OUUC Weekly Update 1-19-21
News from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Worship Service January 24, one online service at 10:00 am
“Re-centering” - Rev. Carol McKinley
Join us for Online Worship.
Listen to sermons here. See recordings of online services here.
Thursday Evening Spiritual Practice 7:00 pm
“Vigil: Hopes for our Nation” with Rev. Mary Gear, Rev. Carol McKinley, and Troy Fisher
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81051325520?pwd=NjdXM25OMThVRytydWtQQ0lJZmtMQT09
Meeting ID: 810 5132 5520
Passcode: 690200
Tech Tip
Starting Thursday, January 21, join OUUC Media Specialist Jo Sahlin each week for an open office hour. Jo’s Zoom room will be accessible from 11:00 am - noon every Thursday.
Having trouble finding Zoom links to Sunday services? Not sure how to log in to OUUC Connect/Realm? Confused about the difference between OUUC Connect and Realm? (Hint: There is none!) This is an opportunity to ask any questions or touch base with Jo about anything related to media and technology at OUUC. Read more.
Sunday Talk Show Guest is Riley McLaughlin
The “After Church with Melanie Ransom” talk show continues this Sunday with a special guest, Riley McLaughlin. If there was a TV show about Riley’s life, it would be called, “Everybody Loves Riley.” This is your chance to discover how your life might overlap with Riley’s. The show starts at 11:30 am after the coffee chats. The tech team will provide instructions on how to join. Many of us come to OUUC for the theology, but we stay because of our life-long connections to the people. –Melanie Ransom
Our Vision - Mission - Ends (VME) Project is beginning!
Later this week you will receive a survey, inviting you to make your voice heard as we step outside our comfort zones and ask big questions about ourselves and OUUC. Your answers to these questions, combined with other work and discussions we will have together, will help us determine OUUC's Vision, Mission and Ends for the coming years. The survey is the first part of our structured process, facilitated by consultant Jake Morrill. Please return your survey no later than February 1. And to make this deadline a little bit sweeter, people who return the completed survey by February 1 will have their name entered in a drawing for an ice cream soda!
A Few Words from OUUC’s Parish Nurse
Our Parish Nurse, Ann Yeo, is eagerly awaiting the opportunity for her husband and herself to get the COVID-19 vaccine, but she realizes that the supply of vaccines is limited for now and that other people are further ahead in the priority line for a vaccination.
The Washington Dept. of Health has launched a tool, called Phase Finder, to help Washingtonians determine their eligibility for a vaccine. That tool is accessible here. At this time, you should still plan to contact your primary site for health care regarding getting your vaccine.
Workshop with Rev. Mary and the Worship Team
Have you ever wondered what goes into a Sunday service? Are you curious about the many hands that make Sunday morning happen? Have you ever had an idea for a Sunday service and wondered how it might become a service? Bring your curiosity to a Worship Arts Workshop with Rev. Mary and members of the worship team. We'll talk about the meaning and purpose of worship, the elements of worship and how they fit together, and how a service idea becomes real. And, we'll review the many ways you can be involved on Sunday mornings. Join us on Saturday, January 30 from 1:00 -3:30 pm (with a break!) on Zoom. See you there!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85031161561?pwd=QzBKWmJBUWxHQUttd3Q5MW11ZzMzZz09
Meeting ID: 850 3116 1561
Passcode: 522005
Join the Blue Apron Team
All are welcome to join the "Blue Apron Team" on January 20, and 27, by donating shelf-stable foods for the Lacey Family Center's food pick-up days or help provide a main or side dish to serve 8 for the guests at the Interfaith Works Adult Shelter. All donations can be brought between 4:15 and 4:45 pm to the parking lot of the Olympia Copy Center, located on Franklin Street, and across from the Shelter. Need more information? Please contact Jo Ann Young.
Anti-Racist Small Group Ministry
What do we do in this era of white supremacy? If you want to join us on the road to freedom with action, reflection, and theory, join this small group ministry. In our hearts, we may feel that knowing isn’t quite enough. Together we will begin to grow the energy, capacity, and skills we need to do the life long work of racial solidarity. Join Emi Allen and Anne Hundley, imperfect local racial justice organizers and members of OUUC, beginning in January and going through May. You are welcome as you are, accessibility is important to us. Queer and Trans friendly. Intersectional. Third Saturdays, 4:00 - 6:00 pm & First Saturdays, 4:00 - 4:45 pm. Register here.
Lunch Break Book Club!
The Origins of Our Discontents - In this seven-session book discussion group, we will read and discuss the new book Caste by Isabel Wilkerson. Caste explores the history and sociology of America’s racialized system of hierarchy, with author Wilkerson exploring eight pillars that underlie caste systems. A combination of researched narratives and stories of real people, this work gives us hope for the future of our shared humanity. 7 sessions: Mondays noon-1:00 pm February 1 - March 15 Register here.
“Tell Me Who You Are” class Tuesday, February 16 at 7:00 pm
The Beginning of the End of Nuclear Weapons
This course will be offered twice: Tuesday, February 9 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm and Thursday, February 11 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Instructor: Joanne Dufour, member of the Olympia Coalition Against Nuclear Weapons. The passage and coming into force of the Treaty to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons has energized the anti-nuclear community worldwide. This class will introduce this new international law,
explain how it came to be and its implications for the future of nuclear weapons. The work of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, 2017 Nobel Peace Prize winner, and Codepink with its Don’t Bank on the Bomb campaign will be included along with ideas for individual action.
Register here.
UU Common Read Discussion
Tuesdays February 23 and March 2, 7:00 pm. The 2020-21 UUA Common Read is Breathe: A Letter to My Sons by Imani Perry. Breathe reflects on race, racism, and the hope that one’s child will be wholly known and valued by society. It is “an unforgettable lesson in Black resistance and resilience.” The New York Times calls Breathe “an elixir of history, ancestry and compassion, which, together, become instruction…a parent’s unflinching demand, born of inherited trauma and love, for her children’s right simply to be possible.” Carol McKinley will facilitate these discussions. Register here.
The Theology of the Good Place
(ages 12+) Four sessions: Mondays, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm, January 25, February 1, 8, and 15. Register here. The Good Place is a Netflix sitcom that takes place after death, where people wake up and are assured that everything is OK … they are in the “good” place. In this four-session class, we will explore the theology, ethics, and moral philosophy of the series using a UU lens. Participants will watch the clips of the show on their own time, and gather for discussion after, so a Netflix membership will be needed. Taught by Sara Lewis.
Quick Notes
Still room to sign up for a Learning Circle, starting this Friday at noon. Facilitated by Sara Lewis, this circle will meet to explore and share on our lifelong learning journeys on the 3rd Friday of each month, noon-1:15 pm. Small Groups, Covenant and Learning Circles « OUUC
Joy in the Mail - Would you like to spread some cheer by writing cards to others? We are organizing to send cards to our folks with birthdays or who could use some extra cheer. Sign up to be a card writer by emailing Sara Lewis and you will get a list of recipients.
Our Sunday worship service will be live on our OUUC YouTube channel as well as on Zoom. You can still participate in Sunday worship through Zoom. Those who would like to try the YouTube option can do so here.
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.
In the Larger Community
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury, CT invites you to the ordination of Sierra-Marie Gerfao (she/her/hers) this coming Sunday, January 24 at 1:00 pm Pacific. The service will take place on Zoom. Please RSVP to officemanager@uudanbury.org. Those who RSVP will receive the Zoom link via email on the morning of the service. Sierra-Marie was Director of Religious Education at the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation from 2002-2007.
VIRTUAL Seminary for a Day on Saturday, January 30, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm at First Unitarian Portland. This year’s spiritual theme is entitled, Success, Failure, and Everything In Between. The keynote speaker is the Rev. Meg Riley, co-moderator of the UUA, the highest volunteer office of our movement. At Seminary for a Day Rev. Riley is eager to share what she has learned and reflect on how our faith’s past weaknesses, successes and failures can help us now in our pursuits of equality and justice. She will explore the topic through the lens of our work in welcoming LGBTQ+ people and the lessons that have come from that work. Registration is open until 11:00 am on Friday, January 29. You will receive a Zoom link via email before the event. Register.
Pacific Western Regional Assembly - Saturday, February 13, 2021, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm PST
Find out more here: Pacific Western Regional Assembly | Pacific Western Region | UUA.org
Our Shared Journey – February 6-13. Social Justice and Peace Through Interfaith Understanding and Cooperation. Interfaith Works offers a time of reflection and remembrance to process the impact of COVID-19 on our lives collectively; beginning February 6, the anniversary of the first recorded death from COVID in the United States. Please join us on our shared journey of healing. Frequently check for updates and how to join us online @ Interfaith-Works.org/Events. Facebook event.
Have you ever wanted to visit Alaska? If so, WhaleCoast Alaska 2021 is for you! 4 Alaska UU congregations invite you to experience our unique environmental and spiritual tour program this summer, when it will be safe to travel again. See Alaska through the eyes of local UUs, with friendly homestays and awe-inspiring tour activities. See wildlife, including moose, bears, caribou, whales, bald eagles, sea lions, etc. Visit Denali National Park. Experience Native Alaskan culture. WhaleCoast Alaska is an inspirational way to visit our beautiful state. Complete info at www.WhaleCoastAK.org. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you won’t want to miss!
About Us
Sara Lewis, Director of Faith Development
Darlene Sarkela, Congregational Administrator
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