Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana | | |
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This Saturday! January 21, 10 - 11:45 a.m. Discover Your Inner Leader: A Storytelling Workshop with Suzanne Fodor
Discover your inner leader through a storytelling workshop sponsored by the UUCB Leadership Cultivation Committee. This workshop will provide dedicated space and time to share moments of creativity and purpose in our lives, to dive into the unique voice of leadership within each of us. Bagels and breakfast beverages will be provided. Both teens and adults welcome. A few spaces are still available if you'd like to join: Register here
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Sunday, January 22, 2023
10:15 a.m.
Small Kindnesses
Reverend Forrest Gilmore
Reverend Connie Grant
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
“I have found that it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folks that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.”-from The Hobbit, movie inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien. After several years of isolation due to the pandemic and anger due to politics, I find myself reminded of the gentler aspects of life. Kindness is an overplayed theme in our words but an underestimated power in our actions. Today, we’ll explore those everyday moments that make a small but significant difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness and in our lives, too.
Rev. Forrest Gilmore is UUCB’s Affiliated Community Minister. He served congregations for ten years as a parish minister and now is the Executive Director of Beacon, Inc, a local nonprofit dedicated to people experiencing extreme poverty. Forrest is a native New Yorker, but has called Bloomington home for over thirteen years. He’s a graduate of Cornell University and Starr King School for the Ministry.
During this Sunday's service we will also be honoring our first graders in the Age of Reason ceremony, which celebrates the journey of independent learning they are beginning.
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Please Consider Wearing a Mask
While masks are optional, because of the large number of Covid and Influenza cases in Bloomington and in our church community, we hope you will consider wearing a mask while in our building. We have masks available if you forget yours!
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Living Our Values (Everyday) Fair
In Fellowship Hall this Sunday after the service
Formerly known as the Getting Involved Fair, this is an opportunity for our Social Justice Task Forces to showcase activities they are working on so that you can learn how to get involved.
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Warm Socks Needed
As winter weather approaches, please think about the homeless folks living in Bloomington and Monroe County. One of their needs is warm socks. Please consider donating warm socks to those experiencing homelessness, through the UUCB Homelessness Taskforce. We will be collecting warm socks at the Living Our Values (Everyday) Fair, which will be held in Fellowship Hall after the service this Sunday. After that, socks may be left in the bins under the portico, behind the church. Thank you! -- UUCB Homelessness Task Force
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UU Humanists meet Sunday, January 22,
12:00 noon in Room 208 (and on Zoom)
The UU Humanist Forum will meet this Sunday at noon in person in Room 208 at the church, with an option to join online via Zoom. Mary Yoke will lead a discussion around “Unpacking Behavior Change.” Please contact Ann Watzel or Harold Ogren for the Zoom link.
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Exploring Unitarian Universalism
This Sunday and next
January 22 and 29, 2 - 4 p.m. in the Library
Register here
Join long-time members, staff presenters, and folks new to our community for a two-part course on Unitarian Universalism and UUCB. This will be an engaging space to get to know one another and gain deeper knowledge on topics such as UU history, the specifics of membership, UU principles, and much more. We request completion of these sessions before becoming a member of the church. Everyone ages 14 to 100+ is welcome. Snacks will be provided! Questions? Contact our Connections Coordinator, Anabel Watson, at connect@uubloomington.org.
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Chalice Circle Openings
Now that winter has settled in, it might be a good time for you to connect with other UUs in a Chalice Circle. Chalice Circles are small groups that gather once or twice a month to practice deep listening, often focusing on the church theme of the month. We have circles that meet in person or on Zoom. A few of this year's circles have space for new members - to find out if one would fit your schedule, contact Jan Armstrong.
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Writing as a Spiritual Practice
with Reverend Barbara Child
A Drop-in Group on Zoom
Tuesdays 1-2 p.m., January 10 - February 28
I invite you to come along on this journey of personal exploration through writing in community. You are welcome to attend any or all sessions. Click here for a full description of how the group works. You will need to register online to get the Zoom link - Sign up here. The same link will work every session during the series.
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Tea with Reverend Emily and Friends
4th Wednesdays, 3-4 pm, in the Library
Starting January 25
We invite you to come over to the church on 4th Wednesdays from 3-4pm, beginning January 25, to share a cup of tea. Enter at the office or portico entrance and join us in the library for an hour of fellowship and conversation. Reverend Emily will be there, and other staff may also drop by.
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Choir Rehearsals: Thursdays, 7 p.m.
It’s a great time to join the choir, and we now have childcare available! No audition required. Just show up in time to collect your music and be in your seat by 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays in the Meeting Room.
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Reproductive Justice Task Force Fundraiser
Siding with Love Bake Sale
Open online until February 8!
Order here: tinyurl.com/RJTFbakesale
The UUCB Reproductive Justice Task Force is having its annual fundraiser! We work in partnership with Planned Parenthood and All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center, in support of diaper drives, reducing maternal mortality, and providing abortion funding and transportation. Our highly skilled volunteer bakers will be busy at work making an assortment of fabulous treats to order by the box-full, just in time for Valentine's Day. Gluten-free boxes and savory snack boxes are also available.
Questions? Email Pat Slabach or call her at 317-796-1820 and leave a message or text. You can place orders with Pat as well.
Don't need treats and just want to donate to the fundraiser? Skip the order form and simply donate here.
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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@uubloomington.org.
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Pandemic Guidelines
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Masks are optional at all church activities and events, including worship services.
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Food and drinks may now be served at church events regardless of the size of the group.
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Coffee hour is back in Fellowship Hall. We will continue to offer space in the courtyard during Coffee Hour as weather permits.
The NEST working group will continue to monitor the status of COVID in our local community and adjust guidelines in accordance with the community risk level -- questions can be directed to Jane McLeod.
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COVID-19 Vaccination News
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Masthead photo by Marcia Hart. | |
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Mailing Address: PO Box 8132, Bloomington, Indiana 47407
Church mobile phone: 812-287-9615
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