Seeking. Building. Changing.           Wed, Feb. 22, 2017
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
An Introduction:

For those of you who read last week's email, thank you for returning. This brief email comes from the UU Church of Bloomington, as a ministry to our changing world. Our vision is "Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World" At the end of the section about "Changing the World", you'll find a link to more information about social justice activities (as there is an abundance of opportunity to help improve the world).

Thank you for the feedback many of you sent last week! We welcome your thoughts (and encourage you to share this among friends, though often the social justice activity will focus on Indiana).
Seeking the Spirit:

Sweet Darkness, by  David Whyte
 
When your eyes are tired
the world is tired also.
 
When your vision has gone
no part of the world can find you.
 
Time to go into the dark
where the night has eyes
to recognize its own.
 
There you can be sure 
you are not beyond love.
 
The dark will be your womb
tonight.
 
The night will give you a horizon
further than you can see.
 
You must learn one thing:
the world was made to be free in.
 
Give up all the other worlds 
except the one to which you belong.
 
Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet
confinement of your aloneness
to learn
 
anything or anyone
that does not bring you alive
 
is too small for you. 

Building Community:

Normally, the winter is a time of rest and respite as our Earth and bodies slumber in anticipation of the work that comes in the Spring and Summer. Many of us are feeling more worn and weary than usual. This week's suggestion for building community is twofold:

Take care of yourself. 

Continue to engage with the world - but focus your energy on what really speaks to you. Take care of your body, soul, spirit, and mind. Remind yourself (aloud, even) of the good qualities, the gifts, you bring to the world.

Take care of your people.

Check in with the people you care about, the people you interact with regularly but perhaps overlook, the people who are most vulnerable to oppression and injustice right now. There is no need to fix anyone's problems; but, we can build a strong community by showing up, listening, and being present to one another.
Changing The World:

Help change the world  and build community by attending a fundraiser for Exodus Refugee International. On March 1, 7-9p, Upland Brewing Co. is hosting a concert/benefit. The Nile Project is a 17-piece musical collective from several African countries, some of whom are refugees themselves. They will be the featured guests; and, CDs will be sold (the proceeds will go directly to Exodus). You can find more information about the event here ( https://www.facebook.com/events/250507532060286/?active_tab=discussion).

Exodus Refugee Immigration ( https://exodusrefugee.org) is an organization in Indiana that has resettled many refugees in the Indianapolis area (and planned to settle more in the Bloomington area). While plans for the Bloomington refugee resettlement are currently on hold due to reduced resettlement across the country, we can still help refugees in Indiana! Exodus encourages people to contact their legislators, to oppose the Executive Order denying refugees based on nationality (and limiting the overall number of refugees accepted into the US).

Part of the funding for Exodus comes from the actual process of resettling refugees. With that process halting abruptly in the past month, they are in need of donations to help sustain them for the long haul. You can donate directly via www.crowdrise.com/save-the-refugee-program-in-indy. 

For more information about other social justice actions you can take right now, please visit our Social Justice Updates Page.

Unitarian Universalist Church