Three Lutheran ministers on one bamboo bicycle, traveling cross-country to fight hunger: They’re the Tour de Revs, receiving an enthusiastic welcome tonight as they rolled up toPeace Lutheran Church in Gatewood (with PLC’s Pastor Erik Kindem leading them in), midway through a 100-day tour. Yes, we said “bamboo” bicycle:
They’re bicycling to fight hunger around the globe, and reps from our area’s hunger-fighting agencies were on hand, including Pete Spalding from the West Seattle Food Bank board of directors and Audrey Zemke (below) from the White Center Food Bank:
One of the Revs, the Rev. Dr. Fred Soltow from Shepherdstown, West Virginia (here are the bios of all three), talked about where they’ve been and where they’re going:
After tonight’s block party (till 8 pm if you see this before then), the Revs and others planned to head downhill from Peace Lutheran toward Lincoln Park for a sunset ride.
If you drive Thistle between California and Delridge, you’ve probably noticed that banner outside Peace Lutheran Church. We first reported June 6 about the Tour de Revs heading this way — three Lutheran ministers on one special bicycle, pedaling around the country to fight global hunger — and now we’ve got an update on the street party/barbecue that Peace Lutheran is planning for their visit 6-8 pm Thursday — Kristie says everyone’s invited to a barbecue, and to ride with the “Revs” afterward:
We’ve officially been granted the permit for this all-invited Block Party featuring the three cycling Revs on the bamboo bike designed by well-known eco-bike maker Craig Calfee … Bring a donation for the West Seattle and White Center Food Banks and something to share. Picnic fare available. Ride with the Revs and hear about their cross-country journey! 6-8 pm, ride following.
On the surface, it’s just a little sign outside a not-too-big church here in our unassuming corner of the city. But take a bigger look, through the prism of the world’s woes: It’s a Christian congregation and a Jewish congregation, finally declaring to the world that they share a building, and not in an “uneasy truce” sort of way. Listen through this video to the end of the Bible passage that Kol HaNeshamah president Eric Orlin read at last night’s dedication ceremony:
Also speaking at the ceremony, Alki UCC Board chair Gail Christianer (with the church’s Rev. Diane Darling at her left):
As we showed you last month, Alki UCC is celebrating its centennial this year; Kol HaNeshamah, as you heard Eric Orlin say in the first clip, is six years old. The synagogue’s sign was designed by artist Michael Dupille, who is a member of KHN.
As reported here last month, the 80-year-old former 6th Church of Christ, Scientist, now known as The Sanctuary at Admiral (42nd and Lander; map), is nominated for city landmark status. And now, a date is set for theLandmarks Board to consider the nomination: 3:30 pm July 1st, on the 40th floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower downtown (here’s the official notice, which also includes information on how to comment in writing). Part of the info packet includes this note:
The owner is nominating this property for City of Seattle Landmark status as part of an application for a Conditional Use Permit to establish a non-conforming adaptive reuse of this historic West Seattle community church.
And this interesting bit of history from the church’s past (its congregation merged with the Fauntleroy Christian Science church before the building was sold in 2002):
The church’s first service was held on January 1, 1930. The total cost of construction was under $37,000. However, because Christian Science churches are not dedicated until they are free from debt, the Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist was not dedicated until February 8, 1942. There were initially fourteen charter members of the church.
You can see the entire nomination document, with tons of details about the building and its history (that’s where we found the 1937 photo at the top of this story), here.
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:Read More
As noted here earlier in the week, several West Seattle churches are marking momentous anniversaries this year – including centennials. That was the occasion that sent members and leaders of Alki Congregational United Church of Christ on a special pre-service walk this morning: They gathered at Weather Watch Park for a “Centennial Parade” to the nearby site where their church was founded in 1909, at Chilberg and Carroll (map), and then to its current site. In addition to the video above, here’s a photo, with the parade headed by Rev. Diane Darling (carrying the staff) and the church’s longest-term member, Ada Hallberg, who’s been attending Alki UCC since 1941:
(You might have recognized another church attendee in that photo, King County Council Chair Dow Constantine.) When they reached the current church at 61st/Hinds (map), they entered through the sanctuary doors from 1926, on their way into the sanctuary built in 1958 after Rev. Darling discussed history and led song on the steps:
If you noticed that many parishioners were wearing red – that was in honor of this being Pentecost Sunday. Centennial congratulations also go out tonight to Tibbetts United Methodist Church, which continued its 100th birthday celebration with a talent show/ice cream social this afternoon.
It was once the Sixth Church of Christ Scientist, built in 1929 at the corner of SW Lander and 42nd SW – what you see in the Google Street View image above is the south side, immediately across the street from Hiawatha (more photos in this Vintage Seattle post). Now, it’s an events venue called The Sanctuary at Admiral, and city landmarks coordinator Beth Chave confirms to WSB that the city has just accepted a nomination this week proposing Seattle landmark status, submitted by The Sanctuary’s owner (and months in the making), which means this is one of two West Seattle buildings currently under consideration — the other is the Seaview building at The Kenney (as noted in our coverage of the ongoing Design Review process for its proposed redevelopment). Landmark status can bring some economic benefits, like tax breaks, though it also brings restrictions – if the city Landmarks Board decides to designate the building as a landmark, that means that any changes to it (remodeling, etc.) would require their approval. Chave says neither this nomination nor that of the Seaview is listed on the city’s “current nominations” page because the applications are still being reviewed for completeness; once that’s determined, hearings will be scheduled for the board to review the proposal, and public comment will be part of the process (as explained here). You can find a list of West Seattle sites that already have landmark status by going here; meantime, here’s more on The Sanctuary’s history, from its website. The venue, by the way, hosted an event of worldwide note earlier this month – the International Food Bloggers’ Conference (podcasts available on the IFBC website).
Of all the Alki sights and sounds noted and discussed in recent weeks, this is the first report we’ve gotten of “drive-by” street preaching. Ben Hutchinson sent the photo and his account of what he saw from his apartment near Alki Bathhouse, so we’re sharing:
Just a couple minutes ago, there was this guy standing on the back of a pickup truck that went by. He was standing there with a microphone and big amplified speakers (like those used at a rock concert). And it sounded like he was preaching the Christian gospel. Now I’m a Christian myself, but I don’t think it’s right to be so disruptive. The pickup was driving slowly and holding up traffic.
Then he sent a second note, with the photo above:
Well, they came back again, so I was able to get a picture of them on their way back. This time I also was able to see a bit more too (they went right in front of my apartment this time). This time nobody was standing up (all were just sitting), and I was able to see 3 people in the back of the pickup truck this time (probably were there before, but I just had a better view this time, because it looked like only 1 the first time). When they were not preaching they were playing rap music.
Tibbetts United Methodist Church is hosting its Centennial Talent Show & Ice Cream Social on Sunday, May 31st at 3pm. This fun-filled celebration includes a variety of drama, music and more.. and will be held in Adams Hall, entrance by the reader board sign. There’s an ice cream social following the Talent Show featuring fantastic flavors from Husky Deli. We hope you’ll join us!
Special T-shirts are part of the festivities through 1 pm today as Our Lady of Guadalupe welcomes one and all to an open house at its new Pastoral Center (that’s Father Jack Walmesley at right).
Seattle Archbishop Alex Brunett helped dedicate it two weeks ago (photo here). Inside the new center: 6,800 square feet of accessible meeting rooms, offices and storage. You can tour it today and enjoy refreshments too; OLG notes that this is just the start of its campus master plan – next phase, a Pastoral Life Center/Gym. Here’s a map to OLG’s location at 35th/Myrtle (on the highest hill in Seattle!).
We got that video at a cheering station along Alki Ave during last year’s Walk with Us to Cure Lupus 5K — today, another sunny day for the fundraising walk, which starts from the Alki Bathhouse at 10, after check-in at 9 (more info here).
Also at 10, Furry Faces Foundation‘s plant sale/pet adoption event starts its second day at 3809 46th SW (map), continuing till 4 pm. Even more pets today, dogs and cats, and as of our visit around 2 pm yesterday, Riley (shown above with the Animals First Foundation folks) hadn’t found her permanent home yet. As for the plants? Vegetable starts and flowers, sun and shade, and if you’ve got questions, some great folks are there to help – like F3 leader Teri Ensley‘s mom Lila:
One more event of note: Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrating its new Pastoral Center with an Open House, all welcome, 9:30 am-1 pm (more info here; the new center’s on 35th just north of Myrtle – here’s a map).
This has been a big year for church milestones around West Seattle – and the next to celebrate its centennial is Holy Rosary in The Junction. Read on for the announcement of its Homecoming Mass and Luncheon planned for June 7, with tickets available now:Read More
It’s been a subject of enough controversy in Ballard that it’s been delayed a few months – but today it’s finally official, according to our fellow community-news-site operators at MyBallard.com: The SHARE homeless shelter that’s been at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene for more than a year WILL move to Ballard as originally proposed; the move will happen May 30. The move wasn’t certain till the results of a Ballard church vote were announced today. Here’s the full story from MyBallard.com.
Thanks to Alki’s David Hutchinson for sharing photos (top and bottom) of the National Day of Prayer gathering tonight at the Statue of Liberty Plaza — first time this event has been held since the plaza’s construction and dedication last year. (Following sentence and photo added 11:27 pm) Thanks to Sandi for sharing this photo of the Holy Rosary Children’s Choir singing at the Day of Prayer gathering:
Holy Rosary was among 10 local churches that participated in this event presented by the West Seattle Ministerial Association, and attendees weren’t deterred by the steadily gathering clouds:
Less than two months now till school lets out, and local families are continuing to plan their kids’ schedules for summer. One brand-new option: Local synagogue Kol HaNeshamah is offering its first-ever day camp. We decided to take a closer look:
Tammy Kaiser, director of Education and Administration for Kol HaNeshamah, describes it this way: “We will concentrate on Tikkun Olam, which translates into ‘repair of the world,’ as well as Tzedakah which is ‘righteousness or social justice’ and usually takes the form of charity. Part of this will be teaching environmental conscientiousness, and West Seattle is a wonderful learning lab with its beaches and tidal pools.”
As reported two months ago, the homeless shelter that moved into West Seattle Church of the Nazarene at 42nd/Juneau in March of last year was supposed to move to Ballard — but its planned new temporary home in Ballard fell through. Now, according to this story posted tonight at seattlepi.com, the shelter’s West Seattle stay has just been extended again — to June 1st — because parent organization SHARE hasn’t found a new place for it. The article also says the Community of Christ Church in Highland Park recently “evicted” a shelter it had hosted for seven years.
That’s the only Overton Berry Ensemble, and a taste of what’s in store at Admiral Church this Sunday. Admiral Church (California/Hill; here’s a map) joined the WSB sponsor team this week to get the word out about its annual Jazz Sunday, coming up this weekend; as you can see on the lineup here, it starts with “jazz-flavored worship” at the 10:30 am service, featuring the Admiral Choir, vocalist Grace Holden, flutist Bernie Jacobs, bassist Jeff Davies, all under the leadership of church music director Keith Terhune. Then at 7 pm, it’s a free concert (donations will be accepted) with the Overton Berry Ensemble (and Grace Holden sings again). To get your complimentary ticket(s), call the church at 932-2928.
As registration rolls on for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day (coming up Saturday 5/9 – be part of The Big Map and regional promotion! – get in on the fun at westseattlegaragesale.com, 11 days left to register), we just got word of another big church sale, starting this Friday, and they’re still looking for donations: St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (next to West Seattle High School) has its rummage sale this Friday-Saturday, April 17-18, and again the following Friday-Saturday, 4/24-4/25, 9 am-3 pm all four days. Got something to donate? Call the church at 937-4545. (This Saturday — one day only — also features a big sale and car wash at Alki Community Center; call ACC at 684-7430 for the scoop.) Never mind the wintry weather (sunbreak as we type, actually) – it’s time for spring cleaning – and sale season!
As Easter Sunday worshipers entered Hope Lutheran Church in The Junction through those doors this morning, they went into the recently built lobby that literally bridges what was a gap between the church — celebrating its 90th anniversary this year — and Hope Lutheran School.
Not only is that space now a welcoming place for churchgoers, it also will be usable for public meetings with some more finishing touches. It’s part of Hope’s expansion/renovation construction project, which is mostly complete, 10 months after groundbreaking (WSB coverage here), though workers went back in during spring break earlier this month for more finishing touches. During that week, we toured the church and school with Bil Hood, shortly after reporting (March 28th story here) that Hope’s school has a new joint operating agreement with nearby Seattle Lutheran High School. Read on for more of what that’s about, more photos of Hope’s expansion/renovation work, and details on three chances this week for prospective families to take tours to learn more about the new Hope/Seattle Lutheran collaboration:Read More
Just in case you’ve missed it – here’s the full list. The morning starts with two “sunrise” services – multidenominational at Forest Lawn in High Point (map) at 6:30 am, the local UCC churches joining together on the beach at Alki/57th (map) at 7 am. Note that some churches are offering breakfasts and egg hunts as well as worship services.
GOOD FRIDAY SERVICES: Many are listed on our Holy Week/Easter services page; for other Easter-related activities, such as tomorrow’s big slate of egg hunts, go here.
Looking for an egg hunt? Holy Week/Easter Sunday service? Our Easter page (see it here) can now be reached from the EASTER tab on the WSB navigation bar, beneath the sunset header. Not too late to add something – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
We were just in The Junction at Hope Lutheran Church/School working on a followup to this weekend’s announcement of a joint operating agreement between Hope and neighboring Seattle Lutheran High School (more on that later), as well as touring Hope’s almost-finished expansion work, and happened onto this group in the church basement, assembling about 150 Easter baskets. Hope’s Human Care Ministries leader Mary Anne DeVry explained that they go to local seniors and also to new local arrivals including immigrant families working with a Lutheran program assisting refugees. The baskets contain treats and a few practical-but-fun items too, from scarves to stuffed animals. Mary Anne says the project started about a decade ago when someone offered the church a carload of discarded, empty Easter baskets and said “can you do something with them?” The answer – “we’ll figure something out.” Now, it’s a tradition. (Reminder, as mentioned yesterday, we’re collecting info now from all over West Seattle for our Easter services/brunch/egg hunts lists – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!)
It’s been a big year for West Seattle churches with big history to celebrate. 
This has been a big year for church milestones around West Seattle – and the next to celebrate its centennial is 
As registration rolls on for 
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