Prologue, December 19, 2016

This Christmas Eve service in Fellowship Hall is an interactive Christmas Pageant designed for families with young children and for those young at heart. (See article below for details.)

Saturday, December 24, 2016

7:00 p.m.

Pie Jesu: Silent Night, Holy Night

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service

Join us for this uniquely Unitarian Universalist celebration of Christmas Eve. Guest musicians and our choir, with guest conductor Ray Fellman, will share gifts of music. Reverend McNeill and Reverend Macklin will offer reflection and readings. The service will end with candle lighting and congregational singing of Silent Night.

Sunday, December 25, 2016

10:15 a.m. - ONE SERVICE ONLY

A Good Enough Christmas Day Worship Service

Reverend Mary Ann Macklin

Ray Fellman

ONE SERVICE ONLY AT 10:15 a.m.

Yes. There will be coffee before and after.

Join Reverend Mary Ann Macklin and Ray Fellman for this Christmas Morning Service of music, reflection and fun with the Twelve Days of Christmas. Just as Charlie Brown's Christmas Tree was good enough, we will explore the gift of "good enough" under our own tree of life.

Sunday, January 1, 2017

10:15.a.m - ONE SERVICE ONLY

A Change is Gonna Come

Reverend Scott McNeill

ONE SERVICE ONLY AT 10:15 a.m.

There will be coffee before and after.

Sam Cooke's masterful performance of "A Change is Gonna Come" is a beautiful and haunting reminder that each day presents new challenges and opportunities. On this first day of 2017, we begin to let go of the year before - and actively move into a future we help to create. Regardless of whether we want it or not, a change is gonna come. This morning's single service ( 10:15) will also differ than most weeks, since it will be an opportunity to worship and learn with all generations (kids, youth, adults, elders). Childcare provided for the wee ones.

Reverend Macklin's (In)famous Annual Science Sermon will be on Sunday, January 22, 2017

9:15 and 11:15 a.m.

News About the Refugee Resettlement Project

You may have read about it in the Herald-Times, seen an email, or heard a little bit, but there is news regarding the refugee resettlement in Bloomington. Last week, Diane Legomsky, who has done considerable work as the leader of the Bloomington Refugee Support Network, shared information about the upcoming Federal budget (and its lack of funds that could pay for new refugees coming to this area in the near future).

That is a setback, of course--for the refugees and for our community. And yet, their stories (and our story) doesn't end because of how this chapter ends. Later this week, the leaders of the UU Refugee Support Task Force will meet to discuss some of the options we have for helping the refugees who are already moving into Indiana (mostly in Indianapolis) and how we can assist in this form of justice-making in our own backyard.

As soon as we have a clearer vision of what the Unitarian Universalist refugee ministry should look like within this framework, we will update the congregation and seek your help as we move forward. Thank you for all of the ways you've helped our congregation and community change the world.

Rev. Scott McNeill, Associate Minister

PS--On a very personal note, I wanted to share my tremendous gratitude for those who have welcomed me, and my family, to the congregation. Throughout these few short months, and including Sunday's event, we have been warmly welcomed to our new home and we cannot wait to make memories together during this holiday season and the many winters ahead. Thank you, each and all.

Our Folks...

Our thoughts are with Marcia Veldman and Mark Veldman and their families and friends; their mother died December 12 in South Bend, surrounded by loved ones.

Congratulations to Anna Kelly, member of our Childcare Team, who just graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She will be staying in Bloomington student teaching at Highland Park until she leaves in April to teach English at a primary school in Tanzania.

Seeking The Spirit

Religious Education for Children and Youth: No Classes Dec. 25 and Jan. 1

December 25th--10:15 am: no childcare available, no religious education classes

January 1st--10:15 am: childcare available for little ones, no religious education classes

Children's Religious Education classes resume January 8th for our 4-week Intersession on Prophecy, January 8-January 29.

Be the change you want to see in the world...Teach Religious Education!

Volunteering to tell stories to our preschool and Kindergarten + classes or investigating questions with our 3rd-6th graders gives you a rewarding opportunity to impact future generations.

If you would like to learn more about volunteering in this shared ministry, contact Adrienne Summerlot dre@uubloomington.org

Religious Education News Blast

Want to know what is going on in Religious Education for Children and Youth? Follow this link to an easy access guide to upcoming events! RE News Blast

Do you love Drama? Religious Education is searching for 3 teachers for January Intersession (January 8-29) to share their time and talents with children in Kindergarten-8th grade for 4 short weeks! Contact Adrienne Summerlot dre@uubloomington.org

Saturday, December 24th, 4:00 p.m.

Away in a Manger Christmas Eve Pageant

Reverend Mary Ann Macklin

Adrienne Summerlot, Director of Religious Education

This worship is an interactive Christmas Pageant designed for families with young children and for those young at heart. There will be a few chairs set up, but we invite folks to sit on the floor to create a more relaxed and informal atmosphere.

What to bring:

- a stuffed animal or doll to put in the manger and share with the babies and other children

- soft blankets, pillows or floor chairs

- a plate of cookies to share

- If your budget permits - a pair of new mittens, gloves or socks for the Mitten Tree

Specific age groups are invited to come dressed for parts and to become familiar with a few lines. These ages are just suggestions, if your child feels called to play a certain role assigned to a different age group, that is fine!

Please let Adrienne Summerlot ( dre@uubloomington.org ) know if someone in your family can arrive a little early and be an Inn Keeper and help pass out candles and programs.

0 - 3 year olds - Angels - Wear halos perhaps made of aluminum foil and whatever else you feel makes you angelic. Practice saying, "Oh, what a wonderful child" and "Peace to all people on earth!"

4 - 5 year olds - Shepherds - Wear shepherd hats like a towel on head tied with some type of rope or tie and whatever else would keep you warm if you were a shepherd. Practice saying, "Let's go look for that baby" and "Oh, what a beautiful child!"

6 - 8 year olds - Wise Ones- Wear crowns and other wise-one like garb. Practice saying, "Look at that amazing star! It must be shining for something very special!" and "This child will be our teacher."

9 and up - Inn Keepers- Help pass out programs and play the role role of Inn Keeper. Please let Adrienne know if a youth or adult in your family can help in this way.

Strangers in Their Own Land, Anger and Mourning on the American Right

Book Discussion Saturdays, January 14-February 18, 10:30 a.m.- 12 :00 noon

Led by Tomi Allison, assisted by Rev. Barbara Carlson
Why do a sociable people with strong kinship and community ties who live in an environment devastated by oil and chemical industrial waste hate the EPA and government and identify with Tea Party politics? Author Arlie R. Hochschild spent time with them to understand their concerns. Her analysis of how the personal, the historical, the religious, and the political are intertwined helps us understand the seeming contradictions. Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right was listed in 100 notable books of 2016, New York Times Book Review, 12-4-16.

Tomi Allison and Rev. Barbara Carlson will lead a book discussion starting Saturday, January 14 at 10:30 a.m. and running every Saturday through February 18. The book is available now at Barnes and Noble. Register for the book discussion by contacting the office, office@uubloomington.org or 812-332-3695, ext. 204. Minimum 5 participants, Maximum 15.
(Note: Former Bloomington Mayor Tomi Allison and her husband, Jim, are active leaders in the movement to reverse Citizens United, the Supreme Court decision that has allowed vast sums of secret money to be poured into our political process.)

-- Reverend Barbara Carlson, Minister Emerita

Call for Course Proposals:
Winter/Spring 2017 Adult Religious Education
Do you have an interest you would like to share and explore with other Unitarian Universalists? If so, please submit a course proposal to our Adult Religious Education (ARE) Program. We are now accepting proposals for Winter/Spring 2017 classes (February 15-May 15). Courses can be one session or can run up to 4-6 weeks. Please click here to download a proposal form, or pick up a paper form in the church office. Email proposals to ARE co-chairs Dan and Sharon Wiseman at dansharonw@gmail.com

Please submit proposals by January 15.

Shambhala Meditation Every Monday at Noon

Join us at 12 noon every Monday in the Fellowship Hall for an hour of Shambhala Meditation, walking meditation, and Shamatha yoga with Sarah Flint. Beginners welcome in this 2500- year-old tradition.

Traditional Taiji Cancellations
The taiji class will not meet for two weeks over the holidays on the following dates: 12/24,12/27,12/31,1/3. Classes will resume on 1/7/2017.

Open Mind Zen Bloomington on Wednesdays

Join Frank Seisho Diaz for meditation, talks, and discussions, Wednesdays 6:00-7:30 p.m., in Room 110 here at the church. All are welcome regardless of faith or experience; freewill donation. More info: openmindzenbloomington@gmail.com or openmindzenbloomington.org

Ministry Themes for 2016-17

We will be exploring the following themes for the remainder of the 2016-17 church year. October: Healing , November: Story, December: Presence,

January: Prophecy, February: Identity, March: Risk, April: Transformation,

May: Embodiment, June: Zest

Building Community

In Case of Snow or Ice...

Please remember--before coming to church when we have had snowfall or an icestorm--check our webpage, www.uubloomington.org, our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/uubloomington/, WFIU, WTIU, and your email. We will post any delay or cancellation information at these locations.

Ready to Become a Member of UU Bloomington?

If this is your community, if you feel at home here, join us! The next opportunity to become a member of UU Bloomington is Sunday, January 8 at 10:30 am in Room 112. (We ask for participation in our "Exploring UU" class prior to signing the membership book.) To make arrangements to become a member, or for questions, please contact Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator, at 332-3695 or connect@uubloomington.org , before January 2.

Welcome to our Newest Members!

In December, 14 new members have been welcomed into the congregation. Please offer a warm welcome to our newest members: Bill Boyles, Irene Brock, Marsha Bush, Tom Duffy, Linda Grace Frost, Laura Hannum, Emily Hewitt, Sarah and Neil Kopper, Lisa Meuser, Angela Sturdevant, Pearl and Brian Springfield, and Thomas Vanderplough. Below is the first installment of bios for the new members. Bios for the remaining new members will appear in the next Prologue. -Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator.

Bill Boyles

I came to Bloomington in 1968 to attend IU and have lived in the area ever since (except for a couple of years). My degree is in SPEA, but I have been a self- employed carpenter almost the entire time. I raised three children here, and am currently single after two wives and roughly 34 years of marriage (no pun intended). I am singing in the choir and get much joy from being in the middle of all those wonderful voices.

Tom Duffy

Chicago born and bred but lived in Bloomington the last 30 years raising our daughters with my wife Cindy. With a degree in Cognitive Science, I was a professor in the School of Ed and Cognitive Science and a professor of English at Carnegie Mellon before that (go figure). I retired 6 years ago. Ten years ago I started photographing semi-professionally, doing art shows and displaying in galleries. My latest work is a book on sustainable pasture farming and photographs of limestone quarry workers. Finally, I am committed to supporting public education and other progressive initiatives.

Linda Grace Frost

I am a Hindu/Buddhist Unitarian... Native of San Francisco Bay Area, California. I have two daughters and an elder cat. Moved to Bloomington, fall of 2015 to be near my younger daughter and son-in-law, grand dog and grand cat, and to escape rising rent prices in Half Moon Bay. I teach yoga and folk dance, sing with Threshold Choir and UU Choir and love to create simple group dances (to embody and illuminate lyrics), and lead community rituals and celebrations in the Dagara tradition.

Laura Hannum

Laura Hannum has lived most of her life in Southern Indiana. She graduated Indiana University with a degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education. She retired in 2013, spending the last portion of her career as a school administrator. Laura has two daughters and three grandchildren, and enjoys spending time with her family. In her free time, Laura enjoys volunteering, traveling, and sailing on Lake Monroe.

Thomas Vanderplough

Thomas Vanderplough grew up in Crown Point, Indiana. He is currently a senior at Indiana University. Thomas plans to work in the nonprofit sector once he graduates. He is interested in environmental sustainability and food security. Thomas enjoys attending music festivals, traveling to new places and playing tennis. He also loves taking care of his dog, Iris. He is very excited to be a part of the UU community!

Attention ALL Members and Friends!

Pictorial Directory Portrait Session Sign Ups Continue

Sign up today for a photo appointment so you can be in our new shiny very helpful church pictorial directory. Photo appointments are available January 25-28 and February 1-4. We will also have a make-up date in March for those who may be away in January and February. Portrait sessions are free and will take about an hour. Lifetouch Portraits will provide you with a free 8x10 portrait and you can purchase more if you like. From December 19 through January 7 you can sign up here on for a photo session. How convenient! Sunday signups at church will continue on Jan 8 and Jan 15. Questions, admin@uubloomington.org

UU Children's Choir

New and returning singers always welcome! Contact: jillmcourtney@gmail.com

Wednesday evening Dec 21st : Sing at Winter Solstice Service

Meet at 5:55 to run through songs, service starts at 6:15 and ends approx 7:00 pm .

Church Office Closed December 24-January 1

Although the office will be closed over the holidays, we will be making a final bank deposit for 2016 by December 27. If you would like to make a payment on your pledg e and have the contribution dated during 2016, please be sure we receive it by December 23. (There will be an administrative staff member in the office after the service on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Remember: One service only those two Sundays, at 10:15 a.m.)

Women's Alliance News

Thanks to all who attended an enjoyable reception for Reverend McNeill and his family yesterday afternoon in Fellowship Hall.

Thursday, January 5th meeting will be "Women of the UU Movement" with Elof Carlson, our congregational historian. Hosts will be Mary Goetze and Anne Haynes.

The Women's Alliance meets the first Thursday of each month at 11:30 am in Fellowship Hall; enter through courtyard doors. Meetings begin with a brown bag lunch; drinks and dessert are provided by hosts of the month. The program begins at noon, followed by the business meeting. -- Julie Cauble VP Women's Alliance

UU Humanist Forum Meets on Alternating Sundays

This group offers an opportunity for regular, open, wide-ranging discussions of issues relating to morality and ethics, human development, and the nature of the universe. The bi-weekly forum will meet next on Sunday, January 8 at 12:45 a.m. in Room 208.
No meeting on December 25.

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, January 15, at 12:45 a.m.

No meeting on January 1. Info, contact John Crosby.

UU History For You

Emerson's Diaries

I was happy to pick up at the UU Holiday Bazaar book sale a one volume, much-read, and age-battered copy of The Heart of Emerson's Journals edited by Bliss Perry. I learned that the entire diaries were published as a 12 volume set. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) began writing a diary when he was 16 years old. He called it a "commonplace book." In it, he recorded his thoughts, reflections on his readings, assessments of those he admired or thought poorly of, and imperfections of his character. At age 16, Emerson wrote better than most educated adults. He did not write every day and sometimes skipped months or an occasional year. (I love reading letters and diaries because they show the immediacy of a person's life. My favorite is Samuel Pepys's diary of the 1660s which only covers eight years of his life, but includes gems like the London fire and Plague years.) For some strange reason, Emerson did not write much about transcendentalism in his diaries, but he did write about his doubts about formal religion and why he had to resign as a minister. He felt Unitarians were too shallow in their relation to spirituality and most Trinitarian religions were too creed-obsessed to deal with the humanity that craved some religious affiliation.

--Elof Carlson, UUCB Historian

Hospitality for Those with Allergies

As a courtesy to our friends and members who have allergies to fragrances, we are designating the west section of the Meeting Room (next to the sliding glass doors and tall narrow windows) as Fragrance Free. Please do not sit there if you have used any fragrances. Anyone else is welcome to sit in this area. Thank you for your consideration.

UUs Who Can Provide a Variety of Professional Services -

List and Waiver Form Now Available

The Elder Focus Task Force has compiled a list of Unitarian Universalists who are available for hire for a variety of tasks including Pet Sitting, Home Healthcare, Organizational Skills, Carpentry, Counseling, Sewing Machine repair, Building Construction. The list and the liability waiver form are posted here:

UUs for Hire and Liability Waiver

Current Membership: 507

Attendance

Sunday, December 11 9:15: 224 11:15: 445 TOTAL: 669

Sunday, December 18 9:15: 57 11:15: 150 TOTAL: 207

Non-Pledge Offering

December 11: $1,185

December 18: $409

Total to be donated to New Leaf-New Life - $399

Changing the World

Thanks from the Creators of Resilience

Gladys DeVane, Elizabeth Mitchell, and Danielle Bruce send their sincere appreciation to all those who joined us for the December 18th viewing of Resilience: Indiana's Untold Story. They are most appreciative of your participation and contributions to the "Food Pantry," and for your purchases of DVD's to benefit New Leaf-New Life. DVD purchases after the screening resulted in a $140.00 donation to New Leaf-New Life.

"Time to Choose" Film, Dinner, and Discussion January 15
at the Bus-Chum

Sunday, January 15, 2017, 5-7 PM, Buskirk-Chumley Theater

Our Green Sanctuary Task Force encourages you to join Earthcare Indiana for dinner and a movie, and to bring your friends and family. Event is free of charge.

A n environmental justice movement is gathering strength to protect the planet and all life on it. Dr. King's words ring true: "We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there 'is' such a thing as being too late."

The movie "TIME TO CHOOSE" shows how we can make a difference in changing the climate, individually and together. Nine local organizations will also share their strategies. Carrie Newcomer will lift up hearts with song before we share a light dinner and conversation. Info: info@earthcareindiana.org

While We Are Waiting

While we are waiting, we can and need to be getting prepared. Legislative sessions are just around the corner, beginning Jan 3rd. There is likely to be an early onslaught of legislation that will challenge some of our progressive ideals. As many have stated, much of what we value is threatened. It seems prudent to be preparing so we are ready from the "get go." Here is a your first step:

1. Know who your legislators' are and put them on your phone contact list ( 3 federal and 2 state for a total of 5).

2. Pick at least one day per week to make calls to these offices AND put it on your calendar.

3. The first call, sometime the week of Jan 3, should be regarding the cabinet appointments announced for the incoming administration.

Inform yourself and stay alert and about the status of the appointments, bills in the legislature and regulation changes emanating from the agencies under the direction of the administration. We will be helping you with all of this and are considering establishing an 'Advocacy Corner' where you can get information and take action. More on this to come.

Please share any thoughts or ideas with us on how to keep our congregation informed and prepared for action.

Phil Cooper, pvcooper@comcast.net and Jackie Hall, jmhall@indiana.edu, for UU Social Justice.

"Making Just Peace in a Violent World"

with Margaret Squires and David Keppel

Friday, January 20 at 3:00 p.m.

In the first part of this two-part workshop, David will look at global conflict in a Trump administration, including the endangered nuclear deal with Iran, Palestine-Israel, Russia, China, Cuba, Donald Trump's threatened war against Islam, cyber war, nuclear weapons, and global climate justice. We will discuss positive alternatives on these issues and plan specific efforts to lobby Congress. In Part Two, Margaret, a licensed psychologist and therapist, will lead a group exploration in non-violent communication in an age of anger. How do we make contact across barriers, be they of nationality, class, race, gender, age, or ideology? How do we practice and demonstrate deep listening, establish common ground, and share deep convictions? Finally, Margaret will discuss the concept of Shared Security, developed by the American Friends Service Committee, as an alternative to traditional geopolitics, and we will discuss opportunities for education and advocacy in the community. This workshop will be held from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, 2120 North Fee Lane (Fee Lane and the Bypass) in the Ralph and Annetta Fuchs Library (upstairs).

Free transportation will be available from the main Inaugurate location. Sponsored by Bloomington Peace Action Coalition, the Just Peace Task Force of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, and the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.

Beacon Young Adult/Campus Ministry

Orion Day, our Young Adult/Campus Ministry Coordinator, can be reached at beacon@uubloomington.org and keeps office hours at the Indiana Memorial Union Room 577. Stop by and say hello!

Contact a Minister

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: macklin@uubloomington.org

Reverend Scott McNeill, Our Associate Minister, can be reached at 812-332-3695, ext. 209 and is available by appointment on Tuesday-Friday afternoons. email: mcneill@uu bloomington.org. He can also be reached on his mobile, 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 812-332 -3695, ext. 207

on Wednesday and Friday mornings. email: mre@uubloomington.org

Church Office Hours and Other Useful Information

If you notice a problem with the building, please contact Carol Marks, Church Administrator, admin@uubloomington.org, 812-332-3695, ext. 200, and she will contact the experts to get it taken care of.

WEEKDAY OFFICE HOURS are generally Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Exceptions to regular office hours are posted on the office entrance. The office will be closed December 24 - January 1. Administrative staff WILL be available on Sunday mornings December 25 (11:15 a.m. to 12:00 noon) and January 1 (10 a.m. to 12 noon), and Jeff Stone our Custodian will be here both mornings to start the coffee for us!

SUNDAY OFFICE HOURS starting January 8: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (staffed by the Office Assistants, Deeva Khatiwada and Monica Overman) --Carol Marks, Church Administrato r

Livestreaming of Sunday Services

Livestreaming the Sunday Services Link: uubloomington.yourstreamlive.com

Archived videos of services for the last year or so are also at uubloomington.yourstreamlive.com

If there is a problem with livestreaming, please contact Andy Beargie or Andrew Walden, our Multi-media Specialists, at media@uubloomington.org

Masthead photo of woodpecker by Linda Mjolsnes.
Above photo of icy tree branches by John Woodcock.

Calendar of all our congregational events can be found at www.uubloomington.org

In the left hand column, click on "Calendar" and then on the top link on the page or Click Right Here and then click on today's date. Information is also available on our public Facebook page: www.facebook.com/uubloomington You do not need a Facebook account to read our page.

Prologue Publication Schedule: Next issue, Monday, January 2

Deadline for articles about congregational events and projects is 10:00 a.m. on date of publication, to admin@uubloomington.org. The Prologue is published on the first and third Mondays of each month, with exceptions for Monday holidays. Upcoming publication dates: 1/17 (a Tuesday), 2/6,

2/21 (a Tuesday), 3/6, 3/20.

Unitarian Universalist Church, 2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington, IN 47408 www.uubloomington.org 812-332-3695