 |
|
Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World
|
|
Sunday, April 12, 2020
10:15 am (one online service only)
The Wisdom of Easter, The Sanctuary of Passover
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, Reverend Emily Manvel Leite,
and other Ministers
What is the wisdom waiting for us within this time of year? How do we understand sanctuary in this new era of living in lockdown? We will explore the stories of Passover and Easter within the framework of the wisdom and sanctuary offered to each of us and the world.
We will be blessed with special music from Carrie
Newcomer, from a remote location. Blessed are we all. Blessed are we all.
Please join us via livestream for this week's service via our Facebook page or our website livestream page. Archived videos are always available on our website, in case you miss the livestream.
Our Building is Closed, but Our Hearts are Still Open. To help disrupt the possible 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.
Everyone please stay safe, stay well, and stay home.
|
Join us for Virtual Coffee Hour!
Last Sunday, 30+ people joined us for our first-ever virtual coffee hour. Thank you to all who tried this for the first time with us! We're going to do it again this Sunday, with some improvements.
Join us via this link
on Sunday after the service, until 12:15 pm. When you click on the link on Sunday, you will enter a "waiting room." The waiting room feature is one way we reduce the possibility of "zoom bombing." Read my article on Zoom security to learn more about this.
Each person will be admitted into Coffee Hour individually and be given choices of breakout rooms, where you can engage in small group conversations. Your patience during the admittance process is appreciated. We hope to make this process faster than last Sunday. Breakout rooms for general discussion, choir members, families with young children, and more will be available. Email me before Sunday, if you would like to request a new breakout room topic and be a host for that room.
If you haven't participated in a Zoom meeting in the past, please take a moment to read our instructions before using it for the first time.
The instructions are available here. 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
|
|
|
|
Hello reader, congregation member, friend.
This musing is being written from my living room where the bulldog is snoring, the chickens are murmuring from their coop just on the other side of our patio, and my spouse, Farmer Phelps, is taking a break from mask-making and rototilling the garden. In an hour I will join Sarah Flint for Monday's UU Bloomington Meditation, for which I am grateful. All of it could seem normal. But then Breaking News flashes across the top of my computer screen. Then I read messages from people on the frontline or people losing jobs or people with nominal food security And then I prepare to join Sarah via Facebook Livestream for meditation, instead of meeting in the church library.
(
And I hope some of you will join us Mondays at noon for UU Bloomington Meditation.
) And then I know there is so much I don't know.
Here's what I do know. I know there is much to integrate as we hear from friends and family who are dealing with COVID-19 or those who are dealing with it themselves. I know that folks in the congregation are still dealing with the joys and sorrows, confusions and clarities of life that would be there with or without COVID-19. Life does not stop. And I know that neither can we. And so our ministry continues through new venues and new ways, but we remain guided by our vision: "Seeking the Spirit. Building Community. Changing the World." I hold so much gratitude for our staff, lay leaders, and all of you who make that guidance possible.
And now I am going to ask a favor of you. Bear with me here. Below are words we offered two weeks ago in worship service. My favor? Please take time to read this blessing out loud, whether by yourself or with others if you have others in your household. Send these words, from my colleague Reverend Lee Paczulla, out into the world while envisioning a great circle of care.
Beatitudes
by Rev. Lee Paczulla
blessed are the elderly, and the immunosuppressed
blessed are the fearful, the anxious and irritable
blessed are the ones who use humor to get by
the ones who could use a vacation anyway
the ones who fear for their life
blessed are the ones who are sick of it:
all the flawed logic, the security theater
blessed are the ones who cry out "this is why we need a safety net! a kinder society! a new world!"
blessed are the health care workers, the administrators catching heat for every decision, the messengers with no power over the message
blessed are the sad, and the lonely
blessed are the healthy and the sick,
the well and the unwell
blessed are all of us just trying to do our best
blessed are those who stay kind and clear, who keep our eyes open to each other
blessed is our neighbor
blessed are we all
blessed are we all
blessed are we all
Blessed are we all. I suggest that these be the last words we speak before going to sleep, or perhaps during those times when we wake in the middle of the night.
Blessed are we all.
Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. And I am sending out a big old virtual hug.
And now, on a practical note, due to the unexpected challenge of creating healthy boundaries with ministry while working from home, a reminder that I am creating a new ritual on my days off (Tuesday and Friday); the new ritual is turning off all electronics on those days because it is too darn tempting for me to get back on and start working. We are blessed, of course, to have a wonderful minister like Reverend Emily Manvel Leite who is on call on those days, Tuesday and Fridays, and is available for Pastoral Emergencies. In addition, also available for pastoral care are our Minister Emerita Reverend Barbara Carlson and Minister Emeritus Reverend Bill Breeden. Blessed are we all.
And now, on a great note of gratitude---within the vast unknowns of this time (including not only health security but wealth security) some of our members have been or will be hit especially hard financially, some who were struggling before will be impacted in ways that are difficult to imagine. Others who were doing fine financially may be challenged in ways not previously experienced. We don't know how or when.
So I want to share with you that I have been contacted by a few members who have indicated that they do not anticipate being impacted monetarily in a catastrophic way at this time. They informed me that they have no need of the anticipated income of $1200 from the government and will be donating it to the church. Some also expressed their commitment to increasing their pledges as budget allows. And so our congregational ship is buoyed by such generosity which we hope will enable us to continue to support the staff, the congregation, and the community to the highest degree possible, as we all do our best to navigate these uncertain waters we now find ourselves in. Steady as she goes. Blessed are we all.
Peace and Love,
MAM
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Senior Minister
macklin (at) uubloomington.org
|
|
|
| Isabella |
|
p.s. For Entertainment Purposes Only: Isabella the possum returns regularly at night to finish off anything our chickens have left outside the coop. Possums are great to have around because of their voracious appetite for ticks. Possums, not ticks, have amazing opposable thumbs which allow them to snag ticks and eat them with little effort. These efficient tick eaters are an important part of our interdependent web of existence, well, unless you are a tick. And that is the scoop from the coop as I, literally, watch Sansa our Plymouth Rock strut by, her black and white feathers fluttering in the wind. It almost seems normal.
|
Emily's Post
Over the past couple of weeks, like most of you, I have been at home and at home and at home. I've been going over to the church only on Sunday morning. I love my home, but it's been hard not to be out in the world, so daily neighborhood walks have been essential to sustaining my spirit. As I walk, I have been enjoying the coming of spring all around--the daffodils and squill, turning to peach blossoms and purple myrtle flowers, and today to the blooming of our bleeding heart. I am so glad that it is spring. As I would have expected, the daily discovery of new blossoms really helps.
What I did not expect was my continuing delight in seeing people as I walk. Crossing the street to maintain social distancing, I am still thrilled to encounter another human being--to encounter
any other human being. These are not mostly people I know, yet my heart lifts when I see their faces--lifts in a way that used to happen only when I saw acquaintances or friends. Right now, it is a blessing to know that there are other three-dimensional people all around me, usually invisible in these days of Indiana's stay at home order, but there--living, breathing, heading to work when it is essential, sanitizing mail and groceries, and calling loved ones just as I am. It reminds me that each of you is there, too.
|
|
|
Emily as a cactus.
|
So I had an idea: I would love to see photos of what you are doing during this time, and I am sure you would love to see one another's faces, too. If you would send your photos to me and to Ned Joyner, one of our media staff members, we will create an occasional slideshow of what is happening in the lives of people in our congregation and will show it for a few minutes before Sunday morning worship. To start us off, the photo to the right is an example of something I've done in these days--my family has been having bi-weekly zoom calls, and my niece in Germany suggested that we could liven up our call yesterday by having a "dress like a cactus" day. Let me know what you think of my effort at cactus--and send along your photos to me and to Ned. Text to 812-333-9822 and 812-344-7635 or email to mre (at)
uubloomington.org and media (at)
uubloomington.org. It would be great to see what you've been up to.
Sending love to each and all of you,
Emily
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Minister of Religious Education
|
|
Bill's Notes
Just a word about our efforts in striving for that "Blessed Community" of which MLK Jr. spoke and for which he gave his life. UUCB is committed to that dream and many of our friends and members are involved in activities toward that end. In this Prologue you will find information on which you can act and be involved even in the midst of a pandemic. We may be quarantined, but we are not helpless. Many of our community's social services need our support now more than ever in light of the federal government's failure of responsibility for those in need. Monroe County United Ministries, Shalom Center, All Options Pregnancy, Wheeler Mission, and others are on the front line of response to those in need, and I encourage our community to be generous in supporting them.
I also want to say that we need to care for ourselves and our own community, and remember that we may not always agree on what must be done, or how it must be done, but we agree on why it must done; because we are a justice seeking, loving community. Let us trust one another, and remember our common commitment to always assume good will, and know that each of us is acting out of best intentions. Together we can make many differences.
Peace--bill
Reverend Bill Breeden
Minister Emeritus
|
|
Caring for Our Community Questionnaire
Thank you to everyone who completed our Caring for Our Community questionnaire last week. It is so important at this time that we stay connected with each other to ensure each other's health and well-being.
If you have not yet completed our online Caring for Our Community questionnaire to let us know how you are doing, please do so here
. We sincerely hope all of you are safe and well.
We will be following up with everyone who has not completed the questionnaire, unless you've otherwise been in contact with us.
--Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
|
|
Do you have an Email Buddy?
During the current circumstances, we cannot send our Prologues out on paper to the couple of dozen folks in our church who do not have easy access to the internet. If you know someone in our congregation who's in this situation, consider being an email buddy for them, and call them on the phone to update them on what's going on. Thanks for helping Build Community!
|
Join our Director of Religious Education on Facebook Live
Our Director of Religious Education, Adrienne Summerlot, will be holding space for children and those young at heart each weekday. We start with a chalice lighting and show and tell (via comments) and then she features a story. The schedule is as follows: Mindful Mondays, Time Turner Tuesdays, Weird, Wild and Wonderful Wednesdays, Tales from Around the World Thursdays and Fun Fridays. Can't join us live? The videos are posted to her page, along with some wondering questions and links to activities and other stories for you to go to when it is convenient.
Her professional Facebook profile is
Dre Bloomington Summerlot
.
|
|
Our Building is Closed. Yes, Really Closed.
So please don't come over.
Even if you have borrowed a key or keycard to our building because of your leadership in our congregation, we ask that you respect the fact that the building is currently closed. Do not enter the church building at this time. This is to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and protect your own health and the health and safety of those staff members and leaders who do need to be in the building to facilitate our Sunday online programming. We are being very careful with sanitizing surfaces inside the building on Sundays and maintaining physical distancing, and we do not have time to wonder whether members of the congregation have been entering the building during the week without our knowledge. So, please--Help us keep providing services to you by staying out of the building for the time being. Protecting your own health and that of your staff and ministers is a good way to help Build Community.
--Carol Marks, Church Administrator
|
Zoom Meeting Reservation Requests to
office (at) uubloomington.org
This week we are moving our Zoom meeting reservation function to the church office, to free up time for our Connections Coordinator, Ann LeDuc. So if you as a group leader would like to reserve one of the church's online Zoom meeting spaces for your task force or Chalice Circle meeting, please contact Monica or Mandy at office (at) uubloomington.org. Please be sure to let us know 5 business days in advance, so we have time to make the reservation and get the Zoom link back to you in time for your meeting.
|
Zoom Security Update
Many of you have contacted me regarding concerns about Zoom security, including concerns about video recording and something called "Zoom Bombing."
We have taken the following precautions to make our Zoom meetings safer:
1. We do not allow recording of our church Zoom meetings. This feature is blocked for all our meetings. If a meeting organizer wants to record their Zoom meeting, they must contact me (Ann LeDuc) and provide written permission from all the meeting's attendees.
2. We do not allow public posting of our meeting links and meeting ID numbers, except for Coffee Hour and our New to UU class, which have additional safety precautions in place.
3. We use unique meeting IDs for each of our meetings. If one of our meetings is zoom bombed, it should not impact our other meetings.
4. For public gatherings such as Virtual Coffee Hour, that require the public posting of meeting links, a meeting host is present in the meeting and additional security measures are taken. Additionally security measures include removing screen sharing abilities in the main meeting room, using the waiting room feature, and the meeting host has the ability to place zoom bombers on hold and remove them from the meeting.
What to do if your meeting is Zoom Bombed: In our small group meetings, the best course of action is for all participants to leave the meeting and notify me at connect(at)
uubloomington.org.
In addition to the precautions we are taking, Zoom has been working hard to put additional security measures in place, and Zoom Bombing is now being considered a federal offense.
Thank you all for your concern and assistance regarding Zoom security. It's wonderful to be part of this community of caring!
-- Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
|
|
Exploring Unitarian Universalism Online!
The Exploring Unitarian Universalism (UU) class will be offered online on April 19 and April 26, 2-4 pm. To register for the class please use this link and register before April 15. 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 at connect(at)uubloomington.org
|
|
The 2020 Auction is Online May 3!
Donation Forms Due April 19
Yes! It's time for the 2020 Annual UUB Fundraising Auction--and nothing is going to stop it. We have had to make some changes to accommodate the isolation protocols, but there are still many ways we can offer our talents and services and raise money for our beloved community. There are still details to be worked out, but here it is so far.
The totally online auction will begin on Sunday, May 3, 2020 and may possibly continue over a few days. Please consider donating talents and/or services that can be provided at a distance. Previous donations that could be delivered online or at a distance are welcome and include: voice lessons, pie crust making lessons, poet and author readings, and yard work. New ideas are encouraged! Click on this link
to start filling out your donation forms, which are due Sunday, April 19th.
Click here for more details.
|
|
Board Members Will be in Touch
about Your 20-21 Pledge
Our at-large UU Board members, Julie Lawson, Jane McLeod, and Sharon Wiseman, will be sending emails soon to those of you who have not yet made a pledge commitment to the congregation for 2020-21 (fiscal year starting July 1, 2020). Our leaders are in the process of creating our budget for the coming year, so it's important for us to know how much you are planning to give. If you would like to make your pledge now instead of waiting to hear from Julie, Jane, or Sharon, you can do so via this
pleasant little online pledge form that Ann LeDuc created for us. Payment of pledges can happen anytime after July 1.
|
Midwest Leadership School
July 12-18, 2020 in Bloomington, Illinois
Update from Midwest Leadership School:
Right now it is hard to predict where our country will be by the time Leadership School starts on July 12th.
We will make the decision about whether we need to cancel the in-person leadership schools by no later than June 1st.
Read more
|
Reminder to watch out for SCAM EMAILS
Please use caution and just delete it if you receive an email claiming to be from the church that asks for your credit card info, or any other unusual request for financial help. Current scammers are using what looks like PayPal, complete with a PayPal logo,to deceive people into thinking they are dealing with our congregation. Yes, we do have a PayPal page, but its use is completely up to you. We created it just for the convenience of the congregation, especially on Sundays when we cannot be together right now. But it's optional. You may continue to make pledge payments and other contributions in exactly the way you always have, just not by bringing them directly to the church! The church's mailing address is UU Church, 2120 N. Fee Ln, Bloomington, IN 47408. --Carol Marks, Ch.Admin.
|
|
Now Accepting Nominations for the 25% Sunday Plate Fund
for July 2020-June 2021 -- Due April 15
Each year our congregation gives 25% of undesignated/non-pledge Sunday Plate donations to a local project or service agency. In the spring the Social Justice Funds Committee accepts nominees for the upcoming fiscal year. This year's nominations are due by April 15. Contact Denise Ogren, SJFC Chair, at uucbsjfunds@uubloomington.org with any questions.
The Social Justice Funds Committee: Denise Ogren, Anna Beauchamp, Steve Mascari. Advisor: Jackie Hall.
|
|
From our Reproductive Justice Task Force:
Because of COVID-19, the number of families seeking support from diaper bank programs throughout the country has skyrocketed. Help the Reproductive Justice Task Force address the increased community need with the April Diaper Drive for All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center. It's simple to donate from the above link, allowing All-Options to buy diapers in bulk in the sizes they need. Their shelves are bare! Help keep our families strong!
Now more than ever, the need is there to support women in their ability to access safe abortion care. The
Hoosier Abortion Fund is the only statewide abortion fund in Indiana.
Join the Reproductive Justice Task Force in the April community-wide fundraiser to show up for Hoosier women.
|
Helping with the Grounds This Spring
Need to spend some (socially-distanced) time outdoors? Our grounds could use people or family units to work in designated areas this spring and summer. Visit the
Green Grounds page (which is at
www.uubloomington.org under Social Justice, Green Sanctuary Task Force, Green Grounds) to see the areas we have defined.
If you are able to help, please contact Molly O'Donnell at
mollysod(at)gmail.com or 812-345-7399 to select an area, set up a time (e.g. one-time or a range of time) when you could maintain that area and to schedule your work in this social-distancing period so no one is exposing anyone else.
And please use only your own tools during this period.
Keep in mind that if you are planning to do grounds work at church, our building is closed and the restrooms are not available, even if you happen to have borrowed a key to the building. Please do not enter the building, for your safety and the health and well-being of our ministers and staff. Thanks!
|
From the UU Homelessness Task Force and Hunger Task Force
April Food Drives (and other needs)
Through April 30, we are collecting items for Shalom Community Center and The Nest. Our building is closed, but we have placed collection bins outside the building, under the northside porch near the Portico Entrance. Simply drive up and drop off - we are collecting donations from these bins daily.
|
Faith Climate Action Week, April 17-26:
Watch The Human Element online for free
Then Meet via Zoom on May 3 to Discuss
Earth Vision Institute
, founded by photographer and scientist James Balog, is providing a link to view his feature film,
The Human Element
, for free online during Faith Climate Action Week--April 17 through 26--to members of Interfaith Power & Light (IPL) congregations.
"
With rare compassion and heart, The Human Element relays captivating stories from coast-to-coast, inspiring us to reevaluate our relationship with the natural world."
To watch the film during ILP's Action Week,
sign up here to receive the link (scroll down to the bottom for the sign up button).
As IPL states, "During this time, it is important that we provide opportunities for connection and community. We hope that this online film screening will leave people feeling inspired to continue their advocacy on climate change and connected to the faith climate action movement."
Please contact Molly O'Donnell at mollysod (@) gmail.com if you would like to join our congregation's discussion of the film via Zoom on Sunday May 3rd. (Time to be determined.)
|
Community Connections
Our Faith in Action in the Community
Virtual Buddies at Stone Belt
Stone Belt is looking for volunteers who are willing to be Virtual Buddies with their clients. If you are interested in connecting with a Stone Belt client via video conference or phone, please contact: Rev. Sarah McKenney at smckenney (at) stonebelt.org.
IU Health Virtual Visits Available
IU Health has created a way for you to visit with a doctor online if you are ill, to help disrupt the community spread of the coronavirus by limiting the number of people who need to visit a doctor's office or the emergency room. Click here for more info.
|
Religious Education for Adults
|
Shambhala Meditation Mondays at 12 noon
online only
|
Open Mind Zen May Meet Online Mondays at 7:00 pm
We are in touch with Frank Seisho Diaz and hope that an online version of Open Mind Zen will be available soon. We'll let you know where to look for this.
|
Gentle Hatha Yoga Not Meeting on Tuesdays
Gentle Hatha Yoga practice to balance the mind, body, and spirit will not be happening on Tuesdays at church for the time being.
|
Traditional Taiji Not Meeting Tuesdays
For the time being, "Wu (Hao)" style Taiji will not be meeting on Tuesdays. For more info:
Contact Brian.
|
UU Humanist Forum and Freethinkers Meeting Online
Each Sunday at 12:30 p.m., our UU Humanists and Freethinkers meet online on Zoom for
open and non-structured discussion of issues of social, political, and theological/religious concern.
Click here to see upcoming topics. Email
Ann Watzel if you would like to join the discussion.
|
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, our Senior Minister
can be reached at macklin (at) uubloomington.org or 812-322-0205.
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite,
our Minister of Religious Education,
can be reached at mre (at) uubloomington.org or 812-333-9822.
Reverend Barbara Carlson, our Minister Emerita, can be reached at barbaracarlson5 (at) gmail.com or 812-822-0243
.
Reverend Bill Breeden, our Minister Emeritus, can be reached at breeden1949 (at) gmail.com or 812-360-1779.
The offices are closed, but we are working from home
We will be regularly checking email during business hours, as we work from home for the time being.
Carol Marks, Church Administrator, admin (at) uubloomington.org
Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator, connect (at) uubloomington.org
Monica Overman and Mandy Skinner, Office Assistants, office (at) uubloomington.org
Ned Joyner and Andy Beargie, Multimedia Managers, media (at) uubloomington.org
Adrienne Summerlot, Director of Religious Education, dre (at) uubloomington.org
Stephanie Kimball, Religious Ed Assistant, rea (at) uubloomington.org
What's up with email addresses that look like this?
somebody (at) domain.org???
We are trying to fool the evil robots that collect (steal) email addresses off our publications on the interwebs and then send us stupid bogus false emails impersonating our minister, and asking for gift cards.
The robots look for this symbol: @ So that is why we are not using it in our email addresses in The Prologue. When you send us an email, just substitute @ for the (at) and all will be well.
|
|
Our Covenant of Right Relations
In June 2017, our members affirmed a Covenant of Right Relations.
|
|
--------------
Deadlines for Publications
-------------
Order of service and Friday UU Update:
Thursday, 9 am, to office@uubloomington.org
Prologue:
Date of publication, 10 am, to admin@uubloomington.org
--------------------------------------------------------------
|
Office hours
: M-F, 10 am-4 pm (office closed, but staff working from home during these hrs)
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:
Apr 21, May 5, May 19
|
Possible Pet Adoption Opportunity
A member of our congregation, Betty Laird, is seeking someone who would be willing to permanently adopt her 8 year old cat if she becomes unable to care for it. Prefers a home without other pets. Betty's email:
blaird4313(at)sbcglobal.net
|
|
People Livestreaming at Home Sending Best Wishes
Thank you so much for church today! One of the little gifts of this difficult time is that our daughter watches the whole service with us now. It was pretty awesome to grunt at Bill's truths and hear Z grunting at the same time :)
Sending you all love, from the Schraders
Martha Sattinger livestreams from home, April 5, 2020.
|
|
Livestreaming Our Sunday Service, 10:15 am
Have a problem viewing or hearing the service?
Links to Archived Services to View Online
- Or, scroll down on our main Livestream Page
for full archives of both services and other events (memorials, concerts, etc).
|
|
Membership: 527 certified members; 545 current members.
Attendance:
Sunday, March 22 10:15 Livestream page: 138 Facebook Live: 132 total 270
Sunday, March 29 10:15 Livestream page: 103 Facebook Live: 123 total 226
Sunday, April 5 10:15 Livestream page: 172 Facebook Live: 128 total 300
Non-Pledge Offering:
March 22: $117 March 29: $825 April 5: $1190
Total to be donated (25%) to Volunteers in Medicine (HealthNet): $533
Grocery Card Sales:
(Bloomingfoods or Fresh Thyme) $0.00
During the last quarter (October thru December 2019) we received $446.72 from Kroger, with 134 UU households participating with their Kroger Plus accounts.
|
Masthead photo by John Woodcock.
|
| Unitarian Universalist Church
|
|
|
|
|
|
