OUUC Weekly Update 5-10-22
News from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Worship Service May 15 at 10:00 am - online and in-person
“Embrace, Don't Touch” - 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.
At 11:30 am, there will be a Q&A session on the proposed budget for July 2022-June 2023. You can attend in person or online.
Thursday Evening Spiritual Practice - online and in-person
Thursday Spiritual Practices, May 12, 7:00-7:30 pm, online and in person, join Sara Lewis for (seated) body awareness and body affirmation meditations.
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.
Auction 2022: We Are Building a New Way—Together!
OUUC’s key fundraiser, Auction 2022, is in full swing! Bids are flying in for items in the online auction. With five more days to participate, check the website to update your bids and contribute to our three important causes: Ukrainian Relief, OUUC’s gutter project, and Community Fund. Online bids will be sealed at 5:00 pm on Sunday. Our dinner and live auction event gets underway Saturday at 5:00 pm at Indian Summer Golf and Country Club, 5900 Troon Ln SE, Olympia. Not able to attend? No problem! Everyone can bid on all 15 items designated as LIVE AUCTION simply by completing the absentee bidder form. Please contact Sharon Love with questions. May the fire of generous commitment secure a bright future for our OUUC community and beyond. Thank you!
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.
May Board Report
Please review the video update from the Board of Trustees to find out about Board activities, actions, and decisions.
The next meeting of the Board of Trustees is Thursday, May 12 at 7:00 pm. Contact Board Secretary, Rich Kalman for information. Plan to attend the Q&A session on the proposed budget for July 2022-June 2023 at 11:30 am on Sunday, May 15.
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.
Bicycle Challenge
It's time for the May Intercity Transit Bicycle Community Challenge! Time to get on those bikes and ride to work, do errands, for recreation, for health, or just because it's a beautiful Spring day!
Register here.
If you'd like, join our team, OUUCyclists. It's a great way to get around Thurston County and start the fair-weather biking season.
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! For the next three weeks, 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!
Transylvanian Unitarian Minister Elöd Szabó to Preach on Sunday, May 22
Over the years our congregation has provided financial assistance for a number of projects at our Partner Church. These include funds onetime helping pay the taxes for the church’s woods, new tiles for the old church roof, supplies for a small weekly clinic, purchase of a a vehicle used as an ambulance, a digital TV. for the local school, and a motorized wheelchair for a disabled recipient. Two years ago, because the 300 year-old church was badly neglected during the Ceausescu years and the congregation was not able able to use the church in the winter, your generous offering donations contributed to the completion of a five-year project to restore the historic Kissolymos church. This involved a new roof and exterior, removal of water and mold damage in the church walls, a new drainage system, and most happily for everyone, installation of a much-needed heating system and renovation of the beautiful and organ. Other fundraising and completion of the work was under the direction of the current settled minister Levente Lörenczi,. Because in Romania mandatory education only extends to the 8th Grade in Romania, we also continue to provide annual scholarships to assist village students attend and board at one of the two Unitarian high schools.
Quick Notes
Church Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.
Are you longing to worship with other people but not quite ready to be inside? There's an alternative! A watch party outside at OUUC! Gather on the patio at OUUC with others to watch the service on a screen together. We'll put tables and chairs on the patio near the Commons and you can sit together to watch the service. We'll have a canopy ready in case it's needed. We hope to see you soon!
COVID Phase: Low. 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.
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.
From JUUstWA, a snapshot of Snake River to Salish Sea Spirit of the Waters Totem Pole Journey (May 2022) here.
Resources from Side with Love & Other Links:
Combatting Anti-Trans Legislation 101 (March 17 webinar with the Trevor Project)
Spokesperson Training for Trans Advocacy (80 minutes)
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