Friday UU Update                Friday, October 20, 2017
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Green Sanctuary Task Force Fall Clothing Swap Tomorrow, Saturday, October 21, 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon 
    The Green Sanctuary Task Force encourages all of us to examine our habits of consumption.  What do we buy? Where does it come from? What happens to it when we're finished with it? What impact does our consumption have on the earth and its inhabitants?  This fall's Swap will be held on October 21 from 9:30 am until 12:00 noon.  Fo r more information, contact Stephanie Kimball (Kimball.stephanie@gmail.com).
Sunday, October 22, 2017
9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
Climbing Mountains, Falling Down Rabbit Holes: 
The Courage to Persist
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Whether it's the Von Trapps fleeing over the Alps (as nuns below reprise "Climb Every Mountain") or Alice following a white rabbit down a rabbit hole, it takes courage to persist in life when life, itself, seems full of social and political madness.  In this worship service, we will strive spiritually to go beyond madness to a little nothingness.   
Our Folks . . .
Our thoughts and prayers are with Aleisha Kropf and Stephanie Estell and family as they mourn the loss of Stephanie's father Ron Estell who passed away on Tuesday, October 17.
This week in Religious Education: 
Courage 
through our UU source of science and reason
Our Spirit Play* classes will focus on our Blue UU promise, Believe in Your Ideas through the stories from our Jewish and Christian heritage. *World of Wonder (Preschool) will hear Moses and the Burning Bush. *Roots and Wings (K-2
nd grade) will explore Jesus' parable, The Good Samaritan. Curiosity Club (9:15am-3rd+, 11:15am-3rd-5th grade)  will learn about our UU ancestor Jan Hus. (Yon Hoos) Harry Potter and UU (6th-8th grade) will work to understand poverty and how they can help those living in poverty.  Youth Group (9th-12th grade) will be brown bagging lunch and going on a hike.
This Sunday! Help reduce the annual suicide rate 20% by 2025!
Join us in the "Out of the Darkness Walk," supporting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). AFSP funds suicide prevention research, education, advocacy, and support for those affected by suicide.  Their goal is to reduce the annual suicide rate 20% by 2025.  Donate to the UU Team, register to walk with us, or just show up at the walk on Sunday.   https://afsp.donordrive.com/team/UUChurch 
  --Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator, connect@uubloomington.org
Fall Diaper Drive Oct 22 - Oct 29 for All Options Pregnancy Resource Center
Bring diapers this Sunday!!  Diapers can be donated year round but this is a special giving opportunity.  Please drop diapers in the big blue box in the Commons.
DIAPER FACT: No federal or state assistance programs, such as WIC or SNAP, provide assistance for the purchase of diapers. Let's end #DiaperNeed together!  Sponsored by the Reproductive Justice Task Force. 
Sharing Our Warmth-Coat Collection for Refugees October 22 and October 29
We voted this spring to become a Sanctuary Congregation and now we have an opportunity to put our votes into coats.  New neighbors in Indianapolis being assisted by Exodus Refugee have arrived without any winter clothing.  Please consider donating any used hats, gloves, coats or jackets you are no longer using.  All sizes are needed and will be greatly appreciated. These items can be brought to church through Sunday, October 29. 
--Debbie Fish, Refugee and Immigration Support and Education Task Force
Hope for Prisoners Task Force Film Screening and Panel October 25
The next Hope for Prisoner Task Force meeting will feature the WTIU entitled Justice for All on Wednesday, October 25, at 4:00 p.m.  After viewing  the documentary about Indiana's state-funded public defenders, Chris Gaal, Steve Dillon and Jessie Cook share their views on Indiana's severely underfunded system and how it affects the lives of many in our community and state.  The meeting is open to everyone.
How Will Our Grounds Serve Our Congregation's Vision?
Brainstorming Sessions October 25 and November 1
How might our outdoor spaces here at church help us to Seek the Spirit, Build Community, and Change the World? The Green Grounds Committee is exploring these questions at two brainstorming sessions, 9:30-3:30, on October 25th and November 1st here at church. Join us in in learning and imagining, contact Molly O'Donnell for information, mollysod@gmail.com or 812-345-7399 , or register here .
Corrections and Elucidations:
     1) Film Screening of " Tomorrow" is  7:00-9:00 p.m. next Friday, October 27 in Fellowship Hall. This inspiring film is being shown as part of our Adult Religious Education programming. No childcare for this event.
     2) How to Talk to Kids about Race, with Nya McCarthy-Brown on 10/29 and 11/5 will be held in the Library, 1:00-3:00 p.m., not in Fellowship Hall as previously announced. If you will need childcare to attend, click here.
Please Update Your Information for the Fall Church Directory
Please update your info on the printouts in the Commons this Sunday. We will be printing a new in-house paper church directory soon.
IU Habitat Rake-a-Thon Fundraiser
We're also supporting the IU Habitat Chapter's Rake-a-Thon fund-raiser in November. If you would like student volunteers to rake your leaves for a donation to Habitat, please sign up by signing up here: http://tinyurl.com/Rake11-3 . For a later date, change the last numbers to 11-4, 11-5, 11-10, 11-11 or 11-12.
Your Pledge Dollars at Work
Our music program is busily lining up a full orchestra for our choir's performance of CPE Bach's Magnificat on Sunday, December 10 at both services.
For More Information see the October 17 issue   of our newsletter, The Prologue.
Masthead photo by John Woodcock.
Unitarian Universalist Church