The Olean UU Community invites all to our ONLINE gatherings Sundays at 11 AM  due to COVID-19.
We’ll be using Zoom which you access via computer, tablet, or phone. “Arrive” 15 minutes early for Zoom introduction/help.  Link and password is posted in our Facebook group (Olean Unitarian Universalist Community)  and will be sent out via email. If you wish to be added to the email list, email [email protected]  ​

We are flexible, but our general order of service is:

DURING COVID:
WELCOME
OPENING WORDS & LIGHTING OF CHALICE
SHARING OF JOYS & CONCERNS 
LISTEN TO A SONG TOGETHER
PROGRAM/SERIVCE/DISCUSSION
CLOSING WORDS & EXTINGUISH THE CHALICE
​ANNOUNCEMENTS 
CASUAL CHAT TIME

​JANUARY 
2 - Year's End Chalice Circle led by Corinne Potter. Bring your open mind and heart. Consider this year 2021. Take turns sharing and listening , asking for feedback or not. This is UUs!
9 - Let's Listen led by Corinne Potter.  We will consider various ways of listening, and why it is important to do. It's not about being able to hear, but a desire to understand.
16 - It Started with an Allergy led by Anna Bush. We'll be watching Spoonie Theater's first production of 2022 which follows the journey of Heather who took years to get her pain diagnosed and treated. 
23 - BYOM: Bring Your Own Music led by Corinne Potter. Find a favorite song on YouTube or sing it yourself if you wish. IF you are able, please find captioned videos and/or provide written lyrics which can be posted in the chat box.
30 - The Lost Books of the Bible led by Leslie Bee.
FEBRUARY
6 - Luminescence led by Rosanna Bonfilio. Celebrate the light within us all as we observe the UU winter holiday of Luminescence. Please bring a candle if you would like to participate in the ceremony.
13 - Getting to Know You Part Deux led by Rosanna Bonfilio. Join us as we get to know each other better. We'll play some games & share stories about ourselves. Feel free to bring pictures or other items to enhance our understanding of you. We tried this a few years ago & it was lots of fun.
20 -  TED TALK: The origins of blackface and Black stereotypes. Led by Anna Bush.  If you're wondering why blackface -- mimicking people of African descent via stereotypes and makeup-darkened skin -- is a big deal, then perhaps a little history lesson can help demystify the outcry. Dwan Reece, curator at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, explains how this practice permeates the American psyche and culture (in theater, music, books and beyond) and why it's not simply harmless fun, but a legacy of oppression.
27 - The African American Center for Cultural Development led by Corinne Potter. Featured speaker, Della Moore will share the progress of the Olean African American Center for Cultural Development as well as hopes for its future.
MARCH
6 - Building Resiliency through Spirituality led by Leslie Bee.
13 - A Return to the Light, A History of Daylight Savings Time led by Rosanna Bonfilio.  Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed on Saturday.
20 - Spiritual Celebrations in March led by Bonnie Kennedy.
27 - Ethical Business/Consumerism led by Corinne Potter.
APRIL
3 - Rainbow Connection: This Sunday is National Find a Rainbow Day!  Let's celebrate all things rainbow by exploring their beauty & meaning. Led by Rosanna Bonfilio
10 - Your Choice!  Some of us will head over to our usual link at our usual time for Casual Chat and others will go to UUCJ for their service at 10:30 (Zoom room opens at 10:15) for The Future of Food (https://www.uujamestown.org/calendar.html). 
17 -  Casual Chat
24 -TED TALK: The moral roots of liberals and conservatives - we will watch and discuss! Led by Anna Bush. 
MAY
1 - May Day led by Corinne Potter. Is this a celebration of Springtime, or a cry for help? Maybe both.
8 - Mother's Potpourri led by Rosanna Bonfilio. Join us as we celebrate Mother's Day with music, poetry, comedy & a lecture written and/or performed by mothers.
15 - Life after Death led by Leslie Bee.
22 - Sounds Good led by Anna Bush. Bring your vocal cords as we make sounds (or just listen) for fun - we will yodel, hum, laugh and sing-along.  Of course, being on Zoom, we will have to mute as we do this. Sound good?
29 - BRING IT! led by Corrine Potter. We practice sharing here as a safe space. This week we will each have time to share anything we like on the theme of lifting Spirit. A story, song, poem, piece of visual art, a friend, a participatory practice . .  . you name it! Time allotment will be based on the number of folks with something to share. It's suggested to have 1 or two ready for a total of 5-ish minutes.
JUNE
5 - The end of Roe v. Wade -- and what comes next for reproductive freedom led by Anna Bush. This will be a Ted Talk with discussion.
12 - Friendship? led by Anna Bush.  Let's hear what Lucy and Ethel, Angela and Bea have to sing about friendship. We'll also watch and discuss a Ted Talk called How our friendship survives our opposing politics.
19 - Flower Communion led by Corinne Potter. In person and on Zoom - Walkabout the yard, choose a posy to share and take home. Or ZOOM in online and share virtually. Celebrate the beauty of flowers and our part in the Web of Life.
26 - Casual Chat
Sunday, July 3, 2022 - Inclusivity is a Mindset led by Anna Bush. 
Sunday, July 10, 2022 - Sandwiches led by Corinne Potter. Caregiving for elders, youngers and yourself can be a challenge for Spiritual Life. It can also be a blessing. Let us consider this together.
Sunday, July 17, 2022 - Casual Chat
Sunday, July 24, 2022 - Casual Chat
Sunday, July 31, 2022 - Casual Chat
Sunday, August 7, 2022 - Beloved Community - We will come together to connect and if anyone wants to bring a reading or any other element of the service we usually do, please feel free.

NEW TIME - WE MEET AT 11 AM on Zoom now!
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Sunday, August 14, 2022 - Beloved Community - We will come together to connect and if anyone wants to bring a reading or any other element of the service we usually do, please feel free.
Sunday, August 21, 2022 - Beloved Community - We will come together to connect and if anyone wants to bring a reading or any other element of the service we usually do, please feel free.
Sunday, August 28, 2022 - Beloved Community - We will come together to connect and if anyone wants to bring a reading or any other element of the service we usually do, please feel free.
Sunday, September 4, 2022 - Beloved Community - We will come together to connect and if anyone wants to bring a reading or any other element of the service we usually do, please feel free.
Sunday, September 11, 2022 -  Listen! led by Anna Bush.
Sunday, September 18, 2022 - Randomness led by Anna Bush.  We'll consider the idea of randomness, listen to The Random Song as well as pick a random song to listen to. Who knows what will come up?!
Sunday, September 25, 2022 - Zeigarnik Effect led by Corinne Potter. Sometimes interruption can be so disconcerting. But it can actually have a good effect!
Sunday, October 2, 2022 - Surprise! led by Surprise!
Sunday, October 9, 2022 - Beloved Community led by Anna Bush.
Sunday, October 16, 2022 - "The Saint I Ain't" led by Corinne Potter. Meet Olean native, author and musician Bobby Johnston. Bobby's first book is described as a chronicle of oppressive Catholic upbringing in the 1970s Rust Belt America."Johnson weaves landscapes of transgression and absolution, humor and resilience into his sharp eye tapestry of recall."
Sunday, October 23, 2022 - “Five New Reasons NOT to Be a Unitarian Universalist” led by Anna Bush. We will watch and discuss a sermon by Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter.
Sunday, October 30, 2022 - Halloween Tales led by Rosanna Bonfilio. Join us as we explore the history & traditions of Halloween through stories, poems & music. Share a personal Halloween story and dress up if you wish.
Sunday, November 6, 2022 - Corinne Potter leads our service with guest speaker Leo Wolters Tejera.
Sunday, November 13, 2022 - Let's Find Joy! led by Leslie Bee.
Sunday, November 20, 2022 - Joy, Humor, Spirituality and Purpose led by Anna Eskenazi Bush. We will watch and discuss a video featuring Rainn Wilson (Dwight on The Office).
Sunday, November 27, 2022 - Gratitude Scavenger Hunt led by Rosanna Bonfilio. Join us as we take some time to reflect on what we are grateful for.  Feel free to bring something to jot down thoughts as we navigate a Gratitude Scavenger Hunt together.
Sunday, December 4, 2022 - Chalica: Writing Our Principles led by Anna Eskenazi Bush.
Sunday, December 11, 2022 - Chalica: Celebrating and Exploring our 8th Principle led by Anna Eskenazi Bush.
Sunday, December 18, 2022 - Our Very Best:  Letting Our Lights Shine led by Barbara Dyskant. We're often told to be modest with others, to not "toot our own horn" or share what are best qualities and talents are.  However,this can lead to a form of dishonesty, can deprive people of the benefits of our gifts, and discourage them in turn from sharing their best.  On Sunday I invite all of you to share, if you like, what you feel are your  best qualities, best achievements, and we'll see the panorama of gifts we all bring to the community.  Hopefully this will be an enjoyable time.
Sunday, December 25, 2022 - No program today but jump on to chat if you would like.