OUUC Weekly Update 12-6-17
News from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Worship Services - December 10, services at 9:15 and 11:00 am
"Hope in Dark Times" - Matt Aspin, Ministerial Intern at the Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Are the shorter days, or the seemingly endless string of dire news reports starting to bring you down? Fear not...the fire of genuine hope has been available throughout history to illuminate even the darkest of nights. Are you ready to catch the spark?
Listen to recent sermons here.
5th Annual Sharing is Caring Holiday Food Drive
We are having our ONE-day food drive to benefit the Thurston County Food Bank on December 10. Donations can be accepted until 1:00 pm on that day. Last year we collected 750 pounds of food!
Holiday Happenings
Please join us for all activities this holiday season. Our holiday schedule is available here. All are welcome!
Soul Matters
Join the open Soul Matters Discussion Circle THIS SUNDAY 12:30 – 2:00 pm to discuss the theme of Hope. We meet in the youth room (with the sofas). Bring your own lunch.
Ministerial Search Process
Your first opportunity for information and input into OUUC's Search Process for a New Settled Minister: Plan to meet with Board representatives on Sunday, December 10, at 12:20 pm after the second service to hear about and give your input into the planning of our Search process. We will be talking about three main topics:
Role of congregational members in the Search process;
Role of the OUUC Board in the Search process;
Role of the Search Committee including an approximate timeline for the process.
Come one, come all! Your part in this critical process begins NOW.
The agenda for the December meeting of the Board of Trustees is available here.
Tis the Season of Giving!
Let’s spread OUUC’s abundant generosity, compassion, and love with gifts for holiday sharing at the Giving Tree and Menorah on the Faith in Action table in the Commons, where you will find boxes to receive your gifts. We welcome your contributions to one or more of the programs supported by OUUC members.
• Dry Tykes and Wet Wipes: Diapers size 3 and above are especially welcomed, as well as baby wipes.
• Family Support Center: New children’s toys and books are needed for holiday distribution. Put unwrapped items in the box at the Giving Tree in the Commons.
• Minister’s Benevolent Fund: Our minister gets calls and visits from people who request funds to meet emergency The minister administers this fund established to serve our members and the larger community. Please take your check, payable to OUUC, with Benevolent Fund in the subject line, to the church office or donate online. See the donate link below.
Congregational Meeting - December 15
See the full agenda and other information here.
Welcoming Congregation
At the December 15 congregational meeting, OUUC members will be asked to approve a resolution to support the renewal of OUUC’s status as a Welcoming Congregation. This means that as a congregation we will engage in education and advocacy to increase awareness of gender identity and ways to become a more inclusive and welcoming place for all persons who come in our doors. To do this, the Welcoming Congregation Renewal Team will host events, including films, guest speakers, and panel discussions, to raise awareness of gender diversity and look at ways we can help everyone feel they are full participants in our religious community. Want to be part of Welcoming Congregation Renewal Team’s exciting work? Let Carol McKinley know!
Are you interested in becoming an OUUC Board Member?
Do you enjoy spending time with smart, funny, and interesting people? Do you enjoy the strategic and policy aspects of church life? We are currently accepting nominations to replace two outgoing Board members. This is a three-year term commitment. Board members spend approximately 15-20 hours per month on tasks, including the Board meeting which takes place the second Thursday of every month. If you or someone you know is interested in finding out more, please contact Melanie Ransom, chair of the Leadership Development Committee.
De-Escalate Washington – Initiative 940
Have you read about I-940, an initiative to the Legislature on law enforcement training and community safety? It requires training for violence de-escalation, mental health and first aid at the scene. It applies a good faith standard for use of deadly force and brings community stakeholders together to develop standards and curriculum.
Many OUUC members are actively engaged in seeking signatures and will be in the Commons the next two Sundays with information on I-940 and petitions to sign. Learn more here.
Meaningful Movies - Sunday December 10, 12:30 pm
Please join us in bringing the Meaningful Movies Project to OUUC and Olympia in 2018. By partnering with this nationwide project we will bring free documentary environment and social justice films to our community. Film showings are open to the public. We hope to foster education, analysis of issues, and discussion. You can find out about Meaningful Movies here. Contact: Carol McKinley or Linden Bentley.
News from the InterFaith Works Shelter
Our Whole Lives
Our Whole Lives, a holistic and developmentally appropriate values-based sexuality education program, will be offered for 10th-12th grades starting in January. Save the Date for a Mandatory Parent Orientation January 21, 12:30 - 4:30 pm. Learn more here.
This Week in Religious Education
It's a busy time of the year, even as Advent is meant to be a time of quiet waiting. For many families, the holidays are anything BUT peaceful! This is yet another reason I love the theme of Hope for this month. We don't have to be busy or buy anything to be lifting up Hope.
Some further inspiration for choosing your own way to "Do" the holidays:
Religious Education Planning Party
Are you interested in the content our children will be presented to go along with the themes of Intention, Perseverance, and Balance? All are welcome to participate in a planning brainstorm party Thursday, December 7, 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Childcare can be arranged ... please request about a week ahead of the date if you need it. Contact Sara Lewis.
Small Group Dinners – February - May
Now is the time to sign up for the Spring 2018 series. Sign up online on the OUUC website, as a host or substitute. Hosts provide the entrée, guests provide the side dishes. Substitutes are guests when needed. Sign up as a substitute if you are unable to host or will be out of town on the dates scheduled. Our dinners are scheduled for the 2nd Saturday of each month. If a host cannot host on the assigned dates, they may reschedule by calling their guests and hosting on another date. If you have questions regarding our program, feel free to contact Carol Williams or Pat Sonnenstuhl.
Collecting Historical Oly UU Photos!
Wondering what to do with your collection of pictures of Olympia UU people, places and activities? All those shots of the Yule Play, the Auction dinner, your child in Religious Education classes, the Tumwater Church, Bart & Gladys and the Unitarian Fellowship of Olympia (UFO)? Share them with us! We are assembling an archive of photographic material that portrays the history of our church community as far back as we can go. We are looking for original prints, slides and negatives, color and black & white, along with as much information about each (where, when, who) that you may know. [We will tackle digital images at another time!] Please bring any materials you are willing to share to Church Administrator Darlene Sarkela; we will gladly scan and return any pictures you wish to keep. If you have any questions, contact Tim Ransom. Thank you!
Thank You!
Worship Arts Team wishes to thank Ann and Ken Yeo, Sandra Worthington, Linden Bentley, and Eric and Tiffany Felch for their generous gifts of greenery, time, effort, decorating skills and snacks. The sanctuary and commons benefited from your love.
Read other Thank You messages here.
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. December 12 - Susan Bakke's for Christmas Cheers and white elephants. - Contact Meliz Maatta or Susan Bakke.
Guy’s TGIT meets on Thursdays at 4:30 pm. December 7, The Spar, 115- 4th Ave E. - 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.
Light your Fire
There is FREE firewood in the lower parking lot available to anyone who can use it. It is remnants of the recent arbor work done to remove the tops of two dead trees along Division Street.
New Year - New Initiative
Along with the New Year, OUUC is launching a new initiative for 2018. Be sure to mark your calendar and plan to attend on January 7th – you don’t want to miss it . . .
May the Fourth be with you...... Save the Date!
May 4-6 are the dates of our Annual Multi-Church Spring Retreat at Seabeck Conference Center. Our theme, this year, is "Gathering in Mindfulness". The planning team is well on their way to making this the best ever. Don't miss out. Put this on your calendar right away!
In the Larger Community
Work for Justice! Northwest UU Justice Network and Washington UU Voices for Justice seek an energetic, committed manager to lead the evolution of these two organizations into one new, more effective, and more inclusive state action network for UUs engaged in justice work in Washington and beyond. This quarter-time program manager position, grant-funded as of January 2018, will remain open until filled. For more information please email DD Hilke.
League of Women Voters of Thurston County & The Great Old Broads for Wilderness present: Why Wilderness? with George Wuerthner on January 23, 7:00- 9:00 pm, Olympia Community Center 222 Columbia St.
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