OUUC Weekly Update 3-7-23
News from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Worship Service March 12 at 10:00 am - online and in-person
“On Commitment” Rev. Mary Gear
In this month of generosity and stewardship, we explore the spiritual theme of commitment. What does it mean to commit to ourselves and to something beyond ourselves? And, in honor of Daylight Savings Time Spring ahead, it’s pajama Sunday at 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.
Survey About Sundays and Thursdays!
Please take a bit of time to fill out our new survey about the offerings on Sundays and Thursdays. We want to hear from you!
Happening This Week
Thursday Community Dinner is for everyone! Every Thursday 5:30-6:30 pm
On March 9 the dinner is “This is How We Casserole”. Let’s savor the last little bit of winter with some comfort food. If you’d like to bring your favorite casserole to share, please do!
Volunteers are always welcome! Volunteer.
After the dinner the program events are:
6:30-7:30 pm Kids Making $ense class
6:30 pm 7-9th grade Our Whole Lives Class
7:00 pm Spiritual Practice with Troy
Thursday Night Spiritual Practice
Join Music Director, Troy Fisher for a music meditation at 7:00 pm, online or in-person in the OUUC Sanctuary.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87438786949?pwd=ZFd4MFJiUGY4eS9KNVpmOVNnMm9BUT09
Meeting ID: 874 3878 6949
Passcode: 297714
Board Listening Session after Sunday Worship
Subcommittee members will make the report and answer questions following the presentation.
March is Stewardship Month!
It’s time for members and friends of OUUC to reflect upon its importance in our lives and pledge financial support. Please watch for your mailed letter explaining this year’s Extending Our Reach pledge drive.
Didn’t receive a letter? You can review pledging details on the OUUC website under “Giving/Extending Our Reach”. You can also stop by the Stewardship table in the commons after Sunday service.
We choose to attend because we value the meaning we find here. As individuals, we need community, inspiration, pastoral care, and the challenge to engage and stretch. As a community, we commit to live out our mission for a healthy and loving world.
Every year we make a pledge both to support the work we do together and ensure OUUC continues to thrive for years to come. Each of us plays an essential role in living out our mission. Make the difference only you can make; participate by making your pledge today! Thank you!
Ministry Programs
Back by Popular Demand....
If you don’t have a Will or Trust in place (or even if you do) and want to make sure you have the right estate plan that fits your stage of life and protects your family, then you will want to attend the upcoming estate planning class, offered by Susan Kirkpatrick, on Tuesday, March 14, 7:00-8:30 pm via Zoom.
What plan is the best fit for a single person, an unmarried couple, a married couple with a house, or a couple with minor children and/or grandparents? It is not a one-size-fits-all.
Life and Legacy Planning focuses on the plan that fits you at your stage of life and your family. The documents simply put the plan into effect. Susan Kirkpatrick is a member of OUUC and an estate planning attorney with 30+ years of experience. Register here by Sunday, March 12 at 5:00 pm.
Unity Library Open
Please visit OUUC’s new Unity Library of books about Antiracism, Environmental Justice, and Economic Justice. There you will find books for kids of all ages and for adults who wish to learn more. Unity Library is located in the Religious Education wing and across from Reverend Mary’s office. It is open whenever OUUC is open. Checking out and returning books is a simple and well-posted process. In celebration of Women’s History month, books about girls and women will be featured.
Membership Class
Are you interested in membership at OUUC, or just looking to learn more about UUism and how the congregation works?
The next Membership Class will be offered on Saturday, March 25, 10:00 am-2:00 pm. All are welcome, including those who are just curious and those who are already members but want a refresher!
Spring Equinox Event, Sunday, March 19 at 3:00 pm
All Ages are invited to join us for an outdoors event to celebrate the arrival of Spring with seed starting and intention setting.
Volunteer to Provide Dinner
The Blue Apron Team is a group of dedicated OUUC volunteers who twice a month provide main and side dishes for the evening meal at Interfaith Works’ Unity Commons Adult Shelter, and food for the Food Bank’s “Just for Kids” Weekend Backpacks. This month’s dinners are Wednesday, March 15, and Wednesday, March 22. New volunteers are always welcome! If you would like to join the team, please contact Jo Ann Young.
Thurston Hunger Walk
Here is a chance to act for Economic Justice: The Thurston Hunger Walk will be on May 7 and will raise money for the food bank and the community kitchen. We’re looking for someone to be the OUUC team captain/cheerleader and help get our folks signed up and walking. This should be a pretty easy task, as we have historically had a good turnout to support this event. Help make it another successful and fun event! Contact Rev Sara if you are interested.
Save the Date! “Come Together” for the OUUC Auction
Save the date and plan to attend the annual OUUC auction, online and in person! All are invited to “Come Together” for community, bidding, and fun. The live auction and gathering will be at the OUUC building on Saturday, May 6, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Tickets for the live auction are $10 to $100 per person—pay what you can, and no one will be turned away. All ages are welcome, and childcare is provided. Small plates and drinks will be served. The online auction opens on April 30 and closes on May 7. Stay tuned for more information about how to donate, register, and bid!
Quick Notes
The OUUC Anti Racism Team asks us all who live in the Olympia School District to submit comments on the OSD Equity Survey (open until March 31st)
Equity Policy Development - Olympia School District (wednet.edu)
The next meeting of the Board of Trustees is Thursday, March 9 at 7:00 pm. For information, contact Board Secretary, Rich Kalman. Board of Trustees minutes are available here.
If you have at your home gray or teal hymnals that belong to OUUC and you are no longer using them there, please return them to OUUC. You can drop them off during office hours on Tuesday-Thursday between 10:00 am-2:00 pm, on Thursday evenings, or you can bring them on Sunday morning for our 10:00 am service. Plus, you can receive a book exchange for your hymnals! Once you've returned your hymnal(s), see Rev. Sara for a book from her UU book cart.
Safety Reminder: Please lock and remove valuables from your vehicles.
In the Larger Community
Learn more about the following events and others here.
End of Life Washington – On Thursday, March 9, 10:00 -11:30 am, OUUC’s Caregivers/Grief Group will host a presentation by a representative from End of Life WA, who will speak about this state’s Death with Dignity statute and the support End of Life WA offers, and respond to questions. OUUC members and friends are invited to join this informational meeting; registration is required. Please contact Carol McKinley for the Zoom link to the online meeting.
You are invited to this year’s UU@UN Intergenerational Spring Seminar, with the theme of “Demilitarization & Abolition: Resist Policing and Empire.” Militarized policing is a dire problem both in the U.S. and globally, and this year’s Seminar aims to help us increase our understanding of abolition and to equip ourselves with skills to take action. The is April 1-3, both online and in-person in Minneapolis, MN. You can find more information about registration options and rates on our website. It is designed as an intergenerational experience with Youth Deans taking the lead. uua.org/seminar.
Read more....
About Us
Sara Lewis, Director of Community and Faith Development
Darlene Sarkela, Congregational Administrator
Andrea Capere, 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