Announcement deadline: Mondays at midnight | | | | |
Sunday Worship October 19th | |
“Same and Different” with Rev. Mary Gear
We explore the human paradox that we are one and we are different. This is the 2025 auction service with John Tafejian and an original piece of music by Jeff Goates.
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After-Service Forum: “Who You Gonna Call?”
Skill Builder with Rev. Sara
Join Rev. Sara for a practical walkthrough of OUUC's new ‘Who to Contact’ list on the Contact Us page. With recent staff changes and new roles across the congregation, knowing who handles what can feel confusing. This skill builder will help you navigate the updated contact sheet, understand who's responsible for different ministry areas, and feel confident reaching out when you need support. Whether you're wondering who to contact about facilities, communications, membership, or something else entirely, we'll make sure you know exactly where to turn. Bring your questions!
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Last Sunday's Services
Sunday Worship: “Cultivating Compassion” with Rev. Mary Gear
We explore our monthly spiritual theme of Cultivating Compassion. As a people of faith, we use this word a lot, yet we may not have a shared understanding of its meaning and practice. What does cultivating compassion look like at this moment in history?
After-Service Forum: Recycling, the WRAP Act and Zero Waste Washington with Heather Trim
Heather Trim talked about the Recycling Reform Act, (aka the WRAP Act) which was signed into law in May 2025, as well as other zero-waste initiatives. The WRAP Act establishes a product stewardship program for packaging and printed paper, including recycling and reuse targets and plastic source reduction. Heather Trim has a BS in geology from Yale University, a PhD from UCLA in geochemistry, and has been the Executive Director of Zero Waste Washington since 2016.
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Greg Sorlie's
Celebration of Life
Sat Oct 18, 1:30 pm
OUUC
On Saturday, October 18, 2025, the family and friends of Greg Sorlie will be welcomed for a Celebration of Life service at 1:30 pm, both onsite in the OUUC Sanctuary and on Zoom. A reception will follow for those onsite.
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Important Community Updates | |
Share the Plate Applications & Committee Spots Open
The Share the Plate Application is now open until October 31st, and the Committee is looking for new members to join the team.
The Share the Plate (STP) application is now accepting applications online through October 31st for 2026. If you know a deserving non-profit serving Thurston, Mason, or Lewis Counties, encourage them to apply at https://www.ouuc.org/give/share-the-plate/. Organizations that haven't received major contributions from OUUC in the last three years are eligible, and we've kept the application simple.
The STP Committee is also looking for a few new members to help review applications during the first two weeks of November and work with recipients to record the two-minute videos you see during Sunday services. We are a "meeting light" committee, as most of our work is reviewing applications. If you'd like to help determine how we distribute a major portion of OUUC's benevolence giving, contact Bob Brennand at bobbrennand@gmail.com or any STP Committee member shown below.
Learn more about the history and process of Share the Plate on our new STP History page (under the "Give" tab).
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Beware of Scams Via Email And Text
Beware of periodic scammers via email and text. You may be contacted by scammers impersonating Rev. Mary or other church staff. Scammers also try to reach people via text. Often, they will ask for you to contact them right away, and they may ask for financial assistance/information or contact information of others at the church. Always double check and make sure the email or text was sent from a source you recognize. Scammers will create new addresses that appear like a known email address. When in doubt, check in with the person in your life who appears to be trying to contact you, using a known contact method.
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In this week's Tiny Little News learn about the Share the Plate Team and upcoming events at OUUC. | | | | |
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Understanding Hearing Loss: Tools, Tips, and Awareness
Tues Oct 14, 1:00 pm
OUUC
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Presenter Heidi Crabtree lost her hearing as a child due to untreated infections. For years, she struggled with communication—until she discovered tools, apps, and strategies that helped her thrive. Heidi shares, “At 51, I found out that I was and extrovert, once I was finally able to hear clearly.” Now she shares the insights she wished she’d known decades earlier: how to protect your hearing, communicate effectively, and advocate for your needs.
Join us for a community presentation on an often-overlooked aspect of wellness: hearing health. Whether you’re experiencing hearing loss yourself, supporting a loved one, or simply curious, this session offers practical insight and tools for clearer communication. This engaging program will cover common causes and early signs of hearing loss, communication strategies for social and noisy environments, and tools and assistance devices that can make a difference.
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Active Hope Reflection Group
Tues Oct 14, 6:30 pm
OUUC & Online
| Active Hope Reflection Group, facilitated by Rev. Mary Gear and Rev. Sara Lewis, meets on the second Tuesday of every month to reflect on the Work that Reconnects, based on the book Active Hope by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone. | | | |
Community Dinner: Throwback Thursday
Thurs Oct 16, 5:30pm
OUUC
This week's dinner theme is a celebration of foods of the past with "Throwback Thursday". 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 7:30pm, please email Rev. Sara at dcfd@ouuc.org.
Note: the choir is no longer setting up tables, so strong backs at 4:30 are needed!
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Drop In Soul Matters Group
Thurs Oct 16, 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 October is Cultivating Compassion.
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Join OUUC group at No Kings Rally
Sat Oct 18, 11:00 am
OUUC
Rev. Sara will be anchoring an OUUC group with our banner at the No Kings rally. Wear your yellow Side with Love shirt if you have one. Meet up by the WWII monument (the wheat field) that is kitty corner to United Churches. If you'd like to make a sign, Rev. Sara will have a sign making party following the community dinner this Thursday.
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Generation XYZ Lunch
Sun Oct 19, 12:15 pm
OUUC
Calling all Gen XYZ folks (ages 18-50ish)! Join us for our monthly lunch gathering at 12:15pm in one of the classrooms. Whether you're new to OUUC or have been around for a while, this is a great chance to connect, share a meal, and hang out. Questions? Look for Kedo Baye.
Mark your calendars: Our Gen XYZ Friendsgiving potluck will be on November 22nd. More details to come, but start thinking about what delicious dish you'll want to share!
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New UU Class
Sun Oct 19, 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 Faith Development with Rev. Sara. | | | |
Navigating Misinformation with Wisdom
Mon Oct 20, 6:30 pm
Online
| Led by Schyler Raad on Zoom, Mondays 6:30-8pm, this class affirms that wisdom and truth-seeking are interdependent and pluralistic, centered on love. Research supports the idea that wisdom is observed most often in older adults, usually emerging after 65 years of age. Meanwhile, truth-seeking is more difficult today with widespread misinformation, disinformation, and information overload. This threatens the development of wisdom in all ages over the following generations. Using guided exercises, we will practice critically examining sources, questioning claims, reflecting on our own biases, and applying discernment as both a cognitive and a spiritual practice. The class is for everyone, drawing on our lived experiences while introducing foundational concepts from research methodology and media literacy. Each session integrates personal reflection, small group conversation, and large group dialogue. | | | |
Faith in Action This Week (Oct 12th)
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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Nia Dance
Tue Oct 21, 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 fall in classroom 3 for Nia. 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! Bring a water bottle, optional yoga mat, and wear comfortable workout clothing. You can dance in shoes or barefoot. Cost: Donation. Contact instructor for more at kristy.woodford@proton.me or 360.508.2800.
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22nd annual Books, Brownies & Beans Used Book Sale
Fri Oct 24th & Sat Oct 25th, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
OUUC
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Our Book Sale is TWO WEEKS AWAY—and we need YOU!
Mark your calendars for October 24th & 25th—our annual book sale is almost here, and we have an amazing selection ready to go. What we need now are volunteers to make it happen!
We still have 204 volunteer slots to fill, including these key roles:
- Room Lead Support
- Volunteer Check-in
- Sustaining volunteers with snacks
- Friday Tidy
- Cashier Lead for Thursday's Volunteer Sale
- Crock Pot Mexican Rice (yes, we need cooks too!)
Whether you can spare an hour or the whole day, we'd love to have you on the team. Many hands make light work, and this event is always more fun when we're all in it together.
Go to SignUp Genius now to see all available shifts and volunteer roles.
Still bringing in books? Drop them in classroom 4 in the taped rectangle on the floor (not in the Commons, hallway, or staff offices). Thank you!
Let's make 2025 our best year yet—see you at the sale!
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Nature Group at Sequalitchew Creek
Sat Oct 25, 10:00 am
OUUC
| All ages are invited to join the OUUC Nature Group with Rev. Sara and Anissa on 10/25 at 10am. This month we explore Sequalitchew Creek Trail in Dupont. RSVP to Rev. Sara or Anissa. | | | |
Worthy Now: A Harm Reduction program for UU Youth
Sun Oct 26, 1:30 pm
OUUC
| Youth will explore the concept of harm reduction as it relates to a variety of possible harms (substance use, mental health needs, violence prevention, and more) and increase their skills around harm reduction and decision making. | | | | |
Adult Our Whole Lives
Sexuality Education Workshops
Thurs Nov 1, 11:00 am
OUUC
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The Our Whole Lives program offers age appropriate, comprehensive, values-based sexuality education for all ages and is a beloved program in our UU congregations. We are offering a two day workshop of the Adult OWL this fall:
Our Whole Lives 101, November 1st 11am-4pm
Our Whole Lives 102, December 6th 11am-4pm
Register for just 101 or for both!
Any questions contact Rev. Sara at dcfd@ouuc.org
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The opportunity of the week is Share the Plate!
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Share the Plate (STP) is looking for a few new team members to help read and evaluate applications for 2026. Applications are currently being accepted through October 31st, and STP members will read and score them November 3-16. There will be a meeting November 18 to choose the six recipient organizations. Typically we receive 15-18 applications, and in the last years 2-3 non-recipient organizations have been chosen as recipients for other OUUC benevolences such as Books, Beans and Brownies.
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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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October 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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October Volunteer Newsletter
Monthly tips, resources, and updates to support you in your volunteer role.
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Vigil for Peace
Fri Oct 17, 4:30 pm
4th & Water Street, Downtown Olympia
The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice invites you to continue to gather to hold vigil for peace and support for Palestine at the Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation's Vigil for Peace every Friday from 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm at Percival Landing. Peace signs are provided.
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Volunteers sought for Village Vans
Village Vans, a program of Intercity Transit, assists those in need by providing free rides. Volunteer drivers need a clean driving record and are able to give three or more hours a week. Volunteer drivers are given professional defensive driving training.
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ASHHO's 2nd Guest Chef Night:
An Exclusive Evening with Chef Joe Rumberger
Sat Oct 18, 5:30 pm
5757 Littlerock Rd SW #4, Tumwater
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Join us for a soulful evening of culture, flavor, and connection as Chef Joe Rumberger — owner of Bar C’est L’eau in Tumwater, WA — takes over ASHHO’s kitchen for an extraordinary 5-course cultural dinner. Known for his bold French and Italian-inspired cuisine, Chef Joe brings creativity, passion, and over 25 years of experience to the table.
The Experience:
- Delicious dinner crafted with love by Chef Joe & our job training students
- Stories of transformation and community impact woven between each dish
- An intimate night where every bite fuels possibility
This is more than dinner — it’s a chance to dine with purpose. Every ticket directly supports ASHHO’s 12-week Culinary & Hospitality Job Training Program, empowering students to build skills, confidence, and brighter futures.
Seats are limited, and inspiration is endless. Don’t miss your chance to taste, connect, and be part of something bigger.
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The Climate Challenge:
Divesting from Fossil Fuels
Thurs Nov 6, 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. | | | |
Become an Accompaniment Volunteer!
Sat Nov 8, 9:30 am
Downtown Olympia
| Accompaniment Group for Unity and Action (AGUA) invites you to join our next Accompaniment Team Training. Learn how to stand with immigrant community members by accompanying them to immigration court, ICE check-ins, and other appointments. In a time of fear and uncertainty, AGUA provides rides, resources, and steady support—because no one should face these experiences alone. We particularly need drivers to Tacoma/Seattle and Spanish speakers, but we welcome all who want to be present with someone on a stressful day. When we stand with our immigrant neighbors, we demonstrate that our community is mobilized against detention and deportation. | | | | |
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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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