OUUC Weekly Update
June 4, 2024
Flowers! Flowers! Flowers!
It is a long OUUC tradition to do a flower ceremony in June to mark the coming of Summer and the end of the congregational program year. This year’s flower ceremony at OUUC will be in the service on Sunday, June 9 at 10 am. If you plan to attend the service online, please find a flower or flowers to show on your camera.
If you plan to attend onsite, please bring a flower (or several) with you. The idea of flower ceremony is to celebrate our colorful diversity. In the ritual, we share the beauty of flowers and go home with a different flower than we came with. Please plan to join this service filled with history and beauty.
See you there!
Arlene Colerick
joined the UU church when it was in Tumwater, and she has sung with the choir ever since her second visit. Arlene has served in a multitude of roles over the years, including as a RE teacher for most age groups and as an OWL facilitator for elementary and middle school aged children. She was an auction data team member, on a stewardship team, and a Books Brownies and Beans baker, cashier, and greeter. She went to Transylvania with the OUUC Choir in '04, then became a member and co-chair of Partner Church Committee for two years. She was involved early version of the Addictions Ministry. The past twenty years she has worked in various roles for Aramark, which operates the food service concession at The Evergreen State College. She was President of the Board of Trustees for the past two years, and would now like to continue on the Board as a member.
Sally Alhadeff
is a Washington state native and has lived much of her life within a few miles of where her ancestors settled in 1846. She has been an active member of OUUC since 2016 and has served on multiple committees; she has also served on many professional boards. From her very first visit to OUUC, she knew she had found a new home and that remains true today. Her main occupation these days is working in her own garden and in community gardens and birdwatching in areas both near and far.
Dieter Jacobs
is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist who grew up in the little white church in Tumwater. He returned to the Olympia area 10 years ago and rejoined the OUUC during COVID, becoming an active member of the Buildings and Grounds Committee. He enjoys spending time with friends and family, including his two grown sons, as well as playing board games, reading fantasy and science fiction books, exploring the walking trails around Thurston County, and finding interesting places to eat. He currently works for the Washington Fatherhood Council and has a long history of public service.
Nancy Curtiss
is a retired educator and high school counselor. An OUUC member since 2008, she moved to Olympia from Arlington, WA, where she and her husband Dennis belonged to Evergreen UU Fellowship.
She served on the Share the Plate, Social Action, and Stewardship committees. She is currently co-leading a Soul Matters Group, preparing Meals for the Shelter, and is a member of the Welcome Team and the OUUC Buddhist group. She is a co-leader of the local chapter of RESULTS, an advocacy movement committed to influencing political decisions that will bring an end to poverty. She believes each of us is a leader in our own right with gifts to develop and share in covenant with one another.
Des McGahern
a native of Ireland, has been living in Olympia for 26 years.
Des and his wife Martha have been members of OUUC since 1999. He has a background in leadership development and operations management. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees as well as on other committees throughout his time at OUUC.
Josie Solseng
joined OUUC in 2014. The UU principle of the inherent worth and dignity of every person inspires and touches her deeply.
Josie served on the Pastoral Care Team for 8 years and designed its brochure. She has also been part of the Books, Brownies, and Beans committee, serving for 5 years as the Internal Communications Lead. She has participated in worship services as a musician and guest presenter. Currently, she participates in the Sewing Ministry, the Auction, Caring Friends, Community Dinners, and the Buddhist Sangha. Josie is designing an Adult Education Class focusing on music appreciation for non-musicians to be offered this fall.
Rev. Mary’s sabbatical starts on June 16. On that day, we will send her off with a box full of blessings, well wishes and love from our beloved community. The Sabbatical Committee will collect cards for Rev. Mary over the next 4 weeks. Please look for the colorful box and blank cards in the Commons (shown here). We have a selection of lovely cards or you can bring one of your choice and drop it in the box. All are invited to participate. If you have questions, ask a Sabbatical Committee member or email us.
For detailed information about Rev. Mary's sabbatical, a contact list, FAQ's and more, check out this site or the kiosk next to the commons side doors in the church.
Community Dinner: That's a Wrap Folks!
Thursday, June 6, 5:30 pm
This will be our final community dinner before a summer break, and we will have Wrap Sandwiches (because that's a wrap!).
Volunteers are needed for help with cooking, set up, and clean up, please contact Rev. Sara if you can help.
Parent Group this week
Thursday, June 6, 6:30-7:30 pm
in-person and online (contact Rev. Sara for Zoom link)
Join us for support and community each month on the 1st Thursday of the month. We focus on a different parenting topic each month. June's topic is navigating the summer season with kids.
For the Buried and the U: A Unitarian Universalist Vigil for Gaza
Sunday, June 9, 5-6 pm
Zoom provided upon RSVP
This vigil, open to all, is to honor the spiritual work toward ending the violence. We are calling for a permanent ceasefire and end to the indiscriminate bombing of Gaza, a release of all hostages/prisoners, humanitarian aid, and an accountability process that is not rooted in revenge. We deeply honor the worth and dignity of all Palestinians and all Israelis.
Join us as we grieve, rage, learn, and find solace together. The vigil will be held for 45 minutes, and we may host facilitated breakout session afterwards.
RSVP here (required for Zoom). View our previous vigil at youtube.com/@DRUUMM
Registration Now Open for Kids Summer Camps:
OUUC Chalice Camp “Building a New Way” for ages 5-10
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.
Camps are open to all, with a pay what you can sliding scale, feel free to spread the word!
Litha Potluck and Ritual
Thursday, June 20, 6:30 pm
All are welcome to join us as we celebrate the summer solstice with community and ritual. Please bring a potluck dish to share.
OlyWA Pride
Sunday June 29, 11 am
OUUC is going to have a booth for Pride and to march in the Pride Parade this year. Rev Sara is organizing this effort, but needs help.
Please sign up here.
Hope Tiny House Village Update
Each second Sunday of the month our congregation provides dinner for the ten residents of Hope Tiny House Village. Currently, there is a need for one more volunteer to bring a fruit or vegetable item. Please contact Jo Ann Young for details about volunteering.
Friday, June 7, 2024
The family and friends of Phyllis Clausen will be welcomed for a Celebration of Life service at 2 pm, both onsite in the OUUC Sanctuary and on Zoom (link below).
A reception will follow for those onsite.
Please check this site for updates – we’ll post the Order of Service before, and a link to the YouTube video after, the service.
Meeting ID: 812 4239 0585
Passcode: 002977
Saturday, June 15, 2024
The community will gather to remember and honor Pat Sonnenstuhl at 1 pm, both onsite in the OUUC Sanctuary and on Zoom (link below). A reception will follow for those onsite.
Meeting ID: 874 2147 2838
Passcode: 229195
