The Prologue                                         Tuesday, March 19, 2019
  Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
   Congregation founded 1949
   LGBTQ Welcoming Congregation since 1995
   Green Sanctuary since 2007
Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World
Wednesday, March 20, 2019     6:15 p.m.
Intergenerational Spring Equinox Celebration
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Reverend Scott McNeill 
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Come and celebrate the changing season through song and ritual. We will reflect upon this time of balanced light and darkness and consider what we would like to have emerge in our lives in the coming season of growth. The UU Children's Choir, directed by Jill Courtney, will sing during the service. 
Sunday, March 24, 2019
9:15 am and 11:15 am
No More Searching, Just Opening
Reverend Barbara Child
Rev. Barbara Child will share the heart of what she has learned from writing her memoir, Memories of a Vietnam Veteran: What I Have Remembered and What He Could Not Forget, and from her journey to Viet Nam last November. The first chapter of the story of her years with her partner Alan Morris took place at Kent State University in the wake of the National Guard killings there on May 4, 1970. Thanks to the miracle of live-streaming, Barbara has invited to join us on Sunday people still dear to her from Kent and also people who were with her last fall in Viet Nam.  Throughout her planning for this service, she has kept uppermost in mind these questions: What message do I have for the beloved community of UUCB? What is in all this for them? She will answer these questions on Sunday morning.  

Reverend Child's new book,  Memories of a Vietnam Veteran: What I Have Re membered and What He Could Not Forget will be available for sale at our Booktable between services. Rev. Child will also be available at that time to sign copies of the book, in Fellowship Hall.
Sunday, March 31, 2019
9:15 am and 11:15 am
Be Strong, Be Fearless, Be Beautiful
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Reverend Scott McNeill
     Join us this Sunday as we conclude Women's History Month. 
     The choir will premiere a new piece, "Be Strong, Be Fearless, Be Beautiful," by Keaton Springfield, set to a text by Misty Copeland,  American Ballet Theater's first African-American prima ballerina. The piece was commissioned in memory of late choir member Herb Kiesling.
     Herb Kiesling's passion was that every child and young person would have an equal opportunity to develop his/her talents. He focused much of his work on activities that would remove the "risk" for children in school. Mr. Kiesling led a study to determine how early educators in the Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) could identify those children who were most at-risk for dropping out, and he supported efforts to provide mentors in elementary schools for those children.
MAM's Musings
   In the March 17th worship service, I shared several blessings from Irish poet and spiritual leader 
John O'Donohue. In a morning blessing he offers,
in part:
 
May our minds come alive today
To the invisible geography
That invites us to new frontiers,
To break the dead shell of yesterdays,
To risk being disturbed and changed.
 
May we have the courage today
To live the life that we would love,
To postpone our dreams no longer
But do at last what we came here for
And waste our heart on fear no more.
 
     Granted, it's not easy to "waste our heart on fear no more" in these unprecedented times, but I do believe we are being invited "to new frontiers each day". May we allow ourselves to recognize these frontiers as well as their invitations. Following are several invitations I made on Sunday that I hope you will consider:
 
Wednesday, March 20th at 6pm Spring Equinox Service
Join all three ministers in the round to honor this seasonal time of balance. In our Meeting Room.
 
Wednesday, March 20th at 7:30 p.m.  Joyce Ajlouny
General Secretary of the American Friends Service Committee
"Peace, Love & Understanding: A Quaker Vision for Building Peace" 
Palestinian-American Ajlouny speaks on peace in an era of discord. Meeting Room.
 
Sunday, March 24th at 4:00 p.m. Anthony Wier
Friends Committee on National Legislation
"The Myth of Usable Nuclear Weapons"  
Wier is one of the nation's leading experts in nuclear arms control. Meeting Room.
 
Sunday March 24th, 6pm to 8pm A Memorial for Christchurch Victims: Moving Forward in Unity 
The Islamic Center invites our congregation and other faith communities to an interfaith memorial gathering to honor the victims and families of the shootings in New Zealand last Friday. Let us gather in healing and solidarity with our Muslim sisters and brothers at the Islamic Center on Sunday evening.

I close with one of the oldest Celtic prayers called "The Deer's Cry"
 
I arise today through the strength of heaven,
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of Sea
Stability of earth.
   
Peace and Love, MAM
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, Senior Minister

P.S. 'Tis True. An Extra-Large Leprechaun was sighted on the Unitarian Universalist Church of Blo omington grounds between worship services on Sunday, March 17th. Reports indicate that said Leprechaun looked a bit like The Incredible Hulk and was wearing footwear very similar Reverend MAM, uh, moi. One never knows what will happen on a magical day like "St. Patrick's Day" or as I also like to call it "All Druids Day." 
Thanks to everyone who wore green or thought about it or didn't do either of those things. Just thanks. --MAM 
(Not So) Radical Hospitality
 
As you'll see throughout the Prologue, there are a number of ways our community is reacting to (and supporting our neighbors following) the tragedy in Christchurch, New Zealand last week. You'll also see Judy Berkshire's "Save the Date" for the night we'll host the Ramadan Iftar; and, I want to talk a little bit more about the importance of that event.
 
On May 17, UUCB will host its 18th annual dinner in partnership with members of Bloomington's Islamic Communities (Iftar is a dinner to mark the end of a day of fasting, during the holy month of Ramadan). We host this dinner to offer a space for our Muslim neighbors and friends to have their evening prayers and join us in a meal afterwards. This is a particularly important act of hospitality when there are Islamophobic events in our world. Last week's events in New Zealand remind us of the need of this joint effort of building diverse community and our particular role (here at the UU Church of Bloomington) to join our neighbors in solidarity. 
 
If you haven't been to an Iftar dinner, join us this year as a way of getting to know what's it's like. There is good conversation, always so much food(!), and easy (but critical) ways to pitch-in and help open our religious home to members of another faith, and welcome them with hospitality that should not seem radical in the 21st century. If you've joined us before, we can't wait to have you help again! I urge you to go ahead and mark this on your calendar, and to contact Judy Berkshire (jimjudy@tds.net) for more information and to talk about how you can help us host our neighbors. 

--Reverend Scott McNeill, Associate Minister
Congratulations to Gladys DeVane and Mary Goetze
     Many of you have met or worked with either (or both) of these extraordinary women. Dr. Gladys DeVane's many contributions to our city and community were recognized and acknowledged by way of the City of Bloomington awarding her the 2019 Martin Luther King Legacy Award. Similarly, Dr. Mary Goetze was named the 2019 "Woman of the Year!"
     We are ever so grateful for both Gladys and Mary, and celebrate their incredible life long hard work!
       And, we recognize and support the many folks (especially the women, as well as folks who are trans/gender non-binary) who are often marginalized by society and yet give so much back to the world (for which we are grateful!). To Gladys and Mary-- congratulations and thank you for all you do!   --Reverend Scott McNeill
To read about Gladys' award, visit:  Remarks from Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration
To read about Mary's award, visit: City Names Mary Goetze Woman of the Year
 
(Credits: Gladys' photo by Shannon Zahnle, from Bloom Magazine; and, Mary's photo by Kat Carlton from The Herald-Times)

Our Folks...
Velma Harrison would welcome care cards from her friends and short visits (please call her first). She is in hospice now, with 24-hour care at her apartment at 
Bell Trace.

  Building Community 
UU Men Meet March 19
Our UU Men's group will meet here at the church tonight, Tuesday, March 19, at 7:00 pm in Room 210.
For more info, please contact Dan Wiseman.
Upcoming Children's Choir Schedule
Wednesday, March 20: Sing at Spring Equinox Celebration Service -  Rehearse 5:55 pm, Service 6:15-7:00 pm
Sunday, March 31: Rehearse 10:30-11:00 am
Sunday, Apr 7: Rehearse 10:30-11:00 am
(No rehearsal 4/14 & 4/21)
Thursday, April 25: Rehearse 7:00-7:30 pm
Sunday, Apr 28: Sing at end of 1st Service and start of 2nd Service, Multigenerational Earth Day Services -  meet at 9:45 am, done by approx. 11:30 am
It's always helpful to know if your children are coming - let them know they can invite friends to join too! Contact Jill here.
Help Green our Grounds!
We will have several opportunities this spring to help transform our church grounds into spaces that help us Seek the Spirit, Build Community, and Change the World!
Please join us on one or more of the following Saturdays between 9:00 a.m. and noon:
April 6th Kinder-Gardening! -- Work alongside our children and their families to prepare ground for a small "Kinder Garden" --along the south side of the courtyard-- that our children and their families can watch grow, tend and harvest.
April 27th Winter Wind Break -- Plant evergreens trees along the north side to block those freezing north winds as part of our Earth Day celebration;
May 18th Spring (at last!!) Cleaning -- Help cleanup, plant and mulch our gardens to prepare for the growing season.
RSVP to Molly O'Donnell at mollysod@gmail.com if you can help with one or more of these opportunities, o r ask about opportunities to tend an area of your choice, at your convenience!

Join us for an IU baseball game!
Help us represent the UU Church on April 14th (1:05p) at the 3rd annual Faith & Family Day at Bart Kaufman Field. Everyone is welcome to attend (as everyone is part of a family!). For families whose kids (and/or adults) need space to run, t here is a play area behind right field. We have several families attending; and the church is purchasing the tickets in advance. If you'd like to purchase a food voucher ($5 for an entree and a drink), they are the only thing you would need to pay for.  Please email Reverend McNeill at mcneill@uubloomington.org before April 11 to let us know how many tickets and food vouchers you and/or your family would want.  

Come hike with us this Saturday, March 23!
On Saturday, March 23, at 1:00 PM  we will  hike  the Pate Hollow Trail. This trail has options for shorter  hikes  (3-4 mile) and also a longer  hike  (7.7 mile) Several of us are planning to do the 3-4 mile  hike , but others may decide to do the longer option. The trail head is located behind the state recreation office on Hwy 446, just before entering the Paynetown State Recreation Area. There is plenty of parking at this trail head. If you want to carpool, meet at the east side K-Mart parking lot at 12:30 PM. Please email Ann LeDuc at  connect@uubloomington.org  if you plan to join us for this hike, and let her know if you plan to carpool or meet at the trail head. Info:  
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5287875.pdf
  
Ready to become a member of UU Bloomington?
If this is your community, if you feel at home here, join us! A membership book signing is scheduled for Sunday, March 24, at 10:30 AM in room 112.  Contact Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator, to make arrangements to become a member at (812) 332-3695 or connect@uubloomington.org.

Honoring Our Leaders and Volunteers at 
Pledge Day Community Day April 20
All leaders and volunteers are invited to enjoy a breakfast in your honor on April 20 at 9:00 AM as part of our Pledge Day, Community Day celebration.  We will have pastries, breakfast casseroles, and fruit salad for you to enjoy, and a free plant to take home. The Leadership Cultivation Committee is looking forward to hosting the breakfast and honoring all you do.  Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator

We need YOU!
Add to the Fun of Pledge Day Community Day April 20
Our fun filled Pledge Day Community Day wouldn't be possible without you!  On April 20, stop by and enjoy everything the day has to offer, and stay to help out. There are opportunities to help by cooking ahead of time, or pitching in anytime between 7:30 AM and 9:00 PM on April 20.  Sign up here to let us know how you will help-- Volunteer: 
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0445adaa2da4fd0-2019
   Donate Food: 
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0445adaa2da4fd0-20191
   If you have questions about volunteering or donating food, contact Ann LeDuc at  connect@uubloomington.org

Honoring Our Long Time Members
Over the next couple of months we are looking forward to honoring our 30+, 40+, and 50+ year members, and one 61 year member.  Our ministers and staff will be arranging to visit with our 50+ and 61 year members in their homes.  We will honor our 30+ and 40+ year members during the Pledge Day Community Day potluck at 5:30 pm on April 20.  If you have been a member of the church for 30+ or 40+ years, watch your mailbox for your invitation and RSVP to Ann LeDuc at  connect@uubloomington.org

Reaching out to the larger Bloomington community: Stone Belt
Stone Belt has asked Bloomington churches to consider hosting activities at Stone Belt for their clients with disabilities during the summer months.  Our church would like to host two Saturday "Gym Jam" events on Saturday afternoons (1-3 PM) this summer. Specific dates TBD. This is a great opportunity to learn to socialize with people with disabilities. Stone Belt staff will be present to help care for the clients. If you are interested in helping, contact Ann LeDuc at  connect@uubloomington.org
Women's Alliance Meets April 4
     Kristin Bishay, Executive Director of Monroe County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) will speak about what's happening at the agency and with kids in our community at the Women's Alliance program from 12:00 - 12:30 on Thursday, April 4.
     Join us at 11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall with a brown bag lunch.  The
presentation begins at noon, followed by a brief business meeting.  The
hostesses for the month, Karen Cassidy and Katherine Hopkins, will provide
drinks and dessert.  Everyone, including women, men, and gender non-binary
persons, is welcome. 
UU Seder April 19
Would You Like to Help?
The UU Seder will be held Friday April 19 at 6:00 p.m.  This important Jewish festival tells the story of the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt but with a UU influenced retelling.  This child friendly celebration includes the Seder foods as well as a full dinner.  Tickets will be on sale during April.  Adults (vegetarian or omnivore) $9,  children $4, with a $25 limit per family.  We need some help with clean up--those who sign up to help can attend for free.   Contact Ruellen Fessenbecker via email or 812-837-9550 for details.
Garden Plot Available with 
Labor Barter
Want to grow vegetables this summer but don't have a sunny garden plot at home? We have a tilled area just north of the portico entrance available for a member of the congregation to use. Free compost and access to water in exchange for watering and weeding a small area of the church grounds nearby. 
Contact Molly O'Donnell if you are interested,  812-345-7399 
2019 UU Goods & Services Auction  May 5 
Now Accepting Donations!
      If spring is around the corner, then it must be UU Goods and Services Auction time!  The auction is Sunday, May 5th. There be will a luncheon right after 2nd service, with the doors opening for auction item browsing by 1:45 and the auction beginning at 2:00 pm. We are excited to be offering a silent auction table just for items appealing to children and families. Childcare will be provided, as well. 
     Consider donating your talents, services, or gently-used goods to this year's UU Auction. Previous items have ranged from themed meals, small artwork, and voice lessons to home baked bread, babysitting, and handmade socks. Your generosity is appreciated!
   Please complete this form to make a donation:   2019 UU Auction Donation Form 
Important Dates: 
      Donation Forms accepted through Sunday, April 14th. You can give our form to any steering committee member, or place it in the Auction mailbox in the office.
      All donations are due to the committee by Sunday, April 28th
For more information, contact Debbie Fish:  schoolofdfish@gmail.com,  317-431-8071
2019 Auction Steering Committee: Debbie Fish, Ann Kamman, Ann LeDuc, 
Linda Hall, Joan Carlton, Rich Slabach
Ramadan Iftar Here May 17
Save the Date:  Friday, May 17, 2019
     Each year our congregation hosts an Iftar Ramadan dinner for Bloomington's Islamic Community during the holy month of Ramadan.  We provide a welcoming, safe place for us to join with members of the Muslim faith as they break their fast at sundown.  The food is plentiful and delicious, and conviviality abounds.
     If you have ever hosted a party, you know the delight of watching your guests enjoying the event.   If you have ever hosted a party, you also know there are many tasks, big and small, that go into creating the event.  Therefore, mark your calendars and stay tuned for an opportunity to help with the Ramadan dinner.  We need all of us, from children to adults, to make this year's Ramadan dinner the best yet!
--Judy Berkshire
Interested in Displaying Your Art Here at Church?  
If you are an artist interested in displaying your work in the church commons, please contact GK Rowe with your submission interest.  Please include a brief summary of your work along with images (JPG or PDF) that represent your style/genre and medium. GK will work with interested artists to finalize details on dates of exhibits, installation and answer any questions in regards to the art exhibition process. 
  Changing the World 
Just Peace Task Force Spring Events
March 20: Joyce Ajlouny, American Friends Svc Committee
March 24: Anthony Wier, Friends Cmte on Natl Legislation
     The Just Peace Task Force urgently needs your attendance and help over the coming month. On Sunday, March 24th, at 4 p.m. Anthony Wier of Friends Committee on National Legislation will be speaking here in our Meeting Room on "The Myth of Usable Nuclear Weapons."  Anthony is one of the nation's leading experts in nuclear arms control and is in the thick of Congressional efforts to stop these dangerous programs.  We need a strong turnout.  
      On Wednesday, March 20th at 7:30 p.m., Joyce Ajlouny, General Secretary of the American Friends Service Committee, who will be in town as speaker for Women's History Month luncheon earlier that day, will speak here at UUCB on peacemaking and the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. A lifelong Quaker, Joyce grew up in Palestine and attended the Ramallah Friends School herself for her elementary and secondary education. She is a member of Ramallah Monthly Meeting and attends several monthly meetings in the U.S. Childcare available 7:15-8:30 p.m. in Room 108.    
Green Sanctuary Task Force Spring Clothing Swap April 27
Each spring and fall, we hold a Clothing Swap to offer an alternative to buying new clothes. This spring's Swap will be held on Saturday, April 27, from 9:30 am until 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 email Stephanie Kimball as soon as possible.
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?
25% of Sunday Non-Pledge Plate Recipient Nominations
Deadline April 30
     The nominating process for choosing our next local non-profit agency to receive 25% of Sunday non-pledge plate collection during the coming fiscal year (July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020) begins March 22. The application deadline will be April 30th, after which the Social Justice Funds Committee will choose three nominee finalists for the members of the congregation to vote on at the spring congregational meeting on June 10th.
     Our contributions to the current recipient, Spencer Pride, so far totals $5,114 for the first three quarters of this year. The total donated to All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center in 2017-18 was $8,507!
     Which local non-profit agency should be our next recipient? Those who submit applications must be able to meet the following obligations: (1) contact the agency you support to gather the information necessary to complete the application. If among the finalists chosen you will need to (2) provide a 200-word article on the agency to be published in the Prologue; (3) arrange for written materials to be available at the church throughout May, and (4) give a brief 3-minute presentation during both services on Sunday, June 9th, including an overview of the organization and an explanation of how the funds will be spent. The agency will also be tabling between services on June 9th. 
     Contact Steve Mascari, Social Justice Funds Committee Chair, at uucbsjfunds@uubloomington.org to receive an application.
UU History for You --  Unitarian opposition to the slave trade
Unitarians in England were major leaders of the abolitionist movement. This was especially true for William Smith (1756-1835) who grew up in a nonconforming family in a suburb of London. His wealthy family was in the grocery business. He ran for office and was elected to Parliament, winning reelection more times than losing them. During his years in Parliament he fought for two causes. One was to remove the taxation and fines imposed on Unitarian churches. The second was his opposition to slavery. Smith got parliament in 1813 to legalize the practice of Unitarianism and in 1828 got Parliament to end all taxes and penalties imposed on Unitarian churches. He saw slavery as a moral wrong and supported groups throughout the United Kingdom to pressure Parliament to end the slave trade (which it did in 1833) and to free slaves in English colonies (which it failed to do in his lifetime). Smith's daughter Frances married William Nightingale, and their daughter Florence Nightingale went on to distinction as the founder of the Red Cross.
--Elof Carlson, UUCB historian
Community Connections: Our Faith in Action

Friday Prayers with IU Muslim Student Association March 22
People of all religious and non-religious backgrounds are invited to attend Friday prayers on Friday, March 22 to show our Muslim neighbors, classmates, and friends that we stand with them, united by love. If you would like to attend, please email Savannah Powell at savpowel@iu.edu for details on time and location. #TheyAreUs

Hate Crime Legislation Workshop March 23
     On Saturday, March 23 from 10:00-3:00, Trinity Episcopal Church offers a community discussion of complete hate crime legislation, currently under debate in the Indiana Legislature. Attached is a flyer for the event.  Dr. Jeannine Bell, IU Maurer School of Law national expert will discuss the purpose of hate-crime legislation and other states' experience with such laws.  David Sklar, of Indiana Forward, the statewide coalition of business and non-profit entities, will address recent legislative actions. Bloomington United representatives will also speak about what local communities can do about hate-motivated activities.  We cordially invite you to participate, and to spread the word.  Contact Trinity for questions. 

Vigil for Victims of New Zealand Shootings, March 24
A vigil for the victims of the shootings at the mosques in New Zealand will be held on Sunday, March 24 at 6:00 p.m. at the Islamic Center of Bloomington.

Renowned Evangelical Climate Scientist to Speak 
March 26, 7:30 pm
Katharine Hayhoe, Director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech, will be giving a talk at the IU Fine Arts Auditorium (FA015) on March 26 entitled "Talking Climate: Why Facts are not Enough."  Dr. Hayhoe, an evangelical Christian, believes that her faith is compatible with science.
Learn more about Dr. Hayhoe's work at www.katharinehayhoe.com.
Sponsored by: Concerned Scientists @ IU, Environmental Resilience Institute, Integrated Program in the Environment, Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences O'Neill School of Public & Environmental Affairs, Hoosier Interfaith Power & Light, Earth Care Bloomington.  The event is free and open to the public.

Borders, Bans, & Babies: America's War on Immigrants March 27
On Wednesday, March 27 at 6:00 p.m. in Alumni Hall at the Indiana Memorial Union, there will be a Town Hall where social justice advocates will address the current immigration crisis, followed by a Q&A session. Afterwards, there is a catered reception and Justice Fair, where our Refugee & Immigration Task Force will be tabling with 60 other different organizations working on social justice matters here at home. Click here for poster. Free and open to the public.

Office of International Development Seeks Host Families 
for April 5-20
The IU Office of International Development is seeking host families for students from Myanmar (Burma) who are participating in their Youth Leadership Program, April 5-20. Build lasting cross-cultural relationships for you and your family by opening your home to these exceptional high school students from Myanmar. To learn more or apply, contact Summer Vergiels at svergiel@iu.edu with subject line "MYLP Host Family" or call 812-855-0353 Click here for poster.

Powered by Music: Civil Rights, Peace, and Justice
A Panel Discussion in Honor of Bernstein's Mass, April 6
Join panelists Reverend Bill Breeden (UU minister emeritus), Constance Cook Glen, and Marietta Simpson in a discussion at the Musical Arts Center on Saturday, April 6 at 2:00 p.m. The discussion is co-sponsored by our Racial Justice Task Force, and will be moderated by UU member Stuart Yoak. Click here for poster. Free and open to the public.
  Seeking the Spirit  
Religious Education for Adults
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. 
For more info:  Contact Sarah.
Traditional Taiji on Tuesdays
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.
Gentle Hatha Yoga Class on Tuesdays 
with Kate Mulligan
5:30-7pm Tuesdays, March 26-April 30 in the Library
A gentle hatha yoga practice to balance the mind, body, and spirit.  This 90-minute practice welcomes anyone interested in a gentle, relaxing experience.  Includes: warm up and gentle asanas (yoga poses) for strength, flexibility, and relaxation along with breath work and guided meditation.  Kate holds a 500-hour yoga teacher certificate from the Institute of Holistic Yoga and teaches at Maxwell House Yoga in Bloomington.  Please bring a yoga mat or large size bath towel.  The class is free, but please register by calling or emailing the church office:  office@uubloomington.org or 812-332-3695. 
Open Mind Zen Meets Thursdays at 7:00 pm
Join Frank Seisho Diaz for meditation, talks, and discussions on Zen Buddhism, Thursdays 7:00-8:30 pm, in Room 112 here at the church. All are welcome regardless of faith or experience. 
For more info: Contact Open Mind Zen or visit   openmindzenbloomington.org  
Big Conversations: 
Decentering Cisgender Experience  
Sunday, March 24, 1-2pm, in the Meeting Room
Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT) provides us with a framework of connection, knowing that we grow through our relationships with others. RCT also aims to dismantle toxic power differentials and oppressive cultural structures. Using RCT, we will look at the recent article in UU World Magazine recounting experiences with Transgender individuals and the reaction of the Transgender community to it. How does RCT apply to conversations around de-centering? How does RCT help us listen and understand trans people? How can we shift our narratives to ones that celebrate and welcome trans people, and how can we become a truly welcoming congregation? Join us on Sunday, March 24, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. to explore these questions.
Here is one response to the article, from CB Beal.
Here are tips for talking about the article, from the Transforming Hearts Collective.
Here is a link to our Facebook posting about this meeting.
UU Humanist Forum Meets March 24,  12:45 pm
On Sunday, March 10, at 12:45 pm the UU Humanist Forum will meet in Room 208, after children's Religious Education classes end. A discussion on "Things Twins Taught Us" will be facilitated by Elof Carlson.  The Humanist Forum meets every other Sunday, with a different  discussion topic .
UU Freethinkers Meet March 31 , 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 pm, after children's Religious Education classes end.
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. 

Who Ya Gonna Call?
Click here for a semi-comprehensive list of which UUCB Staff Member to call for various kinds of questions. A staff email directory is included. --Carol Marks, Church Administrator, 812-332-3695, ext 200

New Deadlines for Order of Service and Friday Update Info
Thursdays at 9:00 am
Because we have shifted the rhythm of our work week to hold our weekly staff meeting on Thursdays now, we ask everyone to please send us information for the order of service by 9:00 am on Thursdays. Deadline for info to be included in the Friday Update is also now due by 9:00 am on Thursdays. Please send info to 
admin (at) uubloomington.org.
Contact a Minister

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.
Email: macklin (at) uubloomington.org




 
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. 
For pastoral emergencies, please call Scott at 812-727-0919.

 


Reverend Emily Manvel Leite our Minister of Religious Education,  can be reached at  812-332 -3695 (ext. 207)  on Wednesday and Friday mornings. 
Email: mre (at) uubloomington.org

 

Our Covenant of Right Relations
In June 2017, our members affirmed a Covenant of Right Relations. 
Pertinent Details:
Office hours : M-F, 10 am-4 pm
Calendar: A link to our full church calendar of events can be found on our website.
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. 
Send articles about church matters to Carol Marks   
Upcoming  issues:  April 2, April 16, May 7, May 21.
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 or hearing the service, please email Andy Beargie and Ned Joyner.

Links to Archived Videos of Services to View Online
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. Video of recent services is also found on  Facebook.
Click here to view the most recent Sunday services:     February 24     March 3
Click here to view the archived video of the memorial service for Lloyd Orr on Mar 2.
Membership: 533 certified members; 538 current members.
Attendance: 
Sunday, March 10            9:15 - 84     11:15 - 140     TOTAL: 224      RE: 17  
Sunday, March 17            9:15 - 91     11:15 - 159     TOTAL: 250      RE: 39 

Non-Pledge Offering:    March 10 : $456     March 17: $573  
   Total to be donated (25%) to Spencer Pride: $257.29 
Grocery Card Sales:   (Bloomingfoods, Lucky's Market, or Fresh Thyme)  
March 10: $475       March 17 : $500      Total income to UUCB: $49.25 
D uring the last quarter (October thru December 2018) we received $494.85 from Kroger, with 118 households participating.
Masthead photo from the interwebs.
How to Subscribe: 
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Unitarian Universalist Church