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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.
Should You Give Money to People Who Are Panhandling?
The Reverend Forrest Gilmore
The Reverend Forrest Gilmore, our Affiliated Community Minister, and Executive Director of Shalom Community Center, will be our guest in the pulpit. Beverly McGahey and friends will bring gifts of music.
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9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
Poetic Arrival
The Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Reverend Macklin returns to the pulpit with a sermon about poetry that may include references to Japanese haiku and the work of Jane Hirshfield. Keaton Springfield, piano, and Steve Pollitt, flute, will bring gifts of music.
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9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
The Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
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From Our Associate Minister
One of the great things to emerge out of our monthly theme of "Story" for July 2018, has been that many people have connected more with their own story and are sharing it in bits and pieces. I want to encourage you to continue that - and to consider one concrete opportunity to share your stories and have ways to help develop them:
Chalice Circles.
You'll hear more about this program in August, as we have an annual kickoff - but this is a bridge between "story" and the opportunity to sign-up (and gives you time to think about it). Chalice Circles meet once or twice a month, typically for 90 minutes (as with all things Unitarian Universalist, each group has its unique variations of place, day/time, etc.). There is a topic (for instance, many of the groups use the theme of the month, or find something else that speaks to them) and there are quotes and questions that prompt inner reflection, a chance to share, and a commitment to deeply listen to one another's story (which means not interrupting to give advice, or anything like that - just hearing the person's sharing for what it is).
At the end of each meeting, some groups make a time to discuss what has come up in the group; some don't. Each group decides how they'd like do that. Each person's story is kept confidential within the group (unless there is a situation of current harm, which congregations and other institutions have a duty to help with).
As I said, you'll learn more - but I want you to consider these as an opportunity. Amidst the chaos of the culture around us, it is good to have a tether, a place we can come back to and share stories and silence together. And, I want to invite you to take that time (whether you join a Chalice Circle group, or not) to touch base with me or one of the ministers of the congregation. A significant part of our role in this community is to bear witness to your stories and be there with you as you change and grow. It's an awesome responsibility and privilege to do so; I thank you all for sharing so much with me over the past few weeks in our month of "Story."
Reverend Scott McNeill
Associate Minister
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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 now
online here.
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,
[email protected], if you have questions. Sign up for the
parent meeting online here.
Spark your cUUriosity this August
In Religious Education in our August Intersession, families can learn more about what exciting things will be happening by
clicking here.
Sharing My Story
as a Religious Education Teacher
by Maggie Talmage
Teaching in the Religious Education (RE) program at the UU Church has been one of my best and favorite decisions in the last few years. I was looking for another way to get involved with the church - contribute to the greater good and also develop a different aspect of myself. I decided to try preschool teaching even though I've never done it before. Several years later, I still enjoy it. The kids are great. I made friends with their parents. And the RE staff has been so helpful and understanding along the way. It's the small moments that make all the difference. Like a child waving and saying 'hello' when they see you, or watching a parent's explicit love for their child, or being greeted with a warm smile by the RE staff when you arrive. It's not hard. You can make whatever you want out of it. And the rewards are the best. Join us!!
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Mailing lists are being updated--We need your help
We are preparing to update our mailing list. If you did not receive your Friday UU Update on July 6 or your Prologue on July 17, please check to be certain that we have your current postal address and correct email address so that we can get you back on the list. If you have friends who should be receiving our emails, please let us know about that, too. Send your changes to [email protected] or call (812) 332-3695, ext. 204.
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From Our Board President
July has been a wonderful and uplifting month so far for our congregation. Thanks to all who marched, cheered, and wished good 'cool' vibes to our members and friends who participated in the 4th of July Parade. Gratitude to the musicians and organizers!
Taking inspiration from our theme of the month, "story," your Board of Directors begins to write their story together this week as they meet for the first time in this new fiscal year. As a reminder, you will recognize board members by the blue ribbons on their nametags on Sundays, and you can find a board representative in the yellow "Lucy" booth on the last Sunday of each month.
Michelle Monroe-Cook
President of the Board
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Our Folks...
Our thoughts are with Velma Harrison, and her family. Velma is a long-standing member of our community and her health has been in significant decline over the past week. We wish her well as she works toward regaining strength.
Our sympathy is with Kevin Rottet and Dave Crane and their family upon the passing of Kevin's mother Carollee Strath, in Michigan on July 6.
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Tell us your story!
We would like to learn about your story with the UU Church of Bloomington; what brought you here, what is meaningful to you here, and how you connect with this community. Please take
this short survey to help us learn about your story with UUCB.
-- 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, July 29 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
[email protected]
Mark your calendars for the August
Getting Involved Fair!
On
August 12, 19, and 26 we will hold our biannual
Getting
Involved
Fair in the Fellowship Hall between
Sunday services. Each
Sunday a different mix of groups and task forces will be represented by group members who are eager to talk to you about their group. This is a great opportunity for everyone to learn about what our groups and task forces are doing, and get involved in whatever calls to you.
-Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
Calling All UU Singles -
Game Night July 20th
A few of us unattached people at UU have been meeting for lunch after the second service. We want invite all UU singles to a GAME NIGHT. On
Friday, July 20th, from 7:00-9:00 p.m.
join us in Fellowship Hall for fun and games. Bring along your favorite game...board or cards or other. Also, bring your own drink and a munchie to share that won't require us to use the kitchen facilities. (If you are part of a couple but your partner won't play games with you, join us!!)
For more information, or to join our "lunch bunch," contact Debbie Fish
[email protected].
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Celebrate Lughnasadh with Earth Kin July 29
All are welcome to join Earth Kin in honoring the first Celtic harvest festival of the year-Lughnasadh (LOO-nah-sah, also called Lammas). Seasonally, Lughnasadh is the time when corn and grains are ready to be harvested and when other late summer fruits and vegetables are ripe for picking. Spiritually, Lughnasadh is the time when we all begin to reap what we have been cultivating for the past few months and realize that the abundance of summer will soon come to an end as the circle of the year turns ever towards Samhain. The Earth Kin ritual celebration will take place on Sunday, July 29, 2018, from 3:00pm to 5:00pm in the Fellowship Hall (or outside, weather permitting). During the ritual, we will celebrate the abundance that we have grown in our lives and share the gifts of this first harvest season. If able, please bring a seasonal dish or libation to share!
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UUCB Book Discussion Group Meets August 19
The UUCB Book Discussion group will meet on Sunday 19 August 2018 at the home of Nedra and Elof Carlson at 3:00 p.m. 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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We Have Earned ENERGY STAR Certification for the 4th Year!
We're excited to announce that our building has earned ENERGY STAR® certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the 4th year!
This certification represents proven, verified superior energy performance over a 12-month period.
In fact, ENERGY STAR certified buildings and plants perform in the top 25 percent of similar buildings nationwide!
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to our solar panels projects, and thank you for being a part of our sustainability story by taking simple actions to cut energy waste - like turning off the lights in empty rooms, and reporting energy waste to our church administrator.
Here's to another year of cutting energy waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and doing our part to protect the environment - together!
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Photos of UUs at a Recent Rally for "Families Belong Together"
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Vigil and Rally, August 9, 8 p.m.
Please join the Just Peace Task Force and our cosponsors 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. Please bring a candle. If you have questions or would like to help, please contact David Keppel:
[email protected]
or (812) 272-0597.
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Community Connections
Our Faith in Action in the Community
Here are links to a number of the organizations in our community doing important and helpful work right now. Click and find out what they are up to:
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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. [email protected]
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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.
[email protected]
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UU Freethinkers Enjoy
Free Ranging Discussion
Sunday, July 22, 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, after children's religious education classes end.
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UU History for You
Elizabeth Gaskell: Controversial Novelist of the Industrial Revolution
Elizabeth (nee Stevenson) Gaskell (1810-1865) was born in Chelsea, England. Her parents were dissenters, related to the Wedgwood and Darwin families. Her father was a teacher, a Unitarian minister, and a civil servant. Elizabeth was the last born of seven children (only two reached adulthood). Her mother died a year after Elizabeth was born.
She was raised by her maternal aunt and attended a boarding school for her education. She enjoyed poetry and writing stories. She married William Gaskell, a Unitarian minister and he respected his wife's desire to write. She felt true Christianity was found in the service we provide others. Her stories of the plight of the poor attracted the notice of Charles Dickens who hired her to write for his magazine.
Her novels were controversial.
Mary Barton
, her first novel, condemned the greed of capitalists during the Industrial Revolution. Her novel
Ruth
was even more controversial because she described the disgrace of her character (an unwed mother) who overcame the prejudices and found a worthwhile life for herself. It was considered immoral because Ruth was not fully punished for her sin. She also wrote a biography of Charlotte Bronte.
-- Elof Carlson, UUCB Historian
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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.
Reverend Macklin is away until July 29.
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.
For pastoral emergencies, call Scott at 812-727-0919.
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
,
our Minister of Religious Education,
can be reached at
812-332
-3695 (ext. 207)
on Wednesday and Friday mornings.
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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
[email protected].
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.
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Current Membership: 512 certified members; 529 current members.
Attendance Numbers for July and the first Sunday of August will appear in the August 7 Prologue.
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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
Next few
issues:
August 7, August 21, September 4, September 18.
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Masthead photo: "Roots" by Marcia Hart.
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