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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
Or watch the livestream online:
On our website | On Facebook
All are welcome!
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Masks are now optional at all church activities and events, including worship services. Coffee hour has returned to Fellowship Hall. Pandemic-related guidelines are posted on the front page of our website.
Hearing assistive devices are now available at the AV Tech booth in the rear of the Meeting Room for use during Sunday worship services.
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Sunday, November 20, 2022
10:15 a.m.
Reverend Connie Grant
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
“Changing the World”
What will we do to change the world for the better?
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Sunday, November 27, 2022
10:15 a.m.
Reverend Connie Grant
“The Meaning of Life”
Is the meaning of life 43 or 42? Maybe we’re asking the wrong question.
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--Official Notice--
Fall Congregational Meeting
Sunday, December 11 2:00 p.m.
Our congregation will hold its fall congregational meeting on Sunday, December 11, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. in our Meeting Room at 2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington. All members are encouraged to attend. Childcare will be provided in Room 108.
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Connie's Column
Having values and having principles.
As a confirmed contrarian, I am intrigued by the reframing of Article II of the Unitarian Universalist Association Bylaws as values rather than as The Principles.
Written into the UUA Bylaws (Article XV) is a provision for reviewing Article II not less than every 15 years. When Article II was last reviewed, Gini Courter, who was moderator of the UUA at the time, was quoted as saying that the reason for reviewing the principles and sources articulated in Article II was to avoid having them become “accidentally creedal.” These relational beliefs (rather than theological beliefs) are descriptive in origin, rather than prescriptive: the result of democratic process rather than “commandments” from above. Believing in the “seven (or eight) principles” doesn’t make you a Unitarian Universalist, and not believing in them doesn’t make you not a Unitarian Universalist.
Commitment to democratic process and to individual freedom of belief are hallmarks of Unitarian Universalism. Just as we are responsible for our own beliefs, we are responsible for our own governance through congregational polity.
In a book titled “With Purpose and Principle,” UU minister Earl Holt quotes Humanist UU minister Paul Beattie, who wrote in a sermon in the 1980s—and which I believe is true today:
The survival of our religious movement or any like it will always be in doubt, not from without but within, for in each age large numbers of people will be anxious and ready to abandon this approach to religion for something which seems to promise greater certainty, greater assurance. We have to learn and relearn in each generation how wonderful it is to say to each person who comes to us: in religion—in life—you must learn to think for yourself and act for yourself—no one can or should do it for you. Many, many people hunger to hear this message and to live it. There is no substitute for the freedom of the mind and the heart and the conscience which I am describing. If we allow it, we shall fulfill our great and unique potential in religion.
I find the values of Interdependence, Equity, Generosity, Justice, Evolution, Pluralism, and the central value of Love, as articulated in the proposed Article II, to be comprehensive and inclusive (even as the statements may benefit from editing). Importantly, the concluding Freedom of belief section reads: “Nothing herein shall be deemed to infringe upon the individual freedom of belief which is inherent in the Unitarian Universalist heritages. In expressing our [values], we do so in the spirit of love, in ways that further Beloved Community.
In faith and hope,
Connie
Rev. Connie Grant
Interim Lead Minister
grant (at) uubloomington . org
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Emily's Post
Dear Friends,
What a joy is was to enter into a time of gratitude together on Sunday. There is much to be glad about, and much still to do. Since the service, I have appreciated hearing about some of your ways of being to make a better world and, especially, seeing some of the motions that remind you of that way of being.
As Robin Wall Kimmerer wrote in her masterful book, Braiding Sweetgrass,
“The most important thing each of us can know is our unique gift and how to use it in the world. Individuality is cherished and nurtured, because, in order for the whole to flourish, each of us has to be strong in who we are and carry our gifts with conviction, so they can be shared with others.” (emphasis mine)
If you haven’t chosen a motion or sound to remind you of the way you intend to be in the world in this moment, I encourage you to come up with one—it makes that new way of being a little easier to remember and embody. Plus, it may re-connect you with your playful side!
Looking forward to co-creating a better world with you.
Love,
Emily, the secret elf (shhhh!)
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Minister of Story and Ritual
leite (at) uubloomington . org
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From Our Board of Directors
As I write this on Sunday afternoon, I am still filled with the joy of seeing, for the first time in too long, 50-some members of our church community coming together over a shared meal in Fellowship Hall. The pancake breakfast organized by Stephanie Kimball and the RE Development Team in support of the UUSC Guest at Your Table fundraiser was a wonderful experience in every way. Another reason for feeling good about attending church this morning was the theme of the service: "Gratitude and Change." At this time of year, it is good to remind ourselves of all we have to be grateful for, which a lively, participative service made clear. What is still resonating in my head, however, is the musical piece that the children's choir led us into: "Change is coming.... What do we need to imagine?" That is what I want to write about here.
In the last two Prologue pieces written by Board members Abbie Gitlitz and Rich Slabach, they urged you to be leaders and participants in the many opportunities for personal growth and charitable actions possible at UUCB. Please follow their advice and be aware that more chances for involvement will arise in the coming months. Because, as we all know, change is indeed coming for our congregation. Personally, I am finding it both exciting and challenging - in a good way - to serve on the Board and to be part of this post-pandemic, interim period of discernment and planning for change. With Reverend Grant’s assistance and counsel, a great deal of this discernment is well underway. As preparation for the search for our next called minister, we will soon be encouraging all members of the congregation to help explore and finally determine what we will want that person to be and do in the coming years. This will involve an open, honest, and trusting discussion of what UUCB has been and what we are now called to become. So stay connected and as actively involved as you can as we go on this journey together.
In the meantime, you may want to take a look at an extensive revision of Article 2 of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Bylaws, Principles and Purposes, to be voted on at the 2023 General Assembly. (More change coming!) Last revised in 1987, this Article focuses on the UUA Seven Principles and Purposes. The proposed revision encompasses these principles as well as the Eighth Principle that our congregation adopted a few years ago, but in six inseparable parts inspired and powered by love. It's a compelling conception! In the spring, our congregation will address this important proposed revision of the most fundamental covenant we make as individual UUs and to which our church has also pledged as a member church.
You can find a PDF copy of the document at this link.
I invite you to embrace and participate in helping imagine and shape the changes in our future as fully as you're moved to do so. All good wishes to each of you for a Happy Thanksgiving.
- Linda Pickle
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Lifespan Religious Education Updates
Call for Class 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). Submissions may be made at any time, but those received by December 6 will be given priority for spring scheduling. Questions? Contact Stephanie Kimball (kimball (at) uubloomington . org).
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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Pie, Poetry, and ‘Preciation
A Celebration of Carol Marks!
December 11, 11:30am – 1:30pm
After thirty years of service to the UUCB congregation, Carol Marks, Director of Administration, will be stepping down at the end of December.
Let’s celebrate Carol with pie and poetry, two of her favorite things!
Please sign up here to indicate what kind of pie, sweet or savory, you would like to bring and how you would like to help: https://uucb.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1520426.
And start writing your poetic tribute or searching for that perfect poem, which will be collected for Carol. Questions? Please contact Stephanie Kimball at Kimball (at) uubloomington . org or Rev. Connie, Grant (at) uubloomington . org.
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Thanksgiving Pitch-in Dinner November 24 at 5:00 p.m.
For the first time since 2019, we will once again hold our Thanksgiving Pitch-in Potluck Dinner at 5:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall on Thanksgiving Day, November 24. Please sign up by November 20. Two ways to sign up:
1) On the paper sign up sheet in the Commons at church,
OR
2) On this handy dandy online sign-up: Thanksgiving Potluck Sign-Up
Please indicate how many people are in your party and what food (enough to serve 6-8 people) you will be bringing to share. The church will provide turkey. All are welcome!
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Our Giving Tree is Underway!
This year, our Giving Tree is helping sustain the work of Head Start (offers early childhood support), Positive Link (serves people living with HIV), and Beacon (aids and empowers people experiencing poverty).
Please sign up here to provide a gift, and plan to pick up your tag on Sunday to attach to your gift—they will be by the Giving Tree in Fellowship Hall with your name on them. If you are unable to come on Sunday, indicate that in your signup comment, and we can mail your tag to you.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054daeac2ca02-giving
If you picked up a tag and have not signed it out, please sign it out at the link ASAP!
All of the gifts will be collected on Sunday, December 4, during the service. If you need to make alternative arrangements for the delivery of your gift or have other questions, contact Reverend Emily (812-333-9822 or leite (at) uubloomington.org). Thank you for your generosity!
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It is Time to Sign Up to Help with the Bazaar!
2022 Holiday Art Fair and Bazaar, December 2 and 3
Friday 10-7, Saturday 9-3
Set up starts Nov. 27
Volunteer! Please click below and sign up to give your time (and maybe some muscles!) to help make 2022 the best UUCB Art Fair & Bazaar yet!! We need help setting up before, putting away after, and we have lots of opportunities in between.
tinyurl.com/bazaarsignup2022
Spread the word! Let your friends know the Bazaar is BACK IN PERSON this year - word of mouth (in person or online), is still the best advertising around!
If you would like to help with donations, please click on the links below:
Would you like to sponsor a baker? You could donate money or ingredients to keep someone busy. Contact Barb Backler, bbackler(at)gmail.com.
Questions? Please contact Ruellen Fessenbecker at rfessenb(at)indiana.edu for general Bazaar inquiries, or click on this link for answers to frequently asked questions.
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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.
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New UUA Article II, Principles and Purposes, Proposed
Info on How to Comment
The Unitarian Universalist Association's (UUA's) Article II Study Commission has shared the full draft of a proposed Article II for discussion and feedback. Article II of the Unitarian Universalist Association Bylaws, Principles and Purposes, is the covenant to which congregations pledge themselves when they become members of the UUA. Structured as core values rather than numbered “principles,” this draft proposes significant changes to Article II. The Commission suggests taking time for reflection and discernment around the stated values of justice, generosity, evolution, pluralism, equity, interdependence, and the central value of love.
More information, including a link to an online form for initial feedback, is available at this web page: Article II Study Commission.
The Study Commission will present its final draft to the UUA Board in January for inclusion on the agenda for UUA General Assembly 2023. It will then be the subject of mini-Assemblies before the initial vote at GA 2023. If it passes that delegate vote by a majority, it will require a 2/3 majority vote at GA 2024 to become the new Article II of the Bylaws.
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Registration open now:
Discover Your Inner Leader with Suzanne Fodor, January 21!
Discover Your Inner Leader through a storytelling workshop. Though "leadership" can seem intimidating or attached to title or position, we all have a leadership voice and practice leadership in our daily lives. In this session, we will explore times within our lives in which we led or took action. Often our leadership voice comes from the life moments in which we had the most purpose. Let’s define and discover this voice through sharing of stories and creativity.
You need not be in an official leadership position at UUCB to participate--all teens and adults are welcome. This workshop will be led by Suzanne Fodor, (She/Her), CPCC, PCC, Associate Director, Graduate Career Services at IU Kelley School of Business, and Executive Coach; it is sponsored by the UUCB Leadership Cultivation Committee.
January 21, 2023, from 10 to 11:45 a.m. Limited to 20 participants, so click here to register soon!
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UU Freethinkers Meet Sunday, November 20, 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 Room 208 or on Zoom at 12:00 pm. To join via Zoom, contact Ann Watzel or Harold Ogren.
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UU Humanists Meet Sunday, November 27, 12:00 pm in person and on Zoom
The UU Humanist Forum will meet next November 27 at 12 noon in person in Room 208 at the church, with an option to join online via Zoom. David Parkhurst will facilitate a discussion on "History of the Covenanters in Bloomington." To join via Zoom, contact Ann Watzel or Harold Ogren.
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Tai Chi and Qigong Meets on Mondays, except Nov 21
Taiji (tai chi) and qigong practices each Monday 2:15 to 3:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Brian Flaherty will lead the practices here at our church, and all are welcome. The practices are free of charge. Usually in Fellowship Hall. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
Please note that Tai Chi will not meet on Monday, November 21. Practices will resume on Monday, November 28.
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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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2022 Fall Social Justice Fall Grants Awarded
Each Fall, the Social Justice Funds Committee seeks applications for grants that further the mission of the Bloomington Unitarian Universalist Church. Funds are available from interest earned on the Lundin Social Justice Endowment Fund.
The UU Social Justice Funds Committee is happy to announce the following awards that are consistent with our UU mission:
Habitat Task Force -- submitted by Barb Berggoetz: $930 to refurbish the ReStore’s parking lot by repainting the lines and directional arrows and to purchase a ladder for Habitat.
Team First Book Monroe County -- submitted by Carolyn Emmert : $750 to award grants to schools and programs with low income children to purchase books for children to own and take home.
Hope for Prisoners Task Force -- submitted by Debbie Fish: $1000 for Songs of a Caged Bird, an exhibition of visual, literary and performance art of Phillip Stroud, UUCB member and presently a death-row inmate.
Refugee & Immigration Support & Education Task Force -- submitted by Barb Backler: $558 for Meet the Fakherduin Family Party: A pizza party after church on Dec. 18 to meet the family that the Refugee & Immigration Support & Education task force has been assisting.
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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 how many cards we have on hand, click here. Proceeds from the sale of grocery gift cards for Bloomingfoods and Fresh Thyme support our operating budget.
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Church Office Closed Nov 24 -25
The church office will be closed on November 24 and 25 for the the holiday.
There will be a Thanksgiving Pitch-in Dinner at 5:00 p.m. on November 24 in Fellowship Hall.
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How to Reach the Administrative Staff
Director of Administration 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: December 6. Deadline is 10 am on date of publication, to admin (at) uubloomington.org
Church Mailing Address: UU Church,
PO Box 8132, Bloomington IN 47407. Please don't mail items to the street address; our street mailbox was damaged on 10/31 and we won't be replacing it.
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Details on Membership & Offering
Membership: 561 certified members as of 2/1/2022;
563 current members.
Attendance (online and in person):
October 23: 167
Non-Pledge Offering:
October 30: $518
November 6: $658
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: $294.00
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, Director of Administration: 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 by Linda Mjolsnes, captured 11/7/2022. | | |
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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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