To us, outreach involves strengthening our relationships with our community and standing for social and environmental justice. Here are some of the things we’re doing. You’re invited to join us!
Suquamish Community Kitchen
Nearly every Wednesday, we offer a free dinner to anyone. (Donations are welcome but never required.) We usually serve nearly 100 guests at each meal. All are welcome.
Come and enjoy a great meal as you see old friends or make new ones. As we like to say, “We serve community with every meal.”
More about Community Kitchen program
Peace Garden Labyrinth
What is a Labyrinth?
A labyrinth is a walking, meditative path. It requires no figuring out. You can simply walk, allowing your mind to quiet. There are no rules, no right or wrong way.
The Path
A labyrinth is often described as a three-fold path.
- Upon entering one begins the symbolic path of releasing and letting go.
- The center represents illumination and opening to the Divine.
- The return path is union, as we take the benefits of the labyrinth back into our lives.
The Walk
On the labyrinth someone may be walking ahead of us at a pace we find difficult to follow. We choose whether to stay behind and walk at their pace, or go around them and honor our own body’s rhythm. Perhaps we will come face-to-face with a fellow journeyer. Will we greet them, or will we remain within ourselves and continue on the path? There is no right or wrong way; the choice is ours to make. In moments such as these, the mystery and sacredness of the labyrinth become apparent, as we consider what is important, what we call sacred.
The Design
This labyrinth uses the “Santa Rosa” design, first created by Lea Goode-Harris in 1997 and installed here by Dan Niven of Lynwood, WA. This seven-circuit labyrinth is divided into four quadrants. It includes a unique space on the fourth circuit, in line with the mouth of the labyrinth. Called the “heart space” this area is not walked, but serves as a sacred vessel where you can place symbols of your concerns, needs or celebrations. As you walk the labyrinth, you approach the “heart space” from all four directions, which allows you to see these symbols from various points of view.
“Little Free Library” for Commuters
With support of our neighbor to the north, the Rohlingers’ business, we have placed a “little free library” on the Rohlingers’ property, by the bus shelter on the north side of Geneva Ave., across from our Park & Ride lot.
We’ve stocked it with some interesting and provocative books. Commuters (and others!) are welcome to take a book with them and, if they’d like, leave a book when they’re done with it.
Food Banks
We have a basket where we collect donations of food. Each month we share it with food banks in Poulsbo, Kingston and Suquamish.
We are also pleased to host a free Food Pantry, where anyone in need can find food and other essentials at any time of day. The Food Pantry is supported by people in our community as well as our congregation.
Taking a Stand
Our members regularly participate in protests and marches for social, racial, and environmental justice and peace.
We were particularly proud when eight members of our congregation traveled to Washington, DC, to participate in the national Women’s March.
Building Bridges
We host a bi-monthly workshop bringing people together to discuss controversial subjects, offering participants an opportunity to grow their listening skills, to better navigate the challenges we face in dealing with current events in a divided nation. Check the Events calendar for current schedule, usually on a Tuesday evening.