OUUC Weekly Update 2-5-20
News from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Worship Services February 9, services at 9:15 and 11:00 am
Sunday Potluck
All are invited to this week's All Church Potluck Lunch! Please bring a dish to share if you are able. There are cards for labeling dishes available in the church kitchen. Food will be served in the Religious Education hallway at 12:15 pm and enjoyed together at tables in the Commons. Help setting up the Commons (quietly) during the 11:00 am worship service and in cleaning it up afterward is much appreciated. Contact Sara Lewis with questions or to volunteer.
Soul Matters
Our theme for February is Resilience. All are welcome to join the drop-in Soul Matters circle to reflect upon this theme this Sunday at 12:45 pm.
There will be printed theme packets on Sunday, or you can receive one by email. Request an email copy by emailing Sara Lewis.
Coming Soon: Good Grief 10 Step Group
The Good Grief Network builds personal resilience while strengthening community ties to help combat despair, inaction, eco-anxiety, and other heavy emotions in the face of daunting systemic predicaments. The state of the world seems unmanageable, chaotic even. For those of us paying attention, awareness of our systemic issues is confusing and painful. You may feel pulled to act, but don’t know what to do. Learn more about the Good Grief Network here. The Group will meet on Mondays, every two weeks, starting March 16. Registration will open soon.
From Rev. Mary - Change and Transition
Last fall, OUUC hired two new people to help us move forward. Those positions are changing, so here's an update.
Lori Doran has served OUUC for three months as Community Life Coordinator and left the position this week. I am grateful to Lori for helping us reconfigure the Commons to be more welcoming and for creating a page on our website that lists all the ways a person can connect to groups at OUUC. I am excited about the possibilities and in the process of investigating next steps regarding this position. I will definitely keep you posted. Thank you to Lori for her service to OUUC and in the wider community.
Our search for a new bookkeeper has taken an unexpected turn in a good way. Read more....
Rev. Elöd Szabó Coming to OUUC
A Few Words from OUUC’s Parish Nurse
Our Parish Nurse, Ann Yeo, has been thinking about two separate issues that have recently arisen in our congregation; and she has realized that the two issues share a commonality. The issues are:
· How do we respond to those among us with multiple chemical sensitivities?
· How do we respond to those among us with non-mainstream dietary needs?
Read more....
Membership Class Starts on Sunday
Attend the upcoming Membership Class to learn more about Unitarian Universalist theology, history, and polity as well as the structures of this congregation and the privileges and responsibilities of membership. * MEMBERSHIP CLASSES – Sundays (3 sessions): February 9, 16, and 23. 12:45 – 2:45 pm OR Saturday (1 session combining all classes): May 9. 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. OUUC staff and leaders. Sign up here.
Book Sale
Books, Beans, and Brownies (BBB) is not accepting book donations after Sunday, February 9. Thanks to YOU the storage container is nearly full, and we have more books than we can display at the sale! Please bring back collection boxes that are in the community. We are looking for a few more STRONG volunteers to unload boxes from the storage container Thursday, February 20 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Sign up at Sunday coffee hour or contact Cheryl Hanks.
Travel That Transforms Lives
The class schedule for Travel that Transforms Lives class has been rearranged to accommodate the presenters' busy lives. The new schedule for these dynamic, visually aided presentations: March 3 - Margo Curl, The Home of My Heart in the Foothills of the Indian Himalayas; March 10 - Kelly and Mary Ann Thompson, Rolling Through the Northwest; March 17 - Joanne Dufour, Helping Syrian Refugees in Jordan; March 24 - Rick Brandt-Kreutz, Kissolymos and Beyond; March 31 - Linda Crabtree, World Cultural Immersion Abroad and at Home.
Jail Expansion and County Courthouse
Tye Menser, County Commissioner, and Patrick O'Connor, Director of Thurston County Public Defense, will discuss and answer questions about the county jail expansion and proposed new courthouse. These are both important initiatives. The public is invited. 7:00 pm, Thursday, February 13 at OUUC. Presented by Justice not Jails. Contact Steve Tilley.
Joining the Power of Meditation and Deep Listening
2020 Vision Party
The Teen Faith in Action Leadership Council invites you to save the date for our splendorous 2020 Vision Party on March 6 at 7:00 pm right here at OUUC. It’s an open mic fundraiser with a suggested donation that goes to counter food insecurity and homelessness. Bring board games and baked goodies as you see fit. There will be plenty of things to do for all ages. Bring your fabulous talent or your enjoyment of watching others do so. We look forward to having you there!
Speaking in Public
Saturdays - March 7, 14, 21, and 28 at 1:00 pm. People speak in public for many reasons. They deliver reports, teach classes, relate stories, participate in services, voice protest. Learning a few basic skills will give you confidence and make the experience much more enjoyable. The instructors of this class, Janet Spencer and Chuck Ricketts have over 100 years of theatrical and teaching experience between them. Register for this or other adult education classes here.
So, how BIG is your FOOTPRINT?
We're talking about your CO2 (carbon dioxide) footprint. Would you like to help organize a "Taming Bigfoot" competition among teams OUUC members in the Spring? A group of us are starting to plan such a competition and would welcome additional folks for the organizing committee. Come see us at the Environmental Action Team table in the Commons this Sunday! Read about Taming Bigfoot here.
Cross-cultural Fellowship Time with Balázs Scholar Rev. Elöd Szabó - Saturday, February 8 at 10:00 am.*
Potluck - Sunday, February 9 at 12:15 pm.*
Soul Matters Drop-In - Sunday, February 9 at 12:45 pm.*
Meditation and Deep Listening - Friday and Saturday, February 7 and 8.*
Support Group - for parents with an adult son or daughter who is diagnosed with a mental health condition. The group is for those who wish to share their experiences and offer support to one another as a beloved community. Monday, February 10, 7:00 pm. Contact Maureen Wells for information.
Quick Notes
Drive Rev. Elöd (visiting Balázs scholar) to SeaTac - Would you be willing to drive Rev. Elöd to SeaTac to catch his plane for his return back to Starr King Seminary? He leaves Sunday, February 9 at 4:10 pm. If you can help, call Rick Brandt-Kreutz.
Read This Week in Religious Education here.
Save the Date: All Ages Game Night - Saturday, March 21 at 5:00 pm.
Vagina Monologues
Plan to attend The Vagina Monologues right here at OUUC, Friday, February 28 at 7:30 pm or Saturday, February 29 at 3:00 pm. Cast members include OUUC members Jane Brody and Josie Solseng. Proceeds benefit SafePlace. OUUC volunteers are needed to collect admissions at the door and process donations. If you can help, please contact Josie Solseng.
Neighborhood Response
The OUUC Neighborhood Response project is placing colored dots on the Name Tags of OUUC members and friends who live in the 98502 project area. The color identifies shared neighborhoods. Leslie Romer will be at the Environmental Action Team table answering questions, and will talk about the project and the significance of the dots at the 12:30 pm potluck on Sunday, February 8.
Shelter meals
On our many cold and wet nights, the warm and nutritious meals you have provided at the Interfaith Works Emergency Shelter will again be needed on Wednesdays, February 19 and 26. The Blue Apron Team will need your tasty donations of main dishes (casseroles, pasta, meat trays, soups, pots of beans and the like), and tasty side dishes (salads, vegetables, rice, potatoes, fruit, deviled eggs, desserts, etc.). Sunday sign ups will be gratefully taken at the Blue Apron table, or by contacting Jo Ann Young.
L.P. Brown Hygiene Supplies
Our neighboring elementary school, L. P. Brown has a Hygiene Closet for the more than 50% of their students who receive free or reduced lunches; these children often lack adequate hygiene supplies and basic clothing. Last year OUUC supplied the Hygiene Closet, and now it needs replenishing. Here are the items most urgently needed: mini deodorant, socks (kid sizes), underwear (especially small size 5-8), girls’ leggings (small), boys’ sweatpants (small), t-shirts, laundry detergent (small/sample size packets), toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and shampoo/conditioner. OUUC’s Faith in Action Ministry provides a School Collection Basket in the Commons to collect items through February. Many thanks for your generous donations!
Social Groups
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 who identify as women and who are 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. February 11 - Westside Tavern, 1815 Harrison Ave. NW. - Contact Meliz Maatta or Emily Ray.
Guy’s TGIT meets on Thursdays at 4:30 pm. February 6 - Beerwerks, 423 Steele St SE. - 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 Otto Buls.
In the Larger Community
The Washington State Legislature is in Session. The OUUC Environmental Action Team would like to call your attention to two environmental quality bills currently in the House. Please contact your Representative. Clean Fuels Now HB 1110 | SB 5412 - A Clean Fuel Standard will require fuel producers and importers to reduce pollution from the fuels that power our transportation system. Reducing Plastic Pollution SB 5323 - The Reusable Bag Act would eliminate thin carry-home plastic bags at all retail establishments and help Washington address a growing recycling crisis. If you don't know who your legislators are, look here!
Thursday, February, 6 at 7:00 pm - Olympia Community Center, 222 Columbia St NW, Olympia. Dr. Alan Nasser with additional comments from Dr. Randy Mandell. Have you wondered about the Green New Deal as a solution to climate change and how we would pay for it? Come to a 2-part series. Learn on Wednesday, January 29 about the Green New Deal, then come on February 6 to learn about the surprising way that the Federal government could fund this and even fix a few other problems at the same time! Alan Nasser is professor of political economy and philosophy emeritus from Evergreen College. He is also the author of the recent book: Overripe Economy: American Capitalism and the Crisis of Democracy. Randy Mandell is from Modern Monetary Revolution.
WhaleCoast Alaska 2020 - Have you ever dreamed of visiting Alaska? If so, WhaleCoast Alaska 2020 is for you! 4 Alaska UU congregations invite you to experience our unique environmental/ cultural/spiritual program this summer. See Alaska through the eyes of local UUs, with friendly homestays and unique tour activities. See wildlife, including moose, bears, caribou, whales, bald eagles, sea lions, etc. Visit Denali National Park. Experience Native Alaskan culture. Forget the cruise ships -- our program is truly the best way to visit Alaska! Tours led by Dave Frey, member of the Fairbanks UU congregation and Alaska travel expert. Find out more about this Alaskan trip of a lifetime. Complete info. Discount for groups of 8 or more. We would love to share our Alaska with you!
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