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Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World
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Sunday, January 12, 2020
9:15 am and 11:15 am
2020 Annual Science Sermon: Reflections on 2019
The Half-Life of Marie Curie
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
In her annual science review sermon, Reverend Macklin will explore highlights and discoveries in various areas of science from 2019, including human origins, environment, physics, math, astronomy, brain, and technology. She will also reflect upon the recently produced Off-Broadway play
The Half-Life of Marie Curie by Lauren Gunderson.
The Half-Life of Marie Curie is a two-woman play full of wit and wisdom, featuring female STEM stars, Marie Curie and Hertha Ayrton. In the play, "Half-Life" refers to the half-life of uranium (from 25,000 to 4.5 billion years, depending on the type of uranium) and it is also a metaphor for the lost research, money and reputation of this gifted physicist-chemist, due to her status as a woman scientist in a patriarchal society.
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MAM's Musings
During my time at a Quaker retreat center, I learned a great deal about their effective social justice work throughout the world as a result of The Friends Service Committee (FSC) and The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL). Yesterday, I learned that the Unitarian Universalist Association is supporting the following FCNL initiative: "
Congress has not authorized military engagement with Iran, yet our lawmakers have repeatedly failed to halt the administration's march toward war. Congress the power to prevent war and return our nation to the path of diplomacy. Urge Congress to support H.R. 2354 and S. 1039, legislation to prohibit unauthorized war with Iran."
Despite an apparent missing verb in the second sentence of this initiative, you can take action at the link below. Remember, taking action is one way of reducing anxiety as we face the many challenges in our world today.
MEANWHILE, at our December Congregational Meeting on December 8, 2019, I reminded everyone that during last year's Pledge Drive (in April 2019) the Ministers and Board announced that in lieu of a formal Pledge Drive this spring (2020), we would simply ask everyone to recommit to the same pledge amount as in 2019. Please let us know if you are willing to recommit the same dollar amount for 2020-2021 (July 1, 2020-June 30, 2021) as you did in 2019-2020 (July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020). Below is an easy peasy link to help out. Oh, and some folks asked if it would be OK to increase their pledge. Yes, indeed. Again, here's that handy dandy link to our online form:
Remember: your pledge dollars make so many things possible in our congregation, including guest ministers in our pulpit, like Minister Emeritus Reverend Bill Breeden this past Sunday!
Peace,
MAM
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
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Emily's Post
At the weekend gathering of my Spiritual Direction group, we found ourselves reflecting on how to cope with free-floating anxiety about the state of the world: How to keep connected and keep going?
As the group reflected together, two things rose to the surface.
* Our ability to take in the good stuff has been impeded as we take in too much horror without purposefully processing it through. The Buddhist members of my group suggested a repeated practice of holding one's small place in this vast universe in our consciousness, breathing in the state of the world, holding it with compassion, and letting it go.
* Our ability to let go, rather than get clogged up with anxiety, depends on not holding too tightly. When we reflected on this, I realized that holding tight is something I tend to do, especially in a cold winter. The chill in the air makes my whole being tighten up. But then I remembered the practice of hygge, which The Little Book of Hygge author Meik
Wiking describes as something you know when you feel it, but key ingredients include togetherness, relaxation, indulgence, presence, and comfort.
What warms your body or spirit? Walks in the woods? A cozy pair of slippers? Time with a beloved person or animal? Journeying our labyrinth?** Perhaps, like me, you would find that the warmth of these things, or others in your own life, can help you stay connected to the world with compassion, not clinging.
Wishing you warmth and breath at this season,
Emily
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Minister of Religious Education
mre (at) uubloomington.org
**Our labyrinth is available in the sanctuary this week:
M-F, Jan 6-10, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 8, 6:00-8:00 p.m. (childcare in Room 108, 6-8 p.m. on 1/8)
Saturday, January 11, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Interfaith Friends Supporting Local Youth
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Event seeks donations
The Interfaith community is collecting donations of new
*Sweatpants: highest priority, needs to be elastic waist--sizes youth medium and large and adult small to extra large
*U
nderwear--children's through adult sizes, especially boys and teens
*Socks: children's through adult sizes
*Washcloths
*Feminine products
*Small bars of soap
These items may be left in the collection box in the Commons on January 12 and 19.
Come lend a hand at First Presbyterian Church on MLK Day to learn more about students experiencing poverty, to sort and package donations, and to thank local social workers :
Monday, January 20 from 10:00 a.m. to Noon and Soup Luncheon from 12-1 p.m. Reverend Emily and our Coming of Age group are attending.
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January Wintersession Religious Education Centering
on Our Shared Values
Our January Wintersession will be centered on connecting with our shared values as Unitarian Universalists. We will learn about hidden figures of history who sided with love, brought communities together and created change in our world. We plan to celebrate them and make our own meaning through cooking, art and music.
A different story will be highlighted each Sunday of January during the Time for All Ages. Our preschool age children will then go to their class to further explore the story in Room 103. Our Kindergarten-7th grade students will meet in Fellowship Hall where they will have a guide who will stay with their smaller groups and help them visit a different specialty each week.
On January Sundays, parents will drop off K-7th grade kids in Fellowship Hall and pick them up in designated specialty classrooms. A roster and classroom locations will be posted on the Nursery Window across from Fellowship Hall. Questions? Contact Adrienne Summerlot
[email protected]
Sunday, January 19th, 12:30-2:00pm
Confronting White Supremacy:
the Losing Side of White Liberalism
Our Dismantling White Supremacy Working Group invites you to join special guest presenter, Jada Barbry for a grounding in how to become an anti-racist & confront white supremacy from a black perspective. This is designed to help identify what is white supremacy beyond nazis, the KKK or other white nationalist organizations. Newcomers and Visitors welcome!
Soup Lunch and Childcare provided. RSVP appreciated for soup lunch and childcare. Contact Adrienne Summerlot [email protected] for more information. Find this event on Facebook and please invite friends to join us! In Fellowship Hall, January 19, 12:30-2:00 p.m.
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Our Folks...
Lynne Gilliatt's newest portrait work will be showing at La Vie En Rose cafe through January 2020, Wednesday-Sunday.
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Of Snow Days and Cancellations
When local travel conditions deteriorate due to ice and snow, please check with the leader of your group before coming over for weekday meetings here at church, to be sure our lot and sidewalks have been cleared and are safe. We do our best to ensure everyone's safety when using our facility. If schools are delayed or closed due to snow or ice, there is a good chance our office will open late or will be closed. Always call the church (812-332-3695) first before coming over after a snow or ice event, to be sure someone is here. Staff are in touch with all the leaders of meetings on a given day, to let them know the status of the parking lot. We also post meeting cancellations and up to date information on the front page of our website,
www.uubloomington.org and our
facebook page. If you have a friend without easy access to the internet, you might consider being an internet buddy for them, to give them a call to let them know (as appropriate) when meetings and events at church have been canceled or postponed.
Thanks for your patience, and remember to wear your snow boots!
--Carol Marks, Church Administrator
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(ERRATUM: This meeting is at 6:00 tonight, not 7:00 p.m. as previously publicized. -Ed.)
Extinction Rebellion Meeting Tonight,
Tuesday, January 7,
is at 6:00 p.m. ACT NOW!
January 7, 2020,
6:00 pm,
1626 South Olive
Extinction Rebellion (XR-Bloomington) meeting (Jana and Stuart's house) to discuss the latest action and begin the planning for the next.
Get involved with either/both the activist push to force URGENT action on climate change. Or with the Regenerative Culture aspect of Extinction Rebellion - rebuilding our democracy, regenerative agriculture, reforestation, and sustainable communities to get us through the tough times ahead.
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Crafting Grief and Resiliency:
Using Hobbies and Crafts in
the Healing Process After a Loss
Sunday, January 12, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Presenters: Kathleen R. Gilbert, PhD, FT and
Rebecca J. Gilbert, PhD, CTRS
Come join us in the Library on Sunday, January 12, 1:00-3:00 p.m., to learn about the role that hobbies and crafts can play in the healing process that follows loss. Parents will be interested in learning about how creative leisure activities can provide their children with healthy continuing bonds with loved ones no longer present in their lives. Everyone is encouraged to come with examples of how crafts and hobbies have helped them deal with loss.
Childcare will be provided in Room 108.
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UU Social Justice Film Series
Presented by our Racial Justice Task Force
Sunday, January19,
5:00 PM,
Fellowship Hall
Join us for a free screening of Mary Bateman Clark: A Woman of Colour and Courage.
Mary Bateman Clark had been an enslaved person in Kentucky and was brought to Vincennes, Indiana, by her master B.J. Harrison in 1815, when she was about 14 years old. She was later indentured as a servant to Harrison. In 1816, Harrison sold her contract to G.W. Johnston. In 1821, Clark and her lawyer, Amory Kinney, petitioned Knox County Indiana Circuit Court to terminate her indenture, since she had entered the arrangement involuntarily. The county court ruled against her. Later that year, Clark and members of Kinney's law firm appealed to the Indiana Supreme Court. The Court discharged her from service.
This ruling contributed to the end of indentured servitude in Indiana.
The case demonstrated that even during the infancy of Indiana, important issues of justice, equality, and freedom were being debated and resolved.
Today, Clark's great, great, great grand-daughters, Eunice Brewer and Ethel Brewer-McCane, re-enact Mary Bateman Clark's story, based on their many years of research. Gladys DeVane is the on-screen narrator for the video. Discussion to follow with the filmmakers, including Alan Backler.
Free Pizza available.
No childcare for this event.
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Change the World by Feeding People
Volunteer at Community Kitchen
Community Kitchen expects three volunteers from our congregation on the third Thursday of every month from 11:30-1:30 to make sandwiches, prepare salads, or portion take-out meals. If you'd like to be added to the list of those contacted about possible service each month, please contact Libby DeVoe,
[email protected]
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Depolarizing Within Workshop
With Better Angels
Sunday, January 26, 2-5 p.m.
Much of today's polarization is driven by how we talk with like-minded people about those on the other side. Too often, we stereotype, dismiss, or ridicule our fellow citizens who support the other political party, its leaders, and its policies. This free three-hour workshop helps participants become more aware of their own "inner polarizer." It teaches how to be critical without demonizing, dismissing, or stereotyping large swaths of the population. And it offers strategies for intervening constructively in social conversations with like-minded peers when these conversations veer into contempt and ridicule for people who hold other political views. More info here.
Join us in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, January 26, 2-5 p.m.
Who can come?
Anyone interested in examining their own inner polarization.
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UU Habitat Task Force Seeks Volunteer Builders,
Plans Chili Sale for February
Our Habitat Task Force is looking for volunteer builders! Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County has asked us to help fill out their crews for Saturdays in January in the Trail View neighborhood west of 11th and Rogers Streets. For those who like the excitement of putting up trusses, that will be done on Jan. 11. On Jan. 18, volunteers will be finishing decking and maybe roof shingling, and on Jan. 25 workers will put up siding. Plenty of on-the-ground jobs will be available each day. You don't need experience, as crew leaders will give you instructions. The work day is 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., lunch is provided, and you can work a half-day.
Habitat has created a new online sign-up platform to register and sign up for a particular day at:
http://habitatforhumanityofmonroecounty.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/
. After registering, click on the "individuals" tab and go to January construction opportunities. Only a few spots remain (at this writing) on Jan. 18 and 25, but more are available on Jan. 11.
The Habitat Task Force also will sponsor a take-home chili sale fundraiser on Feb. 2 after each service. We'll have lots of meat and vegetarian chili to sell. We're raising funds to co-sponsor a home. Thanks to everyone, too, who bought goods from our table at the UU Holiday Bazaar, where we made nearly $1,400.
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Thanks from Kids with Absent Parents (KAP)
On behalf of the KAP kids who received the generous gifts from the UU Giving Tree, I send a resounding "Thank You!" We had a fabulous holiday party and Santa arrived to deliver a gift to each child. All of us involved in KAP are grateful for the circle of support our congregation has shown for our program, but never more than when we saw the joy in the children's faces. --
Mary Goetze
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A Message for Us from the Environmental Protection Agency!
"Congratulations, Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington! You have earned EPA's ENERGY STAR for label year 2019." (Thanks to our ongoing energy conservation efforts and our lovely 92 solar panels, we are Energy Stars again! --Ed.)
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Religious Education for Adults
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A Labyrinth, A Meditative Space (January 6-11)
As each New Year begins, we install a labyrinth in the sanctuary. For six days, it provides a meditative space for people of all ages. As Sharon Blackie writes, "... the beauty of the labyrinth is that it is not a maze. There are no dead ends and you cannot take a wrong path. Although the path may twist or wind back on itself, it leads always to the centre. And there, at the centre of the labyrinth, no matter how many times you have been there, you might discover new insights, uncover old wisdom or find new knowledge."
If this practice sounds appealing to you, we hope you will visit this week!
Please enter and exit for the labyrinth at the West Office Entrance. An elevator is available.
Tues, January 7: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Weds, January 8: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Thurs, January 9: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Fri, January 10: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Sat, January 11: 9:00-10:30 a.m.
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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.
There is no cost to sit down with us and practice meditation. We are beginner friendly. We meet in the library at church on the second floor. Use the Portico entrance and turn right, we are in the first room on the left, the library. You can use a cushion or a chair or switch between. We stretch 1/2 way through, and walk, then sit some more and close with some teachings in chant form. Take what you want and leave the rest.
All are welcome. Info:
Contact Sarah Flint.
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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 the Library here at the church. All are welcome regardless of faith or experience.
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Gentle Hatha Yoga
on Tuesdays at 5:30 pm
A gentle Hatha Yoga practice to balance the mind, body, and spirit. Tuesday evenings, from 5:30-7 pm, in Fellowship Hall. Led by Kate Mulligan of Maxwell House Yoga.
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Traditional Taiji Meets Tuesdays at 7:15 pm
Brian Flaherty leads "Wu (Hao)" style Taiji in Fellowship Hall on Tuesdays at 7:15 pm. All are welcome, even those with no previous Taiji experience. Please wear loose-fitting clothing.
For more i
nfo: Contact Brian.
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UU Humanist Forum Meets January 12, 12:45 pm
On Sunday, January 12, at 12:45 pm the UU Humanist Forum will meet in Room 208. John Crosby will lead a discussion on "Good Bye, God! I Quit." The Humanist Forum meets every other Sunday with a different
discussion topic.
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UU Freethinkers Meet January 19
, 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. Every other Sunday in Room 208 at 12:45 pm.
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UU History for You
Emily Greene Balch: Social Activist and Scholar
Emily Greene Balch
(1867-1961) was born in a Boston suburb and died in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her father was a lawyer and served as secretary to Massachusetts Senator Sumner. Her mother was Ellen Noyes Balch. Emily attended Bryn Mawr for her BA and went to France to study poverty among its urban populations. She applied her skills to addressing Boston's own poverty classes. She led the advocacy for establishing child labor laws, felt restrictive immigration-based on race, religion, or class was discriminatory and wrong, and used a study of Slavic immigration to demonstrate the benefits immigration brings to the United States. She was a pacifist and helped conscientious objectors serving in WWI. She became a leader of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and spent much or her life in Geneva working as an anti-war advocate at the League of Nations, for which she received a Nobel Peace Prize in 1946. She never married. She did not oppose the Allied response to Hitler in WWII, but she did support those who were conscientious objectors on religious or philosophic grounds. She converted to become a Quaker in 1921 and worked with their more effective pacifist programs.
--
Elof Carlson, UUCB Historian
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Drop-in Childcare on Wednesdays
On Wednesday evenings, from 6-8 pm, we are offering free drop-in childcare in Room 108. Parents must remain on site, on the building grounds or in the building. Please use the Courtyard Entrance. The Meeting Room is available for meditation and walking the labyrinth. We hope to provide a moment for parents to breathe deeply, have a cup of tea with a friend, or sit in silence before running children to the next event. For more info contact
Adrienne Summerlot
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Bryan Park Clean Up January 11 - Everyone Welcome
This Saturday, January 11 is our monthly work day & play date at Bryan Park. Meet us near the bridge at the main Henderson St. playground at 10am. Everyone is welcome to come and help with our stream clean up project. Hope to see you there! - Anna Knust
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This Sunday! Young Adult Lunch Out
Let's go out to lunch after the second service on January 12. We will meet in the Commons at about 12:30 pm, near the social justice table, and carpool to Anatolia together. Anyone age 18-35 is welcome. As a result of a generous donation to our Young Adult and Campus Ministry program, we are able to buy lunch for everyone. Questions? Email Ann LeDuc at [email protected]
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Are you new here? Take your "First Steps" this Sunday!
Join us for a short introduction to Unitarian Universalism and this congregation this Sunday, January 12, in Room 112 at 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM (after each service). Free childcare is available in Room 108. Just stop in, no registration is required. --Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
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All-Adult Game Night January 17
All adults in the congregation are invited to a game night on Friday, January 17 at 7:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall. Questions? Contact Marie Deer.
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Explore Unitarian Universalism this Sunday & January 19
Explore Unitarian Universalism this Sunday and January 19
We invite you to explore Unitarian Universalism (UU) and learn about the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington this Sunday, January 12, 2-4 PM, in Room 112.
A small group of people who are new to Unitarian Universalism will gather to learn and discuss the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism, learn about the role of a UU minister, and hear a very short UU history.
This is a two-session class, with the second session on January 19 at 2:00 pm. Topics for the second session include learning how to get involved at the church, how decisions are made at the church, and what it means to be a church member.
Plan to attend both dates, since different material will be covered in each session. We ask for completion of this class before you become a member of the church. Everyone ages 14 to 100+ is welcome!
Email
connect@uubloomington.org if you plan to attend.
Free Childcare will be offered at this event.
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Hike with Us on January 25!
Join us for a hike on January 25. We will meet at the old east side Kmart parking lot behind Bloomingfoods at 12:30 pm on Saturday, January 25 to carpool to the HHC trail (trail 8) at Brown County State Park. This is a 3.5 mile hike (with a
lot of stairs).
Click here for a trail description.
Email connect@uubloomington.org if you plan to join us. We will cancel if it rains, or if the roads are slick.
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B
uy 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 Kroger organization ID number is EW763.
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BULLETIN BOARD
APT FOR RENT.
Apartment for rent in the Upstairs of my house at Lake Lemon. 2 bedrooms and very reasonable. Month to Month.
Contact me for more information
Sura Gail Tala 812-322-2436.
USED CAR WANTED. Wanted to buy: Gently used car or small SUV. Denise Breeden-Ost, [email protected], 812-318-4585
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Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, our Senior Minister
can be reached on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, 812-332-3695, ext. 201.
macklin (at) uubloomington.org
Reverend Scott McNeill, our Associate Minister
Reverend McNeill will be away from the office for the next two weeks.
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
,
our Minister of Religious Education,
can be reached at
812-332
-3695 (ext. 207) and is available by appointment
on Wednesday and Friday mornings.
Email: mre (at) uubloomington.org
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Our Covenant of Right Relations
In June 2017, our members affirmed a Covenant of Right Relations.
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Deadlines for Publications
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Order of service and Friday UU Update:
Thursday, 9 am
Prologue:
Date of publication, 10 am
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Office hours
: M-F, 10 am-4 pm
Facebook: Many church events are also posted on our
Facebook page.
Prologue
Publication Schedule:
The deadline for articles is 10 am on the date of publication, which is
the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.
Upcoming
issues:
Jan 21, Feb 4, Feb 18, Mar 3, Mar 17, Apr 7, Apr 21
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Livestreaming Our Sunday Services
View a live broadcast of our Sunday services (9:15 and 11:15 am):
Have a problem viewing or hearing the service?
Links to Archived Services to View Online
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Membership: 533 certified members; 549 current members.
Attendance:
Sunday, December 22 9:15 - 86 11:15 - 110 RE: 12 TOTAL: 196
Sunday, December 29 9:15 - 76 11:15 - 119 RE: NA TOTAL: 195
Sunday, January 5 9:15 - 112 11:15 - 209 RE: 37 TOTAL: 342
Non-Pledge Offering:
December 22
: $479 December 29: $568 January 5: $655
Total to be donated (25%) to Volunteers in Medicine: $423.18
Grocery Card Sales:
(Bloomingfoods, Lucky's Market, or Fresh Thyme)
December 22: $200 December 29: $0 January 5: $800
Total income to UUCB: $50.00
During the last quarter (July thru September 2019) we received $446.72 from Kroger, with 134 UU households participating.
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Masthead photo by John Woodcock.
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