Rosemary Adang (President) grew up in a large Catholic military family but has been an agnostic pacifist for as long as she can remember. She became interested in UUs when she kept coming across historical references to Unitarian women and men who fought for women’s rights, civil rights, and peace. Rosemary teaches at Highline Community College, where she is the director of their writing center.
Did you know? Rosemary has lived on three continents and has a brother in Estonia.
Linda Anderson (Vice President) grew up in the Olympia Unitarian Fellowship but hadn’t been much involved in UU activities as an adult until coming to RVUUC. What drew her in was the friendliness of the congregation as well as the choir. She enjoys playing music and gardening, and is on the Board of her transit union, ATU.
Did you know? Linda has kept a journal since she was 14.
Liz Berggren (Secretary) was raised Catholic and joined RVUUC about 10 years ago, seeking spiritual community for herself and an introduction to UU values and principles for her children. Formerly a lawyer, she’s now a psychiatric nurse at Harborview Medical Center, and in the Masters of Nursing program at UW (lifelong learning in action!)
Did you know? Liz did a solo circumambulation of Mount Rainier on the Wonderland Trail through sunshine, rain, and snowstorm!
Andrea Keating (Treasurer) is a recent transplant to Seattle, having moved here in 2007 to work at Microsoft. She was raised UU, and although she took a break from church while in college, is happy to be back. She likes the sense of community at RVUUC. You can find Andrea in the kitchen most Sunday afternoons as one of the Food Not Bombs liaisons, as well as ushering on the first Sunday of the month.
Did you know? Andrea lived in Norway for a year.
All members and friends are welcome to attend Board meetings, which are held the second Wednesday of the month at 7 pm at various homes. Check with any Board member for location.
History of the Congregation
Rainier Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation was founded in 1998 by a group of Southeast Seattle UUs and others with the help of Extension Minister Rev. Lucy Hitchcock Seck and the strong financial support of 13 Puget Sound UU "covenanting congregations." Lucy was RVUUC's minister for the first five years, and the congregation was shaped by her deep commitment to social-justice ministry. From the early days through May 2006, the congregation was located in the Hillman City neighborhood of Seattle, sharing space with the Findlay Street Christian Church and meeting on Sunday evenings.
After the bulk of the external funding ran out, the congregation was not able to support a fulltime minister, and Rev. Linda Hart became our part-time consulting minister. We were strengthened by her nurturing ministry from 2002-2004. Since April 2004, RVUUC has been a lay-led congregation. The congregation is fortunate to have a warm and supportive minister friend, Rev. Amanda Aikman, who has preached regularly (about once a month) for the past several years.
Kathleen Tracy was the Music Director from 1998 through 2008, and shaped the congregation by her encouraging support of all musicians, including building a marimba band (and two of the marimbas!), choir, and many other ensembles. Choir Director Janet Kidder joined RVUUC in December 2008.
Sarah Ortner was hired as the Religious Education Teacher/Coordinator since September 2006, and became our Director of Religious Education in July 2008.
In May 2006 RVUUC moved to the former Yesler Terrace community center, performing many hours of rehab on the building and renaming it the Rainier Unitarian Universalist Center. With the move to Yesler, the service time changed to 10:30 am. While at Yesler, the congregation's community service efforts expanded, with projects to teach English to Vietnamese seniors and to support Yesler Terrace residents in having a voice in the redevelopment process.
In May 2008 RVUUC celebrated its Ten Year Anniversary. In honor of the anniversary, Chris McEwen created a slide show of many of the people and activities that shaped the congregation's first decade. You can watch the slide show at:
Part 1: Faith Community, Colorful Personalities, Acting with Courage
Part 2: Offering Friendship, New Home
Part 3: Nurturing the Spark, Music
In September 2009 RVUUC moved to its present location at the Pearl Warren Building.
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