Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana | |
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UU Hikers to hike the Peninsula Trail in the Deam Wilderness This Saturday morning, December 17
Join us for a 10-mile hike on the Peninsula Trail in the Deam Wilderness. We'll hike down to Lake Monroe and back. Meet at 9:30 from Bloomingfoods East to carpool OR meet at the trailhead at 10. More info and sign up here.
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Sunday, December 18, 2022
10:15 am
The Extraordinary in the Ordinary
Reverend Connie Grant
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
In Person and Livestream
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Albert Einstein suggested that there are only two ways to live your life: as if nothing is a miracle, or as if everything is. How do you want to live your life? | | |
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Please Consider Wearing a Mask to Church this Sunday
Because of the large number of Covid and Influenza cases in Bloomington and in our church community, we hope you will consider wearing a mask to church this Sunday, December 18. We have masks available if you forget yours!
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Multigenerational Winter Solstice Celebration
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
6:15 p.m.
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite,
Reverend Connie Grant, Stephanie Kimball, Mary Allen Lynch
All ages are invited to join in this quiet, reflective service celebrating the returning sun. We will fully inhabit this place on our planet as we share a candlelit spiral procession and reconnect with the earth and its natural cycles.
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Join us for a pizza party to welcome the Fakherduins this Sunday, December 18, after the service in Fellowship Hall
You've heard about them. You've read about them. Now it's your turn to meet and welcome the wonderful Afghan family that our RISE Task Force has been supporting in many ways over the past year: the Fakherduins. There will be pizza and drinks and games for the kids. Share your international hospitality and join us. RSVP to Barbara Backler at bbackler (at) gmail.com.
--The Refugee & Immigration Support & Education (RISE) Task Force
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IOTF Bake Sale this Sunday in the Commons
This Sunday is the monthly International Outreach Task Force bake sale to benefit the Spurgeon School in Nairobi. Join us for a dessert alongside the RISE Task Force pizza party! We hope to see you there! Questions? Call Claire at 812-336-3696.
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UU Freethinkers meet Sunday, December 18,
12:00 p.m. in Room 208 (and on Zoom)
The UU Freethinkers will meet this Sunday at noon in person in Room 208 at the church, with an option to join online via Zoom. Please contact Ann Watzel or Harold Ogren for the Zoom link.
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Lifespan Religious Education | |
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Call for Lifespan Religious Education Program Proposals
Do you have an idea for a class you'd like to teach? Or a request for a class, even if you don't want to teach it yourself? Please use this form to submit your proposal(s). Questions? Contact Stephanie Kimball, Director of Religious Education, kimball(at)uubloomington.org.
See our website for details about our current offerings! For more information on lifespan religious education, please also see the most recent issue of Education Matters, our monthly RE newsletter.
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Did you attend a virtual Membership Ceremony and miss signing the Membership Book? If so, please RSVP for the book signing on January 8, 12 p.m. in Room 112.
Signing the membership book is a significant symbolic act in our tradition that actively marks one's affinity with our faith. I am so grateful to help facilitate this important moment and hope you will join us. Please RSVP and/or direct any questions to Anabel Watson, Connections Coordinator, at connect (at) uubloomington.org.
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Have you attended New to UU and want a deeper dive? Register for Exploring Unitarian Universalism, January 22 and 29!
Sign up for Exploring Unitarian Universalism, occurring on January 22 and 29 from 2-4pm in the church library. In these small group gatherings you will dive into the UU Principles, role of the UU minister, the history of Unitarian Universalism and this church, how to get involved, what it means to be a member, and much more. Plan to attend both dates as different topics 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 as well as those unable to make prior dates.
Registration link HERE. Snacks will be provided!
Questions? Email Anabel Watson, Connections Coordinator, at connect(at)uubloomington.org
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4th Trimester Team Seeks Volunteers to Support Families with New Babies
In-person Training Sunday, January 15, 12:00 noon
The 4th Trimester Team is seeking participants to help families with new babies. This group offers offers in-home support such as light housekeeping, babysitting, or running errands, or by being a listening ear that is heartfelt, confidential and non- judgmental. Training session is Sunday, January 15, 12-2:30 p.m. at the church.
To register, please email 4thtrimester(at)uubloomington.org.
Learn more here.
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This month's food donation is TUNA!
The UU Hunger Task Force is fishing for canned tuna during the month of December. Please drop your donations into the bins on the north side of the church and feel good about sharing good nutrition our community. Thanks!
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Don't Miss a Thing!
As mentioned at the congregational meeting last Sunday, we hope everyone will opt in to our new online church directory to help build connections, receive information, and support our new staff!
If you are able, take a moment now to sign in and update your Profile and Directory listing!
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Start here: uucb.churchcenter.com/profile (you will be prompted to sign in by entering your mobile phone or email address, then you will receive a code to log in with - no need to ever set or remember a password!)
- Click the round photo circle by your name to upload a profile photo if you'd like
- Review your info under "Contact and information"
- Then click on the "My directory profile" tab to choose what info you want to share in the Directory.
- View the Directory and search for people here: uucb.churchcenter.com/directory
If you'd like help, staff will be available at the yellow Lucy Booth in Fellowship Hall this Sunday after the service to assist.
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Your Welcoming Energy Needed on Sunday Mornings
Help further a radically welcoming and inclusive community by volunteering on Sunday mornings! Join the mailing lists for Java Crew, Greeters, or Flame Keepers to stay up-to-date on opportunities, actively contribute to our thriving congregation, and share the joy of hospitality with fellow congregants, both old-timers and newcomers. Your help is valuable and so appreciated! Questions? Email connect(at)uubloomington.org.
We are also looking for new volunteers for the UU Book Table, which sells both used and new books in Fellowship Hall after services.
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As a friendly reminder, church members are asked to pledge a donation of money to the operational budget of the church every year. This pledge should be of an amount that you can afford and which feels right to you! If you need any assistance updating or making your pledge, please contact the office (office(at)uubloomington.org) with your pledge amount for the remainder of the fiscal year (July 2022-June 2023) or fill out the pledge form online: 2022-23 Pledge Form. Contributions towards your pledge can be made throughout the year in whatever installments works for you - if you'd like to give online, visit our Giving page. | |
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Of Snow Days and Cancellations
When local travel conditions deteriorate due to ice and snow, please check with the leader of your group before coming over for weekday meetings here at church, to be sure our lot and sidewalks have been cleared and are safe. Use your good judgment about your personal safety and please stay home if travel conditions are hazardous. We do our best to ensure everyone's safety when using our facility. If schools are delayed or closed due to snow or ice, there is a good chance our office will open late or will be closed. Always call the church (812-332-3695) first before coming over after a snow or ice event, to be sure someone is here. We post meeting cancellations and up to date information on the front page of our website, www.uubloomington.org and our facebook page. If you have a friend without easy access to the internet, you might consider being an internet buddy for them, to give them a call to let them know (as appropriate) when meetings and events at church have been canceled or postponed.
Thanks for your patience, and remember to wear your snow boots!
--Carol Marks, Director of Administration
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Pandemic Guidelines
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Masks are now optional at all church activities and events, including worship services.
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Food and drinks may now be served at church events regardless of the size of the group.
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Coffee hour is now Fellowship Hall. We will continue to offer space in the courtyard during Coffee Hour as weather permits.
The NEST working group will continue to monitor the status of COVID in our local community and adjust guidelines in accordance with the community risk level -- questions can be directed to Jane McLeod at jmcleod(at)indiana.edu.
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COVID-19 Vaccination News
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Masthead photo by John Woodcock. | |
Deadline for submissions to the Order of service and Friday UU Update
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Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Mailing Address: PO Box 8132, Bloomington, Indiana 47407
Church mobile phone: 812-287-9615
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