In her book Hope in the Dark:  Untold Histories and Wild Possibilities, writer extraordinaire Rebecca Solnit captures the paradox of our times, "This is an extraordinary time full of vital, transformative movements that could not be foreseen. It's also a nightmarish time. Full engagement requires the ability to perceive both."

          As we engage our vision of Seeking the Spirit, Building Community and Changing the world, we are called to explore the intersection of spirituality and politics.   As author Marianne Williamson has reminded us, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure."  Williamson recently stated, " The times in which we live call for a critical re-evaluation of our relationship to life around us-to our fellow citizens, to our country and to our world. Yet in order to transform our current challenges, we must address them from a holistic perspective-recognizing not only the external but also the internal dimensions of both our problems and their solutions."

       Of note, Marianne Williamson and Derrick Harkins, Senior Vice President of Union Theological Seminary, will host the Sister Giant Conference: Toward a Politics of Love in Washington, DC, February 2-4 with Keynote Speaker Senator Bernie Sanders.

          As we enter this week of the presidential inauguration, there are plenty of opportunities for engagement.

           This Friday evening our congregation, the day of the inauguration, will host an An Evening in Celebration of Mexico and the Latin American Diaspora in collaboration with sponsors: La Casa Latino Cultural Center, Hoosier Undocu Alliance, along with Alain Barker/Project Jumpstart of the Office of Entrepreneurship and Career Development at Indiana University.  Come help us offer a warm welcome to all who will gather.  If you are attending the Inaugurate the Revolution culminating event at the Buskirk Chumley Theater, please join us afterwards.    Amazing music, dance and poetry. 

         

An Evening in Celebration of Mexico and the Latin American Diaspora

January 20, 6:00pm start time...perhaps 10pm finish (arrive when you can)

in our Meeting Room

This celebration is a peaceful, positive protest against the Inauguration, featuring folk music, poetry, classical music, popular music and dancing from the heart of the Latin American tradition. Our concert will encourage solidarity within the Latino community and Allies. Get to know your neighbors and celebrate the traditions they have to share! Free and open to all. (see flyer)   

Speaking of  Inaugurate the Revolution, 

David Keppel and Margaret Squires will present the following program here at our church on January 20:

    Information on Inaugurate the Revolution activities can be found here.

    Remember, we are all leaders and--what we say and what we do matters;  self-care and healthy boundaries are also essential in grounding yourself in the paradox of this time in which we live.   

    Lastly, warm and vibrant blessings to all those who will be participate in the Women's March on Washington, whether in DC or Indianapolis or Bloomington, whether present in body or spirit,  may we go forward together in solidarity. 

    Oh wait, lastly--lastly, please join me for my annual (In)Famous post-Inauguration Science Sermon this Sunday, wherein ongoing truth will be revealed and a seventh inning stretch will surely be engaged.  Rumor has it there will  be interesting music.

 

Peace, MAM

Reverend Mary Ann Macklin  

       For those who missed the Congregational Meeting on December 11th, the minutes will be posted on the website soon. A few highlights include hearing from Ann LeDuc, our Connections Coordinator, that our membership hit 507 (and has since risen to 511, a new high!), Libby DeVoe reported on behalf of Planned Giving that 15% of our member households have included the Church in their estate planning, Matt Stonecipher reported that the Leadership Cultivation Committee is preparing a slate for the June Congregational Meeting that includes 4 board members (Vice President, Treasurer, and two at-large position) and a Special Purposes Fund Committee member and is seeking suggestions, Steve Mascari announced the Green Sanctuary Task Force as the recipient of the Fall 2016 Social Justice Grant, Rev. Emily Manvel Leite, our Minister of Religious Education, and Adrienne Summerlot, Director of Religious Education, gave an update of RE Visioning and encouraged involvement from the congregation, and Molly O'Donnell gave a update on exciting update on our re-certification as an EPA Energy Star Building (with a score of 100!) and decreasing energy usage.

      February 2nd program will be "Citizen's Climate Lobby" with our featured speaker Marcia Veldman. Hosts are Carol Arnold and Ann Watzel.

      The Women's Alliance meets the first Thursday of each month at 11:30 am in Fellowship Hall, enter through court yard 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.

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 22, at 12:45 p.m. 

You must annually renew your selection of UU with Kroger Community Rewards in order for the church to receive a percentage of your purchases at Kroger. Go to  krogercommunityrewards.com  and follow the directions online. Helpers will be at the grocery card sales table on Sunday if you need detailed instructions, and there will be gift cards for sale there for Bloomingfoods, Marsh and Lucky's.

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.