OUUC Blog

I recently saw a T-shirt that said “More people have read this T-shirt than have read your blog.”

Any readers out there?

Darlene, church administrator

We are getting closer!  A revised Site Plan is on display in the church foyer.  The drawing is the cover sheet from the civil engineering plans that are nearing completion. 

It shows a significantly revised parking plan that provides better access to our building.  The storm water system management design is sized to meet our needs at full buildout of the long range Master Plan.  The development is more concentrated and we are pleased that our best tree area is much less impacted.   We retain a large forested area to the north and good tree screening from Division Street.

You will note that the Phase One building expansion has been altered as well. It is now planned to be a two-story expansion with a basement level that provides easy building access from the new lower parking lot.  We have not yet worked out the interior floor plan, which will follow directly after submission of the Conditional Use Permit application.  We will have more to report at tha time. 

Warren

I subscribe to a couple of magazines about church growth. I recently found some interesting statistics: according to a Gallup poll from 2007, fewer people believe in God (a change in the last decade from 92% to 86%) and more people believe in the devil (a change from 56% to 70%). Hmmm … I wonder what that’s about.

Another poll done by Barna.org shows that the number one spiritual challenge for parents is the spiritual development of their children. (Well, that would make sense.)

Here we are in another political season. The church is buzzing with comments about the races. Individual church members can share their views, but what about the church itself? Can the church support a candidate? There are IRS guidelines that we must follow.

Churches may work publicly on moral and political issues by advocating positions, educating church members and the public, and by joining in partnerships on issues of social justice. Congregations and their representatives may engage in lobbying as an “unsubstantial” portion of the church’s activities. Congregations and their representatives cannot advocate for or against candidates for public office or political parties. They cannot fundraise for candidates or donate meeting space.

Can we host a political forum? Yes, as long as all major candidates are invited and the forum covers a broad range of issues. Can a candidate be invited to speak to the congregation? Yes, if we offer the same opportunity to the other candidates seeking the same office and we do not indicate any support or opposition to the candidate. And, of course, no fundraising can occur.

Welcome to the new OUUC blog. Watch this space for news and views about our work in Social Justice, Religious Education, Green Sanctuary, and other aspects of our mission at the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation.