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OUUC Weekly Update

March 25, 2025

OUUC Weekly Update  March 25, 2025
OUUC WeeklyUpdate March 25, 2025

Sunday Worship March 30 Sunday Worship March 30

"Visible and Invisible" with Rev. Mary Gear

March 31 is Transgender Day of Visibility, when we raise awareness about transgender people and celebrate the diversity of life and in our community. Come hear stories of transformation and justice.


12:15 pm Forum (onsite & online): Supporting Transgender Individuals and Communities


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 Last Sunday's Events

Worship Service

"The Practice of Dana: Celebration Sunday" with Rev. Mary Gear

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


After-Service Forum

“What’s General Assembly and Why Should We Care?” with Rev. Mary and Rev. Sara

Watch the recording here.

From the OUUC Stewardship Team From the OUUC Stewardship Team

As of this morning, we have 184 pledges, and a total of $472,879.88 pledged!

Dana is the practice of giving. It is about generosity, openness, and our capacity to embrace others with compassion and love. As we near the end of our Stewardship Drive, we take time to acknowledge our many gifts, celebrate our dreams for the future and honor the generosity and support of the OUUC community.


Earlier this month, OUUC Member Kedo Baye, shared why OUUC holds an important role in their life. They told us: “OUUC is my third space, a place to exist beyond home and work settings which is crucial for me living alone and working from home. OUUC has been what I needed to nourish my spiritual and emotional needs.”


The Stewardship committee invites you to reflect on the role OUUC plays in your life and the value it brings to our community. Your support ensures we can sustain our beloved programs while expanding to meet growing needs. A stronger commitment means a stronger OUUC. Help us continue to serve, inspire, and grow — we invite you to make your pledge today!

Pledge Today by Clicking Here!

This Week This Week

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Travel That Inspires Class

Friday, March 28, 7 pm


Come learn about journeys that inspired in this class of travel stories. Learn more and register here.

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Thursday Dinner: Take Over by the Board!

Thursday, March 27, 5:30 pm


The board will cook this week's menu plan for a celebration of our Stewardship Campaign. All are welcome for food and fellowship.

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All-Ages Fun with Wind

Thursday, March 27, 6:30 pm


All ages are invited to join Rev. Sara and Anissa this Thursday having fun with crafts and activities to play with wind. How does this element that we can't see still move through the world? Let's have fun exploring that question. Youth group for middle and high school youth is combined with this activity this week.

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Protest Songs Jam with Ian Stephan

Thursday, March 27, 6:30 pm


In times of trial and tribulation, coming together to play and sing always lifts spirits and provides energy for positive action. Bring an instrument or your voice (or both!) to jam out and lift each other up. Register here.

Tiny Little News Show 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 learn about Celebrations for Stewardship and other upcoming events.

Tiny Little News Show 3/24/2025

Ministry Programs Ministry Programs

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SWIFT Mass Deportation Training

Sunday, April 6, 12:15 pm, in-person and on Zoom


As an after-service forum, Strengthening Sanctuary Alliance will offer Know Your Rights training at OUUC. We'll learn who's at risk under the new regime and how to assert the rights we and immigrants have when encountering deportation action. We'll also talk about actions we can take against mass deportation. We continue investigating ways to help schools protect vulnerable students and their families. If you have connections with school districts, let us know. For questions, contact Steve Tilley.

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Don’t Leave This Earth Until You Clean Your Room

begins Wednesday, April 9, 2-3:30 (weekly 3 session class)


Gail Gosney Wrede is an inveterate organizer who has come to grips with “right-sizing” now and planning for disposal of her possessions upon her death. If this topic interests and/or overwhelms you, this class is for you. Find more info and register here.

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Death Cafe at OUUC

Monday, April 7, 4:30 pm


Facilitated by Jenee Wolfram, certified End of Life Doula. Death Cafes are not a grief support group but an informal, death positive, group-led space for conversations about all things death and dying. This is a drop-in program. All are welcome! And, did I mention THERE WILL BE TEA & CAKE!?!

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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

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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.

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Dharma Kids Class

Thursday, April 10, 6:30 pm


For kids ages 5-11. Through stories, age appropriate dharma talks, and mindfulness exercises children will explore the teachings of Buddhism and how this wisdom can apply to their own lives.


Questions can go to Anissa.

Register here.

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April OUUC Book Group

Sunday, April 22


The OUUC Book Group will meet on April 22 to discuss "Desert Queen" by Janet Wallach. Contact Frances Tanaka to join the group.

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Help Needed for Coffee Crew on 4/20

We have openings for the coffee crew volunteers on April 20th and other dates. Also, we would love more fresh cookies and treats and if you want to bake but not serve coffee that is great too. Sign up here or email Rev. Sara.

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Sit & Stitch

Thursday, April 3, 6:30 pm


The Sewing Ministry will host a monthly Sit & Stitch on the first Thursday evening of each month. Bring your hand sewing, crocheting, knittng, cross stitch, embroidery, etc. to work on and enjoy company and conversation! Beginners welcome!

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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.


Action Hours

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.

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Our Whole Lives for 4th-6th Grade: Summer Camp

Monday, July 7- Friday, July 11, 9 am - 3 pm


Our Whole Lives is a holistic and developmentally appropriate sexuality education program. We are offering the program for 4th-6th grade this summer as a week long summer camp.


Pay what you can program, registration is open now. Register here.

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Chalice Camp: Democracy Kids

Monday, July 14 - Friday, July 18, 9 am - 3 pm


We will explore how we can live in community based on shared values of mutual care, inclusion, and democratic decision-making. Register here.

Each day in camp there will be opportunities for: arts and crafts, movement and music, snacks, meditation, stories and outdoor play.

Pay what you can, Sliding scale,
for kids ages 5-11.

Save the Dates Save the Dates

Save the Date for OUUC’s 2025 Auction: Let Our Light Shine!

Mark your calendar and buy your tickets now 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


Auction items are rolling in! What would you like to contribute this year? The secret of our auction’s success is LOTS of items from LOTS of donors and a wide range of items, including social events, NW outings and activities, unique objects and handcrafted/homemade items…


Check out the newly-launched website for event details, the donation form, and to watch the auction catalog grow!


Let’s ignite the fire of our commitment to keep OUUC’s light burning!

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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 Quick Notes

Please send requests for website updates to both Rosie and Teresa.

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Please take extra care to leave church spaces better than you found them after use.

Donate to OUUC Online

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.

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In the Larger Community 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!

3/29: 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

Olympia UU Congregation
ouuc.org

A loving, just, and healthy world.

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