Archives: Services

Dracula, Popular Culture, and the Presidential Race

Bram Stoker’s classic horror novel “Dracula” was published more than a century ago, but it played on psychological traits that are still with us today. Rev. Dennis McCarty, Minister Emeritus at the UU Congregation of Columbus, Indiana, will ponder what Dracula reveals about American culture in the 21st century. Service Leader: Sallie Killian.

Miami Nation and University: Partners in Learning

Bobbe Burke, a Miami University graduate, has worked in the Division of Student Affairs since 1989. She has been the Coordinator of Miami Tribe Relations since 1994, and loves sharing the story of how the University and the Miami Tribe became connected, and how the current thriving relationship evolved over more than forty years. Service … Continue reading Miami Nation and University: Partners in Learning

The Lesson of Water

Join service leader Jennifer Blue and speaker Diane Wright on September 18, International Water Quality Monitoring Day. We will reflect on the lessons and importance of water, and the nature of our relationship to it and with it. Kids will have a chance to use a water-testing kit to look at qualities of water from … Continue reading The Lesson of Water

“Rock and Water” Service

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

Honoring Labor Day

The guest speaker will be Mary 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.

General Assembly

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 cooperation and racial justice. Service Leader: Genevieve O’Malley Knight.

I Land on an Island

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, as … Continue reading I Land on an Island

Simple Living

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 all might strive to lead simpler lives in the 21st … Continue reading Simple Living

Gardening/Farming as Spiritual Practice

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.