OUUC Weekly Update 3-4-20
News from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Worship Services March 8, services at 9:15 and 11:00 am
“The Wisdom of Our Ancestors”- Rev. Mary Gear
What wisdom can we bring from the past to inform the present? We’ll experience some of the six sources of our Unitarian Universalist living tradition and how we can access them in a culturally sensitive way.
Listen to recent sermons here.
All Congregation Pajama Day!
On March 8 we spring forward for Daylight Saving Time, and we'll celebrate that shorter night's sleep with an All congregation Pajama Day. Come to church in your jammies!
From Rev. Mary - How We Are Responding to COVID-19
There is more information below. Here are some things that you can do now:
- Wash your hands often with plenty of soap and water for 20 seconds.
- Monitor your health and stay home if you are sick.
- Check the OUUC website for updates about events and links to current information.
- Check your Realm account to make sure your e-mail is current and that you will receive e-mails from OUUC. We’ll use Realm to communicate widely.
- Contact Caring Friends at caringfriends@ouuc.org if you need help with groceries or other items.
- Connect with your neighbors and friends and keep in touch. Read more....
2020 Vision Party on Friday!
The Teen Faith in Action Leadership Council invites you all to our splendorous 2020 Vision Party on March 6 at 7:00 pm right here at OUUC. It’s an open mic fundraiser with a suggested donation of $5, which will be donated to the Food Bank and Hope Village. Bring board games and money for baked goodies and raffle prizes. There will be plenty of things to do for all ages. Bring your fabulous talent or your enjoyment of watching others do so. We look forward to having you there!
Talking About Injustice
Sunday, 6:30 pm at OUUC.Dawud al-Malik spent almost 50 years in Washington state prisons after being sentenced to death in 1966. One of the longest-incarcerated, then freed, prisoners in Washington history, Dawud will talk with us about his experience as a black man in the criminal justice system. The conversation with Dawud will follow the showing of Bryan Stevenson’s TED talk, “We Need to Talk About an Injustice.” Co-sponsored by OUUC’s Standing up to Racism and Justice Not Jails.
A Few Words from OUUC's Parish Nurse
2nd Sunday Potluck and Soul Matters Drop-in - Sunday, March 8 at 12:30 pm.
2020 Vision Party - Open Mic - Friday, March 6 at 7:00 pm.*
Feeding a Crowd - Saturday, March 7 at 10:00 am.*
Talking about Injustice - Sunday, March 8 at 6:30 pm.*
Parent Support Group (Mental Health) - Do you have an adult daughter or son who is dealing with a mental health condition or an addiction? Recently a UU group has been formed for parents/grandparents who wish to share their experiences and offer support to one another as a beloved community. “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you” - Maya Angelou. The next meeting is Monday, March 9 at 7:00 in Room 6. Contact Maureen Wells if you have any questions.
*More information available in this Weekly Update.
Join the Auction Team!
Our annual auction will take place on Saturday, May 2. And we need lots of volunteers to help make this the best auction ever. James Trujillo and Ryan Baye are our auctioneers this year, and our theme is "Go for the Gold!" with a nod to the 2020 Summer Olympics. Our first planning meeting is on March 16 at 7:00 pm at OUUC. Join us and get in on the early decision-making. Contact Melanie Ransom for questions.
Feeding a Crowd
We love having lunch together, now we will have the opportunity to work together to cook and prepare for our lunches. Saturday, March 7, 10:00 am - noon, all are invited to come and work together to create delicious and healthy vegetarian dishes for the potluck lunch the next day. Ingredients will be provided, or if you have an idea for a recipe and would like to bring your own just contact Sara Lewis.
Justice Sunday
March 29, OUUC’S Commons. OUUC has done, and is doing, incredible justice work in our community. Representatives of many justice groups, including our Youth Faith in Action Team will be in the Commons to tell you more about the work they are doing to live out OUUC’s mission as a “liberal religious community that opens minds, fills hearts and transforms lives.” Plan now to get your coffee and cookies on March 29, meet people involved in OUUC’s social, environmental, and economic justice work, and learn how you can be a part!
Quick Notes
The new Good Grief group will begin on March 16 and run every other Monday, 6:30 - 8:30 pm for 10 sessions. Sign up now!
Read This Week in Religious Education here.
Don't be deceived by emerging signs of Spring! Winter is still upon us, and blankets, comforters and lap throws are welcome to warm our unhoused neighbors. The BLUE BIN IS EMPTY. Let's try to fill it up through March. Your continued generosity is appreciated.
Thank You, Book Sale Volunteers
Congratulations to all who helped make Books, Brownies, and Beans the most successful book sale in our history! Is there any other project that involves more people, doing more tasks, and raising more money for social justice than our annual book sale? Like an old-fashioned barn-raising, the sale brings together our church community and helps create a positive image of OUUC in the larger community. For many years, all proceeds of the sale have been dedicated to helping the homeless. This year's Soiree provided more than enough income to pay the expenses the book sale incurred, and for the very first time, E-sales were quite significant. The net proceeds amounted to about $15,500, a new high! So, thanks to all for your labor, your love and for your book donations. We definitely couldn’t have done it without you.
So, how BIG is your FOOTPRINT?
We're talking about your CO2 (carbon dioxide) footprint. Would you like to help organize a "Taming Bigfoot" competition among teams OUUC members in the Spring? A group of us are starting to plan such a competition and would welcome additional folks for the organizing committee. Individual pledges to reduce meat consumption and plastic use are also being planned. Come see us at the Environmental Action Team table in the Commons this Sunday! Read about the Taming Bigfoot Challenge here.
Crisis Response and Peer Navigator
Anne Larsen, Outreach Services Coordinator with the Olympia Police Department will discuss two programs. Crisis Responders provide outreach to those in crisis, identify each individual's circumstances, and help identify individuals with chronic mental health disorders, substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. The Familiar Faces program uses peer navigators to identify and assist individuals with complex health and behavioral problems who have frequent and persistent contact with the Olympia Police Department's Walking Patrol. Anne will talk about their early successes and challenges. All are welcome. 7:00 pm, March 23 at OUUC. Sponsored by Justice not Jails. Contact Steve Tilley.
New Meditation Group
A new meditation group will be starting on March 17 from noon -1:00 pm and will be meeting on a monthly basis. We will start with a short reading, then 20-30 minute meditation, depending upon what the group is comfortable with. In the nicer weather, we may do this walking around the neighborhood. Then we will have a talk about our experience. The goals of the group are: mindfulness, calming, self-awareness and mutual support. Hope to see you all there! Contact Susan Lobel for more information.
All Ages Game Night
Saturday, March 21, from 5:00 – 9:00 pm, we will have a game night and potluck in the Commons. Please bring a dish to share, and if you have a favorite game, bring it along (board games, charades, go fish, poker - you name it). We’ll eat and then start playing – if you can’t make it to dinner, come join us for the games later. Childcare is available for infants or small children if you let me know by March 14 (contact Sharon Love). There is no charge for childcare. We hope older children will be joining in the party!
Olympia Sanctuary News
A mother and her son trying to avoid deportation to a dangerous situation in their country continue to live in the sanctuary at Temple Beth Hatfiloh here in Olympia. Many volunteers in our community have been helping in this effort. If there are people in our congregation who would like to become involved too or contribute groceries, contact Frances Tanaka or Miriam Lorch.
Social Groups
PUGs (Powerful Unitarian Universalist Gals) - All women are welcome to join us for fellowship and conversation. Wednesdays 10:00 - 11:30 am. PUGs at OUUC meets in the Youth Room. You may bring a beverage in your own container. - Contact Pat Sonnenstuhl.
Ladies Unitarian Social – All who identify as women and who are 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. March 10 - Hops on the Hill, 1870 Barnes Blvd SW. - Contact Meliz Maatta or Emily Ray.
Guy’s TGIT meets on Thursdays at 4:30 pm. March 5 - Headless Mumby, 233 Division 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 Otto Buls.
In the Larger Community
Please support these three bills that will make a difference to our environment:
A Senate Bill that has made it into the House. Contact your representative to urge passage of SB 5947: Sustainable Farms and Fields targets emissions in the agricultural sector through reducing emissions, adoption of regenerative agriculture practices, and agroforestry.
Two House Bills have made it into the Senate. Contact your senator to urge passage of HB 1110 (SB 5412): Reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation fuels, and HB 2311: Updating the state’s outdated goals to cut global warming pollution to reflect current science and lay groundwork to reach net-zero carbon emissions.
Find your Senator and Representative here.
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