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Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World
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Sunday, January 21, 2018
9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
Annual Science Sermon:
Evidence-Based Truth in a Post-Truth Era
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Astronomer and writer Carl Sagan wrote, "A religion old or new, that stressed the magnificence of the universe as revealed by modern science, might be able to draw forth reserves of reverence and awe hardly tapped by conventional faiths." In her annual Science Sermon, Reverend Macklin will review highlights from 2017 discoveries in the areas of human origins, environment, physics math, astronomy, mind and brain, technology. Per usual, there will be a 7th inning stretch!
Reverend Macklin will be quoting Carl Sagan, so feel free to don a turtleneck and blazer on Sunday, in the spirit of Sagan and science.
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Sunday, January 28, 2018
9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
The IKEA Church
Reverend Scott McNeill
Do-it-yourself takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to building furniture--and when it comes to building faith. Come to church and see what you can create (no allen wrenches needed!).
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Sunday, February 4, 2018
9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
Simply Living, Simply Dying
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Our theme for the month of February is Simplicity.
In this age of information overload and complex technologies, how do we reclaim simplicity in our lives?
Can we?
Do we even want to?
How does the lack of simplicity affect our quality of life---from cradle to grave?
These questions will be explored in this worship service, featuring choral selections from our choir:
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot and Bobby McFerrin's 23rd Psalm.
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MAM's Musings
The Weather---Whether or Not We're Together.
Hey folks, with temps and weather conditions changing on a regular basis---sometimes an hourly basis, please be mindful of hazardous conditions in our parking lot and sidewalks. Our staff works extra hours to create safe conditions. However, the recent temperature extremes do create situations that go beyond salt, sand, plowing and the best laid plans. Kudos to everyone, including staff, ushers, volunteer ice hackers and slip-patrol,who helped out on Sunday---once the ice started melting in the sun, a new slipperiness occurred; some of you found that out the hard way! Ouch. While church may be open for business, we rely on you to decide whether or not your body needs to weather the conditions. Remember, particularly with worship services, you can always live-stream. Be wise. Be safe. Stay warm.
The Whether--
Whether or not you have been present the past several Sunday worship services, here are a few reminders from those services. I Please watch the two-part speech from the Nobel Peace Prize Awards Ceremony which took place a month ago, December 10th, 2017. The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the prize to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) The speech given in two parts by ICAN Director Beatrice Fihn of Sweden and Setsuko Thurlow, who was thirteen years old when her city of Hiroshima was bombed. My strong suggestion---Don't read the speech, but watch it, both parts. If you are not motivated to watch this speech, then please go to our worship archives and watch the January 7th worship service, Dangerous Old Woman. Seriously.
Next, please contact our Members of Congress, who have the power (and responsibility) to restrict the President's ability to order a nuclear first strike. S.200, The Restricting the First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act, introduced by Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts, would require the President to obtain specific Congressional approval before using nuclear weapons first in a conflict.
The Tether
Tether is a nice word that rhymes with weather. Meanwhile, I am a member of Women4Change Indiana, which recently sent the following about an issue near and dear to many of our hearts. You might say our democracy is tethered to this issue:
We are happy to see that redistricting reform is being made an important issue for our legislators during the first 2018 session of the Indiana General Assembly! Women4Change Indiana supports SB 159, which removes redistricting from the hands of politicians and calls for an independent redistricting commission. This bill has been given to the Senate Elections Committee, and with only one meeting left before the bill switches houses, it must be the top priority!
women4Change Indiana is a proud member of ALL IN for Democracy, a coalition working to pass independent redistricting reform, and we hope you will join us on January 22nd at 9:30 AM at the State House in Indianapolis to support this bill at the final Senate Elections Committee meeting.
We will be wearing purple to show our support as a group.
I hope some members and friends of our congregation can attend.
Lastly, it was an honor to participate in the Martin Luther King Celebration at the Buskirk Chumley Monday evening, January 15. It was a powerful event of music, video and spoken word. Thanks to Frank Diaz, Zen priest, and IU music faculty members, for joining me for the Closing Words. By the end of the night I believed, deep in my heart, that we shall overcome some day.
Meanwhile, one day at a time.
Peace and Love, MAM
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, Senior Minister
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It's Snowing, Again
It's snowing, again. Perhaps you already know this--or by the time you read this, it'll be 50 degrees. Who knows anymore! But when slippery sidewalks keep us inside, it can be a particularly good time to warm someone's heart by giving them a call. The caring committee is working hard to connect with members and friends of the church; but, it is always a good time to call someone and see how they're doing. And, please let one of the ministers know if you're in need of a call or visit yourself. And if you're missing a connection with the church but cannot get out, remember that watching a service on our livestream (
on Sunday
, or during the week) is always an option (though not necessarily a replacement for being together). Stay warm, and safe!
Scott
Reverend Scott McNeill, Associate Minister
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Our Folks...
Our hearts are with Daniel Reed and family. Daniel's father, Ron Reed, died peacefully on January 1st. A memorial service will be held on June 23, 2018, at Mohican Outdoor School, which Ron founded in 1961.
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Creativity Intersession
Kids during our January intersession on Creativity and Cooking have enjoyed making apple sauce and learning about different types of apples and cinnamon.
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UUCB Book Discussion Group Meets Sunday, January 21
at Elof and Nedra Carlson's home at 3:00 p.m.
Bring ideas for more fiction and nonfiction works to read together in the coming year. The group will discuss Jane Mayer's Dark Money, a history of efforts by the wealthiest Americans to legally use their wealth to gerrymander, obtain federal subsidies, get tax reductions, and block efforts to regulate industry that is destructive of health and ecosystems. Info, contact Elof: ecarlson31@netzero.com
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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, January 28 at 10:30 am in the Fuchs Library upstairs at church. 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 connect@uubloomington.org.
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Celebrate the Return of the Light
Imbolc Celebration January 31
Come join Earth Kin in celebrating the return of the light at their Imbolc Ritual, which will be held on Wednesday, January 31st
from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in Fellowhip Hall. Imbolc marks the halfway point of winter where the light has become perceptibly stronger and it is a time of sympathetic magic where fires are lit to lure back the slowly waxing sun. Earth Kin will be honoring the Celtic triple goddess, Brigid; conducting some spring-cleaning of the self; and setting intentions for the year to come. All are welcome!
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Mark your calendars for the February
On February 11, 18, and 25 we will hold our semi-annual Getting Involved Fair in the Fellowship Hall between services, 10:30-11:15 a.m. This is an opportunity to find out what each of our church committees, task forces, and other groups do, and if you are interested, how you can get involved. Each Sunday, a different mix of groups will be available to offer information, and a member of each group will be present to talk with you. This is a great opportunity for newcomers, and long-time folks too, to learn about all of our groups. -
-Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
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UU History for You--
The Rev. Thomas Fyshe Palmer: Anglican, Unitarian, Seditionist, Exile, and Advocate for Universal Suffrage
Thomas Fyshe Palmer (1747-1802) was born in England to a wealthy family and attended Eton and Cambridge. He became an Anglican minister, and after reading Priestley's books and articles, he converted to Unitarianism. He joined a Unitarian group in Scotland and wrote articles for Priestley's journal. He also joined a group of Scottish nationalists who were advocating democracy and relief from British rule. Palmer argued that universal suffrage was a human right and he and four other advocates were arrested and convicted of sedition. Palmer was sent to Botany Bay in Australia for seven years. There he preached his Unitarian views, bought land, and produced rum, which he exported. After his seven years were up, he bought a ship, loaded it with timber in New Zealand, and sailed to Guam where his ship was confiscated as war booty by Spain. He died of dysentery in the prison where he was held. Years later, New Zealand became the first country in the world with universal suffrage. Both Australia and New Zealand owe their Unitarian traditions to Palmer's presence.
--Elof Carlson, UUCB Historian
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A Message from Reverend Macklin about the Flu
(and Building Community!)
When it came to flu shots, my dad's job was to corral my brothers and me into his car and take us to our small town doctor's office. This was no easy task. We all hated flu shots. I don't know if it was because my arms were littler back then or the needles were bigger, but those shots hurt like hell. When the nurse came with the shot, I remember tucking my small body under the protection of my dad's jacket and sticking out my bare arm for the final impalement. The wait was as painful as the shot itself. Flu shots are quite different nowadays, but I still loathe getting one for a number of reasons.
However, on Sunday, between services, an amazing young woman reminded me that flu shots are not solely about one's personal health. In a community like our congregation, an immunization might also protect those with whom we gather, particularly those with compromised immune systems.
In Monday's New York Times, one headline noted, "Not Convinced You Need a Flu Shot? First, It's Not All About You"---Adults also need to get vaccinated to provide herd immunity for others, especially babies and older people. One of the articles conclusions, "You get immunized to protect those who can't protect themselves....[We] can do better. If not for themselves, then for those they love."
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/15/upshot/flu-shot-deaths-herd-immunity.
There is a lot of illness happening in Bloomington and in our congregation this winter. Of course, it is up to you/me whether or not you get a flu shot. But do ponder the possibility in your heart. Also there are other precautions to lessen the spread of germs:
*Please make use of the hand sanitizer provided throughout the building.
*If you are ill, even if you are feeling better, please do not attend a church event if there is still a possibility that you may be contagious.
*Uh, don't sneeze on people and other basic hygiene stuff.
Remember you can live-stream our worship services and many of our events. Remember....it's not all about you...which is a good spiritual reminder regardless of flu. --Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
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Iva Laughlin Fund Provides Assistance to Elderly UUs in Need
The MidAmerica UU Region office in Minnesota recently wrote to remind us about the Iva Laughlin Fund, which was created in the early 1900's with a bequest from Iva Giles Laughlin, a Chicago area Universalist. The fund is set up to provide one-time financial assistance to elderly UUs in need in the Midwest and Mountain Desert Regions. For details and how to apply for assistance, please click here.
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Current Membership: 535
Attendance Sunday, January 7 9
:15: 110 11:15: 175 TOTAL: 285
Sunday, January 14
9
:15
: 93 11:15: 164 TOTAL: 257
Non-Pledge Offering January 7
$704.09 January 14 $571.00
Total to be donated (25%) to All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center $318.77
Grocery Card Sales (Bloomingfoods or Lucky's Market)
January 7: $2,000, income to UUCB $103.00 January 14: $375, income to UUCB $22.75
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Adult Religious Education Opportunities
U Poet U
3 Saturdays:
January 20,
February 17,
and March 17, 3-5 p.m.
The Fuchs Library (or other suitable room)
Flex your poetic muscles and get in shape for napowrimo (National Poetry Writing Month, April 2018). Three sessions of writing and then sharing what we've written, plus enjoying other people's poetry from Now and Back Then. Muffins provided; please bring your own preferred beverage and a notebook.
Maximum number of participants: 7.
There are TWO SLOTS LEFT!
Register by January 17 via email to
office@uubloomington.org or call 812-332-3695 ext. 204.
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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. sflint.ktv@gmail.com
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Open Mind Zen Meets Mondays at 7:00 p.m.
Join Frank Seisho Diaz for meditation, talks, and discussions on Zen Buddhism, Mondays 7:00-8:30 p.m., in Room 110 here at the church. All are welcome regardless of faith or experience.
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UU Freethinkers Enjoy Free Ranging Discussion
January 21 & February 4
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 will meet next on Sunday, January 21, 12:45 pm.
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UU Humanists Meet January 28
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, January 28, at 12:45 p.m. The group will meet in Fellowship Hall for a potluck lunch and discussion of topics for the Spring. For general questions about our UU Humanist group,
contact
Harold Ogren.
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Standing on the Side of Love Annual Bake Sale February 11
The Reproductive Justice Task Force will be having their yearly pre-Valentine's Day bake sale after each service on Sunday, February 11. Please join in the fun by creating and buying goodies for a good cause! This is one of our largest fundraisers of the year and it's so easy to contribute; have a sweets-making party for one or invite friends or family to help. We gratefully accept items dropped to the kitchen as early as possible that day for prep if not sale-ready. Questions? Contact Deborah Meader,
deborahmmeader@gmail.com
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The Booktable Wants Your Used Padded Mailers
Our Booktable is supporting the Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project, which needs used padded mailers for sending books to those incarcerated. If you have some used mailers to donate, please bring them to the Booktable on Sundays in Fellowship Hall through January 28.
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Our Faith in Action in the Community
Racial Equity Training Series in February and March
Registration Deadline is January 19
Community training series on Racial Equity, co-sponsored by Building a Thriving Compassionate Community (BTCC), Mother Hubbard's Cupboard, Showing up for Racial Justice (SURJ), and Youth Services Bureau. The Introductory Racial Equity Training Series is for individuals representing local organizations (non-profits, advocacy groups, social justice organizations, city government, organizations within IU, faith communities). The training schedule is listed below; please note that the training of trainers is open only to participants who attend all three trainings; otherwise, participants may attend individual sessions. All sessions will be held at Sherwood Oaks Church on Rogers Road.
- Implicit Bias (February 13, 11am-3:30pm)
- Anti-Racism (February 26, 9:30am-5pm)
- Implicit Bias Training of Trainers* (March 27, 10am-4pm)
*This session open only to those who attend all three sessions.
Reimagining Opera for Kids Presents
Spirits
On Saturday, January
27 at 7:00 p.m. here in our Meeting Room, Reimagining Opera for Kids (ROK)
will offer a free performance of
Spirits
by Tony Plog, followed by community conversation and a panel discussion. It's co-hosted by UUCB and Temple Beth Shalom. We are trying to find a way to let the composer Skype in for the panel discussion, which will also include Reverend Scott McNeill and Rabbi Brian Besser.
The opera
follows the lives of four friends in the years before and during a war: Thomas, a priest; Anna, his friend; Robert, an artist; and Maria, his wife. We will see how the characters' decisions and choices change their friendships in unexpected ways, and inevitably lead to the ultimate conflict between good and evil. It will last less than 90 minutes, and will be an interesting (and unfortunately more and more relevant) exploration of moral integrity in challenging political times. A freewill offering will be invited to support the composer.
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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.
macklin@uubloomington.org
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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Snow and Ice Awareness and Event Cancellations at Church
When travel conditions become hazardous after snowfall or ice storms, please always check our home page,
www.uubloomington.org,
or our Facebook page,
www.facebook.com/uubloomington
or
www.wfiu.org
for updates on event cancellations or delays. If church services or other major events in our building are canceled, this information will also be broadcast on radio at FM 103.7 and on WTIU television. Group Leaders: Please check your email frequently on days we have snow and ice, because administrative staff may be trying to reach you.
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Livestreaming Our Sunday Services
Please let us know if you have a problem with the livestream, by emailing Andy Beargie, our Multimedia Specialist, at
media@uubloomington.org It is also helpful if you let Andy know which web browser you are using.
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Beacon Young Adult/Campus Ministry
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Who Ya Gonna Call?
Our Church Administrator Carol Marks acts as a contact point for many questions that come up about church life. If you see something around the building that needs attention or you have other churchy questions, please call or email Carol: 812-332-3695 ext. 200 or admin@uubloomington.org, and she will help figure it out.
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Church Calendar
Office Hours: M-F 10-4
Calendar: A link to our church calendar can be found on
this page of our website.
Facebook:
Many church events also appear on our
Prologue Publication Schedule:
The Prologue is edited by Carol Marks, mostly. The deadline for articles is 10 a.m. on the date of publication, which is the first and third Tuesday of each month. Next few issues:
Feb 6, Feb 20, Mar 6, Mar 20, etc.
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Masthead photo by John Woodcock.
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