Thursday, April 24, 2014

Love as Vocation class April 29. And a weekend full of films, keynotes, workshops, worship, banquet- at "Welcome Home" Annual Meeting of the PNC UCC

Hope to see you at some of these!
Lauren


Every Sunday10:30 a.m. Worship- All Welcome!

April 27:  two services to choose from   
Preaching at Keystone UCC: Rev. Rich Gamble at the usual 10:30 AM time:
Gospel of John 20: 19-31
faith

Reader:  Hannah

Usher:  John P.


Greeter:  we could use a volunteer to step up here - thanks if you are able!

Coffee snacks:  Christian & Michelle
PreSchool/Kinder (3-5 year olds) & elementary & junior high have Christian Education today with Anita during sermon time*   
Professional Nursery Care (0-2) downstairs, every Sunday 10 AM- 12 PM
Children's activity pages & crayons on the welcome table every week as you come in!

*Children with parent/caregiver are always welcome to move about the sanctuary & welcome area throughout worship, or to classrooms downstairs / upstairs, or enjoy the playground out back!

 
Additional April 27 worship opportunity:  10 AM
all invited (with Rich's blessing!)
come down the street to sister UCC church: University UCC, to worship with the 84 churches of our Pacific Northwest Conference UCC  
Preaching: and keynoter:  Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel

10:00 AM leave extra time for parking if you are driving
worship with UCUCC choir and Annual Meeting choir
theme: creating home

national spotlight on our Young Adult Service Community UCC justice interns- at work to establish a Living Wage in Seattle


National news story from our denomination, the United Church of Christ (UCC):
"Young Adults Work to Establish a Living Wage in Seattle"
April 2, 2014

Congrats Jenn, Briana, Church Council of Greater Seattle, Plymouth Church UCC, Keystone UCC, All Pilgrims Christian Church, Pacific Northwest Conference UCC, and all our partners and supporters in the Justice Leadership Program!
~Lauren
This Week:

April 29 Tuesday class
eco-justice, ethics, faith

professor Cynthia Moe-Lobeda will guide us in discussion on her book.  After Freddie Helmiere walked us through the prep, Cynthia comes in on the HOPE-filled stories of love in action!  Join us for this intimate conversation with local author!

6:30 pm potluck
7pm class

Add an extra UCC Worship Service to your Weekend in Seattle!

Could you use an inspiring word?  A challenge, a lift, or some reassurance?  Add an extra worship service with UCC brethren to your weekend!  We have the rare event of three spirited UCC worship services with our sisters and brothers from all over the state-- here at University UCC Friday April 25- Sunday April 27 in the U District!
MUSIC/WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES THIS WEEKEND:
The Music and Worship Committee of the Annual Meeting planning team of the Pacific Northwest Conference invites you to participate in any or all three Annual Meeting worship services. Worship will take place:

Friday evening April 25 at 7:30-8:30 PM
Rev. Mike Denton preaching
theme: finding home

Saturday morning April 26 at 8:45-9:15 AM devotional led by Spiritual Directors

Sunday morning April 27 10 AM Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel guest preaching (keynoter for weekend) 
and anthems presented by our Annual Meeting Choir and University Congregational's Chancel Choir.
theme: creating home

(*Fun trivia note:  Lillian is Lauren's mentor from Chicago!*)

All three are at University Congregational UCC
4515 16th Ave. N.E.
Seattle 98105

and will be a celebration and exploration of "Welcome Home" theme of the weekend.
Planners state, "meaningful liturgy, powerful preaching, and lots of wonderful music await you. See you in worship!"

DIRECTIONS: To get to University Congregational UCC, take the NE 50th Street exit from I-5,
head east to 15th Ave NE. Turn right (south) on 15th Ave NE. When you reach NE 45th, the
church will be on your left. The main entrances are near the corner of 16th Ave NE and NE 45th.
Carpooling is strongly encouraged. The best options for parking are on the UW campus in the
North lot (enter off NE 45th at 17th NE) or the Central Parking Garage (enter off 15th NE at NE
41st) It is about a 10 minute walk to the church.
Come to Annual Meeting workshops, keynotes, banquet et more April 25-26 Come enjoy learning and discussion with about 300 other UCC church folk from around the state.  Held at University UCC on 45th.

full schedule of workshops, etc at:
http://keystoneseattle.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e3935842170a515e3887add00&id=ba9a4485cf&e=d2ddf1f19a
go to "resources" and "annual meeting"
Saturday April 26 2:30-4 pm Rich & Lauren host a workshop for other churches to hear about the Justice Leadership Program that Keystone is helping lead, affiliated with the Young Adult Service Communities of the UCC.

Saturday 6:30-8 pm- a banquet featuring the choir of Liberation UCC!

Featured Presenters Friday & Saturday:
Christena Cleveland is a social
psychologist with a hopeful passion for
overcoming cultural divisions in
groups. Drawing from a vast body of
research, she uncovers the underlying
processes that affect relationships within and
between groups and helps leaders
understand how to promote an appreciation
for diversity and build effective collaborations
with diverse groups. She recently completed
her first book Disunity in Christ: Uncovering
the Hidden Forces that Keep Us Apart.
Christena earned a B.A. from Dartmouth
College and a Ph.D. from the University of
California. An award-winning researcher and gifted teacher, she has published
numerous scholarly articles and held academic appointments at the University of
California, Westmont College, St. Catherine University and Bethel Seminary. In addition
to academic experience, Christena brings organizational experience to her efforts to
build unity. She coaches pastors and organizational leaders on multicultural issues and
speaks regularly at organizations, churches, conferences and universities.
In addition to speaking, coaching and writing, she serves on the pastoral preaching
team at her church and is a volunteer Young Life leader in urban Minneapolis. 
Christena will be giving the keynote (4-5:30 pm) and offering a workshop (2:15 pm) on Friday April 25, plus a workshop with Lillian on Saturday (2:30pm) April 26.

Pastor, writer and teacher,
Lillian Daniel 
has served as the Senior Minister of the First
Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn Illinois
since 2004. Her book, When Spiritual But Not
Religious Is Not Enough: Seeing God In
Surprising Places, Even the Church is a
provocative case for why religious community
matters. This much talked about book has
been described as biting, hilarious, pitch
perfect, tender and often stunningly beautiful.

She co-authored This Odd and Wondrous
Calling: The Public and Private Lives of Two
Ministers with Martin B. Copenhaver. oteworthy for its humor and honesty, it has been read by clergy and laity alike. And
her first book, Tell It Like It Is: Reclaiming the Practice of Testimony is the story of one
church’s attempt to get people to talk to each other about God.

An editor at large for the Christian Century Magazine, and a contributing editor
at Leadership Journal, her work has also appeared in The Huffington Post, Christianity
Today, Relevant Magazine, Books and Culture, The Journal for Preachers and in the
daily email devotionals available at
ucc.org, with over 20,000 subscribers.

She has taught preaching Chicago Theological Seminary, the University of Chicago
Divinity School and at her alma mater, Yale Divinity School, where she received the
2010 distinguished alumni award for “Distinction in Congregational Ministry.”

A frequent speaker around the country, Lillian has preached at the National Cathedral,
Duke Chapel, and the Festival of Homiletics and delivered lectures to clergy at Kings
College, London and Queen’s College, Ontario.
 
Lillian will be giving the keynote (1:30 pm) and a workshop (2:30 pm) with Christena on Saturday April 26, and meeting with young adults Saturday PM,
as well as preaching on Sunday morning (10 AM) April 27
Save Date: Sunday May 18:  Keystone UCC Annual Meeting: at coffee hour- after worship!
 
Coming up:  look ahead to May and June:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday eve study classes on Environmental Justice led by Rich Voget and Jim Little

May 7 May 14
May 21
May 28
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday mornings- special workshops for children during Christian Education (in the sermon time of worship service):

May 4 May 11
May 18

Downstairs in PreSchool

with Karin Frank, UCC justice intern @ Keystone
Karin has designed an engaging three part workshop for our children and youth to learn about acting from their faith, for justice with the environment.
The topics are explored each of the three weeks through children's books/a video, and scripture, and interactive conversation to include Faith & Ecosystems, Faith & Society, and Faith & Advocacy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
in June:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spring June contemplative Retreat day, back at the beautiful spot near Bellevue from fall Retreat day.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
June Inquirers class
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Inquirer’s Class and Joining Opportunity
Consider joining us for an Inquirer’s Class later this spring. The class is for anyone who is interested in learning more about Keystone UCC and our UCC denomination. The classes cover some history of our church and denomination, ways to be active at Keystone, and a chance to learn more about each other and our own backgrounds and paths leading us to Keystone. And there will be an opportunity to scope out more of what it means to become a member of Keystone.

We are polling for what dates might work well for folks, likely for mid to late May or June.  Chat with Rich or Lauren if you are interested, as we narrow to dates.  Snacks and childcare will be part of the mix!

rich.gamble@keystoneseattle.org
lauren.cannon@keystoneseattle.org
Marilyn & Gus with the Magnolia Chorale will be performing May 3 and 4:

directed by Dr. Jean Marie Kent
presents

Magnolia Moments

Join us to be inspired by Sure On This Shining Night, Luminous Night of the Soul, Music in the Night, Deep River, Swinging with the Saints, and more

featuring the Roosevelt High School String Quartet

Saturday May 3, 2014  7:30 PM
Sunday May 4, 2014  2:00 PM
Magnolia Lutheran Church
2414-31st Avenue West
Seattle 98199

Tickets available at Leroux Fine Apparel, Magnolia's Bookstore, www.brownpapertickets.com or from Marilyn & Gus.

$10 in advance, $12 at door, children free

25 years serving the Magnolia community
www.magnoliachorale.org
Friday Night at the Meaningful Movies
April 25 at 7 pm for Earth Day
“If you want an adventure …what a time to choose to be alive! Joanna Macy
FILM: “THE WISDOM TO SURVIVE”
(56 min, John Ankele and Anne Macksoud, 2014)
THE WISDOM TO SURVIVE accepts the consensus of scientists that climate change has already arrived, and asks, what is keeping us from action? The film explores how unlimited growth and greed are destroying the life support system of the planet, the social fabric of society, and the lives of billions of people.
Will we have the wisdom to survive? The film features leaders and activists in the realms of science, economics and spirituality discussing how we can evolve and take action in the face of climate disruption. They urge us to open ourselves to the beauty that surrounds us and get to work on ensuring it thrives.
See the Trailer HERE.
Download the Flyer HERE.  Please help us get the word out.
For additional ongoing information, visit us at Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MeaningfulMoviesProject
FILM FOLLOWED BY A FACILITATED COMMUNITY DISCUSSION
Light snacks.
(Event is FREE and open to the public ...but Donations are kindly accepted to cover expenses.)
5019 Keystone Place North (Keystone UCC Church)
Seattle, 98103 
(0.4 miles west of the I-5 NE 50th St. Exit - Metro Bus Routes 16, 26 & 44
Happy 11th Anniversary to our "Friday Night at the Meaningful Movies" at Keystone UCC!

Every Friday =  a film + discussion with guest speakers + neighbors

7:00 - 9:30 PM  
7pm, Battson Hall (downstairs), Keystone UCC
April class in the Justice Leadership Program UCC:
ALL are welcome- bring a friend!
Resisting Structural Evil:
Love as Ecological-Economic Vocation
Interactive discussion of this new book by Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, PhD Christian Ethics, who is Associate Professor, Theology & Religious Studies, and Environmental Studies at Seattle University. Connecting economic equity, earth care, and social values, Moe-Lobeda develops an "earth-honoring, justice-seeking Christian ethical stance."  Cornel West says, "This is a grand prophetic book motivated by love and focused on... social justice, ecological justice, and dignity for 'the least of these.' Don't miss it!"
We are so pleased to be joined by this author and friend of JLP for the third class.  And to be led in discussion by another colleague Freddie Helmiere, who teaches at Seattle U and U of Washington, and was research associate to Moe-Lobeda on the book for two years (see bio below)!
Tuesday April 8: read the first 1/3 of chapters: led by Freddie. Bring a robust question that emerges from your reading of the text.

No class on the Tuesday of Holy Week
Tuesday April 22: read the 2/3 of chapters: led by Freddie.  Bring a question from your engagement with the text.
Tuesday April 29: read the last third of the chapters in book: led by Dr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda.  Bring a question from your reading of the text.
Each Tuesday:  Dinner & Study:
6:30 optional potluck;
7:00-8:30 class
Location:  Keystone United Church of Christ
5019 Keystone Pl N, Seattle 98103
On bus line, or park on street.
Join us for everything, or drop in when you can!
Helpful to RSVP: lauren.cannon@keystoneseattle.org

Frederica (Freddie) Helmiere has taught courses on religion, ecology and social justice at the University of Washington's Program on the Environment, Seattle University and Northwest University. She holds an MAR in Ethics from Yale Divinity and an MESc in Eco-justice and international development from Yale's Forestry School. She and her husband John live in South Seattle and serve with Valley & Mountain Fellowship (UMC)-- a "community movement, rooted in grace, that is focused on developing spiritual maturity, deep community, social justice, and creative expression."
--

Our mid-week classes in the JLP run October to June, each year.
Upcoming Tuesday evening Classes in the Justice Leadership Program:
May 20--Rev. Mike Denton, PNC-UCC Conference Minister. Living Justice through Church Service
May 27--Sharon D'Amico, Photographer & Global Economic Justice Activist. Art in the Service of Justice
June 3--Rebecca Saldana, Deputy Director of Puget Sound Sage.  Living Justice through Community Organizing
June 10--Michael Ramos, Executive Director of the Church Council of Greater Seattle.  Sustaining Justice Over the Long Haul

6:30- potlucks
7- 8:30 pm classes
All welcome!
THE SEATTLE LABOR CHORUS SINGS FOR A NEW AUDIENCE!  
Catch your political film fix at the Northwest Film Forum’s series, “Red Renewal:  Seattle’s Socialist Spring,” and hear the Labor Chorus sing at the series closing on May 1st, International Workers Day.  The place will be the Film Forum’s Theater, 1515 12th Avenue on Capitol Hill, Seattle.  The time will be 7:00 p.m.  Is there a whiff of socialism in the spring air?  Is labor going to rise again?  Make up your own mind.  The film showings began in March,but you can still catch films on April 23 and 30.  Then enjoy the Chorus on  May Day, along with additional films, discussion of the issues raised by the series, and a celebration.   For further information on the series, seehttp://www.nwfilmforum.org; for information about the chorus, contact Janet Stecher at rebelvoz@aol.com or at (206) 524-7753.  
The May Day event also launches Mayworks in Seattle, a month of culture honoring workers.   
Seattle Labor Chorus practices at Keystone UCC on Tuesday evenings
PO Box 17961
Seattle  WA  98127
Click here for: Justice Leadership Program- UCC
Check out Keystone United Church of Christ on Facebook! 

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Easter Sermon


Easter  Sermon

Transforming Absence

By Rich Gamble

 

I prefer the Gospel of Mark’s original version. In that Gospel there is just an empty tomb, no sign of Jesus, just a guy wearing white waiting to greet whomever might show up to honor the body not there. By the time Matthew wrote his later version there is a bigger cast and special effects, an earthquake and an angel to move the stone from in front of the tomb.

 

Easter is the most important day of our faith, this day whose symbol is an absence, an empty tomb. In this story there is no throne, no victory parade, just some discarded burial linens in an empty tomb. It is in that place, that image, that moment where all that has gone before and all that will come after collide.

 

The whole story of the Gospel leads us to this moment. Jesus is a prophet, hated by people in power and sought out as a human cure-all by those in need. He was utterly misunderstood by his own followers. He was loved by the some of the crowds, and then hated by some of the crowds, and eventually arrested, tortured and executed by those who saw him as a threat to their power. He had drawn a group of strangers together as a family but when his end came, there on the Roman cross, most of them were absent, hiding, denying that they ever knew him.

 

Until this morning we knew the story. A good person speaks the truth to make the world a better place and those who have the world’s power, use it to silence the truth teller and intimidate everyone else. We know the story. It is tragic but that is the way of things. The brave ones, the uncompromising ones, the truth tellers, are tolerated as long as they speak their truths in obscurity. If ever folks start to listen….they are silenced.

 

And so we live in the shadow of fear, a fear so pervasive that we cannot even see it. We do not even consciously experience it as fear. As much as we love those stories where the little guy wins against great odds, deep down we know that ninety nine times out of a hundred the little guy gets run over without a second glance. So, as much as we love those stories, we know enough to keep our heads down, keep our retirement accounts as robust as possible and to stay with the herd and hope for the best. And even when we strongly believe that the herd is racing for the cliff’s edge…well, it seems safer to just run along with the rest than to stop and go a different way.

 

It is an ancient story. Until this morning we knew the ending. Good guys finish last. Prophets finish alone.

 

Jesus came to town and took on the Powers that Be and met a horrible end. We know the story. It is the story of the one who speaks up about poor working condition, and gets fired. It is a story that played out thousands of times in places like El Salvador, Guatemala, Chile and Argentina. An activist priest, a labor organizer, a civil rights advocate disappears and if they ever show up again, it is as a mangled corpse along side a road or in a city dump.

 

I met a man once, when I was working with people in crisis. He came because he wanted money for a bus to go back to his home. He said that he had given away all of his possessions because that is what Jesus did. I explained to him that we had limited funds, we prioritized families with children, and we only helped with more desperate needs like rent or utilities. I told him that I could recommend a shelter for him to stay in. He got angry. “I can’t stay in those places,” he said, “it’s filled with drunks and addicts.” Somehow he expected that by seeking to be like Jesus he would deserve better than the most reviled amongst us. I don’t think he understood the meaning of the cross.

 

We know how the story ends. Stand up, speak up, put your life into the work of love and justice and of course you will find yourself alone, penniless and reviled or worse…

 

And because we know how the story goes, we praise Jesus for taking the hit for us. Because we know the story we fritter on the edge of commitment, we quietly wash our hands of the responsibility for the world that hurtles towards the destruction which we can see coming but do little to stop. Because we know that there is no real hope; there is no chance that anything we do will change things. We know that the only thing that will happen if we throw our hearts and lives and savings into the struggle for a better world is that we will end up with our hearts broken, our lives and resources spent for nothing and the world continuing to sprint towards catastrophe.

 

And the proof that it is all futile, the proof that there is no sense in sticking our necks out for strangers, the proof is that person there: that woman who spoke up to her landlord and is now evicted. Those people who spent years of their lives, to end homelessness, to save the environment, to stop a war all to no avail. Not to mention that dead guy in the tomb who didn’t have the sense to keep his head down and his mouth shut.

 

And since we know, we crawl into busy safe lives. We build our own tombs of fear and take up residence. We work in jobs that we don’t believe in, we seek status that means nothing, we narcotize ourselves with electronic diversions, and seek the most comfortable cabin on this iceberg bound Titanic of a civilization.

 

That is where we are as a people this Easter morning, thinking that we know the story, standing at the tomb, and staring aghast at the discarded linens, trying to get our minds around what it all means.

 

If Jesus isn’t locked away in a tomb, then why are we? If death isn’t the end of the story, if somehow God has written a different end to the same old story, then maybe our lives are not what we thought they were. Maybe this precious time that we have between birth and death is about something more than carving out a safe niche for ourselves and the ones we choose to love. If Jesus’ story does not end with the tomb, then maybe all those other stories of defeat were misunderstood. Maybe all the suffering and sacrifices of those who sought justice and peace and fullness of life for all were not wasted. Maybe theirs was not the story of loss but part of a bigger story, of a broader victory to come. Maybe we can be a part of something bigger whose limits are beyond our limits whose life is beyond our life, whose dream is beyond our dreams.  

 

If Jesus isn’t locked away in a tomb, then maybe we have the power to roll away the stone that keeps us safely silent. Maybe we can awaken from our slumber and see the God given power we have to transform our lives and the world around us.

 

Maybe we can dare to act as if we truly do have hope.

 

That empty tomb stands as a challenge to those of us in comfortable communities in a world of suffering and need.

 

That empty tomb stands as an invitation to risk what we hold dear so that God’s love may be shared.

 

Just maybe that hopeful, fearful absence in the tomb of Jesus sings in its silence of the possibility that death and all the little deaths we fear, have no real power in the reality of God’s dream.

 

“Do not be afraid,” the angel says.

 

We have a choice, here at the empty tomb; we can live our lives in the fear of death, or live our lives in the hope of God’s power of life over death. We can crawl into a tomb of conformity to a world ruled by lies and fear or we can abandon our fear like an unneeded shroud.

 

Take away the special effects budget and that’s what we get: a choice, an invitation, a hope founded on an ambiguity that only faith can sort out. In the Gospels the resurrected Jesus invites his followers back to Galilee, back to where the story began. Only this time, they will be the Christ, they will be the truth-tellers and healers and this time they will have faith in a different ending to the same old story.

 

“Do not be afraid,” the resurrected Jesus says to the women at the tomb and to us.

 

At the heart of this day stands a choice, an invitation to live with hope or be buried in fear. Is Jesus’ life a story that we bury in book, a history, a few tired rituals and a ticket to heaven? Or is the spirit of Jesus’ moving among us, inspiring us, leading us to embody the love of God and become hope for the world.

 

That place of absence where death should be is our place of choosing and in that choice our future and the world’s hope hang in the balance.  Amen

Friday, April 18, 2014

national spotlight on our Young Adult Service Community UCC Justice Interns- working to establish a Living Wage in Seattle


National news story from our denomination, the United Church of Christ (UCC):
"Young Adults Work to Establish a Living Wage in Seattle"
April 2, 2014

Congrats Jenn, Briana, Church Council of Greater Seattle, Plymouth Church UCC, Keystone UCC, All Pilgrims Christian Church, Pacific Northwest Conference UCC, and all our partners and supporters in the Justice Leadership Program!

~Lauren

Tenebrae Service on Good Friday + Easter Worship + class Tuesday April 22

Come... see how we love!
View this email in your browser
Worship each Sunday 10:30 a.m.
Every Sunday10:30 a.m. Worship- All Welcome!

April 20: Easter Sunday    
Preaching: Rev. Rich Gamble
Matthew 28: 1-10
Resurrection

Reader:  Christian

Usher:  Betty S.

 
PreSchool/Kinder (3-5 year olds)- remain in worship this week with families during sermon time*
Pick up children's bulletins & crayons on the welcome table as you come in!
Professional Nursery Care (0-2) downstairs, every Sunday 9:30 AM- 12:30 PM with Anita

*Children with parent/caregiver are always welcome to move about the sanctuary & welcome area, or classrooms downstairs / upstairs, or the playground out back!
Holy Week:

April 17
Maundy Thursday- Agape supper
7 pm, downstairs, Battson Hall

April 18
Good Friday- service of Tenebrae
7 pm, upstairs, Learning Center

Easter Sunday worship
April 20
10:30 am

Coming next week:

April 22, Tuesday eve class
eco-justice, ethics, faith
Moe-Lobeda book- Freddie Helmiere
6:30 pm potluck
7pm class


Wednesday April 23 or 30
Teacher Orientation
6:45-8 pm
Maundy Thursday - Agape supper:
April 17
7 pm


5019 Keystone Place North, Seattle, 98103
Join- as we share an evening of ritual, song, supper, and fellowship.  We will have a candlelit meal, hand washing,
and remembering the last days and Last Supper Jesus had with disciples.  Maundy means commandment, as demonstrated in the great commitment to love as God loves.  Jesus's example to serve and love one another is our focus.  We exchange stories from scripture and each other as we consider both suffering, and liberation and freedom.

Pacific northwest salmon is our centerpiece, as we recall the symbol of fish, the Greek ichthus, that marked followers of Jesus.  Desert and conversation, and singing a plenty.  Communion in the round.  Come as you are!

contact:  lauren.cannon@keystoneseattle.org
Good Friday
7 pm
upstairs, Learning Center

5019 Keystone Place N  98103

The Service of Tenebrae (meaning "shadows") originated as an ancient Christian ritual from the 8th century.  This service allows us to remember the last hours of Jesus' life. 
National news spotlight on efforts of our Justice Leadership Program interns and partners: organizing for those in need of a living wage

Congratulations Keystone UCC members & friends- we took a big risk to build this program.  Every bit and kind of support has made it grow.  And made it possible to celebrate now with Jenn and Briana being recognized and highlighted this week across the UCC.  Our Pacific Northwest Conference UCC works closely with our national UCC in Cleveland, and folks recently met and determined the wider church would want to learn what we have been busy with here!

Each time you help our interns expand the work of justice in the world- we all stand for many more to benefit.  Our interns have been advocating for those most in need of the basics to raise their families in Seattle.  All glory to God!

Link to UCC news story:
"Young Adults Work to Establish a Living Wage in Seattle"
April 2, 2014

Congrats Jenn, Briana, Church Council of Greater Seattle, Plymouth Church UCC, Keystone UCC, All Pilgrims Christian Church, Pacific Northwest Conference UCC, and all our partners and supporters in the JLP!
Happy 11th Anniversary to our "Friday Night at the Meaningful Movies" at Keystone UCC!

Every Friday =  a film + discussion with guest speakers + neighbors

7:00 - 9:30 PM  
7pm, Battson Hall (downstairs), Keystone UCC
April class in the Justice Leadership Program UCC:
ALL are welcome- bring a friend!
Resisting Structural Evil:
Love as Ecological-Economic Vocation
Interactive discussion of this new book by Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, PhD Christian Ethics, who is Associate Professor, Theology & Religious Studies, and Environmental Studies at Seattle University. Connecting economic equity, earth care, and social values, Moe-Lobeda develops an "earth-honoring, justice-seeking Christian ethical stance."  Cornel West says, "This is a grand prophetic book motivated by love and focused on... social justice, ecological justice, and dignity for 'the least of these.' Don't miss it!"
We are so pleased to be joined by this author and friend of JLP for the third class.  And to be led in discussion by another colleague Freddie Helmiere, who teaches at Seattle U and U of Washington, and was research associate to Moe-Lobeda on the book for two years (see bio below)!
Tuesday April 8: read the first 1/3 of chapters: led by Freddie. Bring a robust question that emerges from your reading of the text.

No class on the Tuesday of Holy Week
Tuesday April 22: read the 2/3 of chapters: led by Freddie.  Bring a question from your engagement with the text.
Tuesday April 29: read the last third of the chapters in book: led by Dr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda.  Bring a question from your reading of the text.
Each Tuesday:  Dinner & Study:
6:30 optional potluck;
7:00-8:30 class
Location:  Keystone United Church of Christ
5019 Keystone Pl N, Seattle 98103
On bus line, or park on street.
Join us for everything, or drop in when you can!
Helpful to RSVP: lauren.cannon@keystoneseattle.org

Frederica (Freddie) Helmiere has taught courses on religion, ecology and social justice at the University of Washington's Program on the Environment, Seattle University and Northwest University. She holds an MAR in Ethics from Yale Divinity and an MESc in Eco-justice and international development from Yale's Forestry School. She and her husband John live in South Seattle and serve with Valley & Mountain Fellowship (UMC)-- a "community movement, rooted in grace, that is focused on developing spiritual maturity, deep community, social justice, and creative expression."
--
Our mid-week classes in the JLP run October to June, each year.
Upcoming events & info:
 
Richard Rohr - April 19- 9 AM-Noon
Some from Keystone's 'Simpletons' book group have discussed Richard Rohr's books.  He will offer a workshop in Burien before Easter.

From friend of Keystone, Rev. Katy Loyd:

Hi Conference Folks,
Some of you may already know of Richard Rohr. He is an internationally known teacher of spirituality and contemplation from the Franciscan tradition, and founder of The Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) in New Mexico. His writing is widely read by church and non-church folk alike. Any help you can offer getting the word out is appreciated.  If you need more information, you can contact Kay Kukowski, member of Our Lady of Guadalupe:kukowskikm@gmail.com
Father Richard Rohr will be presenting
A meditation on the Resurrection
From his book Immortal Diamond—the Search for the True Self
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish/gym
3401 SW Myrtle St., Seattle, WA 98126

Saturday April 19:  9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Check in at 08:30
No charge, donations only, no registration required.

Richard Rohr, OFM
Fr. Richard Rohr is a globally recognized ecumenical teacher bearing witness to the universal awakening within Christian mysticism and the Perennial Tradition. He is a Franciscan priest of the New Mexico Province and founder of the Center forAction and Contemplation (CAC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Fr. Richard's teaching is grounded in the Franciscan alternative orthodoxy—practices of contemplation and lived kenosis (self-emptying), expressing itself in radical compassion, particularly for the socially marginalized.
Fr. Richard is the author of numerous books, including Everything Belongs,Adam’s ReturnThe Naked NowBreathing Under WaterFalling Upward, andImmortal Diamondand Yes, And....
CAC is home to the Rohr Institute where Fr. Richard is academic Dean of the Living School for Action and Contemplation. Drawing upon Christianity's place within the Perennial Tradition, the mission of the Rohr Institute is to produce compassionate and powerfully learned individuals who will work for positive change in the world based on awareness of our common union with God and all beings. 
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