OUUC Weekly Update 10-18-17
News from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Worship Services - October 22 services at 9:15 and 11:00 am
"White Supremacy Teach-In #2" - Sara Lewis, Rev. Carol McKinley, and Rev. Eric Posa
Living Our Covenant - Stewardship 2018
THANK YOU to all of you who have already made your pledge for 2018! Add YOUR name to support OUUC in its many ministries that help to change the world. If you missed them, you can listen to Rev. Posa’s “Value Our Congregation” sermon or watch video testimonials from members and friends who are ‘Living Our Covenant’. All OUUC members and many friends received pledge packets in the mail. But if we missed you, or you are new, Stewardship information is available online, at the Stewardship Table in the Commons, or in the OUUC office. If you need more information or you would like to talk to a Visiting Steward before you make your pledge, please contact Jeff Goltz or Christine Parke. Or both!
Living Our Covenant - Stewardship 2018
In the Interim
Upcoming Events:
October 20 – Congregational Meeting to vote on sale of Annex property (Friday night)
October 22 – White Supremacy Teach-In, Part 2 (Sunday, 12:30-2:00 pm)
October 24 – Policy What? Governance at OUUC (Tuesday, 7:00-8:30 pm)
November 4 – Conversation in Transition (Saturday, 9:00 am-12:30 pm)
I’ve said already, but it bears repeating: it’s a busy few weeks coming up at OUUC, particularly this next week. A recap: Read more....
Notice of Special Congregational Meeting
A special congregational meeting has been called by the Board of Trustees for Friday, October 20, 2017, at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary. The purpose of the meeting will be consideration of the board’s recommendation to sell the Annex. Before the meeting, we’ll have our traditional sweet and savory potluck beginning at 6:30 pm. Please arrive early as the vote will be by ballot; we’ll distribute the ballots as members check into the meeting. You can also learn more about the rationale for the recommendation in the attached report which is also available for review in the church office.
The agenda is available here.
Standing on the Side of Love
Balancing the Scales fundraiser for Community-Assisted Resources for Equity (CARE)
Thurston County Public Defense will host a fundraiser for CARE at the Woman's Club of Olympia, 1002 Washington St. SE, on Wednesday, November 15, 5:30 - 7:00 pm. CARE is a project of OUUC's Justice not Jails program. Poverty is a common denominator among the accused in our local criminal justice system. In fact, 92% of all those with cases in Thurston County District Court are indigent. CARE assists people by eliminating small financial barriers to managing/closing their court cases. There will be presentations by Patrick O'Connor, Director, Thurston County Public Defense and others as well as appetizers and a wine bar. Please come and support our CARE fund! Please RSVP to Marie Johantgen.
Milestones
OUUC's former Director of Religious Education, Sierra-Marie Gerfao will be serving for the next two years as the first-ever Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship Intern Minister (until June 2019). The UUCF is an organization for Unitarian Universalist Christians throughout the United States. In her role, in partnership with the UUCF's Executive Director Jake Morrill, she will be assuming the ministerial responsibilities of the organization from pastoral care to leading worship and administrative ministry. She is especially eager to develop her voice as a public theologian after graduating from Yale Divinity School in May 2017 (and Yeshiva University's Wurzweiler School of Social Work in August 2018). Best wishes in your ministry, Sierra-Marie! Contact Sierra-Marie.
White Supremacy Teach-In Part 2
Sunday, October 22, 12:45 - 3:00 pm. All are invited to attend this workshop following the worship. A light lunch between worship and workshop will be served. This will follow up on the Teach-In we held in July, but you need not have attended that in order to join us for Part 2.
Small Group Ministry
“Policy What?" Governance at OUUC
The governance model known as Policy Governance functions differently than many people expect church governance to work, and its counter-intuitive elements confuse many and frustrate some. Yet it also has great potential to streamline many aspects of congregational life. On Tuesday, October 24, 7:00 - 8:30 pm, will be an opportunity to learn more – an initial presentation by Rev Posa of its principles, strengths, and downsides, followed by extensive Q&A. All are welcome.
What’s happening in Adult Education? You can still sign up.
November 6 starts a 3-session series with Steve Tilley on earthquake preparedness – very practical for winter storms as well as earthquakes. “Spontaneous Evolution” (November 7) will explore the synthesis of science, evolutionary theory, and spiritual consciousness. Riley McLaughlin is teaching a “Soundscape” class (November 1), sure to change how you listen to your world. JoAnn Young is leading a class on the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh (November 2). Then, for those preparing for the holidays, come to Melanie Ransom’s “Reusable Holiday Gift Bags”, November 28. For more details, see the Adult Education catalog and sign up online. Thanks to all our volunteer teachers!
Race in Film Series
Thursday, October 19, 6:30 pm: “Loving” at OUUC. This award-winning 2017 film tells the story of the two people whose marriage in the early 1960s led to the end of anti-miscegenation laws in the United States. Discussion follows the showing. The film series is co-sponsored by the Black Alliance of Thurston County, The United Churches of Olympia, and OUUC.
Guest at Your Table Coordinator still needed!
This important Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) program raises support for and awareness about their work to advance human rights in the world. At OUUC, the program launches in November and concludes by January 1. Make a big contribution to greater justice in this world! The Coordinator lets people know about Guest at Your Table through OUUC’s weekly email announcements, distributes Guest at Your Table boxes and information at the Faith in Action table in the Commons during November and December and publicizes the end of the program in late December. Want to volunteer for this short-term project? Contact Carol McKinley.
Social Groups
YUUNG (Age 21-31ish) - Church and Lunch (Every last Sunday). Come to church, sit with the young adults. Contact Ryan Baye.
PUGs (Powerful Unitarian Universalist Gals) - All women are welcome to join us for fellowship and conversation. Wednesdays 10:30 - Noon, PUGs at OUUC meets in the Youth Room. You may bring a beverage in your own container. - Contact Pat Sonnenstuhl.
Ladies Unitarian Social – All women affiliated with OUUC, and their guests, are welcome at Lady Unitarian Social Hour. We meet weekly on Tuesday afternoons from 4:30 to 6:00 pm to share conversation and refreshments. Please feel free to drop in at any of our weekly gatherings. October 24 - Ben Moore's, 112 - 4th Ave W. - Contact Meliz Maatta or Susan Bakke.
Guy’s TGIT meets on Thursdays at 4:30 pm. October 19, West Side, 1815 Harrison NW. - Contact Bernie Brady.
MUGs (Mighty Unitarian Guys) meets for eclectic discussions every Thursday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 am at Traditions Cafe in downtown Olympia. Men of all ages are welcome. - Contact Jim Lengenfelder.
Thank You!
Thank you to many people but I'll start with these specific ones, for always being generous listeners! Amy Huntley, Julie Rosmond, Bonnie Guyer Graham, Jean Phillips, Diana Finch, Sara Lewis. Your habits of kindness are appreciated and INSPIRING! - Anne Hundley
Read more Thank Yous here.
Conversation on Transition
Join Rev. Posa for a Conversation on Transition. There will be time to consider moments in the history of OUUC that continue to impact it today. Then the focus will be on recent events, with opportunities to hear from various sub-groups in the congregation, and time toward the end to process what we’ve heard. November 4, from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm. All members and friends are welcome.
New Member Welcome
Parent Discussion Circle about Kids and Money
Wednesday, October 25, 6:30 pm. A discussion and parent support meeting about questions of raising children who are "money-smart" and how our values intersect with questions of money. We will refer to the book "The Opposite of Spoiled" by Ron Lieber, and reading it before-hand is recommended, but not required. Free copies are available from the Director of Religious Education, Sara Lewis. Particularly ideal for parents of middle schoolers (who will be learning about money in the middle school group this month), but parents and caregivers of children of any age may find it beneficial. Please join us! You can request childcare by messaging or emailing Sara Lewis.
Halloween Party
On October 30 Our Middle and High School youth are putting on a party fundraiser to benefit the Religious Education scholarship fund (which helps youth attend CONs, trainings, field trips, and events). Come in costume and enjoy a spooky pumpkin patch (for the youngest), haunted classroom (for those who like a bit more scare), games, photo booth, and yummy treats. Fun for All Ages. Suggested donation of $5 at the door, plus bake sale treats for $1 each. (Are you a youth or the family of a youth? You can sign up here to help put this event on.
This Week in Religious Education
As we continue to explore our theme of Courage, we learned last Sunday about UU Christopher Reeve, and that superheroes come in all shapes, sizes, and abilities. Read more about it in this week's blog post. We have been exploring many different kinds of courage, and next up will be the courage to be an ally and the courage to resist racism. Read more....
In the Larger Community
CIELO and Immigrant Stories of Olympia - Wednesday, October 18, 7:30 - 8:45 pm, Olympia Timberland Library. Charo Garcia de Portaro will share her own story of immigration to the Olympia community and talk about her work with CIELO an organization that promotes community, self-sufficiency, and leadership of Latinos and other underserved people in the South Puget Sound area. Contact Frances Tanaka.
Wouldn’t it be a hope-inspiring thing, if Jewish Israeli Settlers and Arab Palestinian Activists could come together for a civil discussion? It will happen at 7:00 pm, Sunday, October 22 at the Evergreen State College. The public is invited to hear what they have to say about their efforts toward mutual understanding and peace, and about their organization, which brings Jewish settlers and Palestinian activists together in the West Bank Territory. This free event will be held in Purce Hall, Lecture Hall 1. Contact Rich Kalman.
Reyna Grande will be discussing her book, The Distance Between Us, at The Washington Center for the Arts on Thursday, October 26, at 7:00. This book is a memoir of Grande's life in Mexico as a small child after both of her parents have left to work in the United States and then of her experience when she and two of her siblings join their father to live in the United States. This talk is sponsored by the Timberland Regional Library as part of their Thurston County Reads Event. Contact Frances Tanaka.
Interfaith Works has published a General Election 2017 Candidate Questionnaire! Housing, homelessness, community policing & climate change are among the highlighted issues. See the questionnaires here.
The League of Women Voters of Thurston County annual luncheon and silent auction is on October 28 at 11:30 am at the Red Lion Inn. Noah Purcell, WA State's Solicitor General, will make a presentation, Washington Takes A Stand. Lifetime Citizenship Awards will be given to Brad Shannon, Editorial Page Editor, and Meg Martin, Director of Interfaith Works Overnight Emergency Shelter. Tickets may be purchased at the door, or online at lwvthurston.org/luncheon.
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