Announcement deadline: 11:00 am Tuesday mornings | | | | |
Sunday Worship August 17th | |
“What is Home?” with Rev. Ken Jones
Rev. Ken Jones has worked with people who don’t have buildings to stay in, and the agencies trying to assist them, for many years now. Most everyone agrees that it is an urgent need and effective solutions are difficult to come by. But the fact that we have this problem raises some deeper questions about what a “home” is and why it is so important in our culture today.
Content Warning: Rev. Ken Jones will be talking about people without homes.
Guest Minister Bio: The Rev. Ken Jones (he/him/his) is semi-retired from Ministry in UU Congregations, having served in Tacoma, Yakima, and Ellensburg, Washington and Hood River, Oregon over the last twenty-five years. His “home” is in Yakima, but he is eager to spend more time wandering in his mini camper van (in which he’ll be traveling to Olympia for this service!)
| | There will be no more After-Service Forums until September — Happy Summer! | |
Last Sunday's Service
“If We Can Keep It” with Rev. Linda Hart
At the Continental Congress as the final vote was taken, Elizabeth Willing Powel asked Benjamin Franklin, “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” He famously replied, “A republic, if we can keep it!” We’ll reflect on the state of the republic, using some famous words from a Unitarian forefather, found in a surprising place.
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Important Community Updates | |
Gregory Robinson
Karmel Shields and her family invite you to an evening of celebration and remembrance for the life of Gregory Robinson on Friday, September 26 from 7-9 pm. This event will be onsite at OUUC.
Remembrance: Folks are encouraged to share a memory, a spoken word or song. If someone wants to share a memory and is not able to attend, they can email Karmel and it will be read to those in attendance. (Karmel’s contact information is in Realm or contact the OUUC office.)
Celebration: Drinking up Gregory’s wine collection with other beverages. Toasting! Music! Light refreshments and gluten free treats provided.
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Pastoral Care Team
The Pastoral Care Team members serve as an extension of Rev. Mary's care of the congregation, which is especially important and needed as we grow. Rev. Mary invites team members based on their professional and life experience, as well as their caring heart and presence. The team members also continue their learning and growth together as they serve.
Ours is a ministry of loving presence, as we listen to the words that need to be spoken. We provide short or long term social/emotional, one-to-one care to members and friends. We work as a team, with a lead member assigned to each request to ensure consistency.
If you would like support from the Pastoral Care Team, you can identify members on Sunday mornings or at other church events by looking for the green Pastoral Care stoles they wear. If you are not physically at church, you can reach out via email at pastoralcare@ouuc.org, and a team member will get back to you shortly to see how they can be of service.
Your Pastoral Care Team members are: Debra Dohrmann, Susan Joy, Bobbe Murray, Polly Taylor, and Woody Woodson.
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Peanut-free facility
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.
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Heads Up: Roof Maintenance Continues
Our roof's long-needed maintenance and repair continues this week with a fresh coat of paint and replacing the skylights. Watch your step—and your head!
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Sewing Ministry
This Saturday
Aug 16, 12:30pm
📍OUUC, Classrooms 3 & 4
If you like to sew, enjoy participating in group projects, and want to support members of our community who would benefit from a warm hug (a lap quilt), join us in the Commons from 12:30 - 3:30 on Saturday, August 16! Contact Wendy Tanner for additional information.
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Generation XYZ Lunch
This Sunday
Aug 17, 12:15pm
📍OUUC, The Commons
Parents and caregivers of kids of any age are invited for community building and mutual support at Lion's Park playground.
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Hiroya Tsukamoto Concert
This Sunday
Aug 17, 7pm
📍OUUC, The Sanctuary and Commons
"...chops, passion and warmth. Zealously recommended!"
One of a kind composer, guitarist, and singer-songwriter from Kyoto, Japan Hiroya Tsukamoto returns to Olympia.
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Quick Faith in Actions for the week of August 10th
Put your faith into action! Check out these quick impactful actions you can take from home to make change in our community, updated every week.
Click here to get started!
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Help Remove Invasive Plants
Sat Aug 8, 10am
📍OUUC
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 for more information
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Nature Group at Burfoot Beach
Sat Aug 23, 10am
📍Burfoot Park
All ages welcome to join Anissa at Burfoot Park for nature and beach combing.
RSVP: Anissa at reassistant@ouuc.org
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Water Communion
In- gathering
Sun Sept 7, 9am & 10:45am
📍OUUC
Remember to gather a bit of water over the summer for our Water Communion In-gathering service!
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OUUC Annual Picnic
Sat Sept 13, 12pm
📍Squaxin Park
Save the date for the OUUC annual picnic at the Rose Garden .
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Love at the Center Discussion Group
Wed Sept 10, 7:00pm
📍Online
All are welcome to join us for a discussion group around the book “Love at the Center”
UUs regularly re-examine our covenant and values, we do this work to live into the Unitarian Universalism of the future. Following Article II's adoption, it is clear that the value most describe as central to their faith, to their living, and to the mission of their congregations is love itself. Our pressing task now is to ask how this understanding calls us forward, individually and collectively.
In these pages, you’ll find personal testimony to love’s power, reminders of the centrality of love throughout the long histories of Universalism and Unitarianism, and theologies of love drawn from many different expressions of Unitarian Universalism—from the natural world to the justice rally, to a loved one’s deathbed, to the quiet moment before a worship service begins.
Monthly meetings will discuss 3 essays each session.
Click Here to Register
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OUUC Book Group
Thu Sept 11, 6:30pm
📍OUUC
The group will be meeting on the 2nd Thursday at OUUC at 6:30 (following the community dinner) beginning in September (skipping December). The meeting will also be multiplatform on zoom.
Our first book will be The Ravaged Forest by Sandra Crowell which tells the story of Helen Mitchell Sanders of the Chehalis tribe and her fight for justice for Native Americans who had been cheated out of receiving the full value of their forest land from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
The author will be meeting with us in September to answer any questions you have.
Please share any book recommendations you have for October or November with Frances Tanaka.
Copies of The Ravaged Forest will be available to borrow or for purchase for $20, contact Frances to get a copy.
Click Here to Register
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Faith in Action Food Brigade
Did you know that for many years the third and fourth Wednesday of the month, volunteer cooks from our congregation have provided the evening meal for the 53 adult residents at the Interfaith Works Unity Commons Shelter? New Volunteers are always welcome to be a part of this Faith in Action Opportunity.
For more information about joining this team please contact Jo Ann Young by text or email.
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Books Beans and Brownies Entertainment
Do you have a talent that you would like to show off in a low-key non-threatening environment? Do you sing, play a musical instrument, write poetry, tell funny jokes? We are looking for OUUC members and friends who would like to perform at the Books Beans and Brownies sale on Saturday October 25. Soloists and small combos are encouraged. Lots of time to prepare something if you want to. We anticipate having time slots ranging from ten to thirty minutes, and will try to accommodate everyone who is interested. Will be finalizing a schedule around the end of September or beginning of October. If you are interested, please email Karl Johnson with what you plan to do, how much time you want, your preferred time of day, and how to reach you.
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OUUC Book Nook
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!
Shop Now Here
Learn More Here
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August Faith in Action Digest
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:
Faith In Action Digest August 2025
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OUUC Side with Love Shirt
Get ready to represent OUUC and Side with Love at gatherings and justice events by ordering your yellow T-Shirt ahead of time!
Click Here to order your shirt
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Fellowship of Reconciliation Vigil for Peace
Fri Aug 8, 4:30
📍4th & Water Street, downtown Olympia
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
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Walk for Immigrant Justice
Sat Aug 23, 6:30pm
📍Temple Beth Hatfiloh
Join Rev. Mary and Rev. Carol (who will be speaking) at the Faith Network for Immigrant Support's Walk for Immigrant Justice on Saturday August 23rd. Starting place is Temple Beth Hatfiloh, then we will walk to Percival Landing Park together.
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Climate Challenge Series Kicks Off
Thurs Aug 21, 6:30pm
📍Good Shepard Church
Restoring Earth Connection kicks off its year long Climate Challenge series on Thursday August 21st from 6:30 to 8:30 at Good Shepard Church 1601 North Street SE Olympia. This first session will focus on how to reduce your transportation footprint. The Federal Tax Credit for buying used and new Electric Vehicles will end Sept 30th. If you have considered at all buying one come here a panel of owners talk about what it is like owning one, range issues, all about charging, etc We will explain how the credit works and other ways to reduce the cost. Also panel members will have their EV’s out in the parking lot for people to look over and sit in, etc. In addition will discuss ways for people with gas cars to reduce their carbon footprint as well: trip reduction, full tires, more walking and biking etc. We are building a community of resilience – please join us.
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Street Medic Training
Sun Aug 24, 12:30pm
📍OUUC
As we take to the streets to stand up against fascism and defend our communities, it is essential that we build the skills to keep each other safe. In this protest first aid class, you'll learn the basics of responding to an emergency in a protest setting. We'll discuss chemical weapons decontamination, bleeding control, and common medical emergencies you might encounter in the streets. We'll also talk about the ethics of street medicine, legality, and best practices when you decide to help out.
This class is open to everyone, regardless of previous medical training. Whether you're new to first aid or looking to expand your skills, we're excited to have you.
Show up to learn so you can show up for your community in the streets, we keep us safe!
Register Here!
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The Woodlands: A Virtual Pastoral Care Program For Trans People Of All Ages
Sun Sept 7
📍Online
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
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UU Ministry for Earth Common Read
Thurs Sept 11
📍Online
The UU Ministry for Earth 2025-26 Common Read begins in September! We will be reading "What if We Get it Right?" by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. We can't wait to look toward an imaginative future for climate justice with you!
We will be sending general reminders in our monthly newsletter and opportunities to connect with each other as we read along.
Sign up here to join the Common Read group email list.
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Fort Worden Camping Trip
Sep 22 - 25
📍Fort Worden Historical State Park
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 for more information,
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Sunday Worship:
9:00 am (in-person only)
10:45 am (in-person and online)
Office Hours:
Tuesdays 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Thursdays 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sundays 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Phone: (360) 634-2005
Address:
2306 East End St NW
Olympia, WA 98502
Website: http://www.ouuc.org
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Rev. Mary Gear,
Minister
minister@ouuc.org | ext. 101
Rev. Sara Lewis,
Director of Community
and Faith Development
DCFD@ouuc.org | ext. 102
Troy Fisher,
Music Director
musicdirector@ouuc.org
Isaac Ezra Jennings,
Business Manager
BusinessManager@ouuc.org
Ian Stephan,
Office and Facilities Manager
OfficeManager@ouuc.org | ext. 103
Chloe Meyer,
Member Engagement Specialist
MemberEngagement@ouuc.org | ext. 104
Marie Arensmeyer,
Sexton
Sexton@ouuc.org | ext. 105
Victoria Ridgway,
Office Assistant
Office@ouuc.org | ext. 100
Anissa Bentlemsani,
Religious Education Assistant
REassistant@ouuc.org
Teresa Madsen,
Tech Coordinator
TechCoordinator@ouuc.org | ext. 106
Carbon Marshall,
Tech Specialist
TechSpecialist@ouuc.org
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