• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
MENUMENU
  • Visitor Card
  • Calendar
  • Latest News
  • Generic selectors
    Exact matches only
    Search in title
    Search in content
    Post Type Selectors

OUUC

Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation

MENUMENU
  • About
    • Visitors
      • Directions, Parking, Transit
      • What to Expect When You Visit
      • Accessibility
      • Safety
      • Visitor Card
    • Who We Are
      • Mission
      • Covenants
      • Org Chart
      • Staff
      • Board
      • Bylaws and Policies
      • Leadership Development Committee
      • OUUC History
      • About Unitarian Universalism
    • Membership
      • Membership – Why & How
      • Membership Classes
      • Newcomers
    • Facilities
      • Use Our Space
      • How We Care for Our Space 🏗️
    • Contact Us
  • Worship
    • Upcoming Services
    • Worship – Why & How
    • Recent Services
    • Music Ministry
    • Spiritual Practices
      • Spiritual Practices – Why & How
      • Spiritual Practice Groups
    • Holidays & Holy Days
    • Offering
      • Offering – Why & How
      • Share the Plate
    • Rites of Passage
      • Rites of Passage – Why & How
      • Child Dedications
      • Weddings 🏗️
      • Celebrations of Life
  • Learn
    • Children’s Programs
    • Youth
    • Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education Classes
    • Adult Faith Development
    • Volunteer Training
    • Growing as a Leader
    • Learning about UUism
    • Learning About Justice
      • Faith in Action Forums
  • Act
    • Current Justice Efforts
    • Being of Service
      • Simple Volunteer Opportunities
      • Teams Within OUUC
      • Teams to Serve Wider Community
    • Faith in Action Alert List Sign-up
    • Connecting to Advocacy
  • Connect
    • News & Communications
      • Sign Up for Mailing List
      • Weekly Update
      • The Spark
      • Latest News
    • Community Dinners
    • Congregational Care
      • Pastoral Care
      • Caring Friends
      • Support Groups
      • Personal Care And Support Record
      • Healthy Congregations Team
      • Safer Congregation Response Team
    • Social/Affinity Groups
    • Young Adults & Families
    • Volunteering
    • Partner Church in Kissolymos, Romania
    • Contact Us
  • Give
    • Ways to Give
    • Stewardship
    • Capital Campaign
    • Legacy Giving
    • Fundraising Events
      • Auction
      • Book Sale
    • Share the Plate
    • Donating Stuff
    • eSale Giving
    • OUUC Merch
  • Visitor Card
  • Calendar
  • Latest News
  • Generic selectors
    Exact matches only
    Search in title
    Search in content
    Post Type Selectors
Home / Minister / Shared Ministry

Apr 01 2021

Shared Ministry

While some think that the ministry of a congregation is solely the responsibility of the minister, it really is shared by those who come together in covenant and community.  The ministry of OUUC is supported by me, and each of you and the amazing staff team.  As we are in the process of adopting a revised vision, mission and Ends, it is clear that our ministry—who and how we want to be in the world– is decided collectively with input from many and articulated in one voice.   

There are many examples of OUUC’s shared ministry.  Books, Brownies and Beans is one.  Many hands came together to bring our caring hearts into the world and offer help to those who are houseless.   

Another example is the Pastoral Care Team (PCT).  Over the past year, you may have received a call or email from a PCT member who was checking in to see how you were doing. Last Spring as we went into stay-at-home orders and so many were isolated, the amazing volunteers of the PCT split up the entire OUUC directory to check on people.  Over this past year, these dedicated and committed volunteers have kept tabs on our community members, checking in regularly to listen and offer support. 

These are the dedicated PCT members: Barb Carey, Beth Johnson, Dan Donahue, Gail Gosney, Josie Solseng, Pam Turner, Polly Taylor.  Chris Parke will join the PCT in May when her term on the OUUC Board ends.  

The PCT members offer a ministry of support for those in our community who are experiencing major life changes, such as birth of a child, adoption, loss of job, divorce, or retirement, death of a family member or friend, health problems, illness, hospitalization, isolation due to age, mobility, disability, or other factors.  Or even a pandemic. 

Also, over this past year, the PCT has been working hard with me to clarify their role and make communication as easy as possible between our community, the PCT and me. You can reach the PCT by emailing pastoralcare@ouuc.org.

We call it a “warm line” because it is not a crisis or emergency line and will be checked every few days.   

You might reach out to the PCT through the email or Warm Line if you could use a listening ear, if you have a medical diagnosis or event that you’d like us to know about and want support for, or if there is another life transition that you’d like support navigating.  Every contact is confidential, and information will only be shared with me as the minister.  The PCT does not share information without permission.  

I count on the PCT to help hold the needs of this community and I am most grateful for their dedication and service.  Of course, you can still reach out to me and I am available for spiritual guidance and counseling.  Together we offer this shared ministry.   

Blessings on your week.  

Rev. Mary  

Minister@ouuc.org 

Written by Media Specialist · Categorized: Minister

Footer

OUUC Logo Olympia
Unitarian
Universalist
Congregation

Contact Us:

2306 East End St. NW
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 634-2005
Send Us a Message


Office Hours:
Tuesday and Thursday, 12-4 pm
Sunday during services

Follow Us:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
OUUC Connect/Realm Login

Copyright © 2025 · Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation · Log in