Monday, May 20, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 2300 East End St NW, Olympia 98502

info.. nojimcrow@ouuc.org
Website.. http://www.ouuc.org http://www.thehouseilivein.org/

Admission/cost.. Free

The first of a pair of film and discussion sessions on the profound human rights implications of America's 'War on Drugs'.

"The most provocative movie of the year! Filmed in more than 20 states, the film captures heart-wrenching stories from individuals at all levels of America's "War on Drugs". From the dealer to the grieving mother, the narcotics officer to the senator, the inmate to the federal judge - the film offers a penetrating look inside America's longest war that reveals its profound human rights implications".

Directed by Eugene Jarecki
Executive Producers Danny Glover, John Legend, Brad Pitt & Russell Simmons

Session 2, May 26, 3:00 pm: Watch a talk by Michelle Alexander, associate professor of law at Ohio State University, a civil rights advocate and author of "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness", given at Yale Divinity School on February 25, 2013. See calendar for more information.

see flyer

Celebrating Thirty Nine Years of Service, Leadership, and Interfaith Spirit

Tuesday, May 21, 7:00 pm
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1515 Harrison Ave NW, Olympia

info.. office@interfaith-works.org, 357-7224

Admission/cost.. none

Light Refreshments - Desserts - Fellowship - Board Elections - Music - Hidden Gems

3rd Annual "Hidden Gems" Awards

Recognizing those special persons in our faith communities who — with heart and hands — contribute to charitable, social or educational work , or show outstanding commitment to interfaith or intercultural understanding.

MC—Kevin Benedict

see flyer

Sunday, May 26, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 2300 East End St NW, Olympia 98502

info.. nojimcrow@ouuc.org
Website.. http://www.ouuc.org

Admission/cost.. Free

The second of a pair of film and discussion sessions on the profound human rights implications of America's 'War on Drugs'.

Watch a talk by Michelle Alexander, associate professor of law at Ohio State University, a civil rights advocate and author of "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness", given at Yale Divinity School on February 25, 2013.

'"The New Jim Crow"' is a stunning account of the rebirth of a caste-like system in the United States, one that has resulted in millions of of African Americans locked behind bars and then relegated to a permanent second-class status which denies them the very rights supposedly won in the Civil Rights Movement.

Discussion facilitated by The Rev. Arthur Vaeni, OUUC Minister.

see flyer

Friday-Sunday, May 31 - June 2, 4pm Fri - Noon Sun
Gwinwood Retreat Center, 6015 - 30th Ave SE, Lacey 98503

info.. info@nalandaolywa.org; 357-4129; The Nalanda Institute, 1620 - 4th Ave E, Olympia 98506
Website.. http://www.nalandaolywa.org

Admission/cost.. Non-members $160; Members $140. Includes meals and lodging

The Nalanda Institute
2013 Annual Retreat
"Essential Practices For Navigating Life Through Mindfulness, Insight and Compassion"

Geshe Jamyang Tsultrim and Tulku Yeshi Gyatso Rinpoche lead an inspirational weekend of teaching and practice.

Geshe Jamyang Tsultrim, founder of The Nalanda Institute, Olympia, holds an advanced traditional degree in Buddhist studies and meditation awarded after ten consecutive years of study at Sakya Monastic College in India. Lama Jamyang was a Buddhist monk for twenty years and has studied with many senior Tibetan teachers in India and Nepal. He also taught at the Sakya Institute for two years in India. After coming to the USA, Jamyang obtained a Master's degree in Western psychology. He is also a visiting instructor on Buddhist logic and epistemology at the International Buddhist Academy in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche is a Dzogchen master and the reincarnation of Dzogchen Gyaltsab Thodo Rinpoche. He was recognized by H.H. Dalai Lama's Nyingmapa teacher Kyabje Trulshig Rinpoche. He received teachings from twenty-five masters representing all five schools of Tibetan Buddhism. He also writes novels, poetry for mind training, provides Tibetan astrology readings, and can bestow empowerments. He is also a Chod master. Currently he is working on Dharma activities at Sakya Monastery in Seattle. He is now working on producing a documentary on His Holiness Jigdal Dagchen Rinpoche's life. Tulku Yeshe Rinpoche is a Tibetan Buddhist master, poet and author. He has published ten books about philosophy, life, nature, peace and magic. He is the founder of Tibetan Zen, and he has given the Tibetan Zen teaching in many places. His book, "Tibetan Zen", will be available in 2013. His autobiography, "A Modern Liberation Odyssey", is available now.

Items to Bring: meditation cushion, sleeping bag, toiletries, snacks if desired, & other personal items.

see flyer

Saturday, June 1, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1925 Boulevard Rd SE, Olympia 98501

info.. 491-8508
Website.. http://www.rainierringers.org/ http://www.wpcoly.org/

Admission/cost.. Suggested Donation: $5/person or $20/family

Rainier Ringers, an auditioned community handbell group from the greater Tacoma area presents "Bells on Broadway". The concert includes tunes from the classics - Gilbert and Sullivan, Rogers and Hammerstein - and current hits from Lion King, Les Miserables and more.

Sunday, June 2, 10 am -
Temple Beth Hatfiloh, 201 - 8th Ave SE, Olympia, 98501

info.. Jim Stevenson, Street Fair Communications, 754-1507
Website.. http://www.bethhatfiloh.org

Admission/cost.. n/a (except some vendors - see below)

Temple Beth Hatfiloh, downtown Olympia's Jewish synagogue, will celebrate its 75th anniversary as a member of the South Sound community with a street fair and festival.

8th Avenue in front of the synagogue will be closed to make room for street fair booths and activities.

The community fair recognizes the Temple's longstanding activities in South Sound and the bonds that guided the different ethnic groups who made the area a diverse and rewarding experience over the years.

The event will include Israeli dancing, Klezmer music, food booths, and games for children and crafts for sale. The Temple also will offer tours of the synagogue between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Participant registration and vendor application forms will be posted on the Temple's website for activities or businesses that want to join the celebration. Organizations providing activities for children and adults can register for free; craft sales, for-profit activities or food vendors will need to pay a small registration fee.

see flyer

Saturday, June 8, 2 pm - 3 pm
3350 Mottman Road SE, Olympia 98512 (3/4 mi west of SPSCC)

info.. Jill Severn, 753-2095, jillsevern@comcast.net
Website.. http://quixotevillage.com

Admission/cost.. none

Six years ago, Camp Quixote was founded as a self-governing tent community for homeless adults. Since then, faith communities have hosted the Camp and supported its vision of building a permanent village, with 30 cabins and a central building with a communal kitchen, showers, laundry and living and meeting space. Faith leaders also created Panza, a non-profit organization that has partnered with the Camp to make all this happen.

And now it's happening! Quixote Village will provide warm, dry and dignified housing and sustain the Camp's tradition of self-government and community living. After everyone's help and hard work, we are ready to begin the construction of Quixote Village. We invite you to the groundbreaking celebration! Come share the joy!

see flyer

Sunday, June 30, 10:00 am
The United Churches of Olympia, 110 - 11th Ave SE, Olympia 98501

info.. 943-1210
Website.. http://www.theunitedchurches.org

Admission/cost.. free will offering

Grand Dominion Jazz Band will appear at this year's annual Dixieland Jazz worship service, in The United Churches sanctuary. The performance is a fund-raising benefit for the young musician scholarship fund of the Greater Olympia Jazz Society.

About the Band. The Grand Dominion Jazz Band came together in 1982 as the musical vision of Vancouver banjoist Mike Cox, immigrant to Canada from Wales, who was steeped in the music of the New Orleans revivalist musicians. Mike and his expatriate friends in Vancouver had grown up in the UK listening to the great musicians of the traditional jazz scene. Mike decided to put a band of like-minded players together from both sides of the Canada-US border, a band that embodied all the rough-and-ready, hard-driving, ensemble-playing characteristics of the revivalist bands. The band just clicked, and has been going ever since.

see flyer

Wednesday-Sunday, July 24-28, 2013, 7:15PM - 1:30PM
The Priory Spirituality Center, 500 College St NE, Lacey 98516

info.. The Priory Spirituality Center 360-438-2595; spiritualityctr@gmail.com
Website.. http://www.stplacid.org

Admission/cost.. $450

This four-day retreat provides an in-depth introduction, review, and immersion into the Welcoming Prayer. Intensive practice of the prayer helps to establish it as a part of the rhythm of your day to complement your practice of Centering Prayer. The retreat alternates brief periods of silence with intensive study and practice of the Welcoming Prayer.

Saturday, July 20, 2013, 9:00AM - 3:30PM
The Priory Spirituality Center, 500 College St NE, Lacey 98516

info.. The Priory Spirituality Center 360-438-2595; spiritualityctr@gmail.com
Website.. http://www.stplacid.org

Admission/cost.. $75

God is the artist of our soul. This retreat will stimulate our creative souls. We will focus on our Potter God, using clay materials. We will meet at The Priory Spirituality Center and drive to Walter and Renata Siegl's clay studio in Shelton. They will aid us with our creations. All of us are artists, so come to play and pray! The pieces will be glazed by Walter and Renata and you may pick them up at The Priory Spirituality Center after they are glazed.

Saturday, July 27, 2013, 9:00AM - 3:30PM
The Priory Spirituality Center, 500 College St NE, Lacey 98516

info.. The Priory Spirituality Center 360-438-2595; spiritualityctr@gmail.com
Website.. http://www.stplacid.org;

Admission/cost.. $75

God is the artist of our soul. This retreat will stimulate our creative souls. We will focus on our Potter God, using clay materials. We will meet at The Priory Spirituality Center and drive to Walter and Renata Siegl's clay studio in Shelton. They will aid us with our creations. All of us are artists, so come to play and pray! The pieces will be glazed by Walter and Renata and you may pick them up at The Priory Spirituality Center after they are glazed.

Tuesday-Sunday, August 12-18, 2013, 7:15PM - 2:30PM
The Priory Spirituality Center, 500 College St NE, Lacey 98516

info.. The Priory Spirituality Center 360-438-2595; spiritualityctr@gmail.com
Website.. http://www.stplacid.org

Admission/cost.. $600

HEARTFULNESS, a 5 day Advanced Centering Prayer retreat, invites us to enter into a living tradition of transformation in Christ. Fr. Thomas Keating's reflections on Suffering and Redemption, along with the practices of Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina will inspire our silent retreat.

Saturday, August 24, 2013, 9:15AM - 3:00PM
The Priory Spirituality Center, 500 College St NE, Lacey 98516

info.. The Priory Spirituality Center 360-438-2595; spiritualityctr@gmail.com
Website.. http://www.stplacid.org

Admission/cost.. $65

Here is an opportunity to make every aspect of your practice of journaling be something that comes from your life. In this one day workshop you will be able to make the book that will become your journal. You will be guided step by step from the creation of the hard-bound covers to the sewing together of the book. Please bring some of your doodling, practice pages for art work, letters, lists or other scraps of your life with you. Preferably these should be about between 5"-8.5"x11. Also, wear old clothes, bring an apron and your lunch. Chocolate will be provided.