NEWS FROM THE PEWS August

ASTORIA—AUGUST 6

We met in Susan’s yard, 8 in attendance, and had another stimulating conversation starting with the kind of summer jobs we’d had as kids, ranging from strawberry picking to farm work, with a few historical bits about the kind of farming activities there have been over the years in Clatsop County:  dairy farms, mink farms, cannery jobs, and the like.

From there we segued into a conversation about painful moments we remember from PUUF’s history and how they were received by others.  Mentioned were a lack of communication and transparency at times, so that it seemed that decisions about big items were not always communicated well to the congregation.  Information was shared about the decision to move from the PAC to the Presbyterian church, which had been done according to policy and yet many people didn’t know the hows and whys of that decision, which caused some criticism.  Even good intentions on the part of the group were not always recognized by critics.

Ideas which came up:  hiring a “manager”/coordinator/administrator who could keep track of the various things going on and act as a conduit of information about congregational activity;  could we be a “satellite” congregation with First Unitarian in Portland and use their intern(s) for pastoral work on a limited basis.  Let’s enlarge our RE work and check into having a gathering at Camp Kiwanilong.

Good work from the Astoria CK, with its excitement about how we can come together in the next several months to strengthen PUUF for a future with or without a minister, with good communication techniques, policies which are clearly understood and followed, and with a goal of social justice work, or other community outreach (like tutoring at CCC) in the Clatsop County area.  Kit will contact Rev. Summer Albayati about the idea of having a satellite relationship with 1st Unitarian. 

PENINSULA—AUGUST 13

Lots going on up north in Long Beach—kite festival, jazz and oysters, etc., so we were missing a few folks.  We were small but mighty though, meeting at the Olde Towne coffee shop in Ilwaco.  We started out admiring the incredible octopus and its many iterations and abilities, quickly moving on to the ways Star Trek had opened up many social justice issues that had never been dealt with :  interracial relationships and Nichelle Nichols, was Gene Roddenberry a UU?  He sure acts like one.

Tina and Dean’s Moroccan friend Abdo may be relocating to the states—could we possibly sponsor Abdo and help him get his feet on the ground in the PNW?  

Switching gears, we considered the ideas that earlier CKs have come up with in July and responded to their ideas.  A major goal is attracting young families through RE and some form of community one on one advertising.  Madeline had the idea of using local Saturday/Sunday markets to advertise our UU values and our welcoming programming.  An important goal is improving communication between members and leadership in the congregation, making safe spaces for people to talk through problems or disagreements within the congregation.  The pandemic caused people to hole up in “pods” of people they knew and trusted; consequently, people feel isolated but not necessarily incline to find a church.  Churches across the nation are shrinking in size and programming.  Could we arrange a satellite-type of relationship with a larger congregation which has more than one minister?  (Madeline reported later that farmers markets are not hosting church groups as participants in the markets.)

Lively discussion, even with small numbers.  Kit talked about her plan to have CKs explore the ways trauma (9/11, pandemic, COVID, etc.) has affected individuals and groups and how this has affected PUUF.  We will start this plan in September.

TILLAMOOK COUNTY—AUGUST 20

Because our previous favorite venue has been the famous, but unavailable today,  June’s Garage in Manzanita, we (temporarily?) took up space at Sandy’s, down the road from June’s house.  Sandy welcomed us into her wonderful rustic garden space where we talked less about Fellowship and other churchy stuff and more about the exciting journey of growing older…much older!  Senior living housing was a theme for much of our time together, aided and abetted by great coffee and delicious banana bread.  All of us have this on our minds these days—costs, amenities, taking care of ailing spouses, etc.  We were fortunate to have as our visitor for this CK our friend and fellow member Arline!  So we didn’t solve any religious dilemmas but it sounds like a great idea to have a UU facility for us to live at in our reclining years!  Wouldn’t it be fun to have a full-service senior living facility for UUs, somewhere beautiful but not too expensive, where we could discuss the ways of the world and all the interesting topics we choose.  Ahhhhh, that would be the life!

SOUTH COUNTY—AUGUST 27

Lots of conversation about books, particularly books on heavy topics:  “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pell, “Blessed Unrest” by Paul Hawken, “The Chalice and the Blade”, an oldie but goodie by Riane Eisler, much touted in UU circles.   In addition, a book “The Colony”, about Mormonism, which brought to mind other such publications as “Under the Banner of Heaven” which is also a Hulu “documentary”.  A program on SciFi channel “Resident Alien” was mentioned.  AND Kerry and Cicely have their art work in display at AVA (Astoria Visual Arts)!

Post-Roe conversation included thoughts and questions about the challenge of civil disobedience from OB/GYNs who have patients with a need for treatment that may cause harm to pregnant patients.  Laws in several states put doctors and others who work with pregnant patients in the crosshairs if they override the laws of the state and perform abortion or other services that end a pregnancy.  Scary times for the medical staff, since both lives and careers are at stake.

The personal stories that are in the news definitely spotlight the short-sightedness of abortion bans.

Things to come: Starting in September, we will spend part of our CK gatherings talking about trauma in our lives and how it affects our personal lives and also our community lives.  September 11 will be our Water Ceremony where we will bring our water to mingle with that of others, to recognize the traumas of the past and the healing that we must do.

And that’s the News from the Pews for August 2022!