OUUC Weekly Update
November 12, 2024
This Sunday is Partner Church Sunday!
In celebration of our covenant and long Partner Church relationship with the Unitarian Church of Kissolymos (located in the Transylvanian area of Romania), Rev. Zolt Elekes and the Rev. Levente Lőrinczi, both Transylvanian Unitarian ministers, will be our virtual worship leaders. Rev. Elelkes will speak of his experience in ministry with international UU relations organizations in the context of the anniversary of the death of Francis David (11/15), and the implications for the human right of freedom of conscience. Rev. Lőrinczi, minister of KIssolymos, will share news of the congregation. The 11:30 forum will be a Q&A session where Rev. Zsolt will answer questions, and also talk about the OUUC 2025 fall pilgrimage and visit to Kissolymos that he is helping us plan.
Creating With Grief
Monday, November 19
10 am-12 pm
Creating With Grief is a peaceful gathering space for us to be in community and externalize our grief through “creating” our own independent projects.
Whether it’s through sewing, painting, sketching, stitching, coloring, or sculpting, the process is yours to explore. Bring your grief and your art/craft/sewing supplies with you.
If you don’t have a current project to bring along, you’re welcome to use the basic supplies provided.
The event will be hosted by Jenée Wolfram, End of Life Doula.
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.
Thurs Dinner is "In a Pickle"
Thursday, November 14
5:30 pm
Our inspiration for this week'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. If you would like to help prepare dinner starting at 3:30, please contact Rev. Sara.
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.
Passadhi Vihara hosting Almsgiving Ceremony in OUUC Sanctuary
Sunday, November 19
Passadhi Vihara is a new monastery across the street from OUUC, based in the Theravada Buddhist traditions of Dhamma sharing and monastic life. All are welcome to join in celebrating Passadhi Vihara's completing their first Vassa and for an open house/meet and greet.
More information and schedule of events here.
Author Talk - Safety Through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism
Wednesday, November 13
4 pm, online
Online author talk with Shane Burley and Ben Lorber. Join us for this important discussion with two Jewish researchers who have written a book about antisemitism and how to counter it.
Volunteer Training Resources
Did you miss the volunteer training on 11/3?
Are you wondering how we reserve space or do safety evacuations or navigate multigenerational community or practice welcome and inclusion as volunteers at OUUC?
Please check out the collected Volunteer Training Resources that can be found here.
Planting Party
Saturday, November 16
1-3pm
B and G can use your help this Saturday to plant in three areas of the grounds: along Division St, the upper parking lot and next to the sanctuary. All hands are welcome!
If you are able to join us or if you have questions, please RSVP to Lynne MacDonald in Realm.
Immigration Realities, a Post-Election Perspective
Tuesday, November 19
5 pm, online
Join us to hear from Ernesto Castañeda, Ph.D, on his new book Immigration Realities: Challenging Common Misperceptions (with Carina Cione, Columbia University Press 2024) and to share his perspective on how these issues played in the election and will be profoundly influential moving forward.
RSVP via Zoom here.
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.
Check this site for updates. The recording and order of service will be available online following the service.
Riley's online obituary can be found here.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87232266358?pwd=Pk84yycC94sxXlavFcQnNJ16Ygrnyc.1
Meeting ID: 872 3226 6358Passcode: 204518
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.
Tools for Tending: Post-Election Spiritual Care Space
Thursday, November 21, 4-6 pm, online
Join Side With Love, BLUU, and DRUUMM for Tools for Tending: Post-Election Spiritual Care Space. This 2-hour special event is open to all and will help tend our spirits through somatic practices, spiritual grounding, and small group connection. Combining structured elements, reflection time, music, facilitated caucus spaces, and visioning exercises, we hope you will feel grounded, strengthened, and held. Sign up here.
OUUC Nature Group: Kennedy Creek
Saturday, November 23, 10 am
We will meet at Kennedy Creek Nature Trail at 10am (if you need a carpool, please contact Rev. Sara and she can try and help make arrangements) and walk this short and mostly flat/accessible trail together to view the salmon run. Dress for the weather.
Note: We are asking for registration now and this event will be cancelled if registration does not reach 5 people. Register here.
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.
Donate to BLUU (Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism)
BLUU provides spaces for Black folks to feel more connected, allowing us to collectively imagine more possibilities. From Beloveds gathering for a monthly meditation to a faith formation webinar, BLUU programs support Black spiritual growth and care. Collectively, BLUU Beloveds find strength to fight systems of oppression and work within our UU community to change them.
Will you support our efforts by donating today?
See initiatives and ways to donate here.
What, me? Teach a class?
Would you like to share your knowledge, experience, passion or hobby with others? How does it fit in with OUUC’s mission statement and UUA values? The Adult Faith Development Team is starting to develop its Spring classes. What would you like to propose and teach?
Faith development isn’t just about exploring your beliefs and spiritual practices, it’s also about how we act on those beliefs individually and together. Our mission statement includes “ends” that state: “As I grow and learn, I practice my faith, act courageously, and appreciate beauty.” Another end states”…We deepen our connections as we learn, love, work, play, sing and find meaning together.” There’s a lot of room for creative thinking between our mission and values.
Check out our new one-page form (attached below) that includes Tips for Class Leaders on one side and an application to teach a class on the other. It includes our mission and values for ready reference.
Contact any member of our team if you have questions or send us your class application—Rev. Sara Lewis, Linda Selsor, Ian Stephan, Anita Thomson, Linda Whitcher, and Jenee Wolfram—our contact info is in Realm.
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.