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Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World
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Sunday, October 22, 2017
9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
Climbing Mountains, Falling Down Rabbit Holes:
The Courage to Persist
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Whether it's the Von Trapps fleeing over the Alps (as nuns below reprise "Climb Every Mountain") or Alice following a white rabbit down a rabbit hole, it takes courage to persist in life when life, itself, seems full of social and political madness. In this worship service, we will strive spiritually to go beyond madness to a little nothingness.
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Sunday, October 29, 2017
9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
Celebrating Our Ancestors
Reverend Scott McNeill,
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
and Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
As we begin the seasonal transition into deep fall, our community joins with many others in the world to use ritual to remember those who have died and left an imprint upon us. At UUCB, we have a history with families in our congregation connecting us to the celebration of El Dia de Los Muertos, and many in our community have a connection to earth-based traditions, like Samhain. Our worship (with the children for the first half of the service) will integrate the different ways we can show respect for both our ancestors and ourselves.
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Sunday, November 5, 2017
9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
Blessings: Age of Reason
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
In this worship service our Time for All Ages will include our beloved Age of Reason Ceremony
for first graders who are beginning to learn to read. The sermon will offer reflections on the works of Celtic spiritual leader and poet John O'Donohue, including Blessings.
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MAM's Musings
Our Unitarian Universalist living faith affirms religious pluralism---there are many expressions of the sacred in our lives.
Religious
pluralism is an attitude regarding the diversity of religious belief systems co-existing harmoniously in society.
October 22, 2017, will mark the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of the Founder of the Baha'i Faith, Baha u'llah. Our sisters and brothers from the Baha'i community of Bloomington, their families, friends and neighbors and colleagues are commemorating this bicentenary, along with Baha'is across the world. Our congregation is invited to celebrate with the Baha'i community on the afternoon of October 22nd from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The celebration will take place at the Monroe County Library Auditorium (and other rooms) and will include: family activities, community music, a film premier screening and refreshments.
I hope that many Unitarian Universalists will stop by the library Sunday afternoon to engage in this celebration as a means of extending our vision: Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World.
Meanwhile, a little closer to home---Would you be interested in researching and aiding in grant writing for our congregation? There are a lot of funds out there. We just need to find the person who would find this treasure hunting activity joyful. If you are interested please contact me, MAM (Mary Ann Macklin), [email protected].
Peace,
MAM
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
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From Our Associate Minister
First, I felt it was important to acknowledge the ways in which some of our community have "come out" this past week. Last week was National Coming Out Day (Oct 11); what it means to be lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or trans* is very different today than 10 years ago, or 25 or 50. And yet we know how the process (which is a continual process) can be hard, especially in finding a new community or seeking a religious home. We hope to continue the church's work supporting those of us who identify as LGBTQ*, as well as bringing forth more allies in creating justice.
Similarly, there was a social media movement that launched over the weekend, centered in two powerful words: Me, Too (or #MeToo, MeToo). After another round of allegations of continued sexual assault by a well-known, deeply-connected high-ranking professional in his field, women around the world have posted--mostly to acknowledge that they, too, had experienced sexual harassment, as well as to offer support to other people who have experienced harassment, assault, coercion, etc. If you are struggling with this, especially when situations like this "go viral" (meaning, when the they start to appear everywhere), it can be useful to have someone on whom you can rely. The ministers are here to help you, and connect you with appropriate support systems if that's helpful, too.
Finally--a quick note: we were privileged to have Geoff Wilson of the Ploughshares Fund with us last Wednesday evening. We had a great turnout of more than 120; but, some of you spoke of wishing you had been there. In case you missed it (or would like to hear it again), our page of livestreamed services (and the archived footage from previous weeks) is here:
http://uubloomington.yourstreamlive.com
(Archives are under the tab on the right that says "Archives (110)"). There, you can catch things like Geoff's presentation, the Autumnal Equinox service, and other UUCB videos.
In faith,
Reverend Scott McNeill, Associate Minister
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UU Grief Support Group Starts November 4
Grief may be one of life's most challenging and difficult transitions. To help give support to this transition, our Caring Committee is offering a four-part series to explore the grief process. We will create a safe place to share our feelings about the death of a loved one, to process the grief experience, and to share coping strategies. Four Saturdays from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. in our Library, November 4 and 11, and December 2 and 16. Read more and register here.
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How to Talk to Young Children about Race and Racism
Sundays, October 29th and
November 5th, 1-3pm, Fellowship Hall
This workshop is for adults who want to learn how to talk to young children (infant through Kindergarten) about race and racism. Everyone is welcome. Two-day workshop led by IU professor Nya McCarthy-Brown. Attendance at BOTH sessions is expected. Reserve your space in the workshop and childcare if needed at this link:
https://goo.gl/forms/KQoHVTQYyJvQHipG3
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"Tomorr
ow" screening on October 27
Great ideas to help our world:
TODAY, we need a new direction or objective... A new dream! The film offers constructive solutions to act on a local level to make a difference on a global level and seeks encourage communities to change the way they live for the sake of our planet. Hosted by Cynthia Bretheim, through Adult Religoius Education.
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Age of Reason Ceremony for First Graders November 5th
If you have a first grader, you should have received a letter inviting your participation in this congregational ritual involving families presenting individually chosen special books to their first graders. If you didn't receive a letter, please contact Adrienne Summerlot (
[email protected]) to register your child and sign them up for this important rite of passage.
Link to Latest Religious Education News
Latest news and happenings in Religious Education can be found
here.
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Adult Religious Education Groups
and Classes:
First Monday Poetry Sharing
Shambhala Meditation Every Monday
Open Mind Zen Every Monday
Taiji Every Tuesday and Saturday
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UU Humanist Forum Meets on Alternating Sundays
An opportunity for regular, open, wide-ranging discussions relating to ethics, human development, and the nature of the universe. The bi-weekly forum will meet next on Sunday, October 22, at 12:45 a.m. in Room 208. The topic will be "What is a good life for a humanist?," with Elof Carlson. Info, contact Harold Ogren.
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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, October 29, 12:45 p.m.
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--Come Sing a Song With Us!
Church members of any age are invited to rehearse before service on Nov. 12 and sing with the
choir
that day. Bring yourself and a
family
member or friend and join us at 8:30 (for first service) or 10:30 (for second service) to learn a song to sing with the
choir
in the service. It will be an intergenerational Thanksgiving celebration. Questions?
[email protected]
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UU Children's Choir Upcoming Schedule
(New & returning singers, Kg-6th grade, always welcome!)
Sun. Oct 29
: Rehearse,
10:30-11:00am
, Rm 110
(
Sun. Nov 5
: No rehearsal)
Thurs. Nov 9: Rehearse,
7:00-7:30pm, Fwp Hall
Sun. Nov 12
: Sing at Sunday Services &
Family
Choir
Sunday (Intergenerational Service)
The Children's Choir will sing at the end of the 1st service & start of 2nd service. In addition, they will be invited to sing a piece with the family choir mid-service. Details forthcoming. Any families are invited to come sing the gift of music with the choirs!
Questions? Contact Jill:
[email protected]
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Samhain Ritual with Earth Kin October 29
On Samhain (Sow-in), the veil between the world of the living and the dead is thinnest. Samhain is the Celtic New Year as well as the third and final harvest festival, during which the God dies to be reborn again at Yule.
The Earth Kin Samhain ritual will be one of remembering and communing with our ancestors who have moved beyond the veil.
All are welcome to bring photographs of or offerings to the ancestor(s) you wish to honor, which will be placed on an ancestor altar. O
n Sunday, October 29th from 7-9 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
Like all Earth Kin rituals, it is a communal event, so please feel free to message or email Brooke Opel ([email protected]) with suggestions.
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Fall Congregational Directory Update
Continues Through Oct. 29--
Please Update Your Info
Through Sunday, October 29 we will have a print-out of our database directory available in the Commons for you to review. Please look at your listing and be sure we have your correct name, address, phone, and email. You may make corrections (print please!) right on the draft, or send corrections to
[email protected] by October 29. Thanks!
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Women's Alliance Meets November 2
Shelly Dobson, Director of All Options Pregnancy Resource Center will present the
program for the
November 2nd
Women's Alliance meeting. The hosts will be
Carolyn Emmert and Barb Backler.
The Women's Alliance meets the first
Thursday
of each month at
11:30 a.m.
in Fellowship Hall. The meeting begins with a brown bag lunch. Drinks
and dessert are provided by the hosts of the month. The program begins at
noon
, followed by a business meeting. Join us and bring a friend.
Everyone is welcome.
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Path to Membership:
Exploring Unitarian Universalism
Nov. 5 and 12
Are you interested in learning more about Unitarian Universalism and this congregation? Are you considering becoming a member of this church? Whether you are considering membership or are just curious, this class is for you. The Exploring UU Class will be held on
Nov. 5 and Nov. 12
,
2-4 p.m.
in the church library. Please plan to attend both
Sunday
sessions, since different material will be covered in each session. Register before
Nov. 1
by signing up at the Welcome Table in the foyer, or emailing Ann LeDuc at
[email protected]
. Free childcare is available if requested in advance. Abby Gitlitz and John Woodcock will lead this fun and informative class.
Help reduce the annual suicide rate 20% by 2025!
Join us on October 22, in the "Out of the Darkness Walk," supporting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). AFSP funds suicide prevention research, education, advocacy, and support for those affected by suicide. Their goal is to reduce the annual suicide rate 20% by 2025.
Please donate to the UU Team or register to walk with us!
https://afsp.donordrive.com/team/UUChurch
Want to Reconnect?
Are you a UUCB member or friend who would like to find new and different ways to be involved here? Just complete the on-line Talents and Interests Inventory to help the Connections Coordinator assist you! You are always welcome to meet with the Connections Coordinator, Ann LeDuc, to find activities and groups that match your interests. [email protected] or (812)332-3695 ext 203
New Member Biographies
Welcome to two of our newest members!
Kim Carballo
Kim lives in Bloomington with her 16 year old son Elías, dog, chickens, and bees. She is a piano teacher and opera coach, is founder/director of the local group Reimagining Opera for Kids (ROK), and forms part of the ongoing team for Tunaweza Kimuziki (Through Music All is Possible), a music project involving educators and students in Kenya and the USA.
Susan Herr-Hoyman
Susan Herr-Hoyman and her husband have just moved to the Bloomington area from Madison, Wisconsin, where they lived for 20+ yrs. Susan has just taken the "Retired" status from being a preschool teacher as well as a children's librarian. She looks forward to exploring activities she didn't have time for before, and volunteering for various other activities.
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Earth Kin Book Club Discussion November 6
On Monday, November 6th, Earth Kin will hold the third of a series of Book Club Discussions on the topic of the elements-earth, air, fire, and water, in Room 210 from 7:00-8:30 p.m., and will focus on "Chapter 4: Fire" and "Chapter 5: Water" of Wisdom of the Elements: The Sacred Wheel of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water by Margie McArthur. The book can be purchased used on Amazon, or you can email Brooke Opel at
[email protected]
for a PDF copy of the reading(s). This meeting will be an open space for us to discuss the two chapters, and share our experiences working with Fire and Water. All are welcome.
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White Elephant's Trunk High Quality Collectibles for the Bazaar December 1 and 2
The White Elephant knows that all UUs have valuable items they no longer need or want but that will be desired by others shopping at the UU Bazaar. If you have items such as holiday decorations, children's toys, exotic collectibles, or truly (but not actual) white elephants, please donate them to the White Elephant's Trunk for this year's Bazaar. We are not accepting electronics, such as PCs, TVs, stereos, as it is impossible to sell them. If you have shelving units we can borrow to display items, please let Doris know. We can receive donations starting
Sunday, November 26 at 12:30 p.m.
Want to help organize and price items? Please contact Doris Wittenburg (336-4993 or [email protected]).
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Cookie Bakers!
Let's Get Ready for the Bazaar Cookie Walk!
First comes autumn, then Thanksgiving, and then..the 59th ANNUAL UU HOLIDAY ART FAIR AND BAZAAR on December 1 and 2! Start now on your plans for cookies to contribute; it's fine to make ahead and freeze them. Last year's cookie variety was a delight, and we sold them all! Rolled ones, frosted ones, bar cookies and new surprises - we love them all! Questions? Amira Sabbagh ( [email protected] ) and Meg Sears ( [email protected] ), your Cookie Walk co-chairs.
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Gourmet Galaxy Seeks Donors for Bazaar
It's not too early to start looking up those treasured holiday recipes and deciding which ones you'd like to prepare and donate to the Bazaar December 1 and 2. Popular items include rum balls, peanut brittle, and divinity. Jams, chutneys and relishes sell well as do cakes, all kinds of breads, and other baked goods. Avoid being overwhelmed by the holiday rush, and start baking and freezing now! Look for sign-up sheets in Fellowship Hall in November. Celeste McGregor and Ann LeDuc, Co-chairs of the Gourmet Galaxy
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UU History for You
Elizabeth Cabot (nee Cary) Agassiz
Elizabeth Cary Agassiz (1822-1907) was born in Boston to a prominent Unitarian family. She was tutored by Elizabeth Peabody and through her brother's connections at Harvard attended the social circle of academics there. She met Louis Agassiz the Swiss scientist who became a Harvard Professor when he was a widower with three children. She married him, raised his three children, and had none of her own with Louis. Elizabeth felt the education of women, like her, was neglected while men like her brother were put through an intense program through college. For this reason she and her husband founded a girls' school. Elizabeth accompanied Louis on expeditions, helped him establish the beginnings of the Marine Biology Library at Woods Hole, and became the first President of Radcliffe College, which she helped found, dedicated to women's intellectual development. She also wrote a biography of her husband and co-authored several of his books and articles. --
Elof Carlson, UUCB Historian
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Current Membership: 528
Attendance Sunday, October 8 9
:15: 111 11:15: 177 TOTAL: 288
Sunday, October 15
9
:15
: 98 11:15: 163 TOTAL: 261
Non-Pledge Offering
October 8: $730.66 October 15: $453.00
Total to be donated (25%) to All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center $295.92
Grocery Card Sales (Bloomingfoods or Lucky's Market)
October 8: $500, income to UUCB $25.00 October 15:
$575, income to UUCB $27.25
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Refugee & Immigrant Support & Education (RISE)
Task Force Hosts
Brainstorming Session October 18!
A strategy/brainstorming meeting for refugee and immigration support and education is tomorrow, Wednesday, October 18th, 6:30-8:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Hope to see you there with your perspective, ideas for how to support this ever-growing need and your heartfelt energy. Please let us know you are planning to attend by
clicking here to RSVP
-- Debbie Fish and Kris Roehling, Co-chairs
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Green Sanctuary Task Force Spring
Clothing
Swap
October 21
T
he Green Sanctuary Task Force
holds a Clothing Swap each spring and fall as an alternative to buying new clothes. This fall's Swap will be held on Saturday, October 21 from 9:30 am until 12 noon in Fellowship Hall.
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Fall Baby Diaper Drive
Oct 22 - Oct 29
for All Options Pregnancy Resource Center
Bring diapers this Sunday!! Diapers can be donated year round but this is a special baby diaper drive for October. Please drop diapers in the big blue box in the Commons. Sponsored by the Reproductive Justice Task Force.
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Green Grounds Brainstorming Oct 25 and Nov 1
How might our outdoor spaces help us to Seek the Spirit, Build Community, and Change the World? How could our grounds become part of our ministry to ourselves and others? How could they express and inspire who we are as the UU Church of Bloomington? The Green Grounds committee will be exploring these questions this fall and winter, moving toward a long-term plan for transforming our grounds. Please share ideas on the posters pinned to the folding screen near the GSTF coffee/chocolate sales table between services or here. We plan two brainstorming sessions, 9:30-3:30, on October 25th and November 1st. If you would like to join us contact Molly O'Donnell, [email protected] or 812-345-7399, or register here.
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Film Screening
Justice for All
with Panel Discussion October 25
The Hope for Prisoner Task Force will host a screening of the WTIU documentary
Justice for All on Wednesday, October 25 at 4:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. After viewing the documentary about Indiana's state-funded public defenders, Chris Gaal, Steve Dillon and Jesse Cook will share their views on Indiana's severely underfunded system and how it affects the lives of many in our community and state. The meeting is open to everyone.
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Habitat Task Force's Resale Home Project
Bake Sale and Leaf-Raking Fundraiser
The Habitat Task Force is raising $6,000 for refurbishing of a Habitat home for resale to another partner family. Work on the house will be on Saturday, Dec. 9, and we need 10 volunteers to paint and do small repairs. Contact Barb Berggoetz at [email protected]
, to help.
Also coming up: Bake sale at church on Oct. 29; dine and donate fund-raiser at Get Some Pizza restaurant (211 N. Walnut St.) from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tues., Nov. 14 (no flyer needed, just say you support Habitat); and UU Holiday Bazaar sales of crafts and homemade items. We welcome contributions of homemade items for our Bazaar booth.
We support the IU Habitat Chapter's Rake-a-Thon fund-raiser in November. To have student volunteers rake your leaves for a donation to Habitat, please sign up at
http://tinyurl.com/Rake11-3. For a later date, change the last numbers to 11-4, 11-5, 11-10, 11-11 or 11-12. --Barb Berggoetz
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Reproductive Justice Task Force Hosts
Jackson
Film Screening November 5
Ivy Tech Waldron Arts Center
At one time the state of Mississippi had fourteen abortion clinics. Now only one remains. Indiana is on a similar trajectory.
Jackson
is an intimate, unprecedented look at the lives of three women caught up in the complex issues surrounding abortion access. Set against the backdrop of the fight to close the last abortion clinic in Mississippi, Jackson captures the essential and hard truth of the lives at the center of the debate over reproductive healthcare in America.
Join us for the Bloomington screening of Jackson on Sunday, Nov 5th at 3:00 pm in the Whikehart Auditorium of the Waldron Arts Center. The event is sponsored by our Reproductive Justice Task Force; proceeds will support the fight against gerrymandering. A panel discussion will follow the screening.
Tickets are $20 and are available through task force members and at Yarns Unlimited and will be available for sale during fellowship hour at church on Sunday, Oct 29th and Nov 5th.
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Community Connections
Our Faith in Action in the Community
Interfaith Emergency Winter Shelter Chipotle Fundraiser Oct 17
The Winter Shelter will receive 50% of the proceeds from purchases on Oct 17.
Interfaith Emergency Winter Shelter Benefit Concert Friday, October 20
A fundraising benefit concert to help the Interfaith Emergency Winter Shelter, at St. Thomas Lutheran Church.
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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.
[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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Our Covenant of Right Relations
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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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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!
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Church Calendar
A link to our church calendar can be found on this page of our website.
Prologue Publication Schedule
The Prologue is edited by Carol Marks, mostly. The deadline for articles is 10 a.m. on the date of publication. Next few issues: The first and third Tuesdays of each month.
Nov 7, Nov 21, Dec 5, Dec 19, etc.
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Masthead photo from the interwebs, Usage rights: Labeled for Noncommercial Reuse.
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