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Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Congregation founded 1949 | LGBTQ Welcoming Congregation since 1995 | Green Sanctuary since 2007
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Seeking the Spirit | Building Community | Changing the World |
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Join us for online services
Livestreamed on Sunday mornings at 10:15 am
We are also meeting in person in our Meeting Room.
All are welcome.
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Hearing assistive devices are now available at the AV Tech booth in the rear of the sanctuary for use during Sunday worship services.
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Newest Guidelines from NEST
Sunday Worship Guidelines for In-person Attendees:
- The seating capacity of the Meeting Room has now been increased to its pre-pandemic level (since March 20, 2022.) (That's about 300 seats.)
- Vaccination is expected of all who are able.
- N95, KN95, or double masking will still be required.
- We will 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 will not be required.
- Quiet singing in worship services will be allowed (encouraged, even!).
- Two services, at 9:15 a.m. and 11:15 p.m., will resume on April 17, 2022.
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, April 10, 2022
10:15 a.m.
In person and Livestream
Credo: Coming of Age Recognition Service
Coming of Age Participants and Mentors
The Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
The Reverend Bill Breeden
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.
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Sunday, April 17, 2022
9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
In person and Livestream
Awakening
The Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Stephanie Kimball
Dr. Michele Grove
and Our UU Choir,
directed by Reverend Dr. Susan Swaney
Join us for this first Sunday of offering two services! We will celebrate Easter, Passover, and (especially) Earth Day and awaken to the possibility of hope in this challenging time. This story-filled service is suitable for all ages as we enjoy exploring together. Our UU choir will be singing--offering the premiere of Mary Goetze's "Listen to the Birds". Don't miss it!
Following the service, there will also be a tree sapling giveaway, sponsored by our Green Sanctuary Task Force on Global Climate Change.
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Our Folks...
Congratulations to Barb Schwegman, who has published a new book of her poetry entitled "Nightwalking." Available on Amazon, or contact Barb directly and she'll make you a deal, 812-322-8210.
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Covid Memorial Visiting Hour
Sundays, following the service
Each Sunday, in the coming weeks, our sanctuary is open for one hour following the service to those who would like to visit our Covid Memorial Installation.
Come Write in Community
We will also be writing numbers for our Covid Memorial Installation on Sundays. We will gather after the service and continue for about an hour. Everyone is welcome to join if you prefer writing in community.
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MAM's Musing
This rather wild and joyful photo of me was captured last Friday after I played basketball with my friends at the Mormon church for the first time in
9 months! As some of you know, I have been rehabbing from a torn upper hamstring injury which occurred last summer solstice. After much patience, physical therapy and persistence, I was given the go ahead to play full court basketball again by my sports injury doctor, Doctor Heather Dukes. The joy of playing again is indescribable, hence the photo. We need more joy in the world; may you all be blessed as well.
Meanwhile, my return to the basketball court coincided with our congregation’s March Madness Pledge Drive In A Week, which has been an energizing time of regathering for new levels of in-person worship and new levels of giving for our pledge drive. A definite team effort by so many of our members and friends.
At present, we have $426,952 in pledges as we go into overtime
to take to the court for our goal of $650,000.
Seeking the Spirit. Building Community. Changing the World.
We will need everyone to come together in this final SWEEP toward our goal. Speaking of sweeping, one more time, here is Erika Stoner Edelberg providing musical incentive for your pledge.
The world needs our joy, our spirit and our love. Together.
With gratitude from and for our UUCB Pledge Drive Team.
Love, Mary Ann
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Senior Minister
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From Congregation President Stuart Yoak
Dear Members and Friends of UUCB –
I hope you have attended in-person or zoomed in to the last two Sunday worship services to share in the exciting March Madness Pledge Drive activities. The UUCB Pledge Team members-- Coach, Gladys DeVane; Point Guard, Mary Ann Macklin; Guard, Drew Schrader; Guard, Susan Swaney; Forward, Emily Manvel Leite; Power Forward, Bill Breeden; and Center, Joan “JHC” Caulton-- have inspired us all.
Now it is up to us to make our move and bring home a win.
For those of you who have made your 2022-23 Pledge – Cheers, High-5s, and deep gratitude for your support of the UUCB Team! But, the game is not yet over, and neither are the sports metaphors! We have not yet made it to the end zone and must get the ball over the goal line to claim victory.
This Pledge Drive truly is a team effort – by all the Members and Friends of our beloved UUCB Congregation Team. Your support is what powers us all forward. Your support is what makes ministry, pastoral care, education, community outreach, and social justice happen, keeps the lights on and, most of the time, even makes heat in our building possible!
Stuart D. Yoak
Congregation President
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Emily’s Post
Dear Friends,
We have been much enjoying our opportunities to come together in person recently, and also appreciating the ongoing possibility of staying in touch from our homes.
As we regather, I wanted to remind everyone that we have many social justice groups and committees that you can get involved with, and there are also many groups that gather just for fun that you can join as you re-emerge into our community! For instance, the Women's Alliance (open to people anywhere on the gender spectrum) is continuing to gather online on first Thursdays. We have groups for gardeners, hikers, fiber artists, humanists, meditators, Wednesday walkers, and so many more. I recently heard that several people didn't know that we have a Jewish UU Connections group, so I especially want to lift that one up here--if you feel connected to the Jewish tradition, you are welcome to join that group, which also gathers monthly.
Just let Ann LeDuc, our Connections Coordinator, know that you're interested in any of these groups, and she'll get you signed up: connect(at)uubloomington.org.
It is so good to be together again.
Sending you my love,
Emily
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Minister of Story and Ritual
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From Michele Grove
Dreaming about the future is the fun part, right?
Why yes…. Yes, it is!
During the month of April, there are opportunities to share your ideas for children, youth, adult, and multi-generational learning. This is a time of transition for lifespan religious education and your dreams of the future will help us formulate the next steps.
Please join us this Sunday, April 10th following worship, in the UU Bloomington Courtyard. Transition team members Stephanie Kimball, Beth Lodge-Rigel, and Drew Schrader will be on hand with food, activities, and ways to engage in dreaming. This is a drop-in event that we hope will engage your creativity and willingness to play. And there will be take-home snacks for everyone who participates. All ages are invited.
The future lifespan religious education dream lies within the community. We hope you will share in this experience!
Michele Grove, interim religious education consultant
Adult Religious Education Upcoming
Adult Religious Education
An Invitation to UU History
April 29-30, 2022
Tour Guide: Stuart Yoak
Email: sdyoak (at) iu.edu
Cell: 314-566-9059.
In person at UU Bloomington in our Library for 4 sessions.
Come for one or all sessions and learn in community.
· UU Historical Beginning in Europe (These two sessions are identical)
o Friday afternoon 2hr session: (1pm – 3pm) or
o Friday evening (6pm – 8pm)
· UU Historical Beginning in America
o Saturday morning 2hr session: (10am – Noon)
· Lunch
· UU Today or How our history shapes us today.
o Saturday afternoon 2hr session (2pm – 4pm)
Ever wonder how the Unitarian Universalist church evolved? Where this way of doing church came from and who were the leaders and founders of the Unitarian and Universalist movements in Europe and North America? Join Stuart Yoak in this dynamic exploration of our history.
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Religious Education Update
Ages 3-13
Easter Egg Hunt
Sunday, April 17, 2022
~ 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! kimball (at) uubloomington.org
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 any time. Thank you!
--Stephanie Kimball, Religious Education Coordinator
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First Nations Powwow Saturday April 9
On Saturday, April 9, the First Nations Educational and Cultural Center at Indiana University will hold their 10th Annual Powwow to celebrate the diversity of contemporary Native American tribal identity.
Reverend Macklin invites us to honor the reading of our land acknowledgment each Sunday by attending. There will be nationally known dancers and singers, traditional foods, crafts, and dance clothing. Performers of all ages participate, carrying on the traditions of their people as they represent them through their feathers and beadwork, their dance clothes, the songs they sing, and the styles in which they dance. Again, April 9, 10am to 10pm. Prior to attending, review the schedule and please note powwow etiquette at https://firstnations.indiana.edu/powwow/index.html
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Celebrating Beltane with Earth Kin April 30
Earth Kin, UUCB’s Earth-centered spirituality group, will be holding a Druidic Beltane ritual in our courtyard to celebrate the fertility of the earth on Saturday, April 30, 7–9:30pm. We will be working with the archetypes of the Queen of Flowers and the Green King, the Divine Union from which life blooms. Wear something bright and even a flower crown if you like, and bring a dish to pass (feasting will be outdoors) and your sense of wonder about the earth’s fecundity.
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UU Freethinkers Meet Sunday, April 10, 12:45 pm
The UU Freethinkers bi-weekly meeting creates the opportunity for participants to raise questions and engage in open and non-structured discussion of issues of social, political, and theological/religious concern. Every other Sunday via Zoom at 12:45 pm. To join, contact Ann Watzel.
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UU Humanist Forum Meets
Sunday, April 17, 12:45 pm
Every other Sunday at 12:45 pm, our UU Humanists meet together online on Zoom for discussion. On April 17, David Keppel will lead a discussion on "International Peacekeeping and how it might be expanded, to replace or shrink blocs." Email Ann Watzel if you would like to join the discussion.
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Shambhala Meditation on Zoom on Mondays
Every Monday at 12 noon online, you can join Sarah Flint in this 2500-year-old practice of cultivating peace and inner wisdom. Contact Sarah Flint to join the group in real time on Zoom.
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Open Mind Zen at Friends Meeting House
Open Mind Zen with UU member Sensei Frank Seisho Diaz meets weekly at the Bloomington Friends Meeting House. If you'd like to participate, visit openmindzenbloomington.org and click on the "Welcome" tab for more information.
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Welcome to our Newest Members!
On March 20, we welcomed 5 new members into our congregation. They are: Sarah Johnson, Chuck Rhoads, Sandy Sabbagh, Sean Spiller, and Clarissa Tokash. Please give them a warm welcome.
Below are a few of their bios to help you get to know them. -Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
Sarah Johnson grew up in Fort Wayne before attending college outside Chicago and then moving to Bloomington for grad school. She works in prospect research at the IU Foundation. Sarah’s journey has taken her from Catholic grade school, to years of blissfully being nothing at all, to finding a home as a UU. She and her husband, Michael, have a three-year-old son, Arvo, who reminds her daily about what is beautiful and sacred in this world. Sarah is looking forward to getting to know other families at UUCB.
Chuck Rhoads was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and grew up in northern Indiana. He has two sons and eight grand kids. Chuck has been blind for 18 years and has lived with his registered seeing eye dog, Bertha, for the last 7 years. You will often see Chuck and Bertha (pictured next to Chuck, below) walking around Bloomington, especially on the B-Line trail. Be sure to tell Chuck hello and that you know him from church. Bertha also appreciates being petted and is a very friendly dog. You can catch Chuck and Bertha many mornings outside of Bloomingfoods (near west side) drinking coffee with friends.
Sandy Sabbagh grew up in suburban Cleveland, Ohio, and received a Fine Arts degree in theater and speech from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, and an MS in speech from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana. Sandy and her husband Harold (Hal) have been married 55 years, and moved to Bloomington 40 years ago. They have 3 grown children: Elias, Chicago IL, is a scientific software engineer; Kahlil, Culver City California, teaches high school Music, and Amira, a UU member, is studying nursing at Ivy Tech in Bloomington. Sandy taught English, Speech, and Drama at Berea High School. Berea, Ohio, and at Honey Creek High School, Terre Haute, Indiana. Hal and son Elias are the owners and researchers of Victor Technologies which develops software to solve engineering problems. Sandy enjoys crafts of all kinds. In her volunteer work with My Sisters Closet in Bloomington, Sandy coaches women returning to work to develop confidence and sharpen their interview and communication skills. Gardening is a favorite pastime of Sandy's and she has recently become a member of the Bloomington Garden Club. Sandy and Harold enjoy attending local theater, and all manner of song and dance.
Sean Spiller grew up in Denver, Colorado. He moved to Bloomington to be with his now wife Claire Sunkel who is from Indiana. Sean is a sustainability consultant that specializes in the circular economy. Claire and Sean recently welcomed their first child Elliott, who is now 7 months old. Outside of trying to keep up with a little one, in his free-time, Sean enjoys hiking, mountain/gravel biking, skiing, and hockey.
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Mark your calendar for a great workshop--
April 9, 10-11:30 AM! You are invited to a free workshop via Zoom on Conflict, Saturday, April 9, 10 -11:30 AM. Conflict shows up in many areas of our lives.—Global, Family, even in Creativity. This free workshop, hosted by the Leadership Cultivation Committee, will discuss tools for working through Conflict in many different environments. This is an open discussion to discuss where conflict may show up in our lives. Bring a pen and journal for reflection. Suzanne Fodor, (She/Her) CPCC, PCC, Kelley School of Business Executive Coach will lead a panel of UU members in this discussion. Register here.
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Welcoming New Babies and Adopted Children
Are you, or someone you know in our congregation, expecting a new family member this year? If so, please let our Connections Coordinator know so that our congregation can welcome your child with a gift and also connect you with resources available through our congregation. Email Ann at connect (at) uubloomington.org.
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Help keep our candles glowing!
Flame Keeper volunteers are very important to ensuring our worship services run smoothly on Sunday mornings. They maintain the Joys and Sorrows candles and assist the ministers as needed.
All are welcome to join the Flame Keepers. Children under the age of 16 will be asked to serve with a parent or guardian. If you haven't been a Flame Keeper in the past, we will provide a short tutorial for you before you serve.
Thank you! -Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
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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
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Donate to the Hoosier Abortion Fund During April
and Support Reproductive Justice
Support access to abortion in Indiana by donating to the Hoosier Abortion Fund fundraising event through the month of April. Our political climate makes it even more important today to make funds available to those in need. Donations can be made on the HAF team page representing our Reproductive Justice Task Force: https://fund.nnaf.org/team/419464
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Habitat Task Force Thanks--
A Successful Chili Fundraiser!
The Habitat Task Force thanks UU members who bought our chili and soup at our recent online fundraiser and the sales after services on March 13. We made $815, and I hope those who received the chili/soup enjoyed it. We appreciate the task force members and supporters who made, distributed and sold the chili and soup, too.
We are also thankful for the eight UU members who participated in the Habitat build on March 26, when we and other volunteers were able to nearly finish the two Women Build homes started last fall in Habitat’s new Osage Place.
In the near future, we will begin recruiting for the UU and friends team for the 2022 Women Build occurring in early September for two weeks. The exact build period and our day will be determined in the coming weeks.
If interested, send task force chair Barb Berggoetz an email, barbberg (at) bluemarble.net.
Also, we likely will have opportunities to volunteer over the summer to help build two houses in Habitat’s Trail View neighborhood off the B-Line near 11th Street. More information will be announced later. While we appreciate our long-time builders, we really need new people – young and old, men and women – to help with builds. Experience is not required and crew leaders will help teach you skills. You can also choose the type of work you’d like to do from a variety of work duties on each day. --Barb Berggoetz
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MidAmerica UU Region Virtual Annual Assembly
April 30
Register Now! Unitarian Universalists in 12 Midwestern and Upper Midwest states join together to form the MidAmerica Region of the UUA, and our annual Regional Assembly will be online this year on April 30. The keynote speaker is social justice educator, storyteller and speaker CB Beal. Included will be worship, the annual business meeting, a keynote address, and community breakout rooms. Sliding scale registration fee between $25 and $50; scholarships are available. If you would like to be a member delegate from our congregation, registration fee support is available. Contact Iris Kiesling if you are interested in being a delegate, irisfkiesling (at) gmail.com. Click here for details about the meeting.
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Click here or on the image above for Cupcake Descriptions.
An order form will be available soon!
All proceeds from this sale May 7-8 will go toward fighting hunger in our Bloomington community. Thank you from the UU Hunger Task Force.
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25% Sunday Non-Pledge Plate Recipient
Nomination Campaign for 2022-23
Applications are Due April 15!
The application form is now available, for those who would like to nominate an agency to receive our 25% of our non-pledge Sunday plate offering from July 2022 – June 2023:
The application deadline is April 15, after which the Social Justice Funds Committee will choose three nominee finalists for the congregation to vote on at the spring congregational meeting on June 12. Our contributions to the current recipient, the Nest Childcare Center at New Hope Family Shelter, total $3349, with 2 more quarters to go. The total donated to last year’s recipient, Monroe County United Ministries Childcare, was $6561! Which local non-profit agency would you like to see be our next recipient?
Contact Denise Ogren, SJFC Chair, at uucbsjfunds (at) ubloomington.org with any questions. The Social Justice Funds Committee: Denise Ogren, Steve Mascari, Jay Sissom, Sarah Kopper, Sandy Davoren. Advisors: Jackie Hall and Rev. Bill Breeden
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Donations for Beacon:
Look for bins at the Portico entrance, list below.
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Your Church Administrative Staff is Available
by Phone, via Email, & Sometimes in Person
Here is how to be in touch with the church administrative staff during their office hours.
Church Administrator Carol Marks, M-F, 10-4, 812-287-9615, admin (at) uubloomington.org. Carol Marks will be at the church building on Mondays & Thursdays from 10 until 4. Working from home on Tues, Weds, Fri.
Office Assistant Monica Overman, T, Th, 10-1, Friday 12:30-3:30, 812-322-5546, office (at) uubloomington.org. Working from home.
Office Assistant Mandy Skinner, M, W, F, 10:30-1:30, 812-340-9981, office (at) uubloomington.org. Working from home.
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COVID-19 Vaccination News
Vaccines for Ages 5 and Older!
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Email SCAM Alert
Our ministers, staff, and board members or other members will never send you email asking you for any money besides your pledge payment!
How to Recognize an Email Phishing Scam:
Is the email impersonating Rev. Macklin or another of our staff or ministers? Are they asking you to purchase gift cards? Wait! Don't do it! We will never send you emails like that. To double check, look at the email address of the sender. Is it from an address at uubloomington.org? If not, that's the second good reason to delete it!
Office Hours, Calendar, Deadlines
Office hours: M-F, 10 am-4 pm.
The Church Office can be reached via text or voicemail during office hours at 812-287-9615. Email: admin (at) uubloomington.org or office (at) uubloomington.org. The Church Administrator plans to be in the office on Mondays and Thursdays during March, but please call before you come over, to be sure there is someone here, 812-332-3695.
The Prologue is published on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month. Next issue is
April 19. Deadline is 10 am on date of publication, to admin (at) uubloomington.org
Church Mailing Address:
2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington, IN 47408.
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Details on Membership & Offering
Membership: 561 certified members as of 2/1/2022;
562 current members.
Attendance:
March 13: 123
Attendance info for Mar 20 and Mar 27 is coming!
Non-Pledge Offering:
March 13 $307
March 20 $71
March 27 $569
To make a contribution for the Non-Pledge Offering (Sunday Plate), or to make a payment towards your pledge, click on this link to get to our new Giving page: uucb.churchcenter.com/giving
Total to be donated (25%) to The Nest childcare center at New Hope Family Shelter: $378.53
Grocery Card Sales: (Bloomingfoods or Fresh Thyme) $700; Total income to UUCB: $35
Free Money from Kroger!
Fresh Thyme and Bloomingfoods
Grocery Cards Available by Mail
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Did you know that Kroger sends us over $1,600 each year? This is made possible by those of you who participate in Kroger's Community Rewards program. Register your Kroger Plus card online at this link.
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We are also still selling grocery cards for Bloomingfoods and Fresh Thyme by mail. Click here to see what kind of cards and how many are available. Send your check to the church (UU Church, 2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington, IN 47408) with a note to let us know the type and value of card(s) you want, and we will mail them to you. You do not need to send an envelope.
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Masthead photo from Reverend Macklin, taken 4/4/2022. |
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Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, IN
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