OUUC Weekly Update 1-5-21
News from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Worship Service January 10, one online service at 10:00 am
“Reimagining Religious Freedom” – Rev. Mary Gear & the Partner Church Team
We draw on our Unitarian heritage to explore the history of religious freedom. How does our history inform religious freedom today?
Join us for Online Worship.
Listen to sermons here. See recordings of online services here.
Fire Communion Drive-through Event on Sunday
The first Drive-through of the new year offers the chance for a Fire Communion. Plan to drive through OUUC next Sunday, January 10 from 3:00 – 4:00 pm to release into the cleansing flames what you’d like to let go of as we venture into this new year. Please bring what you'd like to release written on a piece of burnable paper. (And, we'll have paper and pencils in case you forget.) Let's all stay as safe as possible by observing safety measures like distancing and masks. We hope to see you there.
Thursday Evening Spiritual Practice 7:00 pm
We resume our Thursday evening spiritual practice this week with a reflection on the monthly spiritual theme of Imagination. Join Rev. Mary Gear, Rev. Carol McKinley, Bob Sundstrom, and Troy Fisher at 7:00 pm on Thursday.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81051325520?pwd=NjdXM25OMThVRytydWtQQ0lJZmtMQT09
Meeting ID: 810 5132 5520
Passcode: 690200
Sunday Talk Show Guest is Bob Sundstrom
The “After Church with Melanie Ransom” talk show continues this Sunday with special guest, Bob Sundstrom. Bob is at home these days with hospice care, but that doesn’t stop him from adding to the over 800 stories he has written for NPR’s “BirdNote.” The show starts at 11:30 am after the coffee chats. The tech team will provide instructions on how to join. Many of us come to OUUC for the theology, but we stay because of our life-long connections to the people.
A New Vision for Uncharted Waters
An Opportunity to Re-examine OUUC Vision, Mission, and Ends
by James Trujillo, Board President
We need your thoughts, energy, and knowledge as we explore and align our community to address the greatest needs of Olympia, Washington, and our small planet. The pandemic has put us in a unique position of being untethered in unknown waters. While this can be a little frightening, it also creates an opportunity to explore and discover untapped wells of innovation and spirit. Read more here.
"Vaccinating" Rhythm Cabaret - January 16, 4:30 pm
“Vaccinating” Rhythm
You've got me on the go!
“Vaccinating” Rhythm
I'm all a-quiver
What a mess you're making!
The neighbors want to know
Why I'm always shaking
Just like a flivver…
Not that Ira Gershwin’s lyrics need an update, but because they seem perfectly apropos, and we need some good laughs and some entertainment. If you would like to participate with a performance and/or some writing, (serious/or a parody) please contact music director, Troy Fisher.
Join the Blue Apron Team
All are welcome to join the "Blue Apron Team" on January 20, and 27, by donating shelf-stable foods for the Lacey Family Center's food pick-up days or help provide a main or side dish to serve 8 for the guests at the Interfaith Works Adult Shelter. All donations can be brought between 4:15 and 4:45 pm to the parking lot of the Olympia Copy Center, located on Franklin Street, and across from the Shelter. Need more information? Please contact Jo Ann Young.
Anti-Racist Small Group Ministry
What do we do in this era of white supremacy? If you want to join us on the road to freedom with action, reflection, and theory, join this small group ministry. In our hearts, we may feel that knowing isn’t quite enough. Together we will begin to grow the energy, capacity, and skills we need to do the life long work of racial solidarity. Join Emi Allen and Anne Hundley, imperfect local racial justice organizers and members of OUUC, beginning in January and going through May. You are welcome as you are, accessibility is important to us. Queer and Trans friendly. Intersectional. Third Saturdays, 4:00 - 6:00 pm & First Saturdays, 4:00 - 4:45 pm. Register here.
Lunch Break Book Club!
The Origins of Our Discontents
In this seven-session book discussion group, we will read and discuss the new book Caste by Isabel Wilkerson. Caste explores the history and sociology of America’s racialized system of hierarchy, with author Wilkerson exploring eight pillars that underlie caste systems. A combination of researched narratives and stories of real people, this work gives us hope for the future of our shared humanity. 7 sessions: Mondays noon-1:00 pm February 1 - March 15
Register here.
Active Hope
This Active Hope group will feature practices inspired by the book Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We're in Without Going Crazy and the organization, The Work that Reconnects, the brainchild of Joanna Macy and others. This will be part book group, part experiential exercises.
We will complete questions about our lives, including the hopes and feelings about what's happening to the world, and we’ll also take part in Zoom-adapted rituals that will help us deepen our connection to the natural world, our deep emotions, and our connections to each other and the larger society. This is a process of empowerment and transformation that moves in a spiral and is used to build inner strength, resilience, and the resolve to participate in our collective transition, also referred to as the Great Turning. Four Sessions, register here.
Parents and Caregivers as Sexuality Educators
In a small group setting, adults explore their roles as the most important sexuality educators their children will have. Ten sessions invite parents and caregivers to explore their role as the primary sexuality educators of their elementary through teenage children. The 90-minute sessions use a small group ministry format to engage adults in topics including Gender Identity, Relationships, Social Media, and Consent. 10 sessions: Saturdays 9 -10:30 am, January 9 - March 13. Register here.
The Theology of the Good Place
(ages 12+) Four sessions: Mondays, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm, January 25, February 1, 8, and 15. Register here. The Good Place is a Netflix sitcom that takes place after death, where people wake up and are assured that everything is OK … they are in the “good” place. In this four-session class, we will explore the theology, ethics, and moral philosophy of the series using a UU lens. Participants will watch the clips of the show on their own time, and gather for discussion after, so a Netflix membership will be needed. Taught by Sara Lewis.
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury, CT invites you to the ordination of Sierra-Marie Gerfao (she/her/hers) on January 24 at 4:00 pm EST/1:00 pm Pacific. The service will take place on Zoom. Please RSVP to officemanager@uudanbury.org. Those who RSVP will receive the Zoom link via email on the morning of the service. Sierra-Marie was Director of Religious Education at the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation from 2002-2007. If Sierra-Marie ministered to you, your family, or your children during that time, you are also invited to submit a photo of you, your family, or your children for a slideshow reflecting Sierra-Marie's prior service to Unitarian Universalism as a religious educator for nearly twenty years. "Then" and "now" photo pairs are encouraged but not necessary. This slideshow will be played as people gather for the service, before recording of the service begins. You can submit a photo here. Thank you for helping us celebrate as Sierra-Marie is ordained as a Unitarian Universalist minister.
Quick Notes
Joy in the Mail - Would you like to spread some cheer by writing cards to others? We are organizing to send cards to our folks with birthdays or who could use some extra cheer. Sign up to be a card writer by emailing Sara Lewis and you will get a list of recipients.
Are you looking for a small group? In January Sara will be starting a new Covenant Circle on the 2nd Fridays of each month, noon -1:30 pm, and a Learning Circle on the 3rd Friday of each month, noon - 1:30 pm. Sign up: Small Groups, Covenant and Learning Circles.
Pacific Western Regional Assembly - Saturday, February 13, 2021, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm PST
Find out more here: Pacific Western Regional Assembly | Pacific Western Region | UUA.org
Our Sunday worship service will be live on our OUUC YouTube channel as well as on Zoom. You can still participate in Sunday worship through Zoom. Those who would like to try the YouTube option can do so here.
See a list of online meetings that you might attend here.
The Virtual Bulletin Board is a place for members to share information about events in the larger community, ask for recommendations, and share resources. Email to sign up.
Ways to Give - Did you know you can donate to OUUC by text message? Just text "OUUC" and "amount" to 73256. You can also donate online by visiting our secure online giving page.
About Us
Sara Lewis, Director of Faith Development
Darlene Sarkela, Congregational Administrator
Anissa Bentlemsani, Religious Education Assistant
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