OUUC Weekly Update 5-2-23
News from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Worship Service May 7 at 10:00 am - online and in-person
“On Vision” with Rev. Mary Gear
We explore the spiritual theme of vision. Is it possible to “see” clearly and what helps us do so if we can?
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.
After-Service Forum: Behavioral Covenant with Rev. Mary Gear
Happening This Week
Thursday Dinner
Join us on Thursday at 5:30 pm for dinner and all ages Lego fun, all to celebrate May the 4th, also known as Star Wars Day.
Dinner will be a celebration of Star Wars.
Volunteers wanted! Sign up to volunteer for dinners here: OUUC: Help with Thursday Dinners (signupgenius.com)
After dinner, all ages are invited to stay for Legos, hosted by Anissa. Bring Legos if you like, we’ll have some to share as well.
May 7 Forum on OUUC Covenant Revisions
After the service on Sunday, May 7, Rev. Mary will host small group discussions on several proposed modifications to the current OUUC covenant. This is a follow-up to the forum held on March 19. Come with your questions and feedback about the covenant and what is proposed and give your input on what process should be used to modify the congregational covenant. You can read a copy of the proposed modifications here.
You can participate in the discussion onsite or online. We hope to see you there!
The Auction is Open!
It’s time to start bidding! The online auction is open! Sign in here or log on to the Auctria mobile app to browse the catalog and bid!
There is no shortage of unique and useful items, specialty baked goods, dinners, classes, and outings! The online auction closes Sunday, May 7 at 5:00 pm so bid, bid, and then bid some more.
Thank you to those who have purchased tickets to the live event on Saturday, May 6. If you have not purchased a ticket and want to attend, please visit the website and get your ticket today. Interested in seeing what’s on deck for the live auction? Check out the “Live Auction Preview” – It’s a great line-up that you won’t want to miss.
Donate to the UUA General Assembly Delegate Fund
Each year, the Unitarian Universalist Association holds a General Assembly where UUs across the U.S. gather to share worship and information, debate new initiatives, and vote on proposed policies and social justice efforts. Our congregation can send up to seven congregational delegates to GA. In some past years, OUUC has been able to pay for the cost of individuals attending GA as delegates of our church. In other years, we have not had the funds to do so. This year, in conjunction with the annual auction, we are asking people to help to create a UUA General Assembly Delegate Fund that will help pay costs for delegates attending GA for this year and into the future. If you plan to attend the live auction, get ready to raise your paddle! Not attending the event? You can participate by donating online.
Ministry Programs
Engage with the Bards
Summer Reading List
Check out the Adult Education Team's first-ever Summer Reading List. We've pulled together books consistent with our seven principles that will fascinate, engage, entertain, and challenge you.
Try reading one or all and let us know what you think come fall.
If you are quick, you can snag all seven in the silent auction.
Download the flyer below.
SUURF is Coming on June 13
OUUC will now present a Summer UU Reading Fun (SUURF) online community used book sale each June – in addition to our annual Fall Books Brownies & Beans (BBB) in-person sales. Why? So, we can raise even more money for our nonprofit partners working towards a more loving, just and healthy world. And of course, because we love books! Your help is needed! Please start gathering book donations and letting your local friends and family know the SUURF Store will open at 8:00 am on June 13 at books-ouuc.com. Please contact Susan Dodson at books.ouuc@gmail.com if you want to help list books for the sale or pull ‘n-pack book orders after the sale. For more information check out Books! Books! Books!. Both of OUUC’s 2023 community used book sales will benefit the same three local nonprofit organizations – to be selected by OUUC's Faith in Action Team.
Bicycle Challenge
It's May and time to get out that bicycle and ride for the 36th Annual Bicycle Community Challenge! If you record your rides in Thurston County during the month, you can earn prizes. Sign up here.
If you want to join a team, consider the OUUCyclists! Try and match the miles of our #1 rider, Frank! Ride for the environment, your health, and for a good time! Keep the rubber side down!
Recycle Sunday
It's the first Sunday of May! Bring in those dead fluorescent bulbs and batteries.
Your OUUC Environmental Action Team will make sure they are recycled properly.
OUUC Connect (Realm) Changes
ACS Realm, our OUUC Connect software provider, received a lot of feedback about challenges with the recent release of 2-step verification. These changes were put in place to better protect church and congregant information. As a result of the feedback, on Wednesday, May 3, 2-step verification with email, text, and your device will be temporarily suspended. Their development team will work on 2-step verification, incorporating feedback and suggestions to ensure the next phase of 2-step verification is a smooth process.
Quick Notes
Chalice Camp - Registration is open now for Summer Chalice Camp! July 10-14, 9:00 am-3:00 pm, ages 5-10. Suggested donation up to $175, pay what you can. We will be exploring right relationship: with self, with others, with all beings, and with the earth itself. Lots of fun, open to all! Registration.
Did you attend the Forum on AntiRacist Terminology last Sunday? Or not and you’d still like the link Rev Sara recommended? It is Glossary | Racial Equity Tools
Save the Date: End of Year Party for OUUC, Saturday, June 3,10:00 am-noon. We’ll gather to celebrate all the good work we did this year, with volunteer appreciations, food, games, and raffle prizes. All are invited!
Save the Date: All OUUC Picnic at Millersylvania State Park, August 26, 3:00-7:00 pm. The picnic was great last year, and we look forward to another great one this year. Mark your calendars!
Safety Reminder: Please lock and remove valuables from your vehicles.
In the Larger Community
Learn more about the following events and others here.
OUUC is once again supporting Thurston's Hunger Walk on May 7, an annual fundraiser to help two local agencies: The Community Kitchen & The Thurston County Food Bank. At the end of February, millions of Americans lost the pandemic boost to their food stamps (now known as SNAP.) That translates to dramatically less access to groceries - exactly when inflation and food costs reach near 40-year highs. Your donations to support our neighbors experiencing hunger - are now more important than ever!
AntiRacism “Jubilee 3” Training is open to all in May. Jubilee 3 is a wonderful anti-racism training with UU Paula Cole Jones, and you can register with this link: https://pcolejones.wufoo.com/forms/z5m7kxo1oc8gl7/ This Jubilee 3 training will be on Zoom, on Tuesday, May 23 – Thursday, May 25, from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Shine On Beautiful & Resilient People - Can you make it to Public Worship? DRUUMM stands for Diverse & Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries. Learn more here.
Rev. Katie Romano Griffin, Guest Preacher; Amanda Thomas, Musical Artist; and the DRUUMM Choir. May 11, online at 5:00 pm Pacific. Free and open to all. Please REGISTER here in advance, to receive a Zoom link.
Read more....
About Us
Sara Lewis, Director of Community and Faith Development
Darlene Sarkela, Congregational Administrator
Teresa Madsen, Communications Specialist
Marie Arensmeyer, Facilities Manager
Anissa Bentlemsani, Religious Education Assistant
Carbon Marshall, Tech Specialist
Office Hours
Tuesday - 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