It is with great joy and gratitude that I am beginning a journey alongside you as your new quarter-time minister. I look forward to our shared ministry together. Let’s continue to bring about a beautiful, imperfect, and good enough Beloved Community of compassion and justice here on Vashon Island and beyond!

Thanks to all who wrote and sent welcome cards to me before the holidays. I treasure hand-written cards and notes. I actually keep a banner of cards on my wall above my desk in my home office. I rotate out and re-read older cards as I receive new ones. That way I receive joy at least three times: when I receive the card, when I look up and see the beautiful image, and when I let it go. This gratitude practice serves as a visual reminder of the community of people of which I am a part.

As we start to connect and get to know each other, you’ll also notice that I sign my emails “with gratitude.” I am grateful for you and that each communication is a way that we participate in creating community together. Please connect with me at . As I am with you 10 hours/week, I will typically respond to your messages on Tuesday–Thursday, plus the Sunday afternoons when I am in the pulpit. I look forward to hearing from you!

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Charge to Unitarian Universalists

This Sunday, January 15, our Service will include a blessing for our new beginning and an affirmation of our shared ministry. As it would be a very long service if we also spoke to the MLK Holiday, I would like to offer a resource for your study and reflection this week. In 1966, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave the Ware Lecture to Unitarian Universalists gathered in Hollywood, Florida for the General Assembly. He offered a charge to our young faith tradition, “Don’t Sleep through the Revolution.” His words still resonate today. I invite you to set aside 20 minutes this week to savor the 1966 Ware Lecture and reflect on what stands out to you.

With gratitude,

Victoria Poling, M.Div.
Minister, Vashon Island Unitarian Fellowship

Our new minister, Victoria Poling (she/her) is a Unitarian Universalist minister who is passionate about spiritual growth, building healthy communities with faithful lay leadership, and joyful practices that sustain long-term justice work. She received her Master of Divinity from Seattle University in 2020. Victoria also serves a Spiritual Director and as an environmental justice advocate as a board member at Earth Ministry/WA Interfaith Power & Light. Victoria enjoys hiking, swimming, playing music and spending time with her partner David and four cats. She lives in Kent, WA on traditional Muckleshoot and Duwamish territories in the Green River watershed.