OUUC Weekly Update 4-11-23
News from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Worship Service April 16 at 10:00 am - online and in-person
NOTE: HVAC work in the sanctuary will require us to offer services from the classrooms, with limited seating available, on April 14, 23, and maybe April 30. So, if your spiritual needs can be met virtually, we invite you to join us online.
April 16: “On Trust” with Rev. Mary Gear
We will explore the spiritual theme of “trust.” What does it mean to trust? How do we regain trust when it has been broken and hope has been challenged? We will also welcome new members to OUUC.
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.
April 16 After-Service Forum: Board Sunday: “Congregational Finances for the Rest of Us” with the OUUC Board of Trustees.
Rev. Mary Joins the Senate!
On April 7, Good Friday, Rev. Mary was invited to offer the Invocation for the State Senate. You can watch the invocation (and the entire debate that day) here. The Invocation starts about 2 minutes in.
Happening This Week
Join us Thursday for Dinner and Earth Day Advocacy Crafts!
Dinner’s theme this week is “Food on a Stick”. Come Thursday night, 5:30-6:30 pm for the dinner.
Volunteers wanted! Sign up to volunteer for dinners here: OUUC: Help with Thursday Dinners (signupgenius.com)
After dinner, all ages are invited to stay and make cards, write letters, and otherwise advocate for our Earth.
OUUC Under Construction
Work on OUUC’s HVAC system has begun.
Sunday services will be held in the classrooms on April 16 and 23, and maybe on April 30. The classrooms have limited seating, so if your spiritual needs can be met by participating on Zoom or YouTube we invite you to do so.
The Thursday dinners will be held as usual. The Commons ceiling near the doorway may look like a construction zone, but we expect the rest of the room to be fit for use.
There will be no Thursday evening spiritual practice after April 6. We will offer after-dinner activities in the Commons for those onsite on Thursday evenings.
Ministry Programs
The Annual OUUC Auction is Coming Soon!
Olympia UUs will “Come Together” on Saturday, May 6, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm for the live auction and social gathering. Tickets are on sale now!
The silent auction will be online from April 30 to May 7. We are accepting donations until April 28. Donations of social events, outings, get-togethers, handmade items, and unique opportunities are welcome! Enter your donation directly on the auction website or visit the donation kiosk following the service. Questions? Contact Gail Wrede.
Quilt Raffle
Pre-Auction Cameroonian Dinner
Get your ticket to an authentic Cameroonian dinner on April 22, 2023–yes it’s before the auction event! This special dinner, offered by Beatrice Ownan-Kellogg, will feature authentic Cameroonian foods, music, and artifacts from her home country of Cameroon. The dinner is open for bidding on the Auctria auction website. (Or from the home page, click “Auction catalog.”) There are less than 20 seats now available for this unique dinner. Don’t delay, get your ticket today!
Help Beautify the Grounds Saturday, April 15
Join us from 10:00 am to noon this Saturday. A variety of tasks are available for both experienced and inexperienced gardeners. On the list of tasks are removing fallen branches, cutting back sword ferns, raking, and maybe a little weeding. If you prefer chainsaw work or leaf blowing, please join us, and bring your tools. For more information contact Lynne MacDonald.
Upcoming Class: Building Multicultural Competency
A 2 session class focused on the call and the practice of multicultural competency in our personal and congregational lives. Facilitated by Rev Sara Lewis and Tiffany Felch.
This class will be offered in person and then again online. Choose ONE option that is right for you.
Thursdays 6:30-8:30 pm, In person April 13 and 20
On Zoom April 27 and May 4 (separate registrations)
Pilot Testers for a new Program Wanted: Newcomer Buddies!
The Member Engagement Team is working to create a Newcomer Buddy Program at OUUC, matching interested newcomers with long-time congregants who can help them navigate OUUC, answer questions, and be a friendly face at events. We will be trying a short-term experiment to help us craft the specifics, and we need You to be a tester!
For the month of May, we will have OUUC Buddies matched and connect newer(ish) folks with long(er/ish) timer folks. If you would like to participate, contact Rev Sara.
Volunteer to Provide Food
Faith in Action Notes
From Rev. Sara Lewis. Read more here.
*Nourishment for Anti-racism and Collective Liberation. April 15th-25th. JUUstice Washington is joining University Unitarian, University Congregational United Church of Christ, and others in presenting an interfaith anti-racism event series.
Here 2 things I learned of from the March SURJ General meeting:
*Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Racial Justice & Belonging: A Community Conversation with Local Leaders - Wednesday, April 26, 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Olympia Center Rms. #101 & 102, or virtually on Zoom.
*This E-letter to Federal Trade Commission is one step for racial and economic justice:
*A message from Washington Coalition for Police Accountability:
We thank you for all of your hard work during Legislative Session 2023. This has been a tough year and unfortunately, none of our priority bills made it across the finish line. But we are here for the long haul, and we so appreciate partnering with all of you - organizations and individuals alike!
*AntiRacism “Jubilee 3” Training open to all in May - Jubilee 3 is a wonderful anti-racism training with UU Paula Cole Jones, This Jubilee 3 training will be on Zoom, Tuesday, May 23 - Thursday, May 25, from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Unity Library Will Be Open During OUUC’s Heat Pump Installation
Everyone of any age is invited to visit and use the new OUUC Unity Library! Look for it across from Reverend Mary’s office in the RE wing. There you will find books for children, teens, parents, and all adults who love kids—-books about Antiracism, Economic and Environmental Justice, Leaders and Heroes, Native American stories, World Religions and more. The Library is open at any time OUUC is open, and is always ready for an easy self-check-out or return.
April’s Books of the Month Are: Two books about the Islamic month of Ramadan, and The Green Book—-a child’s story of the time of Jim Crow exclusion in our country.
Article II Idea Submission Form
At General Assembly (GA) 2023, Unitarian Universalists will take an initial vote on proposed changes to Article II of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Bylaws, which includes the current UUA purposes, principles, sources, and clauses on inclusion and freedom of belief. Until April 30 any Unitarian Universalist may submit as many suggestions and ideas as they would like through an online form for ways they recommend modifying the Article II Study Commission proposal (PDF).
Submit ideas here.
Decision-Making at End of Life
With the availability of modern medical care, many of us live longer and healthier than previous generations did. However, modern medical care sometimes prolongs the duration of life longer than the quality of that life. Drawing on the work of the Rev. Hank Dunn this class will help us to consider choices we may have to make for our loved ones and for ourselves. There will be a summary of the legal documentation necessary to express our wishes for medical care when we are terminally ill, or when there is no hope of regaining what we consider to be an acceptable quality of life. Presenters, Ann Yeo and Susan Kirkpatrick both are members of OUUC. Ann is a Registered Nurse and a Certified Holistic Nurse. Susan is a licensed attorney. Register by April 19.
Quick Notes
Save the Date: End of Year Party for OUUC, Sat 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!
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.
The next meeting of the Board of Trustees is Thursday, April 13 at 7:00 pm. For information, contact Board Secretary, Rich Kalman. Board of Trustees minutes are available here.
Safety Reminder: Please lock and remove valuables from your vehicles.
In the Larger Community
Learn more about the following events and others here.
Skill Up Training Offered by Side With Love: Sunday, April 23 at 1:00 pm. Everywhere you look the world is on fire! Sometimes you just want to scream at the top of your lungs, “Everything is bad! Do something! AAUGH!!!!” That urgency is real, and also maybe not the best way to communicate about the issues - or to take care of yourself! Come together to learn some ways to manage yourself and engage others as you effectively advocate for justice and work for a thriving world for all.
Earth Day Climate Strike! Friday, April 21. Local climate groups, guest speakers, music, art, and petitions. Walkout at 11:30 am, Protest at Port of Olympia (607 Columbia St NW) at noon, and March to City Hall (607 4th Ave E) at 1:00 pm. Celebrations at City Hall, 1:30-3:00 pm.
Seattle Convergence – Nourishment for Anti-Racism and Collective Liberation. PRAXIS: a workshop for religious/spiritual leaders to generate lessons, culture, and power for collective liberation with Ayoka Turner and Chris Crass. Saturday, April 15, 1:00-5:00 pm. Anti-racist Parenting for Collective Liberation - Sunday, April 16, 4:30-7:00 pm. Online or at University Unitarian Church.
Reconnecting With Our Sacred Earth – An earth day celebration, Sunday, April 23, 1:00-2:00 pm at Decatur Woods Park, 1015 Decatur St SW. Family-friendly and free. Download the flyer below.
CONVERGENCE: Heart and Soul Nourishment for Anti-racism and Collective Liberation with Rev. Sekou and Chris Crass. Saturday, April 22, 1:00-4:00 pm. This gathering will be live-streamed as well as in-person at University Congregational UCC.
Chalice Lighters Spring Call: The Spring 2023 Cascadia Chalice Lighters Call will go to the UU Fellowship of Fairbanks (AK) which applied for funds to replace the worn-out boiler in their building.
Olympia’s diversion court has a new program called “Community Circles,” and they are looking for people who are interested in becoming Circle Keepers and Facilitators. This involves making a commitment to work with Olympia’s Community Court, either through your current employer or as an independent volunteer. We will provide free training to those of you who want to get involved. The upcoming virtual training is May 16-19 from 9:30 am-5:00 pm. In Community Circles, people who have caused harm and people who have experienced harm come together to empathize with one another. Circles are also a powerful way to build closeness and community within groups of people working together in any context.
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