OUUC Weekly Update

Unitarian Universalism values the inherent worth and dignity of all humans. What if we were to expand that to include all beings, the interdependent web of 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

After Service Forum (11:30 am): "Falling Short - Looking Ahead" with the OUUC Board of Trustees

Worship Service:

“Spring Contemplation" with Rylee Uhrich.

Watch the service HERE and view the Order of Service HERE.

After Service Forum:

Faith in Action Year in Review. Watch the recording HERE.

Buy your tickets before Saturday so we purchase the right amount of food. Tickets are available HERE on a pay-what-you-can basis.

You know the value of OUUC’s mission in our community. To reach our auction goals and blast out of the field of gravity we need a full spaceship. Purchase your tickets now and don’t be left behind!

The Online Auction also opens this Saturday, April 27 and runs through May 5. Check out the catalog of social events, unique items, and gift cards to many of Olympia's favorite shops and restaurants. The countdown before lift-off is imminent!

With the Auction in mind, OUUC’s Sewing Ministry has handmade a gorgeous king-sized quilt which will be offered in a raffle. (It’s on display in the sanctuary!)

Raffle tickets are only $5 each or 5 for $20. Please bring cash or a check to purchase your raffle tickets at Thursday night dinners, after Sunday services, or at the Live Auction, where the lucky winner will be chosen on May 4th.

Thank you to all who contributed to OUUC’s stewardship drive this year. As of Sunday, there are 225 pledges committing to $471,950.

While this is great news, we are still far short of our goal of $571,446.

Join the Board of Trustees after the service on Sunday, April 28, for a discussion about the future of OUUC.

And if you haven’t pledged yet, you still can on the OUUC website or contact the office.

There are two opportunities this week to learn more about, and comment on, a proposed revised Governance Manual for OUUC. The existing Manual was adopted about eight years ago as we embarked on “Policy Governance.” Since then we have changed our fiscal year, grappled with policy development, and struggled with new processes. We have learned a lot.

So, last Fall the Board made as one of its priorities for this year a revision of the existing Manual. That draft is ready for review and Comment by the Congregation. The drafting team of Jeff Goltz, Susan Moon, and Fritz Wrede believe that while the new draft adheres to the general approach to governance articulated in the existing Manual, it does so more clearly and efficiently.

There will be two listening sessions the week, the first one tonight:

Tuesday, April 23, 7:00 p.m., online. The Zoom link is provided below.

Thursday, April 25 6:45 p.m. at the church (after the Thursday evening community dinner).

You can find the existing Governance Manual HERE. And you can find the latest draft revision here:

And please feel free to submit comments or questions in writing to Jeff, Susan, or Fritz, or to all three of us. We look forward to hearing from you.

HERE is the Zoom link for the on-line meeting on April 23 (TONIGHT) at 7:00 p.m.

Meeting ID: 850 5663 0130, Passcode: 139543

OUUC’s second annual Summer UU Reading Fun (SUURF) online bookstore will be OPEN for Olympia-area shoppers from 7am Tuesday JUNE 11 thru 10pm Sunday JUNE 16. While the virtual bookstore is open, you can shop and pay securely online, then pick up your combined purchases at OUUC the following week. Proceeds will benefit OUUC's non-profit partners working to build a more loving, just, and healthy world for all of us.

SUURF volunteers are needed! Between now and the sale, we need Book Screeners (to occasionally help Susan play with the incoming book donations at her home), a few tech-savvy Bookstore QA folks (Susan will show you how you can do this at your convenience at your own computer), a Volunteer Manager, and help with Advertising the sale.

After the sale, on Tuesday June 18, we need two teams to Pull ‘n Bag the sold books in 3-hour shifts at OUUC. We also need volunteers to help when our customers Pick-Up their purchases at OUUC in two-hour shifts, Friday morning on June 21 and Saturday afternoon on June 22. This year we’re also hoping to offer a local order delivery service option – so let us know if you want to be part of the SUURF Delivery-Driver Brigade, any time between June 19 and June 22.

Please contact Susan to let her know how you’d like to help.

Thursday, April 25: 10-11:30 am on Zoom

“Highlights of BLUU’s Cooperative Housing Initiative”. Register and learn more here

Thursday, April 25: 5-6:30pm on Zoom

All are welcome to Texas UU Justice Ministry’s event! “As we lean into the work of building multi-racial democracy where all can thrive […], this author talk provides a unique opportunity to equip us for the work ahead.” Register here:

TXUUJM Action Hour - Author Talk with Steve Phillips

Sunday, May 5: 2-4:30 pm on Zoom

Come join UU the Vote’s first phone bank of 2024! Planting Seeds of Democracy with Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights. Register here

Sunday May 5, 3- 4:30 pm

Celebrate legislative wins and hear about stalled legislation and what is needed to move forward next session. FAN staff will share an update on the three ballot initiatives that will have an impact on everything we do this year. And you will have a chance to meet in issue groups to discuss with others what policy changes you would like to see in the future.

REGISTER HERE.

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.

REGISTER HERE.

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.

REGISTER HERE.

Camp is open to all, with a pay what you can sliding scale, feel free to spread the word!

The OUUC Office is closed today, Tuesday, April 23, in observance of Pesach.

Phone and email inquiries will receive follow-up on the next day, Wednesday April 24.

Safety Reminder: Please lock and remove valuables from your vehicles.

Download the flyer below if you would like a list of OUUC events for April. Great for posting on your refrigerator!

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.

Join Washington Indivisible Network and Indivisible leaders and members across Washington and Oregon for a series of virtual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion workshops led by DEI consultants Lillian Hawkins and LaTricia Kinlow.

Intersections of Identity & Racial Privilege
Saturday, April 27 - 10:30am-12:00pm

Racial Microaggressions: What Are They & Why Are They Harmful?
Saturday, May 4 - 10:30am-12:00pm

Read more about the workshops HERE and REGISTER HERE.

Sunday April 28, 2024, 1-4 PM

Traditions Fair Trade, 300 5th Ave SW, Olympia, WA 98501

Robert Upham, Dakota Artist, speaks about his art, much of which is in the plains Ledger Art Style. The Ledger Art Style originated from Native American Indians who were imprisoned far away from their families. They were given discarded accounting ledgers to draw on. The Plains Indian was accustomed to spending the winters creating art and storytelling. This was called the Winter Count and that transitioned into artist journal accounts in the Ledger Books. Come hear the history and see his amazing art.

Refreshments will be provided. A donation for the speaker is appreciated.

Staff Contacts

Rev. Mary Gear, Minister

Rev. Sara Lewis, Director of Community and Faith Development

Troy Fisher, Music Director

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