One of the things I most love about having served one congregation for over a decade is that the platform experience–the part that could be seen as just me talking at people–truly becomes a conversation, often one that lasts over months and that informs how I think and what we do as a community together. … Continue reading WES Blog — Platform is a conversation…happening at surprising times!
Every WES member is in a “neighborhood” and has an opportunity at least twice a year to meet with others (and their guests, and prospective members) in their area to get better acquainted on an informal basis. Members should have received an emailed invitation using the Perfect Potluck website tool to learn about and sign … Continue reading WES Neighborhood Potlucks Happening
Do you know all the people who are caring for our littlest WES folk–teaching, snuggling, planning, creating curriculum, comforting, and keeping safe? I’m excited to introduce you to the professional staff (who are themselves supported by dozens of teachers!), and I’m grateful for their support of WES’ mission. Whether or not you have children in … Continue reading WES Blog — Meet the SEEK Folks!
Exciting news! We have a special opportunity this year for the children and adults involved in Winter Festival to work with a professional theater director, Gretchen Weigel. We will be using a beloved script from a previous year, and incorporating all our usual traditions–while also having the chance to learn and grow with the director’s support. Shelby … Continue reading Winter Festival – Casting call 10/15 and more news!
This year, I have the honor of serving as the Board of Trustees’ liaison to the Lay Leadership Development Committee (LLDC). This gives me the opportunity to see the committee members – Perry Bieder, Lydia Morris Fettig, and Julie Grimes – in action at their meetings, and learn in-depth about the important work they are … Continue reading WES Blog – Making the Move to Electronic Voting
This past June, I joined ten other delegates on the annual Global Connections trip to WES’s sister community, El Rodeo, El Salvador. This was the tenth year that a WES delegation has visited El Rodeo to continue building the partnership between our two communities, and the first year that I had had a chance to … Continue reading WES Blog — El Rodeo – 2019 Delegation Reflection by Joh Klein
DC Funds Legal Aid for DC Residents Detained by ICE! Dear Members of our WIST, and WES Members who came out to advocate, Please take note that our WES advocacy efforts, along with Washington Interfaith Network, D.C. Congregation Action Network, and many others, bore this delicious advocacy fruit! For the first time, the D.C. … Continue reading News from WES Immigration Support Team (WIST)
Dear WES, For eight years, we have sung together, laughed together, grieved together, held each other in community. And now, we will each be moving forward in our journeys. I remember so many things about our time: seeing the banners drop at my first Winter Fest; finding or being shown new songs and introducing them … Continue reading WES Blog — Gratitude and Goodbyes from Bailey
The auction is WES’ largest annual fundraiser and we need your donations now! Can you pick up some extra items the next time you are shopping (a special cocktail mixer, pot of jam, children’s toy or something else?) and send them our way to use in a basket? Or do you have a new (or … Continue reading What will you donate to the WES auction?
I live on the best block in Silver Spring–the kind of place where neighbors have power outage potlucks and never miss an opportunity to stop and chat. When we moved in eleven years ago, the block was perfect: we liked everyone, they had been friends for a while but were welcoming to the new family, … Continue reading WES Blog — Change, loss, and talking about it
