Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana |
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IMPORTANT Update from NEST Working Group
Updated Pandemic Guidelines
The NEST (Next Steps in Transition) Working Group continues to work to ensure the safety of our congregation, staff, and ministers during the pandemic. Here is an update from NEST.
Our current building status is RESTRICTED ACCESS, which is defined below.
- Our building is now closed.
- Small groups of 5 or fewer may meet in the church building, with advance notice, if their work cannot be accomplished elsewhere.
- Ministers, staff, and a few Board members have some access to the building.
As the Covid situation changes, the NEST Working Group continuously works to stay abreast of the changes and reevaluate applicable safety protocols.
If you have questions about the work of NEST, please email Jane McLeod, jmcleod (at) indiana.edu. |
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Join us tonight for a Grounds Work Party!
You are invited to join us tonight, August 13, 5-8 pm to enjoy conversation, community, and a little sprucing up of the church grounds. There are tasks for every ability level! Staying the entire time is not required, just come for as long as you are able. Hope to see you there!
The Green Grounds Leadership Group:
Janice Bagwell, Mike Drescher, Georgia Emmert,
Anne Haynes, Ann Kamman, and Bill Lonnberg
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Sunday, August 15, 2021
10:15 am Livestream
The Journey Matters More Than the Destination
Reverend Dave Clements
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
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The meaning of the word “Journey” is a trip or experience from one place to another. Think for a moment back on that last vacation that you took. Arriving at your destination was huge, but I believe that the greatest joy was received from the journey you traveled to get there and what you experienced while there.
So, which for us is more important, the journey or the destination? The destination is a fixed dot, the journey connects the dots. Journey is what happens while trying to reach a destination, i.e., life. Destinations change (they can become obsolete and new ones appear) while the journey doesn't (it's the same one and it continues). I invite you to come on a journey with me as I share what I have learned on the journeys I have traveled.
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Zoom Virtual Coffee Hour
on Hiatus for August
Because relatively few members have been taking advantage of the Zoom virtual coffee hour after the livestreamed Sunday service in recent weeks, we are suspending this activity for the month of August.
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Interim Religious Education Consultant
Michele Grove Begins August 15
Our Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Michele Townsend Grove has accepted our offer and has been hired to be our part-time Interim Religious Education Consultant, starting August 15. Michele has more than 30 years of experience in lifespan religious education and program development and has served at many different UU churches in her career.
Here at UUCB, Michele is charged with providing guidance to the congregation in understanding our ongoing and future religious education needs. Ms. Grove will be present with us here in Bloomington for the first time August 26-29. For additional information, please see the July 2, 2021 Friday UU Update.
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From Reverend Leite
Dear Friends,
As you may have heard, I had a bad bicycle accident in the middle of July and had reconstructive jaw surgery to piece me back together again. Thank you for your many cards, emails, and containers of smooth soup. I have felt very loved and supported by our wonderful community.
It has been a long road, but I am finally back in the building this week and will be at the service on Sunday, with my mouth full of wires. I cannot speak long, and am working hard to speak clearly, but I cannot wait to be back with you via livestream. It will be good to be together!
With all my love,
Emily
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Minister of Story and Ritual
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UU Choir is Starting Up!
The UU Choir started rehearsing again on August 12, and because of current public health conditions, things are likely to change quickly. If you would like to participate in Choir, it is important for you to be on the Choir email list to get the latest news on rehearsals. To be included, please contact Susan Swaney our Music Director at music (at) uubloomington.org.
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UU Freethinkers Meet August 15, 12:45 pm
The UU Freethinkers will meet this Sunday at 12:45 pm via Zoom for an open discussion of social, political, and theological/religious issues. If you'd like to join us, please contact Ann Watzel for the link to the Zoom meetings and to be added to our email discussion list.
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Our Summer Congregational Read:
An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
Cheers,
Rev. Dave Clements
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UU Online Book Club reads Leonard: My Fifty-Year Friendship With A Remarkable Man
The UU Online Book Club meets the first Monday of each month at 6:30 PM via Zoom. Their next book is Leonard: My Fifty-Year Friendship With A Remarkable Man by William Shatner with David Fisher, and will be discussed on September 6 at 6:30 PM. Shatner tells the story of a man who was his friend for five decades, recounting anecdotes and untold stories of their lives on and off set, as well as gathering stories from others who knew Nimoy well. To join the book club, use this link to register for the Zoom meeting: UU Book Club Registration. Special thanks to CJ (in Australia) for leading the September 6 discussion.
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Habitat for Humanity Women Build
Team Members Wanted -
Our UU & friends team for the Habitat Women Build needs 12 more female builders by Aug. 26 to complete our 35-member team for the 21st annual event. We will be helping build two homes for local families on Wed., Sept. 29. No experience is necessary, and any female 16 years and older can participate. Participants also help finance the homes by donating and/or fundraising a minimum of $300 each. Funds are available to help builders reach their goals. Click here by August 26 to join our team.
-- Barb Berggoetz and Lauren Bryant
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Welcome to Our Newest Members!
On Sunday, August 8, we welcomed five new members into our congregation. They are: Anne Clark, Mary Craig, Madison Colquette, Maria Latham, and Rebecca Scott. When you have a chance, please give them a warm welcome! Below is a picture from the ceremony. Short bios of each new member will be published in upcoming Prologue newsletters.
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Join the Fun at Bloomington Pridefest
Saturday, August 28
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New Online Giving Link
You can use a major credit card there to make a non-pledge gift or a contribution towards your annual pledge, or both. This new Giving page is integrated with our new database, and is secure. If you have used our Paypal account in the past to arrange a recurring gift, that will continue to work just fine, but you can also use the new Giving page to arrange a recurring gift if you would like. Questions?
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Helping The Little Free Pantry and Beacon Shalom Center
The Little Free Pantry by Needmore Coffee needs donations of: peanut butter, canned meat, canned protein meals, canned fruit, Spam, pasta, pasta sauce, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, shampoo. You can place these items directly inside the Little Free Pantry on Pete Ellis Drive next to Needmore Coffee.
Beacon Shalom Center needs donations of: cereal, canned food, condiments, bottled water, protein drinks, instant coffee, pasta, hygiene products, socks, tea. These items can be dropped off in the bins on the north side of the church near the Portico entrance.
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Vaccinations available for age 12 and older
People age 12 and older in Indiana are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Visit this website or call 211: vaccine.coronavirus.in.gov
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Beware Email Fraud
Our ministers, staff, lay leaders, and board members will never send you email asking you for any money besides your pledge payment! This also means they will never use email to ask you to buy gift cards for them or anyone else.
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Deadline for submissions to the Order of service and Friday UU Update
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Masthead photo "Hibiscus" by Harold Ogren. |
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Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Mailing address during covid:
UU Church, PO Box 1158,
Nashville, Indiana 47448-1158 Church mobile phone: 812-287-9615
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