OUUC Weekly Update 4-26-22
News from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Worship Service May 1 at 10:00 am - online and in-person
“Embrace” – Rev. Mary Gear
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.
No RSVP is required.
Plan to join the discussion at 11:30 am about the meaning of Rev. Mary's installation. Participation online and in-person.
Thursday Evening Spiritual Practice - online
This Thursday evening spiritual practice is a recorded "best of" from February 2021. Sara Lewis shares stories and reflections on the theme of beloved community. If you've missed Sara and her collection of magnificent glasses, this is your chance to get ready for Sara's return on May 5.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82994463887?pwd=TkRaOTNWekdTaEx4VENiL0VoVjRPdz09
Meeting ID: 829 9446 3887
Passcode: 548890
Auction 2022: We Are Building a New Way—Together!
Don’t Delay! Registration is now open for both online bidding and purchasing dinner tickets.
May 7-15: Online bidding As the remarkable auction catalog and your list of items to bid on grow, it’s time to register on the auction website. Simply click on the Register tab to be ready to bid online May 7-15. (The last day to submit your donation is Sunday, May 1.)
Saturday, May 14: 4-course dinner followed by a live auction at Indian Summer, 5900 Troon Lane SE, Olympia All are welcome!
Read more....
Landscape and Parking Lot Work Parties
The grounds work party is Saturday, April 30 at 10:00 am. Please lend us a hand. No experience necessary! Last month’s crew made a lot of progress, but this time of year the weeds seem to double in size overnight! If you have adopted a plot, you can work on that. Otherwise, we will be concentrating on areas closest to the building and to the entrances and exits. We have some basic tools, but if you have a favorite tool, please bring it.
OUUC Parking Lot - Come on out and help us remove a winter’s worth of fir needles, moss, and leaves. Bring a lawn rake or electric leaf blower if you have one. Saturday, April 30 at 11:00 am.
In-Person Grief Group Meets Thursday, April 28, 6:00-7:15 pm at OUUC. Join us every 4th Thursday to share your grief experience with others who are also grieving the loss of loved ones. Give and receive support on your bereavement journey. Contact Josie Solseng with your questions.
Let’s Celebrate Sara’s Ordination on May 22!
Sara Lewis, our very own Lead for the Community and Faith Development Ministry and beloved OUUC DRE, was ordained as an Interfaith Chaplain by The Chaplaincy Institute of Berkeley, California on April 9. It’s time to CELEBRATE! On the afternoon of May 22, after the congregational meeting and 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.
Thurston’s Hunger Walk 2022
The fundraising walk evolved from 30+ years of our community’s “Crop Walk,” to this year’s magnificent 2022 walk-to-be! It will be at the lovely track at St. Martin’s University. Plan to walk the walk and talk the talk on Sunday, May 1, starting sharply at 3:00 pm. Participants will be encouraged to walk as much or as little as they like. You'll be raising much-needed funds to help two local agencies – folks that are working so hard under such difficult circumstances to keep our hungry neighbors fed: The Thurston County Food Bank and The Community Kitchen overseen by Catholic Community Services. Easily/safely donate online here, then scroll down to OUUC. Last year OUUC raised $2,520 for The Hunger Walk. Let’s see if we can match that or even reach $2,800 this year.
Contribute to the Time Capsule
Celebration of life for Evelyn Greenberg – Friday, April 29 at 1:00 pm, online and in-person. We will inter both Ruth Weber’s and Evelyn Greenberg’s ashes immediately after. Reception to follow. Service information.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83312333290?pwd=WkRJNUVsUnRBdlNnS1ZnNkZ1bmV3dz09
Meeting ID: 833 1233 3290
Passcode: 149285
Celebration of life for George Lanning – Saturday, May 7 at 10:00 am, online and in-person. Reception to follow.
Partner Church Update Part II
Challenges After Jail – Services in Thurston County
Politics as Religion Class
Tuesdays, April 26 and May 3 at 7:00 pm on Zoom. Have you ever wondered how our prior president won the support of many Christians who appear to have taken a U-turn on their tenets? We will explore how politics have become the new religion. In the first class, we will study religion and the far-right movement in America. In the second class, we will look at the global far-right religious movement indicating fascism is on the rise. We will discuss what is happening in our country and the world. Kristen Howard spent over two years studying politics, religion, and politics as religion and wrote several academic papers on the topics. She has a Master of Education and is working on a Ph.D. in Leadership and Change. Sign up.
Quick Notes
Church Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.
COVID Phase: Low. Please see our Phased Reopening Plan for information.
Save the Dates:
*In-person dinner and auction on Saturday, May 14 at the Indian Summer Golf and Country Club.
*OUUC 70th Anniversary and Installation of Rev. Mary Gear on Saturday, June 4 at 2:00 pm at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.
*Family Fun Picnic at Millersylvania on August 27.
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 to sign up.
In the Larger Community
Learn more about the following events and others here.
Register for UUA General Assembly, June 22-26.
The Thurston County Food Bank is returning to its former way of serving its clients. Once again, folks can enter the building and choose the food they wish. This method requires more volunteers. The work is rewarding and not too physical. The food bank is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, noon – 3:00 pm. If you can spare some time to help contact 360-352-8597 x207.
First Unitarian in Portland invites UUs everywhere to three exciting Antiracism Learning Circles this Spring via Zoom.
Chalice Lighters News - Help our neighbor congregations grow - Spring Call.
Pursuing Justice: The Roles of Reparations and Reconciliation - Join Vashon Island Unitarian Fellowship (VIUF) for this 6-week exploration of reparations - the bridge between truth and reconciliation.
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