FAQs

When are 'services'?
With a few exceptions, we meet on Sunday evenings (September through mid-June) in space rented from the United Churches of Olympia. Our first service (which we call a celebration) takes place from 5 until 6:30 pm. The beginning of the service is intergenerational; children and adolescents then go to their separate programs.

In addition to our 5-6:30 pm service, on some Sundays there is a 7-8 pm gathering that does not include programming for children. This later service is smaller and often more contemplative than the early one, and may include labyrinth walks, Dances of Universal Peace, and peace celebrations.

About once a month we hold a community-wide Town Hall meeting from 6:45-8:45 pm on Sunday.

Each week leadership roles and other responsibilities are shared among various people. Services are fairly participatory and informal. The 5:00 service usually includes a variety of spiritual practice and expression and may include walking meditation, singing, dancing, silence, writing, small or large group discussion, poetry, storytelling, scripture from different traditions. We try to allow space for people to speak and listen from the heart. We celebrate holidays from different traditions, often in a nontraditional way. Some of our holiday observances include: Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah, Christmas and Easter, Day of the Dead, Winter and Summer Solstice, Buddha's Enlightenment. We respect the variety of spiritual paths represented in the congregation and make an effort to include the teaching and practice of many traditions, when we feel we can do so with integrity.

Where do we meet?
We rent a space from the United Churches of Olympia located at 110 11th Ave SE Olympia, WA 98501. The church is on the corner of 11th and Capitol Way, across from the "Hands On Children's Museum". We most often meet in the Social Hall, which is most easily accessed from the back of the church, off Washington Street.

What other activities occur?
We have other spiritual practice groups and activities, including two meditation groups, a chanting group, a prayer group, study/reading/discussion groups, a dinner group, and a monthly volunteer crew cooking for the homeless. These gatherings are held off-site. During the summer, when we don't have regular Sunday services, we have a variety of activities, including reading and discussion groups, dinners, and hikes.

community retreat at Fort Flagler

Town Hall is our governance group and is open to all. While we have volunteer and paid positions of leadership, we use consensus process in our decision-making so that the community itself is the ultimate authority, and everyone has a voice.

Our fund-raising activities are for charitable causes. The annual Fruit Sale benefits local community services (e.g., Food Bank and Community Kitchen) and international causes.

How can I learn more?
For a calendar of weekly events and happenings, please contact the CIC office to request a copy of our newsletter, "Wavelinks". For other questions, contact our lay leader, at the office.