January 22, 2021
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, IN
This Sunday's Service
Sunday, January 24, 2021
10:15 am Livestream
Trauma Stewardship and the Tao of Pooh
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Reverend Dave Clements
We will remember a time when Piglet was completely surrounded by water and how Piglet survived that flood. Within this framework we will explore the ongoing waves of trauma as a result of COVID-19, Threats to our Democracy, and Climate Change. We are inviting Pooh and the Tao Te Ching to help us find peace, purpose, and a sense of steadfast grounding in our lives again.

Feel free to have a pot of honey nearby for this virtual service. Special music will be offered by musical artist Janiece Jaffe and pianist Ray Fellman.
If you miss the livestream, you can view archived videos on our website.
Sunday, January 31, 2021
Annual Science Sermon for 2021
Ents Don't Die, They Just Become More Treeish
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite

In her annual science review sermon, Reverend Macklin will explore highlights and discoveries in various areas of science from 2020, including human origins, environment, physics, math, astronomy, brain, and technology. In other words, she will not spend much time on COVID-19.

However, a gracious nod will be given to The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien, particularly the Ents, even more particularly the Entwives. Like the Ents, the Entwives looked after the growing things of Middle-earth.
Early Bird Coffee Hour at 9:15 am
Bring your coffee and join us at 9:15 AM to relax with friends and enjoy your coffee before the service. Click on this link to register for the early bird coffee hour and receive the Zoom link.
Connect with our UU Community during Virtual Coffee Hour
Everyone is welcome to join us after the worship service, until 12:30 pm, for engaging conversation in Virtual Coffee Hour. 

This Sunday's breakout rooms will include:
  • Gardeners Gathering
  • Choir
  • Hundred Acre Woods for all ages
  • General Discussion
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION UPDATES
Join Adrienne this Sunday, January 24th at 11:30 am in our family breakout room during coffee hour. We will share some of our favorite things about Winnie the Pooh and The Hundred Acre Woods.   

Join Reverend Emily via Zoom this Tuesday, January 26th at 10:00 am for UU Home, an opportunity to connect with parents and find support. 
We also invite you to re-visit the Religious Education Programs we are offering. Learn more about UU Home, Practicing Our Promises, Anti-Racist Families, and Youth Group, and request to join: Children and Youth Programming for the whole family!
UU Singles - Tonight! Friday, January 22, 6 pm
We are a group of single adults within the UU Bloomington community who meet occasionally for various kinds of connective events. We'd love to have you join us! We are meeting tonight over Zoom:
* 6 to 6:30 pm, happy hour, introductions, and check-ins
* 6:30 to 7:30 pm, conversation with prompts
If you are not already on the UU singles e-mail list (where the Zoom link is published), email mariedeer1961(at)gmail.com or call 812-391-0900.
Gardeners Unite!
This Sunday during Virtual Coffee Hour all types and levels of gardeners are invited to gather in a special breakout room for Gardeners. This is a great opportunity to learn from other gardeners, and share your gardening experiences. Join the fun following the service on Sunday (~11:20 am to 12:30 pm). Use this link to enter Virtual Coffee Hour after the service. -- Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator 
UU Humanist Forum meets January 24, 12:45 pm
The UU Humanist Forum will meet this Sunday at 12:45 p.m. via Zoom. Sandy Dolby will lead a discussion on "Will the Circle Be Unbroken--the afterlife?" Contact Harold Ogren, ogrenh (at) gmail.com to get the link to the Zoom meeting.
Celebrate an Important Balloon!
Mark the Dates for this Fundraiser --
January 29 and February 5, 6:30 pm
An important balloon? We are paying off the mortgage on our building! MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Friday, January 29 at 6:30 pm and Friday, February 5 at 6:30 pm for two inspiring livestreamed performances, followed by discussion on Zoom.

Of the $30,000 goal for this fundraiser, 10% will go to social justice work outside our congregation. One recipient will be New Leaf-New Life, which supports individuals during incarceration and those in transition back into the community. The other is Spencer Pride, whose mission is to make Indiana a more welcoming place for ALL people.

If you wish, you may make a contribution now instead of later to support this fundraiser. Click here and choose “Balloon Mortgage Payment” in the dropdown list. You may also mail a check for this purpose if you prefer. Enclose a note with it to let us know it is for “Balloon Mortgage Payment” and mail to UU Church, PO Box 1158, Nashville, IN 47448-1158.
Congregational Read in February -- Sign up now!
Beginning in February, we will embark on a congregational read of Isabel Wilkerson’s book, Caste: The Origins of our Discontents. Facilitated discussion groups and writing groups will offer the opportunity to learn from this important book and from each other. Or, if you prefer, self-organize a group with other UUs, or read independently. Sign up here if you will be participating in the congregational read - with a group or on your own. The book order will be finalized on Friday, January 29th. 
Women's Alliance Meeting: UUs Are Funny People
Thursday, February 4, 11:30 am
The Women's Alliance will meet on Zoom on Thursday, February 4 at 11:30 am. Come hear Sharon and Dan Wiseman share from their collection of the funny aspects of being a UU. They have gathered UU songs, rituals, and some of the quirky aspects of our faith to share. The material comes from their 30 years as UUs and from worship services they have led. Dan and Sharon are both IU grads, but have a house divided, as Dan also has a degree from Purdue. All are welcome. If you are a newcomer, please contact Doris Wittenburg to receive the Zoom link for the meeting: dwittenb(at)indiana.edu.
Visit with the Connections Coordinator every Friday at 3:30 pm
Join the Connections Coordinator, Ann LeDuc, on Zoom every Friday. Ask your questions, or just visit. 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 Friday afternoons, 3:30-4:30 pm.
Writing as a Spiritual Practice, with Rev. Barbara Child
A Drop-in Group on Zoom
Tuesdays 1-2 pm, through February 23 
I invite you to come along on this journey of personal exploration through writing in community. You are welcome to attend any or all sessions. Click here for a full description of how the group works. Register by clicking here to get the Zoom link. 
Openings in Chalice Circles
There are currently still a few openings in Chalice Circles, meeting on Zoom through May 2021, at the following times:
  • First and Third Mondays of each month, 7-9 pm
  • Second Monday of each month, 2-4 pm
  • Third Thursday of each month, 7-9 pm
  • First Friday of each month, 7-9 pm
If you are interested in joining one of these groups, email Anne Haynes or call 812-360-2619. Learn more here.
COVID-19 Vaccination is now available to those 70 and older
On Wednesday the state of Indiana opened COVID vaccination to those age 70 and older. Visit this website for all the facts. To register, go to this website and choose your vaccination location:
Help Keep Beacon Winter Shelter Open
When people experiencing homelessness were evicted from their communal campground, Beacon, Shalom, and a concerned Bloomington community quickly came together to create the Beacon Winter Shelter. Now it's up to us to keep it open. Click here for information about how you can help. Please note: If you are writing a check, make it payable to "Beacon, Inc." and mail it to the address provided in the flyer. This is not a fundraiser for our Homeless task force, but an encouragement for people to support the shelter directly.
Help Feed Our Hungry Neighbors Task Force
Collecting Kitchen Items for New Hope for Families
For JANUARY & FEBRUARY our food drive will focus on New Hope for Families. We often think of food for those in need, but we overlook kitchen items that enable people to COOK the food. For a list of needed items, click here.
Deadline for submissions to the Order of service and Friday UU Update
Thursday, 9 am, to office (at) uubloomington.org
Masthead photo by John Woodcock.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Mailing address during covid:
UU Church, PO Box 1158,
Nashville, Indiana 47448-1158