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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 on Sunday mornings
One service each Sunday, at 10:15 a.m.
in person in our Meeting Room
also on Livestream:
On our website | On Facebook
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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Pandemic Guidelines
Masks Are Optional
The Next Steps in Transition Working Group has issued new guidelines for UUCB activities.
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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.
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Coffee hour has returned to Fellowship Hall. We will continue to offer space in the courtyard during Coffee Hour as weather permits.
- We encourage our UUCB members and friends to make decisions about wearing masks that are right for you based on your personal level of comfort and risk assessment.
Questions about the NEST guidelines can be directed to Jane McLeod at jmcleod (at) indiana . edu.
Warmest regards,
The NEST Working Group: Jane McLeod, Abby Gitlitz, Stephanie Kimball, Judy Klein,
Dan Lodge-Rigal, Sarah Sanchez, Melinda Swenson, and Rev. Connie Grant
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Sunday, October 23, 2022
10:15 a.m.
In person and Livestreamed
"We Are the Unitarian Universalist Church
of Bloomington!"
Reverend Connie Grant, Interim Lead Minister
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite, Minister of Story and Ritual
Members who have joined the congregation over the decades will share stories about what the church was like in the decade in which they joined. Following the service there will be an opportunity for all congregants to jot down your recollection of (and feelings about) congregational events significant to you, and to post your notes on a timeline of congregational history. (See below for more information).
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Your Perspectives on UUCB History
After Service on October 23
Following the service on October 23 (and for several weeks thereafter), there will be an opportunity for all congregants to jot down your recollection of (and feelings about) congregational events significant to you, and to post your notes on a timeline of congregational history in Fellowship Hall. Feel free to write about events that may have been challenging or difficult, as well as those that were happy.
Please write as much as you want on as many post-it notes as you wish. (We’ll have lots of post-its!) As you look at the notes that others have posted, you may wish to comment on something someone else wrote. The more perspectives expressed, the better!! Please express your thoughts and feelings as freely as you wish, as long as you do so with respect for others’ thoughts and feelings. You need not sign your notes (although it would be helpful to know your name in order for us to be able to follow up with you).
Your Transition Team (Andrew Appel, Ruth Aydt, Alan Backler, Deb Fish, Sarah Kopper, Kelly Rockhill, and Kathy Sideli) and Interim Lead Minister will reflect back to the congregation some gleanings from your perspectives.
(Above is a photo of our congregation's first home!)
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Sunday, October 30, 2022
10:15 a.m.
In person and Livestreamed
"Celebration and Remembrance"
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite,
Minister of Story and Ritual
Dinorah Sapp
Reverend Connie Grant, Interim Lead Minister
All ages are invited to come in costume as we remember our beloved dead in a spirit of joy and reflectiveness. We will share stories of members of our community who have died in the past year and provide opportunities to remember your own loved ones who have died. We will celebrate all of their lives together.
*You are invited to bring a photo, memento, or favorite food of a loved one for our shared altar or to have these with you as you attend online.
*If you are coming in person, please DO join our children and help them feel welcome by wearing a costume (but please don't dress as an ethnicity, race or culture that is not your own).
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Connie's Column
What’s going on around here?
As you well know, some things have been changing around here and will continue to change. And even as ministers come and go, even as staff roles shift, the congregation goes on! I am here with you—not just temporarily but “for now”—as you prepare to search for your next settled senior/lead minister.
One major change will be the departure of Carol Marks from her position as Church Administrator at the end of the calendar year after thirty years of service to this congregation. After a long period of discernment, Carol has decided that this is the time! Of course, Carol is irreplaceable; and yet, we’ll figure out how to accomplish the things that need to be done to fill the administrative needs of the congregation. A job description is under development and will soon be published widely.
Other staff roles are shifting somewhat as we are clarifying the constellations of responsibilities that will be most effective in serving the congregation. At this point, it does not appear that adding another minister in an assistant or associate role will be likely in the immediate future, although of course that is a possibility for the future.
Differentiation and clarification of the roles of your Board and staff (including ministers, other staff, and volunteers) is also under way. Watch for new opportunities to participate in the life of the congregation in meaningful ways!
And save the date for a celebration of Carol Marks’s faithful work with you, scheduled for December 11 following the Sunday service. If you’d like to help plan and implement this celebration, please be in touch with me.
Looking forward,
Connie
Rev. Connie Grant
Interim Lead Minister
grant (at) uublomington . org
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Emily's Post
Dear Friends,
This past week, Stephanie Kimball and I attended the Liberal Religious Educators' Association Fall Conference in Birmingham, Alabama, where we reflected together upon how to live fully into our 8th principle, which was adopted by our congregation in December of 2020. It reads:
"We covenant to affirm and promote journeying towards spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions."
Paula Cole Jones, who co-facilitated our exploration, reminded us that this 8th principle calls us into being more fully Unitarian Universalist in current times and that our relevance as a movement depends upon making the 8th principle real, not just on paper but in shared experiences, in our congregations.
How do we make it real in Bloomington? And how do we remain accountable for making it real? How do YOU--in whatever way you are connected to our congregation?
Stephanie and I came home with many thoughts that we look forward to sharing. But right now, there is a group exploring this through Widening the Circle, which is still open for new participants (Click here to sign up). I am seeking people who are willing to help the FIrst Nations Center at Indiana University when they call upon us--email me (leite(at)uubloomington(dot)org) if you are willing to be on a list of potential volunteers. AND we are learning and exploring our history together, which will help us know more clearly where we have been so that we can move forward more thoughtfully into our collective future.
Looking forward to continuing to share this journey with love,
Emily
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Minister of Story and Ritual
leite (at) uubloomington . org
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From Our Board of Directors
If you’ve noticed, Board members are taking turns at writing articles for the Prologue. It’s my turn today.
As I was thinking about what to write, I examined how I was feeling about UUCB at present and found I was both hopeful and concerned. My primary concern was the decline in the number of members attending Sunday services. I hope that changes soon. As church Treasurer, I’m always concerned about the church’s financial condition, but I’m actually ok there. We’ve got a budget in place that will get us through this next year without a lot of stress. We planned well for this one.
One part of my hopefulness is watching the Board and Reverend Grant work together addressing a number of areas that I’ve felt we needed shoring up – personnel make up, personnel salaries, and stewardship. We’re in the process of forming both a new Personnel Committee and a new Stewardship Committee that you’ll be hearing more about in the next couple of months.
I’m most hopeful and encouraged by my own spiritual growth. I’ve noticed it most in my relationships with others.
A couple of weeks ago, Reverend Grant had a line in her sermon that struck me – “When a new member joins the church, the church is changed.” After the service I suggested that when a new connection among members is made, the church is also changed.
Covenants among the members are key. We covenant with each other as a congregation. We further covenant with each other in our smaller groups within the church – the board, chalice circles, committees, the choir, task forces. For me, the covenants create a safe environment to make those connections.
When my term is up on the Board this next June, I hope to continue staying active in chalice circles, task forces, and committees to keep making the connections necessary for my spiritual growth.
This year’s Chalice Circles sign up period may have ended, but I encourage you to join a committee, a task force, book club, writing group, discussion group, or the choir. Your participation will not only benefit the church, but you will personally benefit even more.
--Rich Slabach, Treasurer
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Lifespan Religious Education Updates
Sign up now for the following programs:
Pursuit of Happiness, beginning on October 19 at 4:00 pm on Zoom
The right to pursue happiness is a foundational right of the United States. This reading and discussion group will focus on the experience and causes of happiness and its flip side, suffering. Should we place pleasure or happiness as a central concern of existence, or try to maintain equanimity in the face of both pleasant and painful experiences? Led by Brian O'Donnell.
Evensong for Families, meeting in person on October 19 at 6 p.m.
Sing, listen, and share with other families in the congregation.
Religious Education for Religious Educators, meeting next on October 23, in person or on Zoom at 12:00 noon.
The aim of this program is to support people in their roles as religious educators. This includes parents, guardians, and all teachers, past, present, and future.
For more information on lifespan religious education, please subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Education Matters.
Questions? Contact our Director of Religious Education, Stephanie Kimball, kimball (at) uubloomington . org
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“Writing as a Spiritual Practice”
A Drop-in Group with Rev. Barbara Child
Tuesdays through Oct 25, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
You are invited to join me on a journey of personal exploration through autobiographical writing in community on Zoom. Season 8 of this gathering will happen Tuesday afternoons 1:00-2:00, September 6 through October 25. You are welcome at any or all sessions with no commitment in advance.
Even if you took part in one or more sessions in the past, you need to register for Season 8 by clicking on the following link: Click here to register on Church Center and receive the Zoom link.
You need to register only once and will then be able to attend as many Season 8 sessions as you choose, using the same Zoom link each time. You may register up to a few minutes before a session begins.
Here is a description of “Writing as a Spiritual Practice” and what happens in our Zoom room on Tuesday afternoons at 1:00.
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Join a Sunday Volunteer Mailing List!
Are you looking to get involved, help create a welcoming environment, and meet fellow congregants? We are in need of volunteers for Sunday mornings! Join a mailing list for Java Crew, Greeters, or Flame Keepers to stay up-to-date on how you can support our church on Sunday mornings. Questions? Email Anabel Watson, Connections Coordinator, at connect(at)uubloomington.org.
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Are you interested in gardening or discussing plants? Gardeners’ Gathering on October 23
If so, please join the Gardeners' Gathering on the fourth Sunday of October! We will meet this Sunday after the worship service (around 11:30 a.m.) in the courtyard. If it is cold, we will gather in Fellowship Hall. Bring something to share, tangible or not, relating to plants. Happy gardening!
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The Fourth Trimester Team Meets October 23
The Fourth Trimester Team, our group that offers services to help support families of new babies in our congregation, will have a meeting for the volunteers that provide this support on Sunday, 10/23 at 12:00-1:30 pm in Room 112. We will have a bite to eat as we review our goals and talk about our processes to achieve them and welcome new ideas. If you are already a volunteer, or if you are someone who thinks you may be interested in volunteering and would like to learn more, please join us.
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2022 Holiday Art Fair and Bazaar: December 2-3
December 2, 10-7
December 3, 9-3
Rumors are TRUE - let your Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat friends know the Bazaar is BACK IN PERSON this year and we are working hard to make it our best Bazaar and Art Fair yet! We are calling on all talented bakers and home cooks to start baking and freezing ahead. And for the dangerous types who dare to clean out their closets and corner book piles, your treasures would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to help with donations, please contact the people listed below. More information about volunteering to help during the event will be available in November.
Call for Cookies!
The Bazaar Cookie Cruise is under sail! It's not too early to climb aboard to bank and freeze the confections that our Bazaar customers love. All types are welcome, from chocolate chip to fancy-dress. Questions? Contact Lynn Struve, lynn.struve (at) gmail.com or Meg Sears, newberrm (at) gmail.com
Gourmet Galaxy
The Gourmet Galaxy features homemade specialty foods: jams, jellies, breads, muffins, candies, cakes, pies and all other specialty baked goods are found here. We are hoping to get some soup makers to offer frozen soup. We have lots of 32 oz containers and we would love to get some homemade soup into the stomachs of our busy congregants and community members. Do you have a family favorite that you could donate? Contact Ann Kamman, aok719 (at) yahoo.com
Used Books to the Bazaar
Dear Book-Lovers, After you read or discard all the books you buy to support the Hoosier Hills Food Bank this October, bag 'em up for the UU Bazaar! These items may be brought to the church beginning at 12 noon on Sunday, November 27. Contact Glee Noble, gleenoble (at) yahoo.com
White Elephant Sale
The White Elephant Sale includes items such as dishes, kitchen wares, holiday decorations, children's toys, exotic collectibles, or truly (but not actual) white elephants. We are not accepting electronics, such as PCs, TVs, stereos, etc. No clothing unless specialty items. If you have shelving units we can borrow to display items, please let us know. We can receive donations starting Sunday, November 27 after church. Want to help organize and price items? Contact Doris Wittenburg, dwittenb (at) indiana.edu
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Please contact Ruellen Fessenbecker for general Bazaar questions, rfessenb (at) indiana.edu
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You are Invited:
The Installation of Rev. Jennie Barrington at UU Church of Tippecanoe County, October 23
Our congregation is invited to the installation of Rev. Jennie Barrington at UU Congregation of Tippecanoe County, Sunday, October 23 at 3:30 p.m. Please click here for details.
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UU Freethinkers Meet Sunday, October 23, 12:00 pm in person and on Zoom
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 in person in the Library or on Zoom at 12:00 pm. To join the discussion on Zoom, contact Ann Watzel or Harold Ogren.
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Earth Kin Celebrates Samhain October 29
Earth Kin, UUBC’s Earth-centered spirituality group, is having our Samhain ritual on Saturday, October 29, 7–9pm. This will be a ritual in the OBOD Druidic tradition focusing on honoring the dead and releasing personal burdens.
Samhain is an introspective holy season, and there will be some contemplative preparation you’ll want to do before the ceremony. If you will be joining us, please email rhiannonsnow3 (at) gmail . com asking for the ritual preparation questions.
No prior experience with earth-centered or Pagan spiritual tradition is necessary; anyone with respectful intent may attend. We’ll be outside in the courtyard if the weather is sufficiently nice (dress warmly, and bring a penlight if possible!), or in Fellowship Hall if it’s rainy. Please bring a dish to pass. We would love to have you join us!
—Rhiannon Snow for Earth Kin
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UU Humanists Meet Sunday, October 30, 12:00 p.m.
in person and on Zoom
The UU Humanists will meet on Sunday, October 30, at 12:00 p.m. in person in the Library and online via Zoom. Kevin Craig will facilitate a discussion on "Christian Nationalism as our greatest Threat." To join the discussion please contact Ann Watzel or Harold Ogren.
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Tai Chi and Qigong Meets on Mondays
Taiji (tai chi) and qigong practice starts Monday, Oct 31 in Fellowship Hall and will continue to meet each Monday.
Once again Brian Flaherty will lead Taiji and qigong practice here at our church, and all are welcome. The practices are free of charge, on Mondays from 2:15 to 3:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Here is Brian's description of the experience: Taiji and qigong are ancient arts practiced to harmonize all components of a person’s being and to cultivate health and well-being. Practice consists of slow, gentle movements that even people with no experience can follow. We practice the same one or two taiji and qigong forms each week so that eventually practitioners can learn and practice them on their own outside of class. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
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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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Green Building Open House Oct 23
Two high efficiency electric air source heat pumps were installed last month, one for our Babies and Nursery rooms and one for our Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms. These upgrades were made possible by a matching grant from Faith in Place and the “Paris Pledge” Special Purposes Fund that had invested extra 2017 Solar Sprint funds.
Join Molly O'Donnell in Fellowship Hall at 11:45 on Sunday, October 23rd, to see the systems and learn about how they work.
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Fourth Trimester Team Meets Oct 23 at 12:00
The Fourth Trimester Team, a group that offers services to help support families of new babies, will have a meeting for the volunteers that provide this support on 10/23 at 12:00-1:30 pm in Room 112. We will have a bite to eat as we review our goals and talk about our processes to achieve them and welcome new ideas. If you are already a volunteer, or if you are someone who thinks you may be interested in volunteering and would like to learn more, please join us. We hope to see you there.
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Green Sanctuary Task Force -
The Fall Clothing Swap on October 29
The Green Sanctuary Task Force encourages all of us to examine our habits of consumption. What do we buy? Where does it come from? What happens to it when we're finished with it? What impact does our consumption have on the earth and its inhabitants?
Renew your wardrobe while caring for the Earth at this fall's Swap, in Fellowship Hall on Saturday, October 29 from 10 am until 12 noon.
Please contact Stephanie Kimball (kimball (at) uubloomington . org) for more information or to volunteer.
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African Americans in Monroe County
Sunday, October 30 in Our Meeting Room
Local historian Elizabeth (Liz) Mitchell will give a presentation about the history of African Americans in Monroe County, followed by Q&A, at 7pm on Sunday, October 30th in our Meeting Room. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about this important, and often disregarded, piece of Monroe County history. The presentation will also be available via live stream. The event, sponsored by our Racial Justice Task Force, is free and open to the public. A more complete event description and bio for Liz is available here – please share with others and help spread the word about this opportunity to learn about our history.
About Liz… Liz has been active in her passion for African American history for more than 40 years. Along with her husband James Mitchell Jr., she has collected “Jim Crow” artifacts. Together, they own the largest private collection of African American memorabilia in Indiana, and they use their collection to educate and stimulate conversations about race in America. Liz was named Citizen of the Year in 2007, received the Martin Luther King’s Legacy Award in 2010, and was named a Bloomington Living Legend in 2012. In 2018, the Indiana Historical Society recognized her with the Hubert Hawkins Award for Local History. In 2019, she received the Indiana Lt. Governor’s Golden Hoosier Award.
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Fall Social Justice Grant Applications
Due October 30
Each fall, our Social Justice Funds Committee welcomes proposals for grants from the Leonard Lundin Social Justice Fund in support of local social justice projects. Projects must be based in Southern Indiana and be consistent with the mission of our congregation. Applications are due October 30. Please click here for additional information and an application form. Questions? Contact Denise Ogren, dogrenbloomington (at) gmail . com
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Community Connections
Our Faith in Action in the Community
Celebrate Reproductive Justice Month --
Help with All Options Diaper Program
Help our Reproductive Justice task force support All Options Diaper program by making a donation directly to All Options. A shortage of diapers leads to families missing work because their children can't go to daycare, having to make diapers last too long, which leads to skin problems, and also leads to avoiding social situations. All Options diaper program now had a mobile supply van service. To donate, follow the link below or mail them a check, noting "Diapers" on the memo line.
https://all-options.networkforgood.com
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Grocery Gift Cards Now Available for Sale on Sundays
Office Assistants Monica Overman or Mandy Skinner are available to sell grocery gift cards on Sundays between 11:15 and 12:00 noon in the church office, Room 204. To check on the availability of cards, click here. Proceeds from the sale of grocery gift cards for Bloomingfoods and Fresh Thyme support our operating budget.
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How to Reach the Administrative Staff
Church Administrator Carol Marks can be reached at 812-287-9615, 812-332-3695, or admin (at) uubloomington . org, M-F 10-4. She is in the building several days a week; if you would like to stop by the church office, please call ahead, 812-332-3695.
Office Assistants Monica Overman or Mandy Skinner are in the church office Room 204 on Sundays, 10-1. They can also be reached at other times, below.
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
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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 a member of our staff or one of our 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.
Calendar: For our full calendar of events, visit uucb.churchcenter.com/calendar.
The Prologue is published on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month.
Next issue: November 1. Deadline is 10 am on date of publication, to admin (at) uubloomington.org
Church Mailing Address: UU Church,
PO Box 8132, Bloomington IN 47407
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Details on Membership & Offering
Membership: 561 certified members as of 2/1/2022;
566 current members.
Attendance (online and in person):
September 25: 152
Non-Pledge Offering:
October 2: $998
October 9: $661
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 Bloomington Refugee Support Network: $414.70
Grocery Card Sales: (Bloomingfoods or Fresh Thyme) $500 ; Total income to UUCB: $25
Free Money from Kroger!
Fresh Thyme and Bloomingfoods
Grocery Cards Available by Mail or In Person on Sundays
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Did you know that Kroger sends our congregation 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, PO Box 8132, Bloomington, IN 47407) 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 a return envelope. We also have grocery cards available on Sunday mornings between services, in Room 204 from 11:15 to 12 noon.
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Our Ministers & Staff
Reverend Connie Grant, our Interim Lead Minister
- Email grant (at) uubloomington . org, 847-840-8542
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite, our Minister of Story and Ritual
- Email leite (at) uubloomington . org
Carol Marks, Church Administrator: admin (at) uubloomington . org
Anabel Watson, Connections Coordinator: connect (at) uubloomington . org
Monica Overman and Mandy Skinner, Office Assistants:
office (at) uubloomington . org
Stephanie Kimball, Director of Religious Education: kimball (at) uubloomington . org
Susan Swaney, Music Director: music (at) uubloomington . org
Andy Beargie, Hans Kelson, and Brady Egan, Multimedia Managers:
mediateam (at) uubloomington . org
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Masthead photo from our archives (pumpkins courtesy Bloomington Creative Glass Center.) | | |
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Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Mailing address: PO Box 8132 Bloomington, IN 47407
uubloomington.org | facebook
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