OUUC Weekly Update 7-15-20
News from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Worship Service July 19, one online service at 10:00 am
“Over our Heads – "Music, How the Divine Finds Its Way into Worship”
Our guest speaker will be seminarian, Jennifer Springsteen.
Join us for Online Worship.
Listen to sermons here. See recordings of online services here.
From Rev. Mary
When you read this, I will have completed a week of study leave and started vacation. As I write this, my week of study leave is winding down and it has been very productive. My intention was to set aside time for the projects I don’t get to otherwise. Success on many fronts!
Several of you have asked where we’re going on vacation, and the answer is --- Olympia. The city and surroundings are still new to us, so we don’t have to go far for new adventures. We look forward to exploring it.
A quick update on a couple of things. First, many thanks to all of you who have weeded and tended to the grounds at OUUC. The landscape is thriving and beautiful, bursting with native plants. Thank you for tending our garden!
Second, you will see a posting for a new position in this newsletter and on the OUUC website. As we prepare to say goodbye to Kari Kopnick next month, we are preparing for the future. You might recall that Kari was the Interim Community Life Coordinator, which means part of her job was to help us determine what we needed for the position. With Kari’s help and a not-so-gentle push from the virus, we are seeking a Media Specialist to help us develop and expand our virtual ministry. If you or someone you know would be a good fit for the position and OUUC, we’d love to hear about it.
Thank you, Kari, for helping us in our discernment!
See you soon. Blessing on your week.
Rev. Mary
Books, Brownies and Beans 2021 Canceled
The beloved event that drew hundreds of community members to the one-day book sale and bistro entertainment, engaged dozens of volunteers, and provided thousands of dollars to local nonprofits, will not be held in 2021. Concern about large gatherings’ potential for coronavirus transmission lies behind the cancellation of events that require months of preplanning. What to do with those books? At this time, Goodwill is receiving donations. Timberland Libraries are not accepting books or planning future sales. A suggestion: share your favorite reads with friends! Your creative ideas for no-contact ways to support organizations providing essential services to those in need are welcome. Contact Rev. Carol McKinley.
Building and Landscaping News
Thank you to Anne Radford and Sally Allhadeff for taking leadership of the Adopt-a-Plot program. And thank you to all the Adopt-a-Plot volunteers who came out for our two+ weeding parties earlier this month. The grounds look spiffy now. Take a walk or drive through if you haven't been there in a while. There'll be more opportunities to weed so if you want to join, contact Sally or Anne.
Also, if you unlock the building for any reason, please make sure you lock it back up or pass the responsibility to someone else. We want to keep the building secure!
Enjoy the summer,
Steve Tilley
Connection and Community Building with Crafts!
Connection and Community Building with crafts! Join Sara for Monday "Crafternoons" on Zoom this summer. Bring whatever craft you want or focus on the highlighted craft of the day (contact Sara if you need help getting supplies). We'll craft and chat and build community.
July 20, 3:00 -4:30 pm, the featured craft is a collage
August 3, 3:00 - 4:30 pm, the featured craft is making oven-bake clay chalices
August 17, 3:00 - 4:30 pm, the featured craft are sock monkeys
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83135966844?pwd=cWdpUUFITGVBdXF5VVMyQXpKVUJCdz09
Meeting ID: 831 3596 6844
Password: Crafty
Quick Notes
We are hiring a Media Specialist - see the job posting here.
Last Call for Share the Plate Committee Members - The Share the Plate Committee is looking for a few more enthusiastic members. We’ll be meeting in late July to start the process to pick next year’s recipients. Please contact Bob Brennand if you would like to join.
Calling Interested Parties for 2021 Stewardship Team - The 2021 Stewardship team is forming and planning an amazing fall campaign! Interested in bringing your ideas and helping with this important church effort? Contact Sally Brennand.
Another meditation video has been posted on YouTube! See one of Rev. Mary's meditation videos here. Share the link with friends and family.
We know that some of you have come to love the Thursday evening services and Rev. Mary’s Mid-week meditation. We’re taking a break over the Summer, but you don’t have to go without some spiritual grounding! You can access an archive of Thursday evening services and Mid-week meditations here. The Thursday evening services will resume on August 27 with a Music & Meditation service offered by Rev. Mary and Megan Johnston on Celtic harp.
Online Office - Do you have questions about how to make online donations, check your pledge status, or use the directory? Maybe you just want to check in about a current project you are working on. The Administrator’s Zoom door will be open for office visitors on Wednesdays from 2:00 – 2:40 pm. (If you are asked to wait in the Zoom waiting room it is because another church member is visiting the office.) Please stop by!
The Virtual Bulletin Board is a place for members to share information about events in the larger community, ask for recommendations, and share resources. Email the church office to sign up.
See a list of online meetings that you might attend here.
Ways to Give - Did you know you can donate to OUUC by text message? Just text "OUUC" and "amount" to 73256. You can also donate online by visiting our secure online giving page.
Environmental Action Team News
I hope you got to watch the film "JUST EAT IT" about food practices. In our ZOOM discussion July 9, some "keepers" came up 1) Create a "use this first" shelf in the fridge so food does not go bad. 2) Discuss food choices with your seller; go local if possible 3) Learn how to interpret time labels - "Best By..."; "Use By..." and the like. Food does not spoil if stored beyond some of the dated 4) Ask about culled produce - you might get it free! We are preparing a second environmental film and discussion for August. Keep an eye on the Weekly Update for news. (Technical problems will be addressed.)
Water is Life!
We gather after the Summer to begin another church year with the ritual of water communion. The ceremony invites us to share the water from places we’ve been over the Summer, bringing us back together again knowing that we are connected by rivers, streams, lakes, and oceans. Since we will not be co-mingling our water in person this Fall, let’s share images of our water adventures this Summer, even if it is from our kitchen tap. Over the Summer, please send your photos to communitylife@ouuc.org. We’ll share our images during our water communion service on September 13. Thank you for creating community and enjoy your Summer!
The Blue Apron Team
Next Wednesday, July 22, will be the second time this month our congregation will provide the evening meal at the Interfaith Works Adult Shelter, and collect donate self-secure food items for the homeless families (children and teens) who come to the North Thurston Family Center. New volunteers are always welcome to join our support of Adults and Families experiencing homelessness in our community. To volunteer to bring a main or side dish and/or for information about where to bring donations please contact Jo Ann Young.
Celebrate the Life of Dorothy Mehaffey
August 1 at 3:00 pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88973234462?pwd=SEpWUlllbFFqQm1VUEt4bHYyaHBOQT09
Meeting ID: 889 7323 4462
Password: 231251
One tap mobile +1-253-215-8782
In the Larger Community
Be A Voter! Help us convince others to Be A Voter, too! Do you care about issues such as the climate crisis, health care, income inequality, and jobs? We know one sure way to make a difference with the issues you care about—elect candidates who will act on them. Find candidates who share your point of view and help get them elected by voting and encouraging others to vote. Check out Vote411.org for information about registering and voting in your state. Please share this message with five (or more) contacts and ask them to do the same. Be A Voter! Make Positive Change. A message from Thurston County League of Women Voters, Washington State.
Chalice Lighters - This is your Fall Call for the 2020-2021 church year. It will help support PNWD congregations who are struggling to stay afloat in the wake of the coronavirus tidal wave. On top of restrictions on meeting for worship and the challenges of pastoral care, many congregations are struggling to meet staff payrolls and mortgage payments. We PNWD Chalice Lighters can help alleviate this need. We want to ensure that our congregations retain key staff and emerge from “Stay Home, Stay Safe” restrictions able to continue the faith and justice work so sorely needed in our communities. Make a one-time gift of $20, $50, or $100 online at the PNWD giving page.
The League of Women Voters of Thurston County (LWVTC), in collaboration with Thurston Community Media (TCMedia), is pleased to announce the availability of the 2020 Primary Candidate Forums. Individual videos for the forums are available through the “Click here for video” links http://www.lwvthurston.org/forums.
Primary Election Candidates Forums - On July 21, 22 & 23 (6:00 –7:30 pm), the Thurston Asset Building Coalition will host a FREE, three-part, virtual Primary Election Candidate Forum for contested local races. July 21- House and Senate, July 22- County Commissioners, July 23- Superior Court.
Register for this zoom event here.
Facebook Event Links:
Primary Election Candidate Forums: July 21—House and Senate
Primary Election Candidate Forums: July 22—County Commissioners
Primary Election Candidate Forums: July 23—Superior Court
A community choir with free Zoom singing is scheduled for every Saturday in August. It is for EVERY voice, no ‘good’ voice needed. Please share in every way you can with those who enjoy singing. Visit www.singdancedo.com or join the Facebook group sing dance doers!
About Us
Email: liberalfaith@ouuc.org
Website: http://ouuc.org
Location: 2315 Division Street Northwest, Olympia, WA, United States
Phone: 3607866383
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OlympiaUUC/
Twitter: @OlyUUC