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Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World
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Friday, August 7, 2020
1:00 pm LIVE STREAM ONLY
Celebration of Life for Caroline Beebe
Reverend Bill Breeden
Our sympathy and thoughts of healing go out to the family and friends of longtime member Caroline Beebe, who died on August 1. A livestreamed service in celebration of her life will take place on Friday, August 7 at 1:00 p.m.
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Sunday, August 9, 2020
10:15 am LIVE STREAM ONLY
Forgive Us for We Know Not What We Have Done
Reverend Bill Breeden
Our dreams of tomorrow arise out of our yesterdays.
The service will include a Social Justice moment with David Keppel of the Just Peace Task Force.
Also, join our Director of Religious Education, Adrienne Summerlot, for our annual Back to School Blessings ritual during our Time for All Ages, this Sunday during service. Please have your charms handy for the ritual. If you did not receive a charm, and would like one, please contact Adrienne directly, dre (at) uubloomington.org.
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Please Join Us Via Livestream
Please join us for our service each Sunday via our Facebook page or our website livestream page. Archived videos are available about 3 hours after the airing of each livestream on our website, in case you miss the livestream while it's live.
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 Board of Directors has voted to close the building for the time being. Everyone please stay safe, stay well, and stay home as much as possible.
Our Board will review the situation concerning our building closure and the progress of the pandemic at their Board meeting each month, and will keep us updated on their decisions.
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Join us for Virtual Coffee Hour!
Read the Friday Update for the complete list of Coffee Hour breakout room topics.
Email connect(at) uubloomington.org before Saturday, if you would like to request a conversation topic and be a small group conversation host. - -Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
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Are You New Here?
-- Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
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MAM's Musings
July 30th, 2020
I write this as I prepare to be away from church-life for the month of August. I am sorry that this comes at a time when we seem to be at an economic tipping point in our country--in nautical metaphor, yet another wave(s) over the bow, perhaps over the ship. My guess is that we will know a lot more about the implications of current economic change in the next two months, August and September. I have been in conversation with our Board and financial lay leaders regarding possible course corrections for the Good Ship UUCB, if needed. As the saying goes, hope for the best and plan for the worst. Mainly, allow love to be our guide, keeping all in our hearts and prayers.
In these times of pandemic and ongoing change, I leave you with two quotes from Mother Jones and an invitation from Laurie Garrett. MJ: " Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living." "Sit down and read. Educate yourself for the coming conflicts." LG: At the end of her podcast with Michael Moore , science journalist Laurie Garrett invites us to consider our gifts and skill-sets then talk to others with similar gifts asking, "What can we re-imagine now, when we are hunkered down due to the virus, for society after Covid19 which our particular gifts could address?" What needs changing in our area to benefit society in new ways? Artists are doing this now out of desperation. Locally, look at the way theater companies are reimagining theater (BPP, Cardinal, etc). Acknowledge your gifts and wonder together---what can we imagine for a more humane, meaningful and justice-centered world. I look forward to sharing with some of you on the evening of September 30th about this podcast. Until September, steady as she goes.
Fair Winds and Following Seas,
The Very Grateful Reverend Mary Ann Macklin (MAM)
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Emily's Post
Dear Ones,
As we enter into August and begin exploring the theme of "wonder" together, I am reminded of our first source as Unitarian Universalists: "Direct experience of that transcendent mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces that create and uphold life." I'm not sure I entirely agree with each of these words--for instance, I no longer think that the word transcendent is essential. I can be equally renewed through the mystery and wonder of the everyday. But I do believe that in this time of pandemic, systemic racial inequity, financial instability, corrupt national leadership, and stressful decisions around formerly simple choices (schooling, socializing, food sources, and so many others), we long for, and can be sustained by, direct experiences of wonder. In these summer days, I hope we will find time to identify places of wonder arising in our lives, and will allow it to seep in, like water in our gardens, to create and uphold our lives. As Reverend Mary Ann announced in July, we are gathering photos during each month that illustrate people's connections to the monthly theme for a congregational slideshow that will be shared on the final Sunday. So--please seek out and photograph yourself with things that fill you with wonder this month. To get your creative minds going, here are a few recent moments of wonder in my life: -the awesome power of the rainstorm yesterday -the feeling of real connection in a zoom gathering where I allowed my authentic self to show up -finding myself using the word "mugwort" in a game of Bananagrams and the ongoing thrill of my recently-acquired ability to make bagels. (See photo above!) Make sure YOU are in the photo--we want to see your faces as well as your wonders--and send them along to media (at) uubloomington.org and mre (at) uubloomington.org. I cannot wait to learn about what you discover! Sending many wonders and blessings for your month, Emily Reverend Emily Manvel Leite Minister of Congregional Life and Religious Education
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September Happenings in Religious Education for Children, Youth and Families
ORIENTATION ON ZOOM, AUG 5, 7, AND 8!
Many of you are wondering what's happening in Religious Education for Children, Youth, and Families come September. We are glad you asked! We are going to offer some new and different programming and would LOVE for you to learn more about UU Home, Anti-Racist Families, and Practicing Our Principles.
Please SIGN UP for one of our Family Orientation for Religious Education talks THIS WEEK! August 5th, 7th or 8th!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e094dafaa2e5-family
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WonderfUUl Families
Tools for Spiritual Practice at Home
We invite you to join us this August to participate in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington's WonderfUUl Families program! WonderfUUl Families has a mission: to provide your whole family, regardless of age, with fun UU crafts and activities to do together, each of which will become a tool for spiritual practice in your home. This is always a good idea, but never more so than now. We can "do church" and be UU anywhere! Click here to learn more . Join us on Sundays during Fellowship Hour to show and share about your experience in the WonderfUUl Families breakout room! --Adrienne Summerlot, Director of Religious Education, dre (at) uubloomington.org and Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
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Testimonial:
WonderfUUl Families Kit is Really Special
Dear Adrienne, Emily, and Stephanie, Thank you so much for the RE WonderfUUl Families kit you so thoughtfully prepared for our family. Our kindergarten daughter was thrilled to receive it and could hardly wait to do the first lesson this morning. She wrote it on the calendar and was ready. She felt so special and connected getting to take things out of the bag and to follow along with the stories and songs and activities. Her chalice looks fantastic. And you should have seen her stretching up and scrunching down for the first mini sabbath. The demonstration on how much you can do in a minute has really hit home with her. Throughout the hour we set aside, I could just see joy beaming from her. I was curious how well this would engage her. But, at least this first one, is way above my expectations.
This is really special. I can't thank you enough. Thank you thank you thank you. We are looking forward to the next one.
-Scott Hyslop
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From the Board of Directors:
New Growth in Our Ministerial Team
The Board and Reverend Macklin and Reverend Leite sent a letter yesterday to everyone announcing new growth in our ministerial team that will help us move through the year ahead. The budget passed by our membership for the current year includes funds to provide additional ministerial services and help us build community following the resignation of our associate minister in early 2020, and we are happy to announce that Reverend Dave Clements has agreed to serve our congregation as Interim Ministry Consultant, September 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. Reverend Clements has a strong background in leadership and organizational development. His ministerial experience has focused on congregational transition. In his own words: "I believe that one of the gifts that an Interim Minister can give to a congregation is that of engagement.... My role as an Interim Minister is to assist the congregation in visioning what, where and how they want to be." To read more about Reverend Clements, click here.
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Our Folks...
Our sympathy and thoughts of healing go out to the family and friends of longtime member Caroline Beebe, who died on August 1. A livestream-only memorial service for Caroline will be available at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7, on our livestream page. Reverend Bill Breeden will officiate.
Jerry Nees, of our congregation, died this past February. Because of Covid19, his family has decided to have a virtual gathering featuring Ut Haus, the jazz band he played with for many years, to honor him. If you would like to join this virtual gathering on Sunday, September 27th, at 7:00 p.m. EDT, please contact Bess and Tom Bee by August 15th to receive information about a slideshow for the event.
Carol Hill Marks sends her deepest thanks to the congregation for their kindnesses and thoughtful cards, on the recent passing of her father, Rev. Charles Hill.
Congratulations and many blessings to Naomi Lawlis, who turned 100 years old on August 2. Her neighbors made her an excellent banner!
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Welcome to Our Newest Members!
On Sunday, August 2, we welcomed six new members into our congregation. They are Brian Hathaway, Sylvia McNair, Steve Pock, Rich Roland, Raymond Sage, and Samantha Sieloff. Please give them a warm welcome! Below are a few bios to help you get to know them better. Additional new member bios will be printed in the August 18 Prologue. As of August 2, we now have a total of 562 members.
--- Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
Richard Roland (Rich) was born and raised in New York, NY where he enjoyed a rewarding and successful career as an actor. He received his MFA in Directing from Penn State and now heads the Musical Theatre Program at IU. He and his husband Raymond met in rehearsals for a national tour and have been together for 21 years. They have two Labs: Finn and Millie. Rich's therapeutic activity is gourmet cooking. He looks forward to his involvement with the UU Bloomington community! Raymond Sage is a native Texan via New York City, now State College PA and Bloomington IN. Raymond heads the graduate programs in Musical Theatre Voice Pedagogy and a member of the voice faculty at Penn State University where he has been on faculty for 16 years. He spends most of his free time traveling from PA to IN. Raymond writes, "As you can imagine, teaching remotely for me has been one of the best things to happen in quite a while. My husband Rich and I look forward to being involved in a loving group of people who are making a difference in the community and the world."
Samantha Sieloff and her husband, Brian Hathaway, moved back to Bloomington from New York in January. Samantha works for Kelley in graduate alumni relations and previously worked in brand management at Colgate-Palmolive and Weleda. Brian is a doctoral candidate at the University of Pennsylvania studying business ethics and management. They are both Kelley MBA alumni who have since added a son (Simon, 2) and four cats to the family. They are excited to welcome a daughter into the world in October and grateful to be part of the UU community!
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Women's Alliance Meeting
Thursday, August 6, 11:30 a.m., via Zoom
We are excited to announce the continuation Women's Alliance meetings on the first Thursday of each month, now via Zoom. We expect the meetings to occur this way through May 2021, so please put the dates on your calendar. To receive the link to join the meeting, contact Ann Watzel at awatzel (at) gmail.com.
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Upcoming UU Singles Events
We are a group of single adults within the UU Bloomington community who meet occasionally for various kinds of connective events as a group. We'd love to have you join us! The following events will take place over Zoom:
- Friday evening, August 7:
* 6 p.m. Happy Hour
* 7 p.m. Conversation with Prompts
- Friday evening, August 14:
* 6 p.m. Happy Hour
* 7 p.m. Communal Dramatic Play Reading
- Friday evening, August 21:
* 6 p.m. Happy Hour
* 7 p.m. Game Night
- Friday evening, August 28:
* 6 p.m. Happy Hour
* 7 p.m. We Heart Art! Bring a painting to share and discuss!
If you are not already on the UU singles e-mail list, please contact mariedeer1961(at) gmail.com or 812-391-0900.
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Wednesday Walkers, at a Distance
Here's a photo of our Wednesday Walkers group, who are creatively walking separately at the same time, and sharing that experience on Zoom each Wednesday. Contact office (at) uubloomington.org if you would like to be a part of this group at a distance! (smiley face)
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Ask your questions via Zoom on Fridays!
Do you have questions about how to get involved at the church, become a member, or other questions related to the church? Ask the Connections Coordinator your questions every Friday, 1:00-2:00 p.m., via Zoom. Newcomers and current congregation members are all welcome to drop-in. Additional ways to contact Ann are via email at connect(at) uubloomington.org or phone at (812) 720-3688. Use this link to drop-in and talk to Ann on Fridays, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
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Holiday Bazaar 2020--Plans Afoot!
The Bazaar Committee is making plans for an on-line Bazaar. We're still tossing around ideas of how to make the Bazaar fun, inclusive and profitable. If you would like to be involved in planning and putting on the Bazaar this fall, please contact Ruellen Fessenbecker, rfessenb (at) indiana.edu. Skills needed include computing skills and non-computing organizational skills. Other opportunities for baking, donating and delivery of purchased items will be needed later this fall. Also don't forget to make an extra jar of your garden surplus for us. We want jams, chutneys, pickles and all those good things.
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Persimmon Trees and Their Bounty
The Bazaar Committee will be collecting and processing persimmon pulp when the persimmons drop this fall. If you have a persimmon tree but don't want to pick up the persimmons, we can help each other. If you enjoy picking up persimmons you are also needed. Contact Ruellen Fessenbecker rfessenb (at) indiana.edu |
HealthNet, formerly Volunteers in Medicine, Sends Thanks
Nancy Richman of HealthNet recently wrote to thank our congregation for the 25% of Sunday Plate contributions that we donated to them during 2019-20. The total amount we provided was $8,321. Please click here to read Nancy's letter. Our new 25% of Sunday Plate Fund recipient for 2020-21 is Monroe County United Ministries.
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Thanks from Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County
Thanks to everyone at the Unitarian Universalist Church for your recent grant of $2,707.00 for the purchase of protective supplies for Habitat volunteers and staff. This funding could not come at a better time--as Habitat has restarted activities with a commitment to the health and wellbeing of Habitat employees, volunteers, and supporters, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) remains vital to our ability to continue moving forward safely. Due to COVID-19 health and safety concerns Habitat has been phasing the return of volunteers to ReStore operations and Habitat construction sites. Because of your support, we have been able to provide supplies and equipment to keep build sites and the retail environment safe for all staff, families, and volunteers. Here's a picture of staff and our volunteer crew leaders sporting masks purchased with this funding... Even though you can't see it, be assured that all are smiling widely! We are so excited to be building again in partnership with families in our community, and it is so meaningful for the Unitarian Universalist Church to be keeping the Habitat family safe. (This grant was made possible by the UU Special Purposes Fund.--Ed.)
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Mail Forwarding and Gifts to the Congregation
from Financial Institutions and
Charitable Gift Funds
Because our building is currently closed, there may be difficulties with our receiving gifts you may have requested from certain financial institutions like Fidelity or Vanguard or charitable gift funds. This is because they do not permit the U.S. Postal Service to forward such gifts. We are having the church mail forwarded, so this could be creating a problem in some cases. If you have encountered this, please contact admin(at)uubloomington.org or Monica at office(at)uubloomington.org for assistance. (We are receiving pledge checks generated by your bank as usual, if you happen to make your contributions that way!) --Carol Marks, Church Administrator
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Community Connections
Our Faith in Action in the Community
Bloomington Hospital Site Redevelopment Forum August 6
The Equity Journey--A Training Offered by League of Women Voters Access Available Until August 15
Social equity is a challenging topic that many are examining--some for the first time. The League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County (LWV-BMC) is offering UU members and its newsletter readership the opportunity to participate in an Equity Training course as part of a U.S. League of Women Voters initiative. The 3-module program is free and available to us online, but access to the program will end by August 15. So please consider if this journey is for you!
The online journey will take about 9-12 hours and is designed to help you:
- Enhance your understanding of equity and bias.
- Gain awareness of the structural/systemic barriers that hinder equity.
- Develop a deeper understanding of how advancing equity can increase the effectiveness of your involvement with others and your community.
Hand Sanitizer Fundraiser for Cub Scouts Cub Scout Pack 136 from Marlin Elementary is selling local Cardinal Spirits hand sanitizer as a fundraiser. The cost is $30 for a gallon (below the cost Cardinal is selling it for) and $7.50 per bottle goes to the Pack. We can deliver :) Please contact marlinpack136 (at) gmail.com with questions or to order. Thanks for your support! (Monica and Jim Overman bought some of this, and it works fine; it's pretty fluid, so works best in a spray bottle.) |
Shambhala Meditation Online on Mondays
Every Monday at noon online, or anytime since there are saved sessions. Join a 2500-year-old practice of cultivating peace and inner wisdom. We've maintained our practice during the Pandemic, since finding peace is even trickier now, on Facebook at UU Bloomington Meditation. Put in your request to join the group ahead of time to sit in real time with folks from our community. Info, contact Sarah Flint, sflint.ktv (at) gmail.com
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Open Mind Zen Online
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Open Mind Zen Indiana is currently holding all meetings online. For information on how to participate, please contact them at through their contact page. For more info, visit openmindzenbloomington.org.
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UU Humanist Forum Meets August 9, 12:45 p.m.
On Sunday, August 9, at 12:45 pm the UU Humanist Forum will meet via Zoom. Elof Carlson will facilitate a discussion on "Smear tactics when discussing human differences."
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UU Freethinkers Meet August 16, 12:45 p.m. on Zoom
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Free Money from Kroger
Fresh Thyme and Bloomingfoods Cards Also Available by Mail
Did you know that Kroger sends us over $1,600 each year? This is made possible by those of you who participate in Kroger's Community Rewards program. Register your Kroger Plus card online at this link and select the UU Church as the recipient -- our ID number for the program is EW763. We received over $450 from Kroger for this program on August 2!
We are also still selling grocery cards for Bloomingfoods and Fresh Thyme. Click here to see what kind of cards and how many are currently available. Send your check to the church (2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington, IN 47408; payable to UU Church) with a note to let us know the type and value of card(s) you want, and we will mail them to you.
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Frequently Asked Questions--
answered by your church administrator,
Carol Marks.
Where Do I Mail My Pledge Checks?
Pledge checks and other donation checks can be mailed to the church at UU Church, 2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington, IN 47408. The Postal Service (bless their hearts) is forwarding the church's mail. Please don't leave your pledge checks in the physical mailbox at 2120, because we are hardly ever there. You may also make such contributions with a credit card, using our Paypal page: http://bit.ly/UUCBdonate
Is the Church Building Open?
No, our building is still closed and services are livestreamed only. The UU Board of Directors reviews this decision monthly, and they will keep us posted when this changes.
How Do I Call the Church Administrator?
You can call or text Carol Marks, our Church Administrator, at her new mobile office phone, 812-287-9615, during regular office hours, M-F, 10-4. She also reads email every weekday, admin (at) uubloomington.org. Because of the pandemic, like the rest of our staff, Carol is continuing to work from home.
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Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, our Senior Minister
will be away from the office until September 1.
She is not available during August.
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite, our Minister of Congregational Life & Religious Education
is reachable at mre (at) uubloomington.org or 812-333-9822, Tuesdays through Fridays.
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.
Carol Marks, Church Administrator, admin (at) uubloomington.org or mobile 812-287-9615
Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator, connect (at) uubloomington.org, 812-720-3688
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
Susan Swaney, Music Director, music (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 -------------
Order of service and Friday UU Update:
Thursday, 9 am, to office(at)uubloomington.org
Prologue: Date of publication, 10 am, to admin(at)uubloomington.org
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Office hours: M-F, 10 am-4 pm (office closed at church, but staff working from home during these hrs)
Church Administrator Carol Marks can be reached via text or voicemail during office hours at 812-287-9615. Email: admin (at) uubloomington.org
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: August 18, September 1, September 15, October 6
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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).
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Membership: 527 certified members; 562 current members.
Attendance:
Sunday, July 26 10:15 238 Livestream & Facebook Live
Sunday, August 2 10:15 183 Livestream & Facebook Live
Non-Pledge Offering:
July 26: $223
August 2: $345
To make a contribution for the Non-Pledge Offering (Sunday Plate), or to make a payment towards your pledge or the Minister's Discretionary Fund, click on this link to get to our PayPal page: http://bit.ly/UUCBdonate
Total to be donated (25%) to Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM) Compass Early Learning Center and Self-Sufficiency Center.: $142.00
Grocery Card Sales: (Bloomingfoods or Fresh Thyme) -- $400
Total income to UUCB: $20
We have grocery cards available by mail. Please see related article in this issue, above.
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Masthead photo by Marcia Hart "Pollinator at work".
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| Unitarian Universalist Church
2120 N. Fee Lane Bloomington, IN 47408
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