OUUC Weekly Update

November 5, 2024

OUUC Weekly Update November 5, 2024
OUUC WeeklyUpdate November 5, 2024

Worship Service November 10

“Lessons Learned” with Rev. Mary Gear

As we gather on the Sunday after the election, we reflect on what we have learned from our past and what repair might be needed as we move into our future.


After-Service Forum (11:30 am): Faith in Action: Post-Election Conversations and Actions


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

Last Sunday's Events

Worship Service

“Home” — An All-Music Service

with Troy Fisher, the OUUC Choir, & Guest Musicians, plus Sabbatical Return Ritual for Rev. Mary

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


After-Service Forum

All Volunteer Training: Who and How?

with Rev. Sara Lewis

Watch the recording here.

Election Week Resources

Post Election-Day Virtual Gatherings

Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice shares these online opportunities for early analysis and fellowship as we all wait for each state to fully and accurately count each vote:


Wednesday, Nov. 6th, 4 pm PT with UU the Vote:
Forward Together: After Election Day

RSVP here.

Thursday, Nov. 7th, 9 am PT with UUSJ:
Results So Far: Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

RSVP here.


Thursday, Nov. 7th, 4 pm PT with Rep. Pramila Jayapal and others:

Making Meaning of the Moment: Post-Election Event

RSVP here.

Election Night Gathering at OUUC

Tuesday, November 5, 6 pm


To help us all stay centered on election night, OUUC will be open this Tuesday evening. Rev. Sara and Rev. Mary will be holding space to

gather for companionship and spiritual practice.


Would you like to watch election results roll in but not alone? Perhaps you’d prefer some distraction and comfort? Would you appreciate gathering for spiritual practice in the sanctuary?


Parents and guardians, this includes you! Child care will be provided. The building will be open at 6 pm and spiritual practices begin at 7. If you like, you can bring your dinner and eat here, too.

Come, let’s be together as we face whatever unfolds.

An Election Season Message from Rev. Mary

An Election Season Message From Rev. Mary

This Week

Sab Com Takes Over Thursday Dinner

Thursday, November 7, 5:30 pm

This week the Sabbatical Committee is hosting the Thursday dinner as a welcome back for Rev. Mary. All are welcome to join us for food and fellowship. It is also 1st Thursday Birthday celebration, we will have Cake and sing to all our November birthdays!

Parent Group

Thursday, November 7, 6:30 pm


All who are parenting children of any age are welcome to join us for mutual support, sharing, and discussion.


This month we will be discussing how to stay sane over the holidays!

Spiritual Practices Mini Retreat: Practices of Repair

Saturday, November 9, 10 am

Our November spiritual theme is "The Practice of Repair" and this mini retreat will explore spiritual and creative practices such as meditation, collage, rituals of atonement, and more.
Led by Rev. Sara Lewis and Rev. Mary Gear

Register here.

Sit & Stitch

Thursday, November 7, 6:30 pm


The Sewing Ministry will host a monthly Sit & Stitch on the first Thursday of each month. We will meet after the Community Dinner for two hours. Bring your hand sewing, crocheting, knittng, cross stitch, embroidery, etc. to work on and enjoy company and conversation! Beginners welcome! At times, there may be quilts to bind, and we may offer workshops, depending on interest. Our first meeting will be this week. See you there!

New UU Class

Thursday, November 7, 6:30 pm


This class is for everyone interested in becoming a member of OUUC or simply interested in learning more about OUUC.

We encourage you to attend as many of the sessions in person as possible, but if you cannot make a session we have online resources here.

Upcoming classes: 11/7 Faith Development Programs for All Ages, 11/21 Faith in Action Programs

Tiny Little News Show

Want some of your church news by video? Try the Tiny Little News Show!

In this week's Tiny Little News hear from Rev. Mary about our election night vigil, and about more events of this week.

Tiny Little News 11/4/24

Celebration of Life for Riley McLaughlin

Saturday, November 23, 2pm


The family and friends of Riley McLaughlin will be welcomed for a Celebration of Life service, both onsite in the OUUC Sanctuary and on Zoom (link below). A reception will follow for those on-site.


Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87232266358?pwd=Pk84yycC94sxXlavFcQnNJ16Ygrnyc.1


Meeting ID: 872 3226 6358

Passcode: 204518

Ministry Programs

One Parish One Prisoner Congregational Survey

We are about to begin our two year journey of working with One Parish One Prisoner, and there is a congregational survey for us all to take, not just the team working on this process. We are wanting to measure how the whole congregation grows over this two year journey. We playfully call it a mugshot as our congregations get closer to prisons. Both congregations and people in prison will have one to show them at the beginning of their journey. Then at the end of the two year journey, we will ask your congregation to take it again so we can measure growth. Sound good?

Here is the link to the survey.

Comfort & Joy Donation Collection

The Community Kitchen volunteers and staff are collecting donations to keep our tiny home village neighbors and dinner guests warm this holiday season. Spread some holiday cheer by donating:
*Hats * Gloves * Hand warmers * Socks * Scarves * Blankets*
100 donated backpacks are also needed and greatly appreciated!
Look for the holiday wrapped donation box in the commons to place your holiday gift between November 3 & 24.


Questions or interested in making a cash donation? Please contact Karmel Shields.

Dances of Universal Peace

Thursday, November 14, 6:30 pm


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.

Youth Group

Thursday, November 14, 6:30 pm


All youth in middle and high school are welcome at our youth group meetings on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month.


This week we will be holding a clothing repair lab and game night, bring any clothing you'd like to learn how to mend or just come to play games.

All Ages Game Night

Thursday, November 14, 6:30 pm

All Ages are invited to enjoy board and card games together. Bring a game you'd like to share.


Save the Date: Thanksgiving Potluck

Thursday, November 28, 2 pm

All are welcome to join us for our Potluck Thanksgiving Gathering this year. Sign up with how many are coming, what food you'll bring, and if you can help with set up or clean up here.

November Building and Grounds News:

Time Change and Planting Party


On Saturday, November 16 we will avoid the morning cold and start our winter hours from 1-3pm. We will plant in three areas: along Division St, the upper parking lot and next to the sanctuary. All hands are needed to achieve this task in 2 hours.


If you are able to join us, please RSVP to Lynne MacDonald.

Seeking Candidates for the OUUC Board and the LDC

Are you interested in furthering the vision and mission of OUUC as a member of the Board of Trustees? Are you interested in further exploring enhanced communication and leadership opportunities as a member of the Leadership Development Committee?


The Board of Trustees is responsible to the will of the OUUC congregational members in setting church policies and overseeing the business, property and other affairs of the congregation. Members with finance, accounting, legal expertise, communication, and community outreach skills will be encouraged, though these skills are not required. A love for the OUUC community and a passion for our mission is most important.


The Leadership Development Committee (LDC) is responsible for identifying OUUC members with desirable skills and experience for the Board and LDC. Each year the LDC seeks members to be nominated for the Board and LDC positions to replace outgoing members. The LDC is responsible for working with the Board of Trustees to determine what skills and abilities are currently needed in leadership positions. In additions, the LDC assists with identifying and strengthening communication, visioning and leadership skills throughout the congregation.


The LDC will be actively involved in its search for new Board and LDC members for 2025 right after the New Year holiday. If you are interested in an open position or know of someone who would be a good candidate for the Board or LDC, please contact one of the members of the current LDC team: Gail Gosney Wrede, Anne Kohlbry, Des, McGahern, Josie Solseng and Nancy Curtiss.

Charitable Giving 101 Webinar for OUUC Members and Friends

Tuesday, November 19, 7 - 8 pm


Hosted by Wendy Tanner
Presented by David White, CAP (Certified Advisor in Philanthropy)
DAFGiving360 (previously Schwab Charitable Giving)

This online class is for you if you:
• Are new to charitable giving, or at a place in your life where you want to learn more about charitable giving strategies.
• Are interested in developing a charitable giving plan so you can be more intentional about your giving.
• Would like to learn how charitable donations can reduce your tax liability.
• Have heard about Donor Advised Funds (DAF), but not sure if one is right for you.
• Have thought about donating appreciated stock, or funds from your IRA RMD (required minimum distribution) instead of, or in addition to cash, but aren’t sure how to do so?
This class will help you become more familiar with charitable giving, and making effective donations (cash, items and your talents), and tools to carry out your goals. The presenter will also introduce you to tools available through DAFGiving360, a charitable giving support website.


Register here.
For questions, contact your host, OUUC Member Wendy Tanner.

Quick Notes

Beware of periodic scammers via email and text. You may be contacted by scammers impersonating Rev. Mary or other church staff. Scammers also try to reach people via text. Often, they will ask for you to contact them right away, and they may ask for financial assistance/information or contact information of others at the church. Always double check and make sure the email or text was sent from a source you recognize. Scammers will create new addresses that appear like a known email address. When in doubt, check in with the person in your life who appears to be trying to contact you, using a known contact method.

OUUC’s address changed as of January 1, 2024. OUUC’s new address is 2306 East End St NW. The City of Olympia directed us to make this change. This is due to the regulations regarding emergency access. If you use an automated bill-paying service for your pledge payments (your financial institution sends OUUC a check on your behalf), you will need to update the address.


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

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

In the Larger Community

The Quaker Voice Legislative Fellowship Program encourages the active engagement of fellowship holders in the state legislative process through mentorship, skill development, and partnering with legislative advocates in their work. Participants do not need to be Quakers. The program provides a $500 stipend. Applications are due November 15, with decisions by November 20.

Quaker Voice Legislative Fellows are young adults ages 16-35 who live or study in the state of Washington. Each Fellow joins a group working to support action in the state legislature on issues in environment, police and prisons, healthcare, affordable housing, and other justice concerns. Within the scope of the working group, the Fellow develops background materials and tracks legislation, in partnership with an experienced Quaker Voice citizen advocate. Each fellow has an opportunity to see in depth how a lobbyist works by shadowing Paul Benz, our Senior Legislative Advocate, for a day. Travel costs to Olympia for Quaker Lobby Day and the shadow day are covered by the program. Questions can be sent here.

The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice invites you to show your support for Palestine each Friday from 4:30-6 pm at the Fellowship of Reconciliation Vigil for Peace
Percival Landing in Downtown Olympia, 4th & Water Street.

About Us

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

Sunday, during services

360-634-2005

Olympia UU Congregation
ouuc.org

A loving, just, and healthy world.