OUUC Weekly Update 8-10-21
News from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Worship Service August 15 - one online service at 10:00 am
"Rest as a Spiritual Practice" - Rev. Justin Almeida
Justin Almeida is a Seattle area chaplain ministering at the VA of Puget Sound and Harborview Medical Center, where he specializes in Palliative Care and Hospice. He is affiliated with University Unitarian Church where he volunteers with religious education and serves on the Equity Committee. He and his partner learned about Unitarianism while serving in the Peace Corps in Romania. When not wrestling with his 6yo, he enjoys brewing, fermenting, and coffee roasting.
Join us for Online Worship.
Listen to sermons here. See recordings of online services here.
Sanctuary Update
The OUUC sanctuary has been a busier place than usual lately, so I thought an update on activities might be helpful. Who was in the sanctuary on Sunday? Last Sunday, August 8, there were more people in the Sanctuary for the service than we’ve seen for a while. In addition to the musicians and worship leaders, members of the Health & Safety Task Force were there to help determine how to best get people in and out of the Sanctuary safely when we gather. The Sanctuary was not open to everyone yet, and all the people there had a purpose. Thank you to Jen Sabel, Carol Williams, and the Task Force members who are writing greeter and usher protocols. What is the status of the HVAC repair and replacement? Read more....
August’s Environmental Challenge
Thanks to all who participated in our July Water Conservation Challenge. Send in those tracking sheets by August 13 to enter and win “valuable” prizes! The month of August will feature Energy Saving Home Cooling – Staying Cool Day to Day. Wow! And what a summer we’ve had to try ways of staying cool at home! The NW does not have a huge number of air-conditioned homes and apartments. Traditional air conditioning units can be energy hogs, so we have some tips on how you might stay cooler in your home without jacking up the energy bill. Read more....
Let Our Love Fly – The Art Flag Project
The art flag project is a creative and collaborative expression of community as we come together to prepare for Reverend Mary’s installation. We are hoping as many members as possible will join in to decorate at least one small fabric flag using icons and designs (no words please) that represent your connection to the OUUC. The decorated flags will be gathered and threaded along a sturdy cord and displayed in the sanctuary on the day of the installation. They will be a cheerful and colorful representation of our beloved community as we “Let Our Love Fly!" Find out how it works here.
You Are Invited to the All-Church Picnic
All ages are welcome! Sunday, August 22, 12:00 -3:00 pm in the OUUC church upper parking lot (enter at East End entrance). Parking will be in the side and lower parking lots as well as on Burbank and East End streets. We encourage: Ridesharing, biking, and walking. Prizes for creative and ambitious modes of transportation!
The community will provide good company, games, ice cream, cookies, prayer-flag making, cold drinks, used battery drop off, more games, and prizes.
You provide your own picnic fare, utensils, chairs, and a mask. Because of COVID, this is NOT a potluck – everyone should bring their own food for their family. Prizes for the most creative picnic carriers!
Attendance assumes NO COVID symptoms or recent exposure. Even if you have registered, please do not attend this event if you have any COVID symptoms or have had any recent exposure to COVID.
Volunteers Needed
Wednesdays, August 18 and 23 are the next dates OUUC volunteers provide dinner at the downtown Interfaith Works Adult Shelter and shelf-stable foods for the Lacey Family and Youth Resource Center.
Please contact Jo Ann Young to volunteer.
Board of Trustees Update
The next meeting of the Board of Trustees is on Thursday, August 12 at 7:00 pm on Zoom. If you are interested in attending a meeting of the Board of Trustees, please contact Board Secretary, Rich Kalman.
The agenda for the August meeting is available below. Minutes are available here.
Water Communion and Ingathering
Although we don’t know yet exactly what the service on September 12 will be like, we do know that we’ll gather in some way to begin a new congregational year. The tradition is a water communion service, where we bring water from our individual lives to share and mingle with the water from others—that's water communion. So, as you travel or stay home, gather water from wherever you are and plan to share it in some way on September 12. We’ll share more information in the Weekly Update as we know more about the Fall.
Quick Notes
Please come and join us in celebrating the life of Jerry Smith, husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, and friend. Come and share your stories and memories of Jerry with others. There is no specific program for the event so please feel free to stop by anytime on Sunday, August 15 between 1:00 - 3:00 pm to share your stories. Albee’s Gardens, 4127 20th Lane NW, Olympia. Directions. Please RSVP so the family can understand how many people may be attending.
OUUC Connect (Realm) Training Sessions Available - Have you activated your OUUC Connect (Realm) account? Would you like to learn more about how to use your account to contact friends, get connected to groups (and communicate with them), see your online giving records, and more? Individual or small group training sessions are available. Darlene Sarkela or Marie Arensmeyer will meet with you via Zoom. Sign up today.
See a list of online meetings that you might attend here.
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.
In the Larger Community
For details on the following events, please see the In the Larger Community page on the church website.
Interfaith Works is partnering with the American Muslim Empowerment Network, the Islamic Center of Olympia (Masjid Al Nur), Interfaith Community Sanctuary, Paths to Understanding, the Faith Action Network, and Meaningful Movies to offer a FREE screening of the movie, "American Muslim". There will be a screening window in which to watch the film for FREE between August 15-17. Then on August 18 at 7:00 pm there will be an online panel with American Muslims from regional faith communities discussing their reaction to the film and life as a Muslim in our part of the world.
Find out about the Fall 2021 Chalice Lighters Call for technology grants.
About Us
Sara Lewis, Director of Community and Faith Development
Darlene Sarkela, Congregational Administrator
Marie Arensmeyer, Facilities Manager
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