Housing Bills... Environmental Bills... Consumer Bills... Here we go!

Join us for services Worship Every Sunday – 10:30am All Are Welcome! Sunday, April 14, 2019 Palm Sunday Rev. Rich Gamble, preaching Rev. Lauren Cannon Pastor Yuki Schwartz, away in Atlanta at American Academy of Religion; and to Chicago to defend her dissertation on April 15. Theme: Justice Scripture: Luke 19:28-40 Music Leader: Elliot Kraber Accompaniment: Yigit Kolat Greeter: OPEN Reader: Eliza Usher: Dan O. Communion: Lauren & Rich Coffee Hour: Michelle & Christian Children's Ministry: Lead by Anita and Danielle, the children will help lead our Palm Sunday parade by processing with their posters, inviting folks (from pews) to take big kale leaves, to lift our voices together. GO YUKI GO: Yuki will defend her dissertation before her doctoral committee on Monday, April 15, at 1 p.m. CDT in Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill. Please send good vibes and prayers for calm and courage as she completes her nine-year journey toward her PhD in theology and ethics. HELP US 'HATCH 'A PLAN: As we prepare for Easter Sunday fun for our little ones, we're welcoming donations of filled eggs for annual egg hunt on the Keystone lawn (during coffee hour on Easter Sunday, April 21). All are welcome to bring a few eggs filled with stickers or treats etc. to the church office before April 21, or put them in the box by the coat rack area of the Narthex on Easter Morning! We're egg-cited to see what you'll bring in, and will be shell-shocked if you egg-nore our call for help. Don't whisk it! INVESTIGATING SOLAR FOR KEYSTONE ROOF: We will be doing an on-site solar project evaluation on April 14 at 1pm with a representative from Artisan Electric. Families: Pick up Children's Activity pages & crayons on the welcome table every week as you come in to worship (based on the scripture of the day.)  There are two types: younger children & older children.  Children of any age are always part of worship & welcome! Children's Ministry with Anita – program every Sunday 10:00am- 12pm. More info at http://www.keystoneseattle.org/children-youth/ Sermons Available Online: If you missed a Sunday, were ​downstairs at Sunday School, or just want to hear a sermon again, JLP Intern, ​Danielle Walker, maintains and updates our ​online audio archive​ where you can listen to or download past sermons. Click HERE to listen, and please share. ​Thank you, Danielle! NEXT WEEK Sunday, April 21, 2019 Easter Sunday Rev. Rich Gamble, preaching Rev. Lauren Cannon Pastor Yuki Schwartz, away at Cliff's D.O.C. church in Bremerton. Music Leader: Elliot Kraber Accompaniment: Yigit Kolat Greeter: OPEN Reader: Danielle Usher: Rita Communion: Lauren & Rich Coffee Hour: Jim Children's Ministry: Anita Easter morning egg camouflager lead: Caleb 'TAKE' NOTICE: Sunday, April 28 during Coffee Hour will be our final Take 5 for Advocacy sharing for the current legislative session, which ends that day in Olympia. Many thanks to our mighty JLP Jubilee intern Barbara Anderson, for giving us guidance and gumption to raise our voices on many very important issues these past few months.  Barb's work goes on, as she continues to serve this year at Seattle King County Coalition on Homelessness.  Learn more about the Jubilee program here - http://justiceleadership.org/jubilee.html; and about the Seattle King County Coalition on Homelessness here -  http://homelessinfo.org MAY OPPORTUNITIES FOR INQUIRERS:  Maybe you have sensed your heart opening toward sharing more publicly why you want your discipleship to be part of the Keystone community witness?  Join Pastor Lauren Wednesday evenings in May to discuss joining Keystone UCC. It can be one of the ways that we formally celebrate and recognize the connections we share!  Email Lauren at lauren.cannon@keystoneseattle.org to make a time to meet up on a Wednesday eve in May before the book study.  Keystone folks can gather at a corner of the Wallingford Farmers Market that returns Wednesday, May 15 (3pm to 7pm) and runs every Wednesday, through late September. Located in Meridian Park at the corner of Meridian Avenue N. and N. 50th Street; across from Keystone UCC, through the Good Shepherd Center and Tilth gardens. There may be a group who shares words in worship on May 26 or June 2, to join Keystone!  Upcoming Events  Sunday, April 14 – Palm Sunday Children lead procession @ Keystone UCC During Worship Tuesday, April 16 – Table Turning Action @ ICE offices in Tukwilla 12-1pm Thursday, April 18 – Maundy Thursday Supper @ Keystone UCC – Battson Hall (downstairs) 5:30pm Friday, April 19 – Good Friday Service of Tenebrae @ Keystone UCC 7pm Sunday, April 21 – Easter Sunday Worship (w/Egg Hunt for the little ones after service) @ Keystone UCC 10:30am Saturday April 27 & Sunday April 28 – Magnolia Chorale  Voices Raised @ Magnolia Lutheran Church, 2414 31st Ave. West 7:30pm on 4/27; 2:00pm on 4/28 Saturday, April 27 – Pacific Northwest Conference Annual Meeting @ First Congregational Church of Bellevue, 11061 NE 2nd St., Bellevue 9am - 5pm   Friday, May 10 thru Sunday May 12 – UCC Conference Women's Weekend @ Pilgrim Firs RSVP @ HERE Wednesdays, May 8, 25, 22, 29 – Bible Book Study “The Story Luke Tells; Luke’s Unique Witness to the Gospel” by Justo Gonzalez @ Keystone UCC 7-8pm   ** See below for details on these and other events related to life in our community ** For Sandie Schumacher's husband Bill: As he continues to recover from pneumonia and congestive heart failure. Sandie says thank you for all the prayers! For Dick Becker: As he continues to maneuver the balancing act of his rehab and staying infection-free in his knee surgery recovery; while our congratulations go out to Kate Becker on her job change, now working with Dow Constantine's office for the Arts & Culture. For Jenn Hagedorn: Former JLP Intern Jenn will graduate in May from Union theological Seminary in NYC.  She is also progressing through the process toward ordination with the Pacific Northwest United Church of Christ.  Rev. Lauren is teaching an independent study class with Jenn this spring, and part of each of their meetings are devoted to preparing her ordination paper and for Jenn's interviews. Her first meeting with the Committee on Ministry was April 11.  Jenn welcomes all our good thoughts as she will send them her final paper on May 1 and then interview to hopefully be approved for ordination, pending a call.  Jenn is doing her field placement at Middle Church in NYC this year. Keep up the good thoughts with Jenn! Maundy Thursday Supper April 18 @ 5:30 pm at Keystone (Battson Hall) ALL ARE WELCOME to join us for Maundy Thursday, as we share our communion sacrament around the table. 'Maundy' means God’s commandment to love one another. Join Rev. Lauren, Rev. Rich, & Elliot, for Marilyn's fresh local salmon, and all the special potluck dishes that you might wish to bring, as we recall the last week of Jesus’ life.  We'll enact Jesus' last supper with disciples, when he offered self-giving love: agape. Our children will read the story of how Jesus tenderly washed the disciples feet, even as he was about to be betrayed.  Children offer a hand washing station in preparation for our meal. In addition to our feast and singing, we will share dessert, and there will be prayer stations for contemplation. Come in to community, as we prepare for Easter, singing our hope and prayer "may they know we are Christians by our love." The Thursday evening schedule: 5:30pm: Children offer hand washing station 6pm: Communion liturgy 6:15pm: Dinner 7pm: Dessert potluck Volunteers are still needed! Can you help with: Set up help @ 3:30-5:30 pm Bring a dish or dessert to share @ 5:30 -7 pm. Clean up help @ 7-7:30 pm Sign up at clipboard by coffee pot or email Lauren at lauren.cannon@keystoneseattle.org Thank you! Take 5 Advocacy Action & Update Barb, Stan and Rich V. led a powerful 'Take 5' discussion last Sunday! Here is some of what they shared .... We Support All of These Bills: FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING, PLEASE CALL AND LEAVE A MESSAGE FOR THE GOVERNOR, YOUR SENATOR AND BOTH REPRESENTATIVES – HOTLINE: 1-800-562-6000 Or Send comments by bringing up the bill number at lhttps://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/ Affordable Housing Bills: • HB1453/Macri and SB5600/Pedersen and Frockt - Concerning residential tenant protections. – Eviction Reform. Both of these bills are moving! Passed to House Rules committee on April 9, for second reading. (Please send a note to pass out of rules committee to the floor) • HB 1440/Frame, Tarlton/Macri- Providing longer notice of rent increases. From 30 to 60 Days’ Notice. This bill passed out of Senate Rules and now on the floor for a vote. (Please support) • HB1603/SB5684/Valdez, Macri, Pollet,Tarleton,Frame - We want to Strengthen Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Undo harsh sanctions and time limits that deprive families of needed support. This bill was placed on Second Reading by the House Rules Committee on 4/11. (Send note to Pass out of Committee) Immigration: • HB1815/SB5497/ Macri, Frame, Pollet – This bill protects the privacy and civil rights of Washington residents by prohibiting local law enforcement from questioning about immigration status, notifying ICE that a noncitizen is in custody, and detaining someone for civil immigration enforcement. This bill is in The House Rules Committee to Review. Please send a note to your Senator and representatives and copy the governor with a note: "As a person of faith and a member of Faith Action Network and Keystone UCC, I urge you to support this Keep Washington Working bill." Environmental Bills: • HB 1110/SB5412 - Reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation fuels. This bill is DEAD – So Sad  ` ` • SB 5116/HB1211 - Supporting Washington's clean energy economy and transitioning to a clean, affordable, and reliable energy future – Rules committee amended on 4/11 – not adopted (PLEASE SEND A SUPPORT THIS BILL TO YOUR SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVES and copy the Governor) • SB5293/HB1257 - Concerning energy efficiency. - In Senate Rules Committee for second reading 0n 4/11. (Please send a note to pass out of committee to the Senate floor) Consumer Protection Bills: • HB1531 - Concerning medical debt. –in the Senate Rules Committee on 4/11 for second reading (Please send a note to pass out of committee) This bill addresses the number one cause of bankruptcy in the United States – medical debt. Jinkins’ bill provides protections for consumers to help prevent medical debt from spiraling out of control. These protections include lowering the rate on pre-judgment interest, prohibiting health care providers from selling the debt to collections agencies for at least 120 days after the first billing, and ensuring patients are informed about the opportunity to apply for charity care. • HB1602 - Concerning consumer debt. – Passed in the House and is in the Senate Rules Committee but not moving (Please send a note to pass out of committee) Spons ored by Rep. Kristine Reeves (D-Federal Way), is about making sure consumer debt doesn’t keep working families in poverty. It provides relief from high post-judgment interest rates, and protects people from being left destitute by wage garnishment. • HB1730 - Concerning the effect of payment or acknowledgement made after the expiration of a limitations period. – On Senate Rules Committee calendar floor for a vote but not moving very fast (Please send a note to pass out of committee) Sponsored by Rep. Amy Walen (D-Kirkland), ensures that the 10-year statute of limitations on debt cannot be revived by unscrupulous debt collectors. Known as “zombie debt,” this problem can plague consumers who think they have long since paid off or settled a debt, only to find it comes back to cause them problems. THANK YOU KEYSTONE FOR SPEAKING UP! – Barbara Anderson   Farmers Market & Book Study Gospel of Luke                                                             This May, join us for a Bible Study of the Gospel of Luke, combined with some pre-meeting outdoor fun at our local Farmers Market, Wednesdays in May, 7-8pm at Keystone. We'll gather to study “The Story Luke Tells; Luke’s Unique Witness to the Gospel” by Justo Gonzalez. This year, the world church lectionary (Year C) offers us a portion of the Gospel of Luke almost every Sunday until November. Purchase your own copy or pick up one at church office. Wednesday, May 8 Introduction Ch. 1- Luke and the History of Humankind Ch. 2- Luke and the History of Israel Wednesday, May 15 Ch. 3- Luke and the Great Reversal Ch. 4- Luke and Gender Wednesday, May 22 Ch. 5- Luke and Salvation Ch. 6- Food and Drink in Luke’s Theology Wednesday, May 29 Ch. 7- Luke and Worship Ch. 8- Luke and Holy Spirit & Conclusion: Luke’s Open Invitation And meet up beforehand at the Wallingford Farmers Market (just across 50th St. at the Meridian Park), as you are able! Contact Pastor Lauren for more information: lauren.cannon@keystoneseattle.org   Good Friday Opportunity @ St. Paul's UCC in Ballard In case your crew seeks an earlier time to celebrate Good Friday (rather than our 7 pm evening opportunity) GOOD FRIDAY OPPORTUNITY, APRIL 19 Noon to 3:00 pm – Art Exhibit on display 1:00 pm – brief Good Friday liturgy and “How Are the Children?” Part I (41 minutes) 2:00 pm – brief Good Friday liturgy and “How Are the Children” Part II (29 minutes) Art Exhibit – Loren McGrail will be present during this time! Rev. Loren McGrail is a minister, theologian, and poet/artist who served the YWCA of Palestine as one of the United Church of Christ Global Ministries mission co-workers in Israel/Palestine. Her work focused on advocacy and she was the coordinator of the Fabric of Our Lives Project which calls attention to Palestinian refugees. She served in this capacity for five years and is the creator of this art exhibit. Her art---Assemblage, and writings reflect her witness in the land all call holy. She uses found and broken objects to make art in response to the events that affect her and the communities she has served. Follow the numbered exhibits – One through Sixteen – as a Lenten pilgrimage, a Via Dolorosa through the lens of the common people of Palestine. UCC video – “How Are the Children?” “Palestinian Children in Israeli Military Detention” In 2017 delegates to the UCC General Synod overwhelmingly passed a Resolution of Witness calling for an end to the ill-treatment of Palestinian children incarcerated in Israeli military prisons. This video addresses this issue and includes personal testimonies from national executive leaders John Dorhauer, Traci Blackmon, James Moos, and the exhibit artist Loren McGrail. This is a two part video with Part I offered at 1:00 pm and Part II at 2:00 pm (See schedule above.) NOTE: this video includes images of children being arrested by heavily armed military personnel. Come for any part of this experience between noon and 3:00 pm. Childcare Echoing the theme of “How Are the Children?” free child care will be offered in the St.. Paul’s nursery from noon to 3:00 pm, with snacks provided. Please RSVP regarding childcare for St. Paul’s to plan on staffing and food: tim@stpucc.org or 206 / 783-6733. St. Paul's United Church of Christ 6512 12th Ave NW Seattle, WA  98107 www.stpucc.org   Magnolia Chorale invite Marilyn Wall and Mary Jeppeson will be singing in and invite all to a performance of the Magnolia Chorale: How can we keep from singing? The Magnolia Chorale spring concert, themed around "Voices Raised", is all about the joy of singing. From the soaring tones of Joy (Hans Bridger Heruth), to new twists in The Gift to be Simple and How Can I Keep from Singing, to the nostalgic melodies of The Sound of Music and Feelin' Groovy, we're creating a joyous celebration of singing...about singing. What could be better? Mark your calendar for one (or both) of the dates listed below and share the joy of voices raised in song!           When:    Saturday, April 27, 2019, 7:30 pm                       Sunday, April 28, 2019, 2:00 pm               Where:   Magnolia Lutheran Church                        2414  31st Ave. W. Seattle, WA 98199 Purchase tickets from Chorale members or from Brown Paper Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/profile/333526   ICS Creative Liberation Action Report   The workers were extremely brave in their actions, in which they are risking so much, and we were proud to stand alongside them. Stay tuned for more reports.  They were able to get to a negotiation table April 8!  We will stay connected on what is unfolding and what, if anything, we can do to support them. On March 20 Rev. Lauren and Amber (with Faith Action Network) and several faith, labor, and community leaders met with workers who clean chemical waste out of barrels in the South Park neighborhood. The workers were almost all Latino, were all men of color (other than the supervisors, who were all white.)  They face unhealthy working conditions and very low wages. Four years ago, Keystone UCC supported these very workers as they formed a union and received new benefits and safety protections from their multi-national corporate employer, ICS. Recently, the company unilaterally decided to roll back benefits and protections and the workers asked for our help. So for this Wednesday morning meeting, we joined with some other clergy and interfaith leaders, to hear their concerns when they were grabbing a snack in the break room on their mid-morning pause.  Maria from Teamsters knows them well and provided interpretation, as she asked what we might want to highlight, and make a delegation, and we marched with them into their bosses office. Locked out at first, we prayed together until the boss came out, and we delivered the letter expressing community support for these workers and demanding justice.  UCC Annual Meeting in Bellevue Join Rich, Lauren, Yuki, Barb, John & Amber Join the Keystone delegation to this year’s Annual Meeting of the Pacific Northwest Conference! This one-day event will be hosted by First Congregational Church of Bellevue on Saturday, April 27.  We’ll begin at 9am (breakfast items available before) and will finish by 5pm. Let’s just say from the beginning, we won’t have enough time to enjoy each other’s company!  But we will accomplish the business that is urgent and necessary. If we’ve planned things right, there will be a good amount of time for you to connect with those you haven’t seen since last year or may not have met yet. Our theme this year is “Many Gifts, One Spirit” and we will be celebrating the myriad of gifts we bring to our ministry together in this Conference. Every lay leader, every minister, every congregation, has a multitude of unique qualities.  When we gather together as one body, we recognize that we are not alone in our call to serve.  We are joined by the One Spirit that enlivens us all.  When we are in one place together, we see that our ministry is mirrored in other places across our Conference and the depth and breadth of God’s work is obvious.  The Annual Meeting Planning Committee has been working hard for many months to ensure a welcoming space and a meaningful time together.  To register, go to https://bit.ly/2CiuIyh. If you have questions about registration, please reach out to Arlene in the conference office (pncucc@gmail.com or 206-725-8383). Upcoming Sabbatical Time Away for Rev. Rich & Rev. Lauren Dates and an invitation At our 2018 Keystone Congregational Annual Meeting on June 10, our church voted to develop a sabbatical policy, with the goal of renewal for pastors as well as a chance to deepen leadership among congregation members. We reviewed research on the benefits, and a draft policy. It was then decided that our elected leadership would finalize the policy by the end of July, 2018. John Preston (our Moderator) has carried that forward, working with Marilyn Wall (our Treasurer) and Lisa Smith (our Secretary), in consultation with Pastor Rich and Pastor Lauren.  The adopted Keystone UCC Sabbatical Leave Policy is: A Sabbatical Leave is a period of time for the clergy of Keystone UCC to reflect and renew in body and spirit away from the daily obligations of parish life. Renewal periods are not vacations but times for intentional exploration and reflection. It is a time to immerse in God’s life-giving waters, for recharging enthusiasm and creativity for ministry. We add sabbatical policies to our pastors existing call agreements, in order for the entire congregation to become enlivened in continuing to serve God and the world. It is the policy of Keystone UCC to provide paid sabbatical leave to its pastors at a rate of one week per year of service. Pastors are eligible for sabbatical leave after 5 years of service. This is a time for our pastors to innovate, gain knowledge and pursue their interests. This policy contains no additional covenants or requirements. In light of this newly adopted policy, Rev. Rich and Rev. Lauren have scheduled the following: June: Rich takes a couple vacation weeks July 1- August 19: Lauren takes sabbatical + a couple vacation weeks Late September thru October: Rich takes sabbatical. A sabbatical is a time for the pastor to rest, reflect and study. Nourish body and Spirit. Read a lot. Which will then filter back to the congregational in ministry.  It is also a time for the congregation to enrich their church presence by providing the support for the liturgy and other areas of the ministry. We take for granted the functions that the pastors provide, but a sabbatical is our time for enrichment, as we assume some of those functions. Envision members doing the announcements, the call to worship, the prayer, the collection, pastoral care and possibly preach. This is our time to renew, reflect and commit to our faith and our church. As a church, we will plan and call upon the congregation to volunteer where interests lie. We encourage all to please be in touch and let us know about your interests.  Rita and John are now helping plan for Lauren's time away starting July 1.   Rita Peterson - 4/5 Danielle Walker - 4/8 Jonathan Sabo - 4/9 Julia Blackburn - 4/11 Sheri Amundson - 4/14 Nick Lott-Havey - 4/18 Oliver Lott-Havey - 4/26   Here's wishing each of them the happiest of birthdays, from all of us at Keystone UCC!   Keep an eye out here for upcoming Keystone Birthdays!