Hi Everyone,

It’s time for a rundown on the interesting things being discussed in the four coffee klatches which happen on Saturdays each month.  Shall we get started?

Astoria (1st Saturday at 10 a.m.). We met at Coffee Girl, though it was crowded and we may need to rethink our location.  One topic was Birds (those we like and don’t like, the ones native to this area, etc.).  Another conversation circled around a meeting place big enough for our klatch group (8+) with better parking.  We also spent some time talking about how we found UUism and why we like it.  Someone quipped “we don’t convert to UUism, we slide in and like what we find”.  Some of us had given up on “church” before we found UUism to be compatible with our own hearts and minds.  We discussed movies we’d enjoyed and listed some of our favorite books, from classics to local history.

Peninsula (2nd Saturday at 1 p.m. at Olde Towne in Ilwaco):  A couple of folks to get acquainted with (Welcome to Carrie and Madeline).  Some folks lived near the tremendous explosion which leveled a few properties in Ocean Park and woke everyone up in the middle of the night.  No injuries or casualties, fortunately.  We talked about puppies and living successfully in RV’s and on boats, living off the grid.  We spent some time thinking about the future of PUUF and how to fulfill the tasks of ministry in the future, if Kit moves or her health changes.

Tillamook County (3rd Saturday at 10 a.m. in Manzanita):  All three of our attendees have deep UU roots AND are Scandinavian in genetic heritage.   The conversation got deep, talking about how to manage the multiple exhausting tasks of taking care of a disabled relative.  Where does one find help in a small community?  Some of us had experienced the sudden deaths of people we knew well, which drives home the message that we are all getting older and more vulnerable.

South County (normally 4th Saturday at 10 a.m. in Seaside, but during the holiday season, meeting the 3rd Sat. at 12:30):  Lots of interest in the CUUPs group revving up at PUUF and hoping for more understanding of what paganism is.  We talked about the religious reasons NOT to get vaccinated (not many denominations require an exemption) and religious reasons NOT to serve in the Armed Forces.  We heard how Frank and Laura met in medical school and their story of how hard it could be to be married and yet separated by deployments as they served in the Navy.  We “interviewed” our newest member, Melissa, who has relocated to Seaside from Tongue Point.  She’s an interesting person with a lot of drive!  We talked a bit about the condition of “being different”, whether racially or educationally or socially or neurodiverse.

I’m having a great time attending all the coffee klatches and getting better acquainted with PUUFers and what’s happening in their lives. Thanks for taking part!

Love,

Kit