the OUUC spark

November 14, 2024

The Spark! messages of inspiration from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation

How Shall We Act, Post Election? — Rev. Sara Lewis

This has been a week full of big feelings and distress for many of us, and I hope you’ve found spaces and ways to feel all those feelings and be with them. We are in a period of recovery and preparation, and then there will be a need for action. But what does faithful and spiritually grounded action look like now?

We held a forum last Sunday to explore these questions and these were the ideas generated through small group conversation. I’ve grouped and sorted them into categories:

Self-care and Sustenance:

Participate at OUUC (community, worship, spiritual practice)
Focus on gratitude for what is good
Heal Ourselves
Combat isolation
Hope
Remember it’s a process, nothing is a done deal
Rest
Look for beauty, joy, and happiness. It’s OK to be happy even in hard times

Connecting with Those Who Disagree With Us:

Don’t Hate
Give Grace and remember the Golden Rule
Engage in non-confrontational validation and curiosity
Listen across difference
Building relationships is more important than proving you are right
Tell your story;explain impacts to your and your loved ones lives
Don’t other anyone
Respect, respect, respect
Get out of your bubble
Counter lies and misinformation

Connecting with Those Most Impacted:

Ask what help they need, work to prevent damage
Listen to their leadership
Look to partners for strategic actions to support
Respect, respect, respect
Listen: to people of color, to more radical voices

Organize and Increase Capacity:

Expand our partnerships, especially with our share the plate recipients
Expand our partnerships with interfaith organizations
Look to partners for strategic actions
Bring more people into Faith in Action at OUUC
Expand community

Witness and Watch for Accountability:

Participate in local government
Pay attention to the Sheriff and other public officials

Advocate:

Do Action Hours on Sunday after worship
Show up with Faith in Action (events, marches, etc)
Advocate and support advocacy organizations

Direct Actions and Resistance:

Offer or support sanctuary (immigration)

These are all great ideas, and this is also just the beginning of our conversations and our organizing. Here are my very concrete next steps you can take to stay engaged as we organize:

1) Explore the post-election resources I’ve gathered here: Post-Election Resources

2) Join the Faith in Action Alert List (search for the group in Realm or email Rev. Sara at dcfd@ouuc.org to be added)

3) Join a Faith in Action Team at OUUC (request contact info for congregants here):

Blue Aprons Team, contact Jo Ann Young
Economic Justice Team, contact Rev. Sara or Tim Ransom
Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression Team, contact Rev. Sara or Anne Hundley
Environmental Action Team, contact Wendy Steffensen

4) Volunteer to organize and host Action Hours so that we can offer those on Sundays as suggested. This would be working with Rev. Sara and others, you wouldn’t have to do it alone. Or, when action hours are organized, come and participate!

Do you have another idea? I’m happy to chat with you about your ideas for actions as well, please feel free to reach out for an appointment!

We are going to need each other, and we will be more effective together than we are alone. So join us in action, in whatever way is right for you. There’s something for everyone.

In faith,

Rev. Sara

November Volunteer of the Month: Anne Hundley

I’m thrilled to announce that Anne Hundley is our November Volunteer of the Month at OUUC! Anne’s volunteer roles have included being a youth advisor, a member of the Share the Plate team, the AntiRacism Team, and a teacher for the Building the World We Dream About class. Anne is the one who reaches out to organize the videos from our Share the Plate partners, and she is also our volunteer monitoring larger UU justice organizations and making sure we include faith in action opportunities from them in our announcements. Anne also organized the UU the Vote Postcard parties this fall. I love Anne’s commitment to both learning and action, and am grateful for all the ways she supports this community. Thank you, Anne!

Here are some words from others at OUUC:

Anne is a tireless supporter of black, brown, LGBTQ and other minorities and always educating her peers about anti-racist behavior and biases through discussions or sharing reading material. Over the past four years on the Share the Plate Committee, Anne has been a valued contributor; always pushing us to consider new ways to evaluate applicants, cast a wider net in finding applicants, and level the playing field. She has spearheaded all the videos presented during the OUUC services about the STP recipients as well. I've really enjoyed working with Anne on STP over the past years as she is committed to the cause, a fantastic team player, and always positive and complimentary of her fellow committee members.

-- Bob Brennand, chair of the Share the Plate team

"For the last two years Anne has shared her grace, playfulness, and authenticity as an advisor with the Youth of OUUC. Anne connected the youth group with many anti-racist resources to discuss and participate in. We are full of so much gratitude for her contributions."

-- Anissa Bentlemsani, Religious Education Assistant

And here are words from Anne about what volunteering means to her:

Connecting my intention with action

Practicing skills, like practicing ways of being that honor our shared commitments

Aiming to lead with heart and practicing that!

Replacing defensive habits with heartful exchanges

Plugging into work that calls to me

Please let Anne know you appreciate her when you see her at OUUC!

And do you have another volunteer in mind who would be a great Volunteer of the Month? Please nominate them by emailing Rev. Sara or using this form.

Tonight's Community Dinner & Activities

Community Dinner: "In a Pickle" 11/14 5:30 pm, Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation.

Our inspiration for tonight's menu will be the delight of pickled and fermented foods, but fear not, there will be non-pickled food as well! All are welcome for food and fellowship at 5:30 pm. If you would like to help prepare dinner starting at 3:30, please contact Rev. Sara or just show up early.

After dinner (6:30 pm) options include: All Ages Game Night, Dances of Universal Peace, Heart Talk for Kids Class, Social Justice Book Group, Youth Group, and UU Buddhist Sangha.

Tiny Little News Show

In this week's Tiny Little News Show, hear about post-election gatherings, holiday gift drives, and upcoming events:

Upcoming Events

Download the flyer below if you would like a list of OUUC events for November. Great for posting on your refrigerator! Looking for more upcoming events? Go to the OUUC Calendar.

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November events (10).pdf

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