the OUUC spark

January 16, 2025

The Spark! messages of inspiration from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation

A Weekend of Witness, Service, and Preparation — Rev. Sara Lewis

We’re only a few days away from the Inauguration of our next President, and from whatever may come next. This is also Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a day when the life and work of MLK is honored through remembering his justice work and giving service to the world. With these events converging, there are many ways to gather for witness, service, processing our feelings, and preparation for what may be needed from us soon. And maybe you will just want to hunker down at home, I’ve got an option for that too. Choose what is right for you!

Thursday 1/16

6:30pm After the community dinner (5:30) there will be Sign Making at OUUC, all supplies provided. Make a sign that you can carry at the People’s March on Saturday

Saturday 1/18

Noon-3pm gather for The People’s March. This march is being organized by Palestinian Action of South Sound (PASS) and other leftist organizations and is a multi-issue march. To the best of our knowledge this is an unpermitted march not coordinated with Olympia Police Department. Rev. Sara has found previous PASS actions to take security and de-escalation seriously and be well-managed. If you choose to attend, you can join Rev. Mary there, she plans to be near the bathrooms at Heritage Park wearing a rainbow stole. Please note a change to location and time from what was previously announced: noon at Heritage Park is the starting time and place.
OR, if you’d rather get outdoors and away from all things political, Saturday 1/18 the City of Olympia will have many work parties to volunteer in city parks. Opportunities | Volunteer Olympia

Sunday 1/19

9am and 10:45am come to worship at OUUC for connection and renewal of spirit as we all prepare for what is to come. The worship will be “The Power of History” with Rev. Mary.
Stay for the forum at 12:15 which will be small group discussions and reflection of how we prepare for the next chapter after the Inauguration.
There will also be a Food Drive at OUUC this weekend, bring a donation of non-perishable food suitable for the Kids Backpacks program.

Monday 1/20

We will have a Day of Service with Quixote Village. Celebrate a day of service on MLK Day at Quixote Village in Olympia. Volunteers and help needed! We will provide and share a late lunch for 25 residents of the Village at 2-3 pm. We’ll make meat and vegetarian spaghetti, with side dishes, salads, drinks and desserts. Opportunities for light housekeeping in the Village’s community building may be available. Contact Rev. Sara or Tim Ransom to RSVP or with questions.
Or if you would like to get outdoors StreamTeam has their annual MLK Service Project.
Or if you just want to hunker down at home, I’ve created an At Home Kit you can explore.

It’s long haul work, and this is only one brief time in a long journey.

On this weekend, may all be fed, may all be loved, may all be well. May we know ourselves to be nourished, may we know ourselves to be loved, may we know ourselves to be cared for.

Blessed be, dear ones,

Rev. Sara

January 2025 Volunteer of the Month: Zoe Myers

I’m very pleased to announce Zoe Myers is our OUUC Volunteer of the Month for January!

Zoe is an active volunteer in the choir, with the community dinners, the One Parish One Prisoner team, and the stewardship and auction teams. Zoe has been an incredible recruiter of other volunteers and teams to help with projects as well. I have appreciated her vision and follow-through!

People say this about Zoe:

“When I think of Zoe I think of her tenacity in facing challenges. She makes promises that she will keep. An inspiration!”

Karmel Shields, last year’s Stewardship chair

“When I think of Zoe, I think of her enthusiasm for what she takes on and her consideration of documenting work so that those who do it next have a solid starting point.”

Karin Landsberg, member of the Stewardship team

“What I appreciate about Zoe is that she takes what she has learned and experienced and applies it to what is happening now, being open to learning something new.”

Rev Mary

“When I think of Zoe, I think of her passion for the projects she takes on. She cares very deeply about our community.”

Sharon Love, co-chair of this year’s Stewardship team

Here’s what Zoe says about volunteering: “For me, contributing my time, money and skills to an organization I love and that nurtures me, is a privilege and a pleasure. I have always been guided by this quote attributed to Shirley Chisholm: Service is the rent that we pay for our time on earth.”

Please let Zoe know you appreciate her when you see her at OUUC!

And do you have another volunteer in mind who would be a great Volunteer of the Month?

Please nominate them by emailing Rev. Sara or using this form.

Tonight's Community Dinner and Activities

Community Dinner: All the Grains

Tonight's menu is "All the Grains." Come celebrate the diverse array of foods defined as grains. All are welcome for food and fellowship at 5:30 pm.

All are welcome for food and fellowship at 5:30pm. If you can help cook, set up, or clean up, please let Rev. Sara know at dcfd@ouuc.org

After-dinner (6:30 pm) options include: Dances of Universal Peace, All-Ages Game Night, Kid's Class — World Blessings, Youth Group, Social Justice Book Group, and UU Buddhist Sangha. You can find more info on most of these in the Weekly Update.

Tiny Little News Show

In this week's Tiny Little News Show, hear about our week's events and plans for MLK weekend:

Upcoming Events

Click to download the flyer below if you would like a list of OUUC events for January. Great for posting on your refrigerator! Looking for more upcoming events? Go to the OUUC Calendar.