Top Ten True Things about Saturday Afternoon at church

We've only had a church building for just over a year now. And sometimes, it still surprises me a little. How did that even happen?

It's a long story about how we got here. Come to our session at GA, Friday at 2:45pm--Breakthrough Congregations small to medium.

Back to the day..... I'm here today, mostly waiting for my youngest son while he attends a music council meeting. But also doing some last minute prep for tomorrow's RE Celebration Sunday. It involves kites and leis and many, many balloons. And it's very, very Saturday.

Top Ten True Things about Saturday Afternoon at Church

10. There is always someone working on the garden. Gardens. Many gardens.
9. The parking lot has a few cars, but not the same staff cars I always see.
8. No lights are on.
7. The office is quiet.
6. If you work in your office, you'll hear a smattering of laughter and hooting and hollering--especially if lively musicians are meeting.
5. The view out the window is especially serene.

4. A squeaky chair is extremely loud.
3. The ticking clock, also extremely loud.
2. Desire to wander into the quiet sanctuary and just sit for a bit-huge.
1. Feeling of peace and love--still everywhere.

Dear Universe,

Thank you for the church building. We like it very much.

Love,
Kari

Amen.

The Dedication....

We celebrated the formal dedication of our new building last night. It was a warm but still reverential service that left our whole community full and happy as if we'd all celebrated a fabulous harvest feast.

It is simply amazing to think that one short year ago, we had no plans to buy a building, no plans to launch a capital campaign. Nothing but dreams and hopes.

As the rain pounded on our windows and the wind whistled by, I was reminded of the opening hymn from the morning service:

"May nothing evil cross this door, and may ill fortune never pry about these windows; may the rain, and roar go by"

It was an honor to attend this service, and I have deep gratitude for the many ministers, including the UUA president Peter Morales, who came to celebrate with us. But I believe the most important blessing happens when our members come in and vacuum, or weed the gardens; when the children play and laugh and when we do dishes late into the night. This is a church that is deeply blessed by it's people. It has been anointed by love, and blessed by thousands of hours of loving care.

And that powerful loving care is why this is only the beginning of the story.

Amen

We had great coverage in the local and city news:

West Seattle Blog

West Seattle Herald

Seattle Times

And our kids.....of course! That's me in my favorite spot.....with the kids!

Westside's New Home!

It's almost here! October 24th has been looming for months, now.

First there was April something, when we got the keys to the new church.

Then there was June something.....office move day.

Then September 5th. Big Breakfast and celebration of the move in the new building.

Then September 12th. FIRST SERVICE in our new church!

And now.....October 24th. DEDICATION!

We really wanted everything to be perfect and just right in the new building when we welcome the ministers and donors and our UUA president Peter Morales for this huge celebration. I just saw the "punch list" for the weekend--top priority tasks. There's a whole lot left to do. You really wouldn't believe how many pieces of trim and how much paint and myriad of details need to be attended to in a three story church. People have been working huge numbers of hours since June. Since May, really. And I know I had no idea how much time it takes to wash all the windows in a sanctuary--on scaffolding. Or to paint every inch of the walls. Or to create beautiful gardens and make all the mechanical things work.

So, depending on how the "punch list" goes today and tomorrow, the building may not be perfect. It may just be good enough. Kinda like people are good enough, with a missing doorknob here and a piece of trim that's too red there. I know my trim color is way off, and I'm missing a doorknob or two. But the people of my church don't care. My family doesn't care. It'll all be good.

Blessings for good work and good people and a beautiful church home.

Amen.

Our new church building

Take one fabulous congregation with 150 adults and 80 kids

add

one lonely building

and

juuuuust the right time

and you get...

The Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation! And it's new building! With a glorious view of Puget Sound and just enough of everything to be JUST RIGHT!

I can't believe that this wonderful congregation I serve has purchased this beautiful building. We first saw the building in November, we launched the capital campaign in January and got the keys a week ago today. During the worst recession in memory, we did it.

May it be a beautiful ministry in a beautiful space filled with beautiful people. And may it grow to meet the spiritual needs of all who are searching. With love. And care.

Amen.

More coverage of the new building for the Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation, In the news!

The fabulous congregation I serve is in the news!

West Seattle Blog

West Seattle Herald