OUUC Weekly Update 5-17-22
News from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Worship Service May 22 at 10:00 am - online and in-person
"Memories" with Rev. Előd Szabo, Rev. Mary Gear, and Rick Brandt-Kreutz
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.
Thursday Evening Spiritual Practice - online and in-person
May 19 - Musical meditation with Troy Fisher.
May 26 - Sara Lewis will lead.
The last Thursday evening spiritual practice for the church year will be on June 2 with Rev. Mary, Sara Lewis, and Troy Fisher. We'll take a break for the summer.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82994463887?pwd=TkRaOTNWekdTaEx4VENiL0VoVjRPdz09
Meeting ID: 829 9446 3887
Passcode: 548890
Congregational Meeting May 22
11:30 am in-person in OUUC Sanctuary and on Zoom
Agenda (more information available here)
- Approval of May 1, 2021 Congregational Meeting Minutes
- Approval of December 12, 2021 Congregational Meeting Minutes
- A report from the Board of Trustees and the Minister
- Approval of the July 2022-June 2023 Budget (congregational vote required)
- Election of Board Members - Jeff Goltz, Tami Black, Lee Doyle, Joe Joy (congregational vote required)
- Election of Leadership Development Committee Members - Jason Martinelli, Alice Curtis, Gary Worthington (congregational vote required)
- Informational updates
Celebrate - May 22!
Our very own Lead for the Community and Faith Development Ministry and beloved OUUC DRE, Sara Lewis was ordained as an Interfaith Chaplain by The Chaplaincy Institute. On the afternoon of May 22, between 2:00 and 4:00 pm, come applaud Rev. Sara for her success and thank her for her dedication to OUUC. There will be cake, a basket for you to leave congratulatory cards in, and, at 3:00 pm, a special presentation of gifts from Sara’s co-workers and the Congregation. The event will be held outside, weather and pandemic permitting.
Installation of Rev. Mary Gear and our 70th Anniversary!
Please join us in celebrating the installation of Rev. Mary Gear and the 70th Anniversary of the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation. June 4 at 2:00 pm at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1601 North St SE. Please RSVP if you plan to attend online or in person. We welcome your attendance on-site, online, or in spirit.
We're all very excited that Rev. Mary's Installation and our 70th-anniversary celebration are coming up on Saturday, June 4. We are still looking for some volunteers to help with both setup and breakdown of tables and chairs for the event. If you are interested, please contact Zoe Myers.
We Built a New Way! Auction was a Great Success!
It’s another one for the books. Many thanks to the generous donors and bidders. We still have a few items to reconcile, but here are the mostly-final numbers of funds raised:
Ukraine Relief: $11,490
Church Gutters: $3020
Church General Fund: $26,000
Special thanks to the following volunteers for their commitment to making our auction, and the consequent auction items, such a powerful way to build and sustain our community. Thanks, and bravo! Sharon Love, Gail Gosney-Wrede, Jeff Goltz, Anna Garrett, Anne Kohlbry, Linda Crabtree, Brian Walsh, Tami Black, Karin Landsberg, Beth Johnson, Lee Doyle, Karen Jackson, Fritz Wrede, Carolyn Keck, Karmel Shields, Ann Rockway, Carol Williams, Tim Ransom, Rev. Mary Gear, Krystal Kyer, Leslie Romer, James Trujillo, Brian Trujillo, and Wendy Tanner.
- Melanie Ransom, Auction Chair
Register for General Assembly
The annual General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) will be held as a multi-platform gathering this year both online and in Portland, Oregon, from June 22 to 26. This is probably the closest GA will get to us in Olympia and a great chance for you to experience the energy, learning, associational governance, and fun that is all part of GA. You can learn more and register here: General Assembly: The Unitarian Universalist Association's Annual Meeting | UUA.org
If you are going to GA or are interested in being a voting delegate to represent OUUC, please contact Sara Lewis, who will be organizing some OUUC GA events, meet-ups, and a group text list for attendees.
Our Partner Church - Part IV
For many years the partnership between OUUC and the Unitarian congregation in Kissolymos has been a core ministry for our church. This ministry and our visits to Kissolymos have helped shape our vision and our identity with our Unitarian brothers and sisters and link us in relation to our fellow Unitarians in Transylvania. As their home-hosted guests during many trips to Kissolymos we have learned what it is to live out hospitality as a way of life and witnessed their commitment to a faith that since the 1600s has endured much hardship. Our ability to reach across what divides us and remain in partnership despite differences improves and deepens our faith and commitment to mutual growth. We have had the opportunity for a unique and incredible interconnectedness through members of our congregation’s visits to historic Unitarian sites, and to the birthplace of Unitarianism. In keeping with the sixth principle, we are promoting “The goal of a world community of peace liberty, and justice for all.” That legacy will also continue in the life of one former Kissolymos scholarship student who, because of your generous donations, was helped to complete his seminary studies and become an ordained Unitarian minister. (Note: Parts I, II, III, and IV are from the writings of Partner Church Team member Rhys Dovey.)
Volunteer to Provide Food
In three ways OUUC's Blue Apron Team volunteers help feed adults and children in our community who are experiencing Homelessness... 1. By bringing main and side dishes to the Unity Commons Adult Shelter each third and fourth Wednesday of the month. 2. By providing dinner each second Sunday for the adults who live in the Tiny Houses at Hope Village. 3. By donating shelf-stable foods to help fill the Food Bank's many Weekend Backpacks for kids of all ages. New volunteers are always welcome. Contact Jo Ann Young.
Hiroya Tsukamoto Concert May 29
On May 29 at 3:00 pm the OUUC Choir will host a concert by composer, guitarist, and singer-songwriter Hiroya Tsukamoto from Kyoto, Japan. In the early days of the pandemic, Hiroya was a guest musician for an online worship service. He also performed a virtual concert that was well attended. On May 29 we are happy to have Hiroya participate again providing music in-person for our worship service. Then at 3:00 pm, Hiroya will perform an online and in-person concert in the OUUC sanctuary. Please put this event on your calendar and plan to attend.
No, You Didn't Miss Your Chance!
If you weren't able to contribute to the time capsule at the party on May 1, it's not too late! On Sunday mornings look for tables in the Commons where you can drop off your mementos from home or make one there or decorate a flag for the installation/anniversary ceremony on June 4.
We've got a good start with historical artifacts, exhilarating quotations, and wishes for OUUC's future. Let's make our gift to OUUC 2032 a great (and interesting) one!
Quick Notes
Church Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.
COVID Phase: Medium. Please see our Phased Reopening Plan for information.
Chalice Camp Registration - It is back! Our Beloved OUUC Chalice camp is scheduled for Monday, July 11- to Friday, July 15. The Camp is designed for ages 5-10. What your child can expect from camp each day: arts and crafts, movement and music, snacks, meditation, stories, and outdoor play. Register here.
Save the Date: OUUC Family Fun Picnic at Millersylvania: August 27. We have a picnic shelter reserved, and this will be a day of multigenerational fun. Folks who would like to camp that weekend should reserve their own campsites, we are not organizing overnight camping as a group. If you’d be interested in helping to plan the day or lead a fun activity, please contact Sara Lewis or Karmel Shields.
In the Larger Community
Learn more about the following events and others here.
Many ways to plug into UU The Vote here https://www.uuthevote.org/events/
A message from the Side with Love Organizing Team on the premeditated fatal attack on a Black community in Buffalo.
What Does Public Safety Mean to You? Tell Us at a Listening-and-Learning Session for Reimagining Public Safety, May 31, 6:00-8:00 pm.
Green Your Home’s Carbon Footprint Webinar - June 14 at 6:30 pm sponsored by Green Faith Olympia and Faith Action Climate Team (FACT).
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