OUUC Weekly Update 11-8-17
News from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Worship Services - November 12 services at 9:15 and 11:00 am
“Hidden History” - Rev. Carol McKinley
In his novel Requiem for a Nun, William Faulkner writes, “The past isn’t dead – it isn’t even past.” By becoming aware of how little-known events – like the Doctrine of Discovery – have shaped national policy and affected the treatment of non-European and non-Christian peoples, we better understand how we can develop a deeper understanding, live with integrity, and build more just relationships between all people in our communities and the world.
Away to Say Good-Bye
Many of you know my mother’s health has declined severely in recent months. After being fairly stable on home-based hospice care for several weeks, she fell yesterday morning, which triggered (or revealed) a cascade of other health issues. She elected to move to a hospice unit. The hospice staff’s assessment was that I needed to come ASAP. Thus I am writing this blog post from a hospice unit in Fort Worth, Texas, where my mom is resting comfortably in her final days of life. (I caught the red-eye last night at Sea/Tac.)
The exact amount of time I’ll be gone at this point, I’m sorry to say, is something I will need to be in ongoing conversation with congregational leaders about. I am VERY unlikely, sadly, to be back in time for Sunday worship. I am already in communication with our Worship Arts Team to develop plans for worship this Sunday. My thanks to my colleague, Rev. Carol McKinley, for her willingness to fill our pulpit on short notice. I will re-schedule my previously scheduled sermon, “You Cannot Change Someone Else,” at a later date.
I’ll be contacting others to re-schedule meetings I had planned. One meeting that will NOT be re-scheduled is the board meeting this Thursday evening. I never like to miss a board meeting, but I know they will carry on the work of OUUC well.
I thank all of you who have expressed your care and support. I will keep you all updated.
In faith,
Eric
The Fall Salmon Run is On!
It’s a must-see for anyone living along Puget Sound, and the Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail offers us a prime viewing of this wonder of nature. OUUC members and friends are invited to meet at Kennedy Creek at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 12. Salmon stewards and OUUC members, Sharon and David Love, will meet us and explain the lives of these amazing fish. Dress for the weather! Contact Sara Lewis or Joe Joy for more information.
Thanksgiving Dinner - Join Us
Thanksgiving Dinner at OUUC, Thursday, November 23 at 2:00 pm. We will continue our recent tradition of a "planned potluck" holiday feast at the church - for members and friends of the congregation as well as guests. Sign-up in the Commons on any Sunday before Thanksgiving, so we will know you're coming! Questions? Speak to Diana Finch or Ann Yeo.
Interfaith Works Shelter Volunteers Needed
Living Our Covenant
THANK YOU to the 200 households who have pledged $386,000 for 2018!!
We are still below last year’s pledge level. If you haven’t pledged yet, please pledge today! You can pledge online here or pick up a pledge form in the Commons,
And if you have pledged and want to increase your pledge, it’s easy to do - email the Administrator.
Stewardship Celebrations!! If you pledged before the end of October AND either increased your pledge by 20% OR made a new pledge OR are a generous 5% pledger – you should have received an invite to one of our Stewardship Celebrations. Celebrations provide hors d’ouevres, beverages, conversation, and a chance to visit with Rev. Posa and Board members. If you are in this group and have not yet received an invite, contact Christine Parke or Jeff Goltz.
Soul Matters Discussion Circle
Warm Window Project
Balancing the Scales Fundraiser
Social Groups
YUUNG (Age 21-31ish) - Church and Lunch (Every last Sunday). Come to church, sit with the young adults. Contact Ryan Baye.
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 women 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. November 14 - Home of Jane Brody for Gingerbread work. - Contact Meliz Maatta or Susan Bakke.
Guy’s TGIT meets on Thursdays at 4:30 pm. November 9, Oly Taproom, 312 Columbia St. NW. - 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 Jim Lengenfelder.
Holiday Cards Needed
Donations needed to help with a service project in children's religious education on November 26. Children will be writing holiday cards to send to incarcerated UUs through the Church of the Larger Fellowship's Prison Ministry program. What we need: simple holiday cards with Plain White Only envelopes, and stamps. Donations can be dropped off at the Director of Religious Education's office anytime before November 26. Want to do this project on your own? Directions can be found here.
Thanksgiving Boxes for the Food Bank
The OUUC Middle School group is signed up to help pack Thanksgiving Boxes at the Food Bank on November 18, 1:00 pm. But all, ages 10 and up to adult, are invited and welcome to join in this easy and fun way to give back to our community! Please RSVP to Sara Lewis so she can supply an accurate headcount to the Food Bank.
This Week in Religious Education
The Kids Snack cupboard is empty! If you are able, please bring donations of non-perishable snacks to the cupboard in the kitchen labeled "RE". Items that we really love to get: gluten-free cookies, crackers, and pretzels - dried fruit – popcorn –chips. Read more....
Race in Film Series
Thursday, November 16, 6:30 – 9:00 pm, OUUC. “The Butler,” this month’s Race in Film, will be shown in the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation's sanctuary. Discussion and refreshments follow the film. Race in Film, a year-long series, is sponsored by The Black Alliance of Thurston County, the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation, and The United Churches of Olympia.
In Remembrance: Trans Power, Trans Resistance, Trans Futures
Thursday, November 16, 6:00 - 7:30 pm, Purce Lecture Hall 1, The Evergreen State College. More info here.
The Trans & Queer Center at TESC presents guest speaker, Dean Spade. Dean Spade is an Associate Professor at Seattle University School of Law, where he teaches Administrative Law, Poverty Law, and Law and Social Movements. In 2002, he founded the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, a non-profit collective that provides free legal help to low-income people and people of color who are trans, intersex and/or gender non-conforming. Participants will gain knowledge and resources to foster inclusion and racial justice in their own communities.
Interactive Conversation on White Privilege
Thursday, November 16, 7:30 pm at the Olympia Timberland Library - Sociology professor Teresa Ciabattari leads an interactive conversation that explores what white privilege is, discusses a variety of examples of privilege for individuals and institutions, and provides tools for learning how to address it. Participants will gain knowledge and resources to foster inclusion and racial justice in their own communities. This program is co-sponsored by Humanities Washington and the Friends of the Olympia Timberland Library.
Partner Church News
Annually the UUA awards a minister from the Transylvanian area of Romania the Balázs scholarship and a year of study at the Starr King school of theology in Berkeley, California. For the past several years our Partner Church committee has invited that individual to come to OUUC. The weekend of November 17, 18 and 19, his year’s scholar, Lidia-Emese Bodor, will be with us. On Saturday morning November 17, from 10:00 am - 12:30 pm all are invited to be a part of an interactive conversation about her work as a Unitarian minister in Romania and at Kolasvar Unitarian High School, and our OUUC programs and activities. On Sunday, November 18, she will be our guest minister.
In the Larger Community
Dr. Marie Johantgen will be one of a handful of women to receive the 24th Annual Women of Achievement Award at a celebration on November 10 at the Washington Center for Performing Arts. She will be honored for her contributions to the health and safety of women around the world. Ticket purchasing information is available online at www.ywcaofolympia.org under the "2017 Women of Achievement" tab. All proceeds benefit YWCA of Olympia.
Dining for Women is a giving circle which benefits Women and Girls around the world. we have a potluck dinner once a month and collect donations to send to the project chosen for the month. this month's dinner will be held at Marie Johantgen's home on November 13 at 5:00 pm. This month we feature Safe Hands for Girls from The Gambia which works to eliminate female genital cutting. - Marie Johantgen
ARE YOU IN? Virtual WA UU Voices for Justice Legislative Conference, Sunday, November 12 by Video. Would you consider making a two-hour investment of your time on Sunday, November 12 to assist Washington State UU Voices for Justice in determining its legislative agenda for the 2018 legislative session? Are you interested in discussing UU priorities on the state’s most important issues? Would you like to know how you can easily participate and make your voice heard even if you aren’t making a trek or Olympia to testify? Let me know if you can join us at our church and other UUs from across the state for WA UU Voices for Justice Fall Virtual Conference, 1:30 to 3:30 pm Sunday, November 12 at OUUC. Contact Susan Kirkpatrick, Coordinator of UU Voices.
Olympia World Affairs Council invites you to our November lecture program on November 16. Our speaker is Rep. Beth Doglio, who represents the 22nd district. She will address climate change and recent administrative policy changes including the USA withdrawal from the Paris agreement. 4220 6th Ave SE, Thurston Economic Development Council/SPSCC campus at 7:00 pm. - Marie Johantgen
East Shore Unitarian Church in Bellevue, WA is sponsoring a screening of Promised Land on Saturday, November 18. This film is an award-winning social justice documentary that examines the history of the Duwamish and the Chinook and their struggle for tribal recognition. Promised Land also connects their story to the larger issue of how the federal government and society at large look at indigenous people and their desire for sovereignty. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the producers of the film along with Duwamish and Chinook members. Go to esuc.org for more details. 6:30 pm - doors open; 7:00 pm - film starts.
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