OUUC Weekly Update
February 11, 2025
Unitarian Universalist Association Joins Interfaith Lawsuit Against ICE
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) has joined with a multifaith coalition and the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection to bring a lawsuit challenging Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE) “sensitive locations policy.” This policy removed sanctuary protections for refugees and immigrants in places like churches.
As UUA Executive Vice President Carey McDonald affirms, “As Unitarian Universalists (UUs), fighting for justice and liberation for all people is at the heart of our faith tradition, which recognizes the spark of the divine inherent in every person; our sacred spaces must continue to offer sanctuary to those who face oppression, violence, or alienation, including immigrant communities.”
You can learn more in the UU World story here.
You can also join a webinar with the UUA's legal counsel on Friday, Feb. 21 at 11 am Pacific. Please register here.
30 Days of Love 2025
A Side With Love message provides political education and context for each weekly theme with lessons and inspiration to move through these times.
Each week’s resources will be published on Tuesdays and include the following: A journal practice to reflect and dream to chart a course with clarity and care, a creative/art practice to ground in the beauty and abundance of imagination, a body practice to ground us in resilience and renewal, and a family-friendly, multigenerational activity that builds community as we take action for justice. More information here.
Sewing Ministry
Saturday, February 15
12:30 - 3:30 pm
If you enjoy simple sewing and friendly conversation, join us to work on an ongoing project, or design one yourself from our stash of donated fabrics. We're currently halfway through making the top for an auction quilt - long strips to sew together in straight lines! - putting together a lap quilt, and mending a donation quilt.
You're most welcome to just drop in, or contact Claudia McNeill or Wendy Tanner if you'd like more information ahead of time.
Prayer Group
Saturday, February 15
10:30 am
“The urge to pray is universal. We know of no cultures, past or present, in which prayer does not occur. People pray when they are happy and sad, during celebrations and tragedies, at births and deaths, during peace and war, in cathedrals and cars, in poverty and plenty. Prayer, it seems, is in our blood.” (Larry Dossey)
Prayer can be a powerful tool in your own, individual spiritual life and the power of that practice is multiplied when shared with others. In the UU fashion, prayer may be spoken or silent and belief in god or any creed is not a requirement!
Action Hour Actions For This Week
Join us each week on Sunday between the worship services for in person Action Hour. Bring your Own Device if possible.
If you didn't make it this week you can still follow through on several of these actions.
Spiritual Care Drop-In with Rev. Sara
Saturday, February 15
11:30 am
All are welcome to this drop in time for sharing and support. Bring whatever is on your heart and affecting your spirit.
Dances of Universal Peace
Dances of Universal Peace is an embodied, transformative spiritual practice touching the essence of all traditions around the world. They include simple movements to live music. All are welcome, no experience necessary, dances are taught to the whole group each time. We hope you will come and lift your voice, your hands, and your spirit as we allow a variety of dances to work in our hearts as yeast works a loaf of bread. A cash donation will be collected for musicians.
Wednesday Weekly Chess Starts Next Week at OUUC
All chessplayers are welcome to join Olympia Chess Club for casual play each Wednesday from 5 to 9 p.m. at OUUC, starting February 19th. Players aged 18+ asked to contribute $5 or more toward room rental fee. Players under 18 play free; players under age 13 must have adult chaperone who remains present with the young player. Contact John Gear for more information.
Adult Faith Development
Have you seen all the Spring offerings from the Adult Faith Development Team?
Examples include the Protest Songs Music Jam, Art that Sustains Poetry Writing, Travels that Inspire Class, Death Cafe. UU Common Reads Class, Wisdom Path, Dances for Universal Peace, Don't Leave this Earth Until You've Cleaned Your Room and more.
Check out these classes and register on the OUUC website under "LEARN" or pick up a flyer in the OUUC Commons and register at the OUUC office.
UU Common Read: Authentic Selves Led by Rev. Sara Lewis
Wednesday, February 19 (weekly through March 12)
6:30 pm
Through interviews and photo portraits, the subjects of this book invite readers into their real lives–their revelations, challenges, joys, and networks of support. From the foreword by transgender activist Jazz Jennings and her mom and fellow activist, Jeanette Jennings, through the resources offered at the book’s end, this Common Read invites UU groups to explore the nature of living authentically and the ways connections among us help us thrive. Register here.
Black History Month at the Equity Library!
In celebration of Black History Month you will find these books and more in EQUITY LIBRARY, and available for an easy check-out…
*LITTLE LEADERS: bold black women in history
*LITTLE LEGENDS: exceptional black men in history
*HOW WE ARE SMART
*THE COLOR OF LOVE
*I’M A PRETTY LITTLE BLACK GIRL
*THE BOOK OF BLACK HEROS
*MARTIN LUTHER KING
*THE GREEN BOOK
EQUITY LIBRARY is located across from Rev. Mary’s office in the OUUC RE Wing, and open whenever OUUC is open.
Facilities Manager, Marie Arensmeyer, will be working remotely for several weeks. During this period, please take extra care to leave church spaces better than you found them after use. Please direct any questions related to the Building and Grounds to Business Manager, Isaac Jennings.
