Trystan Reese is a transgender storyteller whose journey of love and resilience has delighted audiences worldwide. He’ll be bringing that story to our congregation, and we are overjoyed to welcome him as he shares his experiences of transgender pregnancy and what it was like to carry that pregnancy publicly in 2017. Trystan is based in Portland, Oregon, where he writes, parents, and works with communities interested in fostering belonging and compassion.
Guest Speaker Bio: Trystan Reese is an award-winning author, facilitator, and coach focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion. He has been organizing with the trans community for nearly two decades, serving on the frontlines of this generation’s most significant fights for LGBTQ+ justice. An accomplished storyteller, Trystan has toured with The Moth MainStage’s renowned team; the video of his Brooklyn performance has garnered over 2.6 million views online, and his story was subsequently included in The Moth’s 2024 anthology, A Point Of Beauty.
Note: No more After-Service Forums until September — Happy Summer!
Last Sunday's Service
A Moral Document with Rev. Carol McKinley
On July 4th we celebrated the 249th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. How are the values of freedom and human dignity expressed in that document reflected in the values we honor in our Unitarian Universalist faith tradition?
Watch The Service Here
Find Order of Service Here
Construction Ahead!
You may have noticed that the entire building is being painted, thanks to all of your financial support for our congregation! Building maintenance will continue through August 1st. If you're coming to the church outside of Sunday worship hours, you may have to use different doors than normal to get in and out due to painting, caulking, and other work. Additionally, we expect the roof repainting and repair to take place by the end of July or early August, so be alert when you're entering and exiting the premises!
Once again, thank you all for all you do to keep our church well-maintained and ready for the next generation of UUers!
One of our young ones has a severe peanut allergy and we are moving to become a peanut-free facility in response. This is one of the ways we take care of each other! Please do not bring any peanuts, peanut butter, or products that contain peanuts (including peanut oil) to OUUC. Thank you for helping keep our community safe for all.
Rev. Mary is away on retreat and vacation through July 25. She will not be checking email until she returns on July 26.
Buildings and Grounds Shout-Out!
Thank you to Kent Canny, Marie Arensmeyer, Jerald Dodson, Joe Joy, Jim Lengenfelder, and John Crutchfield. When you notice that the Sanctuary carpet and chairs look clean and fresh next week, think of the B&G crew who did all the heavy lifting(literally!) to make it possible!
Help the Environmental Action Team remove invasive plants on the OUUC grounds! B.Y.O. water, sunscreen, garden gloves and weeding utensils.
Contact: John Crutcher
All ages are welcome to join Rev. Sara and Anissa for nature and gentle walking at McClane Creek nature trail. A Discover Pass is required for parking here.
📍 McLane Creek Nature Trail | Contact: Rev. Sara at dcfd@ouuc.org
Parents and caregivers of kids of any age are invited for community building and mutual support at Lion's Park playground.
All between the ages of 18-50ish are welcome for the monthly lunch at 12:15pm after services.
Questions? Contact Kedo Baye
All ages welcome to join Anissa at Burfoot Park for nature and beach combing.
RSVP: Anissa at reassistant@ouuc.org
Remember to gather a bit of water over the summer for our Water Communion In-gathering service!
Save the date for the OUUC annual picnic at the Rose Garden.
Our coffee hours are only possible through the help of volunteers who make the coffee, set everything up, and wash the dishes after.
Frances Tanaka is seeking one or two co-coordinators to help renew OUUC's long-standing (mostly) fiction book group. Meetings will resume in September and continue every 2nd Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm. Please contact Frances if you would like to help.
Contact: Frances Tanaka
Soul Matters groups are small groups of about 10 who meet monthly to explore the spiritual theme of the month through discussion questions. We are seeking facilitators for the new groups that will form and run September-June. Please reach out if you are interested in leading a group.
Contact: Rev Sara at dcfd@ouuc.org
Book Sale Team organizes the annual BBB fundraiser event scheduled this year on October 24 and 25. Seeking a brigade of people for a wide variety of tasks: Weekly planning meetings beginning in July, Book sorters & haulers several weeks before the sale, A larger cadre of book lovers to set up the sale, An army of amazing volunteers to launch and manage the two-day sale including: cashiers, coffee and brownie purveyors, book organizers, music providers and other important positions and a group of unsung heroes to "tear down" the entire book sale set-up and prepare the church for Sunday morning service.
Contact: Pam Davidson
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
Book Nook, OUUC’s new online used book store for all Olympia-area shoppers is now open 24/7 365 days a year! Shop/pay online and pick up in Olympia! All proceeds will be lovingly passed on to the Thurston County Food Bank, where our support is needed to keep the shelves stocked and the lights on! New items are added to Book Nook frequently, as community book donations are received. Visit Book Nook often for great reading, viewing, gift ideas, AND help feed families!
Get ready to represent OUUC and Side with Love at gatherings and justice events by ordering your yellow T-Shirt ahead of time!
The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice invites you to show your support for Palestine at the Fellowship of Reconciliation Vigil for Peace every Friday from 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm at Percival Landing.
📍 4th & Water Street, downtown Olympia
The Woodlands is a new monthly virtual pastoral care program for trans people and their families, launching September 7, 2025. Open to all ages, each gathering includes a shared grounding ritual, identity-affirming breakout rooms, and a closing reflection. With spaces for trans adults, youth, and caregivers, The Woodlands offers a sacred, supportive environment to process grief, share joy, and build resilient community. Sessions are chaplain-led and will take place on the first Sunday of each month through May 2026.
Learn more here
Let’s go camping! Make connections in the congregation by sharing our love of nature, engaging in meaningful conversations, walking the trails and sitting around the campfire. Bring your tent, car, or RV- all are welcome! Sometimes we even rent cabins or yurts. Hike, bike, play board games, roast marshmallows, engage in other outdoor activities, or just hang-out. Join us on our next trip to Fort Worden on September 22nd.
Sites are limited, so make your reservations soon!
Contact: Rich Kalman