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Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World
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Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
This Evening,Tuesday, November 20th on the west side
Join the Reverend Emily Manvel Leite and other members of our UU community at this year's community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, tonight, Tuesday, November 20 at 7:00 pm. The service will be held at 4235 W 3rd St (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). This annual service brings together members of the Bloomington community from many religious backgrounds (and folks who are not members of any religious community). If you'd like to sing in the choir, people will gather at 6:00 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to rehearse a piece for the service.
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Sunday, November 25, 2018
9:15 am and 11:15 am
Circling Back: Call Me by My True Names
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Reverend Macklin will revisit the book of poetry "Call Me by My True Names" by Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh on Sunday. Along with musicians Steve Pollitt (flutes) and Kim Carballo (piano), a worship service of deep reflection and meditation will be created. During our time for all ages, we will have our beloved Age of Reason Ceremony where young, new readers are presented with a book by their parent(s).
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Sunday, December 2, 2018
9:15 am and 11:15 am
Listen Deeply
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite, Reverend Scott McNeill,
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
In this story-based service for all ages, we will consider all that we and our world wish for at this season. The celebration will include drama, time for quiet reflection and seasonal singing, and a joyful parade as we collectively offer congregational gifts for people in need.
For this special service, please bring a gift, if this is possible for you. We will be collecting:
* Men's socks and hotel-sized toiletries
* Full-sized toiletries and cleaning supplies
* Non-perishable food--proteins are especially welcome
* The gifts you selected from our Giving Tree
* "Golden Gifts" of cash or checks in amounts small or large, to benefit the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee,
uusc.org
.
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MAM's Musing
After being in North Carolina for a Death Doula training as well as time with family, it is good to be home. I look forward to sharing an enriching worship service with you all on Sunday; I will dive deeper into a worship service from last summer that I found particularly powerful in terms of the poetry of Thich Nhat Hanh, music, and meditation. We will create spaciousness together for meditative rest and reflection, post-holiday. And for those who need it, a place to reconnect head and heart and spirit.
Speaking of reconnecting within essential ourselves, my spouse Deborah and I listened to the following podcast on the way home---"On Being by Krista Tippett" with James Doty.
Description:
Brain surgeon James Doty is on the cutting edge of our knowledge of the brain and the heart: how they talk to each other; what compassion means in the body and in action; and how we can reshape our lives and perhaps our species through the scientific and human understanding we are now gaining.
Seriously people, this is worth a listen.
Meanwhile, I am a quarter of the way through my Death Doula training (again, think end-of-life coach, a calm-quiet coach) and I look forward to sharing the many aspects of my experience and learning with you.
Peace and Love,
MAM
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, Senior Minister
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Proposed Bylaw Change Increases Flexibility of Planned Gifts
(second posting)
A proposed change to our bylaws, reviewed positively by the Board of Directors and the Finance, Planned Giving and Special Purposes Fund (SPF) committees, would expand the impact of undesignated gifts to the church. Currently, any gift not designated by its donor for a particular use is placed in the Special Purposes Fund, which cannot be used for operating expenses. Thanks to the generosity of Legacy Circle donors, we have an increasing imbalance between funds available for special (usually one-time) projects and the ongoing needs of our operating budget. The bylaws change would allow undesignated gifts to be allocated to both areas.
A new SPF policy would divide undesignated gifts evenly among four areas: special purposes endowment, special purposes general fund, operational endowment and operational general fund. This would move us toward more balance between special and operational needs, and between endowments (in-perpetuity investments whose interest earnings we may spend) and funds for more immediate use.
The change will also clarify to donors that they may designate gifts to all four areas in any proportion. A form will be available for that purpose if the bylaws change is adopted at the Dec 9 congregational meeting.
OFFICIAL NOTICE OF CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
(second posting)
Congregational Meeting
Sunday, December 9, 2018 4:00 p.m.
Meeting Room
2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington, Indiana
All members are encouraged to attend.
Childcare provided.
This information is being published in accordance with our Bylaws concerning changes to the Bylaws and notices of congregational meetings.
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EXTREMELY USEFUL INFORMATION!
UU BAZAAR
Nov 30 and Dec 1
Join us at the UU Bazaar for shopping, food, friends and festivity.
Friday Nov 30
11:00 a.m.-8 p.m.
Lunch available 11:30 - 2 p.m. Soup, sandwiches.
Featuring the lasagna dinner from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Discount tickets available between the services on Sun Nov 25.
Child care available from 6 p.m. -8 p.m. while you shop
Saturday Dec 1 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Lunch available 11:30 - 2 p.m.
What's in the Meeting Room and Commons Nov 30-Dec. 1?
The Meeting Room and Commons will be converted into 30 individual shops for
artisans.
Everything is hand crafted and creative.
Even if you don't intend to buy, it's worth an amble through the spaces to see what imaginations and talent can create--from whimsical to elegant. Artisans selected: Wood:
Joe Hecker, Joseph Henderson, Frank Pearsall, Marc Tschida. Textiles:
Phillip Batchelder, Kerry Conway, Bonnie Gordon-Lucas, Ann McCann, Lynne Mikolon. Painting:
Julie Bloom, Robin Edmundson, Jane Gantz, Joanna Shank. Other:
Linda Chapman, Mary Hambly, Scott Johnson, Charlene Marsh. Mixed Media:
Linda Meyer-Wright, Jackie Olenick, Pat Thummel, Sue Westhues. Jewelry:
Lee Cohn, Marilyn Greenwood, Wendy Myers. Glass:
Jacques Bachelier, Abby Gitlitz. Ceramics:
Kris Busch, Cindy Duffy, Chizuko Johnson, Walt Schmidt.
What's in Fellowship Hall Nov 30-Dec 1?
Gourmet Galaxy will be selling homemade cakes, breads, candies and other delectables.
Cookie Walk. You can fill a box or a bag with your selection of homemade cookies. Choose from the many varieties of cookies made by church members. Cookies sold by the pound.
Café: Lunch daily from 11:30 - 2 p.m. Choose from a variety of homemade soups and sandwiches. Vegan choices available. Desserts are available with the meal times. This year we will have persimmon pudding as well as pie and other delicious choices.
Lasagna dinner will be on Friday Nov 30 from 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Task Force booths: You can shop for useful items while supporting the good works of the various social justice task forces. Habitat For Humanity, Feed our Hungry neighbors, International Outreach and Green Sanctuary task forces all have booths.
What's in the rest of the 1st Floor?
Used Book Sale: Books galore. Best Sellers, biographies, cook books, children's books and more. You'll find a favorite when you come to the book sale.
White Elephant Sale: You never know what treasures you'll find at bargain prices at the white elephant sale, from furniture to jewelry, glassware to toys. Come to see what's waiting for you.
The Bazaar Needs Your Help!
Please sign up to work at the Bazaar. If you have a couple of hours available between November 25 and December 1, we can find a way for you to help. In addition to baking for the Cookie Walk and Gourmet Galaxy, we still need people to take money, cook in the kitchen, to price things before the Bazaar, set up, tear down, and sell all those gorgeous things we're bringing in! Sign up at http://bit.do/UUBazaar2018 - if you have any questions, contact Melinda Pettijohn at [email protected].
The Bazaar Wants Your Books
Donate your books, DVDs, CDs and LPs to the Bazaar Book Store. We will collect books in the nursery (Rooms 104 and 106) between Nov. 25 (after second service) and noon on Nov. 29. Contact Craig at 812-287-3368 or
[email protected]
.
White Elephant Sale Wants Your Gently Used Treasures
Bring them to church between Nov 25 after second service (12:45 p.m.) and noon on Nov 29. Contact Doris Wittenburg for questions [email protected].
(No electronics or clothing, please!)
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Click, Clickety Click, Clickety Click
Knitted and crocheted goods to support the Help Feed Our Hungry Neighbors TAsk Force's work can be donated through November 25, after second service.
For more information, contact Mary Blizzard at 333-8957 or [email protected].
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We Need You! to bake for the Gourmet Galaxy
Please sign up this Sunday to let us know what you will donate to the Gourmet Galaxy at the 60th Annual Holiday Bazaar. Sign up sheets will be available before and after each church service in the Fellowship Hall. Donations can be dropped off in the Fellowship Hall on Thursday November 29, 6-8:00 PM. Be a part of our Gourmet Galaxy history and make this the best Bazaar ever! Ann LeDuc and Celeste McGregor, Co-chairs
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Cookie Bakers, We Still Need You!
The time is now to schedule your baking blitz(es) for the Bazaar! Get out your baking sheets, flour, and sugar and make a delicious mess! We need over 1,000 pounds of homemade cookies to sell for both days and make our patrons smile with glee. Any kind will do--bar cookies, drop cookies, and the all time favorite: decorated cookies. You may drop off your tasty creations Thursday afternoon, Nov. 29, or bring them early before the Bazaar starts on Friday Nov. 30 and/or Saturday Dec. 1. And please don't forget to volunteer. It's fun! We still need volunteers for 2-3 hours time slots on Friday and Saturday. Use this link:
http://bit.do/UUBazaar2018
And thanks!
Co-chairs Meg Sears (
[email protected]
) and Linda Pickle
(
[email protected]
)
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Thanksgiving Potluck Pitch-in Dinner Here November 22
Once again this year Amy Crozier will head up our Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner at 5:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall on Thanksgiving Day, November 22. We were hoping everyone would sign up by November 18, but if you forgot, contact Amy at [email protected] to let her know how many people are in your party and what food you will be bringing. The church will provide turkey. All are welcome! Questions, contact Amy at
[email protected]
.
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Women's Alliance Welcomes Special Guests on December 6
Our very special guests at the Women's Alliance meeting on December 6 will be Reverend Mary Ann Macklin and Beverly McGahey. Bev will begin our program at noon with a surprise musical prelude. Mary Ann will present, "MAM's Music Musings", a short bio of her life through music that
inspired her along the way. We gather at 11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall with a brown bag lunch. The presentation begins at noon, followed by a business meeting. The hostesses for the month, Ann Kamman and Marcia Hart, will provide drinks and dessert. Everyone, including women, men, and gender non-binary persons, is welcome.
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Fall Diaper Drive Complete!
More Ways to Help All-Options
Our Reproductive Justice Task Force reports that the
Fall Diaper Drive is completed and many thanks to all donating 678 diapers! If you would still like to contribute or perhaps contribute further, this link explains your options. The Reproductive Justice Task Force and All Options thank you!!
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That's What It's All About!
The Help Feed Our Hungry Neighbors Task Force will be selling hats between services every Sunday in November. Buying and wearing one of our hats is like wearing a badge that says that you fight hunger in our community. 100% of all sales goes directly to our running of the Walnut Grove Food Pantry.
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Spencer Pride Thanks!
Spencer Pride is honored to be the recipient of this year's 25% plate donation. The first installment is being used in conjunction with a grant from Smithville Charitable Foundation to replace a section of our roof. That area has been leaking badly into our retail space and needed to be totally replaced.
I invite you to drive over to visit our space and take a tour. Unity, our retail space, has lots of unique holiday gift items. Thanks again for the incredible gift of your financial support! --Judi Epp
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Volunteer to Help at Interfaith Winter Shelter December 8
Our congregation helps at the shelter on the second Saturday of each month, November through March. We need two volunteers for set up on Saturdays, 8-10:30 PM. For clean up on Sunday mornings, 6-7:30 AM, we will need two couples to clean up at the Center for Women and Children and four people for the Men's shelter. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. Contact Marlin Howard, 812-320-5460, [email protected], if you can help on December 8 or any of our other Saturday/Sundays (Jan 12, Feb 9, or Mar 9).
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Community Connections
Our Faith in Action in the Community
Monroe County United Ministries
Holiday Food Basket Drive
Through December 7
The annual Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM) Holiday Food Baskets Food Drive has begun! Last year, members of our congregation donated 75% of all the food baskets donated - a great job! Please participate if you can! Sign up on the poster in the Commons, and take an instruction sheet as you do. Thank you for sharing with our hungry neighbors. If possible, please deliver your
food baskets directly to United Ministries - the deadline for delivering your baskets to MCUM is December 7th. A map is provided on the instruction sheet. --UU Hunger Task Force
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Religious Education for Adults
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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. Contact Sarah at:
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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 112 here at the church. All are welcome regardless of faith or experience.
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Traditional Taiji on Tuesdays at 7:15 pm
Brian Flaherty leads "Wu (Hao)" style Taiji in Fellowship Hall on Tuesdays at 7:15 p.m. (but no class on Tuesday, November 20.) Anyone is welcome, even those with no previous Taiji experience. Please wear loose-fitting clothing.
Info: contact Brian at [email protected]
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UU Freethinkers Meet this Sunday
November 25, 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 at 12:45 pm, after children's Religious Education classes end.
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Humanist Forum Meets
December 2, 12:45 pm
On Sunday, November 18, at 12:45 pm, the UU Humanist Forum will meet in Room 208 after children's Religious Education classes end. The discussion topic is "Diversity and Tribalism" and will be facilitated by Lloyd Orr. The Humanist Forum meets every other Sunday, with a different discussion topic.
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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! A Membership
Ceremony
is scheduled for Sunday, December 9, 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]
.
Want to learn more about Unitarian Universalism, this church, and
opportunities for involvement here?
Sign up for the free Exploring Unitarian Universalism class to be held on Sunday, December 2 and Sunday, December 16 in the
church library.
To sign up, please email Ann LeDuc at [email protected].
Plan to attend both dates, since different material will be covered in each session. Members of our congregation, Abby Gitlitz and Melinda Swenson, will guide us on our journey. We ask for completion of this class before becoming a member of the church. Everyone ages 14 to 100+ are welcome!
New Social Opportunities for Building Community
Over the last few months, three new groups have formed at the church: UU Singles, Families with Young Children, and UU Hikers. If you are interested in joining any of these groups, contact Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator at
[email protected]
. For more information about these and other community-building opportunities, visit this page on our website:
www.uubloomington.org/getting-involved/social-activities/
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Buy Grocery Cards on Sunday and Support the Church
We have grocery gift cards for sale in the Commons every Sunday between services. The participating grocery stores send a percentage of your purchases back to the church to support our operating budget. We have gift cards for Bloomingfoods, Lucky's, and Fresh Thyme, and you can register your Kroger Plus card by clicking here. Our new Kroger organization ID number is
EW763.
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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 Scott McNeill, our Associate Minister,
can be reached at 812-332-3695 (ext. 209) and is available by appointment on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons.
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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Church Offices Closed November 22-23
Our church offices will be closed November 22 and 23 for the Thanksgiving holiday. There will be administrative staff in Room 204 after each service on Sunday, November 25 as usual. In case of a pastoral emergency, please call Rev. McNeill at 812-727-0919.
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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].
Links to Archived Videos of Services to View Online
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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Membership: 512 certified members; 535 current members.
Attendance:
Sunday, November 11 9:15 - 99 11:15 - 140 TOTAL: 239
Sunday, November 18 9:15 - 98 11:15 - 156 TOTAL: 254
Non-Pledge Offering:
November 11
: $499 November 18: $510
Total to be donated (25%) to Spencer Pride: $252.19
Grocery Card Sales:
(Bloomingfoods, Lucky's Market, or Fresh Thyme)
November 11: $600, income to UUCB: $40.00
November 18: $950, income to UUCB: $53.50
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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
the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.
Upcoming
issues:
December 4, December 18,
January 2 (A Wednesday), January 15
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Masthead photo by Marcia Hart.
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