OUUC Weekly Update 10-26-21
News from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Worship Service October 31 - online only
“Welcoming Our Ancestors” - Rev. Mary Gear
On this day when the veil between the worlds is thin, how do we not only honor but welcome our ancestors? What about when our ancestors are challenging, disappointing, or unjust?
Join us for Online Worship.
See recordings of online services here.
Thursday Evening Spiritual Practice
The Thursday Evening Spiritual Practice this week will be led by Pam Turner. At 7:00 pm, she will offer a calm and quiet space online to step back, take a breath and catch up with yourself.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82994463887?pwd=TkRaOTNWekdTaEx4VENiL0VoVjRPdz09
Meeting ID: 829 9446 3887
Passcode: 548890
Online Cabaret
Join Music Director, Troy Fisher and other musicians on Saturday evening, October 30 for a virtual Cabaret. This special event is billed as “Singing to the Harvest Moon” and begins at 4:30 pm. Wear your costumes and bring your own beverages. There will be a time of acknowledgment and recognition for some of the better costumes.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82629339348?pwd=bUdYUThtSngvakhuK20xSUI1TUZyUT09
Meeting ID: 826 2933 9348
Passcode: 892362
Trunk or Treat!
COVID Phases
Stewardship Drive Update
“Give to make a difference.”
This is one line from the poem, “The Gift of Giving,” by Frank Sonnenberg. To me, these words are what pledging is all about. Your gift to OUUC shows that you want to make a difference, both within the walls of our church and beyond. Your gift helps OUUC pay our staff a fair wage, with healthy medical insurance benefits, and keep our building healthy for when we return. The strength of your gift also allows us to “Share our Plate” with community organizations that share our values. Your gift CAN make a difference.
Remember that this is a 6-month pledge, (January to June) as we transition our fiscal year to July to June. And if you are over 72 and have an IRA, you might want to check out the advantage of using your RMD (Required Minimum Distribution) for your charitable giving. Learn more here. RMD Charitable Giving
As of today, 125 members have pledged, reaching approximately 64% of our campaign goal. Although we’re more than halfway to our goal, we have only one week left to reach our destination! So please…mail that little white pre-labeled envelope or directly to the OUUC Connect (Realm) pledge form. It’s quick and easy!
If you’ve pledged in the past, and we haven’t heard from you by the end of October, we’ll call to see how you are and how we can support your connection to OUUC.
Helen Henry –Stewardship Team
Conversation with Rev Mary!
(and maybe tea) - I have so enjoyed meeting so many of you for tea these past few weeks! It’s been such a delight to see you in person and to hear how you are. I’ve also enjoyed the connections some of you have made with each other, finding the threads that bind us together, especially now. Thank you to those who came to OUUC to enjoy community and tea outside. It is the gathering that is important, in all the ways we can. I plan to continue offering a weekly gathering for up to 8 people through mid-December. Read more and RSVP.
Learn About Social Media
Learn About Social Media in this OUUC Zoom offering! (New dates and times) In three Monday evenings at 6:30 pm beginning November 1, this class led by educator Kristen Howard will cover the favorite platforms used by Millennials and our newest Generation Z: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tick Tock, Snap Chat, and YouTube; and also Pinterest.
Bereavement Group
Join our in-person grief group on the 4th Thursday of the month from 6:00-7:15 pm at OUUC. The grief journey can be a lonely one. Come share your stories, funny and sad. Come share your challenges and discoveries. Come share with others who are grieving the loss of a parent, spouse, partner, sibling, child, or friend, no matter how long it has been since your loss. “Shared sorrow is half a sorrow,” (Swedish proverb). This group is facilitated by the Pastoral Care Team. For more information, contact Josie Solseng. The next meeting is this Thursday, October 28.
Website Update
REMINDER: The OUUC website will be down for maintenance November 1-4. During this time, we will be switching over to the all-new OUUC.org design. You will not be able to access any events or other content at OUUC.org, but you will be able to visit OUUC Connect (Realm) and email OUUC Staff members. People who are members of the News and Announcements group in OUUC Connect (Realm) will receive a notice as soon as the new OUUC.org website is live. If you have any questions about this process, please email Jo Sahlin.
Our October Challenge is: Reduce Food Waste!
Once you’ve solved your buying, storing, and creative use issues with food waste, you still have to deal with...kitchen scraps aka food waste. There are several ways to dispose of your kitchen scraps in a climate-friendly manner and keep it out of the landfill where it generates methane gas. You can use the services provided by waste disposal companies/departments in your area to turn your organics into compost, and/or you can turn the food scraps into usable compost for your garden at home. Read more....
Quick Notes
Book Sale Coming Soon - The last day to donate books for our special December 2-5 Holiday Online Book Sale is Sunday, October 31. Please take your donations to Susan Dodson's home, and not to OUUC. We also need more volunteers to help after the sale on December 7, 9, and 11. Please contact Susan Dodson for details.
A new Membership Engagement Team is being formed now. Are you interested in being part of making OUUC a welcoming and engaging community? Please contact Sara Lewis to learn more or to volunteer.
Join the Blue Apron Team - Wednesday, October 27 OUUC Volunteers provide dishes for the dinner at the Interfaith Work’s Adult Shelter. Needed: Main & side dishes. OUUC Volunteers bring food to help fill Weekend Backpacks for elementary school children experiencing homelessness. Needed: Shelf Stable foods. Please contact Jo Ann Young to volunteer and for more information.
Share a picture of you in your Halloween costume (this year’s or last year’s) for a fun costume parade slide show during the Cabaret on October 30. Send your pictures to Sara Lewis.
Do you have a key card you are not using? If so, contact the Administrator so she can arrange for the key card to be passed on to another volunteer.
Skills & Interests Survey - this new survey includes many of the things we do for fun and self-improvement, as well as those skills and interests that can direct us into programs and roles at church. The information you provide will be added to your profile in Realm, where it will be available to other members of the congregation, and periodically reports will be issued that will allow us to more easily find others who share our special interests. Take the survey.
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
You Are Invited to Participate in Jubilee Three Anti-Racism Training: Learning Together About Systemic Racism, Acclaimed Program, Experienced Trainers. Do you wish to deepen your understanding of how race and ethnicity play out in our institutions and our daily lives? Are you ready to take a leading role to nurture a multicultural future in the face of opposing cultural currents? Come Join Us for this Life-Changing Weekend! Please note all times are Eastern, this is an online training, and all are welcome. Friday, November 12, 6:00-9:00 pm; Saturday, November 13, 9:00 -8:00 pm; Sunday, November 14, 12:00-6:30 pm. If the cost of the training is a barrier, please contact Sara Lewis. Register Here: Jubilee Three Anti-Racism Training 1121 | Central East Region | UUA.org
Interfaith Works Day of Remembrance – Monday, November 1 at 2:00 pm. Virtual Event Streamed Live on Facebook. Each year in Thurston County, there are persons who die and whose remains go unclaimed. Interfaith Works creates a space to honor these lives through an Interfaith Day of Remembrance. This annual recognition is a time to honor life and bring dignity to those who have died without family support. We also recognize the lives of those persons who have died by suicide in the past year and persons who have died while experiencing homelessness. More information: Interfaith-Works.org/Events
Let's Talk… November 4, 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Zoom - Communication Strategies for Contentious Conversations with Policy-Makers, Friends, Family, and Neighbors. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County. Our community and our democracy depend on our ability to communicate and govern - ourselves and our country. Join us for a lively discussion, ideas, and skill-building to hear how seasoned state legislative leaders successfully crafted bipartisan legislation, build common ground using effective communication, create responsive strategies during contentious interactions, and understand when to dialogue. Panelists include Former state legislative leaders, Republican and Democrat, and skilled facilitators with the Dispute Resolution Center. No Registration Fee Required - Register for this and other LWVTC events here.
Resetting Our Sacred Table – Sunday, November 21 at 2:00 pm. Virtual Event Streamed Live on Facebook. Please join Interfaith Works for this autumnal, community gathering as we welcome contributions from the membership of our coalition and from the Squaxin Island Tribe with reflections on gratitude and healing through story, prayers, and song. More information. Rev. Mary Gear and the OUUC choir will both be offering a recording to be played at the Thanksgiving service.
About Us
Sara Lewis, Director of Community and Faith Development
Darlene Sarkela, Congregational Administrator
Marie Arensmeyer, Facilities Manager
Anissa Bentlemsani, Religious Education Assistant
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