the OUUC spark

February 13, 2025

winter weather CLOSURE on 2/13 — NO DINNER or after dinner activities. Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: What we are really talking about — Rev. Sara

“DEI” is the new scapegoat for just about everything, it seems, so it’s an interesting time for our monthly theme to be “The practice of Inclusion”. Of course, the scapegoated version of DEI is a distortion of what DEI really is, and many people are equating it with affirmative action hiring practices or “quotas” that they perceive result in less qualified marginalized people getting spots over more qualified white male candidates. This perception is based in the myth of an equal playing field and the myth of the meritocracy, with a good dose of sexism and racism and ableism thrown in for good measure.

But Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is actually the effort to widen the circle and let everyone in, to meet different needs with different solutions, and to celebrate how the differences between people actually can make things better for everyone. Closed captioning can help us all, not just those with hearing loss. Sidewalk curb cuts can help us all, not just wheelchair users. Visual descriptions can enrich everyone’s experience, not just those with vision loss. In fact, I love this short video that illustrates this point:

The practice of inclusion brings more people into the experience, yes, but it can also bring more experience to all the people - just as all the people who could see the artwork for themselves still enjoyed the visual descriptions the boy provided in the video. Bringing these practices into our lives is good for all of us.

In faith,

Rev. Sara

February 2025 Volunteer of the Month

I’m very pleased to announce Tim Ransom is our OUUC Volunteer of the Month for February!

Tim has been an active volunteer at OUUC for decades and has served on the Board, organized our response to Camp Quixote, been a congregational historian, a Coming of Age mentor, organized the 70th anniversary time capsule project, been on the Leadership Development Committee, and is currently on the Social Justice Team and is one of our representatives on the Interfaith Works Program Council (and much much more over the years).

Tim says: “Volunteering is easy; choosing what to volunteer for is the hard part. When I volunteer at OUUC I know it is the right thing to do.”

People say this about Tim:

“Tim brings a wealth of experience, insight, leadership and knowledge to his participation on the many committees and organizations of which he is, and has been, a part of at OUUC. His kind and supportive personality makes working with him a pleasure.”

- Jo Ann Young, representative to the Interfaith Works Program Council

“Tim’s creativity, grounded in his belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every person, has been part of the backbone of OUUC for many years. We are so fortunate to have Tim in the OUUC community.”

- Gail Gosney Wrede, member of the Leadership Development Committee

“I appreciate Tim for the many ways he supports OUUC, including as a historian and representative for justice in the community. More than anything I appreciate his willingness to listen deeply and learn continually.”

- Rev. Mary Gear

“Tim Ransom was president of the OUUC Board of Directors in 2007 and was key to getting Camp Quixote established. Tim has stayed the course shepherding the broadening effort to create villages and three communities. Tim provides ongoing support to that project and continues to do social justice work with the many and varied options we have through OUUC Faith in Action Team. Thank you Tim for this OUUC legacy and the ongoing channels you, and each of us can use to keep justice flowing.”

- Connie Ruhl, member of the Social Justice Team

“What makes Tim a great volunteer? His artistry. By sharing his heart's need to see neighbors housed, he shares an example of what is possible through journeying for justice. He creates space for calming quiet that invites others to share. He connects parts of the whole together, in ways that meet needs and invite people into hopeful visions.”

- Anne Hundley, member of the Social Justice Team

Please let Tim know you appreciate him when you see him at OUUC!

And do you have another volunteer in mind who would be a great Volunteer of the Month? Please nominate them by emailing me or using this form.

Tonight's Community Dinner and Activities ARE CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER

Tiny Little News Show

In this week's Tiny Little News Show, learn about a new Spiritual Care Circle and other upcoming events:

Upcoming Events

Click the preview image below to download a flyer with a list of OUUC events for February. Great for posting on your refrigerator! Looking for more upcoming events? Go to the OUUC Calendar.