Hi all,
It’s time for our October NFTP (aka News from the Pews), a rundown on the various topics that our coffee klatch groups have been discussing. I hope this will be a fun non-gossipy email that expands our understanding of what topics are important to the various areas of our long, skinny parish, from Astoria to the Peninsula, to Tillamook county, and to South County.
I’ll re-run Oct. 2’s Astoria group: The Astoria group met today, with a great group of about 8 or 9 on Susan Olson’s patio, discussing everything from the latest British streaming movies AND the amazing “Ted Lasso”. We had a new attendee—Janet Vincent, who joins us from Svensen! (Refreshments were Blue Scorcher scones with clotted cream and jam!)
Our Peninsula group met at Terri’s on the 9th; six folks attended, plus two dogs and one cat. We chewed over concerns about when we might meet in-person for church services (we’re hoping soon!). Favorite authors came up: Ivan Doig, Wallace Stegner, Farley Mowat, Mary Oliver. My notes say we also discussed “methods of dying” but I don’t have more to pass along on that topic. Guest at Your Table came up; we look forward to doing that UU ritual again soon. And how about a Sunday service dedicated to Poetry Reading?
Our Tillamook county friends have been meeting in Manzanita at June Baumler’s home. We have a new member—Laurie McCray, who lives in Neahkahnie. Our UU roots are an ongoing theme with this bunch, since so many of us have a long history with our faith tradition. Laurie was able to get a front row seat with these women who were happy to describe what they have found in UUism that other traditions don’t satisfy.
Our South County group has been meeting at Nancy Holmes’ house in Seaside; we met indoors this time because of the rainy day. Lots of topics: the phrase “Charlie Brown politics” came up, as did Captain Kangaroo (but not for the same reason) and Walt Kelly, the creator of the POGO cartoons and songs. We even sang a couple of those songs. We decided to meet in the afternoon on both Nov. 20 and Dec. 19, to avoid holiday conflicts. Books: a graphic version of “Tyranny” by Tim Snyder and “Wave and Beach”, which the Ship Report has reviewed recently. And the prevalence of wildlife in Seaside neighborhoods.
Lots of stuff happening in our PUUF community! If you haven’t attended a klatch yet, I think you’ll feel right at home when you come for the first time. And the second and third too!
See you all in November!
Kit