• 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 / Showing Up

Dec 09 2021

Showing Up

I’ve learned that sometimes the best thing you can do is to just show up. And I know that sometimes that is a challenge and a stretch.  

When I learned from a colleague that the local mosque had been the victim of a hate crime and that there would be a vigil to show support, I knew showing up was the right thing. And it was a stretch to change around my calendar and make time for a couple of hours bearing in witness. I did it and I’m glad I did. I had the chance to connect with others in our community and to represent OUUC in interviews with two television stations. I learned again the power of showing up—it changes us, and it helps change the world. Thank you to those who showed up that day. And, for those who couldn’t or didn’t, I get it. Know that there are other opportunities and ways to show up. 

OUUC members at the vigil at Masjid Al-Nur Islamic Center of Olympia

 

Community members in a row at Islamic Center
Community Members at Masjid Al-Nur Islamic Center of Olympia

One of the ways that many of us show up every week is attending Sunday worship services. We show up to connect with others, to be inspired, to refresh our spirits, and share with others. Every Sunday we take a collection and share our plate with a community organization in line with our mission and vision. Each year, a dedicated Share the Plate Team recruits proposals and decides who to support. The STP Team just finished this process for 2022 and selected six more very worthy and inspiring organizations that you will hear about in the months to come. When you have the chance, say thank you to the STP Team members: Bob Brennand, Anne Hundley, Seldon Hall, John Rapano, Zoe Myers, Maureen Fitzgerald, and John Gear. 

This past year, OUUC shared the plate with five organizations and we’re working on the 6th. We receive wonderful thank you’s from those organizations, and I wanted to share one with you. This Summer OUUC shared the plate with the Family Support Center so they could purchase books for staff to support their anti-racism work. I got to know the FSC Executive Director and Deputy Director when we took a series of local YWCA anti-oppression workshops together. I was delighted to visit the FSC offices recently and see what our contributions did.  

Natalie Skovran stands next to the Family Support Center library
Natalie Skovran, Family Support Center Deputy Director, with new anti-racism additions to their library

By showing up on Sunday and contributing to Share the Plate, you made a difference in the community. 

In the weeks to come, may you show up in the ways that you can. Your presence matters. 

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