Join us for services
Worship Every Sunday – 10:30am
All Are Welcome!
Sunday, July 10, 2016Alyssa Nedrow, Reflection
Rev. Lauren Cannon, leading worship
Rev. Rich Gamble, to Plymouth UCC for Justice Leadership Program (JLP) house build supportTheme: Blaze Amidst and against violence, come in to church, to process this week's news, and connect to our source together. Find strength as Alyssa witnesses to her call to shine brightly, to bring God's realm of justice. Scripture: Matthew 5: 13-16 Music Leader: Elliot Kraber Accompaniment: Yigit Kolat
Greeter: OPEN
Reader: Dan Smith
Usher: Betty Sabo
Communion Minister: Rita Peterson
Communion Servers: Paisley & Caleb Smith
Coffee Hour Host: Marilyn Wall
Sunday School: Anita Featherston
Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16 (NRSV)
Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your God in heaven.
New 2016 Photo Directory underway - Update your Contact info by July 15: Alyssa (JLP intern) will be taking headshots of any members & friends, who need to update or add their photo for our new 2016 Keystone Directory. Last dates: July 10 & 17. If you have updates since the 2014 Directory, please send your address, phone, email & birthday to Alyssa by July 15: an476610@gmail.com
SOLIDARITY: thanks to so many at Keystone who helped co-create the Blessed Ramadan banner that has been up this month. "To Our Muslim Neighbors This Ramadan: Peace Be Upon You"
Our prayers continue as Ramadan comes to a close, amidst attacks in Baghdad on July 3.
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UPCOMING KEYSTONE UCC EVENTS
July 10- Alyssa Nedrow (JLP intern) leads reflection in worship -Alyssa shares some of her story on how she has been drawn to act to end gun violence, and faithfully deepen her racial justice lens.
July 13- 11 AM - Noon: summer Wednesday Bible Study continues.
Gospel of Luke- pick up Gonzalez book chapter copies in Lauren's box.
All welcome! Drop in any week. Wednesdays through August 3.
July 17- Amber Dickson (JLP intern) presentation after worship- faith & witness- mass incarceration in the US, women, pregnancy, and redemption.
July 24- Keystone UCC Congregational Meeting- our annual business is after worship. And during worship: Faith Action Network (FAN) certificate.
July 31- closing ritual in worship with Justice Leadership Program interns & our Keystone congregation.
Families:
• Childcare with Anita, open every Sunday 10:00am- 12pm
• Sunday School (multi-age) downstairs classroom every week,
during sermon & prayers time: approximately 10:45-11:15am.
(Help younger children to class after the scripture is read; and then pick them up to return for start of communion.)
Children of any age also always welcome in worship! Pick up Children's Activity pages & crayons on the welcome table every week as you come in to sanctuary (based on the scripture of the day; two types: younger children & older children.)
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Sunday July 10- Grief & Prayer- recent violence- hear a witness against it
Our pre-existing plans for Sunday July 10 now take on added meaning, as we reel from this week's horrors of murders of black men by police, and now news of today's shooting deaths of police officers in Dallas. We were already planning a morning of Reflection on gun violence, with prayers for our community to step in to ways we can act faithfully. Our Justice Leadership Program (JLP) intern Alyssa Nedrow has been preparing her Reflection on her own personal experiences that drew her to become active in preventing gun violence. She planned to share about her work this year on policy creation with Alliance for Gun Responsibility and the Faith Action Network. And her self-reflection this year in JLP as she deepened her work as a conscious white person. This Sunday come be in community amidst this week's wrenching news of two more deaths at the hands of police officers. May God guide us as we grieve the loss in Baton Rouge, Louisiana of Alton Sterling. And we grieve the loss of Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, Minnesota (outside Minneapolis).
Not this Time actions in Seattle here
And an invitation here from our Pacific Northwest Conference UCC on something to do in this time (released before Dallas events occurred):
Dear Siblings in Christ:
This week's lectionary reading is the story of The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). It is a story many of us know well. It is the story of someone left for dead in a ditch after being robbed. It is the story of all those good people who passed him by while he lay there groaning and suffering. It is the story of a Samaritan - one of those most abused and despised by the people of that time and place - stopping to help and care for the man others had left in the ditch to die. It's a story that calls us to pay attention to the suffering of others and to care for them. It is also a story that challenges us not to be resigned to accept as inevitable the death of another human being.
This morning, many of are waking up to the news of another person of color losing their life in a police shooting. People of color, those who live with mental illness and those with developmental challenges are at the greatest risk of dying this way. Racism and prejudice are at the root of this reality but, in Washington State, part of the problem is also the law.
So, let's go back to the story of the Good Samaritan for a moment. The fact that this person helped a fellow human being by the side of the road is beautiful and good. What if we had the opportunity to prevent the circumstances that lead to the person being in the ditch in the first place?
I'm attaching to this note a petition to get I-873 on the ballot. 873 would give police officers clearer and more substantial guidelines about how and under what conditions the use of deadly force would be considered justified by Washington State law. I encourage you to educate yourself, pray, print this up, take it to church this Sunday and invite people to sign on.
Just as a reminder for those of you who might be concerned, churches are allowed to take positions on issues such as this but are not allowed to endorse any particular candidate. Inviting signatures on this petition does not violate a church's tax exempt status.
This Sunday we reflect on the goodness of the Good Samaritan. May we accept that calling as our own. May we not just care for those left to die and mourn by the side of the road but work to put systems in place that will help prevent these deaths in the first place.
Peace.
Mike
Rev. Michael Denton
Conference Minister
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I-873
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Initiative Measure No. 873 concerns use of deadly force by public officers or peace officers.
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BALLOT TITLE - Initiative Measure No. 873 concerns use of deadly force by public officers or peace officers.
Concise Description: This measure would amend the law to eliminate consideration of whether an officer acted "without malice and with a good faith belief' when determining whether the officer committed justifiable use of deadly force.
Should this measure be enacted into law? Yes [ ] No [ ]
BALLOT MEASURE SUMMARY
This measure would amend the law that exempts public officers and peace officers from criminal liability for using deadly force under specific circumstances. It would eliminate consideration of whether the officer acted "without malice and a good faith belief." Instead, under this measure, a public officer or peace officer could not be held criminally liable for using deadly force if the act was justifiable under the specific circumstances set forth under the statute.
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Welcome Daniel!
On Sunday June 26 baby boy Daniel Smith started his regular attendance at Keystone - one week old! Blessed welcome to your community Daniel! The Smiths celebrate the birth of Daniel on Sunday June 19, and thank everyone for their continued wishes and prayers in this time. |
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News from SUNDAY June 26: Thank you Alyssa, Grant, Megan, Danelle and all who carried our Keystone UCC banner of love to Seattle's annual PRIDE celebration downtown.
The streets carried our joy alongside other Open and Affirming UCC churches and all Welcoming churches, shining with God's love for all people. And especially the continued commitment for freedom, as Orlando's massacre at gay club on Latin night brought forth the strength of thousands and thousands in Seattle. |
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Upcoming Events Info:
Sunday, July 24 – Keystone UCC Annual Meeting
@ coffee hour
11:45 am
Business to include:
election of officers,
budget,
slate of organizations to receive dispersements of Festival of Hope money.
Sundays in July – merger (by another name)?
continuing congregational conversation on possible merger with University Baptist Church.
June 26 Rich preached and held Q & A at UBC. Keystone leaders met July 5. What could it look like to move forward with a 'merger' for our unique situation? UBC meets July 10 as a congregation. Leaders from both congregations to meet again later in July.
Wednesday, July 13 – Mid-Week Summer Bible Study
@ Keystone UCC
5019 Keystone Pl. N
11am - Noon
Chapter 5
** See below for details on these and other events related to life in our community ** |
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Elliot's shows July 8, 9, 10
Not just our anchor for Sunday worship...
You can enjoy Keystone UCC's Music Coordinator Elliot Kraber in a performance setting this week: Friday, Saturday, or Sunday!
The Esoterics will offer three performances of PARNOK. Let's join them:
Friday | 8 Jul 2016 | 800 pm | Seattle | St Stephen’s Episcopal Church | 4805 NE 45th St
Saturday | 9 Jul 2016 | 800 pm | West Seattle | Holy Rosary Catholic Church | 4210 SW Genesee St
Sunday | 10 Jul 2016 | 700 pm | Tacoma | Christ Episcopal Church | 310 N K St
General admission ticket prices are $25 at the door ($22 in advance).
Discounted admission ticket prices are $18 at the door ($15 in advance)
for students, seniors, the un(der)employed, and the differently-abled.
Active singers in other choral groups may also attend for $15.
PARNOK: In that infinite moment
“Believe me,
Someone in the future
Will remember us.”
– Sappho, translated by Sophia Parnok
Purchase TicketsAll tickets that are purchased online
will be held at will-call.
No tickets will be mailed.
PARNOK: In that infinite moment
Unless you are an enthusiast of obscure Russian literature, you have probably never heard of Sophia Parnok. Born in 1885 in Taganrog, on the shore of the Black Sea, Parnok was the daughter of a Jewish pharmacist. Her lifelong frailty resulted from the neurological disorder known as Graves’ disease. She also survived a horrific train crash, owned a pet monkey, and (most importantly) was Russia’s first openly-lesbian poet. After establishing her reputation in the early 1920s, Russia’s “Silver Age,” Sophia chose to live openly and write about her relationships with eight women – to each of whom she dedicated several poems. Parnok’s decision to come out rendered her “lawless,” so publishers refused to print her work after 1928. After this censure, Sophia was barely able to make a living as a translator of Baudelaire. For several years, Sophia was homeless, too proud to rely on financial help from anyone else. When Parnok finally succumbed to her illness in 1933, three of her lovers were at her bedside, and the funeral procession of her friends and fans extended 75 kilometers outside of Moscow, an image nothing short of legendary.
In 2012, The Esoterics’ Founding Director was commissioned to compose a new work based on Russian poetry for the Bay Area Balkan women’s octet, Kitka. After several months of research, Banks (who studied Russian at Yale) encountered Parnok’s poetry in a “lyric biography” by the Russian literature scholar Diana Burgin. In Burgin’s account, Parnok’s story is reconstructed entirely through her own writing, and is a fascinating read. Since Parnok’s poems never gained popularity in Russia, very few of them have been translated into English. And since 2014, when Putin further sanctioned the oppression of LGBTI rights in Russia, most of the internet sites that originally posted Parnok’s poems have removed them. In his commission for Kitka, Banks composed a choral version of Burgin’s “lyric biography” entitled I will remember everything, which recounts Parnok’s life story through a mostly-chronological series of 28 poems, fragments, letters, and inscriptions. In this 72-minute piece, each of the soloists in the octet represents one of Sophia’s lovers: Nadyezhda, Lyubof, Iraida, Marina, Lyudmila, Yevgenia, Olga, and Nina. For its world premiere in 2014, Eric and Kitka received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Aaron Copland Fund for Music, and NewMusicUSA. Banks’ work that honors Parnok will be premiered in Seattle by eight women from The Esoterics in early July.
In addition to this Seattle premiere of I will remember everything for women’s octet, Banks has set another nine of Parnok’s poems as a “song cycle” for 32-voice double mixed chorus and soloists. This piece, with the title On this disappearing day, will enjoy its world premiere in Seattle in the same concert series. In both pieces, Parnok’s verses will be sung in their original Russian as well as in Banks’ translations into English. In concert, these works will be woven together without interruption, creating a concert-length journey to celebrate Sophia Parnok’s forbidden love, her extraordinary lyric, and her imperturbable courage.
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Elliot Kraber, Keystone's Music Coordinator & Song Leader - travel mercies went with Elliot as he headed to Come Sing With Us! GALA Choruses Festival 2016 held in Denver, overlooking the Rocky Mountains. The Esoterics had a unique spot, performing this year alongside the group from Orlando, with some tributes after the massacre this spring. And more here for making your plans to catch him now back in Seattle for shows July 8,9,10: The Esoterics
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Congratulations 2015-2016 Justice Leadership Program interns Alyssa & Amber at Keystone!
And Julia, Hannah, AnnMarie, and Abi!
Thank you church companions and Keystone folks in JLP support roles: Barb, Lisa, Dan, Paisley, Caleb, Daniel, Leo, Mike, Lauren, Rich and all who helped us celebrate Alyssa and Amber as they come to their last month of service with Keystone and Justice Leadership Program. Over 30 agency supervisors, church supervisors, JLP alums, and friends helped us celebrate the coming end of our 2015-2016 year, as our 6 interns approach their transition out. After words of recognition the beautiful July 6 eve at Seward Park included some blows to the pinata (Alyssa, Caleb, Leo, all got in their best but it was Paisley's final whack that did it in.) Mark July 31 for our closing ritual celebration in worship at Keystone! |
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incase you missed previously
Thank you John- new microphones were installed and tested July 3-7. Come Sunday July 10 - hear the difference!
Updates on Merger Talks
The Keystone leadership team met with University Baptist Church leaders for the fourth time on Tuesday, June 14, regarding a possible merger of the two churches. The first meeting focused on the questions, what are the most important aspect of our respective churches, and what impact had our churches made in our lives. The second meeting focused on concerns connected with the merger and considered that concern in relation to a particular vision each leader has of what a merged congregation would look like. The third meeting focused on the questions, "What would be a vision big enough to risk what you like about your church, and face what you fear? And if so, what does that vision specifically look like?" This fourth meeting addressed foundational concerns raised at end of last two meetings (such as financials and fundamentals) Rich preached at UBC on Sunday, June 26 & did Q & A time there. The Keystone leader team met July 5. And a meeting with UBC will be in July (date TBD). If you have any questions or comments to share with our team, feel free to contact leaders at the following email addresses: Rev. Rich Gamble, keystone5019@yahoo.comRev. Lauren Cannon, lauren.cannon@keystoneseattle.orgJohn Preston, gepreston@msn.comMarilyn Wall, mariwa@comcast.netLisa Smith, lisarsmith@live.comEliza Pennick, eliza.penick@heifer.org |
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Mid-Week Summer Bible Study: Gospel of Luke
Wednesdays 11 AM - 12 Noon @ Keystone
Join us for an 8-week Summer study using the small book “The Story Luke Tells; Luke’s Unique Witness to the Gospel” by Justo Gonzalez. This is year our world church lectionary brings us through portions of LUKE each Sunday until November. On summer Wednesday mornings, we sit with the Luke story for the coming Sunday, and then discuss a chapter in our book (approx. 15 pages/week.) Purchase a copy on your own, or pick up photocopied chapters from Lauren’s box at church, available each week.
June 15: Introduction & Ch. 1- Luke and the History of Humankind
June 22: Ch. 2 - Luke and the History of Israel
June 29: Ch. 3 - Luke and the Great Reversal
July 6: Ch. 4 - Luke and Gender
July 13: Ch. 5 - Luke and Salvation
July 20: Ch. 6 - Food and Drink in Luke’s Theology
July 27: Ch. 7 - Luke and Worship
August 3: Ch. 8 - Luke and Holy Spirit & Conclusion: Luke’s Open Invitation
Feel free to bring your brown bag for an early lunch!
Questions? Contact Pastor Lauren at lauren.cannon@keystoneseattle.org |
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Keystone has been at work to build this effort. We now seek a few folks with a few hours to help: RSVP to Pastor Lauren: lauren.cannon@keystoneseattle.org if you would like to attend & put July 30 on your calendar now.
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Justice Leadership Jubilee is a program for adults who want to integrate faith and justice work into their lives in a meaningful way.
Are you looking for the path to re-ignite your faith?
Do you long to deepen your spiritual self through social justice work?
Do you wonder…how do we create sustainable systemic change?
We are looking for adults who are in a transition point in their lives who are seeking an experience of transformation -- maybe you're retiring, maybe children have recently moved out of the house, maybe you're experiencing a lot of change in your work/life balance. That is the time to make intentional choices for your future, and the future of generations to come!
This will be the inaugural year of the program and we are seeking people who are interested in being a part of the formative year of Justice Leadership Jubilee. Please prayerfully consider the program and contact us with any questions or comments!
For more information, please read these flyers:
Initial Proposal: Justice Leadership Jubilee
Justice Leadership Jubilee Flyer
Contact Jenn Hagedorn at justiceleadershipjubilee@gmail.com or 206.265.2834 for more information. |
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FOOD AND FAITH SUMMER GATHERING
From Seattle Titlth:
A very happy midsummer to you and your community! I hope that all the planning and preparation has paid off and you're now up to your ears in green.
Our next Food and Faith Gathering of the year will be on the 30th of July at Congregation Beth Shalom (6800 35th Ave NE). Those of you who joined us at the Muslim Association of Puget Sound know what a wonderful experience it was for everyone in attendance. In the spirit of interfaith gardening, Dierdre Gabbay was moved to volunteer Congregation Beth Shalom for the Summer gathering.
Our hosts, Dierdre Gabbay and Susan Monas, have invited us to join for worship. You are all very welcome to attend any or all of the following, or simply arrive at noon to join us for lunch, after which we will head out to the garden between 1:00 and 1:15 p.m.
Dierdre Gabbay writes:
"Shachrit (morning) service begins at 9:30 am, and concludes with a Torah service that includes reading (singing/chanting) from the Torah followed by a d’var Torah (sermon on the Torah portion) given by a rabbi or congregant.
Following the Torah service, we have an additional service called Mussaf, which begins right after the Sermon/d’var Torah at about 11:15-11:30 ish. Sometimes we have a contemplative Mussaf service as an alternative to the larger service. It may involve more silence, fewer words, more of a guided meditation through the main features of the worship service.
The Mussaf service ends at around noon or a little after, and is followed immediately by lunch, which will be a Kosher, vegetarian lunch.
We have a very musical congregation so all of the services involve a lot of singing. They are “lay led,” meaning a congregant or a few congregants rather than the rabbis or cantors lead the davening (prayer) portions of the service.
Electronics are not used during Shabbat, so we ask our guests to please refrain from using their devices while participating in our programming on Shabbat, and to silence them."
Please RSVP to let us know if you're coming by the 23rd so Dierdre and Susan have a sense of how many people will attend.
Thank you once again for everything you do for our community!
Derek
PS - I'll be giving the sermon at the Congregatonal Church of Mercer Island on July 24th, the theme of which will be the agricultural situation of first century Roman Palestine. I think it will be interesting, and all are welcome to attend.
Derek Farmer, Seattle Tilth
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Wishing all our July folks the happiest of birthdays, from all of us at Keystone UCC!
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Pastoral Care & Keystone UCC Hours:
Rich and Lauren can be reached at the Keystone office: (206) 632-6021. This phone is also checked remotely since both Rich and Lauren serve half-time.
Mondays: the church office is closed. Mondays are the day that Rich and Lauren take Sabbath. So while there are several groups that meet throughout the day and evening at Keystone, it may take a day for someone to get back to you, if you call on a Monday.
Pastor Rich is available Tuesday to Thursday mornings and Friday evenings, and holds additional office times on Saturdays and Sundays. Not all of these times will Rich be in the church office. If you want to see him, it is best to make an appointment. Email him at rich.gamble@keystoneseattle.org
Pastor Lauren is @ Keystone on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays, as well as Sundays. Wednesday office times. And as she is often out and about for meetings and visits, just email Lauren to make an appointment on any of those days at lauren.cannon@keystoneseattle.org |
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