OUUC Weekly Update 11-15-17
News from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Worship Services - November 19, services at 9:15 and 11:00 am
"The Path to Choose" - Lidia-Emese Bodor
A short journey from Jesus's world and words through daily Transylvanian life and reality. How do we make our decisions and commitments?
"I grew up in Kolozsvár and studied at the Protestant Theological Institute where I became a Unitarian minister. I am the Religious Education teacher at the János Zsigmond High School, a 450-year-old Unitarian school. For the last eight years, most of my work was related to children, youth and a variety of educational issues. I believe in the importance of education and I love my work with the students. I have an active life including bicycling and hiking on long trips. I like to call myself an optimistic person. And I feel that I like to deal with people, work with and for them and help them. I believe that each decision and all the options in my life came by the hand of providence and I am grateful for my life." - Rev. Emese Bodor
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. The weekend of November 18 and 19 this year’s scholar, Lidia-Emese Bodor, will be with us. On Saturday morning November 18, 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.
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.
A Christmas Carol: The Concert - a Unique Musical Event
Charles Dickens' popular 1843 novella has been adapted for a live orchestral concert with choir and soloists and performed for an audience in a concert setting. A DVD of this dramatic concert, which premiered on PBS in December of 2013, will be shown in our OUUC sanctuary on Tuesday, December 5 at 7:00 pm. Come experience the thrill of seeing and hearing this classic tale performed by leading lights from the Chicago and New York theater world.
Update from Rev. Posa
I’m back in Olympia, and it’s good to be back. I returned last night. I will be in the office this afternoon, plus my usual office hours tomorrow (Thursday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm).
For those not aware, I left Seattle suddenly, Tuesday evening of last week, when my mother, Retha Posa, took a turn for the worst after 3 months on hospice care, and I was advised to come ASAP to Fort Worth, Texas, where she’d lived since 1959. I was by her bedside at a hospice unit much of Wednesday. She died Wednesday night, November 8, about 8:00 pm (Central Time). I stayed to help plan and hold the memorial service and burial on Saturday, then to begin putting her affairs in order, as her only child.
I thank all of you who have sent messages of condolence, and all those lay leaders who re-scheduled meetings and/or made do in my absence. Thanks especially to my colleague Rev. Carol McKinley, to OUUC staff members, and to the Worship Arts Team, who made Sunday morning worship happen while I was away. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Volunteer Opportunity
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 three 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.
Holiday Shopping? You can support OUUC
There are two ways to support OUUC as you shop online at Amazon. One way is to do your shopping through AmazonSmile. Just choose Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation as your charity! We will earn a .5 percent commission on your purchase - AmazonSmile.
The other way is to use the Amazon Shopping widget. If you click on this widget each time you want to shop on Amazon, OUUC will earn a 4 percent commission on your total Amazon purchase, with no added cost to you or OUUC. Your Amazon account will look exactly the same as it does now and the privacy of your purchases will remain secure.
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 21 - Home of Jane Brody for Gingerbread work. - Contact Meliz Maatta or Susan Bakke.
Guy’s TGIT meets on Thursdays at 4:30 pm. November 16, Skep and Skein, 2107 Harrison 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.
Guest at Your Table comes to OUUC this Sunday!
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
Thank you's are in order! I am so touched with how generous this congregation is with their time and resources. Last week's call for snacks resulted in a lovely full cupboard, and I've collected lots of holiday cards as well for the upcoming kids' service project. Thank you to all who brought needed donations. I also want to thank our Parish Nurse, Ann Yeo, for coming to speak to the kids this Sunday. 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.
Save the Dates
At last week’s meeting, the OUUC board set several important dates. Please mark your calendar and plan on attending.
The first of monthly informal (linkage) meetings with the congregation will be this coming Sunday, November 19 from 12:30 – 1:45 pm in classrooms 3 and 4. We’ll be taking a look at the implications of the projected pledge drive shortfall on the 2018 budget and getting feedback from those present. Bring your lunch.
An additional board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 28 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm to approve the budget for presentation to the congregation, review the proposed search timeline and authorize the application for refinancing of our mortgage. (We’ll have another linkage meeting in early December to share the search timeline and get feedback from the congregation).
The congregational meeting to vote on the 2018 budget and renewal of our Welcoming Congregation Certification will be Friday, December 15 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm preceded by our traditional sweet and savory potluck starting at 6:30 pm. Read more....
Celebration of Life
Mark Kinzie's Celebration of Life will be held at OUUC on Sunday, November 19 at 2:00 pm. Light refreshments will be served after the service.
In the Larger Community
Interfaith Works Thanksgiving Service – Sunday, November 19 at 2:00 pm. Please join us for an afternoon of sharing and friendship around the theme of living in thanksgiving every day for the blessings and joys of life we have been given. Interfaith readings by faith and community leaders featuring words of gratitude. Solo vocal and choral music including the Olympia Peace Choir. A community tradition! After the hour-long event, join together for informal fellowship and refreshments.The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1601 North Street SE. A free-will offering will be accepted to benefit the programs of Interfaith Works.
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