Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Weekly Newsletter

Oct. 20-27, 2026

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This week's service presentation

Oct. 25, 2026, 11 a.m.

In person or on Zoom

Speaker: Joseph Bednarik

Topic: “Raise Your Right Hand”


In this era of intense focus on immigration, border enforcement, ICE raids, and the question of “Who belongs,” we will reflect upon the power of a recent naturalization ceremony where people from nine different countries raised their right hands and swore two oaths: the first of renunciation and the second of U.S. citizenship.

Bio: Joseph Bednarik recently retired – or, better yet, “re-wired”– as the co-publisher of Copper Canyon Press. He speaks regularly at UU congregations in the Salish Sea region. A collection of his Sunday morning talks, “Invited to Speak,” was published in April 2024.

2027 OUUF Pledge Campaign

Your pledge sustains all that makes OUUF thrive:

• Fair pay for staff
• Welcoming and well-maintained building & grounds
• Inspiring worship & programs
• Outreach for justice & compassion

Physical Pledge forms will be available at the Fellowship.

To access a Pledge form to print, fill out and return to the Fellowship either in person or via snail mail, click the yellow button below.

To fill out and submit a Pledge form entirely online, click the blue button. Once you fill out and submit, the system will email you a copy of your pledge.

Prefer email? Contact Elinor Tennyson at olympicUUF@outlook.com.

NATIONAL RECOGNITION

Unitarian Universalist Association recognized OUUF as an Honor Congregation for honoring the covenant among the Association of Congregations. We were able to give the full requested amount to the Annual Program Fund for the 2027 fiscal year. This money helps fund UUA’s wider movement, OUUF and its sibling congregations. 

IN REMEMBRANCE

Joyce Ryba, a longtime OUUF member, died recently. A potluck memorial service is scheduled Saturday, Nov. 21, at 11 a.m. at Dominion Terrace, 1301 S. Third Ave., Sequim.

Daylight Saving Time Ends Nov. 1

It's time to go back in time! Set your clocks back one hour Sunday, Nov. 1, at 2:00 a.m.

Share The Plate (STP)!


Share The Plate (STP) is a social justice initiative of the UUA that allows fellowships to support causes such as environmental justice, food insecurity, housing, health care, and civil rights while demonstrating our UU values. Click the yellow button for more STP information. Click on the blue button to donate to STP. Be sure to indicate STP in the space provided.

October's “Share The Plate” (STP) recipient is the North Olympic Salmon Coalition (NOSC). Celebrating their 35 years of Salmon Restoration throughout the Olympic Peninsula, NOSC has worked together with Washington State, our Native Tribes, and volunteers to promote education programs and salmon restoration projects and to bring a brighter future to local communities, sports fishing, and the orca population.



On average, only 8 cents of every dollar regional fisheries enhancement groups use goes toward administrative costs. That means that 92% of all money received goes toward on-the-ground salmon recovery efforts.

For more information: North Olympic Salmon Coalition

Where to Go Next?

What to do for November? A choice for the second Friday of the month is open for suggestions. An indoor activity would be recommended as we are entering the rainy

season, but go ahead an throw out some thoughts. One bona fide adventurer suggested taking the free bus to Port Townsend and watching a movie at the nationally recognized (I like that term) Rose Theater and then a bite to eat while we discuss what we just viewed.

OK, that was my idea, but I am open to other suggestions.

Text or email George Will at 360-808-3800 or georgeandjolie@yahoo.com.

Art for Everyone!

Friday, Nov. 6

1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

At the Fellowship Hall

It's Fall y'all! Let’s have fun with the rich colors of the season, creating sprays of watercolor maple leaves in the fiery hues of Autumn. A simple template and step-by-step instructions will be provided, along with the necessary materials. All ability levels are welcome.

For more information, contact Rose Prestipino at 360-922-4409.

Adult RE Class: Your Brain and You: The Social Self

Monday, Oct. 26, 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Why do we need to feel connected to others? Why does criticism or rejection sometimes hurt so much? We’ll explore how our brains help us build close relationships by learning how the right hemisphere’s social networks are wired for connection, attunement, and empathy as well as how engaging our “resonance” circuits can deepen connection and make relationships more satisfying.

Newcomers are welcome!

For more information o to be added to the class distribution list, email candacebrower@gmail.com.

Join a new OUUF Tending SOIL Program Team!

Would you like to help OUUF strengthen its justice work, build community connections, and turn our UU values into meaningful action? Emily Beals and Mary Daniel are looking for one to three additional people to join them as a team in Side with Love’s Tending SOIL program from January through August 2027.

Tending SOIL is a leadership development program for UU congregations working to make their justice efforts more strategic, effective, and sustainable. SOIL stands for Skills, Organizing, Interdependence, and Liberation. Through training and collaboration, our team will build organizing skills, develop a plan to strengthen OUUF’s justice work, deepen relationships within and beyond our congregation, and explore how we can work together toward a more just and compassionate world.

What’s the time commitment? The program includes two-hour sessions, once per month on Sunday afternoons via Zoom between January and August 2027, plus a virtual weekend intensive April 9–11. The program also includes several team coaching sessions, homework assignments, and team activities between sessions. Participants should be prepared to commit time and energy over the course of the program to learning, collaborating, and developing a plan for OUUF.

We’re looking for people who care about social justice, are curious about how we can work more effectively together, and would enjoy being part of a small, collaborative team. You don’t need to be an experienced organizer — just bring an open mind, a willing heart, and a desire to help OUUF put our values into action.

For more information visit: https://www.sidewithlove.org/tending-soil



Interested? Please email Mary and/or Emily at maryd.home@gmail.com and ejbn@aol.com, to express interest.

SCAN Meeting

Wednesday, Nov. 11, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

All are welcome!

The next Social & Climate Action Network (SCAN) is scheduled for Wednesday, November 11, from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the OUUF ED building. For more information, please contact Emily Beals at ejbn@aol.com.

Men’s Discussion Group

Thursdays 7-9 p.m.
 via Zoom; occasional hybrid


Open to all men—regardless of race, creed, orientation, or politics.

🔹 1st hour: Check-in (no crosstalk)

🔹 2nd hour: Topic discussion (respectful conversation only)

For the Zoom link, contact Brian Berardo at brian.berardo@gmail.com or 360-460-9421 (text/call).

Bocce Ball is Back! 
Mondays
1 p.m.

Meet at Carrie Blake Park bocce ball court to play. If the weather is bad or if you have any questions, contact Dianne Whitaker at 360-775-6150.

Lunch/Brunch Bunch

Hometown Diner aka Mariner Cafe

609 W. Washington St., Sequim

1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 11 a.m.

Next brunches will be Oct. 20, Nov. 3 & 17



The cafe is now open after an extensive remodel. Join us for great conversation and food. 
Questions?

Hometown Diner is located at 609 W. Washington St., in Sequim. (Same shopping center as the new Shipley Center, aka the old JC Penney)

Contact Susan Harris by phone or text at 509-671-2147.

Children’s Religious Exploration and Family Outreach

• Program Invitation

Each week, we will explore the Seven Unitarian Universalist Principles through engaging activities and meaningful experiences. Each month focuses on one principle and how we can live it in our daily lives. Here’s what’s to come:

• January – Accept one another and encourage spiritual growth

Theme: Friendship

• February – Search for truth and meaning

Theme: Autobiographies, diaries, and exploring our strengths and weaknesses

• March – The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process
   Theme: Current events and kids in the news
• April – Work for a peaceful, fair, and just world

Theme: Humanitarian projects

• May – Respect the interdependent web of all existence
  Theme: Planet Superheroes
• June – The inherent worth and dignity of every person

Theme: Building character

• July – Treat everyone with kindness and fairness

Theme: Acts of kindness

• August - Acts of service

Theme: Giving back to the community

• September – World Religions and Friendship

Theme: What makes a good friend? and Are you a good friend?

• October – World Religions & the Holidays

Theme: Famous UUs, World Religions, & the Holidays

• November – Holidays & the World's Faiths

Theme: Holidays & Beliefs Around the World

Request for Volunteers

OUUF thrives because of our many volunteers! Several committees are looking for additional help. If you’re interested, please reach out to the contact person listed for more information. Your time and talent make a big difference!

• Care Team: Dianne Brant
• Greeters: Emily Beals, (ejbn@aol.com) or Jean Stratton (360-808 3503)
• Kitchen Team: Rose Prestipino at roseprestipino@gmail.com
• Storytellers: Penny Burdick at 360-461-4538
• Little Free Pantry: Vicki Sensiba at sensibag@hotmail.com or (571) 224-8525.
• Sunday Service Leaders: Bob Nuffer, (e_nuff@msn.com) *underline between the e and the n
• Sunday Zoom Tech team: Katherine (kwieseman@gmail.com) or Matt (qmerge@gmail.com)

All volunteers will be trained for their positions.

OUUF Healthy Fellowship Team

The function of this team is to facilitate harmonious relations within the OUUF community and be a mediating resource when conflicts arise. Fellowship members, Fellowship friends, and OUUF employees can access our service by contacting any member of the Team or fill out a ‘Request for Service’ form located on the book display rack in the foyer and depositing it into our HFT box located on the book rack. 

TEAM MEMBERS

Emily Beals: Phone - 360-504-3054; Email - ejbn@aol.com 

Julia McKenna-Blessing Nuffer: Phone - 808-343-4113

Bob Nuffer: Phone - 360-477-3939; Email - e_nuff@msn.com 

Geoff Rimositis: Phone - 408-309-7796; Email - grimositis@gmail.com 

Dianne Whitaker: Phone - 360-775-6150; Email - diannewhit@aol.com

Member and Friends Bulletin Board - Website Page



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Newsletter & Member/Friend Bulletin Board Posting Policy

Newsletter Submissions

Editor: Heather Loyd, Communications Director

Entries for the following week are due no later than 4 p.m. each Monday. Email all entries to ouufcommunications@outlook.com

Previous newsletters are available on the website: Select 'Our Community', then 'Fellowship News: Our Community / Fellowship News

Current week printed copies are also available at the Fellowship.

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