OUUC Weekly Update 9-2-20
News from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Worship Service September 6, one online service at 10:00 am
“Renewing Our Faith in Our Faith” – Matt Aspin
Unitarian Universalism can sometimes seem like a religion that asks for a lot, but offers very little in return (no promise of eternal reward for a life of good deeds...really? What's the point?!?!). Join us for an exploration of the paradox of our chosen faith, and the spiritual renewal available if we make a commitment to fully walk the path towards salvation our religion actually does point us towards.
Matt Aspin is a recent graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological Seminary. Following a successful career in human resources and organizational development, primarily in larger non-profit organizations, he is in the middle of a major life pivot grounded in an intention to expand the reach and potential promise of the Unitarian Universalist faith.
Join us for Online Worship.
Listen to sermons here. See recordings of online services here.
From Rev. Mary - "Opening Up"
Our building is closed but our community, hearts, and minds are open!
This phrase, or something like it, is in the email signature line for several of us on staff at OUUC. When the Governor closed everything down in March, we worked hard to stay as connected and open as we could. We made several decisions to preserve as much openness as possible: we decided to offer live rather than pre-recorded services; to use Zoom so we could all see each other; and to post our Zoom login link on the OUUC website so newcomers and visitors can still join us for worship on Sunday morning and other events, too.
In other words, we’ve worked to keep our virtual doors as open as our building and sanctuary doors were. I have been and remain so proud of you all for working together to stay connected despite the challenges. Read more....
Tuesday Tea Time with Jo
Bring your tea, scones, crumpets, and a spoonful of sugar to a Zoom tea with Jo Sahlin, new OUUC Media Specialist. This is a time to get to know Jo, ask questions, and talk about the various needs and opportunities related to technology and media for OUUC. Join Jo Tuesday, September 8 at 2:00 pm on Zoom! Find the meeting link on Online Meetings page.
Living Alone?
Find the meeting link on our Online Meetings page. Group members are also starting a Skype channel as a way of quickly contacting each other if in need. Cindy Bowens is starting that group so anyone interested can contact her. She will also help with Skype instructions if needed.
A Note from Rev. Kari
Thank you so much for the beautiful send-off. Big love to you all!
And I LOVE the stole! Thank you so much.
– Rev. Kari Kopnick
A Message from the Board of Trustees
Thursday Evening Spiritual Practice
Please join us this Thursday at 7:00 pm. This begins a regular offering of Thursday evening spiritual practices. This Thursday, Troy Fisher and Rev. Carol McKinley join Rev. Mary for a time of reflection on our monthly spiritual theme of Renewal using words and music.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81051325520?pwd=NjdXM25OMThVRytydWtQQ0lJZmtMQT09
Meeting ID: 810 5132 5520
Passcode: 690200
One tap mobile +12532158782
Water Communion
We gather to begin another church year with the ritual of water communion. The ceremony invites us to share the water from places we’ve been over the Summer, bringing us back together again knowing that we are connected by the rivers, streams, lakes, and oceans. Since we will not be co-mingling our water in person, let’s share images of our water adventures even if it is from our kitchen tap. Send your photos to liberalfaith@ouuc.org. We’ll share our images during the service on September 13.
Join a Small Group
Sign up for an open group here.
Drive-Through on September 13 from 3:00 - 4:30 pm at OUUC: An Opportunity for Giving and Receiving
Plan to come to the parking lot at OUUC on the afternoon of Sunday, September 13, to take part in a drive-through for giving and receiving. We’ll have music and decorated tables and anything else we can think of for a bit of fun! You can give by donating school supplies for L.P. Brown Elementary School and books for those incarcerated at the Shelton Corrections Center. Please read the information below about these requests before bringing your donations.
You can receive on this day, too. OUUC staff will be present with RE kits for families to begin the new church year. chalice kits for anyone who wants to make a chalice at home, chalice stickers that will be blessed in the service on Sunday, August 30. You can participate by walking, busing, or biking to OUUC that afternoon, too. All modes of transportation and all people are welcome! For the health of all of us, we will observe all precautions--physical distancing and masks. We hope to see you soon!
Donating School Supplies
Our neighboring elementary school, L. P. Brown, has asked for our support in collecting supplies for their low-income students. About 60% of the children at the school are on the free or reduced-cost lunch program. These items are needed by all students: colored markers, crayons, pens, pencils, and pencil cases, lined notepaper tablets, printer paper, PeeChee folders. As you shop for your family in person or online, please consider adding a few items for the L. P. Brown kids! And, remember, if you purchase through Amazon Smile, you can designate your donation to OUUC!
Donating Books for Incarcerated People
The Washington Corrections Center in Shelton needs books! The pandemic caused the loss of their volunteer-led programs as well as severe restrictions on funded programs. Those imprisoned there have little to do and would really appreciate books. They accept ALL books. Romance novels are not popular, and they will remove any books depicting violence or that contain nude images. Any books they don’t add to the prisoner library will be passed on to other non-profits. This event on September 13 is a ONE-TIME opportunity to donate books. Please do not leave books at church at any other time. If you can't make that time on the 13th and want to donate, please contact Sally Brennand to make other arrangements.
Space Exploration!
Leadership Charge
Faith in Action Visioning!
October 3, 1:00 – 3:00 pm, on Zoom.
All are invited to join us for a visioning of what our OUUC Faith in Action could be this church year.
Register here.
Quick Notes
Our Sunday worship service will be live on our new OUUC YouTube channel as well as on Zoom. We are exploring ways to stay connected. You can still participate in Sunday worship through Zoom. Those who would like to try the YouTube option can do so here.
Read This Week in Religious Education here.
Teen to Adult Reading for the Revolution: join Sara for a discussion of "How to Be An Anti-Racist" by Ibram X Kendi on Monday, September 14 at 5:30 pm. Register.
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
Thurston Climate Action Team’s Transportation Action Group is sponsoring a webinar about electric car ownership. If you are interested, or just curious about them, here’s something that will give you a chance to hear six or eight local people who own and drive them talking about what that's been like for them... Charging into the Future: Get Charged Up About Electric Vehicles - Wednesday, September 16, 7:00 pm. You’ve got questions about Electric Vehicles? We’ve got answers! Join us for a lively panel of local EV owners sharing all of the things you need to know about buying and owning an EV. Register here.
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