The Prologue                                       Tuesday, February 20, 2018
  Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
   Congregation founded 1949
   LGBTQ Welcoming Congregation since 1995
   Green Sanctuary since 2007
Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World

Sunday, February 25, 2018    
9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
You Are Here
The Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
During these challenging times, our congregation's Vision Statement, "Seeking The Spirit. Building Community. Changing the World" becomes an important touchstone for our congregational community.   In this worship service, we will touch base with Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh's book "You are Here." Reverend Macklin will also bring forth inspiration from the Youth Worship Service and Reverend McNeill's latest sermon, as we explore creating inner peace while living in a fast-paced, information overloaded, violent and unstable world.        
Sunday, March 4, 2018
9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
Belonging: Never Give Up
The Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Author  Bren é Brown  writes, "Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it.  Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy--the experiences that make us the most vulnerable."  In this worship service, we will begin to explore our new theme of Belonging.

The Arc of the Universe is Long
     Recently I shared with Reverend Mary Ann this image of the Sermon Iceberg. At the top, it says, "The Sermon" and below the water is a huge piece of ice that says, "The Preparation." 
     It's true for each week; but, especially when I prepared our worship  on Sunday  (2/18), to focus on race and racism in America, it felt true. So, to share all of the resources I wanted to highlight (recognizing it was just packed with readings and ideas), I prepared the text to share with you all. Worship is meant to be experienced in part by hearing/seeing it; you have a different experience when reading a sermon. But that said, here is the text of the sermon, "The Arc of the Universe is Long."
   Scott
Reverend Scott McNeill, Associate Minister
MAM's Musings
     As I mentioned earlier, actor and local favorite Diane Kondrat will take the stage in our sanctuary to appear in "Final Acts: End-of-Life Scenarios and Conversation," a one-hour show that portrays some of the complicated questions raised by end-of-life situations.   The performance of "Final Acts" takes place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, March 3.
      As Diane says, "The human desire to communicate during storytelling happens easily in this form. Audiences benefit from the gift of give-and-take that improvisational theater allows."
      After the performance, there will be a brief reception followed by a panel which I will moderate. Panel members include: Dr. Rob Stone---IU Health Hospice, Sharon Parsons---IU Health Hospice House, Gary Wiggins---Compassion and Choices and Diane Kondrat. Of note, donations taken at the door will benefit Compassion & Choices of Indiana and UU Church of Bloomington End-of-Life Task Force.
     MEANWHILE,
For those of you who remember former members Jose and Alexandra Toledo, we received a message from them to share with you---a message of joy as well as an invitation.
     Hola, UU Bloomington! José and I send greetings and big hugs to all of our friends in Bloomington. We remember our time with you dearly and miss the great community of spirit, love, and adventure that you all generate. 
     We are pleased to announce the arrival of our son, Camilo. He was born in Cusco, Peru, on December 13th, a healthy, happy baby. We are now living in Peru's Sacred Valley of the Incas where Jose has his own therapy center and Alexandra is working with two organizations supporting food security and agroecology education.  If anyone adventures to Peru, please look us up and come visit! It is a special place of spiritual energy and natural beauty that we would be happy to share with you.
Abrazos, Alexandra, José y Camilo Toledo
 
Pax, MAM
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin    
Our Folks...
      Best wishes for quick healing to Velma Harrison, who is at Bloomington Hospital. Visitors welcome.
      Congratulations and many blessings to Renee and Kevin Weaver upon the arrival in January of their daughter Ada.
      Good luck to Hans Kelson, a member of our high school youth group, 
who has filed to run for the Benton Township board. Hans will turn 18 before the May primary.
       Lynne Gilliatt and Susan Savastuk are showing their pastels and oils at Lennie's during the month of February. Do stop in and support local artists and a local restaurant!
       A Note from Reverend McNeill: I am back in the office and very grateful for all of the support I've received from the congregation, friends, professionals, and colleagues. I look forward to seeing many of you this weekend; being a part of this community is a rich blessing in my life!

Interest Call-Out for The Lorax
Sunday, March 4, 10:30 a.m.
     The Lorax interest call-out meeting is Sunday, March 4th,10:30-11:00 a.m. in the Library.
      Our children in kindergarten through high school are invited to be part of a Seussical production this spring.  We are fortunate to have two wonderful volunteers for this special occasion, Henry McDaniel and Laurie Green, who have worked with children and youth on several dramatic productions. They are excited to create and share important stories with the UU community: 
     Henry McDaniel is currently a visiting Assistant Professor in Voice and Acting at IU. He started out in Children's Theatre in Memphis, Tennessee, and toured with the Pied Pipers, a children's improvisational troupe, for several years. He performs and serves as voice/dialect coach for Cardinal Theatre and IRT.
     Laurie Green is c urrently tour manager for The Manhattan Transfer, Take 6, and Mandy Harvey.  She led puppetry workshops for Stages Bloomington and Gilda's Club Chicago. She has worked as a puppeteer on KidZone TV @ Mt. Sinai Children's Hospital in NYC, Seemore's Playhouse - PBS, and SuperSprowtz - Live NYC.
       Parents and children interested in participating should attend this important information meeting on March 4. Our production of The Lorax will be performed on Sunday, April 22 at the Earth Day Intergenerational services. 
--Reverend Emily Manvel Leite, Minister of Religious Education, mre@uubloomington.org    

Religious Education Vision Team - New Blog
Our Religious Education Vision Team is blogging.  You can find their blog here:
They will be in the Lucy Booth (yellow booth in Fellowship Hall) on Sunday, March 4th during coffee hour to answer questions you may have about Religious Education, and are eager to hear feedback about your experience. 
--Adrienne Summerlot, Director of Religious Education, dre@uubloomington.org
  Building Community 
Event Cancellations at Church Due to Ice or Snow
When travel conditions become hazardous after snowfall or ice storms, please always turn on your radio (WFIU) or television (WTIU), or check our home page,  www.uubloomington.org,  or our Facebook page,  www.facebook.com/uubloomington  or  www.wfiu.org  for updates on event cancellations or delays. If church services or other major events in our building are canceled, this information will also be broadcast on radio at FM 103.7 and on WTIU television. Group Leaders: Please check your email frequently on days we have snow and ice, because administrative staff may be trying to reach you.
UUs in the News
     On  February 21 , Sheila McDermott-Sipe will be recognized as an outstanding educator at the  Educators of the Year award ceremony, hosted by the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce's Franklin Initiative.  Sheila is a language arts teacher at Bloomington High School South. 
     The February/March edition of Bloom magazine featured many UUs.  
UU couples featured in the article "Couples Who Contribute to the Community," include:   Cathy and Luis Fuentes-Rohwer, Malcolm Dalglish and Judy Klein, Mary Goetze and Bob Althauser, Carrie Newcomer and Robert Meitus, and Peggy and John Woodcock .  You may also notice many familiar names among the writers as well. See the full article here:  https://goo.gl/AWyL1E

Welcome to our newest members!
Below are bios from a couple of our newest members.  Be sure to give them a warm welcome when you see them. --Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator. 

Linda Hunt
Linda Hunt returned to Bloomington after moving away in 1961 to be closer to her family. She worked in Northern Virginia as an educator for 32 years and retired in 1996. She has been an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax for 32 years, serving on the board as president, teaching RE, chairing the membership committee, etc. She loves being in Bloomington and is enjoying a variety of activities here. Her hobbies include traveling, reading, and investing. 

David Dilcher
David Dilcher moved to Bloomington in 1966 with his wife Kathy Dilcher.  They had 2 children, Peter and Ann, who were raised here.  David was a Professor in Botany/Biology 1966-1990 when they moved to the University of Florida in Gainesville.  David retired in 2009 and they moved back to Bloomington. Now an Emeritus professor in Geology and Biology, David still works on research and also at their garden, apple orchard and farm in eastern Greene County. 


Do you live alone and worry about your safety? 
We are starting a new program at UUCB for those of us who live alone. It's called "Calling Buddies." We will pair members of our UU community who live alone with other UUs who live alone.  These matched pairs will call each other regularly (daily or every other day) to check on each other's safety and well-being.  If you are interested in participating in the Calling Buddies program, please contact Ann LeDuc at  connect@uubloomington.org  or  (812)322-3695 ext 203 .

This Sunday!  Find your calling at the Getting Involved Fair!
Our biannual Getting Involved Fair will continue in the Fellowship Hall for two more Sundays,  February 25 and March 4, between services. This is an opportunity to find U.U. groups and activities that excite you.  Each  Sunday a different mix of groups will be available to offer information about their group, and a member of each group will be present to talk with you. This is a great opportunity for newcomers, and long time folks too.
-Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator

Ready to become a member of UU Bloomington?
If this is your community, if you feel at home here, join us! A Membership Ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, March 18 at 10:30 am in room 112.  We ask for participation in our Exploring Unitarian Universalism class prior to signing the membership book. To make arrangements to become a member, or for questions, please contact Ann LeDuc , Connections Coordinator, at  (812) 332-3695 ext 203  or  connect@uubloomington.org .  
pre-2005
Women's Alliance Meets  March 1
       "Immigration in the Trump Era" with Gracia Valliant is our program for Thursday, March 1stChildcare is available for this meeting.  If you would like childcare, please contact Kitty McIntosh at rea@uubloomington.org as soon as possible.
       The Women's Alliance meets the first Thursday of each month at 11:30 a.m.
in Fellowship Hall. The meeting begins with a brown bag lunch.  The hosts for the month, Harriet Pfister and Arzetta Hults-Losensky, will provide drinks and dessert.  The program begins at noon. Join us for this timely and important program.  Everyone is welcome.
Hello, Fellow Travelers 
       Join us in Kansas City, Missouri,  June 20-24, 2018 , and
many other Unitarian Universalists at its annual meeting -
the General Assembly.  You can attend for any amount of time and have an opportunity to vote  on interesting topics, as well as many workshops  worthy of your attendance.
      Since we now have 512 certified members, this year w e are eligible to send eleven (11) member delegates (with voting privileges).  If you are interested, talk to us at the Getting Involved Fair on  Sunday .  Or talk to any former delegates who have attended GA recently:  Marlin Howard, Doug Cauble,  Anne and Chris Haynes, Lloyd Orr and Jackie Hall, Patrick Brantlinger, or  Sandy Dolby. We have some financial support  available for delegates.  
-Iris Kiesling  ifkiesing@aol.com

UU History for You--
Origen and the Formation of Christian Theology
Origen ( 185-254 CE), who is also known as Origen Adamantius, was born and lived most of his life in Alexandria, Egypt. His father was a Christian martyr and young Origen was schooled in Greek philosophy. He was also a committed Christian. He studied both philosophy and theology and is considered the founder of Universalism, through his merging Christian and Greek philosophy. He claimed there was a Trinity consisting of God the Creator who addressed the entire universe. Second was Christ who addressed humanity. Third was the Holy Spirit who addressed those souls ("the elect") already having a status of being saved. He adopted from Plato the belief in free will applied to our relation to others or to God. He added the view that souls had to be renewed if they were not virtuous, and believed souls transmigrated and survived human death. Parts of his theology were adopted by the Catholic Church and others rejected or modified a century after he died. He was accused by his Bishop of being insubordinate and Origen went to a rival Bishop to get his ordination. His Alexandrian Bishop was infuriated and accused Origen of self-castration and the belief that even Satan's soul would be redeemed.
--Elof Carlson, UUCB Historian 
Current Membership: 512 certified members; 522 current members.
Attendance 
     Sunday, February 11           9 :15 : 0  (canceled for ice)    11:15: 161     TOTAL: 161
     Sunday, February 18          9:15: 117                             11:15: 152     TOTAL: 269
Non-Pledge Offering  February 11    $373.17     Sunday, February 18    $563.14  
Total to be donated (25%) to All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center $245.93
Grocery Card Sales   (Bloomingfoods or Lucky's Market)
  February 11: $0, income to UUCB $0    Sunday, February 18: $450, income to UUCB $27.00     
  Seeking the Spirit  
Adult Religious Education Opportunities

Being Mortal by Atul Gawande: End of Life Issues
led by Anne and Chris Haynes
10 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Four Saturdays, March 10, 17, 24 and 31,  Library
       Atul Gawande's book, Being Mortal, raises important questions about how people are treated at the end of life and how death and dying are seen by medical practitioners.  It provides new perspectives on end of life experiences and how society does and could deal with issues around aging and the dying process.
We will explore these issues through reading and group discussion.  Please read chapters 1-2 before our first session.  Copies of the book are available for purchase at the UU Booktable or can be borrowed from the church library.
       This course is offered through UU Adult Religious Education. Please register by February 22: contact office@uubloomington.org or 812-332-3695 ext. 204. Childcare can be provided if two or more families need it in order to attend. Contact Kitty at rea@uubloomington.org by February 22 if you will need childcare.
Earth Kin Book Discussion February 26
For Earth Kin's second book discussion series, we will read Sandra Ingerman & Hank Wesselman's Awakening to the Spirit World: The Shamanic Path of Direct Revelation. We will discuss the book in three parts, 5 chapters each (about 100-pages per meeting). The first discussion--Introduction + Chapters 1 through 5 (pp. xxi-110)--will take place on Monday, February 26th from 7:00pm-8:30pm in the Library. There are many affordable ways to get the book from E-Book to used copies as low as $3.88 on Amazon to library copies. Please contact Brooke Opel at bopel88@gmail.com if you have any issues finding a copy. 
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
Open Mind Zen Meets Mondays at 7:00 p.m.
Join Frank Seisho Diaz for meditation, talks, and discussions on Zen Buddhism, Mondays 7:00-8:30 p.m., in Room 110 here at the church. All are welcome regardless of faith or experience. 
 More info:  openmindzenbloomington@gmail.com or 
Traditional Taiji on Saturdays at 8:00 a.m.
Brian Flaherty leads "Wu (Hao)" style Taiji in Fellowship Hall on Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. Anyone is welcome, even those with no experience. Please wear loose-fitting clothing. creektivity@gmail.com
UU Humanists Meet February 25
An opportunity for regular, open, wide-ranging discussions relating to ethics, human development, and the nature of the universe. The bi-weekly forum will meet next on Sunday, February 25, at 12:45 p.m. in Room 208. The discussion will be led by Judy Berkshire on "What is affordable housing in Bloomington?"  For general questions about our UU Humanist group,  contact  Ann Watzel.
UU Freethinkers Enjoy 
Free Ranging Discussion  March 4
The purpose of the UU Freethinkers bi-weekly meeting is to create the opportunity for participants to raise questions and engage in open and non-structured discussion of issues of social concern, political concern, and theological/religious concern. UU Freethinkers meet on alternating Sundays after children's religious education classes end, in Room 208.   UU Freethinkers will meet next on Sunday, March 4, 12:45 pm.
Works by Members and Friends Available for Sale 
at Our Booktable
1. Paul & Carol Arnold wrote Divided By the Light
2. Sandy Dolby's tome is The Handel Letters: A Biographical Conversation
3. We have copies of the following novels by Ian Woollen:  Hoosier Life and Casualty, Uncle Anton's Atomic Bomb, and Muir Woods or Bust 
  Changing the World 
Bloomington favorite Diane Kondrat 
returns to our Meeting Room 
Saturday morning, March 3 
for show on end-of-life issues
       As Reverend Macklin announced recently, actor and local favorite Diane Kondrat will take the stage again in Bloomington to appear in "Final Acts: End-of-Life Scenarios and Conversation," a one-hour show that portrays some of the complicated questions raised by end-of-life situations.
       A single performance of "Final Acts" takes place at 11 a.m. on Saturday morning, March 3, here in our Meeting Room.
         The show presents various end-of-life scenarios that many families and loved ones confront, such as the pressures of taking care of a loved one with dementia, deciding whether to pursue exceptional life-saving procedures, the questions surrounding physician-assisted death, end of life planning, and more. During the show, audience members may question the actors, who stay in character as they respond.   Cost: Freewill donations taken at the door will benefit Compassion & Choices of Indiana and UU Church of Bloomington End-of-Life education programming  Click here for details.
Jammin' Java Coffeehouse Friday, March 23
     The Habitat Task Force is sponsoring the Jammin' Java Coffeehouse on  Friday, March 23 , beginning at  7:30 p.m. , in Fellowship Hall. Doors open at  7 p.m.  The event will feature singer Jenn Cristy and musician Malcolm Dalglish, along with the Bloomington High School South Jazz Combo, Keaton Springfield, Ed Robbins & Julie Lawson, Heartland String Band, Travis Puntarelli, Dan Lodge-Rigal, and the IU Jacobs School of Music Strings Academy Piano Quartet. All proceeds will go to support local Habitat builds. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for youth 18 years and younger. Light refreshments and coffee/drinks will be available. Childcare will be provided, but reservations need to be made by  March 9  to  rea@uubloomington.org .
       The Habitat Task Force is also sponsoring an Easter morning fundraising breakfast between services on  April 1  in Fellowship Hall. Breakfast casseroles, eggs, potatoes, fruit and baked goods, juice will be served. Please come to church hungry!
       Our fundraisers are helping us to financially sponsor a Habitat resale house by contributing $5,200 and to support other Habitat builds and housing projects.  We would like to thank the UUCB's Social Justice Funds Grants Committee for awarding us a $1,000 grant that is being used to help meet our commitment to renovate a Habitat house for a new family. We worked on renovations of the house in December with the family.
       We are looking forward to having Darryl Neher, Habitat's new CEO, speak during our social justice moment on  March 4 . Please visit our connections booth that Sunday and look at our bulletin board display during the month of March for more details on our activities. --Barb Berggoetz
Community Connections
Our Faith in Action in the Community

Love Songs for a Lasting World Saturday, February 24
Benefit for Middle Way House
Malcolm Dalglish and the Ooolites, along with former Pilobolus dancer Jun Kuribayashi, will bring wild, soaring melodies, transcendent harmonies, and acrobatic moves to the Buskirk-Chumley Theater on February 24, 2018 at 7:30 PM.
Love Songs for a Lasting World is a fanciful swirl of song, dance, and pie, and raises funds for Middle Way House, the nonprofit emergency shelter and rape crisis center which provides a wide range of services to survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and human trafficking in six counties in southern Indiana. There will be delicious apple pie from Muddy Forks (included in ticket price).

Backpack Full of Cash Film Screening March 1
The Indiana Coalition For Public Education-Monroe County is hosting a movie, Backpack Full of Cash, on March 1st. It is a ticketed free event. This link provides more information and allows you to reserve a ticket. Join us! 
--Debbie Fish, Vice Chair ICPE-MC Board. schoolofdfish@gmail.com

Macaroni for Shalom Center!
    For the last several years, our congregation's members and friends have provided macaroni and spaghetti for the meal program at Shalom Community Center. Please remember to pick up a package the next time you go to the store.  Collection basket for donations is under the Social Justice table in the Commons. 
Contact a Minister

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. 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.  mcneill@uu bloomington.org . He can also be reached on his mobile phone, 703-577-0919 and for after-hours pastoral emergencies, please call him at 812-727-0919. 



Reverend Emily Manvel Leite our Minister of Religious Education,  can be reached at 
812-332 -3695, ext. 207  on Weds and Fri mornings.  mre@uubloomington.org


Our Covenant of Right Relations
In June 2017, our members affirmed a Covenant of Right Relations. Click here to read it.

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, please email Andy Beargie at   media@uubloomington.org  
Church Calendar
Office Hours: M-F 10-4
Calendar: A link to our church calendar can be found on this page of our website. 
Facebook:  Many church events also appear on our 
Prologue Publication Schedule: 
The deadline for articles is 10 a.m. on the date of publication, which is the first and third Tuesday of each month. Next few issues:  Mar 6, Mar 20, April 2, April 16 etc.
Masthead photo by John Woodcock.
Unitarian Universalist Church