We have a variety of programs for adults planned this year!
On this page you will find many classes, book groups, and small group ministry groups.
Registration for classes is open to all members and friends of OUUC and members of the larger community. To help us keep these offerings sustainable, we suggest participants donate $0-$10 per class meeting. Don’t bring cash to class, either write a check or make a donation online.
Want to teach a class?
What, me? Teach a class?
Would you like to share your knowledge, experience, passion or hobby with others? How does it fit in with OUUC’s mission statement and UUA values? The Adult Faith Development Team is starting to develop its Spring classes. What would you like to propose and teach?
Faith development isn’t just about exploring your beliefs and spiritual practices, it’s also about how we act on those beliefs individually and together. Our mission statement includes “ends” that state: “As I grow and learn, I practice my faith, act courageously, and appreciate beauty.” Another end states”…We deepen our connections as we learn, love, work, play, sing and find meaning together.” There’s a lot of room for creative thinking between our mission and values.
Check out our new one-page form (attached below) that includes Tips for Class Leaders on one side and an application to teach a class on the other. It includes our mission and values for ready reference.
Contact any member of our team if you have questions or send us your class application—Rev. Sara Lewis, Linda Selsor, Ian Stephan, Anita Thomson, Linda Whitcher, and Jenee Wolfram—our contact info is in Realm.
Upcoming Classes:
Dances of Universal Peace, led by Marti Dimock
Thursdays 6:30pm-8:30pm September 12th, October 10th, and November 14th.
Registration is not required
(a donation will be accepted at the event)
Dances of Universal Peace is an embodied, transformative spiritual practice touching the essence of all traditions around the world. They include simple movements to live music. All are welcome, no experience necessary, dances are taught to the whole group each time. We hope you will come and lift your voice, your hands, and your spirit as we allow a variety of dances to work in our hearts as yeast works a loaf of bread.
For information regarding Olympia Peace Dances see: https://olypeacedances.org/
Charitable Giving 101
7pm – 8pm November 19, 2024
Hosted by Wendy Tanner
Presented by David White, CAP (Certified Advisor in Philanthropy)
DAFGiving360 (previously Schwab Charitable Giving)
This online class is for you if you:
- Are new to charitable giving, or at a place in your life where you want to learn more about charitable giving strategies.
- Are interested in developing a charitable giving plan so you can be more intentional about your giving.
- Would like to learn how charitable donations can reduce your tax liability.
- Have heard about Donor Advised Funds (DAF), but not sure if one is right for you.
- Have thought about donating appreciated stock, or funds from your IRA RMD (required minimum distribution) instead of, or in addition to cash, but aren’t sure how to do so?
This class will help you become more familiar with charitable giving, and making effective donations (cash, items and your talents), and tools to carry out your goals. The presenter will also introduce you to tools available through DAFGiving360, a charitable giving support website.
Life Without Notes: A Storytelling Workshop, led by Zoe Myers
Come and learn to tell the stories of your life. Have you ever been to an open mic storytelling event? Have you ever wished that it was you up there telling? Here is your chance to learn how. You’ll learn the fundamentals for telling a personal story in the style of “The Moth” (themoth.org). The rules are simple, it has to be a true story that happened to you and be told in 8 minutes or less.
We will meet for two three-hour sessions, and you’ll learn to choose the best topics for personal storytelling, and how to develop character, plot and add texture to your story. You will practice telling your stories in front of an audience of your classmates, without notes, because it’s your life, and you’re not going to forget it. Our course will culminate in a storytelling event presented for the OUUC community. All participants will have access to coaching in preparation for the show.
Meets: Saturday September 28th and Saturday October 5th from 1:00 – 4:00 at OUUC; Our storytelling event will be held on Saturday October 19th in the afternoon, also at OUUC.
Moving Toward Wholeness: Addressing Religious Trauma and Toxicity, led by Rev Sara Lewis
December 4, 11, 18 6:30-8pm
On zoom
Our religious experiences and communities can be places of great healing and hope, and they can also be a source of toxicity and trauma. This class will be a place to reflect and process the experiences, beliefs, and teachings that have wounded and may still be toxic for us. We will move toward greater wholeness and understandings that are healing.
OUUC Book Group, led by Frances Tanaka
Join fellow book enthusiasts on the fourth Tuesday of each month for lively discussion. No need to register; you have two options to attend that day—in-person at 10:30 AM and via Zoom at 6:30 PM. Our September pick is The Women by Kristin Hannah about a young nurse’s experience in and after the war in Vietnam. The full 24-25 booklist is available as a PDF on our website along with information on how to connect with group leader Frances Tanaka.
Writing Workshop: An introduction to a writerly life through journal writing, poetry, and short stories. Led by Christine Colyar
Tuesdays at 1:00 to 3:00 for 4 weeks – September 17, 24, October 1 and 8
Limited to 8 writers.
A writer of poetry and creative nonfiction short stories, Christine has been guiding others through the writerly life for more than four decades. Join her on a journey through personal writing of your own.
Soul Matters Groups
Soul Matters groups meet once or twice a month for small group reflection and sharing around the theme of the month. In a small group that meets for a year, it is a great way to build relationships and go deeper into big questions. This year’s themes:
Alt text for image: Soul Matters themes for 2024-25, The Practice(s) of… September: Invitation, October: Deep Listening, November: Repair, December: Presence, January: Story, February: Inclusion, March: Trust, April: Joy, May: Imagination, June: Freedom
| Day & Time | Facilitator(s) & Location | Registration Link |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Tuesdays, 6pm-7:30 | Facilitated by Jenee Wolfram at a private home in Lacey | Sign up |
| 3rd Tuesdays, 6:30-8pm | Facilitated by Liz Clement on Zoom | Sign up |
| 3rd Wednesdays, 10-11:30am | Facilitated by Lee Doyle at OUUC | Sign up |
| 3rd Wednesdays, 1-3pm | Facilitated by Aurora Winters at OUUC | Sign up |
| 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 2-4pm | Facilitated by Woody Moore at a private home in Lacey | Sign up |
| 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 3-4:30pm | Facilitated by Rich Kalman and Nancy Curtiss at Panorama | Sign up |
| 3rd Thursdays, 10-11:30am | Facilitated by Carol McKinley at OUUC | Sign up |
| 3rd Thursdays, 3-4:30pm | Facilitated by Linden Bentley and Gayle Magee at OUUC | Sign up |
ABOUT THE OUUC ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
OUUC’s adult faith development program offers a wide range of classes to help members and others in their spiritual development and in a broad variety of life skills, as well as to increase knowledge in specific areas, or just to have fun. The Adult Faith Development Team reviews ideas for classes, finds and assists instructors, and publishes seasonal catalogs of the class offerings with the goal of supporting Lifelong Learning.
We welcomes offers to lead future classes from members of the broader community as well as from the OUUC congregation. Please direct proposals or inquiries to Rev. Sara Lewis (DCFD@ouuc.org / 360-634-2005), or contact a committee member. A member of the committee will contact you and guide you through the process of setting up your class.
