The Adopt-a Plot Program Needs You
If you ever considered adopting a piece of the OUUC landscape, now would be a great time to volunteer. While most of our plots are spoken for and are well taken care of, we have a few that still need someone to claim them. Our next group gathering is Saturday, July 24 at 9:00 am. Please come, help out, and select a plot to adopt. You can get some good exercise, do a bit of socializing- and help us maintain the church grounds. We usually meet formally just once a month, but we scheduled an extra work party before the Ritual of Remembrance planned for the end of this month. Please contact Sally Alhadeff or Anne Radford if you have questions or need more info.
Full Moon Meditation - July 23
Full Moon Meditation - Are you curious about Buddhist meditation or mindfulness? A spiritual practice offering is open to anyone interested in practicing silent meditation in the Plum Village tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh's Engaged Buddhism. Join us for an evening meditation and reading. We'll sit together on the full moon(s) each month. 7:00 – 8:00 pm on Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83673338076?pwd=eXFJdDRSZi80eFY3bm1hVGluZHkyZz09
Meeting ID: 836 7333 8076
Passcode: 160696
Volunteer to Provide a Meal
The Blue Apron Team, a group of dedicated OUUC volunteers who provide the evening meal twice a month at the Downtown Olympia Interfaith Works Adult Shelter, and shelf-stable foods for the Lacey Family Resource Center, always welcomes new and former volunteers' assistance in providing a main or side dish for the 6:00 pm shelter dinner. This month’s dinners are Wednesdays July 21, and 28, and the dates for donating food for the Family Center. If you would like to join the team with dinner items and/or food for the children at the Center, please contact Jo Ann Young for more information and delivery instructions.
Save the Date: Ritual of Remembrance, Saturday, July 31, 1:00-3:00 pm at OUUC
We've lost many things in the past 17 months of COVID, not the least of which is the chance to gather to mourn those who have died. Plan to come together on Saturday, July 31 at 1:00 pm at the Memorial Garden at OUUC. We'll gather, sing, remember, grieve the losses, and celebrate life together. There will be tables to share photos and mementos of those who have passed, and a container to collect paper containing our memories for release; the ashes will be scattered in the garden.
Bring the names of those who have died, your photos and mementos, your memories, your presence. Come into community. This will be an outdoor, in-person gathering, with appropriate precautions. Masks welcome.
I hope to see you there. - Rev. Mary
Covenant Circles
Would you like to meet with a small group monthly for deep and meaningful reflection on the monthly spiritual theme? Covenant Circles are a facilitated conversation and a chance to get to know a small group of people better. We have new Circles forming in September, meeting monthly through May. Register now.
Church Picnic
Save the Date!
Sunday, August 22, 2021, at the OUUC parking lot.
Noon – 3:00 pm
All church picnic – Let the Games Begin (again)
Bring your own box lunch – drinks and dessert provided.
Games and prizes. More information to follow.
Catch Basin Cleaning Party!
The Building & Grounds Team is looking for a few hearty souls to help B & G in the inspection and cleaning of the 13 catch basins in the church parking lot. This is an annual B & G task that saves the expense of hiring it out and keeps us legal with the City. Takes about 90 minutes; the date is Thursday, July 15. Coffee provided! Contact Brian Walsh.
July's Environmental Challenge - Water Conservation
The OUUC Environmental Action Team knows we are all in this planet-saving business together, so let’s have some fun and learn some things on our way! Watch for the 10-Month Environment Challenge! Beginning July 2021 through April 2022, Earth Day. The month of July will feature Water Conservation – Conserving the Essential Element in Diminishing Supply.
There will be a different topic and tracking sheet for each month of the 10-Month Environment Challenge. There will be a prize for the highest monthly total and a random drawing at the end of each month. Participants will also be eligible for a grand prize based on total accumulated points at the end of the challenge – just in time for Earth Day!
It is easy to participate: Read more.....
Do you need help exploring and processing grief?
A new monthly Bereavement Group will begin meeting on the fourth Thursday of the month starting on July 22. The group will meet from 6:00-7:15 pm at OUUC. There is currently a combined caregivers/ grief support group that meets monthly on the second Thursday morning each month. You are welcome to attend either or both groups and discover the best fit for you. This group is facilitated by OUUC’s Pastoral Care Team members. If you have questions, please contact Josie Solseng.
Help Us Imagine a New OUUC Logo!
For years OUUC has enjoyed our beautiful current logo designed by Martha Guilfoyle. Now, with a brand new outlook in the form of a revitalized Mission, Vision, and Ends — plus a website redesign in progress — it’s a great time to reinvent our logo and create something that reflects where we’re going!
Calling All Artists! Anyone interested is welcome to participate! Jo Sahlin, OUUC Media Specialist can answer any questions.
What We’re Looking For - Read more....
The Fallacy of Public Safety and Mass Incarceration
Read more...
Talk Show Videos Available
Please enjoy these videos of the “After Church with Melanie Ransom” talk show.
Discover how your life might overlap with our special guests. The talk show starts at 11:30 am after the coffee chats following our Zoom worship services on some Sundays. Find the schedule in our Weekly Update.
Many of us come to OUUC for the theology, but we stay because of our life-long connections to the people.
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