OUUC Weekly Update
October 22, 2024
Like all congregations, OUUC is tax-exempt according to the IRS. This designation has freedoms and limitations. One limitation is especially important during this election year. OUUC cannot "participate in or intervene in (including the publishing and distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.” A violation of this may cause OUUC to lose its tax-exempt status.
What we can do is articulate our values and encourage voting. Unitarian Universalism calls us to support our shared values inside and outside of our walls.
For more information, check out this guidance from the UCC denomination.
Thanks for helping OUUC be values-based in the political arena.
Community Dinner: Book Sale Prep Version
Thursday, October 24. 5:30 pm
Volunteers will be busy setting up for Books, Brownies & Beans (www.ouuc.org/books) this Thursday, but we will still serve our usual community dinner! All are welcome for food and fellowship.
Volunteers to help Rev. Sara get the food out are needed, please contact her if you can help. There will be no groups meeting after dinner except for the children's Heart Talk class (meeting in the nursery this week).
From Your Sabbatical Committee
This is a final call for farewell cards for Rev. Monica, whose last Sunday with us will be Oct 27. Please drop a note of thanks or reflection for Rev. Monica. We have a basket and cards available in the Commons for this purpose.
For those online, you can email a message and these will be included. If you have any questions, concerns or needs related to the sabbatical, please feel free to reach out to us here.
Olympia Women's March, All Inclusive Event. ⚧️
Saturday, November 2, 10 am, Capitol Steps
Calling All Women & Allies! 🚨
This is YOUR moment to stand up, speak out, and make history! 💪✨
Join us as we kick off with powerful speeches from local voices fighting for change. We’ll march together to Heritage Park, where we'll be greeted with live music to celebrate our collective strength and resilience. 🎶🌿
This march is more than a rally—it's a movement. Bring your signs, your voices, and your passion for justice. This is a time to march for equality, freedom, and the rights of ALL women. 🌸👭🌈 Let’s make this EPIC. See you there!
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
LEGACY GIVING UPDATE
17 OUUC MEMBERS (AND STILL COUNTING!) HAVE INCLUDED OUUC IN THEIR ESTATE PLANS. On September 25, you received a message from Gail and Fritz Wrede describing their inclusion of a legacy gift to OUUC in their estate plans and inspiring people to do the same. In the email there was a link to a confidential survey developed by the Legacy Giving Committee designed to discover who has included OUUC in their estate plans and who would like more information about how to do that.
The Committee heard back from 17 people who have taken the generous step to include OUUC in the estate planning. Among them was Diana Finch (also a member of the Committee), who said: “I was very happy to go on record as having included OUUC in my will. It was a good decision, and I’m proud to have made it.”
To all who have proudly made such lasting commitments to our community: thank you, and welcome to OUUC’s “Legacy Circle”!
For those of you who have not responded to the survey, you can find it here. We would like to hear from you by the end of October! You can also download the new Legacy Giving brochure here and read about planned giving benefits on the OUUC website here.
If you have any questions, please contact a member of the Legacy Giving Committe: Eric Ness, Sally Alhadeff, Diana Finch, Jeff Goltz, Karmel Shields, Pam Toal
What is our OUUC Partnership and Where is Kissolymos?
Gabriel Csiki, a Hungarian Unitarian minister, founded the Unitarian partner church program after World War I. Sadly, the global economic depression at the end of that decade ended these partnerships. Briefly resurrected after the Second World War, they were again interrupted by the Communist regime of Nicolae Ceaucescu, and a time when church activity was a target of repression.
In 1989, after the fall of the Ceaucescu government, the Partnership idea was again resurrected and continues today, with the goals of promoting peace, unity, cultural understanding, our shared Unitarian heritage and our support.
Our OUUC partnership began in 1995 when our congregation began a partnership ministry with the Unitarian village of Kissolymos located in the Transylvanian area of Romania. Many OUUC groups, including the OUUC choir, youth group, and several adult groups have enjoyed the opportunity to visit and be home-hosted by the minister and villagers in this small rural community, and the generous hospitality and kindness of the people of Kissolymos.
Mark your calendars for the Partner Church Team worship service on Sunday, November 17, at 10 am.
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.
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.
Update on Parking Lot Fire
We know you all have questions and concerns regarding the fire that started on a neighboring property.
Here is our update: we have filed a claim with our insurance. Due to the catastrophic weather events taking place in other parts of the country, insurance companies are understandably slow-moving at the moment. In the meantime, the parking lot lights are all operational except for the one damaged in the fire, which is due to be fixed soon.
The Buildings and Grounds team is determining next steps regarding the trees. While we are still dealing with the eyesore of the damage, rest assured we are moving forward on resolving the issue.
Save the Date: Creating with Grief
Tuesday, November 19, 10 am-12 pm
Have you ever experienced grief? Are you living with anticipatory grief? Is the grief of the world weighing heavily on you? Join us at our newest monthly program: Creating With Grief, on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. 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.
HELP RAISE $3000 FOR OUR FRIEND IN GAZA
Are you feeling devastated by what people in Gaza are going through but feel powerless to do anything? Here is something concrete you can do.
Jewish Voice For Peace Olympia, which includes members of the OUUC community, is forming a relationship with a family in Gaza, regularly communicating and offering financial support. The family originally attempted to evacuate but wasn't able to.
Esraa, her husband Iyad, and their two young children live near Al-Aqsa hospital in Deir al-Balah. On October 14, they witnessed the bombing of the compound's tent camp that caused a massive fire, killing 4 and injuring 40. Iyad is suffering from an eardrum injury due to the ongoing bombings and risks losing his hearing.
The team has an initial goal to raise $3,000 to fund an urgent surgery that could save Iyad's hearing. Additionally, regular ongoing donations will support the family's everyday needs like food and water.
Any amount helps, even $10 a month! Please consider a one-time or ongoing donation, and share widely to help a family directly impacted by this crisis. https://tinyurl.com/SupportforEsraa