June 10: Histories of Racism, and models for speaking out

Evenings at Keystone UCC

Pray, tell stories, study, change the world

Break up the week with some fellowship!

Thursday, June 10

6:00-6:25pm

Lectio Divina

Twenty-five (25) minute reflective scripture reading practice with Rita and Pastor Lauren, reading our scripture for this upcoming Sunday, June 13: 1 Samuel 8:4-20. No prep necessary.

6:30-7:45pm

Uprooting Racism study circle

with Rev. Lauren. Part IV of Book: The Effects of History, through page 242. Come for conversation to really dig in, as we are learning to be Christians who acknowledge our role in history; Kivel opens this part of the book “most of us (white folks) are woefully misinformed about the actual history of interracial relationships, particularly their more devastating aspects. We have been taught lies beginning with the benign story of Columbus’ “discovery” of America…(p. 179.) …

…Our history effects our current situation.. including the effects of slavery, the genocide of Native Americans, the conquest of Mexico, and the banning of Chinese and later all Asian immigration continue to influence our lives and the lives of people of color.”

Yet “we have a long history of white people speaking out for economic and political justice, and we need to reclaim and learn from those role models.”

All are welcome, thank you for making time, to learn in community.

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Both meetings will be in our usual Zoom space.
Watch for the Cheat Sheet in your email with the ways to join. Or if you have not subscribed yet: here is the form

Saturday June 5th Meridian Park outside gathering 4:30 pm BYO picnic

Saturday June 5th: 
4:30 pm

BYO Picnic -
Keystone community gathering
Meet outside by Keystone playground (in the back), walk over to Meridian Playground (4649 Sunnyside Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98103). Bring your own picnic and blanket or folding chairs for Covid-safe social time just to catch up--in person! Contact Lauren for questions or more details:

4:30pm- 5:30 pm:  This is a casual first meet up outside this spring!  Come by the pretty church grounds and head over to Meridian Park (across 50th from Keystone in Wallingford).  We won't be sharing food, but bring your own early supper snack! 

Park your bike or car at Keystone as you like.  Children, families and Anita & Lauren will meet at Keystone playground and walk over. 

Parking at Good Shepherd offers a shorter walk.  Or ask to be dropped off at 50th & Meridian, and there is a ramp under the stone archway. We will find a space for our picnic blankets at that end of the field, near the arch. Come for an hour of covid-safe-outside, masked & physically-distanced, time to catch up!  There is lots of space for kids to run, a playground, & bathrooms.  (Same park we gathered June 2020 to cheer Paisley's graduation.)  Anita may read kids a story if we get a little group!

More outdoor chances to visit can come, if you are not around for this one!

Rain date for this first in-person BYO picnic:
Tuesday June 8 at 5-6 pm.

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!

Sunday May 23 Worship online with Keystone 10 :30 AM

Pentecost Sunday

Invite a friend to come join the Keystone community & Rev. Rich, Rev. Lauren, Elliot, Yigit & all for live interactive worship and time to pray, connect and discuss! Music created each week by Yigit & Elliot!

Scripture: Acts 2: 1-4

Reader: Jess

Zoom link comes out Sunday mornings in email

Email here to receive the link

Come with your coffee to visit: beforehand (starting at 10 AM) or afterwards (come on in about 11:25 AM)

Sunday May 16 Worship online with Keystone 10 :30 AM

Seventh Sunday of Easter

Invite a friend to come join the Keystone community & Rev. Rich, Rev. Lauren, Elliot for live interactive worship and time to pray, connect and discuss! Music created each week by Yigit & Elliot!

Scripture: John 17: 13-18

Reader: Dan O.

Zoom link comes out Sunday mornings in email

Email here to receive the link

Come with your coffee to visit: beforehand (starting at 10 AM) or afterwards (come on in about 11:25 AM)