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Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World
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Friday, September 21, 2018
6:15 p.m.
Intergenerational Autumnal Equinox Service
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite, Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, Reverend Scott McNeill
All ages are invited to come celebrate this moment of balance in the life of our planet as we share ritual, story, and reflection together.
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Sunday, September 23, 2018
9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
The Broken Unbroken Circle: The Paradox and Promise of Care
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
A key question abides in our hearts as members of a liberal religious community, "How do we care for each other along the way?" How do we care for ourselves? For our families and friends? For those we do not know? For our congregation(s)? What happens when we fall short of our promises of care? What happens when the circle breaks?
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Sunday, September 30, 2018
9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
Ministry Unleashed: A Celebration
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Reverend Scott McNeill
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Other Reverends
In the spirit of Lotus Music Festival Weekend, we offer this worship service of celebration and joy. In such unknown and fractured times, it is important to pause, re-gather and offer gratitude and embrace the joy of being together. In this worship service we will explore our ministry together, mark the 20th Anniversary of Reverend Macklin's Ordination as well as celebrate our new Affiliated Community Minister, Reverend Forrest Gilmore.
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MAM's Musing
I look forward to celebrating the 20th Anniversary of my Ordination with you during worship services on September 30th, and I look forward to properly recognizing Reverend Forrest Gilmore's new covenant with us as our congregation's Community Minister.
I first discovered this congregation when I was in Law School in 1985-1988. Sitting in my dorm room watching the WTIU Fund Drive, I learned about the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington from UU volunteers who were answering the phones. During my college years, my mom had told me that she thought I'd enjoy the Unitarians; she had discovered Unitarians in the 1940s (before the merger of Unitarians and Universalists) but never had the chance to join a congregation. I had tried several Unitarian Universalist congregations, but found them quite dry in manner and presence---some had no music.
The President of the congregation at the time, Danny Callison, spoke during the Fund Drive and invited the viewing audience to attend their worship service. He spoke sincerely about a wonderful new woman minister, Reverend Laurel Hallman. Since I was invited, I attended. My life was never the same. Later in 1989, I began working for the congregation as a temporary Administrative Assistant, Youth Facilitator, and then Campus Ministry Coordinator and Student Minister until 1997. When we left Bloomington in 1997 to move to Madison, Wisconsin, we did not plan on moving back. But after a call (phone call, that is) to join a team ministry with Reverend Barbara Carlson and Reverend Bill Breeden, we did indeed move back to Bloomington. Some of you I have known for over thirty years, serving this congregation in various capacities, and some for only thirty days. But, I look forward to celebrating my Ordination with ALL of you on September 30th.
I remain deeply grateful and inspired by then President Danny Callison's invitation (during the WFIU fund drive) to join the congregation for worship and I wonder how we might be more inviting to those in our greater Bloomington area community today? How might we all create a place of vigorous welcome in this liberal religious congregation? From dismantling institutionalized racism and patriarchal structures to offering sincere invitations, may we find the good, the true and the beautiful as called forth by our vision, Seeking the Spirit. Building Community. Changing the World.
Peace,
MAM
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, Senior Minister
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Collecting Memories of Mary Ann's Ministry
A brief note: I am collecting notes, messages, photos, and (in particular) short videos (30-60 seconds is fine!) where people share a memory of Mary Ann's ministry and/or a blessing for her. We've put out a call to other UUs around the country and will be pulling together some of these things to share with the congregation the last week of September (as we build up to
Sept 30
) and highlight that
Sunday
, as well. So,
please
send me things--
[email protected]
. Especially if you have a video, I'd love to get those by/around
Sunday, Sept 23
to build the website (PS - I'll take them anytime--even after the 30
th
, as there is no bad time to celebrate this amazing minister and ministry!)
Reverend Scott McNeill, Associate Minister
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Religious Education for Children and Youth
Covenant
Our 3rd-6th grade classes have been exploring covenant together the past two weeks. They shared words they thought were important foundations in creating their classroom covenant and played Jenga with them and learned how changes can stress one part of the tower or even make it fall if one important piece isn't there anymore. They also focused on cooperation, hearing each other's voices and collaborating when facing challenges, like a human knot. We also talked about how and when to call each other back into covenant, when a promise is broken and how we can seek and offer forgiveness.
Finding Your Child's Classroom
With the beginning of the religious education year, there is sometimes confusion in finding your child's class. Did you know there are blue signs on the walls around the church to help you find your way? Childcare is offered in Room 108 during both morning services and coffee hour.
9:15 am classroom locations are:
Preschool--Room 103
Kindergarten-2nd grade--Room 105
3rd grade & up--Room 208.
11:15am classroom locations are:
Preschool--Room 103
Kindergarten-2nd grade--Room 105
3rd grade--Room 208
4th-6th grade--Library
Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education for 7th & 8th grade registered students meets from
10:45-12:15pm
in Room 210
High School Youth Group meets from
12:30-2:30pm in Room 210, but the location does change from time to time, so be sure to check your email and/or the
Friday update.
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Hikers Unite!
On
October 7, in the Fellowship Hall during coffee hour (
10:15-11:15), all hikers are encouraged to meet at the Birds of a Feather (BOF) Common Interest Table. This is a great opportunity to get to know other hikers in our congregation and share information about hikes and hiking.
-Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
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, October 14 at 10:30 am in Room 112. 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 [email protected]rg.
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Green Grounds Volunteer Opportunities and Thank You Lunch
Have you helped with our church grounds this year to make our church more welcoming and expressive of our UU values? Many helped prepare grounds and plant hazelnut trees and started our perimeter path on Earth Day. Others dug holes, planted flowers, watered, pulled weeds and mulched gardens. A few hardy souls helped build our new terrace, and more.
It's not too late to take part!
We'll have a fall work session from 9:00 to noon on Saturday, September 29th (rain date, October 6th).
All who have helped are invited to attend to our first annual thank you lunch at 12:30 on Sunday, October 7th in Fellowship Hall. To ensure that we have plenty of food to share, please RSVP to Molly O'Donnell:
[email protected].
Ways you can help on September 29:
- Bring any extra loose (or easily-separated) bulbs or corms, especially iris, daffodil, daylily and crocus.
- Help plant them along the path from the Bypass, and -if there are enough bulbs and helpers- along the hazelnut hedge.
- Weed and spread more wood chips on paths and around the hazelnut trees.
- Trim and dead-head bushes.
- Weed and sheet-mulch gardens.
Bring your well-marked digging and pruning tools, gloves, a hat, sunblock and water bottle!
Can't do this type of physical work but want to help?
Contact Molly about bringing something to share at the October 7th luncheon!
In community,
Molly O'Donnell and Jana Pereau,
Co-chairs, Green Grounds Team
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Available Now at our Booktable:
FAITHLORE: THE INVENTED REALITY by John Crosby
(Our Booktable carries many books of interest to Unitarian Universalists. Open on Sundays during coffee hour, 10:15-11:15 a.m.) Crosby claims that much of the Bible is myth. Since some myth may be true, the next step is to label that part of myth adjudged to be untrue, such as Folklore. But myth and folklore are not necessarily the same. Lore serves further as an interpretation, elucidation, embellishment, or spin upon the myth. This lore, in turn, may help clarify one's beliefs or it may enable one to see more clearly what is essential to one's faith or nonessential.
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Stories for the Future of Unitarian Universalism -- An Invitation
from the Unitarian Universalist Association
When it comes to our future, we know at least three things:
1) Organized religion is changing at breakneck speed as more people young and
old, of all identities and races look for new forms of spiritual
community that better meet their needs for meaning, personal fulfillment
and companionship
2) Our Unitarian Universalist tradition and principles speak directly and powerfully to many of them, even if our traditional ways of being in community don't, always
3) And UU leaders of all types, professional and lay, are pioneering new ways of being in community, worshiping, educating, expressing creativity, leading social justice and starting-up social enterprises that give exciting expression to Unitarian Universalism.
For Breakthrough 2018-19, the UUA and UU World magazine want to tell your stories of innovations that are working, how you've brought them about and what you've learned along the way.
Read More...
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Leaking Skylights Removed to Prevent Further Damage
On September 14, workers removed the skylights from the Commons here at church, removed and replaced rotted roof decking, and installed a new roof over the openings to stop the roof from leaking. After it rains a few times this fall, and we make sure there are no further leaks, we will install new wiring and energy efficient ambient lighting and will repair and paint the damaged drywall. We will not be installing new skylights, because the slope of the roof is not steep enough to accommodate non-leaking skylights.
This work has been planned for some time, but we did not know last Friday was the day until just before the workers arrived! Construction work depends so much on weather conditions, and the sunny day was perfect for roof work.
If you have questions, please speak with Dick Stumpner of our Building Oversight Committee.
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Buy Grocery Cards on Sunday and Support the Church
We have grocery gift cards for sale in the Commons every Sunday between services. The participating grocery stores send a percentage of your purchases back to the church to support our operating budget. We have gift cards for Bloomingfoods, Lucky's, and Fresh Thyme, and you can register your Kroger Plus card by clicking here. Our new Kroger organization ID number is
EW763.
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YAY, Solar Panels!
No Money to Duke again this Month!
Here's what our electric bill says for September:
"Because you do not owe any money on your Duke Energy bill this month, no automatic payment has been scheduled." Our balance is $-581.63.
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Make UUCB Dementia Friendly!
Training September 21
On Friday, September 21, 11:00-12:00noon in the church library we will hold a Dementia Friendly Location training. The goal of this training is to help us learn how to better support members of our community who are living with dementia, as well as their caregivers. The training will be provided by the Alzheimer's Resource Service of IU Health. If you would like to participate in the training, please email Ann LeDuc at
[email protected] o
r call her at (812) 332-3695.
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Fall Feast Bake Sale for Habitat
September 23
The Fall Feast Bake Sale, sponsored by the Habitat Task Force this Sunday, will feature lots of sweet and savory goodies for all to enjoy. Among other items, we will be selling cherry nut, banana chocolate chip, blueberry and strawberry poppy seed cream cheese muffins, several quiches (vegetarian, mushroom), gluten free coffeecake, zucchini and banana bread, and huevos rancheros rollups. Items will be on sale between services and after the second service. Thanks for supporting Habitat projects!
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Welcomer Training Session September 23
Greeters and Welcomers are vital to making ours a welcoming church. Newcomer Welcomers orient first-time visitors, while Greeters hold doors, distribute orders of service, and collect the offering. It's a great way to meet people, and you set your own schedule. A TRAINING SESSION will be held
Sunday, Sept. 23, at 12:30
in the Meeting Room. Contact Craig Coley at 812-287-3368 or
[email protected].
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Ending U.S. Complicity
in the Saudi-led War in Yemen
Talk on Sept 23
The Just Peace Task Force invites you to join us on
Sunday, September 23rd at 4 p.m. in the Meeting Room for a talk by Kate Gould on "Ending U.S. Complicity in the Saudi-led War in Yemen." This is the greatest humanitarian catastrophe in the world today, and the U.S. is providing military support to Saudi Arabia, which has repeatedly targeted civilians (recently a school bus). We hope Kate's visit will help build pressure on our Senators to support Senator Chris Murphy's effort to cut off U.S. military involvement. Kate Gould is the legislative associate for Middle East policy at the Friends Committee on National Legislation, where for the past four years she has led the group's advocacy regarding Iran, as well as Iraq, Syria, Israel and Palestine. A reception will follow the talk. Kate has declined a personal honorarium and instead welcomes contributions to support FCNL's work. Gifts may be made payable to "UU Church" with "Just Peace" in the memo line.
For more information, contact David Keppel at
[email protected]
.
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Diaper Drive for All-Options Sept 23-Oct 21
Did you know that 5.3 million children in the U.S. don't have access to the diapers they need? Those babies' bums aren't going to diaper themselves--they need your help! Join our Reproductive Justice Task Force and All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center by making a donation of diapers during our Fall Diaper Drive! You can drop off new, unopened packages of disposable diapers in the bin in the Commons, Sept 23-Oct 21. Sizes 4-6, 4T-5T especially needed. NEW!! We will also take donations of diaper pails, washable baby wipes, diaper covers and we can provide a pattern to make 'Wet Bags' for cloth diaper users. All-Options has cloth diapers, though daycare centers won't always accept their use. Follow this link for other giving options: https://alloptionsprc.org/get-involved/donate/
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Social Justice Fall Grants--
Applications Available,
Deadline October 5
Each fall, the Social Justice Funds Committee (SJFC) solicits proposals for grants in support of local social justice projects. Awards are based on available funds, number of grant applications received and the guidelines outlined below. Guidelines: Projects must be based in Southern Indiana and be consistent with the mission of our church. Priority will be given to applications from (1) Social Justice Task Forces, (2) projects that involve a significant number of the congregation, and (3) applications that will seed new projects with an enduring benefit.
Before submitting the grant proposal, advocates of the proposal should have taken steps to inform members of the congregation and to involve interested members in the project. Grant Procedures Application forms are available
by clicking here, or by request from Steve Mascari at [email protected]. Completed applications should be submitted by email to the same address. Deadline for application submission is October 5th.
--Steve Mascari, for the Social Justice Funds Committee:
Steve Mascari, Anna Alexandrova-Beauchamp, Ruth Ann Cooper, Kelly Rockhill, Jackie Hall, advisor.
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Green Sanctuary Task Force Fall Clothing Swap October 27
T
he 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?
Each spring and fall, we hold a Clothing Swap to offer an alternative to buying new clothes. This fall's Swap will be held on Saturday, October 27 from 9:30 am until 12:00 noon.
Mark your calendars and start cleaning out your closets. If it would be helpful to you to have childcare provided for this event, please contact Kitty McIntosh by October 13, [email protected].
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UU History for You
The Origin of Freethinkers
The term "freethinker" first appeared in the late 1600s. The Renaissance was a transition between medieval and modern society; it included changes in society (from walled castles to cities; from isolated communities to nations; from religious-dominated universities to secular studies spread by the printing press). Servetus and Bruno were heretics whose ideas entered Unitarianism. Luther's reformation led to Deism. Deism led to humanism. Humanism led to agnosticism and atheism.
The symbol used by early Freethinkers was the pansy because the French name for pansy was pens
ée (thought) based on the nodding of pansies in the wind. In North America, the earliest Freethinkers were inspired by Joseph Priestley, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Paine. Their works led to a shift from trinitarianism to Unitarianism in the concept of God. Science was welcomed and not seen as a threat. Humans were not only politically free under the Constitution of the new United States, but they were also free to think and write about religion or the lack of it in their lives.
The Freethinker movement included Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who organized the 1848 Seneca Falls meetings launching the women's rights movement. It included Robert Ingersoll, the most popular speaker on the Chautauqua circuit, who challenged his audiences with the superiority of reason, evidence, and a compassion for human needs as the basis for establishing a healthy society. And it included
African American writer W. E. B. Du Bois, who felt Christianity was complicit in supporting white supremacy and the slave trade.
--Elof Carlson, Congregational Historian
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Trivia and Chili Cook-off Fundraiser for Habitat
November 3
The Habitat Task Force is planning a new fundraising event--Trivia & Chili Cook-off--on Saturday, November 3 from
5:30
to about
9 p.m.
in Fellowship Hall. We'll have a three-round trivia game, with some UU-related questions and other general topics, for any UUs and guests to enjoy and play as teams. Highest scoring teams will earn some prizes (some edible!) Before the trivia game begins, we'll serve homemade chili and salad/desserts and drinks. Price for game and dinner will be $10 for adults, and $5 for 12 and under. We encourage UUs to enter their delicious chili to be part of the cook-off. If you're interested in making a pot of chili and compete with the other chefs, please contact Barb Berggoetz at
[email protected]
. Mark your calendar for a night of eating and games on Saturday,
Nov. 3
!
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Community Connections
Our Faith in Action in the Community
Are You a Plant Person?
Angela Sturdevant and Ann Kamman are recruiting people to share starts of their native plants at a native plant exchange sponsored by Elm Heights and Bryan Park neighborhood groups. Saturday, September 22, 9am to 1pm. Bryan Park, Woodlawn Shelter. Leftovers will be donated to Molly O'Donnell and the Green Grounds Task Force here at church.
Support the Down's Syndrome Family Connection!
Our very own Molly Bunde will have a team at the Buddy Walk again this year. The walk will be held on September 23. To join Molly's team, or to donate,
click here.
The Buddy Walk supports the Down's Syndrome Family Connection.
--Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
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Bulletin Board
SUBSCRIBE TO SUNFLOWER SCRIBE Stories, smiles, and a sense of connection: Real letters, in your
mailbox! Sunflower Scribe's subscribers receive a friendly,
interesting letter twice a month. For more info, go to
sunflowerscribe.com
, or talk to Denise Breeden-Ost.
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Religious Education for Adults
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Humanist Forum Meets this Sunday
September 23, 12:45 pm
This Sunday at 12:45 p.m. the UU Humanist Forum will meet in Room 208 after children's Religious Education classes end. Elof Carlson will lead a discussion of "Is History Real?"
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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. [email protected]
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Open Mind Zen Meets Mondays at 7:00 pm
Join Frank Seisho Diaz for meditation, talks, and discussions on Zen Buddhism, Mondays 7:00-8:30 pm, in Room 110 here at the church. All are welcome regardless of faith or experience.
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Traditional Taiji on Tuesdays at 7:15 pm
Brian Flaherty leads "Wu (Hao)" style Taiji in Fellowship Hall on Tuesdays at 7:15 p.m. Anyone is welcome, even those with no previous taiji experience. Please wear loose-fitting clothing.
Info: contact Brian at [email protected]
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UU Freethinkers Enjoy
Free Ranging Discussion
Sunday, September 30, 12:45 pm
The UU Freethinkers bi-weekly meeting creates the opportunity for participants to raise questions and engage in open and non-structured discussion of issues of social, political, and theological/religious concern. UU Freethinkers meet on every other Sunday in Room 208 at 12:45 p.m., after children's religious education classes end.
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Women's Alliance Meets October 4
Vicki Polansky of the League of Women Voters will speak at the October 4th meeting. Her topic, "Taming the Gerrymander," will deal with
redistricting in Indiana. Gather at 11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Meetings begin with a brown bag lunch. The presentation begins at noon, followed by a question and answer period and a business meeting. The hostesses for the month, Doris Wittenburg and Arzetta Hults-Losensky, will provide drinks and dessert. Everyone, including women, men, and gender non-binary persons, is welcome.
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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.
Reverend Scott McNeill, our Associate Minister,
can be reached at 812-332-3695 (ext. 209) and is available by appointment on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons.
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
,
our Minister of Religious Education,
can be reached at
812-332
-3695 (ext. 207)
on Wednesday and Friday mornings.
Reverend Leite will be away until 9/21/18.
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Our Covenant of Right Relations
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Slight Change in Office Hours Next Week
To allow for staff time away, Office Hours on Tuesday, September 25 will be 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Office hours M, W, Th, F are the same as usual: 10-4. Church Administrator Carol Marks will be away from the office 9/22-9/25.
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Livestreaming Our Sunday Services
You can view the livestream of our Sunday services and view archived video from the last few months
at this link. If you have a problem viewing, please email Andy Beargie and Ned Joyner at
[email protected].
Making the Archived Videos of Services Easier to Get To
Each Friday, we'll post the direct URL link for the previous Sunday's archived video of the service at the end of the Friday UU Update, as well as posting the links on the
Livestream page of our website.
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Membership: 512 certified members; 530 current members.
Attendance:
Sunday, September 9 9:15 - 97 11:15 - 193 TOTAL: 290
Sunday, September 16 9:15 - 92 11:15 - 148 TOTAL: 240
Non-Pledge Offering:
September 9
: $519 September 16: $468
Total to be donated (25%) to Spencer Pride $246.68
Grocery Card Sales:
(Bloomingfoods, Lucky's Market, and/or Fresh Thyme)
September 9: $375, income to UUCB:$26.25 September 16: $300, income to UUCB: $17.50
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Facebook: Many church events are also posted on our
Facebook page.
Prologue
Publication Schedule:
The deadline for articles is 10 a.m. on the date of publication, which is
the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.
Upcoming
issues:
October 2, October 16, November 6, November 20, December 4, December 18.
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Masthead photo by Marcia Hart.
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