not be responded to until the next business operating day. Please be aware of any deadlines so that requests can be addressed appropriately. Thank you for your understanding.Email submission to: suun@uuspokane.org . Please make sure that your submission is text, typed or copied into the body of an email, not an attached document. Focus Weekly Bulletin- Guidelines for submitting:

Email submission to: focus@uuspokane.org. Submissions are due each Wednesday by 10:00 AM. Weekly UUpdate e-Newsletter- Guidelines for submitting:

Email submission to: commanager@uuspokane.org. Submissions are due each Wednesday by 12:00 Noon. HERE



If you have questions or haven't signed up and would like to please contact the Communications Manager via email at commanager@uuspokane.org.

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