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Send us your photos - especially of connecting with the earth!
Earth Day is coming up next week, on April 22 - the 50th Earth Day since it started in 1970. This year's theme is climate action.
It is wonderful to see photos of what you've been up to--please keep them coming, and we'll put them in Sunday morning slideshows.
This week, we'd especially love photos of people connecting with the earth. Have you been spending time outdoors? Gardening? Hiking? Hanging laundry? Singing? Send photos along! (And if you're doing something indoors, those photos are certainly welcome, too.)
You can text photos to Emily at 812-333-9822 and Ned at 812-344-7635 or email to: mre (at) uubloomington.org and media (at) uubloomington.org.
-- Reverend Emily and Ned
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An Update from the UU Board: Learning to Slow Down
Our Board sent a special update to members and friends yesterday about the transitions we are experiencing as a religious community.
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Sunday, April 19, 2020
10:15 am (one online service only)
Earth Day: Healing our World
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
All ages are invited to join us for story, song, ritual, and shared reflection as we celebrate our earth and consider how we can offer it our care in these days. The Virtual UU Children's Choir, coordinated by Jill Courtney, will perform, as will other special musical guests.
For a more engaging worship experience, please gather:
* a candle or candles to light for joys and sorrows
* a bowl of water
* paper and pen or markers for writing or drawing
* several legos or blocks if you have them
* the phone number of someone else attending the service so you can call them during our time for shared reflection
Our Building is Closed, but Our Hearts are Still Open. To help disrupt the spread of the coronavirus and COVID-19 in our community, our building is closed for the time being. All in-person events and meetings have been cancelled. We urge everyone to stay home.
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Religious Education Updates and Resources
Adrienne on Facebook Live, Weekdays at 1 pm
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Join us this Sunday for engaging Coffee Hour discussions!
This Sunday we will be featuring special discussion rooms during Coffee Hour, following the worship service.
1. Staying Physically Fit During the Pandemic - Hosted by Craig Coley
2. Dungeons and Dragons, Star Wars, and Pop Culture - Hosted by Rich LeDuc
3. Singles Gathering - All adult singles are welcome in this community of UU singles. - Hosted by Marie Deer
4. Worship Service Discussion - Hosted by Jason Michalek
We will also have breakout rooms available for general discussion and the choir. If you would like to host an additional discussion topic, let me know.
Coffee Hour starts after the worship service and ends at 12:15 pm.
If you prefer to use your phone for audio, here's the phone number to call in: +1 646 558 8656, use meeting ID: 601 601 156
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National Cathedral Multi-Faith Earth Day Service
Sunday, April 19, 2 pm
UUA Co-Moderator Elandria Williams and UU Ministry for Earth Program Director Aly Tharp will be giving a 2-minute recorded reflection as a part of a national
Multi-Faith Earth Day Service hosted by Interfaith Power & Light and the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Leaders from Sikh, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, Unitarian Universalist, Christian, and other spiritual communities will share their tradition's gifts through sacred text, commentary, and song.
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Exploring Unitarian Universalism Online
This Sunday and April 26, 2 to 4 pm
The Exploring Unitarian Universalism (UU) class will be offered online on Sunday, April 19 and Sunday, April 26, from 2-4 pm. Registration is still open - click here to sign up . This class is a great opportunity to learn about the UU Principles, our ministers, our history, all the ways to get involved here, and what it means to be a member of our congregation. Plan to attend both dates, since different material will be covered in each session. We request completion of this class before you become a member of the church. Everyone ages 14 to 100+ is welcome! Questions? Email Ann LeDuc, connect(a)uubloomington.org.
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PayPal Available for Donations
We now have a
PayPal page where you can make a Sunday Plate contribution and other donations to the church using a major credit card. You do not need to have a PayPal account to use this page.
It's also not required to use the PayPal page. You can still mail in your pledge contributions using paper checks.
Thank you for your 2020-21 Pledges! Keep 'em rolling in!
Here's the link again to that easy online pledge form. We very much appreciate all the responses we've gotten! And thanks to our at-large board members who have been doing extra outreach. Our leaders are in the process of creating our budget for the coming fiscal year that starts in July, so it's important for us to know how much you are planning to give.
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Ways We Can Help:
Links from our Social Justice Task Forces
We're compiling information and updates from our Social Justice Task Forces about ongoing fundraisers, resource drives, and other calls to action here:
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The 2020 Auction is Online May 3!
Donation Forms Due Monday, April 20
Our Spring fundraiser auction is up and running and if you haven't thought of what talent or service you could share online, from a distance or plan for a date to be announced, please get your creative juices flowing. These activities are the heart of our community and we need them now more than ever. Think of using FaceTime, Zoom or Skype to teach others how to knit, garden, sing, play an instrument, or do a dance; join with others to lead a book talk, write poetry, or listen to others read theirs. And those dinners that so many yearn for--well you can whet our appetites now and set the date when we all know it's safe.
Here's the link to the donation form that is due next Monday, April 20th.
It's easy to complete. Now don't make me come pound at your door! :)
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A Message from MAM
The world is changing quickly and our vision calls us to "Seek the Spirit. Build Community and Change the World" even while, and perhaps as a direct result of, living in the age of a Pandemic. Part of making change in a changing world, is making our voices known. I encourage you to respond to the following plea regarding the World Health Organization. And yes, buy more postage stamps to send your message and support the United States Postal Service.
--Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
The President of the United States Freezes over $500 million in funding to the World Health Organization
Please
write to Senator Todd Young (top priority) and, if you can spare the time, to Senator Braun and Congressman Hollingsworth, and demand that Congress restore these funds that are our share of support for the World Health Organization. The President's withholding of $553 million for political reasons is inexcusable folly and a crime against humanity.
Covid-19 is about to hit the world's most vulnerable people in developing nations. These nations lack strong health care systems, and without help from WHO, many millions would likely die. In turn, a huge second wave of infection would reach the United States.
Please contact our Senators and Representative.
--from David Keppel, Just Peace Task Force
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"Writing as a Spiritual Practice"
with Rev. Barbara Child
A Drop-in Group on Zoom
Tuesdays 1:00-2:00, through May 26
I invite you to join me on a journey of personal exploration through writing in community. This is a drop-in group and you can attend any or all sessions. Click here for a full description of how the group will work.
If you would like to participate, register by clicking here to get the Zoom link and instructions.
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UUA General Assembly Goes Virtual in June
The UUA Board of Directors voted this week to make UUA General Assembly (GA) 100% virtual in June. The decision alleviates the anxiety and concern shared by many about how GA might proceed given the impact of COVID-19. It also gives the Association time to plan a more robust and rewarding virtual experience. Learn more at
UUA.org/ga.
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Talking with Our Elders
A Project While We are Staying at Home
UU member Sandy Dolby (a folklorist) wrote with a suggestion for a project while we are staying at home. This would be a good moment to stay in touch with the elders in our families and also interview them about their lives. You might find out some amazing information to share with your family!
Click here for a questionnaire that Sandy created for the purpose, and adapt as needed for interviewing from a distance (instead of in person!)
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Afternoon Virtual Costume Party!
with Reimagining Opera for Kids
Sunday April 19, 4:00-5:00 pm
Reimagining Opera for Kids and Bloomingsongs are collaborating to offer a family-friendly costume party music activity on Sunday, April 19, 4:00-5:00 p.m. The event, along with lyrics and activity sheets, will be available through our Facebook page or our website, ReimaginingOperaForKids.org.
We'll focus on ages 0-8yo but all are welcome to join in the costumery and musicking! Click here for more information.
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Locks Changing over the Weekend
We have been working for over a year to arrange to have the locks changed at the church, and we have finally been able to arrange for it to happen this weekend. It is prudent to change the locks periodically for improved security. Since we are not gathering at the church these days, this will not present a problem, but after it is safe for us to resume activity in the building, we will arrange to loan keys or key cards to those who need them. Don't throw away the key we loaned you! Even if you no longer need it, it's still worth the $10 key deposit. Our key card reader is also currently turned off, but hold onto those cards as well if you have borrowed one, because we will reprogram that system when we are back in the building. --Carol Marks, Church Administrator
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Church Office Closed, Staff Working from Home
Our offices are closed, but staff members are working from home and checking email frequently during their regularly scheduled work hours.
Carol Marks, Church Administrator, admin (at) uubloomington.org
Monica Overman and Mandy Skinner, office (at) uubloomington.org
Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator, connect (at) uubloomington.org
Adrienne Summerlot, Dir. of Religious Education, dre (at) uubloomington.org
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Due to the impact of COVID-19 and the need for physical distancing, new dates and procedures have been established by the Indiana Election Commission and the Monroe County Election Board.
For the June 2, 2020, Primary Election all registered voters can vote by mail using an absentee ballot.
- Potential voters must be registered in order to receive an absentee ballot. Check registration at www.indianavoters.in.gov - "Check Voting Status."
- Voter registration ends Monday, May 4, 2020.
To apply to vote by mail:
2. Scroll down to "Vote by Mail for 2020 Primary!" and click where indicated.
3. The "Application for Absentee Ballot by Mail Only in 2020" displays.
4. Print and fill out the application form.
5. Return the completed form by Thursday, May 21 at 11:59 p.m.
- US Mail. Monroe Co. Voter Registration / 401 W. 7th Street - Suite 100 / Bloomington, IN 47404 /or/
- Email. election@co.monroe.in.us
- Fax. 812-330-6460
(An absentee ballot will then be mailed to you at the address you indicate).
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Your Church Staff Zooming on Thursday, April 16, 2020
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Deadline for Order of service and Friday UU Update
Friday Update is for Events Happening in the Next 10 Days
The Friday UU Update is designed to remind the members of the congregation about events and services that are coming up within the next 10 days. For events that are further in the future, please consult our
twice-monthly Prologue newsletter.
For More Information
See the April 7
edition
of our newsletter, The Prologue, published on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays. Past issues for quite awhile back can be found
here
.
(Next Prologue deadline is Tuesday, April 21, at 10 am.)
Carol Marks
has editorial responsibility for our congregation's publications.
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Masthead photo by Jack King.
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