Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane Monthly NewsletterCREATE COMMUNITY • FIND MEANING • WORK FOR JUSTICE

October 2014 • Volume 21 Issue 10

Up Coming ServicesOct 5 The Crime of Love: Bringing Down the Dominator System Rev. Dr. Todd Eklof, UUCS Minister

Oct 12 Emotional Beings Being Emotional: Basic Primer on Feeling Our Way Through Life Rev. Dr. Todd Eklof, UUCS Minister

Oct 19 Z-Nation and the Fundamentalist Mindset: The Tendency to Fear Instead of Love Our Neighbors Rev. Dr. Todd Eklof, UUCS Minister

Oct 26 Background Checks – A Very UU Thing To Do Cheryl Stumbo, Guest Speaker** Cheryl Stumbo (a lifelong Unitarian, and member of University Unitarian Church in Seattle) is the citizen sponsor of Initiative

594 — Background Checks on All Gun Sales in Washington State, which is on our ballots this election. Cheryl is a survivor of the July 2006 mass shooting at the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, where she was shot and critically wounded. Since recovering, she has dedicated herself to reducing gun violence.

Todd’s ThoughtsBy now everyone knows I like to play with puppets. I even consider myself a hack ventriloquist, meaning I move my lips way too much, something my puppet friends are often quick to point out. Even so, it’s pretty easy for me to put words into their mouths and to control their movements and responses, but these are just the simple mechanics of puppetry. Animating a puppet—really making it seem alive—is hard to do and takes a lot more practice than I have time for! That’s because, obvious at it may sound, puppets aren’t really alive. The converse is also true. Living people aren’t puppets! Working with puppets has helped me become more aware of this crucial difference. People are not puppets, so I don’t try to put words in their mouths, or throw my voice around at the expense of other voices, or tell them how they should have said something, or that something they said offends me, or expect them to act according to my will instead of their own. I also know that I’m not a puppet, and I don’t enjoy it when others try to tell me what I should or shouldn’t say, or should or shouldn’t have

said. It’s the golden rule of puppetry, let others speak for themselves, just as you would speak for yourself.

— Rev. Dr. Todd F. Eklof, UUCS Minister

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Board Slivers The whirlwind and chaos of September is coming to a close and we are entering the beauty and wonder of fall colors, changing light, cool fresh breezes, and comfort foods. What a busy month it has been! Not just in my home and life, but as a part of your Board of Trustees. We had our annual Saturday retreat in early September to set priorities, participated in the Leadership Training with Thandeka in mid-September, and wrapped up with our monthly meeting tonight, Sept 24th!At our annual retreat we welcomed our new members Wayne Atwood, Jeff Hedges, and Donna Borden-Rhodes to our existing group of Dan Eacret, Bonnie Brunt, Sue Stiritz, and myself. Todd reviewed what it means to be a Board that practices Policy Governance. He reminded us that our primary functions are to develop, clarify, and monitor church policies and Ends (the standards by which we hold ourselves), and to stay connected to you, the congregation, in as many ways possible. We reviewed the finances of the church with our wonderful treasurer, Marie Bjork, and discussed how lucky we are to be a part of a ‘culture of generosity’ in our church…but that some tough budgetary decisions may be in our future as our income is not covering our expenses. We then came to the exciting part of the retreat...our Strategic Plan! With your help, we developed this plan a little over a 1 year ago, and incredible progress has been made in accomplishing the priorities we all set together! The Board will do whatever we can to support the Management, Personnel, other teams, and Todd to accomplish the objectives of the plan. Tonight, at the Sept. Board Meeting, we voted to focus our energy on the continuation of the implementation of the Strategic Plan with special emphasis on 1) Funding our budget and maintaining a sustainable financial plan, 2) Focus on staffing as a sustainable piece of the church, and 3) Finish projects begun (including the church database implementation, website revitalization, AV updates, ADA access to pulpit, etc). We are very excited for the upcoming year and we hope you are! Please come chat with any of us if you have questions or comments. For more info on the Strategic Plan go to our church website at www.uuspokane.org. — Submitted by Ann-Scott: www.uuspokane.org/images/StrategicPlanActionTracking.pdf -Ann-Scott Ettinger

(UUCS Board President-in-Training)

The Board of Trustees meets the fourth Wednesday of each month beginning in July.

Meeting times are 6:30 — 8:15 pm. All are welcome.

Board Slivers & Management TeamManagement TeamYour M-Team meets regularly to discuss the daily operations of the church, address concerns of congregation members and teams, and plan how best to move the mission and vision of the congregation forward as per our Policy Governance charge. Our 4 pm meetings in the Administration Office Workroom are generally every other Tuesday. And, of course, all are welcome to attend the meetings. If you are unable to attend, but would like something to be put on the agenda, please contact Rev. Todd at 325-6383 or minister@uuspokane.org. Our meeting schedule this month is October 14 and October 28.

FYI from the AdministratorOrder of Service Layout Person NeededOur long-time Order of Service (OOS) layout person, Karen Olson, has decided to give over this task to a new person. Laying out the weekly OOS involves approximately one hour of work per week and can be done at church or from home. If you are interested in volunteering to do this important bit of church business, please contact me for details at admin@uuspokane.org or 509-325-6383.

2013-14 Annual Report Coming SoonDue to some technical difficulties resulting from me trying a new process for compiling our 2013-14 Annual Report data — big mistake, I know — the report is still in production and not yet published. However, as soon as it is completed information will be in the Focus bulletin about how to review the report on-line or receive a printed copy. Sorry about the delay.

— Jet Tilley, UUCS Business Administrator

FYI from the new SUUN EditorI have to confess I am afraid! I get over 200 emails a day and sometimes I lose them. You can help allay my fears by being SURE to put UU SUUN in the subject line. That way, even if I miss them I can search and find them. I respond to every article, so if you don’t get a reply get in touch as I might have missed your submission. AND, it would be great if you did not format your article – I just have to remove it, so you’d save me a bit of time by just sending it in simple MSWord format. Thank You!

Thank You! — Kathryn Alexander, UUCS SUUN Editor

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UCS Solar UpdateOur Solar Steering Committee recently added window tinting to the south side of our RE wing and to the large wall of windows in our Thoreau room, dramatically reducing the heat that can make them unbearable during the summer months. Window tinting is also being considered for the south-facing windows in our sanctuary through which intense sunlight shines six months of the year. During recent services I’ve observed those seats most directly in the sunlight remain entirely empty or else watched as those few sitting in them have to get up during the service and move elsewhere. Even when sitting five rows back I’ve personally had to shade my eyes just to read my hymnal. Window tinting can mitigate these problems in several ways. Tinting cuts radiant heat between 74 and 79 percent, which would make it far more comfortable to sit in the sunny seats. Tinting reduces the glare, making it more pleasant for those facing the south windows, like our choir, and for reading our hymnals and orders of service. Tinting blocks 99 percent of the UV rays which typically damages wood floors and upholstery fabric. Tinting prevents the floors and furniture from heating up, reducing our air conditioning load during the hottest months. The down side is that during the winter there is less solar heat generated through the tinted windows, but nowhere near enough to offset the benefit gained during the summer. Aesthetically, it also alters the view by somewhat muting colors and making things subtly darker. There are presently two sample windows in the sanctuary that have been tinted with a lighter and darker film. Please take some time over the next few weeks to look through them and even stand in the light they cast to feel the difference for yourself. Then report your impressions to our minister or other members of our Management Team as they continue to discern whether or not to move forward with this project.

— Tom Mosher on behalf of the Solar Steering Committee

Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane (UUCS) Ends Statements *• The UUCS is a bold voice, advocate and active partner with national and local organizations to promote social and economic justice,

environmental responsibility, worldwide peace, liberty and the democratic process.• The UUCS is an ever more diverse congregation overcoming the barriers that divide the human family.• TheUUCSisacommunitywherepeoplefindmeaningfulconnectionsingroupslargeandsmall.• TheUUCSisfinanciallysound,sustainedbyacultureofabundancethatpromptsgenerousgiftsoftime,talentandmoneytosupport

the church and its programs.• The UUCS is mindful of our impact on the Earth and engages in environmental stewardship that is visible to the larger community.• The UUCS ministers to the needs of our local community and is proactive in making our presence known to those beyond our sanctuary walls.• The UUCS sustains and inspires individual transformation and growth for all ages and encourages exploration of world belief systems

through those sources known as Our Living Tradition.* Our Policy Governance Ends statements adopted by the UUCS Board of Trustees in April 2012 are the visionary goals of our congregation.

Treasurers ReportWe are a generous congregation and together we do so much to make our community and our world a better place. Our new budget year started in July, and after 2 months we are $2,783 in the black. We often start the year with slow pledge payments, and last year we were about $4,000 in the red at this same time. This year, we’re right on track. ;-)The Board, our new Finance Team, the Management Team, and myselfI will all be keeping a close eye on our financial situation this year. If you’re reading this, it means you too are interested in our church finances. ;-) If you’d like to become more involved, there are opportunities! You might join our newly expanded Finance Team, participate in a review of our finances (similar to an audit), or work with Stewardship, to name a few. Please contact me for more information - we’d love to help you find your niche in the financial operations of our church.If you don’t remember what your pledge is, please call the church office at 325-6383 and someone will help you. If your circumstances have changed, and you need to change your pledge, please contact the church office, or myself. Thank you for working together to keep this church year in a healthy financial position and continue our positive impact in the world. Full financial reports are posted monthly on the bulletin board in the foyer, or you may contact me with questions. Thank you again and again for your continued support of our church.

Thank you – and thanks for you continued support of our church and our mission

— Marie Bjork, Treasurer (220-0986 or mariebjork@aol.com)

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CELEBRATING RELIGIOUS EDUCATIONTracy’s ReflectionsIn September, I began serving as your Consulting Minister of Religious Education. I am here to ensure there is an engaging and meaningful religious education program for children and youth this year. I am also here to work with you to create a ministry that helps children and their families flourish. I am happy to be in a congregation I have loved for a many years, and excited to be serving children and families, as I have been called to children and family ministry for a long time.I first came to the Spokane Church, unchurched and fairly skeptical of religion, in 1994, hauling along my three year old and baby. I was exhausted. The baby cried constantly. My family was poor, and we lived in an unfinished house without running water. I struggled to get through the day and to find meaning in a culture that hated the poor and seemed to honor mostly one’s ability to consume. In a moment of desperation, I decided to go to church. I choose the church of my grandparents and mother, this congregation. Here I found remarkable blessings. The first blessing was sitting quietly and listening to music, poems and wise words all blend together in a wonderful ways. The experience washed over me. I felt revived.The second blessing happened when as I struggled to hold my fussy baby and cajole my three year old down the steps, an older woman stopped, smiled kindly, and said, “It gets easier.” I almost cried. I felt hope.I didn’t learn about the third blessing for many months. I gave strict instructions to the two women in the nursery to get me if my baby cried. They never did, and I assumed they had the magic baby touch. But he did cry every Sunday, and those women just held him, seeing in me someone who desperately needed an hour to herself. I felt cared for.I did not know then, but these blessings were acts of ministry – the offerings of ritual, love and kindness that helped me find my center so I could see the wonder of this life and love more fully.In the years that followed UUCS ministered to my family in many ways. We were served a weekly dinner followed by worship and activities that bonded us to a community. Camp Starwheel became as essential to our yearly rhythm as Christmas and birthdays. When the boy’s father and I divorced, the congregation held us in love. My three sons attended religious education, OWL, youth group and youth cons, growing into confident young men with UU values.I learned about ministry here – about how being in a community that holds love and service at its center can strengthen each of us to deal with life’s pain and be the people we want to be. I learned I wanted to be a minister and serve such communities.Ministry saved my family by centering us and reminding us what really was most important. It is difficult be a child and a family in a culture insists we each to do so much and be so much. All of us need a community that reminds us that being ourselves, being kind, and loving life is enough.This year, I hope to begin a journey with all of you to strengthen and grow our ministry to families and children.

Please join me. — Rev. Tracy Springberry

UUCS Consulting Minister of Religious Education

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CELEBRATING RELIGIOUS EDUCATIONCome to 9:15 Religious Education ClassesUUCS now has Religious Education for children at 9:15. A team of accomplished teachers are offering Picture Book UU to children up through 6th grade. Each day begins with a remarkable picture book that explores a UU value and then continues to explore the value through movement and art. Try it out!

RE Open HouseOn October 19, the Religious Education Leadership Team and RE teachers will be hosting an Open House in the RE wing. Come enjoy coffee, find out what the children and youth are learning, and have conversations with teachers and other RE volunteers.

Classroom Assistants Needed – once a month commitment.The RE program needs assistants at the 9:15 service and in the nursery both services. Assistants are also needed for Neighboring Faith, the 11:00 Junior High Class, and Holidays and Holy Days, the 11:00 class for second to fourth graders. These are once a month opportunities to be with children and hear their perspectives on UU faith and other religions. If you are interested contact Tracy Springberry or Barb Stuebing at re@uuspokane.org.

One-time RE Volunteer OpportunityWe need people who like children and youth to hang out with them at a pizza party on October 26 while adults are at the opening of the Community Marketplace. Please contact Tracy Springberry or Barb Stuebing at re@uuspokane.org if you would like to help.

Opportunity to Support Teachers and Learn More About RE CurriculumsRE teachers teach classes twice a month all year. This is a huge commitment to serve our children and youth. We make it easier by gathering all the supplies they need for each class. We are looking for volunteers to do this task. It is about a 2 hour a week commitment and can be done at any time. Please contact Tracy Springberry or Barb Stuebing at re@uuspokane.org if you would like to help.It’s the Little People that Insure the Future of Our Church — Things change and things stay the same. Again this year our religious education (RE) program needs volunteers to both teach and assist with our religious education classes. This is a cooperative program that needs support from ALL OF US if we want to have a strong and vibrant church. To volunteer with our RE program, please send an e-mail to RE@uuspokane.org or call Barb Stuebing 327-3803. You can also sign-up with the RE Greeter next Sunday.

— Religious Education Leadership Team

RE Program Offerings NEW This Year:Jedi Academy – Grades 5 & 6 at 11 am Jedi Academy curriculum is based on five training categories of Skill, Senses, Courage, Insight and Spirit. The focus is on a development of mindfulness, peace and justice. The lessons are based on the mythic Star Wars Saga, No Prior Jedi Knowledge Or Experience Is Necessary to fully participate. We need teachers for this class!

Popcorn Theology – Senior High at 11 am Exploring Ethics and Theology through Film with Youth. Popular movies on theological and ethical themes, activities. This new curriculum has been popular with other UU youth groups so we are going to give it a try. We could use some additional teachers and advisors for the senior high youth group.

Extra New! Picture Book UU & the World — K through Grade 5 at 9:15 amUU values and fun in our one room school house. A chance to make friends, learn and lead in the multi-age environment. We will look at UU values by reading picture books and doing a lot of creative activities together. This will combine several curriculums to make one fantastic year. Teachers are recruited but we need teacher assistants for the 9:15 class.

Picture Book UU — K through Grade 2 at 11 amSimilar to the program above but geared for the K-2 age group. We have teachers could always use one more teacher or assistant.

Tried, True and Fun Favorites: Holidays & Holy Days — Grades 3 & 4 at 11 amThe participants prepare for and celebrate holidays from around the world. Each is linked to a UU principle and each week honors a heroic leader, explores a changing season or shares a cherished story from our own heritage or from others around the world. This is a favorite with teachers and students but we need teachers.

Neighboring Faiths — Grades 7 & 8 at 11 amFaith traditions and practices of other religious groups in our community are introduced as this class visits other religious services. Goals include offering students an opportunity: to personally participate in the faith traditions of others; to reflect on the unique and universal of religious experience; to explore our own values as they relate to many other faiths; to become more aware of the many connections between UU and other faith traditions. This curriculum can’t happen without additional teachers and of course parent support.

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October 4, November 1 and December 6 (Saturdays) 9 a.m. to noonInterested in joining the Amazing UU Cooking Community? We have openings for new cooks! Join a fun group of UUs once a month on Saturday mornings, 9AM-noon, to share in the ccreative process of cooking together, learn about cooking with whole foods, eat together, AND walk away with 5-10 meals for your freezer. The idea of gathering to cook grew out of the Ethical Eating discussions these past 3 years so we have tried to buy local, bulk, and fresh as much as possible. Our next cooking days are: Saturdays 10/4,11/1, and 12/6, 9am – noon.Interested in joining us? Contact Ann-Scott Ettinger (bark4snow@comcast.net or 509-998-7072) for more information. Also, check out the website that is often the starting point for our menus (http://onceamonthmeals.com).

Saturday, October 4th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Alms Bowl for Sravasti AbbeyRummage Sale & Pet BlessingYou may know that the nuns from Sravasti Abbey — who have been teaching meditation at our church for 6 years -- eat only food that has been given to them. This is in keeping with Buddhist tradition going all the way back to the Buddha himself 2600 years ago. To raise money to buy food for the Abbey, a rummage sale is taking place at Unity Church on the corner of 29th & Bernard. Pets will be blessed by the nuns between 9 and 11:30am. If you have items to donate to the sale, they can be dropped off at Unity Church 4-6pm on Friday the 3rd in the north parking lot. If you would prefer to donate cash or food directly, please contact Sravasti Abbey at coordinator.sravasti@gmail.com. We welcome volunteers for the event: jampamorgan@gmail.com. Thanks for returning the generosity the nuns have shown us all these years. Questions? Contact Susan Virnig at susan@newstories.org.

October 5 — Annual UUCS Farmers Market EndsOur annual Church Farmer’s Market runs thru October 5th. There will be tables in the Friendship Hall where Church members can bring I home grown vegetables, fruits, and flowers along with baked items or handmade crafts. We will also have a book sale, so bring any books you are willing to part with to donate to the Farmers Market. Hardback books will be $1 and paperbacks $.50. There will be sign upsign-up sheets in the back of the church on Sundays to work one or more Sundays after either the first or second service. All money this year is going to be donated to the UUSC special project to help our neighbors in Haiti to raise their own food. It takes $250 to provide on Haitian family the training and materials to raise their own food. If you would like to donate to this cause, stop by and support the Farmer’s Market or write a check to UUSC and put ‘Gardens for Haiti’ in the memo line.

Adult Enrichment Oct 5, 12, 19, 26 9:15 – 10:15 a.m., Cummings RoomSustainability – More than Using Less Kathryn Alexander, MAAs the amount of carbon passes 400 ppm and the weather becomes more volatile will using less of nature’s resources really make a difference? This course will explore all three stages of sustainability, share examples of each stage and provide a tool for assessing progress on this journey. Knowing where we are is not enough, so the next logical question – what to do, will also be addressed. As the magnitude of the shift in consciousness becomes apparent so do the unexpected benefits. Come explore all three stages of the journey to creating a happy and healthy planet. Kathryn Alexander, MA author of What’s It Mean – Shifting To Green? shares her work and research in the area of sustainability which challenges how we usually think of this topic. This information is distilled from a course she taught at the University of Colorado, Boulder’s environmental Center’s Sustainability Practices Program.

October 6 – Buddhist MeditationMonday Meditation ClassThis new session of the UU Buddhist Meditation class will start on October 6 in our chapel and run through November 24, each Monday from 6:30-8:00 p.m. These classes will continue to focus on a new book, co-written by EWU psychology prof Russell Kolts and Sravasti Abbess Thubten Chodrun. Dr. Kolts’ work centers on Compassion Focused Therapy and the book blends the techniques and insights of contemporary psychotherapy with Buddhist thought to illustrate reasons and ways to live a more meaningful, compassionate life. (It’s not necessary to buy the book.) As always, newcomers and beginners are welcome. Each class consists of meditation, discussion, teaching and homework. There is no charge, and donations are appreciated to support the teaching work of the Abbey. Contact Susan Virnig at susan@newstories.org with any questions.

COMING UP AROUND OUR CHURCH

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COMING UP AROUND OUR CHURCHOctober 11 and 12th at our church Investing in our Future ConferenceDo you want your money to help create the type of community in which we want to live? Do you want investments that reflect your values? Are you interested in investing money in the local Spokane community but don’t know how? If so, please consider attending the conference, Investing in our Future, on October 11 and 12th at our church. All are welcome and the cost is an affordable $10 for the weekend (includes Saturday lunch). On Saturday, top speakers in the field from San Francisco, Seattle, Portland and Ft Collins, CO and LA will share their experiences in putting local money to work to create vibrant and resilient communities. On Sunday afternoon, local groups, including our own Local Vision Investing, will share what is happening in the Spokane region.Local Visioning Investing, an investment group composed of several UUs and their friends, are co-sponsoring this conference with Sustainable Resources INW. If you have similar beliefs, please join us for this informative presentation Sat. October 11 (9:30 am-2:45 pm) and Sunday, October 12th (1pm-4 pm.)We plan to serve lunch for church members who will be spending Sunday afternoon at the conference. To assure we have enough food, please RSVP to Linda Moulder or Eileen Martin. You may also contact one of us for further information.

October 13 Restorative Justice Symposium —Informational & Skill Building Workshop on Alternative Conflict Resolution for Our Communities @ 12:00 pm - 4:30 pmBarbieri Courtroom 721 N. Cincinnati St, Spokane, WA 99220An Informational and Skill Building Workshop on Alternative Conflict Resolution For Our Communities Featuring a Keynote address by Justice Janine Geske, Retired retired Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice & Restorative restorative Justice justice Leaderleader. This is a FREE event open for anyone in the community to attend.open to all community members.

Thursday, October 16Third Thursday Book Group will be meeting at 1PM. The October read is A Story Lately Told by Anjelica Huston. It is a coming of age story set in Ireland, London and New York. Please contact Donna Borden Rhodes at dbordenrhodes@comcast.net for more information. New readers are always welcome. The book selection for November is The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins.

The Community Marketplace is coming! October 26th – November 16thThis is one of the primary church fundraisers each year as well as a great opportunity to strengthen our church’s sense of community and everyone can get involved and contribute. Our kick-off event will be after the 11am Service on Sunday, October 26th - mark your calendar and plan to attend as the most popular items go quickly! This year’s event will include a potluck lunch (bring something to share) and will see the return of the popular dessert auction. If you are a baker this will be a great opportunity to show off your skills and if you like desserts this is your opportunity to take something beautiful and delicious home with you. Pizza will be provided in the RE wing for children. The auction will close Sunday, November 16th at 1pm. To make this fundraiser a success, we first need donations for the auction. Our focus is away from consumerism, so we are looking for donations of services or experiences and everyone has something that someone else might want. Suggestions include hosting a dinner (these are always very popular), teaching someone a new skill (e.g. skiing, skating, sewing, cooking, playing an instrument, gardening), offering a service (e.g. designated driver/transportation, sewing a set of curtains, cooking/baking food/sauces/desserts, babysitting), and offering an “experience” (e.g. wine tasting/appreciation evening, bird watching trip, bicycle tour). Creativity is welcomed! Candace Schmidt is collecting all the donations so please contact her at caschmidt8@msn.com or 509-448-4050. All other questions/suggestions/comments can be directed to the marketplace coordinator Lorraine Heath at leheath8@yahoo.com or 509-847-5077.

It’s a matter of life and death!Gun Regulation Initiative 594 Phone BankForty percent of gun sales avoid background checks because they’re sold at gun shows, in parking lots, or over the internet – with no questions asked. Initiative 594 will close loopholes and require background checks. We’ll be phone banking for I-594 at the church on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons in October. We provide training and pizza. We need you! Call or email Cindy Fine at 509-535-0385 or cynfine@yahoo.com

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From UU’s EverywhereA Mentoring Volunteer Opportunity for UUsThe mission of Communities in Schools, Spokane is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Prime Time Mentoring is offered at: Betz Elementary, Chase Middle School, Cheney High School, Cheney Middle School, Ferris High School, Garry Middle School, Grant Elementary, North Pines Middle School, Regal Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary, Salnave Elementary, Shaw Middle School, Sheridan Elementary, Snowdon Elementary, Stevens Elementary, Sunset Elementary, & Westwood Middle School. I will happily return as a Roosevelt mentor this fall. If you have questions, call Mary Benham 747-0692 or johnandmarybenham@gmail.comFor more information about Spokane Public and Central Valley Schools mentoring programs, contact Alise Mnati at alise@cisspokane.org or (509) 413-1436. To learn more go online at spokane.ciswa.org/services/primetime-mentoring-at-schools/

October 17 Joe Coyote Concert Heartsong in Tum Tum. We’ll have potluck at 5pm and live acoustic music will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, October 17thRSVP will be required and directions will be given at 509-328-1670.Cost is by donation. Thank you, Kirsten AngellJoe’s music rides the edge of the first wave of transgender performers to break through into the public consciousness. The social media explosion combined with shifting public opinion created the conditions that enabled trans and queer artists, a highly marginalized and often isolated subculture, to connect and gain visibility throughout the world. Joe performs and gives workshops on songwriting and queer/trans issues at colleges and universities and is a social justice activist for underdogs of all stripes, committed to honoring their vital contributions to the greater collective evolution.A prolific writer, the muse began whispering at the age of fifteen and Joe has produced some untold thousands of songs and essays in his 32 years. Joe is the main songwriter in the Alt-Americana group Coyote GraceCoyote GraceCoyote Grace, who released five albums between 2006 and 2012 and toured with the Indigo Girls, Melissa Ferrick, and Girlyman; sharing stages with Chris Pureka, Greensky Bluegrass, Reverend Payton’s Big Damn Band, and legends such as Cris Williamson and Lowen and Navarro.“Coyote Grace plays with the heart of traditional country and Americana music, but tells their stories with a bold twist. They write heart wrenching melodies and make such textured harmonies that I find myself enraptured and taken by their timelessness of song.” - Amy Ray (Indigo Girls)

OF INTEREST TO UUsSaturday, Nov 22, 7:30 pm UU church, admis-sion freeThe Welcome: A Public Listening to Vets with PTSDWarrior Songs Retreats serve men and women vets with PTSD, by providing a skilled team of creative arts counselors and facilitators for a 4-day free residential gathering. As the Retreat concludes, vets step forward to share their truth with an audience of supportive listeners to their personal stories, songs, and visual art creations.This second annual Retreat in Spokane builds on last year’s big successes, and forms the basis of a national model. We’ve now trained 4 local facilitators to balance out the national team of volunteer experts, and we’re expanding the community group of people who gather around to help. The end of damaging isolation needs public involvement. Veterans and their families can’t do it alone.Jesse Bruce, from Spokane, says, “The Retreat helped me tell a Iraq war story that only a precious few people were privy to—that I had spent a decade trying to bury and forget. Something inside me changed, for the good, forever. I plan to stay involved to continue my healing and hope that I can be an example for other veterans.” For more info, visit www.WarriorSongsSpokane.org.

Connect with a teacher in ColombiaAnne Marie Burk will be on a teaching assignment in Quibdo, Colombia, for the months of October and November. While there, she plans to write emails to friends and family about her experiences there. If you would like to receive her emails, you may contact her at annemarieburk@hotmail.com and she will be happy to put you on the list.

Wheel of Life Mary Knight sends greetings from Everett and many thanks to friends who sent her off with love to a new ministry this summer, especially the Pastoral Care Team - and “angels,” Ruth French and Patty Bedalov. Mary is working as chaplain for Providence Hospice of Snohomish. New contact: 505 Wood Place, #1302 Everett WA 98203; phone (425) 551-0515Floyd Curtis received an aortic valve implant September 3. His doctors were very pleased his surgery went so well. He was home two and a half days later. Floyd and Elaine are very grateful to everyone offering to help and for all the caring prayers, cards, calls and visits enhancing his recovery! If YOU have a landmark event in your life and would like to share it in the Wheel of Life, please email me at wheel_of_life@uuspokane.org. It is a joy for UUCS to celebrate with you and support you in times of need or sorrow. Because we care

— Sue Stiritz

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SOCIAL JUSTICE IS WHAT WE DO!The SJC Needs Your Help!Is your group thinking of doing a Social Justice project? Help the Social Justice Council by informing them of your event so we can better coordinate our time, energy, and efforts! Contact Nancy Avery (note new email address!) at NancyTavery@comcast.net and let her know what you are planning.

Bite 2 Go and UUCSThe Bite 2 Go program in conjunction with Second Harvest helps the neediest children on a school’s free lunch program. During recess on Friday the program anonymously slips a food kit into the kids’ backpacks to provide them with breakfast and lunch for the weekend. With your commitment and interest in this project, UUCS has become the “Bite 2 Go” sponsor for Balboa Elementary. We should begin delivering the weekend meal kits to Balboa on Friday, September 5.Here are 4 ways you can help: • Every month a truck from 2nd Harvest will bring about 80-

100 food kits to the UUCS to store in our basement until needed. Can you help unload?

• Every Friday we’ll take 32+ food kits to Balboa Elementary, which is 4.5 miles from our church on W. Holyoke just north of Francis. Help is needed!

• Once every three months help is needed at 2nd Harvest for “the Big Build.” This is when thousands of weekend food kits are assembled in two shifts - 9 AM to Noon, and 1 PM to 4 PM. Go to http://inland.volunteerhub.com/Events/Index to sign up to volunteer.

• Finally, you can sponsor child for $144 per year.For more information, or to help out, contact Kent Moline from the Social Justice Council at: kent.moline@gmail.com or at 230-5207.

Transgender Awareness in OctoberAt our annual meeting in June 2014, UUCS voted to proceed with the recertification process as a Welcoming Congregation. Part of that process includes facilitating a panel discussion at our church on transgender awareness. The Social Justice Committee has several folks who would like to participate on that panel and is looking for a volunteer to organize this event in October. If this ministry speaks to you, please contact Nancy Avery at NancyTavery@comcast.net (note new email for Nancy) or Peggy Eklof at peggyeklof@gmail.com.

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST TO UUs Special Collection September 14 for TransitionsTransitions is a local non-profit working to end poverty and homelessness for women and children in Spokane. Each program is designed to seek justice, growth, wholeness, and community for each women or child who comes to their doors. Transitions operates 5 unique programs: the Women’s Hearth, a day center in downtown Spokane, Miryam’s House and the Transitional Living Center which are transitional housing programs, EduCare, a therapeutic daycare for the littlest victims of homelessness, and the New Leaf Bakery and Cafe, a job training program. In 2013, the Women’s Hearth served 1,059 women of which 50% were homeless. Entering the Women’s Hearth is often the first step a woman in crisis takes toward safety and stability. Through their unique service model designed around building community and fostering trusting relationships, Transitions is able to engage and assist many of the most marginalized women in accessing resources and finding housing. Learn more at www.help4women.org.

Learning Journey to JapanUUCS member Bob Stilger gave a sermon last year on his work in Japan. Many people expressed interest in learning more. Through his nonprofit, New Stories, Bob will be taking a small group of westerners to Japan where they can witness the extraordinary work that ordinary people are doing in the aftermath of the triple disasters of earthquake, tsunami and nuclear radiation that hit on March 11, 2011. The Learning Journey will also spend time spent exploring Japan’s cultural and spiritual roots in Kyoto. If you’d like to learn more, check out the website http://www.newstories.org/our-offerings/learning-journeys/ or contact Bob directly at bob@newstories.org.

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Attention Team Leaders Are you wondering how the office staff and volunteers can support your Team’s activities and projects? Here are some ways we can help: Make copies; help with mailings, including envelopes and postage; provide supplies, such as tape, paper, folders, markers, pushpins; offer use of staplers and paper cutters. We are happy to work with you and for you. Just ask! FYI: Our church office is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 2 pm. The phone number is 509-325-6383.

TEAM & GROUP NEWS

UU WomenLunch. Wednesday. October 8th. 11:30 a.m. Lunch at the MAC Café. (The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture.) 2316 West 1st Avenue. The Middle Eastern cuisine is so good! Please RSVP to Judy Gammon rog_jrg@msn.com to join the party and perhaps go exploring in Browne’s Addition after lunch.UU Women is a chapter of the UU Women’s Federation. For more information, its website is uuwf.org. All the women of the church are invited to participate in UU Women’s activities.

Membership Team Providing a warm welcome to all who enter the doors of our church is everyone’s opportunity to listen to each other’s stories. It is easy for each of us to be about the business of the church or catching up with old friends and to forget that everyone who comes to church is looking to share their story with us. Take some time whenever you come to church to share your story with someone who you don’t know well and to hear his or hers as well. I promise you that it will be worth it.

Membership Team MeetingsMeetings are on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 pm in the workroom and anyone interested in learning more about this team is welcome to attend.

Greeter’s Team TrainingWednesday, October 8th at 6:30 pm. If you would like to become more comfortable greeting people in our congregation, in joining the Greeter’s Team, are already a member of the Greeters, Ushers or Membership Team please plan to attend this training. We will learn from each other, have fun together and become more comfortable with new people. Contact me to RSVP or to get more information.

Path to Membership ClassesSunday, November 2nd and 9th at 12:30 p.m. in the Chapel. These classes are an opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about membership in our church. A sign upsign-up sheet will be available at the Greeter’s Table each Sunday in October and you can contact me for more information. Luncheon and childcare are provided.

New Member Sunday and 50th Anniversary Service and Celebration Sunday, November 23rd during and after both services. We will welcome new members and celebrate those who have been with us for 50 years or more. You will not want to miss this important community ritual and opportunity to treasure our long-term members.

~ Erin Fitzgerald, Membership Team Chairerinfitzgerald@comcast

In the meantime we would love to talk with someone who you don’t know on Sunday morning or to someone who you don’t know well yet. We need all of you to create the kind of experience that will invite people to come into community with us. — Erin Fitzgerald, Membership Team Chair

Pastoral Care TeamThe Pastoral care Team focuses on needs of congregation members and friends who may be facing a crisis or life transition. Please keep the team in your thoughts and contact a member of the Pastoral Care Team if you have a need or know of someone who does: Team co-leaders are Amy Howard and Joan Nelson.Team members are:Mary Jane Blanpied Rev. Dr. Todd Eklof, Minister Majil Fausel Ruth French Nancy Hand Amy Howard, Co-Leader Doug Huigen Ellen Krehbiel Stephanie Samson Jeannie Schroeder Jim Schroeder Chuck Smith Dianne Wilson

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HELP NEEDED @ UUCSLooking to Become More Involved but Have a Tight Schedule? Become an Usher!Serving as an Usher is a great way to volunteer with a minimum time commitment. Volunteer for one service per month at a time that fits your schedule – No experience is needed. It’s also a great way to say “Hello” and to meet others in the congregation. You can also have a friend or family member join you as an usher. Please contact Dave Gard at 509-328-1305 gard@comcast.net, or Lola Reed at lolajreed@q.com. You’ll be glad you did!!

Order of Service Layout Person NeededOur long-time Order of Service (OOS) layout person, Karen Olson, has decided to give over this task to a new person. Laying out the weekly OOS involves approximately one hour of work per week and can be done at church or from home. If you are interested in volunteering to do this important bit of church business, please contact UUCS Business Administrator, Jet Tilley, for details at admin@uuspokane.org or 509-325-6383.

UUCS Musical Notes

Our Mixed Choir is growing leaps and bounds! Just this month we have added five new members and are also happy to have a returning member! You will notice that our lady’s sections are full at this point, with 10 sopranos and 11 altos now on the rolls. Frankly, in all my 25 years here we have never been in this position before! I am grateful for the influx. I have always wanted this choir to have 10 voices in each of the four sections. So… now I am concentrating on filling our “back row” to match, with the goal being 10 tenors and 10 basses—not a small task! As of today, we have 7 basses and 5 tenors—not at all bad for a church choir, but I’d love to expand both of those sections. So come on, men—step up to the plate! You can contact me at uumusic@uuspokane.org or call the church and leave me a voice mail at 325-6383, ext. 303.For those of you who might be considering our Mixed Choir, let me tell you a bit about how we operate. The Choir meets from September through May, rehearsing Thursday nights from 6:50 to 8:30 p.m. We sing approximately twice a month for both Sunday services, coming in around 8:15 a.m. for a pick up rehearsal those mornings. This group requires a steady commitment from our singers to those Thursday rehearsals and our “singing” Sundays. The goal is to provide our congregants with inspiring, beautiful music that is well sung, so the expectation for choir members is to be there so that we can do our best. That being said, as Music Director, I do my best to work with people when they have things come up—work conflicts, illness, new babies (usually for grandparents), etc. We work hard in this group and try to have a little fun while doing that!We also very much like feedback from the congregation—both positive and otherwise—so that we can tell if we are on track with our goals. So if you have a comment about how our music has impacted you, please let me or a choir member know.Fall is here—I hope it finds you dancing in the leaves!

Here’s hoping your August was luscious — Deborah Jacquemin

UUCS Music Director

MEN – Come Harmonize with Us!Our burgeoning Mixed Choir is in need of more men singers to fill out the sound in our “back row.” Come on now, guys… our choir needs your sound to balance out all those beautiful women’s voices in the two front rows! If you can carry a tune, you can learn to part sing! And… learning to sing uses both the right and left sides of the brain—an enhancement that all of us could use! Contact Music Director Deborah Jacquemin at uusmusic@uuspokane.org or 325-6383, ext. 303 for questions or more information.

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Board of Trustees Dan Eacret, PresidentAnn-Scott Ettinger, Vice-PresidentWayne Attwood Donna Borden-Rhodes Bonnie BruntJeff HedgeSue StiritzBoard of Trustees (Ex-officio):Marie Bjork, TreasurerCheryl Conn, Secretary

Management Team:Rev. Dr. Todd Eklof, MinisterLee DomineyCly EvansJet Tilley, Business Administrator

Church Office Hours: Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Minister & Staff Contact InformationRev. Dr. Todd Eklof, Minister .......................minister@uuspokane.orgJet Tilley, Business Administrator .................admin@uuspokane.orgDeborah Jacquemin, Music Director ........uumusic@uuspokane.org

Covenant StatementWe, the Unitarian Universalist congregation of Spokane, promise to:

support and care for one another,embrace diversity of persons and spiritual paths,search for truth and understanding, andwork for social justice and environmental stewardship.

With this covenant, we honor each other with our laughter andtears, our compassion, and respect.

We are a community of open hearts, open minds, and open hands.

If you no longer wish to receive the SUUN, please contact us at admin@uuspokane.org

UNITARIANUNIVERSALISTCHURCH OF SPOKANE4340 W Fort Wright Drive

Spokane WA 99224Phone: 509-325-6383FAX: 509-325-6635www.uuspokane.org

Nonprofit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDSpokane, WA

Permit No. 1147

The SUUN is a monthly publication of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane.

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