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Transitions announced

Leah Atkinson Bilinski begins as the new settled pastor at Fauntleroy UCC in Seattle on Nov. 29.

Tom Sorenson was installed in a four-way covenant with Kirkland Congregational UCC, the Pacific Northwest Conference and First Congregational Church of Maltby, where he will be half-time pastor, on Nov. 8.

Emerge ‘N See UCC in Sandpoint, Idaho, installed Bob Evans as its pastor on Nov. 1.

Loren Arnett, the first executive minister of the Washington Association of Churches, which he helped create in 1975 and served until he retired in 1989, died on Sept. 30 at the age of 90. The WAC was one of the founding organizations of the Faith Action Network. His commitment to justice and ecumenism made a difference in this state and for many across the world. His service was held Oct. 20 at University Christian in Seattle.

Donald Walter died on Sept. 25 in Bellingham. He served UCC churches in Massachusetts, Dryden and Blaine, WA, until he retired in 1994, where he became pastor emeritus in 1996. His memorial service was held Oct. 11 in Blaine.

Churches mark anniversaries

Tonasket Community Church UCC celebrated its 100th anniversary on Nov. 1 with a program sharing memories and pictures from the past and the present. For information, call 509-486-2066 or email helencasey3644@gmail.com.

On Sunday Oct. 25, University Congregational UCC, Seattle, began celebrating its 125th Anniversary with rededicating its newly transformed sanctuary and pipe organ. The event included a musical feast with selections ranging from J.S Bach to The Wailin’ Jennys, and opportunities for congregational singing.

Annual Meeting will be in Wenatchee

Rob Leveridge, a UCC pastor and songwriter who creates music about justice, peacemaking and the common good, will be a featured guest for the 2016 Pacific Northwest Conference Annual Meeting April 29 to May 1 at the Wenatchee Convention Center.

His new album, “Sacred Days,” is a collection of songs for important moments in faith life—baptisms, confirmations, weddings and funerals.

The theme for Annual Meeting 2016 is “Out on a Limb.”

For information, call 206-725-8383.

UCUCC members offer class on 'biofilia'

“Love and Grief in the Face of Ecological Decline: Siding with Life and Nurturing the Strength to Act” is being offered at 7 p.m., for four Sundays, Nov. 1, 15 and 22, and Dec. 6, at University Congregational United Church of Christ (UCUCC), 4515 16th Ave. NE, in Seattle.

The facilitators are Mike Schut, a UCUCC member, writer, teacher and retreat leader, and Francie Rutherford, a psychotherapist in private practice who has been attending UCUCC for almost two years.

Mike, who has served in environmental ministry positions for both Earth Ministry and the national Episcopal Church, seeks to connect faith, spirituality, simplicity, sustainability and eco-justice.

Francie is a long-time supporter of Earth Ministry and other local and national environmental organizations. She recently took to the water as a kayaktivist on behalf of sHell No!, an organization trying to keep Shell oil rigs away from Alaskan waters.

Mike cites biologist EO Wilson, who believes “we are all hard wired to love life,” what he calls “biophilia.” The class guides participants in mourning losses related to the global economy and climate change, while nurturing hope and finding meaningful actions for each to contribute to systemic changes needed.

For information, call 206-524-2322, or email mwschut@gmail.com.

Plymouth organist performs two concerts to dedicate organ

Plymouth organ

Plymouth UCC in Seattle is presenting two organ dedication concerts at 2 and 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 15 at the church, 1217 Sixth Ave.

Plymouth organist Douglas Cleveland will perform world premiere organ composition by George Baker, plus works by Louis Marchand, César Franck, Louis Vierne, Bach and more.

Plymouth’s new organ is modeled on the Cavaillé-Coll organ at St. Francoise Church in Lyon France.

For information and a 2015-16 concert schedule visit plymouthchurchseattle.org.

Survey results available

The Center for Analytics, Research and Data of the United Church of Christ will be reporting on findings of interest from the 2015 Faith Communities Today (FACT) Survey—nearly 1,000 UCC congregations participated earlier this year. Those who completed the survey will be interested in the results at “FACT Survey Webinar--Oct 21.pdf” at https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/26a0c4da-727a-4676-af71-ef42ff0c7b6a.

For information, call Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi at hajbik@ucc.org.

Holiday concert planned

A holiday concert, “Sweet Honey in the Rock—Celebrating the Holydays!” will be held at 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5, at University Congregational United Church of Christ in Seattle.

The a cappella ensemble, Sweet Honey in the Rock, brings a seasonal 90 minute family concert that includes inspirational and spiritual holiday music from around the world with traditional American holiday spiritual songs and hymns and songs from other cultures and religions, ranging from Africa to Israel.

For information contact Betty Spieth-Croll at 206-551-1721 or email lectureseries@universityucc.org. Tickets are at www.brownpapertickets.com.

OWL training at Normandy Park

Normandy Park Congregational UCC, 19247 First Ave S. in Seattle, is hosting Our Whole Lives Young Adult and Adult Facilitator Training Nov. 20 to 22.

The cost of $225 covers trainers, meals and materials.

Details and registration are at http://bit.ly/1YVX5qH. For information, contact Susan Andresen at 206-265-2987 or email susan@npucc.org.

Church plans World AIDS Day

Liberation United Church of Christ is planning to gather for songs and prayers before heading to Capital Hill in Seattle to hand out postcards on World AIDS at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 6.

The postcards will have statistics about HIV/AIDS in King Country as well as ways people can get involved.

At 7 p.m., there will be a Gospel Drag Tea Party at Liberation, a benefit concert featuring entertainment by Drag Performers doing numbers to their favorite gospel hits. The concert will raise funds for a local HIV/AIDS organization.

For information, email goodwind@seattleu.edu.

Men’s Retreat is Jan 29 to 31

“Stories That Matter - Men Sharing Their Hearts” is the theme for the Pacific Northwest Conference United Church of Christ Annual Men’s Retreat, which will be held Friday and Saturday, Jan. 29 to 31, at Pilgrim Firs Conference Center.

At this year’s retreat, men will be listening to each other’s stories – from their own personal experience and from their culture.

“What are those points in our own lives which have shaped us, challenged us and humbled us? We will talk about the Christian story and the human story and where our stories fit into what we’ve read, heard and experienced,” said Rick Russell, retreat director.

There will also be a Day of Silence beginning on Thursday evening, Jan. 28. Registration information will be available in early December.

For information, email myrtos@comcast.net.

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