OUUC Weekly Update 10-11-17
News from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Worship Services - October 15 services at 9:15 and 11:00 am
Living Our Covenant - Stewardship 2018
THANK YOU to all of you who have already made your pledge for 2018! As of today, 41% of our members and friends have pledged – 114 pledges that total $285,517. 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! During the week of November 12-18, the Stewardship Committee will celebrate with new pledgers, those who increase their pledge by at least 20%, and those who generously pledge at least 5% of their adjusted gross income according to the UUA’s Fair Share Contribution Guide. But you need to pledge this month! More details are available online or at the Stewardship Table.
Living Our Covenant - Stewardship 2018
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.
Distressed Trees along Division
As some members have noticed, many of the fir trees along Division Street are in distress and some have clearly died. We consulted an arborist and he determined that the roots were damaged during the parking lot construction and nothing can be done to save the trees. He predicts that all the trees along Division are likely to die in the coming years and will need to be removed. Buildings and Grounds Committee is arranging a contract with Moore Tree Services to remove the three trees that are in the worst shape. He is quite busy so it will be several weeks before work begins. Due to decay, the trees have no commercial value. The bottom twenty feet of each tree will be left as habitat stumps. A twelve-foot-long section will be cut from the largest tree and laid in the RE playground for our kids to climb on. Wood chips from the trees will be used for landscaping around OUUC and the remainder of the wood will be offered to local charities for firewood. Over time, we will be planting new trees among the habitat stumps.
Justice Not Jails Hosts Guest Speaker
Nathaniel Jones will speak about the upcoming Olympia Community Safety and Housing Initiatives at OUUC on Thursday, October 12 at 7:00 pm. He will discuss the November ballot measure, and how it will affect Olympia’s neighborhoods and downtown, as well as the potential for a housing ballot measure next winter. The public is invited to attend. Hosted by OUUC's Justice Not Jails.
Why Sell the Annex?
What the board is recommending: After considerable reflection and analysis, the OUUC board has concluded that keeping the B and G (Bart and Gladys Burns) Annex would result in using considerable congregational resources for very limited results while selling the B and Annex is consistent with and furthers the ends articulated by the congregation in 2016. More specifically, it furthers the following ends:
The Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation responds to the needs of a changing congregation and world, and
Our lives and those of the larger community are meaningfully changed through our collaborative work for justice.
Although not an end, it must be remembered that an overarching duty of the board is to responsibly steward the financial and physical assets of the congregation. Read more....
In the Interim
Influence from Past Ministries – Returning to issues that emerged from my initial round of interviews with lay leaders, one issue that pretty much everyone consistently agreed on, was that Rev. Arthur Vaeni’s ministry at OUUC (2001-2014) had a positive impact, on both the congregation and the community. More specifically, the story widely told to me about Rev. Vaeni is that of a spiritually deep person, strong in the pulpit, active in the community work for social justice (especially homelessness), with a steady and calming pastoral presence, and little engagement with the administrative aspects of church life – more than one of you have said that he described himself as not strong on administration. (NOTE: I have no idea how accurate or inaccurate this description of Rev. Vaeni is; I just note that it’s the commonly-told story here about him.) Read more....
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.
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 17 - RAM Restaurant and Brewery, 8100 Freedom Ln NE. - Contact Meliz Maatta or Susan Bakke.
Guy’s TGIT meets on Thursdays at 4:30 pm. October 12, Cascadia Grill, 200 - 4th Ave W. - 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.
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
When the children are invited to leave the worship service for a religious education class on Sunday mornings (if they wish, they are also welcome to stay in the worship service), I invite the children forward to carry a candle: "Carrying the light of our heritage into the classroom". Read more....
OUUCYCLIST Wins Bike
Each May Joe Joy encourages bicyclists in the congregation to join the OUUCyclists Team in the Bicycle Commuter Challenge sponsored by Intercity Transit. In addition to actual bike commuters (adult and youth), retirees who ride to church, library and other errands join the Team for the month’s activities. At the June BCC celebration, one member of our team was the lucky winner of a $500 gift certificate for a new bicycle. Leslie Romer finally claimed her prize last weekend and rode her new mountain bike to OUUC on Sunday morning.
Coming Up
The Green Sanctuary Committee will meet on this coming Sunday, October 15 at 12:30 pm. Please join us. All are welcome!
Conversation in Transition will be the first Saturday in November, November 4, from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm.
OUUC Meditation Group - No meditation on October 16. The group usually meets on the First and Third Mondays, 6:30 - 7:30 pm, Everyone welcome. Contact Anatha Attar.
Volunteer Opportunity
Do you have skills in website development and maintenance? Do you know about things like servers, domains, email hosting, Google Apps, and Wordpress? The OUUC Website Team could use your help. No regular meetings. Serve in an advisory capacity. Contact the Church Administrator for more information.
In the Larger Community
Needs at the Interfaith Shelter: As colder weather comes closer warm clothing items are needed for the guests who come to the Shelter. Especially needed are coats, jackets, sweaters, hats, gloves, shoes, boots and warm blankets. On the third Wednesday of November two hosts from 5:30 to 7:30 pm are needed. Both the third and fourth Wednesdays main dishes for 12 to 14 and/or side dishes (fruits, vegetables, desserts, etc). For food donations contact Billie Williams. To host or donate clothing items contact Jo Ann Young.
All-Day Mindfulness Retreats at Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2333 San Juan Avenue, Port Townsend - Saturday, October 14 and December 9, 10:00 am to 3:30 pm; (Orientation for beginners 9:00 am). Kurt Hoelting, Facilitator. To Register for one or both dates: send full name & email address to mindfulness@quuf.org at least 5 days in advance of retreat; additional information about what to bring will be forwarded. Suggested Donation: $15 - $25. These retreats, held in silence with the guidance of an experienced teacher, offer an opportunity to unplug from the stresses of everyday life and work, and to restore our inner depth, vitality, and resilience, in community with other practitioners.
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