News

Wednesday, November 18, 7:00–8:30 p.m. in Channing, by registration

November 12 and/or 13, 11 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Daybreak Star Cultural Center

Sunday, November 8, 1:00 p.m. in Knatvold The Pink Haven group welcomes participants of any background interested in aiding the trans and non-binary community. Many of this region's new arrivals had to leave their homes in trans-phobic states in order to seek gender-affirming care, services, and community. See also Winter Clothing Needed for Pink Haven Folks . Contact a group leader for more information: Allison Jansen , Leah Evison or River McCallum . The Pink Haven Coalition is a national coalition responding to the baseless and severe discrimination against trans and non-binary individuals in red states who need assistance in moving to blue states. Our UUC group is part of this effort, in partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, to create a welcome network for trans/non-binary individuals and their families who are fleeing their homes in order to live freer lives and, if needed, to obtain gender affirming care.

Wednesday, November 4, in the chapel Doors and snacks at 6:15; service 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Worship services at 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. in the chapel and via live stream

Wednesday, November 4, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. in Knatvold and via Zoom

Sunday, November 8, 8:30 a.m. online (link provided upon RSVP )

Saturday, November 7, 1:00-3:30 p.m. at Shoreline UU Church or via Zoom, by RSVP

Saturday, November 7, 12–3 p.m. in Nathan Johnson Hall

Every Wednesday, 7–9 p.m. in Nathan Johnson Hall

University Unitarian Church is endorsing the No Hate in Washington State campaign against two anti-trans and anti-privacy initiatives that will appear on this November's ballot. In publicly taking this position, we join the Church Council of Greater Seattle, other unitarian churches in Washington, Congregation Beth Shalom (our next-door neighbor), and several organizations with whom we partner, including Common Power, Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network, and 350 Seattle. The push to endorse this human rights campaign came from our Social Justice Steering Committee, Pink Haven Coalition and Interweave. The UUC ministers and board of trustees unanimously approved the proposal. Endorsing the No Hate in Washington State Campaign Through its endorsement, UUC adds its name and logo to the No Hate In Washington State campaign webpage. We thereby take a stand against two initiatives on the upcoming November ballot that threaten student privacy and safety by repealing protections for undocumented, homeless, disabled and transgender students. The following is from Pro Choice Washington : Initiative 001 Removes common sense protections for victims of child abuse by allowing parents under criminal investigation or parents who have been charged with harming their own child access to sensitive f information that could put kids at greater risk. Worsens the teen mental health crisis. It discourages students facing domestic violence, sexual abuse, or bullying from seeking help from trusted school counselors. And, forces teachers and school counselors to knowingly put LGBTQ+ kids in danger of violence or homeless by outing them to unsupportive families. Initiative 638 Would force tens of thousands of Washington girls each year to undergo invasive, embarrassing, and potentially harmful genital exams or costly hormone or genetic testing just to play school sports at any age or level. Boys would not be subject to the same examinations. This is the most extreme MAGA measure of its kind in the country. Initiative 638 discourages girls from playing sports. It also institutes a statewide blanket ban on all transgender girls in all sports, outlawing case by case decisions. To care about girls’ sports, let’s remove barriers for all girls, rather than put up more barriers. Invasive genital exam requirements are not the answer. As a faith community: We believe that all people have dignity and worth. By adding our endorsement for this campaign, we declare to all people in Washington state that every person is worthy to be who they are and that we support their right to be safe and flourish with dignity, love, and compassion on their side. We believe in justice , and work to be a diverse multicultural Beloved Community where all thrive. So when the safety of children and those who identify as LGBTQ+ is threatened, we rise up to say “Not on our watch!” and hold to our vision statement that says, “We will vocally and actively oppose injustice and stand in prophetic judgment of all that would diminish the equality and dignity of human beings or harm the web of life.” We believe in supporting our community members and celebrate that we are all sacred beings, diverse in identity, culture, experience, and theology. Organizations and faith communities that we work with have committed themselves to this campaign as noted above. And we believe in centering love . And love looks like putting our church behind supporting the safety and care of all children and young people in Washington state. We are also holding up the 2024 UUA General Assembly Business Resolution “Embracing Transgender, Nonbinary, Intersex and Gender Diverse People is a Fundamental Expression of UU Religious Values.” The resolution invoked an earlier document that said: “We believe that the inherent worth and dignity of every person, the right of individual conscience, and respect for human life are inalienable rights due every person." But it went further: "We proclaim that our principles and values unequivocally commit our faith to honor and celebrate the full spectrum of gender identity and expression" and “The ability to live ever-more authentically as one’s true self is central to a lifelong journey towards spiritual fulfillment.” UUC has a proud history of supporting queer rights and gender diversity. For example, we have an active Pink Haven team that provides housing and other support for trans and non-binary individuals fleeing inhospitable environments. And we have a decades-long commitment to the Our Whole Lives (OWL) sexuality education program, which is rooted in our values of justice and equity for people in all bodies, genders, and sexual orientations. In 2012, UUC also endorsed Referendum 74, which legalized same sex marriage in Washington.

Monday, November 9, 7-8:30 p.m. at Maple Leaf Church, by registration

9:30 and 11:15 a.m. in the UUC chapel and via live stream

Sunday, November 1 If you brought an item for last Sunday's Ancestors Altar, don't forget to reclaim it this Sunday. 

Two-session course on Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 13 by registration

Can you share any lightly-worn or new winter clothing with our Pink Haven kin? Many trans people relocating here for safety are from warmer or drier climates and don't have good Seattle winter clothing. Help us fill our bin at the lower level entrance! We are especially in need of women's L or larger jackets in any color, but any warm or water-resistant clothing is welcome. Items not needed by the folks our Pink Have Coalition is directly supporting will be donated to the Trans Clothing Exchange. Questions? Contact Leah Evison . The Pink Haven Coalition is a national coalition responding to the baseless and severe discrimination against trans and non-binary individuals in red states who need assistance in moving to blue states. Our UUC group is part of this effort, in partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, to create a welcome network for trans/non-binary individuals and their families who are fleeing their homes in order to live freer lives and, if needed, to obtain gender affirming care.

Thursday, November 12, 7:00–8:45 p.m. in Knatvold

Wednesday and Thursday, November 11 & 12, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. in Tukwila

Every Sunday, two volunteers serve as ushers at each service, to help the services go smoothly. Could that be you? Volunteering on Sunday mornings is a great way to get to know people, to contribute to the life of this community, and to be part of something bigger than yourself. To learn more, talk to any usher. In UUC Connect (Realm Connect), you can see more under the Serving tab, and in the Directory you can find our Ushering Leaders, Gayle Childers and Rebecca DiNino . This church relies on volunteers, and you can learn everything you need to know to usher “on the job.” If you’re looking for a way to get more connected, consider ushering! No experience necessary.

Sunday, November 8, both services

Want to help improve our AV experience but not sure you have the technical skills to run a Sunday service? Our AV Team is recruiting non-technical runners . These volunteers will arrive early to help soundcheck and retrieve supplies. They will also sit by the AV desk during services to field questions and feedback from the congregation. The addition of this volunteer role will free up our hard-working AV techs to focus on managing sound and audio details. If you are interested or want more information, email morgan.sherwood@uuchurch.org .

Sunday, November 1, 2 a.m.

Tuesday, October 27, November 10 and 17, and December 1, 7:00–8:30 p.m. at Shoreline UU Church , by RSVP

Wednesday, November 18, 7:00–8:30 p.m. in Channing

Sunday, October 25, 1:15–2:45 p.m. in the Dix room and via Zoom

Worship services at 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. in the chapel and via live stream

Sunday, October 25 in the UUC chapel

October 23–25, 2026

Friday, October 23, 1–3 p.m. in the Knatvold room

UUC’s chapter of UUs for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME) has endorsed a letter of support for Palestinian activist Mohsen Mahdawi . In publicly taking this position, we join the national UUJME organization, the ACLU, and UU congregations and individuals across the country in advocating for immigrant justice, free speech, and the inherent worth and dignity of every person. We encourage members of our beloved community to join us in signing the letter of support . Mohsen moved from Palestine to the United States in 2014, and attended Columbia University, where he co-founded Columbia University Apartheid Divest coalition, and the Palestinian Student Union. Like many students who have participated in actions for Palestinian solidarity, Mohsen has been targeted by the U.S. government for his work, under the guise of upholding immigration law. While attending what he thought to be a routine interview as part of the process to obtain U.S. citizenship, Mohsen was arrested and detained for over two weeks in a Vermont prison. He was later released on bail. In February 2026, a federal immigration judge dismissed the government’s attempt to deport Mohsen, but that ruling was overturned by the U.S. Board of Immigration Appeals at the request of the Trump administration. In May 2026, another judge ordered that Mohsen be deported. Currently, Mohsen remains under imminent threat of deportation. The following is from the letter of support: “Unitarian Universalists are diverse in faith, ethnicity, history and spirituality, but aligned in our desire to make a difference for the good. We have a track record of siding with love, justice, and peace and believe in the inherent dignity of all people. When speaking about Mohsen, Rev. Karen G. Johnston, the Senior Minister at First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington said ‘Mohsen has been a Unitarian Universalist nearly as long as he has been a Vermonter; he is often heard naming both as part of his wide family whom he embraces and who embraces him. As UUs, we are enriched by Mohsen's spiritual depth, his moral courage, and his authentic commitment to Love at the Center and the possibility of universal healing through justice.’ As Nate Freed Wessler, deputy director of the ACLU’s Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project said, ‘Mohsen should never have been detained for his speech, and a federal judge has already agreed. The government’s continued persecution of our client for his beliefs should send a chill down the spine of everyone in this country, because once we start allowing exceptions to the First Amendment for speech the current government doesn’t like, there’s no telling where the censorship will stop.’ As Unitarian Universalists, our foundational commitments rest upon values of pluralism, justice, inquiry and debate, and democratic freedom of expression for all people. It is these commitments that compel us to sign this letter of support and rally behind Mohsen Mahdawi in his defense against the administration’s attempts to use his case as a means to directly silence him and to set alarming precedents in our legal system.” The members of UUC's UUJME group believe that adding our support to this letter is a way of living out our congregation’s vision statement, “We will vocally and actively oppose injustice and stand in prophetic judgment of all that would diminish the equality and dignity of human beings or harm the web of life.” It is also a direct exercise of the following UU values: -Justice -Equity -Interdependence -Pluralism -Generosity -Love Our signing supports UUJME’s mission to educate and mobilize individuals and congregations to recognize and counter inequality and injustice in Palestine and to support our allies in the global justice and anti-oppression movements. For questions or concerns, please contact Emily Joseph , co-chair of UUC's UUJME group. 

From UUC's Acting for Racial Justice Team: On October 10, Jacob Johns, Hopi and Akimel O-odham, and a fellow Unitarian Universalist, came from Spokane to share his story of art, courage, and activism. He shared a story of finding his spiritual heart of flaming love and courage. He told us of his journey from time in a maximum security prison where he taught himself to draw and paint portraits as a way to cope with hours of solitary time and begin to heal his soul. As Jacob continued to develop his art practice and move into climate activism after his release from prison, he would become a tender of hearts, as he connected with other Indigenous spiritual leaders and Elders to bring their prayers and wisdom to United Nations climate talks. He described being at a protest in Arizona, before the 2023 UN climate conference, where he was shot by a counter-protester and nearly died. As he recovered, he continued to raise funds for the Indigenous Wisdom Keepers delegation and attended the climate talks months later. Jacob is a great example of courage in living our UU values to the fullest. His commitment to still show up after being shot and using the funds he received from the lawsuit against his shooter for the work to continue demonstrates a level of courage and living our commitment of centering love and the interdependent web of life that goes well beyond what many of us aspire to. Jacob shared deeply from his wounded heart, ablaze with love and courage. A wounded heart’s love, “responsive to the suffering of the world” (1) and courage that Rev. Victoria reminded us of — “ a communal practice, built and rebuilt through shared memory and mutual accountability” (2) — a courage that abides. Links Wisdom Keepers at the Conference of the Parties UN climate talks Earthrise Collective, Pooven Jacob Johns art Rev. Jacob Kalendae in their September 27, 2026 sermon Rev. Victoria Poling in her October 18, 2026 sermon

Thanks so much to everyone who have participated in our UU the Vote Team’s democracy work in the last few months! Let’s celebrate what we've done so far this season: We completed and sent 4,000 Reclaim Our Vote postcards to voters in the key states of Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and Texas as part of the voter engagement/get out the vote work for the midterm elections. We partnered with League of Women Voters (LWV) , learning about their voter engagement work, being inspired to visit the King County Election Office, and hosting LWV here at UUC to provide voter registration and notification services information for our congregation. Some of us joined the League and are involved in their ongoing work to protect our democracy. We hosted Common Power to learn about their national voter engagement work, and many UUC members and friends have supported their work financially or by participating in doorbelling select voters with them to various states including Alaska, Iowa, and more. We organized, in partnership with UUC's Acting for Racial Justice Team, meeting up to participate in the October 17 No Kings “Vote Early” march and voter information fair downtown. We had a turnout of more than 15 UUC folks. On October 18 we also jointly hosted a Ballot Party in which 12 people participated and then marched across the John Lewis Memorial Bridge with our Side with Love signs to deliver our ballots to the dropbox at North Seattle College, where the election workers were preparing to pick up the ballots deposited that day. One of the workers took our group photo! (See below) More opportunities to participate: Reclaim Our Vote - Check out their website for more information and to sign up for their textbanking and phonebanking efforts if you are interested: https://www.centerforcommonground.org/reclaim-our-vote Common Power - https://commonpower.org/volunteer League of Women Voters - https://lwvwa.org/ We so appreciate your support! We will continue to work with the national UUA UU the Vote team and with our local partners to support democracy in these challenges times. Stay tuned. UUC's UU the Vote Co-Chairs Betty and Meta Betty Williams - Betty.Susan.Williams@gmail.com Meta Thayer - metathayer@gmail.com (Click below to see full image)

October's Second Sunday Plate goes to 350Seattle (October 11-November 7.) Executive Director Shemona Moreno appreciated your warm welcome during the October 11 worship service. See this earlier article from UUC's Climate Action Team (CAT) about 350Seattle’s mission, its values, and its organizational structure. And this one which highlighted 350Seattle’s "Make Polluters Pay" campaign. This week, the Climate Action Team directs you to information about 350Seattle’s "Data Center Resistance" campaign . The campaign is organized within the framework of Seattle’s data center construction moratorium (passed June 9, 2025 by the City Council) and its various decision points. Visit https://350seattle.org/project/data-center-resistance/ to learn about the city's moratorium calendar and/or to sign up to receive updates and learn of actions and opportunities (click the "Join the Resistance" button).

Plan Ahead: First and third Tuesdays, 7–8:30 p.m. in the King room, beginning October 20. Please register .

Thursday, October 22, 7:00–8:45 p.m. in Knatvold

Wednesday, October 21, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. in Knatvold and via Zoom

All Ages Services at 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. in the chapel and via live stream

Sunday, October 18, 1 p.m. at The Watershed restaurant; 2 p.m. at the east end of the John Lewis Memorial Bridge

Sunday, October 18, 10:40–11:00 a.m. in front of the church

ASAP in mail; Sunday, October 18, extras (and envelopes) to Betty

Saturday, October 17, Westlake Park - meet at 1:45 p.m.

Saturday, October 17, 4:00-7:30 pm | Register via UUC Connect

Saturday, October 17, 6:30 p.m. at Shoreline UUC

Wednesday, October 14, 7–8:30 p.m. in Dix

Sunday, October 18, 1 p.m. in the Knatvold room

Sunday, October 11, 10:30–11:15 a.m. in Nathan Johnson Hall

Worship services at 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. in the chapel and via live stream

Next chance to contribute: Sunday, October 11, both services The school supplies donated during our September 20 worship service were well received at Eckstein Middle School last week. Their social worker, Erica, was THRILLED and also loved that they were included in the Blessing of the Backpacks. She said all of the items were so helpful and would absolutely be used by the kids. Erica also expressed immense gratitude for our Eckstein Community Cupboard project overall. Contributions from the UUC community have helped free up funds she would normally have spent on household products, thus allowing her to provide more hygiene items and food. This work is already doing so much good for our neighbors, and would not be possible without your support. Our next donation collection is October 11. We are currently in need of toilet paper (6-roll packs), fragrance free laundry detergent, paper towels, 13-gallon trash bags, sponges, and dish soap . Any contributions will be greatly appreciated.

Sunday, October 11, before and after the services, and 2–5 p.m. in the UUC parking lot