The Weekly Courier

January 9, 2025

"We seek to connect people to God, each other, and the wider community and to welcome and affirm all people"

Prepare Your Heart...

Before you hear our song team sing "Your Grace Is Enough" by Matt Maher, check out this moving live recording from the original artist (and a pretty cool choir).

Click on the picture --> 

This Week's Calls to Action!

• RSVP for the first Anti-Racist Film Club Screening of the year!
• Mark your calendars for the Potluck For Democracy next month
• Knit (or buy) a scarf to donate to our Scarf Bombing ministry this winter
• Download the FUMCO app to stay up-to-date on all our news and events!

For more information about all of these events and opportunities, read on below...

You may have noticed: we are a growing church! There continue to be new-to-us neighbors joining in worship and other gatherings, which is a tremendous joy. It also can become frustrating (for everyone!) when pew space wanes, there's no more space to put your nametag on the rack, when we have to park a bit further from the front door, and more. 

One of the first things that Pastor Heather and I learned about this congregation upon our arrival was that 'Radical Hospitality' was a core value of First Olympia. We have a fantastic and serendipitous opportunity to live into that value by making room for those who are braving a new church. Below are a few ways that I invite you to consider making room for our neighbors:



• When you find a seat in the sanctuary, please consider sitting a bit closer to the front so that those who arrive closer to the start time don't have to wander the sanctuary looking for a spot. And, if you're able, consider sitting closer to the middle of the pew, rather than on the end, so that finding a seat is easier and more accessible for those who arrive after you. 
• Remember: the sanctuary has a balcony! If you can climb stairs with ease, consider sitting up in the balcony to make room for those who don't yet know about it.
• Don't panic and offer grace when the staff moves your nametag on the rack a few spots so that we can put name tags in relatively alphabetical order, making room for the new name tags we are making every single week (!) 
• If you are able to walk with ease, consider parking further away from the entrances to the church, so that people with less mobility, sure-footedness, and visitors can find a parking spot and enter the building without frustration. 
• Pray for and bless all those who are discerning participation and membership in our church! Making room in our hearts for new people is where hospitality begins. 

Thank you for all the ways you have always welcomed people in and continue to show God's love to all who enter our doors! 

Anti-Racist Film Club

Our very first selection for ARFC this year is See You Yesterday!

This sci-fi film might be described as Back to the Future meets The Hate U Give. After inventing time-travel with her best friend, CJ attempts to save her older brother from being murdered by a racist police officer. In an exploration of ethics and the futility of changing the past, See You Yesterday asks us what it means to bring justice to tragedy. This film is not rated, but would probably be PG-13 for language and an on-screen depiction of police-brutality. Watch a full trailer here.

We'll be showing the movie upstairs at First Olympia UMC in the Gathering Place this Sunday, 1/12 @12:30pm. There will be a light lunch provided before/during the screening. There will also be popcorn! Our discussion will be held the next day on Monday, 1/13 @7pm over Zoom.

If you're interested in either of these events, please RSVP here: https://fumcoly.breezechms.com/form/ARFCYesterday.

Can't wait until next week? Check out the ARFC podcast! In this episode of the Anti-Racist Film Club Podcast, Lauren sits down with Pastor Alexa to discuss See You Yesterday, Black excellence, time travel ethics, sucking teeth, Caribbean influence, 40 Acres and a Mule.

Subscribe and listen here: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/Xd7xBOhx1Pb.

Housing Instability Forum

Dear Friends, we'd like to alert you about an important community-wide event: 

"Housing Instability -- A Solutions Forum" on Wednesday, January 15, 6:30-8:00pm, at the Event Center ESD 113 (6005 Tyee Drive SW, Tumwater).

Panel members will include: Senator, Jessica Bateman (District 22), Jessie Simmons, Master Builders Association, Dave Toler, Olympia For All, Craig Chance, Housing Authority. The forum is co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters Thurston County, Thurston County Chapter of NAACP, and Olympia for All. Please plan to join us.

Affinity Nights in Tumwater

If you've enjoyed our Wednesday night fellowship and education opportunities, we're excited to announce that Tumwater UMC will be hosting the next few weeks at their church building.

We've been so happy having their community join us here in Olympia, so let's receive their same hospitality and join them each Wednesday night in January. There will be still be a potluck dinner at 6pm and then a break into activities for youth - adults at 7pm.

This week's activities (1/15):

TUMC Choir Practice, Lent Devotional Writing, Echo Book Club (discussing Iona Iverson's Rules For Commuting by Claire Pooley), Spirituality & The Arts, Youth Devotions

Potluck For Democracy

The election may be over, but our awareness and responsibilities as Christians in a democracy continue. Join us on MLK day (Monday, January 20 from 10am-2pm) for speakers, a shared meal, and opportunities to learn, share, and discuss.

This is a free community event hosted by the entire South Sound United Methodist

Co-operative and held right here at First Olympia UMC. While bringing food is encouraged, it is not required for attendance. Click this link to RSVP for the event.

Any questions? Reach out to Cathy Raymond from Tumwater UMC (cgraymond@aol.com).

Food and Fellowship

As we continue to live into our vision of connecting with God, one another, and the wider community, the Discipleship Team is working to facilitate connection with one another through FUMCO Food and Fellowship Groups!

Some of you may remember 'Dinners for Seven,' a pre-pandemic effort at our church. This is a resurrection of the spirit of that program. After church on Sunday, you are invited to sign up to be part of a group, expressing your availability and willingness to coordinate, host, etc. FUMCO Food and Fellowship are small gatherings of 7-10 people who meet for a meal and fellowship monthly for 4+/- months in a location of their choice (homes, restaurant, church, etc.). Groups are being formed now for a February start.

Sign up here: https://fumcoly.breezechms.com/form/food-fellowship.

Jan-Feb Upper Rooms

January-February issues of the Upper Room are ready for pick-up for $1.00!

You may get yours on a Sunday morning, before or after worship. Or swing by the church Monday-Thursday, 10am-2pm.

Come Join a Choir

Our Common Ground Choir meets on Thursdays @6:45pm in the Gathering Place.

And the Jeffords Memorial Handbell Choir 

meets on Wednesdays @5:30 in the Choir Room. Please come join us!

Scarf Bombing Call for Help!

Our scarf bombing ministry needs your help. We are giving away between 12 and 15 scarves each week. That’s over 150 scarves already this year!

And our stock is nearly gone. If you knit or crochet, grab some yarn and make a scarf (or ten) and drop them off in the church office. If you’re not a needleworker, buy some fleece and cut it into strips. There’s a pattern here (https://www.seeingdandy.com/no-sew-fleece-scarf/) if you need one.

The coldest days of winter are yet to come and we want to have enough scarves to get folks through the winter. This ministry has blessed so many people, both houseless and those who are simply cold. It is a joy to see the scarves walk away around a chilly neck, knowing that “just as you did it for one of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it for me.”(Matthew 25:40)

Do You Have the FUMCO App?

Did you even know our church has our own app... well, never fear! It's the easiest place to stay connected with our announcements and upcoming events. You can also listen to our pastors' sermons and give right from your phone.

Available on both Apple and Android phones, you can download the free app at this link:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/first-umc-olympia/id1590363494.

Or hover your phone camera over the QR code below and follow the directions.

Our Cookbooks Are Here!

As part of our Come to the Table worship this fall, we collected over 75 RECIPES from our church community to create a brand new cookbook we're calling "Comfort and Joy."

If you're interested in buying your own copy, they're for sale! You can grab one for $10 on Sunday mornings at the table in the Narthex or in the church office during normal office hours. You can also pre-order online with the link below and we'll set your copy aside until you can pick it up.

Thank you to everyone who submitted recipes to create this flavorful picture of our community. We hope you'll read some of the beautiful stories behind our favorite recipes.

Order your own copy here: https://fumcoly.breezechms.com/form/cookbook.

We Remember

Mary Snyder who passed away on 12/30/24 her memorial service will be on Friday, January 24 @1pm. We also remember Margaret Neff who passed on 1/1/25. Her service will be held on March 15.

A Memorial Service for Jim Hanson will be held on January 19 at 2:00pm. A reception will follow in the Gathering Place.

Our Welcoming Statement

First United Methodist Church of Olympia welcomes people of all ages, all abilities,

all sexual orientations and gender identities, all nationalities and ethnicities,

the poor and the rich, single people and the many forms of family.

See our Church Calendar.

Visit our webpage!

Watch our latest worship service

Read the latest Joys & Concerns

Like us on Facebook!

Follow us on Instagram!

Contact us ...

by phone: 360-943-2661 by email: fumco@fumcoly.org

OFFICE HOURS: Sunday 9am-noon | Monday-Thursday 10am-2pm

The Weekly Courier editor: Lauren Fontanilla