Connecting to NUUC during the COVID-19 Outbreak

Dear NUUC Members and Friends,

After careful consideration, your Board of Trustees has voted to suspend all in person worship services, meetings, and gatherings effective immediately until further notice.     Most importantly, we make this decision out of our religious commitments:  we care about the health of the most vulnerable among us.  Now more than ever we realize our interconnection. We do not respond out of individualistic concern, but as a community of faith. 

Indeed, we need one another now more than ever.  Fortunately, in this time of social distancing, we still can remain connected one to another and nourish that which helps us stay spiritual grounded in an uncertain world.  While our physical doors will be closed this Sunday, we encourage everyone to join us in worship either online or by phone using the Zoom Video Conference Room platform (fear not! It is easy to use—see below for the specific instructions).  We will begin worship at 10:30 AM each Sunday as usual, although I will open the “Zoom Room” by 10:15AM to give you plenty of time to become familiar with the platform and resolve any issues.   We will present many of our usual worship elements, including, yes, live music from Marlene Hartzler and sometimes Wade Jones, readings, a message, and even joys and sorrows.  Jen Aultman will also present and offer us some thoughts.    If you attend our online worship please have on hand, if you can, a chalice or a candle of your own to light. 

Additionally, I will host a virtual check in midweek check in each Wednesday at Noon, also through the ZOOM platform.  This will be a chance to hear from each other, talk about how we are managing, and reinforce our ability to be spiritually grounded in these strange new times.   We are also looking into creating neighbor groups for check-ins, more on that soon. 

I know that this is a particularly anxious time for many of us. If it would be helpful to you to talk to someone, please feel free to reach out to me by phone or email.  If you are facing an immediate need as a result of this situation—especially should you become ill– please let me know.   I also encourage you to take the initiative in reaching out to other members and friends of the congregation who you think might appreciate it.

Your Board of Trustees and I will continue to monitor the situation and make changes and updates as necessary. 

We got this because we got each other. 

In faith,

Susan

revritchie@aol.com

614-309-5168 (cell)

How to Connect to Zoom:

You don’t have to join zoom to participate in a zoom call either with your computer, or just by phone.  To participate by your computer, all you must do is click on the internet link (below).  If you are new to zoom, you might want to do this at least 5-10 minutes ahead of the meeting time, as zoom will direct you to download its software, and give you the opportunity to do a self-test of your video and audio.  I strongly recommend you do the self-test to make sure both your camera, microphone, and speakers or headset are working properly.  If you or would prefer not to use a computer, or if you don’t have a reliable internet connect, you can just dial in as directed on any phone and participate via audio. 

Here is the Information you Need to Connect to Virtual Worship Sundays, as well as Chalice Check-Ins Wednesdays at Noon:

Dear NUUC Members and Friends,
The information for connecting to Virtual NUUC has changed.  ZOOM is now requiring passwords for all meetings, so please use the new information below.   If you use the “Join Zoom directly with this link” link you will not need the password.  

How to Connect:
If you are not familiar with Zoom, please don’t be intimidated!  It is not difficult and Zoom always has the option of simply dialing in using a regular phone.  All the connection information for Zoom is Below.  Also, we have two church members who are willing to walk you through the zoom process.  You can contact either Morgan Patten at 614-364-1539 or Imri Kempker at imriska.kempker@gmail.com

Here is the Information you Need to Connect to All NUUC Virtual Gatherings:


Join Zoom Meeting directly with this link (no password required)
https://zoom.us/j/7541126323?pwd=d1J2dVhJeTJBMEk3UHA5emlhckppUT09

Or join by going to https://zoom.us/join and manually entering this information:

Meeting ID: 754 112 6323
Password: 152468

Or dial by phone and enter the meeting ID and password manually:

+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 301 715 8592 US
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US
Meeting ID: 754 112 6323
Password: 152468