This Week at Prospect

A New Way to Give
We have obtained a mobile credit card reader so we can receive credit card donations on Sunday mornings and at special events. Cora Trujillo will have it available for demonstration during coffee hour the next few Sundays. Several people have already tried it and found it quick and easy. You can also set up electronic giving here, or download the free Give + mobile app.

Directory Update
An updated church directory will be published in early February. If your contact information has changed or if you wish to be added to or removed from the directory, please contact the church office by next Tuesday, February 4.

Community Lunch Coat Drive

Community Lunch has an ongoing need for men's coats. Please check your closets for unneeded men's coats. Place them in the blue tub in the entry. Suzanne Fry will be collecting donated coats and delivering them to Community Lunch each week.

Witness for Justice

I Refuse to Be Complicit
Roberto Ochoa, Program Associate for Congregations of Color

Several years ago, I had an opportunity to participate in an immersion program at the Sonora/Arizona border between Mexico and the United States.

It had been twenty-five years since I last visited Sonora, and I was curious what it was like to live on the border ever since the current federal administration began implanting measures to keep “Mexicans and other terrorists” from entering into the U.S.

My father being from the border city of Nogales, Sonora, I visited the border often as a youth with my family for reunions and vacations. I remembered many years of going back and forth across the border with minimal difficulties with border agents, who asked for our documentation and waved us through with a “have a good day.” Growing up at the border, I don’t remember seeing any “wall” or personnel armed with weapons.

What I saw several years ago—and on my trips to the border since then—broke my heart. I witnessed people incarcerated for the sole crime of seeking hospitality and a new life in this country. I saw families torn apart, children separated from their parents, and a judicial system that offered little empathy or justice in mass hearings and deportations…every defendant handcuffed and chained to one another. The dejected and defeated looks on their faces still haunts me.

(Read more here.)

From Justice and Peace Action Network:

Get Engaged in the 2020 Elections

2020 has been off to a tumultuous start. This election year promises to bring uncertainty and challenge. In these times it is important to take stock and make a game plan. How do we as people of faith want to engage with the elections?

The United Church of Christ General Synod has affirmed the idea that our faithful and civic lives are inextricably linked and who we are as a country, and how we care for the most vulnerable among us is, “an expression of our love for God and all whom God has created.” That, “The God of love is also the God of justice. The two are related, for in the Bible justice is the social form of love.” [Twenty-fifth General Synod, For the Common Good]

If that is the case, then being able to elect leaders who reflect our values is critical to gaining momentum on many of the social justice issues we work on. Voting is not just a political practice, but an opportunity to express our love for neighbor, children, and creation.

Here are several ways to get engaged in the 2020 election:

During this election year – make a plan to vote. Beyond that, help those in your community and congregation register to vote and get to the polls. Go to org to find out your registration status and get more information on how to vote.
Learn about who’s running and what they stand for. The presidential election is taking up a lot of airspace, but this year every member of the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate are up for reelection. Additionally, there are state and local elections that often have the greatest impact on the ground.
Take the time to get to know the candidates. Attend forums and ask questions.
Be your own critical thinker, don’t let political ads make decisions for you. Learn more about money in politics.
Get artistic; write, paint, draw, sing, dance your hopes for the election. Turn your passion for the arts and good governance into a work of art.
Take up a spiritual practice of praying over the election; for discernment and for justice.
Let your voice be heard, write an op-ed about an issue you care about.

Join with the UCC’s Our Faith Our Vote campaign to get more resources on how your congregation and community can participate in the 2020 election season.

EVENTS THIS WEEK

Washington Alpine Club Backcountry Class
Tuesday, January 28
7:00 p.m.
3rd Floor

Homelessness Advocacy 101 Workshop
Wednesday, January 29
6-8:00 p.m.
University Congregational UCC Lounge
4515 16th Ave NE
Brought to you by the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness, Homelessness Advocacy 101will help you learn how to speak up for smart policies and robust funding that will lead to a healthy and housed Washington. This fun training features Nancy Amidei, of the Civic Engagement Project, and local advocacy partners. We’ll review how good ideas become laws and budgets, and explain some key proposals being worked on in Olympia right now. We provide simple actions, sample messages, and a chance to practice your skills. You will leave informed and inspired, with tools to engage your co-workers, classmates, clients, fellow congregants, and others to speak up and make a difference.The workshop is free, but pre-registration is appreciated: http://bit.ly/homelessnessadvocacy101

Environmental Lobby Day
Thursday, January 30
8:30 a.m. -5:00 p.m.
Temple Beth Hatfiloh
201 8th Ave SE, Olympia
Join the Environmental Priorities Coalition and hundreds of activists to push for key environmental legislation in Olympia on January 30th! Participants are encouraged to wear green!

Registration required here: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4475438

During lobby day, you will team up with other activists to speak up for the environment and gain the skills to be a persuasive constituent. You'll have the opportunity to attend issue briefings, learn how to lobby, hear from environmental champions, attend breakout sessions, and meet face-to-face with your elected officials to advance the Environmental Priorities Coalition's 2020 priorities. For the 2020 legislative session, we have adopted four priorities essential for healthy communities and a thriving environment: Clean Fuels Now, Healthy Habitat Healthy Orcas, Climate Pollution Limits, and Reduce Plastic Pollution
Facebook event page

Anthroposophy Study Group
Friday, January 31
1:00 p.m.
Parlor

Conference Men's Retreat
Climate Change: From Despair to Hope
January 31-February 2, 2020
Pilgrim Firs
The retreat begins on Friday evening, January 31, with an optional day of silent retreat starting on Thursday evening. The theme is: "CLIMATE CHANGE: From Despair to Hope." We will address this together and in small group discussions as well as joining in song, good food, walks around Lake Flora and the Saturday evening Wisdom Circle for those who want to share reflections. There will also be a time of discussion about future retreats. Our program leader is Rev. Dave Schoen. He will draw heavily on two recent books on climate change: Climate Church, Climate World by Jim Antal, and Intrinsic Hope by Kate Davies. (Prospect has a copy of Antal’s book available for borrowing.) The Silent retreat is a special day to get out of our usual routine, to focus and reflect.
Rates:
- Saturday only - $40.00 / person (includes 3 meals)
- Friday night - Sunday, $150 / person
- Thursday night - Sunday, $230 / person (includes 1 day of silence)
Registration Link
Facebook event
Questions? Contact Rick Russell at myrtos@comcast.net or call or email Chris at Pilgrim Firs at chris@pilgrim-firs.org or 360 876-2031.

Building Access Committee
Sunday, February 2
12:00 p.m.
3rd Floor

Writing, Reflection, & Really Good Beverages
Sunday, February 2
2:00 p.m.
Victrola Coffee
411 15th Ave E
An informal group for writers of all levels. Curator of Coffee Shop Writing Hannah Merrill offers helpful writing prompts and a friendly atmosphere. Grab your beverage of choice, find the group in the back room, and settle in for 2 hours of writing and good conversation.

Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day
Monday, February 3
8:00 a.m.
Washington Center for Performing Arts
512 Washington St SE
Olympia, WA 98501
Join more than 600 housing and homelessness advocates in Olympia for a powerful day of action on Monday, February 3, 2020 for the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance’s Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day (HHAD)!

At Advocacy Day you will:

Gain inside information on housing policies;
Attend workshops to build your advocacy skills;
Meet your lawmakers alongside experienced advocates in pre-scheduled meetings
Stand with the growing movement fighting for safe, healthy, affordable homes for everyone in Washington!

Every voice makes a difference at Advocacy Day, and it's your chance to let your lawmakers know that you care about finding solutions to the affordable housing and homelessness crisis in Washington.

Click here to Register for HHAD 2020

Interfaith Advocacy Day
Thursday, February 6
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The United Churches of Olympia
110 11th Ave SE
Olympia, WA 98501

FAITH ACTION NETWORK’s Interfaith Advocacy Day brings the voices of compassion and justice to our elected leaders. Meeting with your legislators and their staff on this day is putting your faith into action!

On Interfaith Advocacy Day, you will be able to:

Join workshops that will break down the issues on FAN's 2020 Legislative Agenda
Learn how to most effectively advocate in today’s legislature
Meet with advocates from your legislative district to prepare for your legislative visits
Meet with your legislator! Once you register, FAN will set up an appointment for you and others from your district
Lunch will be provided

Don’t miss this important day in Olympia! You are encouraged to sign up early and pay in advance, as the event is limited to 250 participants. Register here.

Michael Dowd at Prospect
Sunday, February 9
10:30 a.m.
Sanctuary
Please plan to join us for worship on February 9, when we welcome Rev. Michael Dowd to share a message. Rev. Dowd is a “pro-future evangelist” who writes and speaks about science and faith. He previously spoke at Prospect in December 2016. Learn more here.

Beyond Belief
Sunday, February 16
12:00 p.m.
Parlor

Beyond Belief Faith Study is a 6 week series using a DVD from Living the Questions highlighting the teaching of theologian Marcus Borg, who passed away in 2015. His books include: Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time and The Heart of Christianity. Both books are available for borrowing from the Prospect library shelf in the parlor.

We will watch the 1/2 hour videos and share our responses to some of the questions that arise. Rick Russell will facilitate the class.

(Meetings usually scheduled in the parlor at this time will be moved to the 3rd floor conference room.)

Save the Date: Risk/Benefit
Sunday, March 1
1:00 p.m.
Sanctuary
"Risk/Benefit" is an inspiring resistance drama that will be performed here at Prospect on Sunday, March 1 at 1 p.m.This one-hour production comes to us from Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Church, following a workshop reading here at Prospect last summer. Written by Amanda Aikman, directed by Carissa Meisner Smit and with special music by Kia Sams. Performance (for ages 12 up) will be followed by snacks and an optional discussion. Please invite your friends. Tickets via Brown Paper Tickets or at the door (cash or check only). $10 for all seats.
Facebook Event Page