OUUC Weekly Update
March 12, 2024
Stewardship Drive Updates
Thank you to all who have pledged so far! We are at 89 pledges committed to $273,614.
Be sure to make your stewardship pledge by the Pi Dinner, Thursday March 14 or enter your pledge today to be eligible for a drawing of fabulous prizes. All pledges received by March 15 will be eligible for:
- Two tickets to Harlequin’s production of Cabaret in July.
- Two tickets to the Kings of Comedy silent movie at the Washington Center with house organist Dennis James. Plus, after the show enjoy his favorite beverage at Uptown Grill.
- A self care package to relax and enjoy a little pampering with a gift card to Oly Float.
The official prize drawing will be after church on March 17. You do not need to be present to win! Make your pledge HERE.
From your Sabbatical Committee
You may have heard that Rev. Mary will be taking a much-needed sabbatical this Summer. A sabbatical is a time of renewal for our minister and for the congregation. Rev. Mary plans to be gone from mid-June through October. For more information about the sabbatical plans, please check out The Spark from this past Thursday (3/7).
Do you want to know more?
All are invited to the after worship forum on Sunday March 17. The Sabbatical Committee will share our planning and process thus far and we want your feedback, questions and thoughts.
For more information, please email HERE.
Thursday Community Dinner: Pie Day!
Thursday March 14, 5:30pm
This week’s dinner is sponsored by the Board and the Stewardship Team and is a celebration of Pi Day (3.14). Everyone is invited for food and fellowship.
We do still need some help with setting up tables and chairs, if you can help contact Rev. Sara.
Following dinner this week we will have the Buddhist and Christian groups, the social justice book group, the children’s class, and the all ages Game Night.
All Ages Game Night this Thursday
2nd Thursdays, 6:30pm
All ages are invited to join us for board and card games, following our community night dinner.
Bring a game to share, or try out one someone else has brought.
UU the Vote 2024 Launch
Thursday, March 14, 4pm to 5pm
We are entering the work of UU the Vote 2024 grounded in the current political and spiritual conditions of our faith and national community. The work that is needed in 2024 will require us to anchor in our power and connect authentically to mobilize UUs, voters, and our local communities.
Join us for our launch as we highlight our upcoming work.
Read more and
Young Adult Lunch
Sunday March 17, 11:30 am
All who are youngish (roughly ages 18-40) are invited for fellowship around lunch following the worship service on the 3rd Sunday of each month.
Lunch will be served in a classroom at about 11:30. Look for Kedo Baye or send questions to Rev. Sara.
New UU Seekers Class this Saturday
1st and 3rd Saturdays, 10:00 am
All who are new to UU or to OUUC are welcome at these classes (one or all of the series). For those interested in becoming members of OUUC this class is required. This class is offered both in person and on Zoom.
This week's topic is: Faith Development for Children and Adults
Read more and REGISTER HERE.
Questions, contact Rev. Sara.
Grounds Clean-up this Saturday
Saturday March 16, 1-3pm
Each third Saturday of the month a bunch of us gather for grounds cleanup. There is always something for everyone - from weeding to chain sawing.
Bring your favorite garden tools (hand pruners, weeding tools, gloves) or your favorite power tools (leaf blower, hedge trimmer) and we will find a job for you.
OUU’s Equity Library is for All Ages!
Everyone is welcome at Equity Library which is located in the hall across from Rev. Mary’s office and is open whenever OUUC is open! There you will find age appropriate books on social justice topics for all levels—-babies, preschoolers, elementary, middle, and high school readers, parents and other adults.
Topics include diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, economic and environmental justice, immigrants and refugees, leaders and heroes, Native American and African stories, religions, and a special section for Parents and other Adults. Finding books to check out is made easy by using the list of titles you will find in each section, and the simple and speedy check out system.
Books to look for this week are: All the Colors We Are, Grandfather’s Journey, Climate Change and How We’ll Fix It, And Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes.
Questions, contact Joann Young.
Congratulations to the 6 hearty bicyclists who put in a total of 227 miles for the OUUCyclists Team! It was a sometimes nasty February for biking but John Cox, Wim Verhoff, Dale Armstrong, Frank Turner, Susan Southwick and Joe Joy braved the weather or found the sunny breaks to do errands or enjoy February sites for the Intercity Transit Winter Bicycle Challenge.
Stay tuned for the next bicycle events in April and May!
Hope to see more of you out there. Keep the Rubber-side Down!
Join UU Ministry for Earth to celebrate Earth Day!
Tuesday April 23, 4-5 pm
We protect what we love, so come explore how we can do that as UUs! There will be time for reflection and small group sharing.
UU Pagan Gathering and Potluck for Ostara
Tuesday March 19, 6:30pm
The Spring Equinox is celebrated as Ostara by many pagans, and we will gather for ritual and celebration here at OUUC on Tuesday the 19th.
All are welcome to join the OUUC UU Pagan group to celebrate Ostara. Potluck dinner, please bring a dish to share.
The UU Common Read: On Repentance and Repair
Wednesdays 6:30-8 pm, March 20 to April 10
Facilitated by Rev. Sara Lewis
The new UU Common Read, On Repentance and Repair by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg (Beacon Press, 2022), provides a fresh, transformative perspective on how we make ourselves accountable to others.
Read more and
Being With Grief: An Introduction to Grief Ritual
Sunday March 24, 1:30-4:30 pm
We will create an opportunity to open into our sorrows and to find joy in community through writing, reflection and ritual. Suggested reading: The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller, whose work informs this workshop.
Facilitated by Grief Mentors Peter Jabin, M.Div. LMHC Siena Tenisci, MA, LMHCA
There is no cost to attend. Details about what to bring will be sent on registration.
Travel that Changes Lives
Fridays starting March 29, 6:30-8:30 pm
The travel class is back!
Covid-19 ended travel for many and thus canceled our class. Many have been traveling again and have stories and reflections to share with us all.
Read more, see a full schedule of presentations and
Interdependent Web of Life: A Class for Kids ages 5-10
Thursdays April 4th to May 23rd, 6:30-7:30
One of our Unitarian Universalist values and principles is Interdependence, and we know that we humans are part of the web of life, not separate from it.
Read more and
AUCTION 2024: REACH THE SKY!
LIVE Auction & dinner: SATURDAY, MAY 4, 5 - 8 PM
ONLINE Auction: APRIL 7- MAY 5, 2024
Let's donate, browse, and bid to reach the sky and reach our goal!
EVERYONE is welcome. See you May 4th, and may the fourth be with you!
Questions, contact Alicia Martinelli.
Provide dinner at Interfaith Works Shelter
Every 3rd and 4th Wednesday
OUUC has a long history of supporting Interfaith Work’s shelters which provide overnight shelter to our homeless neighbors. First as a part of the Women’s Emergency Shelter, and since it’s opening in December 2021, at Unity Commons Adult Shelter.
New people are always welcome to join those from OUUC who make and bring a main and/or a side dish for the Shelter guests. For more information please contact JoAnn Young.
Join Habitat for Humanity for a build that supports OUUC family Kate and Lark D.
May 15th-18th and May 22nd-25 at the Tumwater Development
Select the best day that works for you and your team!
By participating in Women Build, you'll directly support South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity's mission of building affordable homes for more families, individuals, and Veterans. You'll also help raise awareness about the housing inequities women face and advocate for gender equity in homeownership. It's time to break down barriers and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve affordable homeownership, regardless of the challenges they may face.
No experience necessary – just a willingness to make a positive impact.