the OUUC spark

Unitarian Universalism is in the midst of a re-examination of our core values and a big conversation about who we are and how we express that in words. This is the work of re-examining Article II of the UUA Bylaws. To catch up on the Article II conversation, you can see our padlet here: Article II (padlet.org)

As UU congregations were all asked to spend this year studying the proposed new Article II, Soul Matters (a theme based ministry subscription service) chose to make each of the proposed values from article II into a monthly theme. But they added a couple themes that aren’t from Article II: welcome and heritage.

I understood welcome for September, but I will admit I was a bit thrown off by Heritage as a theme to explore before the new values. It didn’t jump out at me as the right choice, but after this month of exploring it together I believe I was wrong. I now think that looking back at what has come before is a wonderful way to prepare for change and explore what comes next.

This month has been full of thought provoking worship that has explored our UU heritage and history. We heard about how our UU historical heroes were not perfect, and in fact were sometimes quite wrong or flawed. We heard about how our recent UU history has been a move toward greater relationships of accountability. We heard about different metaphors for what a church can be for us. And we heard about our own OUUC history.

(If you missed any of these services, remember you can watch the recordings here: Recent Services (ouuc.org))

What our history shows is a story of change, of learning and growth. And also of mistakes, conflicts, and injustices. And of repair, reparations, and relationship. It’s a complex story, and working our way through it is a preparation for facing a complex today and what will no doubt be a complex future.

We’re not done with our dive into history yet. Plan to come to the after worship forum on November 5th to create an OUUC timeline together. And then we will begin to reflect on the Article II values with Generosity being the theme for November.

May we learn and grow, together.

The Book Sale set up starts this Thursday, but we will pause to eat together!

All are invited for pizza and salad bar at 5:30 pm.

Volunteers for set up and clean up are needed, contact Rev. Sara if you can help.

Due to the rooms being set up for the book sale, the Buddhist and Christian groups will not be meeting this Thursday.

In preparation for this worship service, please plan to bring to share a memento of a person or event or time from your heritage or OUUC’s heritage. If you attend in person, we’ll have an altar for you to place your item. If you attend online, you will have the opportunity to show and share your item. Together we will write our collective story of who we have been as we imagine the story of who we want to be. With this intention, we will worship together.

See you then.

Rev. Mary, Minister@ouuc.org

Website: https://www.ouuc.org

Email: liberalfaith@ouuc.org

Location: 2315 Division St NW, Olympia, WA, USA
Phone: (360) 634-2005

Office Hours

Tuesday - Thursday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Staff Contacts

Rev. Mary Gear, Minister

Rev. Sara Lewis, Director of Community and Faith Development

Troy Fisher, Music Director

Darlene Sarkela, Congregational Administrator

Teresa Madsen, Communications & Tech Coordinator

Marie Arensmeyer, Facilities Manager

Anissa Bentlemsani, Religious Education Assistant

Carbon Marshall, Tech Specialist