OUUC Weekly Update

This Sunday we lose an hour of sleep as the clocks "spring forward", so we invite anyone who would like to wear their pajamas to church this week to do so!

It's Pajama Day!

If you missed the forum last Sunday (or even if you were there) the resource we used for discernment questions around engaging in social justice action can be found here.

Thursday, March 6, 5:30 pm

This week's menu is a baked potato bar, and we'll also celebrate all March birthdays with song and cake. All are welcome for food and fellowship. If you can help cook or set up, contact Rev. Sara.

Thursday, March 6, 6:30 pm

All who are parenting or care-giving for children of any age are welcome to join us for mutual sharing and support at the monthly Parent group. If you'd like to join by Zoom, contact Rev. Sara for the link. We also meet in person.

Thursday, March 6, 6:30 pm

The Sewing Ministry will host a monthly Sit & Stitch on the first Thursday evening of each month. Bring your hand sewing, crocheting, knitting, cross stitch, embroidery, etc. to work on and enjoy company and conversation! Beginners welcome!

Sunday, March 9, 12:15 pm

Please join the Faith in Action (FIA) Leadership Team this coming Sunday for a forum to learn about our current FIA focus areas and partners, and to begin a renewed vision for our FIA work.

Saturday, March 8, 10 am

Join us for two hours of spiritual practice in community as we explore the theme of Trust. Register here.

There are so many ways to show up, speak out, or lend support for our values in the world this month.

Find many of them organized here.

There will be no more in person Action Hours, but we continue to compile a simple list of quick actions you can take each week.

This week's actions are here.

Every Sunday, 2 pm

This class is for everyone interested in becoming a member of OUUC or simply interested in learning more about OUUC, and will be offered every Sunday 2pm from March to May. March topics: 3/2 UU History, Values, and the UUA 3/9 OUUC History and Grounds, 3/16 Faith in Action, 3/23 Worship, 3/30 Faith Development

Join in National boycotts called against companies that have slashed their DEI programs with this new administration.

The boycott schedule is:

Feb 28th total boycott, buy nothing, spend nothing.

March 7-14th Boycott Amazon.

March 21-28 Boycott Nestle.

April 7-14 Boycott Walmart.

April 18 Economic Blackout #2.

April 21-28 Boycott General Mills.

The end of year report on the Growing Home Collective shares the work and impact of this program, which OUUC will be supporting later this year through Share the Plate.

GRuB is a friend of the congregation, please read about their work in the end of year report here.

SWIFT (Siding With Immigrant Families Together) is OUUC's anti-mass deportation group. We will post signs around our building to inform immigration officials that our building is private space. Trump revoked longstanding protections for sanctuary spaces but is being challenged in court by the UUA and others. In the meantime, the signs will remind us and inform immigration where we stand.

Interfaith Works developed A Covenant to Protect the Sanctity of Sacred Spaces. OUUC, Rev. Gear, and others of us have signed the Covenant. You can view and sign it here.

See our statement on mass deportation here.

On April 6, at 12:15pm, the Strengthening Sanctuary Alliance will offer Know Your Rights training at OUUC. This will be in-person and on Zoom. We'll learn who's at risk under the new regime and how to assert the rights we and immigrants have when encountering deportation action.

We are investigating ways to help schools protect vulnerable students and their families. If you have connections with school districts, let us know. OSPI just issued strong guidance here. We continue to learn and work to counter mass deportation. To join us, contact Steve Tilley.

The youth choir of the Janos Zsigmond Unitarian High School of Kolozsvár, Romania will be touring in the US during April, 2025. They need our support.

Unfortunately, they won't be coming to the west coast, you can see their itinerary, downloadable below. Travelers from OUUC will visit the high school when we go on our pilgrimage this fall.

The UUA and the Hungarian Unitarian Church are providing some support and more help is needed. To donate:

• Go to this site.
• In the menu bar on top find the Hungarian flag, click on the flag, and change language to English
• At the extreme top right you’ll see the “Donation” button, clicking that will bring up the option to click on the link, "Choir Tour in the United States."
• This will bring up the interface to enter your information and the amount you want to donate. You can change the Currency to "USA," using the drop down button for this field.

Your help will be greatly appreciated!

The Pastoral Care Team members serve as an extension of Rev. Mary's care of the congregation, which is especially important and needed as we grow. Rev. Mary invites team members based on their professional and life experience, as well as their caring heart and presence. The team members also continue their learning and growth together as they serve.

Ours is a ministry of loving presence, as we listen to the words that need to be spoken. We provide short or long term social/emotional, one-to-one care to members and friends. We work as a team, with a lead member assigned to each request to ensure consistency.

If you would like support from the Pastoral Care Team, you can identify members on Sunday mornings or at other church events by looking for the green Pastoral Care stoles they wear. If you are not physically at church, you can reach out via email here, and a team member will get back to you shortly to see how they can be of service.

Your Pastoral Care Team members are: Debra Dohrmann, Beth Johnson, Susan Joy, Bobbe Murray, Polly Taylor, Pam Turner, and Woody Woodson.