On Sunday you will be able to participate in the OUUC worship services from your own home!  We will be using an on-line platform called ZOOM to live-stream our services at the usual times of 9:15 and 11:00 am.  We have a virtual “Zoom Room” that allows up to 500 people to join together on-line.  There is information about how to do this elsewhere in the newsletter and on the website at www.OUUC.org 

On Sunday, I’ll be in the Zoom Room for both services, participating in the worship from my home.  Our guest speaker, Joe Rettenmaier, has a beautiful message to deliver about peace and will do so in the sanctuary at OUUC, supported by Troy and Sara and many others.  We will open the sanctuary to anyone who chooses to attend the services in person.  We will offer RE programs and nursery at both services, and the Children’s annual meeting at the 11:00 am service will also be available on-line through Zoom.  

This is a time for spiritual grounding as we are called back to our interconnectedness.  It will take all of us to care for ourselves and each other in this time.  I encourage you to participate on-line, especially if you are in a higher risk group.   

We know that COVID-19 is spreading in our state, so the strategy now is to prevent and slow its spread.  The best way to do this is to limit face-to-face contact. Social distancing doesn’t have to mean social isolation, though.  We can still be together virtually.   

This is what you can do to help: 

Please heed the guidelines regarding COVID-19.   People who should stay away from crowds (like the sanctuary on Sunday morning) are those at higher risk and include: 

• People over 60 years of age 
• People with underlying health conditions including include heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes 

• People with weakened immune systems 
• Women who are pregnant 

This is the time to pay attention to self-care and community care.  Both are important and they are linked.  Let’s all take care.  If you are in a higher risk group, I encourage you to join me in worshiping from home.   

Please stay home if you are sick or if you have been exposed to COVID-19 or the flu.  Even if you aren’t in a higher risk category, you can expose others.   

Please download the ZOOM app or program and test them out before Sunday morning. (More info about how to do this in the newsletter and on the website.).  

Please gather a chalice or candle and join us for worship on-line.  Feel free to light and extinguish your chalice along with those in the sanctuary.  Also, feel free to sing along with the hymns. (You can be in your jammies again this week, too!) 

Please participate in the Joys & Sorrows remotely by sending your joy or sorrow to me at minister@ouuc.org by 8 pm on Saturday evening.  We’ll read those that I receive in the services on Sunday.  

Please participate in the offering and Share the Plate by donating on-line through the OUUC website.  Our community partners still need our help.   

Please, if you choose to come to OUUC on Sunday morning, practice good health habits like covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze, washing your hands for 20 seconds, and keeping a social distance of 6 feet.  We will continue to offer only individually wrapped snacks after services.   

A deep bow of gratitude to all who are helping to make on-line worship real: Riley McLaughlin, Bob Sundstrom, Kari Kopnick, Sara Lewis, Troy Fisher, Darlene Sarkela, Joe Rettenmaier. And, thanks in advance for your patience and grace as we try this new format for the first time on Sunday.   

Helping Hands 

It will take all of us to get through this together.  If you are not in a higher risk group, please consider stepping up as you are able.  Social distancing doesn’t have to mean social isolation, so please help us stay connected.   

Remember that Caring Friends is an option if you are at home and need help.  There are folks who have offered to deliver a home-cooked meal or other items.  This can be done while limiting exposure, so please reach out as needed.   

If you would like pastoral care, please reach out to me at minister@ouuc.org.  I will contact you or ask someone from the Pastoral Care Team to do so.   

As we move to on-line worship, we need more people who can help operate the technology.  If you are not in a high–risk group and can help with this, please contact Riley McLaughlin at riley@villagemediaworks.com 

Some of us will experience financial hardship due to time away from work for illness and closures.  Remember that OUUC has a Minister’s Benevolence Fund to help when the need arises.  If you need, a bit of financial help, please reach out to me at minister@ouuc.org.  And, if you can donate to the fund, please do so; this is the time.  You can do this online or by sending a check to OUUC.  Please designate that it is for the Minister’s Benevolence fund.   

Staying Connected 

In the weeks to come, we’ll be offering more on-line opportunities to gather on-line.  We can also use Zoom for our regular groups to meet and for meetings.  Just let us know how we can support your connection. This is a time when fear and isolation are threats to our emotional and spiritual well-being.  Let’s show up for each other.  

Coffee with Kari! Kari Kopnick, our Interim Community Life Coordinator, will offer an opportunity to try out the Zoom and learn more about it.  (It’s also a chance to get to know Kari!) 

Soul Matters Drop-in Group! Sara Lewis also plans an on-line gathering this week.  Check out the rest of the newsletter for more info. 

Lunch with Rev. Mary! On Wednesday, March 18, I will be in our Zoom Room between 12-1 with my lunch.  Check the website for the Zoom link, grab your lunch and join me on-line.  I’d love to see you and hear how you are doing.   

More to come!  Check the website and newsletter for more information.