Taking Beloved Community Beyond These Walls
Sunday, February 19, 2023, 10:25 am
Online on Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/738363620
Passcode: BUF
Zoom by phone, for audio only: (346) 248-7799
Meeting ID: 738 363 620
Passcode: 306220
The aftermath of nonviolence is the creation of beloved community.
The aftermath of nonviolence is redemption.
The aftermath of nonviolence is reconciliation.
— MLK
Gathering Music Stairway to Heaven by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant
This piece was sung to President Obama at Kennedy Center Honors in 2012.
Melanie Rieck, piano
Welcome Rev. Paul Beckel
Prelude I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to be Free
by Billy Taylor, sung by Elie Friedlob
Chalice Lighting
Covenant
Singing Together #125, From the Crush of Wealth and Power
Children’s Focus It Takes a Village, by Jane Cowen-Fletcher
Children’s Blessing
Announcements
Update Mialee Jose and Naomi Gary
re Antiracism/Anti-Oppression/Multiculturalism Accountability at BUF
Conversation 1 Damani Johnson & David Curley
Chalice Choir Selections from Sing Out Mr. President
Based on quotes from Jefferson, Clinton, and Obama
Kevin Allen-Schmid, Music Director
Conversation 2
Sharing our Gifts Amazing Grace
Singing Together #1017, Building a New Way
Benediction
Singing Together #155, Circle ‘Round
Afterward
If you’re with us on Zoom today, please stay after the service for our online coffee hour. If you’re here in person, please join us downstairs for coffee and conversation.
If you’re new, we’d be grateful to have you provide us with contact information so we can let you know what’s happening here. There are buff-colored visitor contact cards in the pew racks, and in the entryway, that you can drop in the collection basket. Or provide your contact information HERE.
Contributions payable to “BUF” may be sent to:
1207 Ellsworth Street, Bellingham 98225
For info about donating online (credit card or PayPal), by automatic bank transfer, or via phone apps, see the “give” button in the upper right-hand corner at buf.org or contact the office: (360) 733-3837 / admin@buf.org
Announcements
Dr. Vernon Damani Johnson is the retired Ralph Munro Distinguished Professor Civic Education, department of political science, Western Washington University. His research focus is comparative settler colonial states in the global system. Damani has authored several scholarly and popular articles, and two books on issues ranging from revolution in Africa to race and identity in American politics. In the wake of the murder of George Floyd he has advised both grassroots groups and government officials on ways to eliminate systemic racism from American institutions.
Black History Month Celebration at BUF
On Saturday, February 25, 2023, 5pm-9pm in the social room, Terrence TJ Morris and the Bellingham Unity Committee and friends will come together as an inclusive community to commemorate Black History Month in Whatcom County. This event provides an opportunity to enjoy an evening of family, amazing SOUL FOOD, live entertainment & fun. We will be celebrating those from the movement who have inspired us. All are welcome and the event is free, but donations would be appreciated.
The event is sponsored by BUF’s Black Lives Matter Ministry Action Team. We will need volunteers starting around 4:30pm to welcome attendees, help set up, and help take down and clean up. Please email Rupert Ayton at rupertayton@yahoo.com for details.
Auction Thanks to Sarah Pearson, Naomi Gary, Judy Kasper, Barbara Gilday, Helena Chaikin, Hank Ohana and Barbara ten Hove as well as all the many volunteers (too many to name) who made this auction possible.
…And to the many local businesses who supported our auction…please support them back! WinkWink, Holly’s Pasties, Hub Community Bike Shop, Jazzercise, Spark Museum, Cute but Crazy Socks, Mo’s Parlor, Jojo’s Donuts, Mindport, Art & Happiness, Hardware Sales, Sojourn, Northwest Corner Goods, Stone Moon, Allied Arts, Living Earth Herbs, Sage Against the Machine, Serendipity, Hair by Dennis, Shearer’s Hair Design, The Clothes Rack, Gossamer Glass, and Shirley Erickson Sculpture. THANK YOU, ALL!
“New Blood” Canvassers Needed!
Join us by Feb 19 Vlad D Improver (aka Rick Steele). We are excited to return to one-on-one canvassing, the first since before the pandemic. Canvassing is an excellent opportunity to get to know our BUF community. Canvassers connect with pledgers in person, by telephone, or through Zoom/FaceTime. A lot of us come to BUF for the community and we see the fundraising process as an important part of growing that community. It’s a way to support BUF activities that improve lives of people, both within and outside our walls. Training for Canvas Volunteers is provided, and no arm-twisting involved! If you have any questions or concerns, please contact to me at rickvladsteele@icloud.com or phone: 360-319-7759.
BUF Bus to Choral Arts Northwest production: “Considering Matthew Shepard”
Sunday March 19: a musical masterpiece telling a gripping story in contemporary style. BUF music director Kevin Allen-Schmid sings with Choral Arts Northwest, one of Seattle’s finest choirs, and he is eager to share this profound Choral Art performance with the entire BUF community. Composed in 2016 by Craig Hella Johnson, this dramatic oratorio depicts the story of Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old gay student at the University of Wyoming who was murdered in a 1998 hate crime. Kevin says “Though the story is sad, the music unfolds gently, and affirms our common humanity with exquisite beauty and thrilling power. I recommend this show to anyone 12 and older.”
Fifty BUFsters going on a road trip together will be a bonding experience that all will treasure. $20 gets you a seat on the bus! Participation is also open to the wider community, first come-first serve. RESERVE A SEAT ON THE BUS by March 1- at https://buf.breezechms.com/form/buf.breezechms.com329299 Concert tickets are separate from the bus reservation, so buy concert tickets via the Edmonds Center for the Arts website. The ticket price is “pay-as-you-can,” anything from $0 (yes, zero) to $40 per person. You must reserve your concert tickets in advance. If we don’t have 40 bus seats reserved by March 1, we will cancel the outing and refund those who paid bus money. People may still go to the concert by their own transportation, of course.
ITINERARY 2:00pm Bus departs BUF 3:30 p.m. Arrive Edmonds Center for the Arts 4:00 p.m. Concert Begins 5:30 p.m. Concert ends, load bus, travel to Alderwood Mall 6:00 p.m. Arrive at Mall, choose from 8 food court options or bring a sack lunch. Sit, eat together and discuss the performance with Kevin 7:00 p.m. Depart Alderwood Mall 8:30 p.m. Estimated arrival back at BUF.