Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana |
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Current Sunday Worship Guidelines for In-person Attendees:
- Vaccination, including the third dose booster, against Covid-19 is required.
- N95, KN95, or double masking is required.
- We will continue to maintain social distancing.
- Pre-registration for worship services is not required.
- Quiet singing in worship services is allowed.
For current guidelines around in-person meetings and gatherings at the church, please click here. See Religious Education section below for current RE information.
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 Mary Ann Macklin.
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Sunday, February 27, 2022
10:15 am
Livestream and In Person
Stories We're Not Telling
Dr. Michele Grove
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Reverend Bill Breeden
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In this final week exploring our February theme of Widening the Circle, we will delve into the heart space of story and consider: how can we widen our circle of concern by sharing and listening to one another and the world?
No registration required for Sunday in-person attendance.
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Widening the Circle Food Drives
This month, we are hoping to widen the circle of people in our congregation who donate non-perishable goods. If you have been giving, please keep on giving to support our ongoing collections for Beacon and Shalom Center -- click here for the list of needed items.
Join us for two new collections during February:
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Donate to support a local Afghan family, sponsored by our Refugee Task Force: Click here for a Grocery List. (Collection box near Portico)
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Donate to our Widen the Circle collection for March distribution to local Little Free Pantries: This week we're collecting canned fruit and chunky soups.
(Collection at Sunday service and near Portico)
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Covid Memorial Visiting Hour cancelled this Sunday
Will return next week, Noon to 1 pm
Each Sunday, in the coming weeks, our sanctuary is open to those who would like to visit our Covid Memorial Installation, from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. Please see the February 1 Prologue to learn more.
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Religious Education Updates |
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Embracing the Interim:
Exploring our Religious Education Identity
This Sunday, February 27, Noon to 2 pm
Fellowship Hall
Beth Lodge-Rigal, Drew Schrader, Stephanie Kimball and Michele Townsend Grove will serve as facilitators.
Come join us in person to explore UU Bloomington’s religious education core values and identity. This is a space where we hold everyone’s ideas and opinions about the current identity and core values of lifespan religious education with the deepest honor and respect. You are valued here! We will follow in person safety guidelines. Masks required and we will have extras on hand.
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Ages 3-13
Please register your child(ren) for Spirit Play (ages 3-7) or IMUU (ages 7-13). Registration helps us know how many adult volunteers will be needed, AND tells us who we need to contact in case of unexpected changes.
On Sunday mornings, all children and teachers will meet in Fellowship Hall when they arrive between 10am and 10:15 for a special gathering activity, then we’ll go to our classrooms together from there. Masks required. We look forward to seeing you!
Volunteers needed
Home Altar Kits
Don’t forget to sign up for a time to assemble your unique Home Altar Kit! This is a gift from RE to your household, a way for us to say thank you for staying engaged in whatever ways you have been. If you registered for religious education by January 1, your special “bonus” gift will be included. If you prefer to let us assemble your kit, email Stephanie (kimball(at)uubloomington.org) and we can get it ready for you to pick up.
--Stephanie Kimball, Religious Education Coordinator
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Upcoming Adult Religious Education Opportunities
These programs begin this week!
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Starting March 1
Still Building Our Own Theology with Rev. Barbara Child.
An Adult Religious Education Opportunity for Every Tuesday Evening in March, 7-8:30 p.m. This series of conversations will take up some of the questions we are likely to keep on asking ourselves even if we would like to think we have worked out the basics of our personal beliefs. Up to 15 (plus me) will gather online March 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, meeting from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Click here for more details. Click here to register.
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Updated 2021-22 Pledge Statements Coming Soon Via Email
With our new database system, we will be sending everyone pledge statements for their 2021-22 pledges by the first week of March, via email. Remember to click in that email to download your statement. Questions? Please ask Monica Overman or Mandy Skinner at office(at)uubloomington.org or Carol Marks at admin(at)uubloomington.org.
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Our Folks...
Congratulations to Sharon Yarber and Deb Hutton on the arrival of their latest grandson, Enzo Garcia. Enzo was born on February 13. He joins his two big brothers, Leo and Miles.
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Persimmon Pulp is available again
We had a second pressing of persimmon pulp and there is now an ample supply of frozen persimmon pulp in the church freezer. You can pick up some from the freezer at times when the church is open. Leave payment in the envelope in the freezer. $6 per bag. Each bag contains 2 cups of pulp.
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UU Freethinkers Meet February 27, 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.
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Explore Unitarian Universalism
February 27 and March 6, 2:00 pm
Join us to explore Unitarian Universalism (UU) on February 27 and March 6, 2 to 4 pm - available both in-person and online.
In these small group gatherings you can learn more about the UU Principles, UU ministers, the history of Unitarian Universalism and this church, how to get involved here, what it means to be a member, and much more. Plan to attend both dates, since 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! Questions? Email connect(at)uubloomington.org or call (812)720-3688.
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The UU Habitat Task Force is now sponsoring an online sale of delicious homemade chili and soup through March 8, as one way to highlight our efforts during our March social justice month. Task force members and supporters have made beef, turkey, bean and vegetable, and black bean chili, cauliflower/pepper jack cheese soup and vegan lemon rosemary white bean soup. Place your order asap because quantities are limited! Cost is $14 per order, which is a 5-cup container of soup or chili and with two pieces of corn bread. Funds will help us support Habitat for Humanity’s new Osage Place neighborhood on the southwest side, which will have about 70 homes.
Habitat Volunteer Opportunity - March 19 or 26
Volunteers are needed to complete the two Women Build homes at Osage Place on March 19 or 26. COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots are required. Register here.
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25% Sunday Plate Recipient Nomination Campaign for 2022-23: Application available March 1
The process for nominating our next local non-profit agency to receive 25% of Sunday non-pledge plate collections is approaching. An application form with guidelines will become available on March 1, 2022 for those who would like to nominate an agency to receive the funds from July 2022 – June 2023. The application deadline will be April 15th. Learn more.
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UU Hikers at the Hays Trail
Postponed until March 3!
Join us to hike 3 miles of the Hays Trail on Thursday, March 3. We will meet at the trailhead at 9:30 AM. There's a 10 person limit in the Hoosier National Forest, so our group will be limited to 10 hikers. Sign up here: https://uucb.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1186009 Mary Reardon will be the hike leader. We are asking that hikers be fully vaccinated for this hike.
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Join Friends at the Dog Park for a Weekly Meetup
This small group meets WEEKLY, on Mondays at 3:00 p.m., with or without dogs, at the dog park at Switchyard Park. There is no RSVP required, although you can contact Martha Dogan with questions, (317) 370-3824.
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MidAmerica Regional Assembly 2022
Saturday, April 30, 10 am - 2 pm
MidAmerica Regional Assembly 2022 is now open for registration! Join us on Saturday, April 30, 2022 from 10am – 2pm ET. Our keynote speaker is social justice educator, storyteller and speaker, CB Beal. There will be worship, the annual business meeting, a keynote address and conversation, as well as community break out rooms for discussion. There is a sliding scale fee between $25-50, and scholarships are available. Learn more and register today!
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How to Find Out About Snow Closings at Church
If we need to cancel in-person events at church because of snow or ice, we will post a note about this on our facebook page, facebook.com/uubloomington, as well as on the front page of our website, uubloomington.org. In messy weather, please check for info in these places before coming over to the church. During business hours M-F you can also call the office mobile at 812-287-9615.
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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.
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Undiedrive 22: February 12 to 28
UUCB and Trinity Church are sponsoring a clothing drive for K-12 students in Bloomington and Monroe County. The purpose of Undiedrive 22 is to collect underwear and sweatpants from churches and to distribute them to children in need, in the Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC). Click here for information.
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The Struggle Continues: A Conversation with Former Political Prisoner Zolo Azania
Saturday, Feb. 26 at 1 pm
Attend in person at IU Maurer School of Law, Room 213, or sign up here for the Zoom link. The 2nd Event in the Indiana Prisoners Speak Out Series, also part of the National Lawyers Guild's Week Against Mass Incarceration. Sponsored by IDOC Watch, FOCUS Initiatives Ltd, Young Democratic Socialists of America Bloomington, IU Black Law Student Association, IU Maurer National Lawyers Guild, Latinx Law Students Association and the IU Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies.
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Cardinal Stage presents The Mountaintop
March 3-20
A gripping reimagination of events the night before the assassination of America’s most renowned civil rights leader. On stage at the Waldron Auditorium. For more info: cardinalstage.org.
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Donations for Beacon: Look for bins at the Portico entrance |
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Covid-19 Booster Vaccines are now available
Households may receive four free Covid tests from the federal government. Order free Covid tests here:
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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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Masthead photo taken at Brown County State Park by David Orr (cropped). |
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Deadline for submissions to the Order of service and Friday UU Update
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Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington, Indiana 47408
Church mobile phone: 812-287-9615
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