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Sunday Worship

Sunday, January 25, 2026:

“The Heartbreak of Limitations” with Rev. Mary Gear

We explore the monthly spiritual theme of “Practicing Resistance” by reflecting on the limitations in our lives and how we live with them and how we resist them.

9:00am Onsite Only

10:45am Onsite & Online

After-Service Forum: Success Stories in Congregational Engagement

How do people find their way into being as engaged as they want to be with our congregation, its programs, and people? At this forum we will hear and share our success stories and talk about how we can help more newcomers find their way in as well.

12:15pm Onsite & Online

Join Us Online!

Worship at 10:45am & After-Service Forum at 12:15pm

Join on Zoom

Interact with the community and access live captions.
Meeting ID 873 210 124 | Passcode 2306

Watch on Youtube

View the live stream or watch anytime after.

Join by Phone
Dial +1 (253) 205-0468 to listen to the service audio-only.

Last Week's Worship

Sunday, January 18, 2026:
“One Foot in Front of Another” with Troy Fisher and the OUUC Choir

This “music service” is a call for connection in troubled times. It is about persistence, community and moving ahead. “One foot in front of the other” is a metaphor for determination and forward motion. We think of love warriors like Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Ghandhi, Dolores Huerta. All of them started their movements out of the love of their people not out of the hatred of someone else.

Watch Service Here

Order of Service

After-Service Forum: Flood Control Dam on the Chehalis River

Join Lee First, Twin Harbors Waterkeeper, to learn about the proposed flood control dam on the Chehalis River and how you can voice your opinion on it. Lee has been tracking this project for many years and works in collaboration with an alliance of non-profit groups. Find out what she has learned about why a flood control dam on the Chehalis will destroy habitat without delivering the proposed benefit of flood control. With the public comment period closing on February 4, 2026, this is your chance to get educated, form an informed opinion, and make your voice heard before the deadline.

Watch Forum Here

Forum Slides

Important Community Updates

Staff Away

Reverend Mary Gear is out of the office from Monday, January 26 - Friday, January 20.

Winter Weather Building Closure Procedures

Here's what to expect for building closures in the event of winter weather this season. On weekdays, if Olympia School District closes, we close too. We may also close when overnight freezing is forecasted, even if schools stay open. Please let church staff know if you notice severe weather developing in your area or in the forecast. For Sunday services, we check the forecast on Saturday and decide. If we close due to weather, we'll hold one online-only service at 10:45 AM via Zoom. Check your email, our website, and social media for closure announcements, and stay safe!

Bags to Benches: Plastics Challenge

Turn your plastic waste into a NexTrex bench! OUUC is participating in the NexTrex Challenge to divert plastic film from landfills and transform it into NexTrex composite decking, and win a NexTrex park bench. Drop your clean plastic bags (grocery, bread, dry cleaning, ice, cereal, ziplock and produce), bubble wrap, plastic shipping envelopes, overwraps from paper towels, and newspaper sleeves in the large collection box in the back hallway. Our volunteers will transport collected plastic to become durable Trex decking. Every bag you bring helps keep plastic out of our water ways!

The Parking Lot is Getting Full!

We have had rising attendance at our Sunday worship services and so we're facing a new challenge with having enough parking spots. It's a good challenge to have! If you are able, please help us remain welcoming with available parking. Carpool, ride the #41 bus, bike, or walk to church if you can! Click here to see more about transit to OUUC.

Tiny Little News Show

In this week's Tiny Little News learn about the Healthy Congregations Team and upcoming events at OUUC.

This Week's Gatherings

Cottage Meetings

Wed, Jan 21, 7:00pm
Fri, Jan 23, 3:00pm
Sat, Jan 24, 10:00am
& more at various homes

The Stewardship Team invites members and friends of OUUC to share stories, build connections, and celebrate our community together at Cottage Meetings this month and next. We'll gather mostly in the homes of fellow congregation members, with some meetings at OUUC, for refreshments and meaningful conversations about what OUUC means to each of us and the future we envision for our beloved congregation.

There are still many sessions to choose from, with different dates, times, and locations. Each will last approximately 1.5 hours. We would love to see you!

Use the "Sign Up Here" button above to find a cottage meeting that works for you. You can also contact Sharon Love for help signing up.

Community Dinner: Southwest Rice Bowls

Thurs, Jan 22, 5:30pm

OUUC

This week's community dinner menu will be Southwest Rice Bowls. All are welcome for food and fellowship at 5:30pm at our weekly Thursday community dinners. We need volunteers to help cook starting at 3:30pm, set up tables at 4:30pm, or clean up at 6:30pm. We are getting a bit more formal with a Sign-up Genius so we know who is going to be able to help with dinners. If you can help, please sign up!

Drop In Soul Matters Group

Thurs, Jan 22, 6:30pm

OUUC

All are welcome to the monthly drop in Soul Matters group, a space for sharing and reflection on the spiritual theme of the month. The theme for January is Practicing Resistance. You can pick up a Soul Matters packet in the Commons.

Youth: Practicing Resistance

Thurs, Jan 22, 6:30pm

OUUC

All youth in middle and high school are invited to join Rev. Sara for exploration of our monthly theme: Practicing Resistance, in the youth room, 6:30-7:30pm.

Growing Anti-Racist Kids: for ages 5-10

Thurs, Jan 22, 6:30pm

OUUC

Learn More & Register Here

The important goal of the curriculum is for children to respect and value difference in skin shades while recognizing the need to promote love and justice for all. The first lessons proceed from self-awareness, family differences, friendships at school and in neighborhoods, church beliefs around respect and diversity, recognition of one’s community, and of the world. Each lesson connects to UU values, in a language for children’s understanding. Ultimately, we aim to help children to recognize that persons have far more qualities than their appearances, that the possibilities of truly knowing, or knowing about them, far exceeds looking at them or at their pictures.

Nature Group: Nisqually Wildlife Refuge

Sat, Jan 24, 10:00am

Off-site

All ages are welcome to join the OUUC Nature Group for a stroll at the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge (there is a $3 charge per vehicle at the refuge). This is a flat and accessible trail with birdwatching - bring your binoculars and bird books if you like. RSVP to Rev. Sara at dcfd@ouuc.org

Reflection Group

Sun, Jan 25, 11:45am

OUUC

We have restarted the post Sunday service conversations of sermon reflection and fellowship. Following second service pick up your beverage and join us in the Youth Room for our small group follow up. We hope you will join us!

Questions? Check with Curt Hill, Lee Doyle, Nancy Curtiss or Chloe Meyer

New UU Class: How and Why We Worship

Sun, Jan 25, 2:00pm

Online Only

Learn More & Register Here

Curious about OUUC or Unitarian Universalism? Thinking about becoming a member? Join us for our New UU class series this winter! Over nine Sundays from January through March, Rev. Mary Gear and Rev. Sara Lewis will guide you through topics including UU history and values, how we worship, how we care for each other, and how we put our faith into action. You're encouraged to attend as many sessions as possible, though you don't need to attend every one. The class on 1/25 will be about worship with Rev. Mary.

Upcoming Gatherings

Nia Dance

Every Tuesday at 9:00am

OUUC

Love to dance? Interested in feeling better through fitness based in joy? Join us every Tuesday from 9-10 a.m. this winter in classrooms 3 & 4 for Nia dance. Nia is a blend of the healing arts, dance arts, and martial arts. With choreography based in the anatomy and a strong FreeDance component, it’s a unique mix of science and spirit. Most of all, it’s just fun! Wear comfortable workout clothing, bring a water bottle, and optional yoga mat. You can dance in shoes or barefoot. Cost: Donation. Contact instructor for more at kristy.woodford@proton.me or 360.508.2800

Tao of Gender Discussion

Mon, Jan 26, 6:30pm

Online Only

This class affirms the shared values of pluralism and interdependence, centered on love. Through participatory reading and mutual exploration, we will use Taryn M. Witten’s The Tao of Gender to help us apply Taoist concepts like yin and yang to gender theories. Everyone is welcome. We’ll reflect on personal experiences of gender and explore how these ideas intersect with Unitarian Universalist shared values. The overarching questions for this class are, ‘What is the Tao of gender?’ and ‘What are the ways of understanding gender through Taoism?’ This class is led by Schyler, a nonbinary educator and lifelong learner with experience facilitating dialogue-based classes. They have a personal interest in Taoism and gender expansiveness and bring a spirit of curiosity and care to spaces of shared exploration. Schyler’s approach centers inclusive conversation, deep listening, and spiritual reflection. Interested in purchasing the book? Notify Linda Selsor after registration.

Resistance Lab: Strengthening Democracy Together

Mon, Feb 2, 6:00pm

OUUC

Are you concerned about the direction our country is going and ready to take action? The newly formed Resistance Group invites you to join us as we turn concern into concrete resistance strategies. Building on what we learned from Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal's Resistance Lab, we're now focused on taking action to strengthen democracy and resist growing authoritarianism. Join Environmental Action Team and Faith in Action Team members and other OUUC members committed to protecting democracy. All are welcome.

The Darkness Divine Book Group

Tues, Feb 3, 1:00pm

OUUC

A discussion group led By Aurora Winters on the book The Darkness Divine by UU minister and poet Rev. Dr. Kristen Harper. She is the minister at the Unitarian Church of Barnstable Universalist on Cape Cod. The book has 10 chapters, with discussion questions and exercises after each chapter. It is available through the UUA Bookstore for $14. Here is the blurb on the UUA site:

Too often in U.S. culture—and notably in faith communities—a culture of white supremacy is reinforced in damaging but unexamined ways. In The Darkness Divine, minister and poet Kristen L. Harper confronts and unpacks the language, imagery, buzzwords, and cultural touchstones that demean and dehumanize Black people but are so commonplace they can easily escape notice.

More importantly, in a brilliant arrangement of essays and poems in the vein of Claudia Rankine, Harper lifts up the strength, beauty, and resilience of Black people and outlines a path forward. She invites readers to explore what they have learned and assimilated so they might de-center whiteness and stretch their understanding and imagination to radically transform perceptions of blackness.

Adult Our Whole Lives

Sat, Feb 7, 10:00am

OUUC

Join us for the next session in our Adult OWL series! The Our Whole Lives program offers comprehensive, values-based sexuality education and is a beloved program in UU congregations. This workshop will explore attitudes about aging, sexual scripts, and keeping our bodies healthy as we age. All adults are welcome! Register now using the button above.

Save the date for OUUC’s Annual Auction!

Sat, May 16 2026

ASHHO Cultural Community Center

All are invited to participate in our annual in-person and on-line auction! The auction is a terrific way to make meaningful connections, strengthen our community resources, and have fun.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 16, 2026 and plan to attend the live auction and dinner. We are thrilled to return to the ASHHO Cultural Community Center in Tumwater for the live auction again this year! The online auction will be the week of the live event.

Want to help with the auction this year? All sorts of roles are needed in the planning process and event—communications, procurement, tech assistance with the auction system, and more. Contact Alicia at aliciasm@gmail.com.

Faith in Action Opportunities & Resources

This week’s opportunity is the Healthy Congregation Team!

The heart of the work of the Healthy Congregations Team is the OUUC covenant.

The purpose of this team is to help support healthy communications and relationships at OUUC so that we may live into our covenant. This support may take the form of listening deeply, offering skill building, inviting reflection and discussion,

helping to navigate and transform conflict, and modeling healthy communications.

If you are interested in joining this team, please reach out to Rev. Mary. at Minister@ouuc.org.

Spiritual Practices for Challenging Moments

Justice work is challenging and we need spiritual tools to sustain us. Side with Love has compiled spiritual practices, songs, and reflections that can strengthen us in the day to day work of justice. As adrienne maree brown reminds us, "what we pay attention to grows." Whatever we practice, we get strong at.

Explore grounding practices, music playlists, rituals, and more to help sustain your justice work by clicking here.

January Faith in Action Digest

This month's trainings, resources, and action opportunities; everything you need to show up for our community!

View January digest

Faith in Action:

Week of Jan 18, 2026

Quick ways to make a difference: petitions to sign, calls to make, comments to submit.

Do one or do them all, every action counts.

This week's actions

Click Below to read the January Volunteer Newsletter

Coffee Hour Volunteers Needed

Our coffee hours are only possible through the help of volunteers who make the coffee, set everything up, and wash the dishes after.

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!

Order Your Shirt

Community Connections

Point in Time Count

Throughout Jan and early Feb

Thurston County

The Point in Time Count is an essential annual effort to survey the unhoused population in Thurston County to better plan for needs and services. United Way of Thurston County is leading this year's count on January 29, with volunteer opportunities throughout January and early February. Ways to volunteer include survey assistance (volunteer training required), hygiene kit assembly, and clothing drive sorting. Find more information by clicking here.

Love At The Center:

Reimagining the World As It Could Be

30 Days of Love

Jan 19, 2026 - Feb 16, 2026

At a time when fear, violence, and extraction dominate our politics and our planet, we practice another way. We believe love is not fragile; it is fierce. It grounds our organizing, fuels our imagination, and sustains our communities.

Over five weeks, we will move through a journey from imagination to action, rooting our freedom dreams in faith and bringing them to life in our world. Each week, we will have a written reflection from Side With Love staff; a conversation with a UU theologian; a multi-generational family activity; reflection questions for journaling; a meditative body practice; and a coloring sheet connected to the weekly theme. Our weekly themes will be Reimagining Thriving, Grounding in Context, Mobilizing Action, Nurturing Community, and Exploring Possibilities. Use the button above to receive an email and/or a text when 30 Days of Love 2026 weekly content is available!

2026 Legislative Session

Jan - Mar

Washington State Capitol

The Washington State Legislative session began on Monday, January 12. It is a short session, lasting up to 60-days, with an expected end date of Thursday March 12, 2026. Now is the time to speak up! Call your state legislators and congressional representatives about what matters most to you and your family. Where to start? Visit leg.wa.gov today!

Civic Engagement Training

Fri, Jan 23, 4:00pm

Olympia Timberland Library

What social, political, or environmental issues do you care deeply about? Do you know how our state government is addressing these issues in the 2026 Legislative Session, and how you can add your voice to the conversation? Join the Office of the Secretary of State for Civic Engagement Office Hours, a nonpartisan initiative to support civic participation and demystify the legislative process in WA state. Drop in to the Library every 2nd and 4th Friday during the legislative session to visit with staff who can connect your interests to civic engagement opportunities this session. Learn how to use the state’s numerous digital tools to track the bills being introduced and participate in the public debate on these bills. Session dates will be Jan 9, Jan 23, Feb 13, Feb 25, with a special "Sine Die" celebration on March 13.

Olympia Peace Vigil

Every Friday, 4:30pm

Fourth & Water Street, Downtown Olympia

Please join Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) every Friday in a friendly Peace Vigil for whatever length of time you can. Olympia FOR’s Friday Vigils have been occurring for decades and are now joined by other groups including The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice and peaceful individuals who continue to advocate and stand together for peace, a permanent ceasefire, an arms embargo, and justice for Palestine. Peace signs are provided.

The Woodlands: A Monthly Trans/Nonbinary Monthly Pastoral Care Space

Sun, Feb 1, 1:00pm PST

Online

The Woodlands is a monthly online gathering designed for trans children, youth, and adults—as well as the parents and caregivers of trans people. Each session will begin with a shared message and grounding ritual, followed by breakout rooms tailored to different communities within our circle, and we come back together for a release. Sessions will be about an hour and a half. Find out the details here.

February Gathering by Side With Love

Mon, Feb 9, 5:00pm PST

Online

Join The Gathering, a monthly virtual event from Side With Love offering spiritual grounding, political analysis, and collective action—organize with others to block anti-democratic forces and build a just and loving world. Register here for February 9.

One year into this administration, we will lift up stories of resistance and resilience - your own, and those of SF Bay Area court watch vigils and UU presence at Chicago's Broadview Detention Center. Songs for Liberation will grace us with the music they share outside Broadview and at so many other actions.

Interested in the Gathering but haven't attended one yet? Click the "Register Here" button above to see all the dates, a promotion kit, recordings, crisis resources, and links.

UU Day at the Legislature!

Thurs, Feb 12, 8:30am

United Churches of Olympia

Each year the Faith Action Network (FAN) gathers at the Capital to remind political leaders that there are faith communities leading the work for justice and fairness in the world. This year the JUUstice Washington UU State Action Network is working with FAN, urging UUs from across the state to come to demonstrate our commitment to our values.

There will be issue related information sessions offered via zoom the weeks prior to Feb. 12th, then time together in the morning before we divide up to talk to our district representatives. During your time with your rep. you can talk about the issues you see as most imperative, driven by the work you are doing in your congregation.

We will have a UU table where you can come to meet UUs from around the state over coffee or lunch.