“You know that when I hate you, it is because I love you to a point of passion that unhinges my soul.”  – Julie de Lespinasse

 
A social media platform some of us use has a multiple-choice relationship status feature. Single, engaged, married, in a relationship; all the options you would expect.  But the one that always catches my attention with some amusement is “It’s Complicated.” 

But, it is always some kind of complicated, isn’t it?  I can’t think of any kind of relationship-with myself or another human being-that doesn’t have complications. And this year sure has been a flashing neon sign reminding us that there never was any such thing as simple in our connections to each other.

The nation in which we live has just come through an historic election, and we are hurting in many of our relationships with our neighbors.  It’s so very complicated.

On the way out of a bookstore recently, I encountered a man in a mask that advertised a candidate I did not support. I was wearing a mask bearing the name of the other candidate. We both made eye contact and nodded acknowledgment.

As he passed me he said softly, “I think your guy’s got it, Sis.”

Sis. Something about his tone and that term of endearment made me dissolve into weeping as soon as I reached my car. 

My brother always called me Sis. He was a recent casualty of this terrible virus that has turned our whole world to mourning.  And, wow, was my relationship with my beloved brother ever complicated! 

I sure didn’t feel like being kind to that man at the bookstore. I simply nodded and kept walking. My belief in siding with love was at odds with the values I assigned to him.  And yet, there he was, offering me the complication of speaking kindly to me and calling me ‘Sis’. 

I am not about to forget that it matters where I aim my compassion.  We have no obligation to be “nice” in the face of hate, greed, and selfishness. Too much and too many are at stake.  

And.  And I appreciate these moments that invite me to remember my forever-entangled, complicated love relationship with all of humanity.
 
Prayer: 
Source of All, with whom our relationships are nothing if not complicated, thank you for your annoying habit of reminding humans in the most unlikely and uncomfortable ways that we are stuck with each other, like it or not. And that sometimes it might do us all a bit of complicated good to call each other by our Family Name.

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The Patio is Almost Done!

Several stalwart members have, over the past few weeks, quietly been putting the finishing touches on our new patio.  A very big THANK YOU is extended to these wonderful folks.  They are David Stewart, Larry Wallis, John Hagler, Allen Rider, Dave Zenner, and Morning Washburn. 

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NWUUC Fall Auction 2020

 

The air is getting cooler and the leaves are starting to change — usually that means it’s time for the fall auction! Like many things this year, it won’t be the same. But, we can do a 2020 virtual version.

You can view the auction online now at https://www.32auctions.com/nwuuc2020 
Auction listings will be added online as they are donated, so be sure to keep checking. Bids will be accepted through November 30th at 5pm.

We are asking for only socially-distant donations this year. Be creative and safe! Some examples include:

• Home-cooked dinners and desserts
• Artwork or home decor
• Themed-baskets (art/craft supplies, kids’ toys, books, etc)
• Zoom lessons (yoga, cooking, life coaching, mini-concert)
• Gift cards or certificates

Please fill out this form to donate items for the auction: https://forms.gle/Ue55oP1fTUPe8cLF8 and email Cameron Moore at stewardship@nwuuc.org with any questions!

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Coffee Hour…We Still Need People to Host

Do you enjoy coffee hour each Sunday?  Are you willing to be a host from time to time?  From the beginning of our virtual Sundays we have been fortunate enough to have Liz Martin as our coffee hour host,  (thank you, Liz!) but now that she is back into intense seminary studies she isn’t able to be the host each week. 

It’s pretty easy if you have any tech skills at all, so don’t be shy!  Send your name to our IT Helpdesk at techhelp@nwuuc.org and one of us will get back to you with how-to instructions.

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IT Help Desk

 
 

Check out Northwest’s new merchandise shop at Zazzle for T-shirts, polos, and now, masks!

If you’re interested in submitting merchandise designs, please email Cameron Moore at stewardship@nwuuc.org.