OUUC Weekly Update
March 18, 2025

Sunday Worship March 23
The Practice of Dana: Celebration Sunday with Rev. Mary Gear
This Sunday, we celebrate our dreams for the future as we honor the generosity of support for OUUC and invite all to participate in the spiritual practice of giving. We will welcome new OUUC members in this service.
12:15 pm Forum (onsite & online): What’s General Assembly and Why Should We Care? With Rev. Mary & Rev. Sara
Click here for more details on the new Sunday schedule.
OUUC Worship Service
Join Zoom Meeting here.
Meeting ID: 873 210 124
Passcode: 2306
Dial: +1 253 205 0468
Last Sunday's Events
From the OUUC Stewardship Team
As of this morning, we have 158 pledges,
and a total of $441,819.28
pledged!
Thank you to all who have pledged so far.
Choir
St. Patrick’s Day is here, and whether or not you celebrate, one thing is certain—we are lucky to have OUUC in our lives! We’re especially fortunate to have the OUUC Choir, nearly 40 talented voices led by the incredible Troy Arnold Fisher, filling our community with music that uplifts, inspires, and brings us together.
As we continue our annual Stewardship Drive, we’re grateful to be more than halfway to our goal—but we need your help to get all the way there! Every single pledge, no matter the amount, makes a difference. Your support ensures that everything we cherish about OUUC—the music, the thought-provoking sermons, and the deep sense of belonging—continues to thrive.
If OUUC feels like the pot of gold at the end of your rainbow, please make your pledge today and help sustain the community we love!
This Week
Faith in Action Survey
Please take a few minutes to provide our OUUC Faith in Action leadership team with your input.
This survey is a follow up to the Forum held on March 9th. We really want to hear from you!
Complete the survey here.
Wednesday Weekly Chess--New Start Time!
Wednesdays at 5:30 pm
All chess players are welcome to join the Olympia Chess Club for casual play at OUUC. Players 18+ are asked to contribute $5 for the room fee. Players under age 13 must have an adult chaperone. Contact John Gear for more information.
Thursday Dinner: Welcome Spring!
Thursday, March 20, 5:30 pm
This week's menu plan will be a celebration of the Spring Equinox with a welcome spring meal. All are welcome for food and fellowship. If you can help prepare or set up for the meal, contact Rev. Sara.
All-Ages Ostara (Spring Equinox) Ritual and Celebration
Thursday, March 20, 6:30 pm
All are welcome to celebrate the spring equinox with a simple ritual, seed starting, and egg dying. For more information, reach out to Rev Sara.
Buddhist Sangha Retreat
Saturday, March 22, 1 - 4:30 pm
The Buddhist Sangha is hosting a spring meditation retreat at OUUC. All are welcome! For more information or to let us know you’ll be coming, please contact Curt Hill.
Travel That Inspires Class
Friday, March 21, 7 pm
Come learn about four journeys that inspired in this class of travel stories. Learn more and register here.
Nature Group at Woodard Bay
Saturday, March 22, 10 am
Join Rev. Sara and Anissa to explore and be in nature at Woodard Bay. A Discover Pass is required here. Please RSVP to Rev. Sara.
March OUUC Book Group
Tuesday, March 25
The OUUC Book Group will be meeting to discuss "The Frozen River" by Ariel Lawhon. To join the book group contact Frances Tanaka.
Help Prevent Food Insecurity for Youth and Adults in Our Community
There are three ways for the OUUC Community to volunteer!
When/Where & How:
*Each third and/or fourth Wednesday between 4:00 and 5:15 p.m., make and bring to the parking lot of the Unity Common adult shelter a main dish to feed 8 to 10, adults
*and/or each third and/or fourth Wednesday between 4:00 and 5:15 p.m., bring shelf stable foods to the parking lot of Unity Commons for the Food Bank’s Weekend Backpacks for kids and teens in need.
*Time commitment: One or two Wednesdays a month to prepare and deliver a Shelter main dish, and/or shopping for and delivering shelf stable foods to the Unity Commons Shelter on Martin Way.
*Please contact Jo Ann Young for more information about volunteering.
EQUITY LIBRARY:
A place where you can find books for all ages about our UU values, and open whenever OUUC is open. Featured books for May:
WHAT YOU WILL SEE INSIDE A MOSQUE: Aisha Karen Pipes
Introduces and features beautiful pictures and concise descriptors of what is happening, the objects used, the leaders spiritual intent and traditions of Islam (See pages 19 to 21 for the story of Ramadan).
DOUBLE. DIP FEELINGS: Barbara Carey M.S.W.
With sensitive words and pictures this book helps children identify a variety of common feelings like anger, sadness, etc., but also more complex and sophisticated feelings like pride, embarrassment, malice, etc., it encourages children to understand that all feelings are normal and can sometimes be mixed and conflicting.
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, see what congregants say nurtures them at OUUC and how they nurture OUUC, as well as upcoming events for this week.
Ministry Programs
Action Hour Actions
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.
March Faith in Action Opportunities
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.
Help Needed for Coffee Crew on 3/30
Weekly New UU/New Member Class
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
National Boycotts In Support of DEI
Join in National boycotts called against companies that have slashed their DEI programs with this new administration.
The boycott schedule is:
March 21-28 Boycott Nestle.
April 7-14 Boycott Walmart.
April 18 total boycott: buy nothing, spend nothing.
April 21-28 Boycott General Mills.
Save the Dates
Save the Date for OUUC’s 2025 Auction: Let Our Light Shine!
Live Auction & Dinner: Saturday, May 3, 2025, 5-8 PM
Online Auction: April 26 through May 4, 2025
Want to host an event or donate an auction item?
Procurement has begun and it’s time to brainstorm what you’d like to donate! Auction participants are eager to bid on social events, outings, and gatherings centered around learning, as well as handcrafted items, homemade/gourmet food, and objects of unique taste and value. Unleash your imagination, pair/team up with friends, and come up with a new crowd favorite. We need and welcome your ideas!
Questions? Email here.
To donate items, please fill out the online form.
Check out the auction website for lots more information about the event.
Carrie Newcomer Returns to OUUC!
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Workshop at 10 am and Concert at 7 pm. Tickets available here.
Carrie will also be with us for the Worship Services on Sunday, May 18.
Quick Notes
Please take extra care to leave church spaces better than you found them after use.
Click the preview image below to download a flyer with a list of OUUC events for March. Great for posting on your refrigerator! Looking for more upcoming events? Go to the OUUC Calendar.
In the Larger Community
Spring Kirtan Circle at Olympia Center for Spiritual Living, 3437 Libby Road Olympia WA, 98506
Friday, March 28, 7-9 pm. More information here.
Runia Soul Cafe provides an intentional dining experience with rotating global cuisines. Come and enjoy delicious cultural foods while connecting with our vibrant community!
3/22: Mexican, 3/29: Singaporean
At ASHHO Cultural Community Center: 5757 Littlerock Road SW Tumwater, WA 98512 (across from Tumwater Costco)
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 and Communications Specialist
Teresa Madsen, Tech Coordinator
Marie Arensmeyer, Facilities Manager
Anissa Bentlemsani, Religious Education Assistant
Carbon Marshall, Tech Specialist
Office Hours
Tuesday and Thursday, 12-4 pm
Sunday, during services
360-634-2005