OUUC Weekly Update
October 15, 2024
OUUC Collecting Donations
‘Twas 3 months before Christmas…yes, you heard that right! The Thurston County Food Bank is starting to collect donations for their Winter Activity Bags. Each year, during the week before Christmas, TCFB offers handmade stockings filled with goodies to families that visit their food pantries. Last year, TCFB distributed winter wonder bags to 1200 kids at their two food pantries! This year, they hope to offer winter wonder bags to an additional 800 kids. Seeking donations for NEW:
● Sketch pads
● Card games
● Colored pencils
● Adult coloring books
● Small toys & stuffed animals
● Hats, mittens, & socks
Questions? Contact Anna-Min here.
Keep an eye out for the donation box in OUUC's Commons.
Stay Safe this Covid/Cold/Flu Season!
The colder months are upon us, and Covid is very much going around....which means that it is time to fortify our commitment to keeping the community safe and healthy.
If you have symptoms of any kind, PLEASE STAY HOME and join OUUC activities online. If you are willing and able, please wear a mask when in the building. OUUC provides masks next to the front office window.
Every household is currently eligible for 4 free Covid tests from the government. You can order tests here. Covid and Flu vaccines are also now available!
Thank you all for taking care of yourselves and your community by observing Covid safety guidelines.
Community Dinner: National Pasta Day
Thursday, October 17, 5:30 pm
This week's community dinner is a celebration of National Pasta Day. All are welcome for food and fellowship. Contact Rev. Sara if you could volunteer starting at 3:30 with cooking and set up.
Following dinner this week we will have the Kids class "Heart Talk", the Buddhist group, the New UU/New Member class, and the UU Pagan group.
New UU Class: Campus Tour and Congregational History
Thursday, October 17, 6:30 pm
This class is for everyone interested in becoming a member of OUUC or simply interested in learning more about OUUC. Sessions are all on Thursdays 6:30-7:30pm.
We encourage you to attend as many of the sessions in person as possible, but we have online resources with similar content if needed. Find those resources here.
Other Thursday Events at 6:30 pm
All Ages Game Night
Our All Ages Game Nights move to 3rd Thursdays this year. All Ages are invited to enjoy board and card games together. Bring a game you'd like to share.
UU Pagan Group
All are welcome to join the UU Pagan group at their regular 3rd Thursdays 6:30pm gathering. This month the group will be honoring the Full Moon with a fire and tea.
Grounds Clean-Up
Saturday, October 19, 10am-noon
Each third Saturday of the month a bunch of us gather for grounds cleanup. There is always something for everyone to do - from weeding to chain sawing. Bring for favorite garden tools (hand pruners, weeding tools, gloves) or your favorite power tools (leaf blower, hedge trimmer, chain saw) and we will find a job for you.
Sewing Ministry
Saturday, October 19, 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 sewing blocks for two lap quilts, mending a donation quilt, and designing auction items. You're most welcome to just drop in, or contact Claudia McNeill or Wendy Tanner if you'd like more information ahead of time.
Making Democracy Count Class
Mondays, October 21 and 28, 6 pm
MAKING DEMOCRACY COUNT: How Mathematics Improves Voting, Electoral Maps, and Representation, by Ismar Volić, 2024, Princeton University Press, Presentation & Discussion with John Gear and The Thurston County League of Women Voters.
Register here.
Books, Brownies and Beans!
Today is the last day for book donations for this year's Books Brownies & Beans but keep in mind we will welcome donations again next year! And thank you for this year's many book donations!
We do still need volunteers; last week we had only 32% of the volunteers we need but people are stepping up. We now have nearly half of the volunteers we need. Thanks to our new helpers 🙏
If cooking or baking is something you love doing, in addition to needing brownies for the Saturday bistro, we also need pots of chili and cornbread for volunteers.
And we need cashiers, cashier assistants, room attendants, greeters and a number of other opportunities on Friday and Saturday, October 25th and 26th.
Please stake your "territory" by signing up on SignUpGenius or by emailing here. The BBB planning committee and the three partner organizations that will benefit from this event (OlyEcosystems, Interfaith Works and ASHHO Cultural Community Center) thank you. 🙏
UU Disaster Relief Fund
Dear Unitarian Universalists and those who love us: The UUA Disaster Relief Fund is at its lowest balance, and now, in the wake of Hurricane Helene (and in anticipation of so many more devastating climate disasters), this relief is needed immediately and desperately by those who have lost homes, cars, belongings, livelihoods--and the families of those who have lost their lives.
Please give as generously as you can to the UUA Disaster Relief Fund. The photo gives you a QR code, url, and text number for easy donating. This website tells you more about the fund.
Film and Discussion: Disturbing the Peace, presented by Interfaith Works
Saturday, October 26, 6-9 pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church
Join us for a transformative screening of “Disturbing the Peace.” This documentary tells the story of Combatants for Peace, an organization of former soldiers from both sides of the conflict within Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Space is limited and registration required. Read more and register here.
Share the Plate Applications!
The Share the Plate application process is open now through the October 31st deadline. Online applications are available here. While we have emailed approximately 40 non-profit organizations that have applied in the past and are eligible for 2025, there are always other organizations doing meaningful work that OUUC members may be aware of and can direct to the website and application.
Thanks for your help in getting a broader and more diverse applicant pool.
Bob Brennand
Share the Plate Committee
Volunteers Needed For Thursday Dinner Halloween Party
This year Halloween falls on a Thursday, so we will have a Halloween Thursday dinner and party!
Rev. Sara could use some party helpers: folks to decorate, organize a game or activity, or help make the dinner food extra spooky fun. If you would like to plan a party, contact her.
What Other Volunteer Jobs Do We Have?
We have a new page on the OUUC website for simple volunteer opportunities. Do you know of a great simple volunteer role that should be listed there? Let Rev. Sara know.
One Parish One Prisoner Team Forming at OUUC
Did you miss the forum a few weeks ago with One Parish One Prisoner? This is an inspiring relational program that matches a faith community with an incarcerated person to support that person's re-entry to the community.
We have a team forming at OUUC now, but there is still room for 3-4 more folks to join if you are moved to do so.
Talk to Rev. Sara for more details. The forum can be viewed here.
Learning and Legislative Advocacy Opportunities from UUSJ:
In honor of Indigenous People’s Day on Monday October 14, learn about and/or sign on to legislative work to make it a legal public holiday replacing Columbus Day here. An opportunity to learn about and/or tell Congress to Support Truth and Healing on Indian Boarding Schools can be found here.
OUUC Nature Group at Nisqually Refuge
Saturday, October 26, 9 am
Everyone, of all ages, are invited to join the OUUC Nature Group exploring the Billy Frank Jr wildlife refuge in Nisqually this month. This trail is about 4 miles roundtrip and all flat. Contact Rev. Sara to RSVP.
UU the Vote Postcarding update
OUUC members & friends wrote 560 postcards through UU the Vote’s partnership with Reclaim Our Vote and are finishing up some more to be mailed today! Postcards went to Florida, Texas, Georgia and North Carolina.
Thank you for your caring attention, John, Lorraine, Cindy, Colette, Keith, Kathy, Drew, Pat, Holly, Shelley, Anna, Judy, Bernie, Maureen, Bill, Anne, Dave, Carol, Jenée, Joyce, Diana & friends!