OUUF Newsletter - Oct. 13-20, 2026

We are a religious fellowship dedicated to providing a welcoming community where individuals can develop their spirituality free from imposed dogma and creed.

Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Weekly Newsletter

Oct. 13-20, 2026

This week's service presentation

Oct. 18, 2026, 11 a.m.

In person or on Zoom

Speaker: Rev. Bruce A. Bode

Topic: “Death in Dual (and Dueling) Perspectives”

In nature, death is not a factor of special importance; it’s simply part of the turning wheel of Being as it rolls onward through time. But to us in our human world, death is a factor of huge significance. At this time of the year when the “veil between the worlds is thinnest,” and taking a cue from neuroanatomist Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor’s book My Stroke of Insight, this sermon will explore our encounter with death from both the “left-brain” (“ego-consciousness”) and the “right-brain” (“cosmic consciousness”) perspectives.

Bio: Bruce A. Bode is Minister Emeritus at the Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (QUUF) in Port Townsend, Washington, from which he retired in 2018 as the Senior Minister after serving the congregation for fourteen years (2004-2018). Before coming to Port Townsend, Rev. Bode was the Interim Minister of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston, Texas (2002-2004) and the Hope Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2001-2002). Prior to that, he served for twenty-two years (1978-2001) as an Associate Minister at the Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a large, independent, religiously liberal congregation.

!!! AUCTION CANCELLED !!!

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Oct. 17 auction is cancelled and will be rescheduled for a future undetermined date. The committee regrets the need for this action and thanks everyone who so generously volunteered their time and talents, as well as those who have offered donations. We hope you will choose to participate in the rescheduled event! For questions, please contact Vicki Sensiba at sensibag@hotmail.com or at 571-224-8525.

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.

CLICK HERE To PRINT Pledge Form

CLICK HERE To SUBMIT Pledge Form Online

In remembrance

Tommie Schwent, a longtime OUUF member, has died after being under hospice care in her home. Please keep Tommie and her family in your hearts.

IT'S POTLUCK SUNDAY!

Sunday, Oct. 18, after the service.

Everyone is welcome whether you bring a dish or not. Come enjoy good food, great conversation, and fellowship with our OUUF community.

A Small Request: For the benefit of those with food allergies or sensitivities, please include a list of ingredients with your dish.

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.

STP

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

The Adventurers
at Dungeness Crab Festival

It was a beautiful bright sun, blue sky day when eight OUUF men and women took the opportunity of attendance at the nationally recognized annual Port Angeles

Dungeness Crab Festival. Yes, it takes place on the city pier and vicinity, and yes, the strong breeze made it a challenge to stand upright. Thank you for asking. But hey, that only added to the adventure. Bottom line is that we all had a smashingly good time, and eventually made it home without our clothing being blown off our bodies. At least, that's my guess.

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 me: 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.

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

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

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