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Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World
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Sunday, March 12, 2017 9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
Why We Make Mistakeƨ
Reverend Scott McNeill
Years ago, I came across a line in an article in the Friends' Journal (the Quaker equivalent of the UU World), "How silent the woods would be if only the best birds sang." We'll explore the ways we take risks and the ways we choose to play it safe--or so we think.
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Sunday, March 19, 2017 9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
Truth Decay: Risk of Truth Telling in a Post-Truth Era
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
"
Risk anything! Care no more for the opinion of others...Do the hardest thing on earth for you. Act for yourself. Face the truth."
(
Journal entry, 14 October 1922)"
Is the truth such an individual effort as Mansfield suggests? What is truth within community? How do present day saints, our poets, bring us closer to the truth.
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Pledge Celebration Saturday, April 22
More Fun, More Food, More Pledging!
Join us on Saturday, April 22 for an inspiring and fellowship-filled day of Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, and Changing the World. We are setting this day aside for pledging for the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2017. Activities (including making your financial pledge) for all ages and spiritual inclinations are being planned, and we hope to see you! (Yes, we know this is the same day as Little 500. It will be fine; don't worry!) For further details, see Reverend Macklin's Musings, below.
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Thank you to the more than fifty people who came and shared their questions and perspectives at Sunday's Town Hall exploring UUCB becoming a Sanctuary Congregation. We on the Board continue to recognize our dual role in this endeavor to both support our ministers and congregation in our chosen social justice endeavors and to manage the risks to our congregation, staff, ministers, and guests. We appreciate hearing your concerns and will continue to work with the ministers, staff, and lay leaders in this important endeavor. Please continue to send your questions about Sanctuary to the Board and ministers. We will continue to post new information on the UUCB website: http://www.uubloomington.org/becoming-a-sanctuary-congregation/
As Reverend McNeill put it so eloquently at the Town Hall, Solidarity is important. We look forward to seeing the congregation at 5:30pm on Thursday for the Special Congregational Meeting to vote on UUCB becoming a Sanctuary Congregation.
SECOND NOTICE
SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
The Meeting Room, 2120 N. Fee Lane
Thursday, March 9, 2017
5:30 p.m.
To discuss and vote on becoming a Sanctuary Congregation.
All members encouraged to attend.
Childcare provided.
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What It Can Mean
to Be a Sanctuary Congregation
Over the past few weeks, I have had many great conversations with members and friends of the church, as you explore what it can mean to be a "Sanctuary Congregation." There is much work to do, as we learn about and wrestle with this question before the Congregational Meeting and Vote this Thursday (March 9 at 5:30 p.m.) -- so, let me use this chance to direct you to a few resources.
One of the things I most appreciate about this community is that people are willing to risk sharing their hopes and fears about our work, grounded in a sense of purpose and justice and willingness to grow. To me, that's the definition of leadership in action! If you have more questions about becoming a "Sanctuary Congregation," please reach out to me; I may not have the answer (but will try to find it or connect you to someone).
Reverend Scott McNeill
Associate Minister
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MAM's Musings
SAVE The DATE: April 22, 2017! PLEDGE DAY
Our Congregation will celebrate its first Pledge Day from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 22. Please stay tuned for the many activities that will fill the day. We hope you will participate as well as help out.
If you will be attending a March for Science and cannot join us on April 22nd, please let us know by March 12th, and we will deliver a pie and a pledge card to you on March 14th. Pi Day!!! (We support our scientists, science educators and science lovers!)
THANKS, EVERYONE!
Thanks to everyone who helped make Dr. Megory Anderson's visit to our congregation and our Bloomington community a big success.
Dr. Anderson is an author, theologian, and educator who has helped hundreds of people through the transition from life to death. She is founder and executive director of the
Sacred Dying Foundation
, an organization that offers information, education, and training regarding carrying out end-of-life vigils during a dying person's final hours.
Dr. Anderson participated in our vigil training this weekend, spoke at several events and graced our pulpit with her presence. I told Dr. Anderson, "Y'know, due to the elections in November, the topics from the pulpit have been a little heavy here-of-late. It was nice to have you preach upon the lighter topic of death and dying." :-) In addition, thank you to our VALE (Vigiling At Life's End) volunteers (both generations!) and assistants. Your ministry is deeply appreciated by many.
Peace,
Mary Ann
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin,
Senior Minister
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Religious Education Children's Book Drive
To live out our Yellow UU Promise: Yearn to Learn and Accept One Another, the children are collecting gently used children's books to be offered in the jail waiting room--please bring any books that are gathering dust at your house to the Children's Library (near the end of the upstairs hallway) before
March 19.
Spring Vacation Religious Education!
While local schools are on break, we are offering two special programs for children of all ages.
March 12:
"Yes, I Can!" Day--we will offer ways for children to make an impact in our world through living out our UU principles in their own lives. Activities will include a game on immigration awareness, planting for our church gardens, and postcards to our senators.
March 19:
Monroe County Humane Association will bring some animal visitors for us and we will create dog toys for use at the local shelter.
We hope we'll see your family if you are in town.
Emily, Adrienne, and Kitty
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite, Adrienne Summerlot, Kitty McIntosh
your Religious Education Staff
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Bathing in The Bhagavad Gita
6 Wednesdays, March 15-April 19, 7:00 p.m. Rm 112
Facilitator: Chris Haynes, 812-360-0296
Thoreau wrote "In the morning I bathe my intellect in the stupendous and
cosmogonal philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita in comparison with which our
modern world and its literature seem puny and trivial." Join us in finding
modern meaning through this fundamental scripture of Hinduism.
Six weekly sessions beginning Wed. March 15th, 7pm, Room 112. All are
welcome at any time. Facilitated by Chris Haynes, Datta Kriya Yoga
instructor. For more information call 812-360-0296. To register, contact [email protected] or 812-332-3695 ext. 204. Childcare available if at least two families need it to attend a specific class meeting, by providing 2 weeks' notice to Kitty McIntosh at [email protected]
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First Monday Poetry Sharing
Join us in this ongoing monthly group for poetry lovers! Bring a poem
to share that you enjoy. Next meeting is Monday, April 3 at 10:00 a.m. in the Library at church. Contact Bob Taylor for info,
[email protected]
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Shambhala Meditation Every Monday at 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 in this 2500-year-old
tradition.
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Traditional Taiji on Tuesdays and Saturdays
Brian Flaherty leads Taiji in Fellowship Hall on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. This form practices the "Wu (Hao)" style of taijiquan, including practice of standing exercises, forms, and "pushing hands." Anyone is welcome, even those with no experience.
Please wear loose-fitting clothing.
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Open Mind Zen Bloomington
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;
freewill donation.
More
info:
[email protected]
or
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Ministry Themes for 2016-17
We will be exploring the following themes for the remainder of the 2016-17
church year.
October: Healing
,
November: Story,
December: Presence, January: Prophecy,
February: Identity, March: Risk,
April: Transformation,
May: Embodiment, June: Zest
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Our Folks...
A display of the work of Sandy Taylor, a late member of our congregation, will be at By Hand Gallery, 101 W. Kirkwood, Suite 109, March 3 through April 8.
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Ready to Become a Member of UU Bloomington?
If this is your community, if you feel at home here, join us! The next opportunity to become a member of UU Bloomington isSunday, March 19 at 10:30 am in the library. (We ask for participation in our "Exploring UU" class prior to signing the membership book.) To make arrangements to become a member, or for questions, please contact Ann LeDuc
, Connections Coordinator, at 332-3695 or
[email protected]
, before March 13.
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Our Chalice Lecture Series returns with a visit from Rob Boston, of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. This event is hosted by our UU Humanist group and Indiana United for Separation of Church and State. Join us for this important and informative talk. In our Meeting Room, Friday, March 31 at 7:15 p.m.
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Women's Alliance Meets on April 6
The Women's Alliance program on March 2 was presented by Abby Gitlitz and the Bloomington Creative Glass Center. The hosts were Dian Robbins and Julie Cauble
The program for the April 6 meeting welcomes Ann Connors, Development Director of Sycamore Land Trust. Hosts will be Cathy Hiatt and Katherine Hopkins.
The Women's Alliance meets on the first Thursday of the month at 11:30 a.m. for brown bag lunch. Dessert and beverage provided. Lunch is followed by a program and business meeting. Join us! --Julie Cauble, Alliance Vice President
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April 15 and April 29--Grounds Workdays
There will be two opportunities this spring to help on the church grounds. Both will be held between 9:00 AM and noon on Saturday April 15th and April 29th, with a rain date of Saturday May 13th, if needed. This is a fun way to help our grounds reflect our UU principles, and to get to know folks you might not otherwise talk to! --Molly O'Donnell (We are also going to do some grounds work as part of our Pledge Day Celebration on April 22! --Ed.)
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Annual Auction Date: Sunday, May 7
Mark your calendars for the 2017 Goods and Services Auction on
Sunday, May 7th at 2:00 p.m. Please start thinking how you might participate: donate an item, share a talent, offer a themed dinner or volunteer for a role during the auction. There's a way for you to participate in this important annual fundraiser.
Donation forms can be found HERE.
Paper forms are also available at church, in Room 204.
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Denominational Affairs
Regional and National UU Conferences This Year
Would You Like to Be a Delegate?
Members are invited to consider becoming a delegate to one of these annual meetings:
1. MidAmerica UU Regional Assembly April 28-30 in Oak Brook, Illinois -- outside Chicago.
2. UUA General Assembly June 21-25 in New Orleans, Louisiana
Speak to some of the delegates who attended last year's meetings: Doug Cauble, Marlin Howard, Martha Foster and Earon Davis, Pat Brantlinger.
All three of the candidates for President of the UUA will be speaking at the Regional
Conference. All delegates and absentee delegates to General Assembly will be able
to vote for our new UUA President at the June meeting.
These will be very important meetings. To volunteer be a member delegate, please contact Iris Kiesling,
Denominational Affairs,
[email protected]
or 812-332-5224 by March 30.
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Current Membership: 491
Attendance
Sunday, February 26 9:15: 113 11:15: 167 TOTAL: 280
Sunday, March 5 9:15: 109 11:15: 171 TOTAL: 280
Non-Pledge Offering
February 26: $775.27
March 5: $473.20
Total to be donated to New Leaf-New Life $343.84
Grocery Card Sales
(Bloomingfoods, Marsh, or Lucky's)
February 26: $550, income to UUCB $31.75
March 5: $200, income to UUCB $10.00
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UU Humanist Forum Meets on Alternating Sundays
This group offers an opportunity for regular, open, wide-ranging discussions of issues relating to morality and ethics, human development, and the nature of the universe. The bi-weekly forum will meet next on Sunday, March 12 at 12:45 p.m. in Room 208.
The topic will be "Tribes, Markets, and Diversity" presented by Lloyd Orr. A complete list of winter/spring topics can be found here.
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UU Freethinkers Group Enjoys Free Ranging Discussion
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 meet next on Sunday, March 19, at 12:45 p.m.
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Earth Kin Call-Out Meeting
Sunday, March 26
Earth Kin is an eclectic group of people in our congregation who gather to discuss and practice Pagan and Earth-centered spirituality. We are dedicated to furthering the tolerance and understanding of Neo-Pagan beliefs and traditions--such as Wicca, Druidism, Eco-Paganism, and Goddess Worship--as well as growing the Bloomington Pagan community through our involvement with the Bloomington UU Church. Earth Kin gathers to celebrate the four Greater Sabbats (Imbolc, Beltane, Llughnasadh, Samhain) and will begin to hold regular Meet-Ups and Book Club discussions. Please join Earth Kin for our Call-Out Meeting on Sunday, March 26
th
at 1:00 p.m. in the Library here at church to learn more about who we are and what we do. All are welcome! --Brooke Opel
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Successful Meeting at Senator Donnelly's Office on February 27
On February 27, a group including Rev. Scott McNeill, David Keppel, members of the UU Just Peace Task Force, the Green Sanctuary TF and Reproductive Rights TF, as well as allies in the greater Bloomington community, met with Hodge Patel, Senator Joe Donnelly's State Director, in Senator Donnelly's Indianapolis office. Topics covered ranged from the need to restrict the first use of nuclear weapons (S.200), to the Middle East, deportations, clean energy vs. coal, and Planned Parenthood. We very much hope Senator Donnelly will hold a town hall in Bloomington in the near future. Click Here to read David Keppel's letter to Senator Donnelly.
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Green Sanctuary Task Force Spring
Clothing
Swap
March 25
T
he Green Sanctuary Task Force encourages all of us to examine our habits of consumption. What do we buy? Where does it come from? What happens to it when we're finished with it?
Each spring and fall, we hold a Clothing Swap to offer an alternative to buying new clothes. This spring's Swap will be held in Fellowship Hall on Saturday,
March 25
from
10 am until 12 noon
with drop-off starting at
9:30 am
.
If it would be helpful to you to have childcare provided at this event, please contact Stephanie Kimball ([email protected]) by March 10.
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Habitat CommUNITY Fundraiser
Raises Over $2700
The Habitat fundraiser concert on Friday, February 24 raised $2791 for the Interfaith Build. Thank you to everyone who attended and to all who participated!
Interfaith Builders Needed March 31-April 2
The UU Habitat Task Force is looking for 30 builders to work half-days on March 31, April 1 and April 2 on the CommUNITY Interfaith Build in the Trail View westside neighborhood. Builders also will be needed on the next 11 Saturdays, too. Contact Barb Berggoetz,
[email protected] , or call
812-320-8422. Anyone also can support the build financially by going to
communitybuild.kintera.org and contributing to the UU team.
Habitat Women Build Team is Forming for May 11
The UU Habitat Women Build team needs 35 UU women and friends who can work on Thursday, May 11, as part of a community-wide effort of area women to build two homes in Trail View neighborhood from April 28 to May 13. Each volunteer builder needs to fundraise and/or donate a minimum of $250 to participate. Funds raised will also sponsor a Habitat house in El Salvador. Info, contact Barb Berggoetz,
[email protected]
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Matt Pierce Event Well Attended and Informative
State Representative Matt Pierce gave an informative talk and answered many questions about communicating with our elected representatives on March 1 here in our Meeting Room. The event was well attended and included many community members outside our congregation. Here is a link to an article about the event in the IDS:
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Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz
and the Theodicy* Problem
The term theodicy was coined by the German philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646-1716). He combined the Latin word for God and the Greek word for justice. Theodicy was the problem of reconciling a belief in an all-powerful, all-knowing, and loving God with the existence of evil, pain, suffering, and the death of innocents.
The problem was known since antiquity and is best seen in the Book of Job where God and Satan make a bet on whether Job would retain his belief in God if his children were killed and his wealth destroyed. The author of the Book of Job provides the first answer, from God: Who are you to question what I do? Zoroastrianism offered two Gods, each limited in power, one for good and the other for evil. Christianity assigned evil to Satan and allowed catastrophes to occur as chastisements for human disobedience. Deists punted and said that God created the universe and its laws, gave humans free will, and kept out of the affairs of the universe except for occasional miracles and acts of grace. Atheists denied the existence of theodicy because they argued that a limited God or God who permitted evil was evidence that God did not exist.
Leibniz felt this was the best universe that God could create and God's role was stimulating progress. Voltaire lampooned Leibniz's ideas in Candide.
--Elof Carlson, Congregational Historian
*
As defined by Alvin Plantinga,
theodicy
is the "answer to the question of why God permits evil." --Ed.
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Please Don't Park on the Grass
We keep thinking it might still snow (we are such dreamers), but we do know for sure that there will be mud. So please don't park in grassy areas on the church property or on the grass across Fee Lane by the ball diamonds. IU has specifically requested us not to park in the grass on their property because of the damage it causes. Please help. Thanks, Carol Marks, Ch.Admin.
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Beacon Young Adult/Campus Ministry
Orion Day, our Young Adult/Campus Ministry Coordinator, can be reached at
[email protected] and keeps office hours at the Indiana Memorial Union Room 577. Stop by and say hello!
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.
[email protected]
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
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Livestreaming Our Sunday Services
Please let us know if you have a problem with the livestream, by emailing Andy Beargie at
[email protected] It is also helpful if you let Andy know which web browser you are using.
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| Deeva, Carol, and Monica |
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Who Ya Gonna Call?
Contact Info for
the Church Office
The church office is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and for 45 minutes following each Sunday service. If you notice something about our building that needs attention, please contact Church Administrator Carol Marks right away at 812-332-3695 ext. 200 or [email protected] and she will call the experts to take care of it.
If you have general administrative questions, questions about your pledge and contributions, reserving a room for a meeting, etc., you may also contact Monica Overman or Deeva Khatiwada, our Office Assistants, at 812-332-3695 ext. 204 or [email protected].
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Church Calendar
A link to our church calendar can be found on this page of our website.
Facebook
Prologue Publication Schedule
The Prologue is edited by Carol Marks. The deadline for articles is 10 a.m. on the date of publication, which is the first and third Monday of each month, with exceptions for federal Monday holidays.
Next few issues: March 20, April 3 and 17, May 1 and 15.
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Masthead photo by Linda Mjolsnes. Pelicans at Goose Pond.
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| Daffodils, by John Woodcock. |
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| Unitarian Universalist Church
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