Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Congregation founded 1949 | LGBTQ Welcoming Congregation since 1995 | Green Sanctuary since 2007
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Join us for online services
Livestreamed on Sunday mornings at 10:15 am
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Sunday, November 22, 2020
10:15 am Livestream
Giving Thanks for What?
Reverend Emily, Rev Dave, Reverend Mary Ann
Gather your crayons and join us for this Playful Thanksgiving service for all ages, featuring coloring, drama, music, our traditional Alphabet of Thanks, and opportunities to share with one another. We will be enjoying the healing possibilities of play and gratitude while acknowledging the ongoing challenges of this time. Our UU Children's Choir, directed by Jill Courtney, will be singing via the magic of video!
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Our Building is Closed, but Our Hearts are Still Open.
To do our part to disrupt the spread of coronavirus and COVID-19 in our community, our building is likely to be closed through May 2021. Our Board of Directors will review this decision at each monthly board meeting.
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Thoughts from Rev. Dave: "GROUNDED"
Greetings, Members and Friends of the Bloomington UU Church,
Our monthly theme for November is “Healing.” Part of the process of healing is learning how to stay grounded. The Reverend Daniel Martin stated, “We need to rediscover the mystery that lives in us, that is the grounding of every unique expression of life.” This concept of being grounded was brought home to me a few years ago in an experience that I had.
One morning I was traveling on my way to meet a good friend for coffee. I followed the route that was most familiar to me and waited patiently at the light to make a left hand turn. The traffic light changed to green and as I pulled out into the intersection a car came speeding thru and broadsided me. The whole thing happened so fast and within a few seconds the car I was driving was totaled and I found myself in somewhat of a daze. Medical attention quickly arrived and after being transported to the closest medical facility and being fully checked out, I was released.
Many thoughts went thru my mind before the accident and afterward, but one thought was that of safety. The seat belt I was wearing had saved my life. It had grounded me and made it possible for very little physical harm to occur to my body. I thought about just how do people ground themselves in their lives. What types of safety nets do they have, and can they depend on those safety nets? How, when unplanned events happen, do we find healing and purpose? How does humor and wishes help us to feel grounded and safe? How can our faith be a source of grounding for us?
During these times of uncertainties, may you each find and strengthen the safety nets that you have in your lives, that help you to stay grounded.
Cheers,
Rev. Dave
Reverend Dave Clements
Interim Minister Consultant
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MAM's Musings
I write this on Monday, my 61st birthday, November 16th. And I am wondering how you are all doing? Dealing with stress? For my birthday, I took the day off, spent time in the sun, wrote, and got a flu shot. I also made this video for you all as a birthday present from me to you, sharing a spiritual practice. Of note, I did the full sun salutation inside, not outside. (smile)
And now I am going to write something that is sincere but may not sound like it deserves sincerity, but here goes----for my birthday I wish that everyone in the congregation would purchase the congregational Blue Boat Home t-shirt.
Whaaat? Seriously? It’s just a bunch of t-shirts.
True. It’s also true that we are a large congregation and when we are at gatherings (think social justice, picnics or 4th of July Parade) many times we don’t even know who each other are. T-shirts offer a means of connection, claiming our identity and values, of showing solidarity, of creating a sense of belonging. The final day for t-shirt purchase is November 20th. Please see the t-shirt article in this newsletter for more information.
Peace and Love,
MAM
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Senior Minister
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Order Your Congregational T-shirt (or Hoodie) Today!
Available for Ordering
Just through November 20
Youth sizes also available! See ordering info below. (Remember that short sleeves might a good idea for the 4th of July Parade, the next time we have one!)
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Emily's Post
Dear Ones,
I hope you had a chance to see my video on making cocoa, and may have made your own comfort food in these chilly days. Self care is the essential foundation for our work of Changing the World.
If you have the resources to care for others, too, please bring non-perishable Comfort Foods to the bin outside the portico entrance. FYI: Apparently, folks never get enough mac and cheese, and yesterday a food pantry spokesperson told me of the sheer delight of their clients when there are treats, so I'm plotting a new donation of Teddy Grahams and Goldfish crackers.
May comfort touch each of our lives,
Emily
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Minister of Congregational Life & Religious Education
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News and Happenings in Religious Education
Healing can come in many forms. In the stories we tell, in the truths we share, and in the conversations we have together. This month, I know Thanksgiving is on people's minds--how to talk with children in a way that lifts up the importance of telling the true history of Thanksgiving. As Unitarian Universalists, we are called into this work through our Fourth Principle: "A free and responsible search for truth and meaning." I invite you to learn about the history of indigenous people in our area, social justice issues they are calling us to pay attention to and help with, and to embody healing by learning and telling our true history.
UU Ministry for Earth is hosting Harvest the Power Justice Convergence and Teach-in November 19-26 that will help us deepen our relationships, draw on the sources of wholeness and strength where we are rooted, and move together in powerful ways for justice.
To find family activities, information about programming, and more Religious Education News, visit our webpage!
Adrienne Summerlot, Director of Religious Education
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Our Folks...
Our thoughts of sympathy and healing are with Avram Primack upon the passing of his father this week.
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Gardeners Unite!
This Sunday during Virtual Coffee Hour, all types and levels of gardeners are invited to gather in a special breakout room just for Gardeners. This is a great opportunity to learn from other gardeners, and share your gardening stories! Join the fun following the service on Sunday (~11:15 AM-12:30 pm). Use this link to enter Virtual Coffee Hour after the service.
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Congregational T-shirt Available!
Order by Nov 20
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Mary Blizzard and Marcia Hart have designed a new t-shirt for us, also available as a pullover hoodie. Join in and order one today! (Not a fundraiser--just for fun!) |
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Gathering for Thanksgiving
--Marie Deer, mariedeer1961(at)gmail.com
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Welcome to Our Newest Members!
On October 25th we welcomed seven new members to the church. They are Elizabeth Beauregard, Bill Daniels, Dee Morris, Jeanne Myers, Dinorah and Chris Sapp, and Alysa Schroff. Please give them a warm welcome when you see them. Here is Jeanne Myers's bio to help you get to know her. Additional bios were published in the 11/3 Prologue. -- Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
Jeanne (pronounced "Jean") Myers grew up in northern Indiana, but has lived in Bloomington for over 30 years. She is a first-generation college student who earned a graduate degree from IU Bloomington. She works full-time at IU as an academic advisor. She is a writer, and storyteller, who reads widely and is particularly interested in exploring ideas about the creative process, meditation, mental health issues, and social class. She feels closest to Spirit when she is outside and goes for long walks each day, whenever possible. She describes herself as an introvert, but deeply treasures her connections with friends and 'chosen family.' She looks forward to growing, learning, and sharing as part of the Unitarian Universalist community in Bloomington.
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Fridays at Noon with Rev. Dave
Join our interim minister consultant, Reverend Dave Clements, for an online chat every Friday at noon.
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UU Singles - Upcoming Events
We are a group of single adults within the UU Bloomington community who meet occasionally for various kinds of connective events as a group. We'd love to have you join us! Except for the early morning Thanksgiving walk, the following events will take place over Zoom:
- Thursday evening, November 19:
* 6 to 6:30 p.m., introductions and check-ins
* 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thanksgiving poems, songs, and memories
- Thursday evening, November 26 (THANKSGIVING!)
joint events with the whole church community
* 7:30 a.m. B-line trail walk
* 3 to 5 p.m. shared meal and fellowship online
* 7 p.m. game night
If you are not already on the UU singles e-mail list, please contact mariedeer1961(at) gmail.com or 812-391-0900.
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Our Annual Holiday Bazaar Starts THIS FRIDAY!
Online Sale and Auction open from November 20-30
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The long awaited UU online Bazaar will open at 7:00 a.m. Friday morning, Nov 20. Click here for the catalog. Featuring the Cookie Cruise, Gourmet Galaxy, Quality Reusables and offerings from the task forces: Habitat for Humanity, Feed Our Hungry Neighbors and International Outreach. There will be links to the web pages of some of our favorite artisans from past years, and plenty of surprises. Whether you are looking for some of your favorite baked goods or some unique gifts, the Bazaar has it. Some items are “buy it now” and some are auctioned. The sale ends Monday November 30 at 5 p.m. You'll make an appointment to pick up your items on Friday Dec 4 from 12 -6 p.m. or Saturday Dec 5 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. p.m. OR you can choose the home delivery option for an additional charge.
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The key word for 2020’s Gourmet Galaxy is variety, from everyday comfort food like vegetable soup, to an authentic Norwegian ring cake - you can have a traditional Scandinavian Christmas! (Catch a picture of the cake in the Gourmet Galaxy section of the online catalog.) But, wait—there’s more. Several baskets will be up for auction, with themes like Sunday morning, Movie Night, and Children’s Holiday. There will be Friendship baskets filled with interesting goodies for that special friend. The Mystery Grab Bags will also be available on auction. These bags are filled with things that you might find at the bazaar-- food and beyond.
Watch our Facebook posts for more peeks of what else is being offered by the Cookie Cruise, Quality Reusables, and three of our social justice task forces: Habitat for Humanity, Feed Our Hungry Neighbors and International Outreach.
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A tiny sample of the Gourmet Galaxy section of the Bazaar's online catalog...
click the image above to dive in!
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Quality Reusables Offers Delightful Choices
at the Online Bazaar
It wouldn’t be an old fashioned church holiday bazaar without some Quality Reusables (AKA White Elephants). Many of the offerings in the uuholidaybazaar2020.online catalog have to do with eating or drinking, but the star of Quality Reusables display are women’s jewelry items, particularly the two diamond rings or the lovely cameo. Choices range from stoneware to a Limoges candy dish, and plates that could be hung on the wall or used to serve cookies from the Bazaar’s Cookie Cruise, to a tea set, with a teapot, four tea cups and a box of teas. There is an electric grill, a never-used Cuisinart electric juicer, a hamburger press and several pieces of stainless steel cookware, including a slow cooker.
Children are not forgotten. Superman (a 9 inch tall version) makes an appearance and Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs are there on a charming vanity set. There are also some vintage Golden Books for a doting grandparent or book collector.
If the quantity of items for sale—377 at last count—is overwhelming you, bid on the bent wood rocking chair, and later you can have a delicious, freshly baked cookie, perhaps with a cup of tea. Click here to see all the Quality Reusables in the online catalog. The online Bazaar runs November 20-30.
Potentials for Persimmon Purchases
For those who want persimmons to use for Thanksgiving and other holiday treats, there will be a special opportunity to purchase frozen persimmon pulp on Friday, November 20 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Ruellen Fessenbecker will be at the parking lot by Bloomingfoods East (in front of the old K-Mart) with frozen persimmon pulp. Additionally, persimmon pulp will be on sale through the online bazaar, Nov 20-30, with pickup on Dec 4 or 5. One 2-cup bag of frozen pulp is $6 and orders can be picked up from a coordinated location (or delivered for a nominal fee). Please pay by check if you are purchasing pulp in person. Please contact Jason Michálek < michaja (at) mail.gvsu.edu > to reserve your persimmon pulp before Thanksgiving.
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Visit with Ann LeDuc on Mondays!
Every Monday, 1-2 pm, join the Connections Coordinator, Ann LeDuc, via Zoom to ask any church related questions. Newcomers and current congregation members are all welcome to drop-in. Additional ways to contact Ann are via email at connect (at) uubloomington.org or church mobile phone at (812) 720-3688.
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Ask the Administrator on Wednesdays
Do you have burning church administrative questions? Drop in on Zoom with Carol Marks our Church Administrator on Wednesdays, from 11:00-12:00 noon Also available at admin(at) uubloomington.org or call/text at (812) 287-9615, M-F 10-4.
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Zoom Tip of the Week
It is courteous to mute yourself when you first enter a meeting and when you are not speaking during the meeting. This helps hearing impaired folks, because it cuts down on ambient noise in the Zoom meeting that can interfere with hearing those who are speaking.
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For Whom the Bell Tolls
On Thursday, November 19th, the United States of America will once again commit premeditated murder with the execution of Orlando Hall. Orlando has spent the last 25 years in solitary confinement, and he will be strapped to a gurney and killed. He was a 20-year-old at the time of his crime. He is a black man sentenced to death by an all white jury, while his white co-defendants received lesser sentences. Orlando's family have stood by him for all the years of his imprisonment, and he has grown to be a sensitive and very spiritual human being. I had the privilege of meeting some of his family when I visited the Row last week. I am happy to report that Yusuf Nur, a Sunni Muslim from the Bloomington Mosque has taken the courageous step of being Orlando's spiritual advisor and will be with him when he is killed. Please keep Orlando and Yusuf in your thoughts. You may ring the Bell outside on the hill at the Church on the 19th. Sign up here to ring the Bell.
peace--bill
Reverend Bill Breeden, Minister Emeritus
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Backpack Buddies Food Collection for Nov.
Backpack Buddies provides backpacks of weekend food to low income children at twenty-one local schools. Children receive a backpack of food each week to help their families with food over the weekend. Food can be left in the bins near the Portico entrance through November 30.
--Homelessness & Hunger Task Forces
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Homelessness and Hunger Task Forces
Still Collecting Items for Shalom & College Square
Through November 30, we will be collecting food, hygiene items, and clothing for Shalom Community Center and food for our Pantry at College Square.
Needed items: Chunky soups, tuna, canned vegetables and fruit, cereal, coffee, peanut butter, macaroni & cheese, powdered milk, pasta, institutional size cans of food, condiments, tea, new socks. Collection bins at the northside Portico Entrance. Simply drive up and drop off--we are collecting donations from these bins daily. Many thanks! --Homelessness Task Force and Hunger Task Force
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MidAmerica Region Offers
Virtual Spring Leadership Training
Due to the success of the Fall leadership program, the MidAmerica Region of the UUA is offering a Spring 2021 Leadership Experience. Sessions will be on four Saturdays for 3-4 hours-- on March 5, March 27, April 17, and May 8. Save the dates now—registration will open in January. The cost will be $150 per person, with those who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, trans, non-binary, or young adults receiving a 50% discount.
For more information, contact Lisa Presley, lpresley(at)uua.org. If you would like to participate, but cannot afford the registration fee, please contact Dan Wiseman, our Leadership Cultivation Committee Chair, at connect1947(at)att.net
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UU Freethinkers Meet Sunday, November 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. Every other Sunday via Zoom at 12:45 p.m. To join, contact Harold Ogren.
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UU Humanist Forum Meets Sunday, November 29, 12:45 pm
Every other Sunday at 12:45 p.m., our UU Humanists meet together online on Zoom for discussion. The discussion topic on the 29th will be "Populism, What Is It?", facilitated by Harold Ogren. Email Ann Watzel or Harold Ogren if you would like to join the discussion.
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Shambhala Meditation Online on Mondays
Every Monday at noon online, or anytime it's easy, since there are saved sessions, you can join Sarah Flint in this 2500-year-old practice of cultivating peace and inner wisdom. Contact Sarah Flint to join the group in real time. On Facebook at UU Bloomington Meditation.
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Open Mind Zen Online
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Open Mind Zen with Frank Seisho Diaz is currently holding all meetings online. If you'd like to participate, visit openmindzenbloomington.org and reach out via their contact page for more information.
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Email Fraud Alert
Our ministers, staff, and board members or other members will never send you email asking you for any money besides your pledge payment!
Handy Email Fraud Detection Tips:
Is the email addressed to you personally? Does it have a greeting in the opening text followed by your first name? If the email is supposed to be from a legitimate person or business that is asking something specific from you, it will always be personalized with at least your first name. Be especially leery of emails starting with "Dear Beloved."
Office Hours, Calendar, Deadlines
Office hours: M-F, 10 am-4 pm (office closed at church, but staff working from home)
Church Administrator Carol Marks can be reached via text or voicemail during office hours at 812-287-9615. Email: admin (at) uubloomington.org
Thanksgiving Holiday Closure:
The staff will not be available November 26 & 27, because of the Thanksgiving holiday.
The Prologue is published on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month. Next issue is December 1. Deadline is 10 am on date of publication, admin (at) uubloomington.org
Mailing Address
During the COVID emergency:
UU Church, PO Box 1158, Nashville, Indiana 47448-1158.
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Membership and Attendance
Membership: 527 certified members;
568 current members.
Attendance
Sunday, November 1 10:15 372 attended virtually
(Facebook's live feed was down.)
Sunday, November 8 10:15 545 attended virtually
Non-Pledge Offering:
November 1: $1,205.00 November 8: $393.00
To make a contribution for the Non-Pledge Offering (Sunday Plate), or to make a payment towards your pledge or the Minister's Discretionary Fund, click on this link to get to our PayPal page: bit.ly/UUCBdonate
Total to be donated (25%) to Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM) Compass Early Learning Center and Self-Sufficiency Center: $399.50
Grocery Card Sales: (Bloomingfoods or Fresh Thyme) -- $1.200; Total income to UUCB: $60.00
Free Money from Kroger!
Fresh Thyme and Bloomingfoods
Gift Cards Available by Mail
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Did you know that Kroger sends us over $1,600 each year? This is made possible by those of you who participate in Kroger's Community Rewards program. Register your Kroger Plus card online at this link. We received $450.48 from Kroger for the months July through September from this program.
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We are also still selling grocery cards for Bloomingfoods and Fresh Thyme. Click here to see what kind of cards and how many are available. Send your check to the church (UU Church, P. O. Box 1158, Nashville, Indiana 47448-1158) with a note to let us know the type and value of card(s) you want, and we will mail them to you. You do not need to send a SASE.
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Masthead photo by Marcia Hart. |
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Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, IN
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