
OUUC Weekly Update
March 26, 2024

Worship Service March 31
“Love Lives Again” with Rev. Mary Gear, Rev. Sara Lewis, and Troy Fisher
On Easter Sunday, we celebrate the Spring holidays of resurrection & new life.
The worship service starts at 10 am.
OUUC Sunday Morning Service
https://zoom.us/j/873210124?pwd=U21qdmwxcTNyaE1LQ0xlU0MwM3VMQT09
Meeting ID: 873 210 124
Password: 995142
Dial +1 253 215 8782
There will be no After-Service Forum.
Instead, children are invited to join us for an Easter Egg Hunt down the street at Burri Park!
Stewardship Drive 2024-2025
Thank you to all who have pledged so far. We are at 167 pledges committed to $410,384.60!
This Week
Children’s Easter Egg Hunt
Sunday March 31, 11:30 am
We will host our annual Egg Hunt for children following the worship service this Sunday.
All are welcome, bring a basket to collect eggs and dress for the weather.
We hunt for the eggs at Burri Park and then return to OUUC to trade the (emtpy) eggs for treats in the Commons.
Easter Treat Donations Needed
We are currently seeking donations for the children’s Easter Egg Hunt. Treats and prizes Do Not Go In The Eggs, so they can be of any size.
Suggested items: stuffed animals, art supplies, stickers, candy/food treats, fidgets, notebooks, children’s books, puzzles.
Bring donations to the Spirit Play classroom anytime between now and Easter Sunday (March 31st).
Thursday Community Dinner: Celebration of Spring
Thursday March 28, 5:30 pm
This week’s dinner is a celebration of spring with eggs and spring veggies and other goodness. Everyone is invited for food and fellowship.
Volunteers needed for cooking and help with setting up tables and chairs, if you can help contact Rev. Sara.
Following dinner this week we will have the Buddhist and Christian groups, the all ages Action Hour, and Prayers from the Heart.
All Ages Action Hour
Thursday March 28, 6:30-7:30 pm
Folks of all ages are invited to join Anissa after the dinner this week to make yard or protest signs, write letters to elected leaders, and pack care packages for our neighbors experiencing homelessness.
Prayers from the Heart with Rev Sara this week
Thursday March 28, 6:45 pm
Rev Sara hosts this prayer practice on the 4th Thursday of each month. Come to pray together, to drop stones and light candles, to give voice to all that is in your heart.
Not sure about prayer? Not a problem, we are a welcoming and inclusive group and approach prayer in an inter-spiritual and expansive way.
Travel that Changes Lives begins this Friday
Fridays beginning March 29, 6:30-8:30 pm
The travel class is back!
Covid-19 ended travel for many and thus canceled our class. Many have been traveling again and have stories and reflections to share with us all.
Read more, see a full schedule of presentations and
Celebration of Life for Nancy May
Saturday March 30, 1:30 PM
The family and friends of Nancy May will be welcomed for a Celebration of Life service, both onsite in the OUUC Sanctuary and on Zoom (see below).
A reception will follow for those onsite.
Please check here for updates and Zoom link – we’ll post the Order of Service before, and a link to the YouTube video after the service.
Tiny Little News Show
Would you like some of your church news by video? Try our Tiny Little News Show!
Ministry Programs
Parent Group Thursday April 4
1st Thursdays, 6:30pm
Join us for support and community each month on the 1st Thursday of the month. We focus on a different parenting topic each month.
April's topic: Navigating extended family and the world at large, or how we can be allies and advocates for our kids.
May's topic: Nature Deficit and our kids - ways to bring more sunshine and nature into our kids lives.
June's topic: Summer Fun? How to navigate summers and school breaks and get the most from them.
We meet in person and on Zoom.
Join us on Zoom HERE.
Questions, email Rev. Sara.
A Dip in Active Hope-Sponsored by the OUUC Environmental Action Team
Thursday April 4, 6:30 pm
Curious about the work of Joanna Macy on overcoming despair about the state of our world so we can take action? Come listen to Lynn Fitz-Hugh, the Director of Restoring Earth Connection and Rhonda Hunter of Climate Shepherds talk about Active Hope and an upcoming workshop.
A larger workshop will be happening May 11th from 9:30 to 5:30 and this is a good way to get a taste ahead of time.
Read more HERE.
Spirituality, Science, and Nature
Saturdays April 6, 13, 20, 11am-12:30pm (3 sessions)
Facilitated by Rev. Sara Lewis
Grounded in the book Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit by Lyanda Lynn Haupt, this class will explore how we can live with the earth and nature in simple and profound ways, and how our spirituality can be deeply rooted in our belonging to the natural world around us.
DATE CHANGE Interdependent Web of Life: A Class for Kids ages 5-10
Thursdays 6:30-7:30, April 11th to May 30th
One of our Unitarian Universalist values and principles is Interdependence, and we know that we humans are part of the web of life, not separate from it.
In this 8 week class children will explore different aspects of the web of life, learning about the water cycle, photosynthesis, and more amazing examples of nature and interdependence. Science meets spirituality in this celebration and appreciation of the natural world.
New UU Seekers Class on Saturday April 6
1st and 3rd Saturdays 10am
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:
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
For questions or more information contact Rev. Sara.
Volunteers Needed for Light Lunch Food Sunday April 7
On Sunday, April 7, the Healthy Congregations Team will be hosting the Thurston County Dispute Resolution Center for a workshop on Healthy Communications from 12-2 pm.
The HCT could use some help with providing food for a light lunch between the end of the Sunday service and the start of the workshop. If you can help provide food, please sign up HERE.
You can drop off your food donation on Sunday morning by 10:30 am. Or you can stop by the day before, Saturday, April 6 between 2:30-4 pm. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Mary.
Thank you for helping sustain bodies and spirits!
Communicate to Connect: A Workshop of Skills and Approaches for Productive Conversations to Preserve and Develop Connections
Sunday April 7, 12-2 pm
onsite and online, light lunch provided
Presented by the Thurston County Dispute Resolution Center and sponsored by the OUUC Healthy Congregations Team
We live in a time of great difference and much difficulty bridging those differences. Come together in community to learn and practice skills to help us build bridges. The DRC will provide an interactive experience to help us separate interests from positions, identify needs and values, and improve communication skills.
Come to listen, learn, practice and grow.
BUY YOUR AUCTION TICKETS NOW!
AUCTION 2024: REACH THE SKY!
LIVE Auction & Dinner: Saturday, May 4, 5 - 8 PM at ASHHO Cultural Community Center
ONLINE Auction: April 7- MAY 5
The Auction website is open for donations and ticket purchases! Donations of social events, outings, get-togethers, handmade items, and unique opportunities are welcome! Do you have a passion or hobby? Share it! Do you have a unique getaway cottage or cabin? Offer it! Do you love to play games or prepare dinners? Host it!
Visit the auction website HERE and click on “Donate an Auction Item.” Submit your donations before April 21, 2024.
Now's the time to purchase your tickets to attend the live auction and dinner. Everyone is welcome!
Tickets are $10 to $100 per person—pay what you can. Choose your price by clicking on Buy your ticket on the auction website.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers Needed: Can You Help?
For many, years volunteers from our congregation have twice a month provided main and side dishes for the guests at the Interfaith Works Adult Shelter, located first at First Christian Church, and now at Unity Commons Shelter.
Each third and fourth Wednesday 8 main and 3 side dishes are needed to feed the 58 guests who stay there.
This month for a variety of reasons (health, travels, moving, etc.), several of our volunteers have become unable to bring food for the two OUUC Wednesday night dinners at Unity Commons.
For information about volunteering please contact Jo Ann Young.
Join Habitat for Humanity for a build that supports OUUC family Kate and Lark D.
May 15th-18th and May 22nd-25 at the Tumwater Development
Select the best day that works for you and your team!
By participating in Women Build, you'll directly support South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity's mission of building affordable homes for more families, individuals, and Veterans. You'll also help raise awareness about the housing inequities women face and advocate for gender equity in homeownership. It's time to break down barriers and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve affordable homeownership, regardless of the challenges they may face.
No experience necessary – just a willingness to make a positive impact.
Save the Dates
Join UU Ministry for Earth to celebrate Earth Day!
Tuesday April 23, 4-5 pm
We protect what we love, so come explore how we can do that as UUs! There will be time for reflection and small group sharing.
Watch Party for Public Worship of Diverse Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM)
Wednesday May 8, 5pm
Rev. Sara will host this watch party of the annual public worship offered by DRUUMM. Description of the service: Our worship is grounded in the theme of Choosing Joy! Living with Intentionality and Purpose. Be with us as we explore sustaining joy amidst adversity, inspired by Proverbs 17:2. A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Discover how a joyful heart can be your sanctuary, even when spirits are tested. A celebration of resilience, purpose, and the healing power of joy.
General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association
June 20th to 23rd, ALL Virtual this year!
General Assembly is many things: powerful worship, opportunities to learn together in workshops, and business meetings where delegates vote on important decisions for our association. This year General Assembly will have an important vote about Article II (we’ve explored Article II for a few years now, learn more HERE).
Visit the General Assembly webpage HERE.
If you are interested in being one of OUUC’s voting delegates talk to Rev. Sara.
Registration Now Open for Kids Summer Camps:
OUUC Chalice Camp “Building a New Way” for ages 5-10 will be July 15th to 19th.
Our Whole Lives (OWL) Camp for Ages 5-7, July 8th to 12th, 9am-noon each day.
OWL is a developmentally appropriate and much praised sexuality education program.
Camp is open to all, with a pay what you can sliding scale, feel free to spread the word!
All Church Picnic!
Mark your calendars now for our fun annual picnic. This year at a more accessible location!
Sunday September 8th, noon-2pm
Squaxin Park Rose Garden Shelter
Quick Notes
Safety Reminder: Please lock and remove valuables from your vehicles.
Download the flyer below if you would like a list of OUUC events for March. Great for posting on your refrigerator!
In the Larger Community
Learn more about the following events and others here.
The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice invites you to show your support for Palestine each Friday from 4:30-6:00 p.m. at the Fellowship of Reconciliation Vigil for Peace
Percival Landing in Downtown Olympia, 4th & Water Street
The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) is encouraging interested members of the public to apply for one of the 25 citizen advisory boards, commissions, and committees.
More info HERE.
Pacific Western Region Assembly - A multi-day conference centered on connecting across individuals, congregations, and regions. Friday, April 19 - Saturday, April 20. More info here.
About Us
Staff Contacts
Rev. Sara Lewis, Director of Community and Faith Development
Isaac Ezra Jennings, Business Manager
Rosie Koppelman, Office Assistant
Teresa Madsen, Communications and Tech Coordinator
Marie Arensmeyer, Facilities Manager
Anissa Bentlemsani, Religious Education Assistant
Carbon Marshall, Tech Specialist
Office Hours
Tuesday - Thursday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
360-634-2005