They’ve been in the same building a while, but what you see above is a new sign – literally – of a permanent relationship. Here’s the news release just in from Kol HaNeshamah regarding an event celebrating its relationship with Alki UCC:

Synagogue and Church make it Official
Sign Dedication Formalizes Uncommon Partnership

On Friday, June 19, Kol HaNeshamah, a progressive Jewish synagogue in the West Seattle community, will hold a dedication ceremony for a new sign announcing the congregation’s name and presence. The sign’s significance is not lost on its members – it symbolizes the permanency of a unique relationship between two distinctly different religious beliefs/traditions. Kol HaNeshamah shares a building–and now a home–with the Alki United Church of Christ (Alki UCC), located near Alki Beach in West Seattle.

The Alki Church held its first service one hundred years ago. What started as a trial run with the synagogue six years ago has grown into a permanent relationship; two faiths sharing one building.

“It wasn’t always easy,” says Alki UCC Pastor Diane Darling, “we all had to get used to sharing.” She adds that the evolving relationship was “a fascinating laboratory for how we learn to welcome each other and how we can work out our problems.” But the core leadership of the Church was committed to the relationship and focusing on “what’s good and possible”. And now, Darling says, “when we gather here on Sunday, I love that prayers have happened in the building on Friday and Saturday, too.”

Eric Orlin, President of the Board of Kol HaNeshamah concurs, adding, “Our Kol HaNeshamah members are grateful to have a home with folks who may not share our exact religious beliefs, but with whom we share core values.” He adds, “Consistent with those values, it’s also important to us that by coexisting in this building we help to conserve resources.”

The sign dedication, to commence at 6:15 p.m., will include speakers from both congregations with special remarks by County Councilman and longtime Alki UCC Church member Dow Constantine. About the sign and its pending dedication, Pastor Darling says, “it’s a celebration and a major statement.” Kol HaNeshamah, founded in 2003 is a progressive synagogue rejoicing in Torah, Avodah (Worship/Prayer), Tzedek and Tikkun (Justice and Healing) but specializing in K’hillah (Community).