After worship this Sunday, October 11th, stay for a special report from your lay delegates who attended Annual Conference this Summer. Your elected lay delegates are: Marcy, Jim, and Brina.

The presentation will begin at 11:30pm and cover what was discussed at the 2026 PNW Annual Conference—including petitions, resolutions, and other matters requiring a formal vote.

Last Saturday, FUMCO hosted an immersive theatre experience in our very own sanctuary. And the Oly Arts news publication wrote an article about it! If you missed the performance, you can check out what they had to say by clicking the link below!

Click This Link to Read Article

A smaller version of our annual Fall Health Fair is coming on October 18th from 11-1 pm. Stop by the Gathering Place after worship ends for your flu and/or Covid vaccine*, to get your blood pressure checked, and sample a healthy snack.

*Remember to bring your ID and insurance card for your vaccine.  

Craft-y October dates
We're kicking up the craft-y-ness for October. Please join us every Thursday in October from noon to 3 pm in Room 222, as we get all manner of lovelies ready for their Big Moment at the Holiday Bazaar. No worries if you are not a craft-master. Many of these projects are quite simple or may only require basic sewing/drawing/folding skills.

This year’s bazaar’s theme is "Peace on Earth" and is set for Saturday, Nov 20 from 9 am to 3 pm in the Great Hall. Questions?? Please reach out to Donna Gaddy!! donnagaddy210@gmail.com.

Holiday wreaths and greens are coming!
Order forms for United Women in Faith's annual holiday greens fundraiser will be available  starting Sunday, October 4. This year we are offering wreaths, door charms and candle rings  of mixed greens with festive bows. Orders will be taken through Thursday, October 22 for delivery about Nov.20. As always, we appreciate your support!!

Voter's Pamphlets have arrived in the mail for the General Election that happens on November 3. Ballots will be mailed by October 16. After you've filled out your ballot, how do you return it on time so that it will be counted. In Washington, we have the option of placing it in an official ballot drop box.  

If you're thinking, I don't have a way to get it there. We have an answer for you! A group of church volunteers have offered to help give rides to folks who need access to a ballot box. If you need a ride to a drop box, call the church office (360-943-2661). Cathy will put your request out to the volunteers and someone will arrange to give you a ride. It's that easy!

Fall has arrived in all its glory! The nights are getting colder and the colors are turning brilliant reds and golds. As stores start to remind us that Christmas is just around the corner, we might find ourselves thinking instead about FUMCO’s Scarf-Bombing Ministry.

Last year, between the end of October and the beginning of April, we gave away 350 hats, scarves, and gloves – an increase of 75% over the previous year. And, while we already have some items in stock for this year, we will need many more. If you knit, crochet, or want to cut and tie fleece, we need your help!

Please keep in mind the following guidelines:

• We only accept new and newly hand-made items. This is a change for us but it has become necessary. Please give your used items to other charities that can accept them.
• Scarves should be at least 8” wide and 54” long. Bigger is better!
• Hats and gloves should be adult sized.
• Neutral and dark colors are preferred. Pastels and white/off-white are generally not as popular.

The church has a stock of yarn and fleece set aside for Scarf-Bombing in the Library Office. Sue Sugarbaker (sue.sugarbaker@gmail.com) is in the office most Mondays, or Cathy can let you in at other times. Please bring your finished items to the office rather than putting them out yourselves. This way they can be tagged and counted, which helps us keep track for future needs.

As we prepare for our 4th year of Scarf-Bombing, please pray for those who need these items and thank those who give so generously of their time and talent to keep the railing stocked.

Green bags will be handed out this coming Sunday, September 27. The Food Bank is asking for Instant Oatmeal pouches, Fruit pouches and socks, gloves or mittens for Winter break activity bags. These bags are given to K- 12 aged students. Bring your full bags to worship on Sunday, October 4.  

Toni will need a volunteer to help to transport the donations to the warehouse on Saturday, October 10. If you’re able to help, please email her at tonimik@comcast.net. Thanks!

This Fall, some of our Affinity Nights groups will meet for a special gathering on 4th Saturdays of each month! So join us this Saturday, September 26th @1pm to kick off these extra days! Bring your favorite board game to teach friends and a delicious snack to share. There will be appropriate games for ALL ages from kids to adults and everything in-between.

In addition to our typical board games, we’re launching a Dungeons & Dragons group that will meet once a month. This group is open to ALL experience levels (include anyone, age 16+, who’s interested but has never played before). Come adventure with us!.

Madison Elementary is in need of brand-new boys’ underwear in sizes 6–12. They CANNOT accept used underwear. There is also the need for deodorant in a variety of scents.

Also, they are out of snacks. If you can, please send applesauce pouches, Goldfish crackers, BelVita bars, or any bars that do not contain nuts. You can drop these off at the Madison Elementary School office or bring them to the church office and Kristin will make sure they get to Madison.

Thank you so much for your help!

Did you feel the chill in the air this morning? Did you hear the sound of children heading back to school? To your Accessibility Team, that means it's time for our annual accessibility audit!

We are once again asking members and regular attendees to complete this survey to help us conduct our annual accessibility audit. Here is the link to the survey: https://forms.gle/P4N3NTZne1vL9EEZA. You'll also find the QR code which links to the survey at the hospitality desk on Sunday mornings!

If digital surveys are not your thing, you are not alone! You can request an interview to talk face to face with someone on our Accessibility Team or request a paper copy of the survey from the church office or via email: accessibility@fumcoly.org.

We appreciate your input as we identify accessibility priorities for the upcoming year.

Craft-ing away continues on Thurs, 9/24 from noon to 3pm.

The Craft-y ladies will gather to work on projects for our November holiday bazaar. Ranging from "no skills required" to the more complicated there is a task for every level of ability—and inclination!! There will be healthy snacks and good conversation abound. Folksy gnomes, fancy sachets, Christmas whimsies, we have it all… What we need is You!!!

And in October, we will meet on additional days: Oct. 8, 22 and 29. Please mark your calendars. Questions?? Reach out to Donna Gaddy (donnagaddy210@gmail.com).

It's time to order nuts from the United Women in Faith!

If you enjoy our annual nuts sale, please check out our price list below and contact Carol Gruen (gruencl1941@gmail.com / 360-352-9703) or Ken Bago (360-491-5008) with your order as soon as possible.

Click here to read the 2026 nut price list. These prices will honored through October 31.

On Sunday, September 13th, we hope you'll join us in the Great Hall after worship for our annual Discipleship Fair!

Coffee hour will be relocated to the Great Hall as well, so that you can get a cup of coffee and a treat while you meander to each table featuring the incredible variety of ministries connected to our church. This also gives you a chance to talk with ministry leaders and sign up to receive information about many opportunities to serve, learn, grow, and play this year!

Come check out an immersive theater experience on Saturday, Oct. 3 - 7:00 pm (doors open at 6:30) here at our very own First United Methodist Church of Olympia (1224 Legion Way SE).

A $20+ donation or more is suggested, at the Play, or online with the link below — but it’s free to anyone in the Olympia area, with no tickets needed. Click here to donate:
https://interfaithworks1-bloom.kindful.com/embeds/5aa09229-fe30-48fc-b734-92e0c2cabce8

This 60-minute one-act immersive theater experience takes you into the detention courtroom to see how justice is served in your name. After the play, practicing immigration attorneys will share information. Local immigrant-serving groups will be available so you can learn how you can help.

All funds raised will go to Mi Chiantla, which provides educational and cultural programs to youth, and Vecinos Unidos — a volunteer-run group that provides concrete help to people in our community affected by detention, deportation, or the fear of it.

If you cannot attend the play itself but would still like to donate to these groups use the link above which takes you to the Interfaith Works, Immigrant Support Fund Site. All donations will be dedicated to Mi Chiantla and Vecinos Unidos from September 4th to October 4, 2026.

Save the Date! On Tuesday Sept. 22, from 6:30-8:30pm, join us in person, or via zoom link: https://greaternw.zoom.us/j/96922232538

All church members are encouraged to attend (however, only Church Council members can vote on issues). Your Church Council is a lay member led body overseeing FUMCO's vision and strategic plan. Your Church Council meets every 4th Tuesday at 6:30pm on ODD-numbered months.

After Labor Day it's time again for Lunch & Learn! Please join us for a light lunch and good conversation at 11:30 am Wednesday, September 8th in the Great Hall.

We'll hear reports on the summer session of Mission U, re-connect with the Reading Program, now under Diana Hanson's leadership, and look ahead to a robust program year. There will also be a collection of food for Shelton UMC's Little Free Pantry. Shelton is the site of September’s Crest to Coast District meeting. Consider bringing an item or two for FUMCO’s own pantry as well!

Reservations are not needed. Our menus include vegetarian options but if you have particular food needs please feel free to bring your own food.

There will be a QCD Workshop on Sunday, September 20 here at First Olympia UMC.

Do you have an IRA (Individual Retirement Account)? Are you now, or approaching, 70 and one-half years old, or are you receiving IRA funds under RMD (Required Minimum Distribution)? Are you aware of Qualified Charitable Donations (QCD) and how to make one of these?

If these questions fit your situation in any way and you would like to learn more, please plan to attend this workshop in person:

• Sunday, September 20, after church
• Facilitated by Stephen Henderson, local attorney and FUMCO member
• Light lunch provided

QCDs can help you in regard to taxes due on RMDs. They can also help your church and other non-profit organizations with their operating expenses and ongoing maintenance of their buildings.

Legal Immigration Services of Olympia (LISO) invites the community to the “Funk for Freedom” benefit dance on Saturday, September 26, from 6:30-9:30pm.

The dance will be at the South Puget Sound Community College Lacey Campus, with all proceeds supporting LISO’s mission to provide high-quality, pro bono legal representation to local immigrants detained at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma.
The evening will feature live performances by the 11 piece, wildly danceable, and fun Func Pro Tunc Band and Choro Tomorrow. They’ll play Brazilian music from yesterday, today, and tomorrow led by local immigration attorney Lisa Seibert. The entry to this fun, ALL-AGES benefit dance is by donation from $5 - $5,000. In addition, there will be delicious food from Nineveh and a variety of refreshing beverages as well as raffle tickets available for additional donation.

There is a dedicated children’s activity area with books, games and art supplies and for those attendees seeking a more relaxed environment, a separate quiet area will be available for conversation and networking. The event also serves as a community resource hub, featuring information from various organizations providing services to immigrants throughout Thurston County.

Learn More: https://www.lisowa.org/events

Interfaith Works is excited to be welcoming founding members of the Combatants for Peace to our city September 22nd through September 25th, 2026. Interfaith Works is hosting two public events with these visiting activists. Both events are on Thursday, September 24th.

• The first event will be held from 12-1 pm at at Squaxin Park in shelter #1 in the old rose garden. It will be a community ritual of healing with founding members of Combatants for Peace about collective liberation and healing. We will gather to listen, reflect, connect, and imagine our pathways forward together. You can RSVP for the first event with this link.
• The main presentation will be offered at 7pm in the gymnasium of Westminster Presbyterian Church (1925 Boulevard Rd SE, Olympia, WA 98501). This event will feature extensive sharing by these remarkable founding members of Combatants for Peace about their work and mission. You can register for the main event with this link.
  • Once registered, you may choose to attend via Zoom

Lodging accommodations are still being sought for these special guests. There will be 5 adults total and they can be split up in 2 groups (3 women & 2 men). Please note there are smokers in both the male and female groups. They do not expect to smoke indoors. They will be arriving the evening of Sep 22nd and leaving their lodging on the morning of the 25th. At this time, the only expectation with this ask is to provide a space for them to stay during their limited downtime. We are working on what providing meals looks like as a separate factor.
 
If you can help please email Christine Day (Interfaith Works Executive Assistant) as soon as possible.

On Sunday, September 6th, we are celebrating our new middle schoolers graduating from elementary school! If you would like to write them a card and bring it to church on Sunday morning, they would love to hear words of encouragement from their church community.

Here are the kids: Charlotte, Jiyeon, Marilyn, Caroline, Kylee Anne, Isabelle, Trent and Samuel

If you missed last Sunday’s presentation about our 2026 budget and the expected shortfall that we face, you can watch it online at this link: https://youtu.be/akvEZqCq2AQ

The presentation slides are available too: Slides

Together they explain this year’s expected budget shortfall, the steps we are taking to “close the gap”, and what it means going forward into 2027.

This week, you should have received a letter and commitment card announcing the launch of the “Finish Strong!" 13th month giving campaign that will allow us to close the budget gap for 2026. Together, we can continue to keep FUMCO vibrantly alive so that we may “love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously” through our local and worldwide connections.

You can also fill out that card here and make your 13th month donation on our website.

Affinity Nights are officially returning for a new program year! So join us on Wednesday, September 16th from 6:00-8:00pm for our annual BBQ & Lawn Games launch.

If you’re interested in helping prepare burgers and hotdogs for this event, please let Lauren know (multimedia@fumcoly.org)!

To learn more about what Affinity Nights will look like this year, check out our newsletter:
https://mailchi.mp/fumcoly/affinity-nights-8-18-26

On Monday, September 14th, Thurston Gun Sense invites you to a free public forum on preventing gun violence, which is the #1 killer of children and young adults in Washington and nationwide.

Two experts, whose mission is to find solutions to this tragic public health crisis, will address building partnerships in our communities and advocating for secure storage of firearms.

There will be a Q & A segment in the program.

Did you participate in the FUMCO Virtual Pilgrimage? We have printed stickers to commemorate the steps our congregation took in month through the spiritual practice of pilgrimage. The stickers will be available for anyone to grab after worship this Sunday or from the welcome desk. They will be stocked on a first-come first-serve basis.

Even if you didn’t participate in the step challenge itself, feel free to take a sticker anyway!

However, if you participated and don’t get a chance to grab a sticker this week, reach out to Lauren (multimedia@fumcoly.org). She’s set a few aside for this special reason.

As with most construction projects, this one is going longer than expected. We have run into complications with part of the roof. But the roof will likely be finished this week.

With the increased insulation requirements per code, we have had to lift the skylights several inches. Because of this, the inside drywall will need to be extended, textured, and painted. There will be plastic for containment under the skylights until that is completed, likely for only a week or so.

We have HVAC in the Narthex! Thank you for your patience with the heat in the building. The Gathering Place HVAC is still in process, but we have a small portable unit in there that cools the room well, so we have continued to use that room fully.

We are still waiting on the bell tower windows to arrive. The rest of the lower level outside work is mostly complete with the exception of the concrete sidewalk repair.

The upstairs doors are available now, and there is parking in the upper lot.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Kristin at ministrysupport@fumcoly.org.