OUUC Weekly Update 7-13-21

News from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Worship Service July 18 - one online service at 10:00 am


Our guest speaker will be Matt Aspin.


Join us for Online Worship.


Listen to sermons here. See recordings of online services here.

Save the Date: Ritual of Remembrance, Saturday, July 31, 1:00-3:00 pm at OUUC

We've lost many things in the past 17 months of COVID, not the least of which is the chance to gather to mourn those who have died. Plan to come together on Saturday, July 31 at 1:00 pm at the Memorial Garden at OUUC. We'll gather, sing, remember, grieve the losses, and celebrate life together. There will be tables to share photos and mementos of those who have passed, and a container to collect paper containing our memories for release; the ashes will be scattered in the garden.

Bring the names of those who have died, your photos and mementos, your memories, your presence. Come into community. This will be an outdoor, in-person gathering, with appropriate precautions. Masks welcome.

I hope to see you there. - Rev. Mary

July's Environmental Challenge - Water Conservation

The OUUC Environmental Action Team knows we are all in this planet-saving business together, so let’s have some fun and learn some things on our way! Watch for the 10-Month Environment Challenge! Beginning July 2021 through April 2022, Earth Day. The month of July will feature Water Conservation – Conserving the Essential Element in Diminishing Supply.

There will be a different topic and tracking sheet for each month of the 10-Month Environment Challenge. There will be a prize for the highest monthly total and a random drawing at the end of each month. Participants will also be eligible for a grand prize based on total accumulated points at the end of the challenge – just in time for Earth Day!

It is easy to participate: Read more.....

Talk Show Videos Available

Please enjoy these videos of the “After Church with Melanie Ransom” talk show.


Discover how your life might overlap with our special guests. The talk show starts at 11:30 am after the coffee chats following our Zoom worship services on some Sundays. Find the schedule in our Weekly Update.


Many of us come to OUUC for the theology, but we stay because of our life-long connections to the people.

Quick Notes

Avoiding Email Scams - Always be on the lookout for emails appearing to come from OUUC to solicit money. Read more here.


In the good news category - in case you missed it, our own Molly Gilmore wrote a nice article that appeared on the front page of Tuesday's (July 6) Olympian, about our own John Tafejian's mural art that's appearing around town.


Our Sunday worship service will be live on our OUUC YouTube channel as well as on Zoom. You can still participate in Sunday worship through Zoom. Those who would like to try the YouTube option can do so here.


OUUC Connect (Realm) Training Sessions Available - Have you activated your OUUC Connect (Realm) account? Would you like to learn more about how to use your account to contact friends, get connected to groups (and communicate with them), see your online giving records, and more? Individual or small group training sessions are available. Darlene Sarkela or Marie Arensmeyer will meet with you via Zoom. Sign up today.


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


For details on the following events, please see the In the Larger Community page on the church website.


Find out about the Fall 2021 Chalice Lighters Call for technology grants.


The Thurston County Food bank has a need for volunteers.


Save the Date: The Interfaith Power & Light network is offering a free online viewing of a new short film, Other Side of the Hill on July 10-25. Registration opens July 1.