West Seattle, Washington
24 Wednesday
Sunny evening on Alki as representatives of at least 10 local churches gather to lead the National Day of Prayer rally at Statue of Liberty Plaza. Jonathan Stumpf, covering it for WSB, sent that cameraphone photo and will have more visuals/info later.
ADDED EARLY TUESDAY: Jonathan reports more than 100 people participated. Among the clergy who spoke/prayed, Pastor Ken Ross of Arbor Heights Community Church, praying on behalf of “the media,” which by his definition early in this clip, includes people who use Twitter:
Jonathan reports that other prayer subjects during the event included: military and national leaders, state and local leaders, business, education/youth, families/marriage, the West Seattle community, and church/pastors.
There were performances as well as prayers:
The National Day of Prayer is designated by presidential proclamation – but a court fight under way could potentially end that.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
After 20 years without their own building, the Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation finally has one.
Friday was WSUU’s first full day of owning the former Gatewood Baptist/Seattle International Church building at California/Othello (map).
Congregation leaders and members didn’t waste a minute of Day 1. At 9 am Friday, a group was on the site whacking weeds that were starting to get out of control, and when we visited to speak with church leaders between 5 and 6 Friday night, another work party was busy tidying up the church’s side yard along Othello, looking for all the world like they weren’t likely to leave before dark (if then):
The building needs work inside too before the first scheduled service in 4 1/2 months – but the Westside Unitarian Universalists couldn’t be more excited – read on:Read More
The weather eased a bit at noon, just as that group gathered in The Junction to commemorate Good Friday in a unique outdoor manner – walking “A Way of the Cross” along several blocks of the business district, with readings, chanting and prayer. Our video is from the beginning, as Hope Lutheran Pastor Keith Eilers reads, before the group begins walking southbound on California SW. (This was a nondenominational event, as is this Sunday’s annual West Seattle Sunrise Service at Forest Lawn, just after 6:30 am)
There are many special events at, and/or organized by, local churches for Holy Week – including the multidenominational sunrise service at Forest Lawn on Easter morning – but one this Friday is of special note: Even if you don’t choose to participate, you may see it in progress, so we’re publishing the advance word – plans for “A Way of the Cross,” starting at noon this Friday (Good Friday) in the heart of The Junction. Read on to see what it’s all about:Read More
Today we welcome Tibbetts United Methodist Church as our newest WSB sponsor, and here’s what they’d like you to know: Tibbetts United Methodist Church – so well known for its twice-yearly rummage sales, known to others for the Preschool Co-op and other neighborhood services provided in the building. The Celtic Christmas Eve service entices new visitors each year, and the congregation’s environmental stewardship at Lincoln Park makes it stand out. 
Tibbetts is a small, but strong, congregation that is eager to get to know you by name. Pastor Joanne Brown, who has been leading the congregation since 2007, says, “We all need a place to be along our spiritual journey where we can sense the presence of God, know and be known by others, and to worship with and belong to a caring community. At Tibbetts we are a blend of doubters, seekers, and believers.” The Tibbetts community deeply values the diversity of folks involved in the congregation. The worship and community life is faithful and vital. No one is told what to believe here, but encouraged to grow in their individual faith. There is something for everyone at Tibbetts: Movie nights with dinner themes every month; a vibrant music program that includes vocals, music ensembles, and hand bells; a Hispanic Ministry program; and ongoing support for homeless families through Family Promise. Also included in the offerings are Men’s and Women’s Groups, plus a variety of other Fellowship activities each month. Tibbetts is a Reconciling Congregation living the way of Jesus in West Seattle and welcomes you to worship as a visitor with the hope you will become a friend. Visit the Facebook fan page for some fun: facebook.com/TibbettsUMChurch and the church website for more information: www.TibbettsUMChurch.org
COMING UP: The musical “Godspell” comes to church. This is your invitation to experience this 1970s musical classic as interpreted by the Tibbetts congregation – on March 28th at 10 am (Palm Sunday). Other upcoming events you won’t want to miss are the Maundy Thursday service on April 1st at 7:30 pm, and the annual Youth Pancake Breakfast on April 4th, Easter Sunday, from 8 am-9:45 am, with an invitation to stay for celebration of Resurrection at 10 am.
We thank Tibbetts United Methodist Church for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.
Two days after the State Senate passed it, the State House has unanimously “concurred” on changes the Senate made, and so the “Jason McKissack Act” – guaranteeing health benefits for catastrophically injured public-safety personnel like the former West Seattle officer – now goes to the governor. (That tip – and lots of previous info on this story – came from law-enforcement advocate Renee Maher, profiled in this Seattle Times [WSB citywide-news partners] story today).
Anne from Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) first saw them walking along California SW in Gatewood and called to let us know: Teens from Shorewood Foursquare Church are in the midst of a big walk right now, as part of World Vision‘s 30-Hour Famine awareness-raising event. We caught up with them at the top of the hill, and they explained they’re walking to a store to buy water – “because in Africa, people often have to walk 6 miles to get water.” We had published an item about the 30-Hour Famine on our partner site White Center Now earlier today – Shorewood is inviting you to bring clothing and food donations to the church tomorrow morning – but it didn’t mention the teens’ big hike, so thanks again to Anne for the tip. At least two dozen are walking, carrying signs, so if you see them in southern West Seattle over the next few hours, you’ll know what it’s about.
Admiral UCC has chosen its new pastor, after a yearlong search. The Rev. Dr. Donald Schmidt, who’s been working on the Eastside for two years. Read on for the church’s official announcement:Read More
(Saturday afternoon iPhone photo from Chas Redmond)
This end-of-holidays weekend was so quiet, post-New Year’s Eve, there wasn’t even enough going on for a full West Seattle Weekend Lineup. But with school resuming tomorrow, and many people due back to work after the classic Christmas-to-New-Year’s vacation, today we’ve got a full slate of options – food, drink, music, peace among them:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: The Ripe ‘n’ Ready list says what’s new this week includes Pickled Wild Sockeye Salmon and Cold Smoked Wild Coho Salmon Lox from Loki Fish Company (on Twitter at @lokifishco). See the full list here; wander the market at 44th/Alaska, 10 am-2 pm; watch for same-day bulletins from market management, tweeting at @NFMASeattle.
SING IT: A choral cantata is the center of the 10:30 am service at Peace Lutheran Church in Gatewood (39th/Thistle).
MAKE NO BONES ABOUT IT: Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) is gaining increasing fame for Tony’s Southside Ribs on Sundays – 5 pm “until they run out.” 6451 California SW; The Feedback opens at 11:30 am Sundays (and every day) and is on Twitter at @feedbacklounge.
WEST SEATTLE NEIGHBORS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE: They’re the folks you see at the anti-war vigil in The Junction every Sunday at noon, and tonight’s their monthly meeting, all welcome, 5 pm at Alki UCC Church (61st/Hinds), followed by 6 pm potluck. Online: groups.snowcoalition.org/westseattle.
ALL-AGES LIVE MUSIC AT SKYLARK: Sunday nights, the under-21s can stay and play at Skylark Cafe and Club (WSB sponsor) – music starts at 7 pm tonight with Minor Dissonance, then at 8 Shanta, and at 9 Vigilante Santos plays. 3803 Delridge. (Full calendar here; p.s., long before music time, Skylark opens 9 am today for brunch – check out the menu here; Skylark’s on Twitter at @skylarkcafe.)
(photo courtesy St. John the Baptist Church, taken Dec. 24)
West Seattle’s St. John the Baptist Church has just sent in a Crime Watch report, hoping you might know who damaged its luminarias, which were meant to light the way from Christmas to New Year’s. From St. John’s rector, Rev. Peter DeVeau:
We were saddened to discover that our Christmas luminarias had been vandalized between 1-6 p.m. on Sunday, December 27, 2009. All but one light bulb were removed and several light bulbs had been smashed on the walkway outside the main entrance to the church. A couple of the luminarias had also been damaged.
The luminaria display was put in place to brighten the entrance to the church during the twelve days of Christmas through the Epiphany on January 6, and would be a beacon of light for the Emerald City Wanderers’ New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day walks which begin and end at the church. The display is especially meaningful to many members in the congregation, as it surrounds the Churchyard where many loved ones are buried.
If anyone has information about this senseless vandalism, please contact the church at 206-937-4545 or rector@SaintJohnOnline.org.
Happy Christmas Day! We’ve put this info out as lists over the past several days, but here it is on a map – coffee shops, grocery stores, restaurants in West Seattle (and a few in north White Center) that told our researchers (or posted on their websites) that they’d be open today – marked with cups, bags, forks/knives respectively (click each icon to see the business, its address, and its hours). If you happen onto something else that’s open in these categories, please post a comment so everyone else will know too! And if you’d prefer to see the lists in text form, here are the original links:
Grocery stores
Restaurants
Coffee shops
Also open today – West Seattle’s only moviehouse, Admiral Theater, with showings starting at 4 pm. Here’s the slate of movies today:
Where the Wild Things Are (PG) 4:00 7:00
The Fourth Kind (R), 9:00
Pirate Radio (R), 6:50
Law Abiding Citizen (R), 4:05 9:10
Last but by no means least, several West Seattle churches have services today, too:
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH OF WEST SEATTLE (4105 California SW)
Festival Liturgy and Holy Eucharist, 10:30 am
HOLY FAMILY PARISH (20th/Roxbury)
Mass in English – 10:00 am
Mass in Spanish – 12:30 pm
HOLY ROSARY PARISH (42nd/Genesee)
Christmas Masses, 8, 9:30 am
HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH
10:30 am
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE (35th/Myrtle)
Mass, 10 am
PROVIDENCE MOUNT ST. VINCENT CHAPEL
Christmas Mass, 10:30 am (music by Friends of Providence)
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (3050 California Ave SW, next to West Seattle High School)
10:00 am Holy Eucharist with Carols (*quieter celebration of Christmas with special music; a festive reception follows the service)
Hope you’re having a great holiday!
(Yet another video from the smash-hit music-synched lights at 3908 Charlestown)
Christmas Eve is here. (NORAD is tracking Santa Claus already!) Here’s some basic info to get things started:
NEED WRAPPING HELP?
Watch this WSB Forums item for update on last-minute fundraising gift-wrap service
WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAY INFO-LISTS
Christmas Eve/Christmas Day church services
Grocery stores’ hours for Christmas Eve/Day
Restaurants open Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day
Coffee shops that’ll be open a while on Christmas
OTHER NOTES
Metro Transit on “reduced weekday service” today
Most King County offices/facilities closed for furlough day today
LAST-MINUTE SHOPPING?
Consider the deals on the WSB Coupons page (improved printability – only center column of page will print)
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
If you haven’t seen the big displays we’ve featured this year, check our archives
LOOKING AHEAD TO NEW YEAR’S EVE?
The list on the West Seattle Holidays page keeps growing
(Rerunning 12/12 photo by Michelle Edwards, our favorite so far this season)
Now that it’s Christmas Eve-Eve, we’re wrapping up our in-advance info lists. 2 already published: Restaurants open Christmas Eve/Day and grocery-store hours for Christmas Eve/Day; this morning, West Seattle churches’ plans for services on Christmas Eve/Day. A few churches are missing because the information was unavailable – we will add to the list today when/if that changes – editor@wsb.blackfin.biz – thanks! – click ahead for the list (which also is now updated on the West Seattle Holidays page)Read More
As reported here yesterday afternoon, a small fire in the Fauntleroy Church (WSB sponsor) sanctuary was extinguished quickly – but forced the church to move last night’s holiday concert into the Fellowship Hall (photo here) and is leading to some extra work this week getting ready for Thursday night’s Christmas Eve services. Church (among many other Fauntleroy endeavors) volunteer Judy Pickens shares the photo above – explaining that it’s a Christmas ornament stuck to the charred edge of the altar cloth, which was among the “smoldering materials involved in the fire.” She adds:
Christmas Eve services are on at Fauntleroy Church United Church of Christ, despite a small fire on Sunday afternoon. It appears to have started from am ember left behind when candles were extinguished after the morning service. By mid afternoon, smoldering fabrics atop the altar had filled the sanctuary with smoke and activated the smoke alarm. Firefighters arrived en masse and broke a pane of the big window to get at the fire. No cost estimate of the damage is yet available.
The three services on Christmas Eve will be at 4:00, 7:00, and 11:00 PM.
We checked today with Seattle Fire spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen, who says the investigation closed with firefighters’ conclusion that the fire was indeed accidental.
We are building the list of West Seattle Christmas Eve/Christmas Day services on the Holidays page (if yours isn’t there yet, we’re actively researching, but info is also welcome at editor@wsb.blackfin.biz). Meantime, one church has a special service tonight – the “Longest Night” service at Tibbetts United Methodist Church. Rev. Dr. Joanne Carlson Brown explains:
No, this isn’t an Elvis Christmas program. For many people this is not the most wonderful time of the year no matter what the song says. Perhaps you have lost someone and this is the first Christmas without them. Perhaps you’ve lost someone around Christmas time and this time of the year is always hard. Perhaps you’ve lost your job or the times of your life are just challenging. This service is a place to acknowledge those feelings of pain and loss and grief and just general out-of-sortedness. Through readings and music and prayers and lighting candles we will move from the dark to a bit of light and comfort and, yes, hope. All are welcome.
Tibbetts is at 3940 41st SW (here’s a map). (Its Christmas Eve service, at 8 pm, is a Celtic celebration again this year, by the way.)
That’s the office of Fauntleroy Church (WSB sponsor) senior pastor Rev. David Kratz – empty because today was moving day for staff members at the church and co-housed Fauntleroy YMCA. They’re temporarily clearing out because work starts soon on the first major renovation of the 101-year-old church’s half-century-old building. The Y will stay open during the project, except for (as reported here last month) its drop-in day-care program, and the church will be able to carry on with its activities (including Christmas Eve services at 4, 7 and 11 pm). According to the church website, the work’s total cost will be around $2.7 million, with major work including electric and heating systems plus repairs to a leaky foundation; the church has been raising money for more than two years.
From WSB contributing journalist Kathy Mulady: Holy Rosary capped its Centennial Celebration today, with celebrations that included removing the 1937 time capsule (above) from the cornerstone of the church:
The contents were on display a few minutes later across the street in Lanigan Hall, where church members and friends celebrated.
The time capsule included a 1937 newspaper, letters that had yellowed and crumpled with age, coins and other a little envelope of powder that left many wondering what it was … or what it once was:
Holy Rosary’s Father John Madigan thanked everyone for many volunteer hours that were put into the year-long celebration.
Seattle Archbishop Alexander Brunett celebrated Mass and attended the afternoon events afterward.
Two quick reminders before we get to the full West Seattle Weekend Lineup later: First, Seattle Public Schools (and most others) have no classes today. Second, Tibbetts United Methodist Church‘s big semiannual rummage sale starts today – 9 am-4 pm, 3940 41st SW.
At Alki UCC‘s “Blessing of the Animals” service this morning, Rev. Diane Darling ministers to Joe Mitter’s canine companion, while elsewhere in the sanctuary, other prospective bless-ees awaited:
Then at noon, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church welcomed community members to an informal outdoor event, where Brother Kris Wilder from the Order of St. Francis blessed 16-year-old Pizazz:
The Order, by the way, has members from around the country, as you can see here, though Brother Wilder is from West Seattle; it’s not a cloistered order. One other photo from the St. John event, as participants milled about in the sunshine:
These events are traditional for many churches on or near the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals. In addition to today’s events, Providence Mount St. Vincent welcomed residents’ and visitors’ pets for blessings on Saturday morning.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm as always, 44th/Alaska. The Ripe ‘n’ Ready list is back online, and you can see the long list here.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS – TWO OPTIONS: Today is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Animals, a traditional time for “Blessing of the Animals” events – and you have two options today – Alki UCC (62nd/Hinds; map) is having a special service at 10 am (read more here), and St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church is presenting a festival-style outdoor event in the adjacent West Seattle High School parking lot starting at noon (here’s our coverage from last year).
CROP WALK: Alki UCC is also, as usual, the starting point for the annual Seattle CROP Walk to fight hunger; you will see walkers, many with special vests, some carrying signs, on a route around Alki Point starting around 1:30 pm (if you want to join them, register at 1).
FREE YOGA: It’s in the Freebies/Deals/Sales section of the WSB Forums, too, but if you missed it – SoundYoga (WSB sponsor) is offering one of its periodic Free Sunday Yoga sessions today, 11 am-12:15 pm.
Yet more of today’s highlights in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup.
Might just have looked like a big group out for a walk in the Saturday sunshine – but what you see in the start of that video was part of the Holy Rosary centennial celebration, as a group of parishioners walked from the church’s current location to one of its past locations, now home to St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church<. Holy Rosary was on that site 1913-1922. The pilgrimage was greeted by members of St. John’s, including its Rev. Peter DeVeau, and they viewed displays of what the area looked like a century ago:
Members of the two churches held a joint prayer service followed by lunch. The culmination of Holy Rosary’s centennial is next Sunday, when Archbishop Alex Brunett is scheduled to celebrate Mass at 9:30 and 11:30 am at HR, with a parish gathering afterward.
Quite the breeze out of the north, late this afternoon – Alki looked more like an open-ocean beach than protected waters. Matching the wave energy, music and rhythm energy by the Bathhouse:
Eric Wilson was offering a round of his “Fitness Rhythms” to anybody who cared to join in – like the little guy in the foreground. And in conjunction with the Vedic Cultural Center‘s “Dance for Peace” nearby, a Jagannath Ratha-Yatra religious procession made its way along the water-side Alki sidewalk:
That was one of two religious processions we covered today – though this one was without advance notice; we just happened by – our story on the other one, the Holy Rosary centennial procession to St. John the Baptist, is coming up.
CENTENNIAL WALK: Holy Rosary is yet another of the West Seattle churches celebrating its 100th anniversary – and pastoral associate Patrick Barredo sends word of the next event in the celebration, coming up tomorrow:
This Saturday, October 3, members of Holy Rosary Church will have a pilgrimage, walking from Holy Rosary Church (starting at 11 am), and arriving at St. John Episcopal Church at 11:30 am. During Holy Rosary’s Centennial year, this pilgrimage marks a return to history, for St. John Episcopal Church sits on the second location of Holy Rosary Parish. (The first location is at Hanford and Hill, and the current location is the third site.)
Members of St. John Church will be “at home” at 11:00 am saying our prayers and awaiting the arrival of Holy Rosary pilgrims. There will be a course to follow through St. John Church marking particular spots used by the former Holy Rosary church. When it seems like a good time to begin, there will be a short liturgy based on “An Order for Service for Noonday” from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979, led by Rev. Peter DeVeau of St. John and Fr. John Madigan of Holy Rosary.
Afterwards, there will be a lunch of soup and sandwiches in the upstairs Parish Hall, in the general air space of what was the first Holy Rosary School.
We don’t have the exact route they’ll take, but here’s a G-map showing the distance from Holy Rosary to St. John.
“BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS” EVENTS REMINDERS: St. John the Baptist Episcopal is also one of three venues where you and your pet(s) can participate in this tradition this weekend, honoring the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals: Providence Mount St. Vincent, 10:30 am Saturday (meet in the front lobby); Alki UCC, special service 10 am Sunday in the sanctuary; St. John the Baptist, Sunday in the West Seattle High School parking lot next door.
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