OUUC Weekly Update
February 6, 2024
Thursday Dinner - February 8 at 5:30 pm
Join us for National Potato Lovers Day! All are welcome for food and fellowship at 5:30 pm. Volunteers are needed to cook, set up, and clean up. In particular some table set up at 4:30 pm that Rev Sara knew she could count on would help a lot! If you can help, please contact Rev Sara.
Following Dinner this week stay for the All-Ages Board Games. Bring a board game you’d like to play if you want. Other events after dinner this week: Children’s class, Buddhist and Christian Groups, Action Hour, and the Social Justice Book Group.
Workshop and Concert with Carrie Newcomer
On February 10, we'll welcome both Carrie and her pianist, Gary Walters (a fabulous musician in his own right), into our space for a daytime workshop and an evening concert. They'll also be part of our worship service the following day. Find more information and tickets are available on Eventbrite. Both the workshop and concert may sell out, so consider purchasing your tickets sooner rather than later.
If you have questions, or if you want to attend but the cost is a barrier, OUUC member Liz Clement can help.
Anti Racist Screen Filming and Community Conversation
Sunday, February 11 at noon. Sponsored by our Anti Racism Team, we will be screening the documentary film "Since I Been Down", followed by a community conversation with the director. All are welcome, both on Zoom and in person. This film highlights the story of Kimonti Carter, who is back in the news as prosecutors are seeking to send him back to prison. Read more here.
The Anti-Racism Team will be serving a light lunch at 11:30 am for those who are staying between worship and the film. The team is small and would welcome help with that if anyone is interested in helping out, you can sign up here to bring food. All are welcome, spread the word.
Introducing OUUC’s New Office Assistant: Rosie Koppelman
I am pleased to announce that we welcomed Rosie Koppelman (she/her) as OUUC’s new Office Assistant on February 1.
As we anticipate Darlene’s retirement at the end of February, we will be covering the duties that Darlene has and redistributing other duties to two new positions at OUUC: a Business Manager and an Office Assistant. Rosie is training with Darlene and Isaac Jennings, OUUC’s Business Manager, to learn the ins and outs of OUUC’s office and administrative support.
Rosie has experience as an office assistant and extensive experience in customer service. In addition, she has studied American Sign Language at Gallaudet University, worked as a paraeducator, and currently runs her own business providing accessibility support services to DeafBlind clients. Rosie’s kind and calm demeanor, as well as her skills in office systems and customer service make her a great fit for OUUC.
Rosie is from the Olympia area. She likes to play music, perform with her band Sticks and Bones, bake sourdough and spend time with her partner and 7 year-old dog, Selkie. Please look for Rosie in the window that connects the workroom and The Commons.
Welcome Rosie!
Rev. Mary
Action Hour
Each Thursday at 6:30 pm through February. Do you find yourself overwhelmed by all the petitions to sign and the bills to comment on during the legislative session? Do you mean to get to it but find your email inbox just too choked up and/or you forget? Well, set a time and do it with us! All are invited to join us at OUUC for this weekly opportunity to engage with faithful advocacy actions in the company of others. Bring your own device if you can: laptop, phone, tablet. We’ll have a menu of actions to take, all experience levels are welcome.
30 Days of Love
Through February 15, all UU’s are invited to engage with resources and themes of intersectional love and justice gifted to us by the Side with Love project.
You can find those resources here: 30 Days of Love 2024 — Side With Love
Darlene’s Retirement Party on February 25
Our beloved church administrator, Darlene Sarkela, is retiring! Yes, the day we have been dreading for years is finally upon us. We cannot let Darlene depart us without saying thank you for thirty-three years of devoted service to OUUC and to all of us. Not one for the limelight, Darlene prefers that we minimize the hoopla surrounding this event. So, there will be no band and no fireworks. But there will be cookies and refreshments, and a brief tribute, after service on February 25. We hope that you can attend. Questions? Want to volunteer to help? Contact Melanie Ransom.
New UU Seekers Class, 1st and 3rd Saturdays 10:00 am
All who are new to UU or to OUUC are welcome at these classes (one or all of the series). For those interested in becoming members of OUUC this class is required. This class is offered both in person and on Zoom.
Upcoming classes:
2/17 UU History, Principles, and Sources
3/2 Campus Tour and congregational history
3/16 Faith Development for children and adults
4/6 Worship and Liturgical Year
4/20 Social action, community service, racial equity
5/4 Pastoral care and small group ministry
5/18 Small Group Connections
6/1 Q&A with minister
6/15 Membership and congregational life
Register here. For questions or more information contact Rev Sara.