Friday UU Update                Friday, September 29, 2017
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Sunday, October 1, 2017
9:15 and 11:15 a.m. 
"Hike Your Own Hike:
Spiritual Reflections on Falls from Grace" (previously titled "Clueless in Vermont") Reverend Mary Ann Macklin 
Author Kathleen Norris writes, "If grace is so wonderful, why do we have such difficulty recognizing and accepting it? Maybe it's because grace is not gentle or made-to-order. It often comes disguised as loss, or failure, or unwelcome change." Reverend Macklin will offer reflections on a recent "hike" in the Green Mountains of Vermont. She may use the word grace several times in several different contexts. Pianists Kim Carballo and Paul Borg will offer four-hand piano arrangements of pieces by Ludwig van Beethoven.
This Week in Religious Education: Courage
Our spirit play classes* will focus on the Yellow UU Promise: Yearn to Learn. 
*World of Wonder (Preschool) will learn about Beatrix Potter's Life and her commitment to the natural world. *Roots and Wings (K-2) will hear the story of Maria Mitchell and reflect on her life and expanding women's roles in science.  Curiosity Club ( 9:15am-3rd-8th,  11:15am-3rd-5th) will learn about Yom Kippur and discuss forgiveness. Harry Potter and UU will not meet this week, they are attending a youth retreat in Kentucky with other UU kids from the MidAmerica region. 
High School Youth Group is attending Youth Revival near Chicago and bringing a brown bag lunch and canoeing at Lake Griffy on Sunday.
Chalice Circle for Snowbirds--Sign Up on Sunday, October 1
You have asked, and we have listened! Announcing pilot program "Snowbird Special -- Chalice Circle Abridged". If you want to connect to church members on a deeper level and experience the joys of deep listening, but alas, you are away to warmer climates in January-April, sign up for the new chalice circle which will run on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays,  6:30-8 pm  at the UU church from October-December. Sign up sheets will be available in the Commons area for the next two weeks. If circle receives a minimum of 7 required participants, it will start on  Tuesday, October 3rd  in Room 112. Yay, snowbirds! -- Anna Beauchamp
New to Unitarian Universalism? Come to the First Steps class this Sunday!
First Steps is a 40-minute introduction to Unitarian Universalism and our congregation. This class is offered the first  Sunday of each month at  10:35 am and 12:35 pm in Room 112. Free childcare is available in Room 108. No registration is required, just come to Room 112 after the service. If you have questions about this class, how to get involved at the church, or membership, please contact Ann LeDuc at  connect@uubloomington.org or  (812) 332-3695.
Diaper Drive, September 24-October 1
All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center is launching the "National Week of Diaper Need Awareness" next week. The need is great, as one out of three Hoosier families can't afford diapers for their children!  Please drop off diaper donations in the diaper box in the  Commons near the Social Justice Table, from 9/24-10/1.
Your Pledge Dollars at Work
     "How to Talk to Kids About Race" with Dr. Nya McCarthy-Brown was well-attended at both sessions this month by an active group of parents and educators.
UU Grief Support Group Starts November 4 (Register by October 22) 
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. In the Library, four Saturdays from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., November 4 and 11, and December 2 and 16. Participants must commit to attending all four sessions. This will be a shared group experience honoring members' privacy and confidentiality. Facilitators will be Reverend Mary Ann Macklin and Sharon Yarber. If you have questions, please call Sharon Yarber, 812-345-0364. We ask that interested persons register by October 22 by calling Sharon Yarber at the phone number listed. Minimum 5, Maximum 10 participants.
For More Information see the September 19 issue   of our newsletter, The Prologue.
Masthead photo by John Woodcock.
Unitarian Universalist Church