June 25, 2021
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Photo by Jack King
This Sunday's Service
Sunday, June 27, 2021
12:00 noon Livestream
Sunday Worship at UUA General Assembly
Our service this Sunday will be the Sunday Worship broadcast from the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association at 12 pm EDT. (There will be no UUCB service this Sunday - but join us at 10:15 on Zoom for an early coffee hour, instead!)

Here is the link to view the service: 


From UUA website: Recognizing the importance of shared ministry and the many innovative approaches to worship created by congregations during the pandemic, UUA President, Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick Gray, selected the First Universalist Church of Minneapolis to serve as worship leaders for this year's GA Sunday Morning Service. Music will be offered through collaboration with 2021 GA Choir Director Susan Mashiyama, the GA virtual choir, and musicians from First Universalist.

First Universalist has been a model of shared ministry and what it means to put the work of dismantling white supremacy and building anti-racist, anti-oppressive practices at the center of their ministry. They have been on the front lines in support of the Movement for Black Lives in Minneapolis, bringing spiritual care and moral leadership in the wake of George Floyd’s murder by police and the important uprisings for justice that followed.

The service includes a collection to benefit MICAH: Milwaukee Inner-city Congregations Allied for Hope. 
This Sunday Only, Virtual Coffee Hour at 10:15 am
Join us this Sunday at 10:15 am, before the General Assembly service, for engaging conversation in Virtual Coffee Hour. This Sunday's Coffee Hour will feature a special breakout room for Gardeners as well as our usual General Conversation breakout room.
-- Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
Gardeners Unite!
This Sunday during Virtual Coffee Hour all types and levels of gardeners are invited to gather in a special discussion group for Gardeners. This is a great opportunity to learn from other gardeners and share your gardening experiences. Join the fun at 10:15 AM on Sunday. Use this link to enter Virtual Coffee Hour and ask for the "Gardeners' Gathering"
-- Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator 
UU Humanist Forum Meets June 27, 12:45 pm
The UU Humanist Forum will meet as usual this Sunday at 12:45 pm via Zoom -- feel free to join late if you are still watching the livestream of the UUA General Assembly service. Elof Carlson will lead a discussion on "Seven sexes." 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.
Religious Education Updates from Our Board of Directors

Dear members and friends, below is an update on what is currently happening with our Religious Education (RE) program. Going forward, the Board, ministers, or Religious Education staff will make sure to include an update in each Friday update and Prologue so you know how you can get involved and what is upcoming.

We also invite you to attend one of the board's upcoming listening sessions:

  • Saturday, June 26, 1-2 pm in person on the church grounds (register by June 25 at 4:00 p.m.)
  • Sunday, June 27, 4-5 pm in person on the church grounds (register by June 25 at 4:00 p.m.)
  • Wednesday, June 30, 6-7 pm by Zoom (register by June 30 at 4:00 p.m.)

Please register by sending an email to office(at)uubloomington.org by the registration deadline noted next to the session you wish to attend. We will limit the size of each session to 15 participants so that all who attend have an opportunity to share their perspectives.
 
Religious Education Update
 
CHILDREN & FAMILIES

1) Religious Education Assistant Stephanie Kimball will be facilitating opportunities for families and individuals to recharge and reconnect with each other.

2) An invite was posted in the Prologue and in the Friday update for members to join the UUCB Intergenerational Playgroup - the idea is that members can plan an activity and send out an invite to others who are part of the group to join them.

3) For members who are looking for an opportunity to share stories and play at home, RE is inviting families to join the Practicing Our Promises group. Rotating Spirit Pay baskets and activities will be delivered to your home twice a month.

4) For more information about these programs and how you can be involved, please contact Stephanie Kimball, rea(at)uubloomington.org.

5) Updates and information on ways to join the various activities this summer will always be provided in the Friday updates.
 
YOUTH GROUP (MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOLERS)

1) Youth group will continue to meet in July with a final summer get together planned for the end of July or first part of August.

2) Youth advisors have agreed to continue to meet with the youth for the summer.

3) Interim Minister Dave Clements has met with one of the youth advisors and will be setting up a joint meeting in July with both of them for the purpose of getting their feedback and ideas for next year’s youth program.

ADULTS
Please join us for a discussion of the 21-day Racial Equity Challenge on Sunday, June 27 at 4:00 p.m. on Zoom.
Email office(at)uubloomington.org or clements(at)uubloomington.org by 1:00 p.m. on June 27 to receive the link. To receive the packet to begin the challenge, send an email to Reverend Dave Clements, clements(at)uubloomington.org.
We are launching a summer read of An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz. We will send out a list of questions to be considering as one reads. The book can be divided into three sections with questions for each section. Interim Minister Dave Clements will post the first list of questions by June 30 in the Friday Update and Prologue, with a group discussion planned for the last week of July. The second list of questions will be sent out end of July with a group discussion planned end of August. The third list of questions will be sent out the end of August with a group discussion planned for the end of September.
We encourage you to use independent and people of color-owned bookstores in purchasing this book. Brain Lair Books in South Bend, Indiana is a Black-owned bookstore that is a good choice: https://www.brainlairbooks.com/
RE Interim Consultant
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin is in conversation with a nationally recognized RE Interim Consultant Candidate. We will continue to post in the Friday Updates and Prologue as we know more. Please note: staffing and hiring decisions are the purview of our senior minister, as they have always been.
 
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns about RE and we will try to listen and provide answers as best we can.
-- Your Board of Directors
Use Our New Online Giving System -- It's Easy!

Click here to get started: uucb.churchcenter.com/giving

We encourage anyone who has made a financial pledge to the congregation for the coming fiscal year (begins July 1, 2021) to use our handy new online giving form to set up a recurring payment either using a credit or debit card or an automatic payment from your checking account, if you feel comfortable with online giving. The instructions are clear and the system is better than PayPal, because it automatically records your gifts in your giving record within the database, greatly reducing the chance of clerical errors. The transaction fees are also lower than PayPal’s. If you like, you can also make Sunday Plate contributions on this new giving page. 

Thank you so much for your patience and sense of humor while we make this transition to a new, improved system. Please call the church office mobile if you need help or have questions: 812-287-9615. --Carol Marks, Ch.Admin.
Please Make Your Pledge Today!
We are still encouraging everyone who has not already done so to make a financial pledge for the coming fiscal year, July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022.
Help NEST Plan for In-person Worship Services
UUCB is planning to restart in-person worship services in September, if the pandemic conditions remain stable or continue to improve. We want your input to help us plan for in-person services in a way that promotes safety for all.
Thank you for your help! -- The NEST Working Group
Meet up with the UUs this Sunday!
Free Concerts in Bryan Park, 5:30 and 8:30 pm
Meet us this Sunday at Bryan Park for two great free concerts by Cuadros Quartet and Salaam, starting at 5:30 pm. Look for the Sapp family holding the "UUs Meet Here" sign.  
Mark your calendar for this and other great UU meet up opportunities!  
Writing as a Spiritual Practice
with Rev. Barbara Child
A Drop-in Group on Zoom
Tuesdays 1-2 pm, May 11 through June 29
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. You will need to register by clicking here to get the Zoom link.  
Exploring Unitarian Universalism Online!
Coming up July 11 and 18
Explore Unitarian Universalism with us online, July 11 and 18, 2-4 pm. Use this link to register. These small group gatherings are a great opportunity to learn about the UU Principles, our ministers, the history of this church, all the ways to get involved here, and what it means to be a member of the church. Plan to attend both dates, since different material will be discussed in each session. We request completion of these sessions before becoming a member of the church. Everyone ages 14 to 100+ is welcome! Questions? Email connect(at)uubloomington.org or call (812)720-3688.
Choir on Break until August
The choir is on break until August 12. If you want to be added to the choir contact list, email Sue Swaney at music(at)uubloomington.org.
Confused about Food Drives? Read on!
The UU Hunger Task Force holds a food drive every month targeting a different recipient monthly, depending on need or special fundraiser events that various Bloomington nonprofits hold. The bins for drop-off donations are on the north side of the church under the portico. Our recipient for July is our Little Free Pantry. The UU Homelessness Task Force also has bins on the north side of the church for their continued drive for supplies for Beacon (Shalom). See suggested lists of needed items below.
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. Extra vaccines may be available in adjoining counties. vaccine.coronavirus.in.gov
Deadline for submissions to the Order of service and Friday UU Update
Thursday, 9 am, to office(at)uubloomington.org
Masthead photo by Jack King.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Mailing address during covid:
UU Church, PO Box 1158,
Nashville, Indiana 47448-1158