Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana |
|
Sunday Worship Guidelines for In-person Attendees:
- The seating capacity of the Meeting Room has been restored to its pre-March 2020 level.
- Vaccination is expected of all who are able.
- N95, KN95, or double masking is required.
- We no longer discourage hugging in general, although we encourage all attendees to be mindful that different people have different levels of comfort with physical contact.
- Pre-registration for worship services is not required.
- Quiet singing in worship services is allowed (encouraged, even!).
- Children will begin in the sanctuary with their families.
For complete information and to learn about next steps, click here.
For current guidelines about in-person meetings and gatherings at the church, including Religious Education, please click here.
As always, each individual must decide what is right for them when deciding whether or not to attend activities in-person.
The NEST Working Group: Jane McLeod, Abby Gitlitz, Michele Grove, Judy Klein, Ann LeDuc, Dan Lodge-Rigal, Sarah Sanchez, Melinda Swenson, and Reverend Bill Breeden.
|
|
 |
Sunday, April 10, 2022
10:15 a.m.
Credo: Coming of Age Recognition Service
Coming of Age Participants and Mentors
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Livestream and In person
|
|
|
|
|
This Sunday, we will welcome into our congregation and into our pulpit nine 10th graders who have completed our Coming of Age program. Don't miss this moving opportunity to hear from our youth and to acknowledge them as newly adult members of our community!
Four of the youth will also be providing our Gifts of Music.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greetings from the Interim Ministerial Search Committee!
As we prepare for Reverend Macklin’s retirement this June, the board-appointed Interim Ministerial Search Committee has been hard at work. The committee includes Alan Backler, Jane McLeod, Linda Pickle, Scott Sanders, and Drew Schrader. To date, the committee has met to review and discuss the search process, and began working on our church information/application. As part of the interim search process, we will submit that information packet to the UUA’s Ministerial Application portal soon, where it will be reviewed by interested interim candidates as well as the UUA. The committee will then review applications from ministers and conduct Zoom interviews with strong candidates in the hopes of having a recommendation for the board in mid-May. If you have questions about the interim search process, please feel free to reach out to Drew Schrader at drew.schrader(at)gmail.com. We also recommend watching the interim search process presentation Rev. David Pyle did on March 6, if you missed it.
|
|
UUCB Board members available after services again
Our Board members will be available in Fellowship Hall after Sunday services again, as they used to be, to answer any questions folks may have.
|
|
And the winners are...
Thank you to the first 100 pledgers in our '22-'23 Pledge Drive! You all were entered into a raffle for some beautiful "Blue Boat Home" UU Church of Bloomington t-shirts and sweatshirts, and our first winners are:
Sandra Freund, Jill Courtney, Alan Backler, Jeff Davis, Sheri Benham, and Judy Kelly!
Congratulations--may your shirts keep you warm and well and flying your UUCB colors.
|
|
|
|
Let's Greet each other in April!
Whether you have been a Greeter in the past, or are looking for a new volunteer opportunity, you are invited to sign up and greet on Sunday mornings. Click here for a list of Greeter duties. If you are willing to be a Greeter in April, please sign up here.
|
|
|
|
Coffee! Coffee! Coffee! (Volunteers needed)
We plan to have coffee available outside in the courtyard on April 17, 24, and May 1 between services. In order for this to happen, we need a few volunteers to help keep the carafes full, replenish supplies (condiments and mugs), and clean up afterwards. Please sign up today to help, so we can have coffee for these Sundays and possibly additional Sundays. Use this link to sign up: Java Crew Volunteers. Thank you!
-- Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
|
|
|
|
Calling all Babies! May 8 Baby Dedication
We are planning a baby dedication at both services (9:15 and 11:15am) on May 8, and would be delighted to welcome your family's participation if you have a recent arrival. Please contact Reverend Emily Manvel Leite to express your interest or for more information: leite(at)uubloomington.org
|
|
|
|
Covid Memorial Hour, After Service for One Hour
Each Sunday, in the coming weeks, our sanctuary is open to those who would like to visit our Covid Memorial Installation and/or write numbers together.
|
|
Religious Education Updates |
|
Embracing the Interim: Creating a Vibrant Religious Education Future
Join us this Sunday, April 10, in the courtyard after the service!
Creating a religious education future will be a great gift to this congregation. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana already has an amazing lifespan religious education program. As we come out of the pandemic, we have the opportunity to make a good thing even better and we need your input to create this congregation's vibrant religious education future.
Following worship on Sunday, April 10th, we invite you to go to the courtyard and engage in some fun and thoughtful activities. This interaction will not take a great deal of time. You can engage as little or as much as you are able. And I bet you are wondering….
- Will there be places for me to write down some of my religious education thoughts and ideas?
- Will there be fun activities including paper snowballs?
- Will there be donuts and other snacks?
- Is this activity for all ages?
For the first three questions, you will have to stop by the courtyard and check it out. But for the last question, the answer is YES. This activity is for all ages! Everyone has good ideas and dreams, and we look forward to seeing you this Sunday following worship.
-- Michele Grove, Interim Religious Education Consultant
|
|
|
|
Easter Egg Hunt, Sunday, April 17, 12:30 pm
Kids: Be sure to join us on April 17 to hunt for Easter eggs after the second service! Bring a basket or bag, or use one of ours. (Parents: some eggs with non-edible treats will be available for those with food sensitivities.)
Youth: Please contact Stephanie if you’d like to help organize the Egg Hunt for the children!
All: Do you have plastic eggs that you no longer need? We will gratefully accept donations of plastic eggs, candies, and other small items appropriate for children, between now and April 10. You may drop them off in the green RE bin on the porch by the portico. Thank you!
--Stephanie Kimball, Religious Education Coordinator
|
|
|
|
Adult Religious Education
Follow this link to learn about upcoming adult religious education classes including Stuart Yoak’s Unitarian Universalist History class at the end of April.
|
|
|
|
UU Freethinkers Meet April 10, 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 or Harold Ogren for the link to the Zoom meetings and to be added to our email discussion list.
|
|
|
|
Wednesday Walkers
Come join UU's for an easy hour walk in town. We meet at 10 am on Wednesday morning at a variety of locations and walk and talk for one hour. Contact Denise Ogren, dogrenbloomington(at)gmail.com to find out where this week's walk is meeting.
|
|
|
|
25% Sunday Plate Recipient for 2022-23: Applications Due April 15
Would you like to nominate a local non-profit agency to receive 25% of Sunday non-pledge plate collections for our next fiscal year (July 2022 - June 2023)? We are now accepting applications! Please click here! The deadline for nominating an agency is April 15th -- from there, three finalists will be chosen to be voted upon at our congregational meeting in June. Learn more.
|
|
|
|
Spring Cleanup of the Grounds postponed to
Saturday, April 16, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Just a quick spiffing up. Come when you can, kids are welcome. Bring gloves, but the church has tools. Newcomers welcome and encouraged to get to know our grounds. --Green Grounds Committee
|
|
|
|
MidAmerica Regional Assembly 2022
Saturday, April 30, 10 am - 2 pm, online
MidAmerica Regional Assembly 2022 is now open for registration! Join us online on Saturday, April 30, 2022 from 10am – 2pm ET. Our keynote speaker is social justice educator, storyteller and inspiring speaker, CB Beal. If you would like to be a member delegate representing our congregation, contact Iris Kiesling, irisfkiesling (at) gmail.com. Learn more and register today!
|
|
|
|
The Annual UUCB Goods and Services Auction
Starts on May 1!
Spring is just around the corner and so is the Annual UUCB Goods and Services Auction. The auction will be virtual again this year, with an online catalog and bidding. Bidding will start at noon on May 1 and end at 6pm on May 8. We are hoping that your creative juices will start flowing for what could be offered cautiously now that Covid restrictions are beginning to open up. Use this link to donate a service, dinner, or item! --Auction Planning Committee:
Drew Schrader, Nicki Ingersoll, Ann Kamman, and Charlotte Appel
|
|
Your Church Office Staff is Available Monday-Friday
You can reach a member of the church administrative staff each weekday:
We are in the church office at the church occasionally. The land line at the church, 812-332-3695, is checked for messages twice weekly.
|
|
|
|
Support Reproductive Freedom in Indiana
|
|
|
|
Have a guitar to donate?
Debbie Fish was contacted by a recovery counselor who gives guitar lessons at the Putnamville Correctional Facility. He has 8-10 men interested in the classes, so he could use more guitars. If you have a gently used guitar to donate, you could drop it off at the New Leaf New Life office (1010 S Walnut St Suite H) Monday through Friday between 10am-4pm. Thank you!
|
|
From the UU Hunger & Homelessness Task Forces
Look for labeled donation bins at the Portico entrance on the north side of the church. Thank you!
- MARCH & APRIL Food Drive:
|
|
- Donation Suggestions for Beacon (Ongoing collection):
|
|
|
|
Covid-19 Booster Vaccines are now available
Households may receive four free Covid tests from the federal government. Order free Covid tests here:
|
|
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.
|
|
Masthead photo by Joan Caulton. |
|
Deadline for submissions to the Order of service and Friday UU Update
|
|
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington, Indiana 47408
Church mobile phone: 812-287-9615
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
