April 9, 2021
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Hike at Pate Hollow this Saturday, April 10!
Join the UU Hikers this Saturday at 1:00 PM for a spring hike at Pate Hollow. Rain date April 17. Click this link to sign up. 
Rainbow Rights Revives!
Hey y’all spirit seekers. We’re in the process of reviving the Rainbow Rights group to build community that supports the intersectional identities of gender and sexuality encompassed in GLBTQ+ matters, and will be meeting on Saturday, April 10, at 2 pm. Whether you’re personally looking for support or journeying to become a better ally, interested persons should fill out this survey and/or send an email to RainbowRights (at) uubloomington.org --Jason Michalek, Campus Enrichment Orchestrator
This Sunday's Service
Sunday, April 11, 2021
10:15 am Livestream
Lean in Toward the Light
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Ned Joyner
In last Sunday’s Easter Worship service, we began to explore information known about the historical Jesus. In her reflections, Reverend Macklin said that she would continue those reflections this Sunday.

With the help of seminary student Ned Joyner, who is attending Union Theological Seminary remotely this year while also serving as one of our multi-media specialists, we will further explore one Jesus of Nazareth and the changing narratives and iconography that shaped his story. Ned will share an excerpt from his recent video interview with renowned New Testament Scholar John Dominic Crossan. Crossan, born in 1934, is an Irish-American historian of early Christianity, a former Catholic Priest who was a prominent member of the Jesus Seminar. Join us to learn more about what was lost and found in the journey of Christianity over thousands of years.

Prepare to lean in toward the light on many levels. 😊
If you miss the livestream, you can view archived videos on our website.
Early Bird Coffee Hour
Bring your coffee and join us at 9:15 AM to relax with friends and enjoy your coffee before the service. Everyone is welcome!  Click on this link to register for Early Bird Coffee Hour and receive the Zoom link. 
-- Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
Connect with Our UU Community during
Virtual Coffee Hour
Everyone is welcome to join us after the worship service, until 12:30 pm, for engaging conversation in Virtual Coffee Hour. 

Breakout Rooms this Sunday:
  • Reproductive Justice Task Force
  • Next Steps in Transition (NEST) Listening Session
  • Caste Book Discussion - Parts 4 & 5
  • More About Jesus
  • General Discussion
Next Steps in Transition (NEST)
Second Sunday Listening Sessions
In March, the Next Steps in Transition (NEST) working group held a listening session during coffee hour to get input from the congregation regarding the eventual transition to in-person meetings. We received a lot of good ideas from those who attended. As a result, we will have monthly listening sessions in Virtual Coffee Hour on the second Sunday of each month. We invite everyone to join us this Sunday, April 11, in Virtual Coffee Hour.  Just click on this link after the worship service to join us!
UU Freethinkers Meet April 11, 12:45 pm
The UU Freethinkers will meet this Sunday at 12:45 pm via Zoom for an open discussion of social, political, and theological/religious issues. If you'd like to join us, please contact Ann Watzel, awatzel (at) gmail.com, to get the link to the Zoom meetings and to be added to our email discussion list.
Our Pledge Drive for 2021-22 Has Begun!
Our goal is $675,000 and we have received pledges totaling $168,850 so far. Thank you to everyone who has pledged since Sunday, March 28! Now it is up to you, the rest of the members and friends of this congregation, to decide what we are able to do going forward as a congregation.

There are lots of ways you can make your pledge to the church, right now!

  • You can pledge online at http://bit.ly/Sunshine2122
  • You can mail your pledge card to the church. (We are mailed you one on Monday)
  • You can call or text the church mobile 812-287-9615, or send an email with your pledge amount, to Church Administrator Carol Marks, admin (at) uubloomington.org.
OR
On Sunday, April 18 from 3PM to 6PM, you can come to the church for our outdoor Sunshine Spectacular! Turn in your paper pledge card (come on over even if you already pledged online!), partake of delicious sunshine cookies, be a part of an Earth Day plant giveaway, listen to the phenomenal UU Car Choir, and pick up the fabulous Ray of Sunshine CD, along with other excellent surprises (Please check the box on the pledge card if you want the CD, and include the extra $20.00 in your total pledge amount). If you would like to purchase more than one CD, let us know how many at admin@uubloomington.org and we will have them waiting for you.

For more details and inspiration, click here to see the UU Sunshine News!
Become a Member on April 18!
Membership indicates your kinship and affinity with this church and the larger Unitarian Universalist religious community. The next membership ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, April 18 at 2 pm via Zoom. If you are new to Unitarian Universalism, we ask that you complete the Exploring Unitarian Universalism class before becoming a member. Let the Connections Coordinator know if you would like to attend the membership ceremony and become a member of the UU Church of Bloomington. Email Ann at connect(at)uubloomington.org or phone (812) 720-3688.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION UPDATES

April is bursting with Springtime! You can view our latest family email and subscribe our email list here to know what is happening in religious education

TONIGHT, Friday, April 9th- Join Adrienne at 7pm ET on Facebook Live for a special story in celebration of Unicorn Day!  

Youth Group (6th-12th grade) will be making pizzas at their next virtual gathering on Sunday, April 18th. Youth must sign up by April 15th to reserve your pizza making kit!

Adrienne Summerlot, Director of Religious Education
dre@uubloomington.org
Congregational Read: Discussions & Resources

There will be a Virtual Coffee Hour discussion of Parts 4 and 5 following the service this Sunday, April 11th. Just click on this link after the service to join us. Discussion prompts are available for advance reflection. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join us even if you have not reviewed the prompts in advance.

The Congregational Read Resource page is updated regularly with information that may be of interest to all who are reading the book.

8th Principle Commitment:
Where Do We Go from Here?

Many of you are participating in the church-wide read of the book “CASTE”. We will be finishing our church-wide read in a few weeks. Hopefully reading this book has been a good experience for you. Many of you are wondering where can we go next? What can we do as a congregation? How can we respond to what we have learned from reading CASTE? We want you to be aware of what our next steps are and invite you to join with us.

1.     Come to our churchwide meeting on Sunday, May 2nd on Zoom at 11:30 (more information will be coming in the next few weeks).
2.     Participate in our 21-day Racial Justice Challenge which will begin in May.
3.     Be thinking of opportunities and projects that the congregation could get involved with.

Stay tuned for more information.

--Ruth Aydt and Martha Oakley, Racial Justice Task Force co-chairs
Reverend Dave Clements
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
25% Sunday Plate Fund: Nomination Process for 2021-2022
Applications available -- deadline April 15
The process for nominating our next local non-profit agency to receive 25% of Sunday non-pledge plate collections has begun. An application form with guidelines is available here: Social Justice Funds Committee: 25% Sunday Plate Fund.
The 2021 Annual Goods and Services Auction
Needs YOU!  Be Creative!
Auction is April 25-May 2
Donation Deadline April 11
Our goal for the auction this year is $12,000 and we are looking for more outdoor dinners or events. What kind of masked, safely distanced outdoor gathering could you offer? Maybe it’s a birdwatching hike, a backyard concert, a “bring your own instrument” sing along, or maybe punch on the patio. Consider adding a rain date. Let's have fun and raise some $$ for UUCB. The deadline for completing donation forms is 4/11. Click here for the donation form. Email Debbie Fish schoolofdfish (at) gmail.com, Ann LeDuc connect (at) uubloomington.org or Sarah Kopper Kopper.sarah (at) gmail.com if you want to talk over your ideas.
Becoming Your Best Self
April 24, 10:30-12:30
With metaphor, a vision board, and shared stories, we will create your vision for your Best Self. Then, we will set your Best Self in motion by deciding actions/dreams/goals that align with that inner voice of wisdom that we all have. You know the one? The one that embraces Inner Child. The one that creates, doesn’t doubt, and moves boldly forward. Join UU Member Suzanne Fodor for a fun, creative session on Designing Your Best Self. This free workshop is sponsored by the Leadership Cultivation Committee.  Click this link to register. Room is limited, so sign up today!
Visit with the Connections Coordinator Fridays at 3:30 pm
Join the Connections Coordinator, Ann LeDuc, on Zoom, Fridays 3:30-4:30 pm. Ask your questions, or just visit. Everyone is welcome. Other ways to contact Ann: connect (at) uubloomington.org or 812-720-3688. Use this link to drop in and talk with Ann on Fridays at 3:30 p.m.
Vaccinations available for age 16 and older!
People age 16 and older in Indiana are now eligible for the covid-19 vaccine. Visit this website or call 211. Extra vaccines may be available in adjoining counties. https://vaccine.coronavirus.in.gov/
Reproductive Justice Task Force Raising Money for Hoosier Abortion Fund
The Reproductive Justice Task Force's annual campaign to raise money for the Hoosier Abortion Fund is underway!! Women from all over IN apply for assistance from All Options Pregnancy Resource Center here in Bloomington. Help close the inequality gap in abortion care and donate today. Click here to help: https://fund.nnaf.org/team/350371
Sleep Out on April 30
So Others Don't Have To
This is a fundraiser to help keep Friend's Place, Beacon's overnight shelter, open for another year. Friday, April 30 at 8:00 p.m. through Saturday, May at 8:00 a.m., they are asking folks to sleep out to raise funds and awareness for people experiencing homelessness. Get your friends and family to sponsor your sleep-out with a financial gift. To participate:
1. Register for the sleepout at www.givebutter.com/sleepout2021/join
2. Contact friends and family to sponsor your sleepout
3. Sleep out (or on your living room floor!) on April 30
More info, contact Alan Backler, Homelessness Task force, abackler(at)aol.com
Beacon Winter Shelter
From now until May 1, the winter shelter needs the following supplies:
  • BOTTLED WATER
  • HEALTHY SNACKS
  • HEAVY DUTY TRASH BAGS
Drop off bins are at the church, near the Portico entrance, north side. Thanks, from the UU Homelessness Task Force
Help Feed Our Hungry Neighbors Task Force
Collecting Food for Area 10 Agency on Aging During April
For the remainder of APRIL our food drive will focus on Area 10 Agency on Aging. Please drop off donations in the labeled bins on the north side of the church, by the Portico entrance. Click here for the list of needed items.
Green Sanctuary Task Force Weekly Tips

If you use batteries, buy rechargeable ones and dispose of all batteries at our recycling centers.
Deadline for submissions to the Order of service and Friday UU Update
Thursday, 9 am, to office(at)uubloomington.org
Masthead photo by Marcia Hart.
Photo by John Woodcock, Early Dogwoods April 2021
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Mailing address during covid:
UU Church, PO Box 1158,
Nashville, Indiana 47448-1158