OUUC Weekly Update 7-20-21
News from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Worship Service July 25 - one online service at 10:00 am
“Let Your Faith Be Bigger Than Your Fear: A Lesson From My Mom” - Bridget Laflin
Join us for Online Worship.
Listen to sermons here. See recordings of online services here.
Sunday Talk Show Guest is Sharon Love
The “After Church with Melanie Ransom” talk show continues this Sunday with a special guest, Sharon Love. Sharon is a long-time member of OUUC, and is the wizard behind the scenes of our annual auction. This is your chance to discover how your life might overlap with Sharon’s. The show starts at 11:30 am after the coffee chats. Upcoming guests include Carol McKinley and Barry Zickuhr. If you missed some of the previous shows, you can find them here. Many of us come to OUUC for the theology, but we stay because of our life-long connections to the people. –Melanie Ransom
Full Moon Meditation - July 23
Full Moon Meditation - Are you curious about Buddhist meditation or mindfulness? A spiritual practice offering is open to anyone interested in practicing silent meditation in the Plum Village tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh's Engaged Buddhism. Join us for an evening meditation and reading. We'll sit together on the full moon(s) each month. 7:00 – 8:00 pm on Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83673338076?pwd=eXFJdDRSZi80eFY3bm1hVGluZHkyZz09
Meeting ID: 836 7333 8076
Passcode: 160696
Volunteer to Provide a Meal
The Blue Apron Team, a group of dedicated OUUC volunteers who provide the evening meal twice a month at the Downtown Olympia Interfaith Works Adult Shelter, and shelf-stable foods for the Lacey Family Resource Center, always welcomes new and former volunteers' assistance in providing a main or side dish for the 6:00 pm shelter dinner. This month’s dinners are Wednesdays July 21, and 28, and the dates for donating food for the Family Center. If you would like to join the team with dinner items and/or food for the children at the Center, please contact Jo Ann Young for more information and delivery instructions.
Save the Date: Ritual of Remembrance, Saturday, July 31, 1:00-3:00 pm at OUUC
We've lost many things in the past 17 months of COVID, not the least of which is the chance to gather to mourn those who have died. Plan to come together on Saturday, July 31 at 1:00 pm at the Memorial Garden at OUUC. We'll gather, sing, remember, grieve the losses, and celebrate life together. There will be tables to share photos and mementos of those who have passed, and a container to collect paper containing our memories for release; the ashes will be scattered in the garden.
Bring the names of those who have died, your photos and mementos, your memories, your presence. Come into community. This will be an outdoor, in-person gathering, with appropriate precautions. Masks welcome.
I hope to see you there. - Rev. Mary
Covenant Circles
Would you like to meet with a small group monthly for deep and meaningful reflection on the monthly spiritual theme? Covenant Circles are a facilitated conversation and a chance to get to know a small group of people better. We have new Circles forming in September, meeting monthly through May. Register now.
Church Picnic
Save the Date!
Sunday, August 22, 2021, at the OUUC parking lot.
Noon – 3:00 pm
All church picnic – Let the Games Begin (again)
Bring your own box lunch – drinks and dessert provided.
Games and prizes. More information to follow.
The Fallacy of Public Safety and Mass Incarceration
Quick Notes
You are invited to the wedding of Beatrice Owona and Fred Kellogg. Saturday, October 16, 1:00 pm, Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Ave SE. Please, RSVP by July 31 if you plan on attending. Formal invitations will follow after July 31. Read more here.
Avoiding Email Scams - Always be on the lookout for emails appearing to come from OUUC to solicit money. Read more here.
OUUC Connect (Realm) Training Sessions Available - Have you activated your OUUC Connect (Realm) account? Would you like to learn more about how to use your account to contact friends, get connected to groups (and communicate with them), see your online giving records, and more? Individual or small group training sessions are available. Darlene Sarkela or Marie Arensmeyer will meet with you via Zoom. Sign up today.
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.
Do you need help exploring and processing grief?
A new monthly Bereavement Group will begin meeting on the fourth Thursday of the month starting on July 22. The group will meet from 6:00-7:15 pm at OUUC. There is currently a combined caregivers/ grief support group that meets monthly on the second Thursday morning each month. You are welcome to attend either or both groups and discover the best fit for you. This group is facilitated by OUUC’s Pastoral Care Team members. If you have questions, please contact Josie Solseng.
July's Environmental Challenge
The OUUC Environmental Action Team knows we are all in this planet-saving business together, so let’s have some fun and learn some things on our way! Watch for the 10-Month Environment Challenge! The month of July will feature Water Conservation – Conserving the Essential Element in Diminishing Supply. There will be a prize for the highest monthly total and a random drawing at the end of each month. Participants will also be eligible for a grand prize based on total accumulated points at the end of the challenge – just in time for Earth Day! It is easy to participate: Read more.....
The Adopt-a Plot Program Needs You
In the Larger Community
For details on the following events, please see the In the Larger Community page on the church website.
Find out about the Fall 2021 Chalice Lighters Call for technology grants.
Save the Date: The Interfaith Power & Light network is offering a free online viewing of a new short film, Other Side of the Hill on July 10-25.
About Us
Sara Lewis, Director of Community and Faith Development
Darlene Sarkela, Congregational Administrator
Marie Arensmeyer, Facilities Manager
Anissa Bentlemsani, Religious Education Assistant
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