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Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World
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Sunday, September 9, 2018
9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
Forgiveness: Asking for a Miracle
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
"Forgiveness does not mean that we suppress anger; forgiveness means that we have asked for a miracle: the ability to see through mistakes that someone has made to the truth that lies in all of our hearts."---Marianne Williamson
The Jewish High Holy Days will begin Sunday evening September 9th with the New Year, Rosh Hashanah, and will conclude with the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, which begins at sundown on September 18th. As a prelude to these holy days Reverend Macklin will offer her annual forgiveness sermon to honor this sacred time in the Jewish calendar.
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Sunday, September 16, 2018
9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
"7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2: 1."
The Reverend Scott McNeill
As UUs, we integrate a number of lessons, stories, and metaphors based on numbers (the 7 Principles and Purposes, 6 Sources, 5 Smooth Stones, and so on). This Sunday we'll see how all of that adds up and plays a role in our one, singular life.
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MAM's Musings
DON'T MISS THIS! Tracy K. Smith, U.S. Poet Laureate Poetry Reading and Conversation Thursday, September 6
Tracy K. Smith, U.S. Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize Winnder, will give a reading this Thursday, September 6 at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, 275 N. Jordan Ave. The reading will be followed by a conversation with Adrian Matejka. The event is free and open to the public. More info
here.
Sunday, September 2 offered a good helping of engaged spirituality for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington. From the Water Communion to the evening Potluck and Splash of the Sacred, it was good to be together. Thanks to ALL those who helped make these dynamic events run smoothly.
In my last column I suggested the interfaith program Noah's Ark as a means to nurture diverse dialogue in Bloomington. Last year I introduced "Better Angels" as another means to communicate better in our fractured world:
Better Angels
I have been in touch with local participant David Lawler regarding the organization "Better Angels, which teaches communication and life skills to help bridge the partisan divide. I was particularly moved by David's personal sharing:
My most personal story regarding these communication skills involves my son. I am a bleeding heart liberal. For some reason, the Universal Prankster has given me a very conservative son. I have shied away from a lot of discussion with him for fear of touching some hot button that would inflame unbridled passions. The last couple of weeks have placed my son and I in a car together for some very long road trips to my grandson's away soccer games. Using my Better Angels skills has allowed me to open up topics that I would have never dared to touch. The result is that, while I certainly don't agree with him, I have developed a much deeper respect and understanding for why my son believes what he does. And at the conclusion of the last soccer trip, I can honestly say that I've never felt closer to him.
David offers this invite:
Do you have a friend, neighbor, acquaintance or family member whose political views are so different from your own that your relationship with them feels strained? Consider joining Better Angels
https://www.better-angels.org/, an organization dedicated to bridging the partisan divide. Better Angels is not about changing minds, but changing hearts. They bring together equal numbers of Reds and Blues in moderated groups to teach a process of non-judgmental listening and responding in order to develop mutual understanding.
Examples of the effectiveness of this process are shown in
this MSNBC spot about a Better Angels meeting held here in Bloomington earlier this year (note Miles Eddy from our congregation who is also a Better Angel participant). And the
documents the profound effect of this process in a small Ohio town.
Lastly, in this post-truth era, it's important to do a little truth seeking workout now and then. In a recent team building exercise, led by Church Administrator Carol Marks, we were each asked to reveal three facts about ourselves and one lie---in random order. Below are our responses. How well do you know the core staff at UUCB? Can you find the lie in each? Below, below are clues for the designated lies.
Staff Truths and Lies
1.Carol Marks
Used to live on a commune, Does not have any tattoos, Backpacked in Europe the summer after junior year in college,Named for mother's college roommate
2. Adrienne Summerlot
Worked as a live model for the art department, Traveled extensively outside the country, Attended twenty Bon Jovi concerts, Been to the top of the World Trade Center
3.Mary Ann Macklin
Crawled across a roof slanted sharply over canals in Venice, Italy, HaS a rare blood type, Owns a Colts Helmet signed by some Baltimore Colts players, Broke the same bone four times on different occasions
4. Ann LeDuc
Sold a cow to pay for rent, Hails from the home of Popeye, Had orange hair as a child, Lived in Sioux Falls, SD
5. Scott McNeill
Was the "voice" of my elementary and middle school, reading the morning announcements, Pledge of Allegiance, and "calling" the basketball games
Was elected student council treasurer, Appeared in a series of local and national commercials (non-speaking, clearly shown), Ran a 5K dedicated to hot chocolate, which ended with runners having s'mores and hot chocolate at the finish line
6. Susan Swaney
Is allergic to blackberries, Wrote anti-communist folks songs in middle school, Managed 9th grade football team, Shares a birthday with Greta Garbo
7. Emily Manvel Leite
Struggles to pronounce the names of Spanish tennis players, One of our cats is named "Found in Bathroom", Played bass drum in an ice skating band, Loves peanut butter-tomato sandwiches
Designated lies key words 1. Backpacked Europe 2. Traveled extensively 3. Colts Helmet 4. Sioux Falls 5. Student Council 6. Allergic Blackberries 7. Tennis Player Names
May we all strengthen our truth-seeking in these times.
Peace and Love,
MAM
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Senior Minister
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From Our Associate Minister--
Owning Your Religious Past
This fall, I will be leading a four week workshop, "Owning Your Religious Past." This is a curriculum some of you may be familiar with; but, for others (or as a refresher): over the course of those four sessions, we will share with one another our religious journeys and use stories, art, and more to reflect on the faith communities of our childhood, adolescence, and/or adulthood. We'll think about the things we are eager to let go of, from those traditions - and explore the items, rituals, experiences we wish we could keep. Dates for this workshop are being finalized, and we'll let you know soon. Contact me if you are interested! [email protected]
For all that you do to support the congregation - thank you!
Rev. Scott McNeill
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All the Things We Offer and Need
Above is a word cloud generated from all of the things we offer and need in our congregation. (Created from all of the blue papers offered on the central table by those attending water communion on September 2).
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Religious Education for Children and Youth
Fall Religious Education Classes Start
Sunday, September 9th!
If your children or youth are NOT registered, they will not be on our attendance roster or have a name tag ready and waiting for them on Sunday, September 9. It is important to register your children for Religious Education yearly so that we have critical information like special needs, allergies, parent email, so we can provide that to our volunteer teachers in a timely manner. If your child is not registered, you will be asked to take a moment to register them
on Sunday morning. You can help us and save time
by registering here! We would sincerely appreciate your registering your children before
September 7th!
High School Youth Group meets on Sundays from 12:30-2:30pm
Parents of 6th-8th Graders! Middle School Youth Retreat at Camp Piomingo in Kentucky
Deadline to register,
September 14th!
This is a fun tradition for our kids to connect with other UU youth in our area through active games, hiking, bonfire, s'mores and of course a night time pipe slide!
Please contact Adrienne Summerlot
[email protected] if your youth would like to attend or if you would like to chaperone.
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From Our Board of Directors
As the month of September begins, we mark the end of a busy and fulfilling summer at UUCB. On behalf of your Board of Directors, a heartfelt "Thank You" to all those who made our summer two-services format a success. So many people contributed to our expanded worship service offerings this summer - religious education volunteers, worship associates, welcomers and greeters, the amazing office staff and many others. Special thanks to Susan Swaney, our music director, for organizing a delightful summer of musicians and vocalists; and to our ministers - Mary Ann Macklin, Scott McNeill and Emily Manvel Leite - for providing thoughtful and inspiring worship services. Through their collaborative work, the UUCB leadership team - Mary Ann, Scott, Emily and Sue - are a paradigm for us all and our community. And, should your travels have meant you missed a Sunday, you can stream all of the services from May through August
on the UUCB website.
--Stuart Yoak, Vice President of the Board
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People's Climate March - Indianapolis
September 8
Our Green Sanctuary Task Force on Global Climate Change encourages you to participate in the People's Climate March in Indianapolis on Saturday, September 8 starting at 10:00 a.m. on the east lawn of the Indiana Statehouse, joining in solidarity with marches around the country. Following the March is a community forum from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. RSVP is strongly encouraged at
actionnetwork.org/events/rise-for-climate-action-indy
.
Facebook event with more information:
tinyurl.com/pcm2018fb.
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Coffee House Fundraiser for Kenya September 14
Our
International Outreach Task Force (IOTF) will present "Living Acoustic Traditions: An Evening of African and Diasporan Poetry and Music," Friday, Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. The coffee house fundraiser will feature live music, poetry and performance from artists of Africa and the African Diaspora. It will raise funds for the IOTF's three charities in and around Nairobi, Kenya. Admission is $5.00 (suggested donation).
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Make UUCB Dementia Friendly!
Training September 21
On Friday,
September 21, 11:00-noon in the church library, we will hold a Dementia Friendly Location training. The goal of this training is to help us learn how to better support members of our community who are living with
dementia, as well as their caregivers. The training will be provided by the Alzheimer's Resource Service of IU Health. If you would like to participate in the training, please contact Ann LeDuc,
[email protected]
or (812) 332-3695.
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Welcomer Training Session September 23
Greeters and Welcomers are vital to making ours a welcoming church. Newcomer Welcomers orient first-time visitors, while Greeters hold doors, distribute orders of service, and collect the offering. It's a great way to meet people, and you set your own schedule. A TRAINING SESSION will be held
Sunday, Sept. 23, at 12:30
in the Meeting Room. Contact Craig Coley at 812-287-3368 or
[email protected]
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Ending U.S. Complicity
in the Saudi-led War in Yemen
Talk on Sept 23
The Just Peace Task Force invites you to join us on
Sunday, September 23rd at 4 p.m. in the Meeting Room for a talk by Kate Gould on "Ending U.S. Complicity in the Saudi-led War in Yemen." This is the greatest humanitarian catastrophe in the world today, and the U.S. is providing military support to Saudi Arabia, which has repeatedly targeted civilians (recently a school bus). We hope Kate's visit will help build pressure on our Senators to support Senator Chris Murphy's effort to cut off U.S. military involvement. Kate Gould is the legislative associate for Middle East policy at the Friends Committee on National Legislation, where for the past four years she has led the group's advocacy regarding Iran, as well as Iraq, Syria, Israel and Palestine. A reception will follow the talk. Kate has declined a personal honorarium and asked for contributions to support FCNL's work: gifts may be made payable to "UU Church" with "Just Peace" in the memo line. Should we add at the end: "For more information, please contact David Keppel,
[email protected]
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Call out for KAP (Kids with Absent Parents)
The Kids with Absent Parents program, a project of our Hope for Prisoners Task Force, meets on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month at Girls Inc, offering lunch and separate programs for kids and caregivers. Because we need a 1-1 ratio of children to adults, we can only serve more kids if we have more volunteers. You can participate in the children's program by
-monitoring, talking to and befriending a child
-playing games, table or more active ones
-planning an activity for a small group
-performing music, magic, a play or ?
There are other ways to help too. We serve lunch to around 50 each time (with children, caregivers and volunteers)
. We need help with
-preparing food
(bake cookies, prep veggies, sandwiches, spaghetti, etc)
-setting up and serving the food
-packaging up leftovers for the families
-soliciting food donations from restaurants, caterers or market vendors
To volunteer or receive more information, send an email to Mary Goetze at
[email protected]
or call her at 812-327-0144
.
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UU History for You
Frances Ellen (
née Watkins) Harper
Frances Ellen (née Watkins) Harper (1825-1911) was born to free African Americans in Baltimore. Her mother died when Francis was 3 years old and she was raised in the AME Church by her aunt and uncle, who were abolitionists. Educated at her uncle's school for black children, at age 14 became a domestic to a Quaker couple, in whose library she read. She began publishing books of poetry. She was the first African American female to have a short story published. She also wrote popular novels. She helped black families escape slavery through the underground railroad, including her own family members. She married Peter Harper who died five years later, leaving her with a daughter. She became a Unitarian but did not drop her AME affiliation. She found the Unitarians the only place where she could associate with white people. After the Civil War, she became active in the temperance movement and the suffrage movement. She settled in Philadelphia and continued writing novels and poetry until her death in 1911. Her fame disappeared after her death and her literary work was considered "sentimental" by white critics and "not black enough" by African American critics until the 1970s when her work was reappraised.
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Community Connections
Our Faith in Action in the Community
Are You a Plant Person?
Angela Sturdevant and Ann Kamman are recruiting people to share starts of their native plants at a native plant exchange sponsored by Elm Heights and Bryan Park neighborhood groups. Saturday, September 22, 9am to 1pm. Bryan Park, Woodlawn Shelter. Leftovers will be donated to Molly O'Donnell and the Green Grounds Task Force here at church.
Community Justice and Mediation Center Provides
Basic Mediation Training September 15-29
Registration is now open for the Community Justice and Mediation Center (CJAM) 40-hour basic mediation training that provides hands-on skill development in problem solving, negotiation, conflict resolution, communication, and restorative justice methods.
The training will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. over five weekend days, September 15-16, 22-23, and 29 at the I.U. Maurer School of Law. Tuition is $300. Scholarships are available. For more info, email
[email protected]
or call (812) 336-8677. Go to
www.cjamcenter.org
to apply online.
Alzheimer's Walk and Suicide Prevention Walk
If you are interested in walking with other other UUs in support of Alzheimer's research or Suicide Prevention, let Ann LeDuc know at
[email protected]
or (812)332-3695. The "Walk to End Alzheimer's" is scheduled for September 16. The "Out of the Darkness" suicide prevention walk is scheduled for October 21.
Support the Down's Syndrome Family Connection!
Our very own Molly Bunde will have a team at the Buddy Walk again this year. The walk will be held on September 23. To join Molly's team, or to donate,
click here.
The Buddy Walk supports the Down's Syndrome Family Connection.
--Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
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Religious Education for Adults
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Humanist
Forum Potluck this
Sunday
September 9,
12:45 pm
This Sunday at 12:45 p.m. the UU Humanist Forum will meet in Room 208 after children's Religious Education classes end. This Sunday will be a p
otluck lunch - please bring a dish to share! We will be choosing discussion topics for Fall 2018.
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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. [email protected]
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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 110 here at the church. All are welcome regardless of faith or experience.
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Traditional Taiji on Tuesdays at 7:45 p.m.
Brian Flaherty leads "Wu (Hao)" style Taiji in Fellowship Hall on Tuesdays at 7:45 p.m. 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 Enjoy
Free Ranging Discussion
Sunday, September 16, 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 p.m., after children's religious education classes end.
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Screening of Happening:
A Clean Energy Revolution
September 16
The Green Sanctuary Task Force on Global Climate Change is hosting a screening of
Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution,
Sunday, September 16 at 6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.
Come help kick off the new Adult Religious Education film series!
We will have pizza at the break and a discussion will follow the film. We may be able to provide childcare if at least two families need it: contact Kitty McIntosh at [email protected] by September 7. Please bring your own table service and a water bottle to reduce the use of disposables. Watch for the next film in the series on
Oct 21st
!
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Earth Kin Book Discussion
September 17:
Cosmic Doctrine
Join Earth Kin--UU's Earth-centered spirituality group--for the next meeting of our book club on Monday, September 17, 7:30-9 p.m. in Room 210. We'll be discussing the Introduction(s) and Section I (to about page 53) of Dion Fortune's Cosmic Doctrine, which has been called one of the most important works of 20th century occult philosophy. The book is available through most major book stores and online, but please do contact Brooke Opel (
[email protected]
) if you have any obstacles to obtaining the book in time for our first discussion, because she is happy to share her copy. Everyone is welcome--whether you're new to pagan thought or have been studying for decades!
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| Splash of the Sacred Picnic, fellowship on 9-2-18. |
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Women's Alliance Meets
September 6
Liz Watson will discuss health care issues at the Women's Alliance
meeting on Thursday, September 6. We gather at 11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Meetings begin with a brown bag lunch. The presentation begins at noon, followed by a question and answer period and a business meeting. The hostesses for the month, Barb Backler and Martha Foster, will provide drinks and dessert. Everyone, including women, men, and gender non-binary persons, is welcome.
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2018 UU Holiday Art Fair & Bazaar, Nov 30 - Dec 1
Artisan applications available now!
Deadline Sept 7
Artisans may now apply to our juried Holiday Art Fair & Bazaar by going to
uubloomingtonartfair2018.artcall.org
,
or call or stop by the UU office for a paper application. Check out what's new for artisans in our 60th event! Application deadline is September 7. Non-artisans reading this: please help us spread the word through your contacts. --The Bazaar Committee
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Calling All UU Singles -
All UU singles are invited to a GAME NIGHT on Friday, September 7, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Join us in the Library for fun and games. Bring along your favorite game...board or cards or other. Also, bring your own drink and a munchie to share that won't require us to use the kitchen facilities. Please enter at the Portico door (north side of the building). (If you are part of a couple but your partner won't play games with you, join us!!) For more information, or to join our "lunch bunch," contact Debbie Fish [email protected].
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Final week to register: Exploring Unitarian Universalism Class - Sept 9 & 16
This is the final week to register for the upcoming Exploring Unitarian Universalism (U.U.) class on September 9 & 16, 2-4 p.m. in the church library. Exploring U.U. is a two session class that teaches about U.U. principles, history, ways to get involved at the church, church membership, and more. We ask for completion of this class before becoming a member. Please plan to attend both sessions, since different material will be covered in each session. Register by signing up at the Welcome Table in the church foyer, or contacting Ann LeDuc at
[email protected]or (812) 332-3695.
Birds of a Feather Common Interest Table
at Coffee Hour
This Sunday September 9 - Calling all Writers!
Come talk to other writers this Sunday, Sept. 9, during coffee hour (10:15-11:15) in Fellowship Hall at the first Birds of a Feather (BOF) Common Interest Table. This is a great opportunity to get to know other writers in our congregation!
-Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
Young Adult (18-30 yrs old) Lunch with Reverend Macklin on September 23
If yo
u are a
young
adult
, ages 18-30, join us for
lunch
on
Sunday, Sept 23 at 12:45
in the Fellowship Hall. We will provide the food. Our Senior Minister, Reverend Mary Ann Macklin will join us.
Please email Ann at
[email protected]
i
f you plan to join us, so we have an idea of how many to expect.
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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 and Lucky's 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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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].
Making the Archived Videos of Services Easier to Get To
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.
Click here to view the most recent service: Sept 2
(Please note: the livestream was down on 8/26, so there is no online archive, but a DVD is available from the church office)
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Membership: 512 certified members; 530 current members.
Attendance:
Sunday, August 26 9:15 - 109 11:15 - 126 TOTAL: 235
Sunday, September 2 9:15 - 86 11:15 - 162 TOTAL: 248
Non-Pledge Offering:
August 26: $493 September 2: $458
Total to be donated (25%) to Spencer Pride $237.71
Grocery Card Sales:
(Bloomingfoods or Lucky's Market)
August 26
: $825.00, income to UUCB: $43.75 September 2: 525.00, income to UUCB: $26.25
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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:
September 18, October 2, October 16, November 6, November 20, December 4, December 18.
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Masthead photo by John Woodcock.
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