Prayers of the People (including Sun. Aug. 22)

~ We Pray in Community ~
~Please add your love as you pray each name, joy or concern--and reach out to one another!~

• People of Afghanistan; strength to families facing danger. As we examine our militarism. Budgets. Move our hearts to be of aid, in and from Seattle.

• For the people of Haiti following the earthquake, upon more challenge; for local direction on how to help.

• Strength to Rita in this transition time.

• Strength to John and Barb in prep for treatment to begin September 1.

• To Joe, sharing his Seattle Public School teaching retirement, to invite our support of Neuvo Amanacer!

• Safe renewing travels for Dick and Pat to loved ones & Jersey Shore time.

• For continued surprise losses in covid-19 ongoing times.

• For continued arm mobility recovery for Sandy.

• Prayers to lift Betty's sister and brother.

• For summer’s bounty of fruit among our trees and bushes.

• Parents, teachers, staff, our faith community, immersed in navigating school start back and spreading delta.

• Holy god, make us instruments of your peace!

Holy God, in your mercy...hear our prayers!

To have your prayers included in Sunday or Wednesday gatherings online or the weekly Newsletter, please send them to Lauren or Rich (see Reaching Keystone UCC Pastoral Staff at the bottom of the page).

Next Listening Session: Wednesday June 23 @ 6:30 pm

Announced on Sunday May 30:
Thank you Northshore UCC folks for joining Keystone again- we LOVE when you get to zoom-travel on your 5th Sundays of the month!

Thank you Keystone for the good turn out and discussion at Thursday May 27 Listening Session.

Next Listening Session: Wednesday June 23 @ 6:30 pm on zoom.

(Note no zoom meet ups Wednesday June 2 or 9th; see Thursday zooms these first two weeks of June.)

Thursday June 3:

6 pm Lectio Divina practice on zoom.

6:30 pm Green Team

~ ~ ~

Thursday June 10: 

6 pm Lectio Divina practice.

6:30 pm Uprooting Racism study circle.

Details below and at Keystone calendar!

3 areas of Research: Volunteers sought: Help Gather info for Keystone-future conversations

Over the months we have been having good conversations about Keystone's future. We are at a point in the conversation where more information would be helpful. 

Though Lauren and Rich may be able to provide some ideas, the research work will need leadership from members of the congregation. Here is what is currently needed:

Keystone is looking for volunteer(s) to research what other churches are learning from their various responses to post-Covid worship. (Ex. sanctuary worship + zoom or FB live, video recording of worship + posting, outdoor worship, etc.)

We are also looking for volunteer(s) to research the viability and zoning for selling our corner of land & buildings to redevelop the church buildings to become low income housing, a worship space, community renters, offices, etc.

And we are looking for volunteer(s) to talk with those who would not be able to attend Keystone for worship, if we worship in the sanctuary. 

Please let Lauren or Rich know if you are interested in one of these opportunities. 

Other areas of research have been well underway all year and continue. For example, how Keystone/ STCC/ PreSchool/ +all our cherished renters can safely come back-in-person. If you are vaccinated, WA State and King County continue to have encouraging words. But Keystone’s process through our winter and spring Listening Sessions have especially kept an ear tuned to whom may still be vulnerable. What do you need? (Ex. how can children safely worship, with singing, with communion, with their class, with hugs at coffee hour? What are the needs of those with particularly compromised immune systems?)

We are thankful for all the participation in the Listening Sessions, held at the end of each month. Next up: this month: Wednesday June 23, 6:30 pm. Save the date- thank you!