As most of you know by now, last week I informed the church Board of my decision to retire from parish ministry three months from now and that my last Sunday with you will be May 20. The next morning I went to the Post Office and mailed a letter to church members and friends with the same information.
 Although we live in a time when even legal documents can be handled via email, this was one of those times when I wanted you to get the news in your mailbox, promptly, and basically all at the same time. So much for that plan! A week later some of you still haven’t received that letter, though I distinctly remember signing it and putting it in the envelope with your name on it, and you live less than a mile from the Post Office where I dropped it off. Go figure. Maybe the time really has come when email is the most efficient way to communicate — IF people check their email regularly and actually read it, which in my experience is a big IF. Anyway, if you would like me to email you a copy of that letter, just let me know!
As I said in the letter, the next three months will pass quickly. There are still all the regular responsibilities to tend to each week, with additional administrative matters to tend to before I leave and most importantly, getting time with as many of you as possible. The Pastoral Relations Committee has kindly offered to set up some gatherings for me to get together with 6-10 people at a time in people’s homes between now and May 20 — nothing formal, just time to hear from you, share stories and get some personal time together in small groups. If you are willing to host one of these, daytime or evening, please contact me or someone on the PRC (Russ Thornock, Dav’ne Stahley, Claire Foster, Shannon Thomas). If you want to be sure to get individual time with me, just let me know and I’ll make sure it happens.
On Sunday, May 20, a representative from the Pacific Northwest Conference will be with us and lead us in the UCC liturgy for “Ending an Authorized Ministry.” Part of the ritual includes pastor and congregation each extending gratitude for the time together, asking forgiveness for the mistakes we have made and forgiving each other, followed by vows of releasing each other from the pastoral relationship. The liturgy is lovely, simple, and important. My hope is that between now and then we will find ways to personally express our thanks and give and receive forgiveness, so that by the time we formally read those printed words together they are in fact just a formality, reflecting the truth of where we are as we lovingly let each other go.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Diane
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The numbers are in, and we are very happy!
After expenses, we raised a net total of $16,609, which is more than last year.
A big Thank You to everyone who donated items or services, volunteered, attended the gala, bid in the silent and live auctions and gave extra donations. We are also very grateful to everyone who brought guests, who bid on many items as well.
With enthusiastic virtual hugs from your MGG Team 2018,
Kathy Herigstad, Charlie Hinckley, and Julia Peeler
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Ordination of Susan Fairo
Sunday, March 11 at 5:00 pm, Alki UCC
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It’s not often a congregation gets to celebrate and host the ordination  of one of its own members! On March 11, members of the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Church of Christ (the regional body made up of about 85 congregations in Washington, North Idaho and Alaska), along with many of Susan’s friends, will gather for worship and the service of ordination to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament.
A reception and meal, organized by Bonita Corliss, will follow in Anderson Hall. Bonita will have an RSVP sheet after worship this Sunday. She can also be contacted by phone/text at 206-306-5991. Please let Bonita know if you can help out with the reception.
Thanks in advance for being a part of this special evening!
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Gun Control: Tips from Spain
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As our country renews the gun-control debate, spurred on by the  students in Parkland, FL and around the country, Rick Steves recently shared an email from one of his Spanish tour guides about the red tape required to own a gun in Spain.
The shocking thing is how much sense it makes — a gun is a deadly weapon, after all, and no one should just be able to go into a story or online and buy one. We’ll probably never see the likes of this kind of regulation in the United States, but we share it as a reminder of what common sense regulation could and should look like.
“In the last few weeks, I’ve been going through a process to acquire a gun license here in Spain. My reasons are very noble: legacy. My dad owns two shotguns from the days when he was a hunter, and now he’s getting old and doesn’t want them anymore. But I do. In Spain, you cannot own a gun if you don’t have a license, and this process takes several weeks or even months. I’ll summarize the steps I’ve taken to get it, but keep in mind this is for a shotgun or rifle exclusively. A license for a handgun is almost impossible to get.
1. Get an appointment in the Firearm Control Police Delegation in my province.
2. Go through a psycho-technical evaluation. You can get one in certain specialized clinics. The cost is €50, and you go through sight and hearing checks and — most importantly — an evaluation by a psychologist stating you are fit to own a gun.
3. Pay the license fees and the exam fees, a total of €100, and choose a date for the tests (they run them twice a month). Sign a disclaimer and responsibilities clause. You are also required to buy a safe for your guns.
4. Study the 400 potential questions and answers that will be part of the test. You’ll be asked 20 out of those 400, and you need 16 correct answers in order to pass onto the second part: handling a gun, loading, and shooting.
5. Go on the date chosen to the Olympic Shooting Federation, where you will take both tests, written and handling. They will give you the shotgun for the shooting part, only two shots per person.
6. Pass both the written and shooting tests.
7. You’re now good to go. You have a license and you can buy a shotgun or a rifle. (But never automatic rifles — those are only for the Army.)
Now the catch-22: You need to shoot a gun in order to prove you’re fit enough to own one. However, you don’t have a license yet — so you can’t buy, rent, or borrow one (legally). What most people do is practice with a friend or relative during the hunting season or at a skeet shooting range.The entire process is supervised by the Guardia Civil (national police force). The only private contractors involved are the clinic for the evaluation and the shooting range.
I have spent €150, I had to take a day off work to pass the tests, I had to put in a few hours of study and practice on how to handle a gun, and only then did I get a license valid for 5 years. It doesn’t even mean I can go hunting now; to do that, I would have to apply for a separate permit at any hunting ground in my area.PS: Even though now I have my guns, I don’t think I’ll ever use them. I don’t even have any ammo at home. I simply like the idea of keeping my father’s guns.
Rick Steves concludes, “At first glance, Spanish gun regulation sounds comically complex. However, if you really think about it, shouldn’t it be at least a little difficult to own a deadly weapon? I’m not saying that the United States should become as restrictive as Spain is. But as travelers, we have the opportunity — even the responsibility — to find inspiration in the ways other places deal with the same societal challenges.” Amen.
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Doing Our Own Work: An Anti-Racism Seminar for White People
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Enrollment is limited to 20 participants!!
March 16 & 17, April 13 & 14, and May 11 & 12; Fridays & Saturdays, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Everett United Church of Christ, 2624 Rockefeller
Attendance at all six sessions required.
At this time in our nation, we are witnessing an alarming resurgence of white supremacy and state sanctioned violence. It is imperative that those of us who are white do the deep work required to claim and embody an anti-racist identity, understand the privilege we carry, and interrupt racism where we live, work, study, and volunteer.
Doing Our Own Work helps white people move through places where we often get stuck, so that we can step up with courage, clarity, humility, and compassion to participate in movements led by people of color and help move other white people to greater anti-racist awareness and action. Information and registration
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In Our Prayers:
Lesa Henry, whose uncle, Dennis, died last Saturday at age 62
For those grieving the recent death of a loved one:
The family and friends of Mike Crowley, Jeff Jolly & family, Gary Gesellchen, Charley Rosenberry, Russ Thornock, Jason Huynh, Trish Dodds, Cynthia Jolly, Julia Chase
Recent hospitalization, illness and other concerns:
Linda Pillo, Patty Magnuson’s brother, Shelley Webster, Jan Cochran
For home bound members/friends of Alki UCC: Ruth Okada, Doris Colbert
Wider World: The victims and survivors of the gun violence at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida; all those affected by the devastating California mudslides and wildfires; victims and survivors of extremist violence around the world; victims and survivors of the devastation in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida, the Caribbean, India and Bangladesh; prayers for fewer guns and for all victims of gun violence; the migrants seeking refuge around the world, and for those who are trying to help and serve them. The rest of the missing schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram, who remain in our hearts as long as they remain missing. The hungry and homeless, the ill and the addicted, the lost and the lonely; the unemployed; US officials and troops serving abroad.
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Choir Rehearsal
Sunday at 9:00 am
Worship
& Church School
Sunday at 10:00 am
Mike Crowley Memorial
Service
Sunday at Noon
Choir Rehearsal
Tuesday at 7:00 pm
WS Helpline Benefit
Sat, March 10 at 7:30 pm
Susan Fairo Ordination
Sun, March 11 at 5:00 pm
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Memorial Service for Mike Crowley
Sunday, March 4 at Noon
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Mike died of heart failure three weeks ago, and any who would like to gather to remember him are welcome to join this informal service in the front of the sanctuary after coffee hour this Sunday.
Mike was the quiet man who came to worship with his service dog, Katie, and often operated the sound system for us.
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Lance Lu Jazz Quartet Headlines Benefit Concert
for WS Helpline
Saturday, March 10 at 7:30 pm
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Alki UCC
"Music with a Heart"
presents
The Lance Lu Quartet
Latin, Modern, Swing,
Be Bop & Beyond!
Saturday, March 10
at 7:30 pm
Alki UCC Sanctuary
Net proceeds benefit the
Refreshments & treats
at intermission
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NOTE NEW DATE!
Berea Circle
St. Patrick's Day Dinner
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Thursday, March 15
at 6:00 pm
Anderson Hall
Verona Ryan will be taking reservations after worship this Sunday. Tickets are $15.
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Call for Advocacy & A-C-T-I-O-N
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Support for Affordable Housing:
Please take 30 seconds to urge legislators to support HB2437. This bill provides a way to tackle the housing & homeless crisis by giving counties & cities the option to keep a portion of state sales tax to bond against for use in increasing local affordable housing. It does NOT increase the sales tax rate.
Simply click on this link, fill in the blanks & "copy/paste" the brief text:
Email Legislators Now
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Church Council of Greater Seattle
Annual Assembly
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Thursday, March 22
6:00 pm Reception
6:30 pm program
Phinney Ridge
Lutheran Church
7500 Greenwood Ave N
It continues to be a kairos moment, a critical time, calling for the unifying voice and faithful witness of the church. We need your voice.
 The Church Council of Greater Seattle is the region’s ecumenical body serving King and South Snohomish Counties. The Annual Assembly is a time to gather with members of the wider ecumenical church, to hold rich conversations, to learn what is happening currently with the Church Council, and to inform the Church Council’s work.
Limited free parking is available in the lot, and the #5 bus line also serves the area. More information here, or contact Ann Erickson. An RSVP is requested but not necessary.
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Alki UCC Board of Directors
2017-2018
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Rod Peeler, Chair
Shannon Peterson,
Vice Chair
Jason Huynh,
Secretary
Charlie Hinckley
Emily Hitchens
Sandra Johnson
Dan Kennedy
Patty Magnuson
Scott Mathews
Ex Officio:
(Voice but no vote)
Kristin Michael,
Business Manager
Diane Darling, Pastor
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Supporting Alki UCC:
Online Giving
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