April 22nd marked the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day, when a junior senator from Wisconsin, Gaylord Nelson, and activist Dennis Hayes inspired 20 million Americans — at the time, 10% of the total population of the United States — to give voice to their concern about the health of the environment. UUCO will celebrate with Lydia Koltai, herbalist, permaculturist, and community activist, who will share her story and offer ideas for how we can each increase our appreciation for the world around us.  ​

NOTE: Moving Spirits, the 40-minute film that documents the work of our speakers, will be available for a special viewing online at 10:00 am (optional). See below for instructions on joining online via Zoom.
We walk past history in plain sight on a daily basis in Oxford and surrounds. What is the ideology behind the symbols we frequently pass? Jennifer Mizenko, UM professor of dance, and Rhondalyn Peairs, a UM Southern studies master's student, helped members of the Lafayette/ Oxford/University of Mississippi community not only learn their local history, but also embody it. Jennifer and Rhondalyn will be our speakers during our Sunday service, sharing insights on how dance can help us address our difficult history and discussing the film, Moving Spirits, which includes UUCO’s own Elaine Gelbard.
INFO TO JOIN THIS SUNDAY FOR THE SUNDAY SERVICE:
Please note that the service will start at 11:00 am; the film Moving Spirits will be shown starting at 10:00 am; doors open at 9:45 am for those who would like to see the 40-minute film prior to the service.

Special Reflection - Rev. Gail Stratton
Story for All Ages, read by the author - Blake Shedd
Flower Communion - All invited to share a small bouquet!

All are invited to join our online Easter Sunday service on this Sunday, April 12th!  It is our tradition to celebrate the season of birth, new life and transformation through stories of hope, beauty and love - with flowers and eggs playing starring roles!  There will be music, stories and some moments of reflection with words from Rev. Gail Stratton.  And, beaming in from his still-emerging-from-winter garden in Austria, Blake Shedd will share 'How To Meet A Flower.'  All will be oriented for our intergenerational audience. 

All are encouraged to contribute to our Online Flower Communion by choosing something budding or blooming from yard or environment to share beside you in this video service.  Nothing fancy is required - just grab a jar or plastic cup and thus have a little 'vase of flowers' for all to see in the camera view of you.  Thus, in an adapted way, the flowers we bring can be shared with all in the service, in the spirit of our usual Flower Communion!   Of course it's just fine for those calling in by phone or participating without video to skip this (unless you just want some flowers for yourself... and then you can tell us about them during 'coffee hour'!!) 

And - about eggs and egg hunting!!  In recent years we have ended our Easter morning with an egg hunt - where the young people have hidden eggs for the adults!  This year we'll need egg hunting stories since we can't do this in real time!  We'll make time for a story or two...!!
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​Doors "open" via Zoom at 10:45 am and service starts at 11:00 am.

Dear UUCO Members and Friends,

How are you doing?  Those were the sweetest words I heard…”how are you doing right now?“
It felt so good to be in touch with a friend, a family member, a cousin.  We all need connection and we need each other even if we need to be physically separated from each other.  

So much has happened since the congregation met two weeks ago!  And given that it is very important to stay safe, stay home and stay connected, we are offering an online worship service for UUCO this Sunday.  You can join in virtually from your home!  We can also include members who are in other parts of the world!!.  Y'all come!!   

We will be joining via the  Online platform called Zoom, as it provides both video and audio where a number of people who can see each other and be present. If you have not used this before you can download the program to your phone or to your computer ahead of time.  And on Sunday, just like when we gather physically,  you can plan to arrive a bit early to settle in. The “Zoom room” will open at 10:50 on Sunday and there will be time to share with others after the service.  

We will have music from Quinoa and Reynaldo, a story for all ages from Wendy Pfrenger as well  as a short video message from Rev. Gail Tapscott!!  There will also be time through a chat function for anyone to share their joys and concerns.  See you on Sunday!!

To join on Sunday you will click on this link:      

UUCO Worship Service March 22, 2010
Time: Mar 22, 2020 10:45 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
https://zoom.us/j/3338009051
     (Meeting ID: 333 800 9051) 

or for just audio, you can call this number: (301) 715- 8592  an when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 333 800 9051. 

In addition, if you are not familiar with Zoom, this link is a helpful teaching tool: 
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-Joining-a-Meeting

If you need some help with this or if you just need to talk, I am available!  

Rev. Gail Stratton
Community Minister, Affiliated with UUCO
gailstratton956@gmail.com
662-801-2820

​This week's format is a coffee house, which will allow us to speak to each other in smaller groups and then share ideas with everyone.  We'll look at sources that each of us draws upon for wisdom to guide our lives, and talk about how those sometimes change.  As we hear about each other's favorite inspirations, we surely will find an idea or two to deepen our own search. We'll have on hand coffee, hot water for tea and hot chocolate, and juice.  Feel free to bring your own favorite beverage, too

 In a this service looking at wisdom from  Eastern religious traditions, we will enjoy a visit from the Buddha, Lao Tzu and Confucius. UUCO will be treated to  an interview with these wisdom teachers as channeled by UUCO members. There will be a brief homily offered by Rev. Gail Tapscott  and special meditation enhancing music. ​