OUUC Weekly Update 7-1-20
News from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Worship Service July 5, one online service at 10:00 am
From Rev. Mary - Overflowing!
The OUUC choir sings a song by Brian Tate called “Overflowing:”
Overflowing. Overflowing. My heart is growing in gratitude.
My heart is overflowing this week with gratitude to the OUUC Auction Team--WOOHOO! And to each of you for your participation in the auction and your generosity. So many of you donated items, which were extra creative this year. And, many more of you bid on items. The response was overwhelming and so much more than we imagined. Thank you for your commitment to OUUC and how we can be a force for love and justice in the world. Overflowing in gratitude. Read more....
Mid-Week Meditation
A Few Words from OUUC's Parish Nurse
Our Parish Nurse, Ann Yeo, shares with you an excerpt from a recent (6/28) blog on the Washington Department of Health website, entitled “Just because you can doesn’t mean you need to.” If you wish, you can access the entire text, with some amusing illustrations, here.
Thurston County Steps Toward Justice
Celebrate the Life of Billie Williams
We will gather virtually to remember her and her many connections to our community. All are welcome to attend.
Sunday, July 5 at 2:00 pm
Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84741107376?pwd=TmRwVG1oWVhvVzFvVWI4Q01JRVhvZz09
Phone log in: 1-253-215-8782
Meeting ID: 847 4110 7376
Password: 430216
Summer Spiritual Practice
We know that some of you have come to love the Thursday evening services and Rev. Mary’s Mid-week meditation. We’re taking a break over the Summer, but you don’t have to go without some spiritual grounding! You can access an archive of Thursday evening services and Mid-week meditations here.
The Thursday evening services will resume on August 27 with a Music & Meditation service offered by Rev. Mary and Megan Johnston on Celtic harp.
Stay well and stay connected!
Beautify our Grounds and Assert Individual Rights!
Weeds and even some of our planted landscaping are smothering other plants' ability to be seen as individuals. So, we're hosting two weeding parties to put life back in balance. Friday, July 3 - 12:30 to 3:30 pm and Monday, July 6 9:00 am to noon. This is a great time to prune and to pull weeds before they go to seed. Please let us know if you can come on either or both dates. Please bring heavy gloves and pruners or loppers if you have them. Bring a mask. We'll be social distancing for sure. There's even a nice patch of weeds growing in the playground. Wouldn't it be satisfying to get them out of there? See you soon! - Steve Tilley and Michael Kyer
Film Discussion
Have you watched the ECO-film JUST EAT IT? It concerns food waste, an important climate issue that you can do something about. The film is an hour-long and is available free (with ads) on YouTube.
The Environmental Action Team is going to have a ZOOM discussion of the film, including further information on July 9 at 7:00 - 7:30 pm. (Ignore the link published in last week's update.)
If you want to join the discussion, please e-mail FrankTurner. Frank will send you an invitation link to the meeting. I hope you enjoy the movie and the discussion.
Buy Books and Benefit OUUC
Browsers Bookshop (BrowsersOlympia.com) is ready to welcome you in person again on Tuesday-Saturday between 11:00 am – 5:00 pm or by phone if you prefer! Browsers is a very special local small business that stocks a great assortment of titles from the two UU publishing houses, Beacon Press and Skinner House Books. Best of all, when you shop at Browsers (in person, online or by phone), Browsers will donate 30% of the cover price of any of those UU titles AND 10% of your all your other purchases (gift cards excepted) to OUUC. Just say “It’s for OUUC” when you check out.
Your Attention is Needed!
Members of the OUUC Environmental Action Team are very concerned about two issues coming before the Port of Olympia Commissioners this month. The first is the Commission's decision on an option-to-lease 200 acres of forested land near the Olympia airport for warehouse development. The second is the Commission's decision whether to support further study of a major airport in the county. Both decisions will have long-lasting impacts on climate change goals and local environmental resources. See the following articles for more information. Article 1. Article 2.
Congratulations! We did it!
Below is the detail of what we raised in our first ever all online auction. This exceeded all of our expectations.
Raise the Paddle: OUUC Outreach $13,340
All other Auction Items: $22,309
Expenses: $1,856
TOTAL: $33,793
Many thanks to all of the donors and bidders. Special thanks to the Auction Team:
Sharon Love, Linda Crabtree, Brian Walsh, Bob Sundstrom, Karen Jackson, Jeff Goltz, Mike Harbour, Kelly Thompson, Mary Ann Thompson, Tami Black, Gail Gosney Wrede, Carol Williams, Sally Alhadeff, Ann Rockway, Anne Radford, Ryan Baye, Martha Guilfoyle, John Gear, Wendy Tanner, Curtis Tanner, Chris Parke, Steve Tilley, Riley McLaughlin, Tim Ransom, Michael Kyer, Leslie Romer, and Julie Rosmond.
If you have comments or suggestions about the auction, please email Melanie Ransom. Thanks and congratulations!
Quick Notes
Travel the Changes Hearts and Transforms Lives returns! Four sessions were canceled in March when we pivoted to an online church. Now those sessions will be offered on Zoom. To attend, register before July 6. Full descriptions and the registration link are here.
Online Office - Do you have questions about how to make online donations, check your pledge status, or use the directory? Maybe you just want to check in about a current project you are working on. The Administrator’s Zoom door will be open for office visitors on Wednesdays from 2:00 – 2:40 pm. (If you are asked to wait in the Zoom waiting room it is because another church member is visiting the office.) Please stop by!
The Virtual Bulletin Board is a place for members to share information about events in the larger community, ask for recommendations, and share resources. Email the church office to sign up.
Read This Week in Religious Education here.
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
Are you learning to be in solidarity with Black Trans Lives? Come learn from this free webinar on July 8 at 4:00 pm. Advanced Registration required. What: Discussion of Black trans folks in queer organizing.
Who: Zahara Green & Carmen Wilson
When: July 8 at 4:00 pm
Where: Zoom (register here)
New Puyallup Co-housing Group Forming - Cohousing is a type of intentional community composed of private homes supplemented by shared facilities. The community is planned, owned, and managed by the residents, who also share activities that may include cooking, dining, gardening, socializing, and governance of the community. A new group is forming around 17 acres in Puyallup that ultimately may be home to both multi-generational and senior community homes. Interested in being part of the creation? Check out www.puyallupcohousing.org or contact Anne-Marie Davidson.
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