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Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World
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9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
To Serve this Present Age
Dr. Maureen Walker
Join us for this worship service featuring Maureen Walker, PhD. Dr. Walker is a licensed psychologist, speaker, educator, and writer who focuses on helping people bridge cultural differences. Maureen encourages people to transform fear into courage and to create the fullest expressions of who they are and can be in the world. There will also be a Getting Involved Fair between services, in Fellowship Hall.
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9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
Engaging the Loneliness Epidemic
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
What are the spiritual roots of loneliness? How does loneliness differ from solitude? What role does a congregation, and ministries such as our Chalice Circle program, play in healing the epidemic of loneliness in our country? Join us for this worship service in which Reverend Macklin will explore this important topic. We will also hear from Chalice Circle participant Pat Slabach. There will also be a Getting Involved Fair between services, in Fellowship Hall.
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MAM's Meanderings
CURIOSITY
The theme for the month of August is curiosity. Yesterday I was curious about "What it would feel like to drink water if my face was fully immersed in water?" So I filled the sink and tried it. It's an interesting sensation because the body regulates air pressure in the nose and somehow adjusts for the acts of swallowing. Very cool. Curiosity is cool.
BUT ENOUGH ABOUT THE FLUID WORLD...
These Five Questions Might Boost your Curiosity
The questions are simple, but expansive and powerful:
1. "Wait, what?"
is a way to pause, clarify, and understand.
2. "I wonder...?"
encourages curiosity.
3. "How can I help?"
suggests a level of thoughtfulness that should accompany our instincts to be of use.
4. "Couldn't we at least...?
" offers a way of broaching an impasse.
5. "What truly matters?"
is that kind of home-base question many of us lose sight of in the crush of daily concerns
-- James Ryan, Dean of Harvard's Graduate School of Education
CURIOUS UNFOLDING
Meanwhile, heartfelt thanks to everyone for your supportive messages regarding Sunday's worship service entitled, "A Curious Unfolding." I continue to float along with John O'Donohue's, "I would love to live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding." And here's another great quote related to the worship service on Sunday that a friend sent me: It is from Ursula K. Le Guin. (That sounds like Ursula K. Le Guin, who died in January, sent me the quote. She did not.)
From a 2011 blog by novelist Ursula K. Le Guin:
My guess is that the kind of thinking we are, at last, beginning to do about how to change the goals of human domination and unlimited growth to those of human adaptability and long-term survival is a shift from yang to yin, and so involves acceptance of impermanence and imperfection, a patience with uncertainty and the makeshift, a friendship with water, darkness, and the earth.
POWER REDEFINED
Courageous Connections: a Relational-Cultural Summit
I am now on the board for the Bloomington Center for Connections (BCC), which is sponsoring this summit. Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT), the idea that connection is the center of growth, is the antidote for today's divisive times. Bloomington Center for Connections is looking to become a hub for RCT conversations in the Bloomington community, and to bring RCT to a wider audience. This summit is intended to be a local launch for BCC as well as a general introduction to RCT for the broader Bloomington community. Please join me for the summit's keynote address by Dr. Maureen Walker Friday evening, August 10, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. I have the honor of introducing Dr. Walker, who will also be in our pulpit on Sunday morning, speaking on a different topic. Join me for both. You can register, for free, to attend Friday's keynote address
here.
To register for Saturday's Summit, click
here.
Courageous Connections: a Relational-Cultural Summit
When: Kick-Off Friday, August 10th, 7-9pm
Where: City of Bloomington- City Hall, 401 North Morton St
Kick Off Keynote Address: Dr. Maureen Walker
Topic: Power Redefined:
Disruptive Empathy as a Tool for Liberation.
WELLSPRING
On July 1st, our worship service featured participants from the 2017-18 pilot spiritual deepening group---Wellspring. If you have participated in at least one year of our small group ministry, Chalice Circles, and are interested in Wellspring, please send me a message of inquiry by Friday, August 10th, to
macklin@uubloomington.org.
For more information go to
http://www.uuwellspring.org
I would love to live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding.
FAR FROM THE TREE
I highly recommend the recently released documentary, "Far From the Tree," based on Andrew Solomon's 2012 New York Times bestseller "Far From the Tree: Parents, Children and The Search for Identity." Powerful.
Peace and Love, Mary Ann
aka MAM
aka Queen Boss
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
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Religious Education for Children and Youth
Parents, It is Time for Religious Education Registration!
Please take a moment to register your children and youth for 2018-2019, the RE team really needs this before our volunteer teachers meet on August 26th. This helps us plan class sizes, relay important information to their teachers, and keep children and youth safe. You can register online at:
www.tinyurl.com/RE18-19
Parents of 7th-8th graders
, we will be offering "Our Whole Lives: Lifespan Sexuality Education" this fall on Sundays, 10:45am-12:15pm. Please note the special time and plan to attend the mandatory parent meeting August 19th, 12:30-2pm in the Library. Contact Adrienne Summerlot,
dre@uubloomington.org
, if you have questions. Sign up for the parent meeting online at: www.tinyurl.com/OWLmtg8-19
Spark your cUUriosity this August
In Religious Education during our August Intersession, families can learn more about what exciting things will be happening by
clicking here.
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This Sunday! Find your calling at the
Getting
Involved
Fair
!
August 12, 19, and 26 we will hold our biannual Getting Involved Fair in the Fellowship Hall between church services (
10:15-11:15). This is an opportunity to find groups and activities that are meaningful to you and help you connect with this community. Each
Sunday a different mix of groups will be represented and offer information about their group. See you at the fair! -
-Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
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Our Folks...
Congratulations and many blessings to Emily and Adam Leite, who are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary on August 7.
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Sand Mandala Closing Ceremony
Thursday, August 9, 5:00 p.m.
Please join us on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall, with the monks of Tashi Kyil Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in India, at the closing ceremony for the sand mandala for world peace that they are creating here in Fellowship Hall this week. The sand from the dismantled mandala will be cast into a stream following the ceremony.
You are welcome to come and observe the creation of the mandala anytime Tuesday and Wednesday 10-4 or
Thursday 10-5. The monks also have many beautiful items for sale to support their work. Please enter at courtyard entrance.
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Vigil and Rally, August 9, 8 p.m.
Please join the Just Peace Task Force and co-sponsors on the evening of Thursday, August 9th to mark the 73rd anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of Nagasaki and to stand against a new generation of "usable" nuclear weapons. The event will be on the Courthouse Square from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be silence, music, poetry, and speeches.
In the event of thunderstorms, the vigil will be in the Atrium of the Showers Building (City Hall, 8th and Morton). If you have questions or would like to help, please contact David Keppel:
keppel@sbcglobal.net
or (812) 272-0597. Please bring a candle.
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Represent UUCB at Pridefest!
We need a few friendly people to represent our congregation in our tent at Pridefest on August 25. Sign up Here:
https://goo.gl/SM6czA
.
Pridefest is Bloomington's annual celebration of LGBTQ+ life and culture. Volunteering in our tent is easy and fun!
Questions? Contact Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator, at
connect@uubloomington.org
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Like to hammer?
Frame Up Call Out Aug 25 The Habitat Task Force is looking for 15 people who can participate in a Habitat for Humanity build on
Saturday, Aug. 25
, in the Cedar Chase neighborhood on the city's southwest side. We will be building and raising the outside walls with the leaders of the IU Habitat chapter. It's an exciting build day when you can easily see the fruits of your labor. Please contact Barb Berggoetz by
Aug. 15
, at
barbberg@bluemarble.net
, if you can participate. As always, instruction and tools will be provided, as well as breakfast snacks, lunch and drinks. The work day is from
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
, but you can work a half-day, if necessary.
Carter Work Project in South Bend in Aug
Four members of our task force are traveling to South Bend the last week of August to participate in the annual Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter Work Project. Dirk and Susan Herr-Hoyman, Tracy James and Barb Berggoetz will help many volunteers from throughout Indiana and elsewhere, building 20 houses in one week
, with the help of the Carters. We also contributed $2,400 to this long-time project that is conducted at a different site nationally each year.
Habitat Bake Sale Sept 23 Habitat is holding a Fall Feast Habitat Bake Sale on Sept. 23 between services and after the 2nd service, so please check out our table in Fellowship Hall that day. We plan to provide many sweet treats, some savory treats, and breakfast items. Funds will support our continuing efforts to help Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County to providing affordable, decent housing.
--Barb Berggoetz, Habitat Task Force
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Community Connections
Our Faith in Action in the Community
Listening to Mystery: Writing, Presence, and Poetry
A 6-week class for women, at Women Writing for (a) Change, facilitated by Denise Breeden-Ost and Catherine Crandall.
Each circle begins with poetry inspired by a different religious tradition, inviting humanity's spiritual heritage to enrich our own reflection and writing. Join us to write, read, and listen, honoring both our religious diversity and the common human experience of mystery. Women of all faiths and spiritual paths are welcome.
When
: Thursdays September 20-
October 25th 6:30-9:00pm
Where: Poplar Grove Schoolhouse, 4638 E State Rd. 45
Cost
: $180.00
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Choir resumes August 9th!
Studies show that choral singing improves oxygen levels, lowers blood pressure, decreases snoring, improves posture, and promotes mental well-being. What's not to like?
- Thursdays, 7:00 - 8:30 pm in the Meeting Room (arrive a little early).
- Childcare available (Ideally, let Sue know if you are bringing children for the first time.)
- You only have to sing one service on any given Sunday.
- Singers of all ages and experience are welcome.
- The UU Children's Choir (K-Grade 8) begins rehearsal Sunday, August 19. Contact Jill Courtney, jillmcourtney@gmail.com for info.
Join us!
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Adult Religious Education Opportunities
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Shambhala Meditation Meets Mondays at 12 noon
Join us at 12 noon every Monday in the Library for an hour of Shambhala Meditation, walking meditation, and Shamatha yoga with Sarah Flint. Beginners welcome to participate in this 2500-year-old
tradition. sflint.ktv@gmail.com
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Open Mind Zen Meets Mondays at 7:00 pm
Join Frank Seisho Diaz for meditation, talks, and discussions on Zen Buddhism, Mondays 7:00-8:30 pm, in Room 110 here at the church. All are welcome regardless of faith or experience.
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Traditional Taiji on Saturdays at 8:00 am
Brian Flaherty leads "Wu (Hao)" style Taiji in Fellowship Hall on Saturdays at 8:00 am. Anyone is welcome, even those with no experience. Please wear loose-fitting clothing.
creektivity@gmail.com
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Humanist
Forum Meets Sunday,
August 12, 12:45 pm
This Sunday at 12:45 p.m. the UU Humanist Forum will meet in Room 208 after children's Religious Education classes end. This Sunday, there will be an open discussion, no specific topic.
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UU Freethinkers Enjoy
Free Ranging Discussion
Sunday, August 19, 12:45 pm
The UU Freethinkers bi-weekly meeting creates the opportunity for participants to raise questions and engage in open and non-structured discussion of issues of social, political, and theological/religious concern. UU Freethinkers meet on every other Sunday in Room 208 at 12:45 p.m., after children's religious education classes end.
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Book Donations to our Booktable are Welcome
Glee Noble, chair of our Booktable, encourages you to donate used books to the book cart. Of note, any used books on Unitarian Universalist topics will have readers at the Shalom Community Center, and we will be sure they find homes there.
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Playing the Piano for Pleasure Now on Tuesday nights
Anyone wanting to improve their piano playing is welcome to join us. Our new night (beginning 8/07) is every Tuesday, 7:15-8:30 at Beverly McGahey's home. Bring a piece you're just beginning or one that is more polished. Contact
bevmusic@pacbell.net
for more information.
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UU History for You
Matilda Gage and the Politics of Feminism
The feminist movement has several origins in Great Britain and the United States. Mary Wollstonecraft's
Vindication of the Rights of Women
was widely read by English speaking women and admired for its effort to give women the rights of men. American feminism, however was divided. Some were active in the abolition movement to end slavery. Some were interested in having the right to vote. Others joined the temperance movement and sought a ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages. Some participated in all three movements. Priority was difficult to achieve.
Matilda (nee Joslyn) Gage (1826-1898)
grew up in New York State and enjoyed being an activist and writer. She defended rights of Native Americans, lobbied for the right to vote for women, opposed slavery, and considered herself a free thinker. She felt Christianity treated women poorly and wrote a book (1893),
Women, Church, and State.
She felt Susan B. Anthony was too conservative in her approach and she founded an activist union in Syracuse. She advocated the separation of church and state and in her later years sought spiritual awakening in the spiritualism movement. Her son-in-law was L. Frank Baum (author of The
Wizard of Oz
) and he shared her liberal thinking.
--Elof Carlson, UUCB Historian
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UU Singles Game Night
Friday, August 10
This Friday is our second Game Night for single UUs. Bring a game, a snack to share, your own beverage and your "game face" for an evening of great conversation and friendly competition.
Friday, August 10th
7pm--? (Last time many of us stayed until
10:30)
Fellowship Hall
If you have single friends who don't go to UU but might enjoy playing games bring them along. And...if you aren't single but no one will play games with you, join us. --Debbie Fish
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Curiosity for all ages in the Monarch Garden
While we're exploring the theme of Curiosity, take a moment to observe the Monarch Garden in the southeast corner of our courtyard. There's so much going on there! How many different kinds of insect can you see? How many different kinds of plant? Can you name any of the plants? Can you find one you don't know? If you were a bee, which flower would you visit? Ask someone else what they observe--it might be something you didn't even notice!
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Supporting a Liberal Religious Future through Planned Giving, by David Keppel
When I was a Nuclear Freeze activist in Connecticut in the 1980s, we often met in church basements. I think it's appropriate that the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington does not have a basement. We put our social justice work right at the heart of our agenda to seek the spirit, build community, and change the world.
I especially appreciate the opportunity to include the Church in my estate plans, because with limited income, my annual pledge must be modest. You can even request that your legacy be invested in fossil free funds (whose performance is substantially identical to conventional ones).
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Welcome to Our Newest M
embers
On July 29, we welcomed three
new
members into our congregation. Please give a warm welcome to Lynn Struve, Murray Davis, and Jeanie Cox. --Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
JEANIE COX
Jeanie Cox, originally of Evansville, Indiana, moved to Bloomington as an 8th grader and lat
er had the opportunity to obtain degrees through Indiana University and Ivy Tech. Af
ter working for the State of Indiana for thirty-five years, she is curr
ently with the Richland Township Trustee's Office. With her greyhound Moon, and through Greyhound Pets of America-Indianapolis, they help find homes for other retired racers. Jeanie gardens, kayaks, and enjoys being outdoors, and recently became a novice tenor drummer for the Southern Indiana Pipes and Drums.
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UU Chalice Circle Testimonial - Pearl Springfield
Two years ago, my husband Brian and I moved to Bloomington, and found this wonderful UU Church. We soon heard the praises and testimonials of Chalice Circles, and with some reluctance, I joined my husband and signed up. I wasn't exactly sure what I had committed to.
Since then, I've been involved in Chalice Circles for two years, with no regrets whatsoever, and am ready to sign up again. If you're not sure if this experience is for you, some insight might help.
- You don't have to bare your soul. You share what you wish. (I was happy with this one, as I'm a pretty private person.)
- What happens in Chalice Circle stays in Chalice Circle. (so if you DO want to share your soul, it's ok!)
- It helps you become a better, more empathetic listener. (I didn't realize how much I didn't listen until Chalice Circle.)
- You explore a new topic at each meeting. (Where you'll reflect on things you perhaps hadn't thought of for ages.)
- You'll make wonderful connections with great people. (One of the best outcomes of the experience.)
In Chalice Circles, you listen to others' stories, challenges, joys and perspectives on life, and each person leaves the Chalice Circles experience differently. For me, the greatest take away from Chalice Circles was this--I was reminded what it's like to be human. So sign up! You'll definitely benefit from this unique UU experience.
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UUCB Book Discussion Group Meets August 19
The UUCB Book Discussion group will meet on Sunday, August 19 at 3:00 p.m. at the home of Nedra and Elof Carlson. We turn to non-fiction and Lucy Jones's book THE BIG ONES [Doubleday 2018]. She is a seismologist and has studied natural disasters. Her book explains why these floods, fires, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, droughts, and earthquakes occur. What is difficult is predicting when they will occur.
We had suggestions for more non-fiction, but we still need recommendations of fiction (including collections of short stories). For non-fiction futures we have: Patrick Brantlinger's
Barbed Wire
, David Sedaris's
Calypso
, and
Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now. --
Elof Carlson, Book Discussion Group leader
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Save the Date! Splash of the Sacred, September 2
Our annual church pitch-in picnic and pool party is set for
Sunday, September 2nd from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bryan Park.
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Women's Alliance Meets
September 6
Liz Watson will be our guest at the Women's Alliance meeting on
Thursday, September 6
. Ms. Watson will discuss health care issues. We
gather at
11:30 a.m.
in Fellowship Hall. Meetings begin with a brown bag
lunch. The presentation begins at
noon
, followed by a question and answer
period and a business meeting. The hosts for the month, Barb Backler and
Martha Foster, will provide drinks and dessert. Everyone is welcome. Click here to view a poster about the speaker.
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Dementia Friendly Location training Sept 21
A
Dementia Friendly Location training will be held on Friday,
September 21, 11:00-noon in the church library. The goal of this training is to help us learn how to better support members of our community who are living with dementia and their caregivers. The training will be provided by the Alzheimer's Resource Services of IU Health. Please contact Ann LeDuc if you would like to attend:
connect@uubloomington.org .
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2018 UU Holiday Art Fair & Bazaar
Artisan applications available now!
Artisans may now apply to our juried Holiday Art Fair & Bazaar (Nov. 30-Dec. 1) by going to
uubloomingtonartfair2018.artcall.org
or call/stop by the UU office for a paper application to submit with CD. Check out what's new for artisans in our 60th event! Application deadline is Sept. 7. Non-artisans reading this--please help us spread the word through your contacts. --The Bazaar Committee
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2018 UU Holiday Art Fair & Bazaar Update.
2018 Bazaar Dates:
Nov 30 and Dec 1
The Bazaar now has two co-chairs: Ruellen Fessenbecker and Rich LeDuc-- otherwise known as R&R. We have several reminders for you:
- As you harvest your garden, make an extra jar or two of your pickles, chutneys, jams and other gourmet treats for the Bazaar.
- If you have a persimmon tree that we can harvest from, let us know. We will be picking up and processing persimmons for sale at the Bazaar. Also let us know if you can pick up persimmons for us to process. Please e-mail Margie Schrader, margiegoodwin@gmail.com
- If you are cleaning closets, save your best white elephants for the Elephant's Trunk. We cannot accept donations until Sunday, November 25, after Thanksgiving, but will welcome them the week before the Bazaar.
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Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, our Senior Minister,
can be reached at 812-332-3695 (ext. 201) and is available by appointment on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons.
Email: macklin@uubloomington.org
Reverend Scott McNeill, our Associate Minister,
can be reached at 812-332-3695 (ext. 209) and is available by appointment on Wednesday and Friday afternoons.
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
,
our Minister of Religious Education,
can be reached at
812-332
-3695 (ext. 207)
on Wednesday and Friday mornings.
Email: mre@uubloomington.org
Rev. Leite is away until August 15.
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Our Covenant of Right Relations
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Livestreaming Our Sunday Services
You can view the livestream of our Sunday services and view archived video from the last few months
at this link. If you have a problem viewing, please email Andy Beargie and Ned Joyner at
media@uubloomington.org.
Making the Archived Videos of Services Easier to Get To
Each Friday, we'll post the direct URL link for the previous Sunday's archived video of the service at the end of the Friday UU Update, as well as posting the links on the Livestream page of our website.
Click here to view the August 5 service: Aug 5
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Membership: 512 certified members; 529 current members.
Attendance:
Sunday, July 1 9:15 - 72 11:15 - 125 TOTAL: 197
Sunday, July 8 9:15 - 81 11:15 - 129 TOTAL: 210
Sunday, July 15 9:15 - 81 11:15 - 96 TOTAL: 177
Sunday, July 22 9:15 - 86 11:15 - 137 TOTAL: 223
Sunday, July 29 9:15 - 100 11:15 - 128 TOTAL: 228
Sunday, August 5 9:15 - 147 11:15 - 166 TOTAL: 313
Non-Pledge Offering:
J
uly 1: $464 July 8: $298 July 15: $409 July 22: $483
July 29: $582 August 5: $677
Total to be donated (25%) to Spencer Pride $778.03
Grocery Card Sales:
(Bloomingfoods or Lucky's Market)
July 1: $575, income to UUCB $31.25
July 8: $200, income to UUCB $10.00
July 15: $1,125, income to UUCB $66.75
July 22: $50, income to UUCB $3.50
July 29: $900, income to UUCB $52.00
August 5: $400, income to UUCB $20.00
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Facebook: Many church events are also posted on our
Facebook page.
Prologue
Publication Schedule:
The deadline for articles is 10 a.m. on the date of publication, which is
the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.
Next few
issues:
August 21, September 4, September 18, October 2, October 16.
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Masthead photo: Baby pumpkin, by Marcia Hart
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Unitarian Universalist Church
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