September 16, 2026

Sunday Service, September 20

10:30 AM, Sanctuary & Zoom

Greetings from Magyarszovat

A special Partner Church service

Also leading the service will be members of BUF’s Partner Church Committee. Kevin Allen-Schmid, former BUF music director and chair of the committee, will play Bartok on the piano.

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/94745290274

Password: BUF

Third Sunday Potluck

All are welcome to BUF’s Third-Sunday potluck lunch and conversation after the service downstairs in the Social Hall

Please bring food if you can, maybe even something from the ‘old country’, like goulash. Questions about the potluck? Please ask Judy Kasper from hospitality hospitality@buf.org.

All are welcome to eat whether or not they have brought food.

Gathering at the Old World Deli

Sunday afternoon, the Partner Church Committee and anyone else interested will gather with Robert Kokenyesi around 4pm at The Old World Deli (1228 North State Street). We’ll start dinner around 5pm. You order and pay for your own. The place closes at 6pm.

On the first Sunday after Labor Day, Unitarian Universalist congregations across the country typically celebrate the start of a new congregational year with an “Ingathering” Service.  Themes for such services include “reunion; re-gathering; re-covenanting as a community of faith; hospitality; returning home to the church community that holds us; hope; looking forward with excitement to the church year.”  (from the UUA's WorshipWeb)

This past Sunday at BUF, I felt the energy of reunion, re-gathering and looking forward with excitement to the new congregational year, as we celebrated our own Ingathering Service.  After travel and activities that took them far afield for summer, the families are back!  It was wonderful to look into the front right corner of the Sanctuary and see it filled with kids once again, all of whom were invited to receive a Backpack Blessing, facilitated by Lis Epperson, our incredible Director of Religious Education

We also shared in the annual Water Communion ritual that usually accompanies Ingathering, a tradition that has existed since the 1980s, involving "a ceremony in which we enact the intermingling of a community through the blended water we pour out together.” (Rev. Nancy McDonald Ladd).  The overflowing crowd brought water from meaningful places and spaces, all poured into a communal bowl.  We blessed the water we collected, and BUF Youth Group members Raya and Natasha Paci-Green even poured a small amount into the little pine that our outgoing Board President, Lin Skavdahl, and our new Board President, Tom Nicholas, planted together earlier this year.

Following the service, we held a Connection Carnival, where 37 (yes, 37!!) BUF groups, committees, and social justice action teams came together to showcase all that goes on around BUF.  As I walked from table to table, seeing faces new and old, seeing folks excitedly sharing about their respective activities around BUF and inviting others to join in, seeing sign-up sheets filling with names, I was thrilled.  Thank you to all who made the Connection Carnival such a success!

Because I arrived at BUF on October 1, 2025, this was my first Ingathering Sunday with the congregation, which made it particularly meaningful.  As I prepared for the service last week, mulling the Ingathering themes noted above, I was most struck by the theme of “re-covenanting as a community of faith.”  BUF's Covenant, which we repeat in unison every Sunday, begins with, "Love is the spirit of this fellowship..."  I also was reminded of a UU song from our teal hymnal, #1037 “We Begin Again in Love.”  The chorus that repeats throughout the hymn says: “We forgive ourselves and each other; we begin again in love.”  

These are the reminders I am holding as we begin this new congregational year.  May love be the spirit that animates us as we worship together, work together, and grow the connections we've made.  May we forgive ourselves and each other as we humans in community inevitably stumble and make mistakes.  And may we begin again in love.

Love, Rev. Sunny, minister

We’re so glad to have you with us! This guide is meant to provide basic information about our programs and events from September to December 2026. Contact DRE (Director of Religious Education) Lis Epperson at BUFReligiousEducation@buf.org for more information.

Sunday RE (Pre-K through High School)

Begins in the Sanctuary at 10:39 AM. Classes end at 11:45 AM,

PreK -5th graders need to be signed out by their parents/guardians.

Youth Group

6th - 12th grade: meets during Sunday RE as well as other special events.

Building Bridges and Coming of Age require Registration (contact the DRE)

Parent's Night Out

Friday, September 25th and Friday, November 13th, arrive at BUF at 5:15 PM

Children arrive with their own dinner/having eaten for a craft, popcorn, and a movie. Parents walk to Elizabeth Station for a night out together. RSVP Not Required.

Other Special Events

Halloween Party - October 30th

Arrive in costume for a potluck and party celebrating Halloween! It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown will be playing, and there will be some themed games and crafts.

Solstice Party - December 19th

Let us gather for the third annual chili dinner as we celebrate the longest night of the year. Please bring along a topping and a side to share. Lantern making and an interactive Solstice Spiral!

DONATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER 20!

Our auction is Saturday, November 7th and we need your donations! We are looking for a diverse range of items, including: 

• Gatherings: Host a tea party, instructional class, wine tasting, or themed dinner. It doesn’t need to be fancy, and you don’t have to host a lot of people! Some of the most popular events have been small, simple meals. 

• Tours: Offer tours of interesting locations, a guided mushroom hunt, or hike with a picnic.

• Services: Provide services such as portrait photography, childcare, music lessons, yard work, pet-sitting, or IT assistance.

• Meals: Donate a dining experience at a restaurant, a home-cooked meal, or a monthly pie subscription.

• Trips: Contribute travel packages, weekend getaways, house swaps, or other unique experiences.

• Fine Crafted Items: Are you a woodworker, fiber artist, jewelry maker? Share your handmade, high-quality crafted goods.

We kindly ask that all contributions be new individually created items or experiences rather than previously loved belongings. 

DONATION DEADLINE EXTENDED!

We still need more donations, so we have extended the deadline to September 20th. Submit donations HERE. If you are unsure about what to give or how to participate, please chat with an auction team lead most Sundays in the social hall or email auction@buf.org.

Adult RE Fall Courses

UU101

Facilitator: Rod Haynes

Sunday, October 4, 11, and 18

12:15 PM - 2:00 PM, Flex Room

The history of Unitarian Universalism is a continuing story of questioning inherited beliefs, expanding the sources of religious truth, and translating belief into ethical action and beloved community. Facilitator Rod Haynes will pose questions, lead breakouts, and examine key UU historical leaders and events back in time.

Register for the course: https://buf.breezechms.com/form/d21057

Exploring Your Religious Journey - Past and Present

Facilitator: Kathryn Allen and Bonnie Phinney

Sunday, October 25, November 1 and 8

12:15 PM - 2:00 PM, Flex Room

What is the story of your religious journey that brought you to UUism, and what about that journey keeps you here? Our minister, Sunny McMillan, several celebrants, and other members of the congregation have shared their religious journey story from the pulpit. It has been fascinating to hear. Come share your story in community, and tell us how it informs your being here now. This is an opportunity for you to share your story and learn about others’ as we continue to walk the path of growing, learning, and discovering.

Register for the course: https://buf.breezechms.com/form/e42611

Aloha

For Friends of Pam Ives.

After years of living large, we are sad to share that Pam finally succumbed to lung cancer, which she had so courageously battled for many years. Pam drew her last breath on August 14th, peacefully, in her own bed in the Panorama Community in Lacey, with a friend of 50 years, a Hospice nurse and an End of Life volunteer. Pam was a member at BUF for many years, working on the Auction team, when she first came and later working in finance.  She became a fanatical Mahjong player with friends from BUF, and was a committed puzzler.  Pam loved to cook and try new recipes and together we hosted several auction meals.  She had a passion for travel, France and Ireland being probably her favorites. We will remember her quirky sene of humor, her forthrightness and that she was a thoughtful and generous friend. Friends at Panorama will remember her for organizing social potlucks, and finding quiet and thoughtful ways to support others. We will miss her.

Contact Barbara Gilday if you would like more information.

Barbara

contact: tbw@buf.org

Fellowship Request

Dear BUF Community,

A refugee family that BUF sponsors needs extra volunteer support to deal with a difficult housing situation that involves homelessness.  One of the Refugee Action Teams would welcome your involvement, particularly in the next three months or so.  Helpful skills would include research ability and assistance with administrative type tasks such as applications, among others.

If you can help, please contact Kara Black 360-676-2300

On February 28, 2026, the first day of the U.S. bombing of Iran, an elementary school was struck in the city of Minab, killing more than 168 people, mostly children. This peace concert will feature the "Minab Lullaby", composed by Iranian-American Sufi peace activist, Moji Agha, arranged and sung by Sharon Abreu, accompanied on guitar by Michael Hurwicz. This beautiful and moving song imagines the mother of a U.S. soldier reaching out to the mother of a child killed in the Minab school attack.

In addition to the “Minab Lullaby,” Sharon and Michael will share an array of peace songs, from poignant and uplifting to bouncy and cathartic, to inspire peace and empathy in our world. They perform with guitar, violin, harmonica and bass, and pride themselves on their vocal harmonies. Their main website is https://irthlingz.com. Please also see https://irthlingz.com/minab.html.

Sharon and Michael have done musical presentations for BUF in the past. They have sung in concert with legendary folksinger Pete Seeger, at the United Nations, and the World Summit on Sustainable Development in South Africa.

$12 donation requested (not required)

BUF Is Hosting the Whatcom County Interfaith Coalition Annual Meeting

Thursday, September 24, 6:00 PM

Social Hall

Come and learn more about this county-wide ministry on Thursday, September 24 at 6PM in the Social Hall. Hearty appetizers are planned.

Member congregations have a liaison to IFC for communication and coordination of projects (e.g., coat drive, holiday joy, choir concert). Rose Edington has been BUF's liaison the past few years and is ready to pass the opportunity on. You can talk with her about IFC at the Connections Carnival. If you are interested in becoming BUF's liaison, this meeting would give you a good introduction to the Coalition.  

Social & Environmental Justice Committee Meeting

Sunday, September 27, noon

Library

All are welcome to attend the Social & Environmental Justice Committee’s meeting on Sept 27 at 12:00 noon in the Library. New members are always welcome, so bring your ideas and concerns, and join us. SEJC supports programs to advance justice, human rights and environmental sustainability through the work of issue-focused Action Teams, monthly Justice Collections and selling of Fair-Trade products each Sunday during the coffee hour following the Sunday services.

The new BUF year is upon us and that means cozy soups with Community Night Dinner (CND)! CND is a tradition here at BUF for Wednesday evenings where a low cost dinner of soup, salad, and a simple dessert is offered to BUFsters.

CND is run by volunteers. We operate with a 3-4 person crew in the kitchen, 2-3 people for setup, 2-3 people for cleanup, and building stewards for cleaning the dishes and shutting down the kitchen. The crew in the kitchen follow a kitchen lead to make a pre-determined soup and salad. Jobs include cleaning produce, chopping ingredients, and stirring the soup. It is a 2-hour commitment. The Setup Crew is typically arrives about 30 minutes before dinner. These folks setup the tables, put out cups and pitchers of water, and make sure the social hall is ready to serve dinner. The Cleanup Crew helps to reset the social hall directly following diner for the next group that may use it and the time commitment is about 20 minutes. Tasks include wiping down the tables and putting them away, putting the salt and pepper shakers back in the cupboards, and sweeping the floor.

If you would like to participate in any of these roles, reach out to Jen Villalva-Cheap via tbw@buf.org or keep an eye out for sign-ups on the bulletin board in the Narthex in the coming weeks.

Board Game Night

5 PM to 9 PM, every second Wednesday

Social Hall

Hello BUFsters,

Hoping you have time to come to BUF every second Wednesday night of the month for Board games, card games and socializing.  Bring a snack to share if you can.  Find Grace or Emory via tbw@buf.org.

Lunch For All

Lunch For All is a bring your own lunch every Tuesday at 12 Noon.

Everyone is welcome to join the conversation. We are in the Social Hall or the Library.

I am the host.

Thank you,

Mark Allyn

Pathways for Newcomers

Saturday, October 24, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Flex Room

Open to all those new to BUF, Pathways is a Unitarian Universalist tradition for adults to get to know others in a small group setting and to learn about our church and UUism. The session features a Q and A with our minister, Rev. Sunny McMillan. Fun and Informative! Partial lunch provided!! Sign up with Felice Davis via tbw@buf.org

Postcard Writing for UU the Vote

BUF Black Lives Matter invites you to write nonpartisan postcards in community after most Sunday services through September encouraging and giving information to Black voters. Come write postcards- scripts and supplies will be provided. Monetary donations for stamps are greatly appreciated. If you have questions, email tbw@buf.org.

Singing Resistance

Every Wednesday, starting at 4:30 pm

Sanctuary

Beginning September 2nd, BUF Singing Resistance will return to meeting at 4:30 on Wednesday afternoons in the sanctuary. All are welcome to our practices and events, as we develop a community of singers ready to hit the streets on short notice or to show up to events with songs of community, outrage and hope. This is not about singing ability or experience. It is not about performance. It is about joining with our neighbors and letting everyone in earshot know that “Our love for each other will conquer hate."

When: April 30- May 2, 2027 

Where:  Samish Island Campground and Retreat Center (new location! pictured above)

Who:  All BUF affiliated women identifying as she/her or they/them

Why:  To share stories, play, relax, reflect and be creative together 

More information about this special event will be forthcoming!

Dining with Friends

Dining with Friends is a program of small groups that gather around food and conversation once a month from October through May. All ages are welcome. For more information go to Learning and Connections on the BUF website, then find Dining with Friends under Affinity Groups: or go to buf.org/dining-with-friends. If this looks like something that you would like to participate in, then fill in and submit the Interest Form at the bottom of the web page.

As India becomes more connected to the global world, both as a people and for commercial reasons, it is necessary to recognize the values that drive its people. Those values come from this epic. So, it is extremely relevant now that we at this spiritual institution understand the sacred text of the Hindus,

As India becomes more connected to the global world, both as a people and for commercial reasons, it is necessary to recognize the values that drive its people. Those values come from this epic. So, it is extremely relevant now that we at this spiritual institution understand the sacred text of the Hindus,I invite you to join me in reading the Ramayana at BUF. We can meet once a week at BUF or by Zoom. Please contact me at tbw@buf.org with the day of the week and time most suitable to you and whether you prefer a face-to-face gathering at BUF or on Zoom.

[image: Ravana, the evil king of Lanka, fights the vulture Jatayu to protect Rama’s wife, Sita. Painting by Raja Ravi Varma, Jatayu vadha, 1906.]

SEJC Collection for September, 20 2026:

CAST

Imagine a country, with bountiful resources and enough wealth for everyone to live in good health, with nutritious food  available for everyone.  Now, imagine  too much of the wealth stays with the wealthy. Nutritious food is not available for all, including children.

Then, imagine that there are compassionate people who volunteer with Community and Sandwiches Together (CAST) to provide soup, sandwiches, fruit, water, coffee and cocoa packs, to all  guests who show up four nights a week, regardless of weather, for a simple meal  at the Arch of Healing and Reconciliation. You don’t have to imagine the reality of CAST, where volunteers act on their belief that no one should go hungry.  

CAST operates from Our Savior Lutheran Church at 1720 Harris Street where volunteers – some of whom are BUFsters--  gather Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday to assemble up to 160 sandwiches, or pack supplies, transport them to the Arch, set up and serve,  

A volunteer Board does scheduling, logistics, outreach, fundraising, etc. There is no overhead with this all-volunteer ministry.  BUF contributions go directly to purchasing supplies.        

Learn more about CAST and volunteering at the Interfaith Coalition of Whatcom County’s website. Click on programs/CAST 

Defend our Public Lands - Special Attention is Needed

There are several actions that need to be taken, but the most critical action is the newly published draft environmental impact statement for the rescission of the Roadless Rule.  This may be our last chance to have input into opposing this rule change through the commenting process.  This particular rule will impact 2 million acres of forestland in Washington State including Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Olympic National Forest, Gifford Pinchot National Forest and others.  This is the rule that was the action item for Se’Si’Le’s Way of the Masks Campaign with the House of Tears Carvers and the core in creating the Defend Against the Assault on Environmental Protections: Public Lands Rules and the Endangerment Finding AIW that was passed at GA this past June.  Links to the information necessary to create comments are listed below.

Comment by September 20, 2026 - Rescission of the Roadless Rule

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wzDr3SFNbpnCzVq3Zj1mWDYG-QZCFT9S?usp=share_link

Comment by September 30, 2026 - Blue Mountains Forest Plan (Oregon)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FoJ55UHjXSEPHfav8dElmGFHmd0viU2iQGS24OUY4jc/edit?usp=share_link

Oppose the Fix Our Forests Act

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FcA9BaHepvS7nbPUYYUxjpBbE1O51h6o-u3mDnn1QG0/edit?usp=share_link

Oppose the Wildfire Prevention Act

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AxH9t3eAS9PaYQ2rMbDFV-XD-es6Nzx3MDoaRnk0ZYQ/edit?usp=share_link

Indivisible Bellingham Presents Miriam Karamoko

Monday, September 21, 7:00 PM

Sanctuary

Indivisible Bellingham presents Miriam Karamoko, Executive Director of Whatcom Racial Equity Commission (WREC) on Mon, Sept 21 at 7:00 PM at the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship.  Miriam will address “The State of Racial Justice: Incarceration in Whatcom County”.  In December 2025, WREC finished an analysis of the racial disparities and offense types in Whatcom County Incarceration programs.  

Miriam is a black immigrant passionate about social justice and has worked extensively in racial justice, LGBTQ+, discrimination, intergroup relations, equity, and diversity issues.  Her talk will provide current critical context for the jail/incarceration discussions in our County. The event is free and does not require pre-registration.  Questions to Michael Berres.

Indivisible Bellingham Presents Mayor Kim Lund

Tuesday, October 6, 7:00 PM

Sanctuary

Indivisible Bellingham will host Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund speaking on “Protecting the Rights and Dignity of All” with a focus on the City of Bellingham responses to ICE Overreach.

Mayor Lund’s presentation—followed by a Q&A session-- will be on Tuesday, October 6 at 7:00 pm in the BUF Sanctuary. There will be a Q&A section following Mayor Lund’s talk.  This is a free event open to the public and does not require preregistration.  Questions to Michael Berres.

How to Submit to the BUF Weekly

Submit content via email to tbw@buf.org (submissions sent to mwu@buf,org will continue to reach us). Content must be received by noon on the Tuesday prior to the distribution on Wednesday. If you wish a graphic or photo to be part of your submission, please send it earlier than the deadline (you can send the finalized content later) because of formatting considerations. Try to limit your blurb to 200 words. If you have a submission that is lengthier than 200, please contact tbw@buf.org so a possible accommodation can be made.

Find the BUF Calendar Online

For BUF events and meetings, visit buf.org/calendar. To see whether a room or space is available, visit buf.org/rentals. To reserve a room or space contact Alison, the Congregational Administrator, at bufadmin@buf.org.

Text to Give

You can donate to BUF from your phone by sending a text message to 360-345-3933.

Text “$10” to donate $10 to the collection basket

To give to a specific fund, text the amount followed by the keyword. Example: “$10 humanitas”

Keywords: humanitas, sejc, taize, cnd, fair, retreat, and uplift

You may also indicate the frequency with which your gift is processed. If no frequency is indicated in the text, your gift will be processed as one time gift. The options are: weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, yearly. Example “$10 humanitas monthly”

You’ll need to do a little setup and provide your account information the first time you do this, but after that, it’s just a text message.