Announcement deadline: Monday | | | | |
Sunday Worship November 9th | |
“Gratitude for the Mystery” with Rev. Kathryn Bert
It is human nature to fear the unknown. The world provides us with plenty of uncertainties and even chaos these days. But what if we were to embrace the uncertainty and express gratitude for the mystery? How might that change us and the world?
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After-Service Forum: Classism Part 3- UU Class Conversations with the Social Justice Team
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Sunday Worship: “What Are We Missing When We Talk About Covenant?” with Rev. Jon Luopa
Since the late 1970s, UUs have been talking more and more about covenant. Things like ‘covenant groups’ and writing our own covenants we ground in behavioral guidelines and psycho-social paradigms. Have we forgotten the spiritual depth of the concept of covenant? Let’s explore that question.
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After-Service Forum: Generational Differences as OUUC Grows with the OUUC Board of Trustees
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Rosalie Raps Melnick's
Celebration of Life
Sat Nov 8, 10:00 am
OUUC
On Saturday, November 8, 2025, the family and friends of Rosalie Raps Melnick will be welcomed for a Celebration of Life service at 10:00 am, both onsite in the OUUC Sanctuary and on Zoom. A reception will follow for those onsite.
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Important Community Updates | | Office Closures & Staff Away | |
Rev. Sara will be away, attending the fall conference of the Liberal Religious Educators Association from November 5th - 9th.
The office will be closed for Veteran's Day Tuesday, November 11th.
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For the whole month of November, members of OUUC will collect culturally appropriate foods, showing our commitment to our neighbors. Many immigrant families have fear about leaving their homes, afraid they may be detained unexpectedly. In solidarity and support, we are working with local churches to collect food that we will then deliver to homes when the risk of grocery shopping feels too great. Please bring donations to the OUUC lobby where there will be collection boxes.
Here is what is needed:
Maseca (Corn masa flour), Beans, Lentils, Rice, Oil, Stable vegetables such as potatoes, onions, and chilies, Canned vegetables, Pozole (hominy), Canned chili, Canned meat (especially chicken)
Questions? Talk with Steve Tilly, Nancy Reid-McKee, Naki Stevens, Jenee Wolfram, Leah Kosik
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Beginning November 1 OUUC is participating in the NexTrex Challenge. We will be collecting plastic film in the large box in the back hallway. Plastic films allowed are grocery, bread, dry cleaning, ice, cereal, ziplock and produce bags. Also included are bubble wrap, plastic shipping envelopes, overwraps from paper towels and newspaper sleeves. Volunteers will be transporting the plastic collected to the Food Bank Warehouse where they will be sorted and continue on to the Trex Company who will use them in their composite decking. Thank you for helping us get plastic out of the waste stream and turn it into useful products.
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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 Woodson Moore.
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In this week's Tiny Little News hear about the Sewing Ministry Team and the events of this week | | | | |
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Sit and Stitch
Tues Nov 4th, 6:30 pm
OUUC
| All are welcome to join members of the sewing ministry for a sewing circle on the first Tuesday of each month. Bring your knitting, sewing, embroidery, or other hand work and join us for time to sit, stitch (and chat) together. | | | |
Community Dinner: Lentils and Rice
Thurs Nov 6th, 5:30pm
OUUC
| This week's dinner theme will be Lentils and Rice. All are welcome for food and fellowship at 5:30pm at our weekly community dinner on Thursdays. If you can volunteer to help cook starting at 3:30pm or set up tables at 4:30pm, or to clean up after 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 | | | | |
Realm Clinic
Thurs Nov 6th, 6:30 pm
OUUC
| Join us on Thursday 11/6 from 6:30 - 7:30 pm with your personal electronic devices to ask questions or become more comfortable with using Realm. Our next Realm Clnic will be on Sunday 11/16 from 12:15 - 1:15 pm. Please contact Chloe (memberengagement@ouuc.org) for more information. | | | | |
Parent Group
Thurs Nov 6th, 6:30 pm
OUUC
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All who are parenting (in any way) are welcome to join the OUUC Parent Group on the 1st Thursday of each month at 6:30pm. We meet in person and on zoom. Email Rev Sara at dcfd@ouuc.org to get the zoom link
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New UU Class
Sun Nov 9th, 2:00 pm
OUUC
| Are you wanting to know more about OUUC or UUism or interested in becoming a member of OUUC? Our New UU class will be offered on Sundays 2-3:30pm. This week's topic will be stewardship and membership. | | | |
The Gathering: What's Next After No Kings
Mon Nov 10th, 5:00 pm
OUUC
| Join Side with Love to build skills and strategies for strategic noncompliance, trace our radical UU lineage of history-making action, and recommit to the transformative love that fuels our struggle for democracy. | | | |
Faith in Action This Week (Nov 2nd)
Quick ways to make a difference: petitions to sign, calls to make, comments to submit.
Do one or do them all—every action counts.
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Love at the Center Discussion Group
Wed Nov 13th, 7:00 pm
OUUC
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It's not too late to join the Love at the Center Reflection Group! We will be discussing essays 7-9 in November
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. May Love at the Center serve as an invitation to deepen your own understanding and practices of love.
Our group will meet monthly to discuss 3 essays from the book each month.
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OUUC Book Group
Thurs Nov 13th, 6:30 pm
OUUC
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The OUUC Book Group will be discussing Orson Scott Card's science fiction novel "Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus" at OUUC and online after Community Dinner on November 13th. The book centers around a group of futuristic researchers using futuristic technology to look back through time to understand Christopher Columbus's fascination with a sea route to Asia across the Atlantic. In the course of their studies, they discover an unexpected twist that leads them through a journey of time and space to try to save all of humanity.
For fans of alternate history, the novel offers a compelling "what if" scenario that reimagines one of the most pivotal moments in world history, creating a thought-provoking alternate timeline. Blending science fiction with historical fact, the novel presents a detailed and sympathetic portrayal of Christopher Columbus, inviting readers to reconsider a complex historical figure. It explores the events surrounding his voyages in depth while imagining different outcomes. At its core, the book is a meditation on redemption, morality, and whether humanity's destiny can be changed. It asks difficult questions about responsibility, fate, and the true meaning of "progress".
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Resistance Lab: Strengthening Democracy Together
Mon Nov 17th, 6:15 pm
OUUC
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Are you concerned about the direction our country is going? And do you want to work together with other OUUC members to strengthen democracy and identify ways to resist the growing authoritarianism? All are welcome to join members of Environmental Action Team and Faith in Action as we learn from Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal's Resistance Lab—a three-session training on how non-violent movements have successfully resisted authoritarianism worldwide. We will meet on Mondays: Nov 17, Dec 8, Jan 5.
In these sessions, we'll understand how democracies fall and what makes resistance movements effective. We'll learn tools and tactics used globally to defend democratic principles, then turn anger and fear into concrete action by developing our own resistance strategies. Most importantly, we'll build community with others committed to protecting democracy.
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Active Hope Reflection Group
Tues Nov 18th*, 6:30 pm
OUUC
| *New date in November!
Active Hope Reflection Group, facilitated by Rev Mary Gear and Rev Sara Lewis. This group meets each month to reflect on the Work that Reconnects, based on the book Active Hope by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone. | | | |
Gen XYZ Friendsgiving
Sat Nov 22nd, 4:00pm
OUUC
| November’s Gen XYZ lunch on 11/16 is canceled, come to Friendsgiving instead!! Friendsgiving will be a potluck coordinated by Kedo Baye and Rebecca Jewell. Click the button above to sign up to bring an item or help with set up/tear down/dishes. If this is a barrier for you, please just come and enjoy food and fellowship, no questions asked. If you need help signing up or have questions, contact Kedo Baye. | | | |
Thanksgiving Potluck
Thurs Nov 27th, 2:00pm
OUUC
| All are invited to join us for our annual Thanksgiving Potluck on 11/27 at 2pm. Please RSVP with the button above! This will be in lieu of our regularly scheduled Thursday community dinner and evening activities for the fourth week of November. | | | |
Compassion Meditation Series
Tues Nov 25th, 7:15pm
OUUC
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Your are warmly invited to partake in Interfaith Works' Fall Meditation Series which will take place at OUUC the last Tuesdays of October and November. The Compassion Meditation practice is offered to members of Interfaith Works-affiliated faith communities and organizations; it was developed in response to the City of Olympia’s ceasefire statement in support of ending the violence in Palestine and Israel. While we continue to focus on compassion for the Middle East, we also recognize the many places in the world where there is hardship and adversity.
Compassion is a core human value around which we hold the struggles in the world. In this practice, we focus on receiving compassion for ourselves and extending compassion to all who suffer in the world —the oppressed and the oppressors, to all beings, and to our Mother Earth —as each participant is so moved, by sitting together in sacred silence.
The gatherings will occur at 7:15-8:30 on November 25th, with meditation beginning at 7:30.
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The opportunity of the week is The Sewing Ministry! | The Sewing Ministry creates sewed items in support of OUUC’s ministry, such as wall hangings for the sanctuary, lap quilts for folks who could use a “warm hug,” pride flags, stoles, and items for the annual fundraising auction. We welcome sewists of all skill levels, usually on the 3rd Saturday of the month from 12:30 – 3:30. Sewing Ministry also hosts a Sit and Stitch gathering where you can bring your own projects to work on, on the 1st Tuesday of the month from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. | | |
November Faith in Action Digest
This month's trainings, resources, and action opportunities, everything you need to show up for our community.
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November Volunteer Newsletter
Monthly tips, resources, and updates to support you in your volunteer role.
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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.
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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!
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Olympia Peace Vigil
Fri Nov 7th, 4:30 pm
4th & Water Street, Downtown Olympia
Join The Rachel Corrie Foundation at their weekly Olympia peace vigil on Friday from 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm at Percival Landing as they continue to advocate and stand together for peace, a permanent ceasefire, an arms embargo, and justice for Palestine. Peace signs are provided.
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The Climate Challenge:
Divesting from Fossil Fuels
Thurs Nov 6th, 6:30 pm
1601 North Street SE, Olympia & Online
| Did you know that banks, credit card companies, auto and home insurance and retirement accounts all commonly invest if fossil fuel extraction (coal mining, natural gas, oil and fracking, and gigantic pipelines, etc)? While there are a lot of climate change issues we do not have control over this is something we can do personally. Our presenter will walk us through a website that helps you easily and quickly identify if your financial institution, insurance, IRA, etc is invested in fossil fuels and then how to see alternatives in your community that you can switch to. After the presentation will be followed by support group time to figure out your own plan of attack. You can attend in person to Good Shepherd Church or online. | | | | |
Together We Rememebr: Honoring Trans Live Lost
Thurs Nov 20th, 7:00 pm
1601 North Street SE, Olympia
| Join us at The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd in honoring the lives lost to violence against our transgender community members. Together, we can create resiliency, promote understanding by creating a safer world for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity. Look for Rev. Mary. Facilitated by Concerned Clergy of Olympia, The Olympia Free Clinic, Leauge of Women Voters of Thurston Country, and PFLAG Olympia. | | | | |
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Sunday Worship:
9:00 am (in-person only)
10:45 am (in-person and online)
Office Hours:
Mondays 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Tuesdays 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Wednesdays 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Thursdays 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Sundays 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Phone: (360) 634-2005
Address:
2306 East End St NW
Olympia, WA 98502
Find us on the web:
Website: OUUC.org
Facebook: @OlyUUC
Instagram: @OlyUUC
YouTube: @OlyUUC
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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
Ian Stephan,
Office and Facilities Manager
OfficeManager@ouuc.org | ext. 103
Victoria Ridgway,
Office Assistant
Office@ouuc.org | ext. 100
Chloe Meyer,
Member Engagement Specialist
MemberEngagement@ouuc.org | ext.104
Marie Arensmeyer,
Sexton
Sexton@ouuc.org | ext. 105
Anissa Bentlemsani,
Religious Education Assistant
REassistant@ouuc.org
Teresa Madsen,
Tech Coordinator
TechCoordinator@ouuc.org | ext. 106
Carbon Marshall,
Tech Specialist
TechSpecialist@ouuc.org
Isaac Ezra Jennings,
Finance Manager
FinanceManager@ouuc.org
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