Rock and Water Service:  We welcome each other back from our summer break.  Please bring a rock and/or water representing your adventures and explorations.  Service leader:  Susan Thrasher.

The guest speaker will be Marry Harris Jones. Join Mother Jones as she shares her experience as a union activist and speaks in the courtyard of Charlestown, West Virginia to the striking miners of Paint Creek and Cabin Creek. Ponder what message Mother Jones would give today.  Service Leaders: Libby Earle and Russ VieBrooks.

This summer’s General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist  Association was held in Columbus, Ohio, with the theme “Heartland; Where Faiths  Connect.”  Hopedale’s attendees will fill us in on the workshops, worship, and work to be done for interfaith co-operation and racial justice.  Service Leader Genevieve O’Malley.

There’s been a lot of talk about islands lately, from John Donne’s quote (“No man is an island.”) to the news about China’s island constructions in the South China Sea.  On August 21, 1959, Hawaii became a state.  Join us as Diane Wright returns to Hopedale, and we consider the meaning of islands, as metaphor, … Continue reading Sunday, August 21: “I Land on an Island.”

There have been many attempts throughout history to define and adopt “the simple life”.  Sages, theologians, and laypersons alike have espoused philosophic ideals and practical wisdom ranging from life-transforming principles to everyday ‘life hacks’.  Join Drew Ruther as he leads a discussion about how we might all strive to lead simpler lives in the 21st … Continue reading Sunday Service, August 14: “Simple Living.”

Pat Meade will give a brief history of how the commission came to be.  He will talk about why Oxford needs a commission like this and provide information on what the commission has done so far.  He will present our responsibilities as citizens to be an active part of solutions that help establish justice and … Continue reading Sunday Service, August 7: “Oxford’s Police Community Relations and Review Committee.”

Hopedale members Linda Amspaugh and Don Isaac have been longtime participants in the Oxford Farmers Market Uptown. Linda and Don will talk with us about their work, and help us think about our own gardening as spiritual practice. Service leader: Ann Fuehrer.

This is our second field trip of the summer. We will meet at the easement-protected property of longtime Hopedale friend Ann Geddes, 2575 Indian Creek Road, Oxford. Ann will give us a tour of the property and talk about the importance of land protection. She will host us for lunch from her garden/chickens, though dessert … Continue reading Sunday Service -July 24, 10:30 “Tour and picnic at a Three Valley Conservation property.”

Diane Ruther-Vierling, Faith Community Outreach Coordinator for the local chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays), will join us to talk about the organization. Service leader: Ann Fuehrer.

July 10, 10:30 “Continuing our Alliance-Building work” On June 12, we hosted 28 people at Hopedale for an Alliance-Building workshop, facilitated by Busi Diamini. We will continue the conversation to plan the work of the Social Justice Committee for the near future. Service leader: Ann Fuehrer.