OUUC Weekly Update 10-25-17
News from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Worship Services - October 29 services at 9:15 and 11:00 am
Living Our Covenant - Stewardship 2018
We are wrapping up the annual Stewardship Drive for our beloved Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation. First the good news: Seventy OUUC members and friends have already qualified for invitations to one of three special Stewardship celebrations being planned for the week of November 12 to 18. That is great! The uncertain news: with 149 households pledging so far, we still have to hear from many OUUC members and friends. Have you made your pledge yet? You’ll be invited to a special Stewardship celebration in November if you make your pledge by October 29 and you: Are a NEW pledger, or Increase your pledge by 20% or more over 2017, or Indicate you are ‘Most Generously’ pledging at least 5% of your adjusted income. We are certain that OUUC has touched your life – through meaningful worship and music or an inspiring religious education class for you or your children or new and interesting friends at Dinners for Eight or participation in a social action group. You can make your pledge online or pick up a paper pledge form at the OUUC office or in the Commons, All pledges will be gratefully accepted and celebrated regardless of the amount. It will take the collective financial stewardship of nearly ALL of our members and friends to be the Congregation we want to be! Questions? Contact Christine Parke or Jeff Goltz.
How has OUUC touched your life? Your financial support makes it possible!
Living Our Covenant - Stewardship 2018
B&G Annex Decision
At the Special Congregational meeting last Friday night, members present voted in favor of the following motion: “On behalf of the Board of Trustees I move that the Board be granted full authority to sell the B & G Annex property on condition that the Board determines that this property will not be needed to allow for the planned ultimate development, known as Phase II, of the OUUC Division Street site AND that the Board be authorized to establish a negotiating team for handling the sale on behalf of the congregation.” Passage of the resolution required a 2/3 majority. Of the 89 members voting, 64 voted in favor of the motion, 24 opposed and one abstained thus the 2/3 requirement was met. Read more....
The September 2017 Board minutes are available here.
In the Interim
Policy Governance Follow-Up, Rev. Linda Hart's Installation, Conversation in Transition, Semper Reformanda, Away Early Next Week.
Thanks to those of you who attended last night's info session on Policy Governance. I referenced several times in that presentation, a document published be the International Policy Governance Association, which serves as the "Source Document," or defining statement, of the principles underlying policy governance.
Read more....
A Few Words from OUUC's Parish Nurse
Our Parish Nurse, Ann Yeo, offers her periodic health-related blog. Today’s topic is: “Walking for Your Health.”
Various U.S. guidelines call for adults to perform at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity a week, for optimal health. That sounds great, but it’s not realistic for everyone. However, there is good news! Read more....
Standing on the Side of Love
T-Shirts - “STANDING ON THE SIDE OF LOVE.” If you have one, please wear it next Sunday, October 29 in honor of our Stewardship Drive efforts. If you don’t have one….now is the time to order one. Please send your order via e-mail to Carol Williams. Expected cost: $20. Please indicate your size (sm, med. Lge, Xlg, 2x,3x, short or long sleeve).
Balancing the Scales fundraiser for Community-Assisted Resources for Equity (CARE)
Thurston County Public Defense will host a fundraiser for CARE at the Woman's Club of Olympia, 1002 Washington St. SE, on Wednesday, November 15, 5:30 - 7:00 pm. CARE is a project of OUUC's Justice not Jails program. Poverty is a common denominator among the accused in our local criminal justice system. In fact, 92% of all those with cases in Thurston County District Court are indigent. CARE assists people by eliminating small financial barriers to managing/closing their court cases. There will be presentations by Patrick O'Connor, Director, Thurston County Public Defense and others as well as appetizers and a wine bar. Please come and support our CARE fund! Please RSVP to Marie Johantgen.
Share the Plate 2018 Recipients Announced!
The STP committee has selected Interfaith Works Shelter, GRuB, Thurston Climate Action Team, SafePlace, YWCA, and Olympia Free Clinic. Chair Erik Felch said, “Share the Plate allows our congregants to live their UU faith in part by sharing half our Sunday offerings with a local non-profit. There is so much good we can do in partnership with others.” He added, “The applicant pool this year was an inspiration. We have a lot to be thankful for in our community. Thanks so much to those who participated. Let's join our partner organizations this year in their work.” $179,019.10. That’s the amount OUUC’s Share the Plate has distributed to nonprofit organizations serving our community from September 2004 through August 2017! Your generosity on Sunday mornings contributes to the quality of life of many of our neighbors who need some help. Thanks to each of you, and to Erik and the STP committee!
A National Call for Moral Revival
Monday, November 6, 7:00 pm, A National Call for Moral Revival. Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis speak at a meeting for the Poor People’s Campaign, Intellectual House at the University of Washington in Seattle. The Campaign will build a broad and deep national moral fusion movement — rooted in the leadership of the poor and dispossessed as moral agents and reflecting the great moral teachings — to unite our country from the bottom up. Information and registration here.
Guest at Your Table Coordinator still needed!
This important Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) program raises support for and awareness about their work to advance human rights in the world. At OUUC, the program launches in November and concludes by January 1. Make a big contribution to greater justice in this world! The Coordinator lets people know about Guest at Your Table through OUUC’s weekly email announcements, distributes Guest at Your Table boxes and information at the Faith in Action table in the Commons during November and December and publicizes the end of the program in late December. Want to volunteer for this short-term project? Contact Carol McKinley.
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. October 31 - Vic's Pizzeria, 2822 Capital Blvd SE. - Contact Meliz Maatta or Susan Bakke.
Guy’s TGIT meets on Thursdays at 4:30 pm. October 26, Skep and Skein, 2106 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.
Covenant Circles - Sign Up Now
Covenant Circles meet regularly for the spiritual practice of discussion and reflection on a monthly theme. The 2nd Thursdays, 7:00 – 9:00 pm Circle is looking for just two more members to reach its minimum number and start. Please sign up today! Contact Sara Lewis.
Conversation on Transition
Join Rev. Posa for a Conversation on Transition. There will be time to consider moments in the history of OUUC that continue to impact it today. Then the focus will be on recent events, with opportunities to hear from various sub-groups in the congregation, and time toward the end to process what we’ve heard. November 4, from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm. All members and friends are welcome.
New Member Welcome
Parent Support Group
Are you a parent or caregiver of a child with special needs, or a single parent, or otherwise facing any caregiving challenges and would appreciate the support and understanding of others on this caregiving journey? Our Parent Support Group meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month, 6:30 – 8:00 pm. Childcare is provided. The next meeting is November 1.
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
Halloween Party! Please join us on Monday, October 30, for a Halloween Party FUNdraiser to benefit the Religious Education scholarship fund! Read more....
Sew-In on November 4
The next Sew-In is scheduled for Saturday, November 4, from 12:30 - 5:00 pm, in the Religious Education wing of OUUC. We often share a meal together at a local restaurant afterward. We will be working on lap quilts for congregation members in need of a warm hug. Join us! You don’t have to have specific sewing experience. There are lots of opportunities to pitch in, including ironing, cutting, and quilt tying. We do not teach participants how to sew, but we do lead the process step-by-step. If you are interested in joining the Sewing Ministry or would like to be on the information distribution list, contact Karen Jackson.
New Sanctuary Art Hanging System
The OUUC sanctuary now has a new professional quality art gallery hanging system. The system enables a much faster hanging of new exhibits and also holds artworks more securely. The components were generously donated by a long time OUUC member. Additional thanks go to Buildings and Grounds Committee members who removed the old hanging rods and installed the new system railings: Jerald Dodson, Dick Eberle, Rob Radford, and Brian Walsh, with help from Gary Worthington.
Photographic Exhibit in the Sanctuary
The large format black and white photographs currently hanging in the sanctuary are by Olympia resident Paul Schaufler. The showing was arranged by OUUC member Carol Horner, who often backpacked with Mr. Schaufler when the photos were taken and helped carry the equipment. The photos are from large 4 x 5 negatives, developed and printed in his own darkroom.
In the Larger Community
ARE YOU IN? Virtual WA UU Voices for Justice Legislative Conference, Sunday, November 12 by Video. Would you consider making a two-hour investment of your time on Sunday, November 12 to assist Washington State UU Voices for Justice in determining its legislative agenda for the 2018 legislative session? Are you interested in discussing UU priorities on the state’s most important issues? Would you like to know how you can easily participate and make your voice heard even if you aren’t making a trek or Olympia to testify? Let me know if you can join us at our church and other UUs from across the state for WA UU Voices for Justice Fall Virtual Conference, 1:30 to 3:30 pm Sunday, November 12 at OUUC. Contact Susan Kirkpatrick, Coordinator of UU Voices.
Reyna Grande will be discussing her book, The Distance Between Us, at The Washington Center for the Arts on Thursday, October 26, at 7:00. This book is a memoir of Grande's life in Mexico as a small child after both of her parents have left to work in the United States and then of her experience when she and two of her siblings join their father to live in the United States. This talk is sponsored by the Timberland Regional Library as part of their Thurston County Reads Event. Contact Frances Tanaka.
Interfaith Works has published a General Election 2017 Candidate Questionnaire! Housing, homelessness, community policing & climate change are among the highlighted issues. See the questionnaires here.
Wondering who is running for office? League of Women Voters did campaign forums with candidates for office in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and the Port. Links to U-Tube are available here.
AID NW (Advocates for Immigrants in Detention NW) hosts a welcoming center for those coming out of the detention center in Tacoma. With the change in the weather and an uptick in release activity, there is an urgent need for men's jackets and men's sweaters/sweatshirts. These are for the many detainees who entered the facility in the summer and are now released in the same summer clothes. When considering items for donation remember that they are mostly young men and women ages 20-35 and having nice clothes when looking for work or housing is important to them. If you have anything to donate, contact Frances Tanaka.
Got Sixty Minutes? Join RESULTS Anti-Oppression - Discussion on Confronting the Myths of Segregation. In our effort to raise awareness of systemic oppression, RESULTS grassroots-led Anti-Oppression working group is holding another discussion on Thursday evening. This month, we are focusing on debunking the myths of segregation in America. We will be discussing the work of the acclaimed New York Times journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones via the interview, "Confronting the Myths of Segregation." These calls have proven to be enlightening and informative over the last few months. We welcome and encourage you to join the discussion. TAKE ACTION: Take sixty minutes to join RESULT volunteers and staff for our next Anti-Oppression working group discussion on the myths of segregation this Thursday, October 26 from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm PT. To join this discussion, login at http://fuze.me/34326078 or dial in by phone at (201) 479-4595, meeting ID 34326078; please read "Confronting the Myths of Segregation" before the call. Contact Nancy Curtiss.
The League of Women Voters of Thurston County annual luncheon and silent auction is on October 28 at 11:30 am at the Red Lion Inn. Noah Purcell, WA State's Solicitor General, will make a presentation, Washington Takes A Stand. Lifetime Citizenship Awards will be given to Brad Shannon, Editorial Page Editor, and Meg Martin, Director of Interfaith Works Overnight Emergency Shelter. Tickets may be purchased at the door, or online at lwvthurston.org/luncheon.
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