Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Weekly Newsletter

Sept. 29 - Oct. 6, 2026

This week's service presentation

Oct. 4, 2026, 11 a.m.

In person or on Zoom

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Barry Andrews

Topic: “The Five Strands of Unitarian Universalism”


Unitarian Universalism is better described in terms of themes or strands than in a bunch of names and dates. Although one or more of them have been dominant in certain periods, all are still present in our liberal religious DNA. These are, in my view at least, Liberal Christianity, Transcendentalism, Progressivism, Universalism, and Humanism.

Bio: Rev. Dr. Barry Andrews is Minister Emeritus of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock, Manhasset, New York. He has written numerous books on Transcendentalism and Transcendentalist authors, most recently “The Gospel According to This Moment: The Spiritual Message of Henry David Thoreau,” published by the University of Massachusetts Press. Since retiring in 2011, he and his wife, Linda, have lived on Bainbridge Island.

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 below for more STP information.

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

Your Voice Matters: Share the Plate Survey



The Social & Climate Action Network (formerly Social Action Network) invites everyone in the OUUF community to participate in an important survey to help us select Share the Plate recipients for 2027. This is an opportunity for each of us to have a voice in the organizations we support together.

Please take 10 minutes or less to share your choices by clicking the survey link here. Submissions are due by no later than Sunday, Oct. 4.

SCAN Meeting — Wednesday, Oct. 7


The Social & Climate Action Network (SCAN) will meet Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 10 a.m. in the ED Building. All are welcome! Come join the conversation and learn more about SCAN’s work. For more information on events and concerns, click the button below.

The Adventurers

Dungeness Crab Festival

Friday, Oct. 9: PA Pier

Friday, Oct. 9, will be the day and date you will want to set aside for the nationally recognized Dungeness Crab Festival in the "Gateway" city of waterfront Port Angeles. This is a festival that honors the cultural legacy of the Native peoples of the Salish Sea while highlighting

the importance of seafood in their daily lives.

This is a good opportunity to listen to music, visit vendors of food and the arts and hobnob with our neighbors, including the Canadian friends who are still loyal to us.

The Festival is held rain or shine. But that is of little concern to adventurers as we're a 

hardy bunch of nut cases (Oops, that was a typo.). 

Arrive when you can, but keep in mind that music starts on the PIER STAGE at 11:15 a.m., and that

is a good place to meet up at NOON and decide about lunch together.

One last note: Parking is an adventure by and of itself.

Questions? Text George Will at 360-808-3800.

🌈🎭🖌️ ART FOR EVERYONE! 🎨🌻💫

Art Workshop with Tom Massey
Friday, Oct. 2, 2026
1:30 p.m.

Tom Massey, OUUF member and established artist, invites you to an upcoming art workshop exploring the theme “Capturing a Theme, Idea or Insight.” Tom describes the workshop this way:

“Everyone is encouraged to bring a photo of a scene that speaks to them personally and profoundly. We will endeavor to capture that notion in a drawing to be shared in our gathering.”

The workshop is open to everyone. Materials will be provided, and there is no charge to attend.

Thanks, Tom! We hope many of you will be able to join us for this creative and inspiring gathering.



Please note that Tom’s artwork can also be found at the One-of-a-Kind Gallery in Port Angeles.

Questions?

Contact Rose Prestipino at 360-922-4409.

2026 OUUF SILENT AUCTION

Saturday, Oct. 17

Our annual OUUF AUCTION is just weeks away!

Everyone is welcome—and there is NO REQUIREMENT TO OFFER AN ITEM FOR AUCTION OR TO PURCHASE AN AUCTION ITEM IN ORDER TO ATTEND!   Who said, “There is no such thing as a free meal?”   THIS ONE IS! 😄

📦Donating an Auction Item?

Please email Michael Bucierka octagonhse@wavecable.com with:

• A photo of the item
• A brief description
• The item's value

           Michael will contact you ONLY if your donation does not meet our auction criteria.

When dropping off donation at OUUF please put your name on each item.  

📦 Donation Drop-Off Schedule

• Saturday, October 10

9:00 a.m. – Noon at OUUF

• Sunday, October 11

After Sunday service

• Friday, October 16

9:00 a.m. – Noon at OUUF


 We look forward to seeing you at the auction—whether you come to donate, bid, enjoy lunch, socialize, or simply have fun! 

Everyone is welcome! 🎉

For full details click the button below.

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

1st and 3rd Tuesdays

Next brunches will be Oct. 6 and 20



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

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



Have something to sell or give away for free?

Non-sponsored events 
Lost or found items

Trade referrals from our friends and members - Website page

Newsletter & Member/Friend Bulletin Board Posting Policy

New Editor for Newsletters!

Hi, everyone! My name is Heather Loyd, and I am the new communications director for OUUF. I have taken over the communications responsibilities from Harmony, and I will now be taking on the newsletter for Elinor.

The deadline remains unchanged, but please send your newsletter items to me at this email ouufcommunications@outlook.com.

I look forward to meeting all of you on an upcoming Sunday.

Newsletter Submissions

Editor: Heather Loyd

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.

Donate to OUUF