OUUC Weekly Update 8-9-22
News from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Worship Service August 14 at 10:00 am - online and in-person
“Why I Am a Christian Pagan Unitarian Universalist” with UU chaplain, Elisabeth Maaike Geschiere
OUUC Sunday Morning Service
https://zoom.us/j/873210124?pwd=U21qdmwxcTNyaE1LQ0xlU0MwM3VMQT09
Meeting ID: 873 210 124
Password: 995142
Dial +1 253 215 8782
See recordings of online services here.
Ritual of Remembrance Saturday, August 13
Read more about what to bring, safety considerations, and how how to volunteer.
Come to the OUUC Summer Picnic!
We will be at Millersylvania State Park, Shelter #3 on August 27, 2:00 -7:30 pm. There will be fun activities like crafts, nature walks, games, a campfire-style sing-along, and more! Potluck dinner will be shared around 5:00 pm.
Things to bring: a Discover Pass for parking or a state park day pass, a potluck dish to share, your own reusable dishes and cutlery if you have some, and camp chairs if you have them. Questions, contact Rev Sara.
Open Study/Action Circles
You can now register for four new Study/Action Circles that will be facilitated this year by Rev Sara:
A drop-in group on the 1st Tuesdays, 6:30-8:00 pm.
A Parent group on 2nd Tuesdays, 6:30-8:00 pm.
A Leadership group on 3rd Tuesdays, 6:30-8:00 pm.
A “Spirituality and Racial Justice” group on the 4th Tuesdays, 6:30-8:00 pm.
Registration links are here: Study and Action Circles: A Small Group Program (ouuc.org)
For more information, contact Rev Sara.
“Back to School, Back to Church” by Rev. Mary Gear & Rev. Sara Lewis
As we move through these sweet days of Summer, we are looking ahead to Fall for back to school and back to church—or at least more church events. For the coming Fall, there are some things that will be the same and some things will be different, kind of like the rest of life these days.
We will still gather for worship on Sunday mornings at 10:00 am in person and online. We will still gather to be together, practice together, and learn together. We’ll still work together for a world that is loving, just, and healthy.
Read about the monthly themes, new Sunday morning and Thursday evening events, and more.
School Supply Drive
OUUC is collecting throughout August for children and teens in Tacoma who need help getting ready for a new school year. There will be a box in the Commons and you can drop things off on Sundays or during office hours Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 am-2:00 pm, or by arrangement with Rev Sara.
Items Needed: backpacks, markers, crayons, multi-colored highlighters, scissors (left and right-handed), colored pencils, earbuds, pens, mechanical pencils, glue sticks, graph paper, and lined paper.
Volunteer - Provide Food
This week and next (Wednesdays, August 17, and 24) will be OUUC’s August dates to help provide food security to local adults and kids in need. Volunteers, new and old, are always welcome to join our Blue Apron Team and bring a main or side dish of their choice for dinner at the Interfaith Work’s adult Shelter, and/or Shelf Stable food for the Food Bank’s summer backpacks for homeless and low-income kids. For more information about this opportunity to help others please contact Jo Ann Young.
OUUC to be Recognized by Quixote Communities
The Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation was one of the founding faith communities for Camp Quixote. Many of you who were at OUUC in the early 2010s helped shelter, feed, and care for vulnerable community members in the church parking lot. Since then, Quixote Villages has provided tiny homes to more than 100 people.
OUUC will be recognized by Quixote Communities at a fundraising event on Saturday, September 17 from 6:30-9:30 pm at Olympia’s Hands on Children’s Museum. Read more....Another New Staff person at OUUC!
I am so pleased to announce that Andrea Capere (she/they) will be joining the OUUC staff as the Communications Specialist starting August 22. Andrea has 14 years of filmmaking and communications experience in a variety of settings, from TV to school systems to faith communities. Andrea is highly recommended for their solid knowledge and skill, and love of building community. Andrea lives and works in Tacoma. We are grateful to have Andrea join our staff and community.
Two weeks ago, I introduced Kevin Wenger as OUUC’s new Tech Specialist. Andrea and Kevin will work together to cover the duties currently done by Jo Sahlin, OUUC’s Media Specialist, who will leave at the end of this month. You may recall that I split the position into two parts based on the applications we received.
Jo, Kevin, and Andrea all plan to attend the OUUC picnic on August 27. Plan to stop by to meet Andrea and Kevin, and say goodbye to Jo. See you there!
Rev. Mary
Olympia Harvest Hoopla Event
Quick Notes
Church Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.
Blessing of the Backpacks, Sunday, September 11 at 11:30 am - Students of all ages are invited to attend a Blessing the Backpacks ritual to mark the return to school on September 11 (after the water communion service). Bring your backpack, book bag, briefcase, etc. to be blessed and to receive a bag charm.
The Board of Trustees meeting is on Thursday, August 11 at 7:00 pm. Please contact Board Secretary, Rich Kalman for more information.
Did you lose a piece of your key fob? If so, please stop by the church office.
COVID Phase: Low. Please see our Phased Reopening Plan for information.
Safety Reminder: Please lock and remove valuables from your vehicles.
In the Larger Community
Learn more about the following events and others here.
The LOTT Clean Water Alliance has completed a major research effort about potential risks from residual chemicals that may remain in reclaimed water, and what happens to those chemicals when reclaimed water is used to replenish groundwater. LOTT will hold a virtual Community Forum on Monday, August 15, at 5:30 pm to explain the study, share study findings, and answer questions.
The 8th Principle Learning Community invites you to a book review of this year’s UUA Common Read, Mistakes and Miracles. Wednesday, August 10, 4:00 -6:30 pm. Register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Braiding Sweetgrass Study/Action Group - A community friend of OUUC is offering a study/action group around the book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This group will meet for 12 weeks starting September 7 at 7:00 pm, with zoom and some outdoor gatherings.
Jubilee Three Anti-Racism Training - Friday, August 19, 6:00 pm - Sunday, August 21, 2022, 6:30 pm EDT. Do you wish to deepen your understanding of how race and ethnicity play out in our institutions and our daily lives? Are you ready to take a leading role to nurture a multicultural future in the face of opposing cultural currents?
The AARP Tax-Aide Program desperately needs volunteers to provide free income tax preparation and e-filing services to taxpayers of all ages and incomes, with a special emphasis on the elderly and those most in need in our community. Our district provides services at 6 sites throughout Thurston County libraries, community centers, and senior centers.
If you have been meaning to divest your personal finances away from funding fossil fuel extraction, production, and distribution - workshops on August 26, 4:00-5:30 pm, and September 9, 5:00-6:30 pm.
Read more....
About Us
Sara Lewis, Director of Community and Faith Development
Darlene Sarkela, Congregational Administrator
Marie Arensmeyer, Facilities Manager
Anissa Bentlemsani, Religious Education Assistant
Office Hours
Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Email: liberalfaith@ouuc.org
Website: http://ouuc.org
Location: 2315 Division Street Northwest, Olympia, WA, United States
Phone: 360-634-2005
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OlympiaUUC/
Twitter: @OlyUUC