March 26, 2021
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, IN
Grounds Volunteer Orientation Tomorrow!
Saturday, March 27, 10 am
Interested in helping to keep our church grounds beautiful? Bring your mask and join us to learn about grounds volunteering at 10 am this Saturday, 3/27.
Questions about volunteering? Contact Ann at connect(at)uubloomington.org
This Sunday's Service
Sunday, March 28, 2021
10:15 am Livestream
Let the Sun Shine In
Rev. Dave Clements
Rev. Bill Breeden
Ministers Rev. Bill Breeden and Rev. Dave Clements promise to deliver a service that is lively, with Messages from Reverend Mary Ann, Dancing by Robin, and a Musical Introduction by Sylvia. 

We will be kicking off our annual stewardship drive, and the theme is SUNSHINE! Please tune in for an inspiring and fun time.
If you miss the livestream, you can view archived videos on our website.
Early Bird Coffee Hour at 9:15 am
Bring your coffee and join us at 9:15 on Sunday mornings to relax with friends and enjoy your coffee before the service. Click on this link to register for the early bird coffee hour and receive the Zoom link.

Connect with Our UU Community during
Virtual Coffee Hour
Everyone is welcome to join us after the worship service, until 12:30 pm, for engaging conversation in Virtual Coffee Hour. 

Just click on this link after the service to join us!
 
Breakout Rooms this Sunday:
  • Resume Virtues vs. Eulogy Virtues: How Do You Want to be Remembered? (End of Life Task Force)
  • Gardeners' Gathering
  • General Discussion
End of Life Task Force Discussion this Sunday
Please join the End of Life Task Force this Sunday during Coffee Hour, where our theme will be Résumé Virtues vs. Eulogy Virtues: How Do You Want to be Remembered? To give us common ground for discussion, here’s a brief web article on the topic. What is most significant to you and others around you? Do you, or someone you know, believe that the virtues that are labeled as resume virtues are, in fact, eulogy virtues? What is important? What do we want to leave as our legacy in the world? Are you interested in writing your own eulogy, emphasizing what is important to you? If you’d written it 10 years ago, would it have been different?
UU Freethinkers meet March 28, 12:45 pm
The UU Freethinkers will meet this Sunday at 12:45 pm via Zoom for an open discussion of social, political, and theological/religious issues. If you'd like to join us, please contact Harold Ogren, ogrenh (at) gmail.com, to get the link to the Zoom meetings and to be added to our email discussion list.
Last Call for Sunday March 28th Seder
Everyone is invited to join in our Zoom celebration of Passover this Sunday, March 28, from 6-7:30PM. We'll share the story, ritual foods, and fellowship together. Contact Reverend Emily (mre (at) uubloomington.org) to sign up and receive a kit, including the haggadah (story/ritual book) and, if you are local, many of the ritual foods.
Pledging for “Sunshine Pledge 2021-22” and Giving Electronically Available Sunday
We will use our new database to receive your pledge commitments for 2021-22 beginning this Sunday! A link to an online pledge form will be available starting this Sunday, March 28, so you will be able to easily let us know your pledge amount for 2021-22. After pledging online, you will receive a thank you email that will contain a link so you can make an online payment toward that pledge if you wish. (We are investigating making Text-to-Give available pretty soon.) The site is very clean and intuitive, and we think navigating it should be a breeze. (There will also be other ways for you to make your pledge, if you’d rather email us, call us, or send us a pledge card in the mail.) Click here for details about Giving online.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION UPDATES
Everyone is welcome to drop in for an all-ages exploration of We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom with Stephanie Serriere as a part of our Anti- Racist Families program on Sunday, March 28th at 11:30am.
Meeting ID: 841 1916 0046
Passcode: kids
We welcome new babies and adopted children!
Are you expecting a new baby or adopted child in your family, or know a UU who is? If so, please let us know! We want to welcome all new children to our UU family. Just email Ann at connect(at)uubloomington.org and let her know about the new baby or adopted child.
Baby Dedication on Easter Sunday - please contact us by March 28 to participate!
Instead of baptism, Unitarian Universalists celebrate new babies with a special dedication ceremony. The next one is on Sunday, April 4, and will take place via video during our livestreamed service. Please let us know if you would like to participate with your baby or toddler. Contact Rev. Emily Manvel Leite by March 28, mre(at)uubloomington.org.
Working Group Planning for Eventual UUCB
Re-Opening
With vaccines becoming more widely available, we have begun to receive inquiries about when the church will reopen. At the same time, we know that many members of the congregation remain concerned about COVID-19 infections.

The Board along with the ministers recently formed a Working Group to begin a discussion of re-opening plans for the church. The members of the group are Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, Reverend David Clements, Abby Gitlitz, Ann LeDuc, Jane McLeod, and Melinda Swenson. Read more.

We welcome any input that you might have. Please send ideas, questions, and concerns to Abby Gitlitz at agitlitz(at)hotmail.com or Jane McLeod at jmcleod(at)indiana.edu.
Sunshine Sharing Cookie Crew
We are seeking cookie bakers of all ages to bring a little sunshine to our Pledge Drive celebration on April 18--if you would have fun helping us make dozens of sun-shaped roll cookies, we'll provide the cookie cutters and logistical support. Contact Reverend Emily to join in: mre(at)uubloomington.org
Congregational Read: Discussions & Resources
Facilitated groups will not meet the week of March 28th.

The UU Online Book Club will continue their discussion of Caste on Monday, April 5th at 6:30 p.m. Sign up for the Zoom link: UU Book Club Registration

There will be a Virtual Coffee Hour discussion of Parts 4 and 5 following the service on Sunday, April 11th. Everyone is invited - save the date! 

The Congregational Read Resource page is updated regularly with information that may be of interest to all who are reading the book.  
The Annual Goods and Services Auction needs your donations!
Item donation deadline is April 11
Spring is just around the corner and so is the Annual UUCB Goods and Services Auction. The auction will be virtual again this year, with an online catalog and bidding. Bidding will start at 12:00 noon on April 25 and end at 6:00 pm on May 2. We are hoping that your creative juices will start flowing for what could be offered with masks, socially distanced, and outdoors. Use this link to donate a service, dinner, or item!
Auction Planning Committee: Deb Fish, Drew Schrader, Sarah Kopper, and Ann LeDuc
25% Sunday Plate Fund: Nomination Process for 2021-2022
Applications now available -- deadline April 15
The process for nominating our next local non-profit agency to receive 25% of Sunday non-pledge plate collections has begun. An application form with guidelines is available here: Social Justice Funds Committee: 25% Sunday Plate Fund. The application deadline is April 15th.
Our Folks . . .
Gladys DeVane will perform excerpts from Come Sit with Me: A Collection of Written Works at the University Women's Club Annual Meeting on Thursday, April 8, at 11:30 a.m. via Zoom. To attend, you must register by noon on Tuesday, April 6, by emailing uclub@indiana.edu. Click here for more information.
Visit with the Connections Coordinator Fridays at 3:30 pm
Join the Connections Coordinator, Ann LeDuc, on Zoom Fridays, 3:30-4:30 pm. Ask your questions, or just visit. Everyone is welcome to drop-in. Additional ways to contact Ann are via email at connect(at)uubloomington.org or phone at (812) 720-3688. Use this link to drop-in and talk to Ann on Fridays at 3:30 p.m.
Reverend Macklin and Adrienne Summerlot Away in March
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, Senior Minister, and Director of Religious Education Adrienne Summerlot are off duty for the month of March. We thank all of our staff and ministers for the extra time, energy, and effort required by these pandemic times. 
NOW: Vaccinations Available for Age 40 and Older!
On March 31: Vaccinations Available for Age 16 and Up!
People age 40 and older in Indiana are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Visit this website, or call 211: https://vaccine.coronavirus.in.gov. Beginning on 3/31, anyone age 16 and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine.
Action Alert: Indiana General Assembly
Say "No" -- IN House Bill 1005-School Choice Matters
The League of Women Voters of Indiana supports funding for equal access to quality education for all Indiana children. IN H.B. 1005 involves public funding for private education. The LWVIN is watching and opposes this bill. For more information and how you can help, click here.
Shalom Community Center Donation Updates
Here are the latest needs of Shalom Center for the remainder of March and through April:
* Pasta * Cereal (large boxes) * Canned food * Condiments * Coffee (not instant) * Tea * Hygiene products * Clothes, especially socks *
Please drop off your donations in the bins marked "Pitch In for Shalom" on the north side of the church under the Portico. Thank you for your continued support!
The Community Kitchen Wants Your Help
Throughout the challenges of this past year, the Community Kitchen here in Bloomington has remained open, providing an uninterrupted flow of nutritious food for hungry people. Want to volunteer for this effort? Sign up for a cooking shift here. COVID-19 prevention precautions are strictly enforced at Community Kitchen. For more info, email Deb Hutton.
--Mary Blizzard, Help Feed Our Hungry Neighbors Task Force
Help Feed Our Hungry Neighbors Task Force
Collecting Food for Area 10 Agency on Aging
For MARCH AND APRIL our food drive will focus on Area 10 Agency on Aging. Please drop off donations in the labeled bins on the north side of the church, by the Portico entrance. Click here for the list of needed items.
Green Sanctuary Task Force Weekly Tips

Lessen the demand for plastic bags everywhere you go! Reusable bags can be used at ALL stores -- not just the grocery store. Keep a few extra bags with you anytime you are out and about, and you'll be ready for any of those errands.
Deadline for submissions to the Order of service and Friday UU Update
Thursday, 9 am, to office(at)uubloomington.org
Masthead photo by Marcia Hart.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Mailing address during covid:
UU Church, PO Box 1158,
Nashville, Indiana 47448-1158