May 21, 2021
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Green Sanctuary Task Force
Spring Clothing Swap Tomorrow
Saturday, May 22, 10 am - 1 pm
Bryan Park Woodlawn Shelter
The Green Sanctuary Task Force will hold its Spring Clothing Swap tomorrow from 10 am to 1 pm at Bryan Park Woodlawn Shelter. Volunteers are needed to assist with sorting clothes and delivering what is left over. Please contact Stephanie Kimball at stephanie.k (at) posteo.net for info or to volunteer. All participants are expected to wear masks and maintain appropriate physical distancing.
Update: Saturday and Sunday Evening Sunshine Dance Video-Taping Has Been POSTPONED Until June... stay tuned!
In Harmony with Habitat Online Concert Tomorrow Night!
Saturday, May 22, 7:00 pm
The UU Habitat Task Force is hosting a livestreamed fundraising concert for a Habitat for Humanity home in Bloomington on Saturday, May 22, 7:00-9:00 pm. A group of talented musicians will perform in recorded videos and live from our sanctuary.
Please go to boxoffice.mandolin.com/collections/in-harmony-with-habitat to see the full lineup and to purchase tickets, offered at several prices. Ticket holders can listen to it for 48 hours after the concert. Help the UU Habitat Task Force raise funds for sponsoring a Habitat for Humanity house in Bloomington.
This Sunday's Service
Sunday, May 23, 2021
10:15 am Livestream
The Stories We Tell
Reverend Dave Clements
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Recently our congregation completed a congregational read of the book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson. In this service you will hear stories from some of our members who participated in the congregational read. What did they learn? What is their story? As we look to the time when we will move past this pandemic, what will be the stories that generations will tell about this time? What do we hope that they will say about us? We will explore what possible stories will be told. I invite all of you to come with an open mind, open heart, and open will. — Rev. Dave
If you miss the livestream, you can view archived videos on our website.
Early Bird Coffee Hour
Bring your coffee or tea and join us at 9:15 am to relax with friends and enjoy your coffee before the service. Everyone is welcome!  Click here to register for 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. 
-- Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator

Breakout rooms this Sunday:
  • General Discussion
  • End of Life
  • Gardeners
UU Freethinkers Meet May 23, 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 Ann Watzel for the link to the Zoom meetings and to be added to our email discussion list.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION UPDATE
When was the last time you climbed a tree, skipped some rocks, and just played with friends outside? Adults, children and family need to play together. We are creating Intergenerational Playgroups this summer to help foster connections among our UU Congregation of ALL AGES! If you are interested, please complete this short interest form so you can receive playfUUl invitations this summer! Adrienne Summerlot would be thrilled to hear ideas and answer questions - reach her via email at dre(at)uubloomington.org.
Pledge Drive Encouragement--
Please Make Your Pledge Today!

Our goal is $675,000 for the coming year (2021-22 begins July 1) and our current total is $550,000.

Making a financial pledge to the church is easy and every pledge counts, no matter the amount!

There are several different ways that you can choose from to let us know how much you would like to pledge. You can use this handy online form, bit.ly/Sunshine2122. Or you can pledge by calling or texting Church Administrator Carol Marks at 812-287-9615 or by sending your pledge amount to her at admin (at) uubloomington.org, or by mailing in the pledge card we mailed you awhile back. Choose the way that makes you happiest, but please make your pledge today, so we can continue to Seek the Spirit, Build Community, and Change the World together!

And of course, many, many thanks to everyone who has already pledged.
Ray of Sunshine CDs Still Available
If you would like to order a Ray of Sunshine CD, they are available to order for $25 each by clicking here. We'll mail them to you!
NEST listening session NEXT Sunday, May 30
The Next Steps in Transition (NEST) working group will offer a final listening session during Virtual Coffee Hour on May 30. We invite everyone to join us to share your thoughts and ideas regarding the transition to in-person gatherings at the church.  

REOPENING UPDATE:

Now that the CDC has stated that people with a full Covid vaccine can gather without masks, the members of NEST know that many of you are anxious to begin meeting together again. While we believe that all of us would like that to happen, we are still committed to making the reopening of the church safe and inclusive for everyone, including those who cannot get the vaccine or are in a high-risk group.

We are currently tentatively planning to begin to hold in person services at the church in the beginning of September. This allows us to continue our dynamite services with guest ministers from other regions while Rev Macklin and Rev Clements take some well-deserved vacation in August.

In the meantime, we are putting together a metric by which we would make the church available to small groups and will have a plan ready for the congregation by the end of May. 

We are also planning in person outdoor activities for the whole congregation throughout the summer to get us reacquainted with seeing each other face to face.

We will present a full reopening plan, with guiding metrics, to the congregation at our Congregational Meeting, June 13. We will also have a final NEST listening session for the congregation during coffee hour May 30 after the service. Please come join us and share your thoughts, hopes, and concerns about reopening.
From the Racial Justice Task Force
May 31-June 1, 2021 is the 100 year anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre. To deepen our understanding of racial injustice and its historical context, the Racial Justice Task Force wants you to be aware of (1) Lotus Festival’s presentation of They Still Want to Kill Us, which will stream for free from May 25 through July 31; and (2) the PBS documentary Tulsa: The Fire and the Forgotten, premiering May 31. 
UU Online Book Club
Now Reading: Nomadland by Jessica Bruder
The UU Online Book Club meets the first Monday of each month at 6:30 pm via Zoom. Their current book is Nomadland by Jessica Bruder and will be discussed on June 7 at 6:30 pm. If you would like to join the book club, use this link to register for the Zoom meeting: UU Book Club Registration
Writing as a Spiritual Practice
with Rev. Barbara Child
A Drop-in Group on Zoom
Tuesdays 1-2 pm, May 11 through June 29
I invite you to come along on this journey of personal exploration through writing in community. You are welcome to attend any or all sessions. Click here for a full description of how the group works. You will need to register by clicking here to get the Zoom link.  
Pitch in for Shalom
Here are the latest needs of the SHALOM CENTER for spring and summer. 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!
Pasta - Cereal, large boxes - Canned food
Condiments - Coffee, not instant - Tea
Hygiene products - Clothes, especially socks
Jewish Theatre of Bloomington Presents
A Pickle -- May 22 and 23
You'll LOVE this darkly comedic look at the Minnesota State Fair, pickle prejudice, and culture clash! This hilarious and heartwarming show will take place via Zoom. Click here for complete information.
Free Palestine Bloomington Protest
Saturday the 22 at 6:00 p.m. - the Monroe County Courthouse
Vaccinations available for age 12 and older!
People age 12 and older in Indiana are now eligible for the covid-19 vaccine. Visit this website or call 211. Extra vaccines may be available in adjoining counties. vaccine.coronavirus.in.gov
Green Sanctuary Task Force Weekly Tip

Use Green Cleaning Products: You can concoct healthy, green cleaners using common household items like baking soda and vinegar that will get your home clean and shiny without using harsh chemicals.
Deadline for submissions to the Order of service and Friday UU Update
Thursday, 9 am, to office(at)uubloomington.org
Masthead photos by Marcia Hart.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Mailing address during covid:
UU Church, PO Box 1158,
Nashville, Indiana 47448-1158