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Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World
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Sunday, August 23, 2020
10:15 am LIVE STREAM ONLY
What?! A Wonderful World
Reverend Christin Green
We may find ourselves saying, "What?!" a lot these days, perhaps in disbelief, out of confusion, or as we search for answers. Even as a wonder-filled world, it may not always seem like a wonderful world. How do we navigate back to Wonder from the What?
We are happy to once again welcome Reverend Christin Green into our pulpit to continue exploring this month's theme, Wonder. Christin was recently welcomed into preliminary fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Ministers' Association. She is a scholar of language, identity politics, sound healing, and liberation theology.
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Send Us Your Wonder-full Photos
We are gathering wonder-full photos of all your beautiful faces for our monthly slide show at the end of the service August 30. Please send your photos (you do need to be IN the photo!) to
media (at) uubloomington.org by August 28.
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Please Join Us Via Livestream
Please join us for our service each Sunday via our Facebook page or our website livestream page. Archived videos are available about 3 hours after the airing of each livestream on our website, in case you miss the livestream while it's live.
Our Building is Closed, but Our Hearts are Still Open.
To help disrupt the spread of the coronavirus and COVID-19 in our community, our Board of Directors has voted to close the building for the time being. Everyone please stay safe, stay well, and stay home as much as possible.
Our Board will review the situation concerning our building closure and the progress of the pandemic at their Board meeting each month, and will keep us updated on their decisions.
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Join us for Virtual Coffee Hour!
Read the Friday Update for the complete list of Coffee Hour breakout room topics.
Email connect(at) uubloomington.org before Saturday, if you would like to request a conversation topic and be a small group conversation host. - -Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
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Emily's Post
Dear Ones,
I have written before about my love of haiku, which I'm dipping into again as we explore Wonder this month. Haiku, at its best, connects us up with a specific moment in time. As the academic year ramps up, the election draws every closer, and the news bombards us from all sides, many of us are feeling flooded with information, emails, projects, and frequent requests for our attention.
So sometimes a moment is all we have. Haiku encourages us to be with that moment, and to allow it to invite us home to wonder. You might choose to write three short lines to capture a moment in your day: a time you became fully aware of the Here and Now. Or you might choose to read of others' awareness. Here are three haiku moments to savor. I found them in Haiku Mind by Patricia Donegan. Cutting a pear sweet drops drip from the knife --Shiki Masaoka
Pausing halfway up the stair-- white chrysanthemums --Elizabeth Searle Lamb
To see Void vast infinite Look out the window into the blue sky. --Allen Ginsberg May your August contain such precious moments of your own, and may Wonder fill your days. Thinking of you on a rainy morning, Emily
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Minister of Congregional Life and Religious Education
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New Fall Programming for Religious Education
Visit our website to learn more about this year's unique offerings: Practicing Our Principles, UU Home, Anti-Racist Families, and Youth Groups. Registration is now open and the deadline to register is Tuesday, August 25th! Click here to register.
We will be utilizing a new database that will allow you to participate in small groups, will send you friendly reminders about events, and will serve as one convenient place to find all the information you need for participating! Questions? Contact Adrienne Summerlot, Director of Religious Education, dre(at)uubloomington.org
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Reverend Dave Clements
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From the Board of Directors
Our Ministerial Team is Growing
Reverend Dave Clements, Interim Minister Consultant Arrives September 1
The Board and Reverend Macklin and Reverend Leite sent a letter recently to everyone announcing an addition to our ministerial team that will help us move through the year ahead. The budget passed by our membership for the current year includes funds to provide additional ministerial services and help us build community following the resignation of our associate minister in early 2020, and we are happy to announce that Reverend Dave Clements has agreed to serve our congregation as Interim Minister Consultant, September 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. Reverend Clements has a strong background in leadership and organizational development. To read more about Reverend Clements, click here.
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Our Folks...
Congratulations to Karen Jewell and Jeffrey Cohen who were married on Monday, August 17, at the Justice Building here in Bloomington. They will have another wedding in Texas, later on.
Congratulations also to Claire Sunkel and Sean Spiller, now Claire & Sean Sunkel-Spiller, who were married on Saturday, August 15.
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Community Connections
Our Faith in Action in the Community
Bloomington Hospital Site Redevelopment -- New Survey Available
Click here to take a new online survey about the design principles and three proposals related to the redevelopment of the old hospital site. You'll also find links to a slideshow presentation and a recording of the August 6th public forum on the survey page. For more background, check out the official project website.
College Square Food Pantry Thanks Bloomingfoods!
Next time you're in Bloomingfoods East, if you spot Nancy Flynn, the manager, please take a moment to thank her for generously donating a case of 300 paper bags with handles that were urgently needed by the Feed Our Hungry Neighbors Task Force for the food pantry we support at College Square (formerly Walnut Grove). If you haven't visited the store lately, you might want to find an excuse to support them.
Bloomington Chamber Singers Garden Bulb Sale
Here's an environmentally friendly way to support Bloomington Chamber Singers and beautify your spring garden! The fundraiser offers 18 popular fall-planting, spring-blooming flower bulbs. Details about the flowers are in this brochure. All the selections are $10.00 each, except for a large assortment called "The Works," for $30.00 (available only via the order form). BCS will earn 50% of each purchase, which will support the purchase of choral risers. Two ways to purchase:
1. Download order form HERE. Send completed order form and check payable to Bloomington Chamber Singers to P.O. Box 3256, Bloomington, IN 47402, by September 12.
2. Order directly online HERE . For an additional shipping charge, order directly from the Dutch Mill Bulbs website. Shipped directly to you, BCS will still earn a percentage of purchase.
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Space: Mine, Yours & Ours
A Four Week Virtual Vespers Series
with visiting minister Reverend Christin Green
Tuesdays: August 18, 25, September 1, 8 at 7:00 pm
What is a virtual "vespers" experience? Vespers is traditionally an evening prayer service with song and meditation. Each Tuesday at 7 pm, Reverend Christin will share a 20-minute engaging, meditative, musical experience followed by an opportunity for facilitated group fellowship until 8 pm.
1. Taking Up Space: Meditations on how we exist in the world
2. Clearing Space: Meditations on how we say "no"
3. Creating Space: Meditations on how we can operate from a place of abundance
4. Holding Space: Meditations on how we support one another
You are invited to come as you are, with openness to wonder. Drop in for one session or for many. To receive the Zoom link for this series, click here .
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Writing as a Spiritual Practice (Season 2)
A Drop-in Group with Rev. Barbara Child
This is an invitation to join me on an autumn journey of personal exploration through autobiographical writing in community on Zoom.
This will be a drop-in group just like the group this past spring, which I now think of as Season 1.
We will meet every Tuesday afternoon 1:00-2:00
September 1 through October 27.
To begin with, even if you took part in Season 1, you need to register for Season 2 by clicking here.
You need to register only once, and can then attend as many Season 2 sessions after that as you choose. 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 each Tuesday afternoon at 1:00.
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Shambhala Meditation Online on Mondays
Every Monday at noon online, or anytime since there are saved sessions. Join a 2500-year-old practice of cultivating peace and inner wisdom. We've maintained our practice during the Pandemic, since finding peace is even trickier now, on Facebook at UU Bloomington Meditation. Put in your request to join the group ahead of time to sit in real time with folks from our community. Info, contact Sarah Flint, sflint.ktv (at) gmail.com
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Open Mind Zen Online
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Open Mind Zen Indiana is currently holding all meetings online. For information on how to participate, please contact them at through their contact page. For more info, visit openmindzenbloomington.org.
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UU Humanist Forum Meets August 23, 12:45 p.m.
On Sunday, August 23, at 12:45 pm the UU Humanist Forum will meet via Zoom. Harold Ogren will facilitate a discussion on "Is it time to rethink education?"
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UU Freethinkers Meet August 30, 12:45 p.m. on Zoom
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Gardeners Unite!
Chat on Zoom on Sunday, August 23
This Sunday during Virtual Coffee Hour, all types and levels of gardeners are invited to gather in a special breakout room just for Gardeners. This is a great opportunity to learn from other gardeners, and share about your garden! Join the fun following the service on Sunday (~11:15 AM-12:15 pm). Use this link to enter Virtual Coffee Hour after the service.
-- Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
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Charlotte and her uncle
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Charlotte Appel on Planned Giving -
"I Feel a Part of the Solutions"
This church is home to me. The people of this church inspire me and amaze me. When I feel like the world is out of my control, that I cannot impact the problems that are out there, I look at the work being done by this congregation and I feel a part of the solutions. In this time of pandemic I have my 90-year-old uncle living with us and am thus greatly confined to my home. I worry for the families struggling to keep their homes and food on the table. I can look at the work done by the Homelessness, Help Feed Our Hungry Neighbors and Habitat for Humanity Task Forces and know that more than $6,000 has been directed and donated by them from our congregation recently. Much of that money has come from those members who have gone before us. It is for that reason that I want this congregation, this sense of values, to continue long beyond me and why I have chosen to include it in my estate planning. --Charlotte Appel
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Welcome to Our Newest Members!
On Sunday, August 2, we welcomed six new members into our congregation. They are Brian Hathaway, Sylvia McNair, Steve Pock, Rich Roland, Raymond Sage, and Samantha Sieloff. Please give them a warm welcome! Below are a couple of bios to help you get to know them better. --- Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
Sylvia McNair ran around the world for 35 years singing opera, symphony orchestra concerts, musical theater productions and the Great American Songbook. She even managed to win 2 Grammys. Not sure how, but they're on a shelf. She also taught on the IU Jacobs School of Music faculty for ten years. Now she's busy teaching English as a New Language with the MCPL's VITAL program, volunteering at Meals on Wheels and Susie's Place, serving on the board of the B'ton Refugee Support Network, producing 'Sylvia & Friends' on WFIU, and singing in Sue Swaney's stunning choral group 'Voces Novae'.
Steve Pock grew up in Avon, Indiana, and attended IU. Shortly after graduation he moved to New York City, where he lived for 45 years. Early on he worked at the United Nations and UNICEF, but most of his career was spent working in various New York City government agencies. After retirement Steve and his partner, David Blumberg, moved to Bloomington, and they now split their time between Bloomington and North Palm Beach, Florida. In Bloomington Steve is also a member of the Beth Shalom congregation, and in Florida he is a member of the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palm Beaches, where he is on the Board of Trustees. Steve is a big opera fan, and he loves travel, theater, and books of all kinds.
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Outdoor, Socially Distanced,
Volunteer Opportunities!
The UU grounds needs a few volunteers to help with watering and mulching. You can sign up to help once, or as often as you would like. Just click on the links below to sign up and see all the instructions. If you have questions, please contact Anna Knust at annaknust (at) gmail.com.
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Upcoming UU Singles Events
We are a group of single adults within the UU Bloomington community who meet occasionally for various kinds of connective events as a group. We'd love to have you join us! The following events will take place over Zoom:
- Friday evening, August 21:
* 6 p.m. Happy Hour
* 7 p.m. Game Night
- Friday evening, August 28:
* 6 p.m. Happy Hour
* 7 p.m. We Heart Art! Bring a painting to share and discuss!
If you are not already on the UU singles e-mail list, please contact mariedeer1961(at) gmail.com or 812-391-0900.
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Ask your questions via Zoom on Mondays!
Do you have questions about how to get involved at the church, become a member, or other questions related to the church? Ask the Connections Coordinator your questions every Monday, 1:00-2:00 p.m., via Zoom. Newcomers and current congregation members are all welcome to drop-in. Additional ways to contact Ann are via email at connect(at) uubloomington.org or phone at (812) 720-3688. Use this link to drop-in and talk to Ann on Fridays, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
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Administrative Q&A via Zoom on Wednesdays!
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A New P.O. Box
for Quicker Delivery
of Mailed Pledge Payments
Please use our new P.O. box address to mail in your pledge contributions or other gifts using paper checks:
UU Church, P.O. Box 1158, Nashville, Indiana, 47448-1158.
Using this new P.O. box will eliminate the need for church mail to be forwarded from Fee Lane (even though we will continue the forwarding order as long as we can), and should be quicker. You may have noticed that the U.S. Postal Service is struggling with timely delivery of mail. (Citizens may wish to call their elected representatives about this problem.)
Please note the new P.O. box is in NASHVILLE, INDIANA, because that is near the home of the UU staff member who is in charge of making our bank deposits. All our ministers and staff continue to work from home because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Free Money from Kroger
Fresh Thyme and Bloomingfoods Cards Also Available by Mail
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 and select the UU Church as the recipient -- our ID number for the program is EW763. We received over $450 from Kroger for this program on August 2!
We are also still selling grocery cards for Bloomingfoods and Fresh Thyme. Click here to see what kind of cards and how many are currently available. Send your check to the church (2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington, IN 47408; payable to UU Church) with a note to let us know the type and value of card(s) you want, and we will mail them to you.
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Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, our Senior Minister
will be away from the office until September 1.
She is not available during August.
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite, our Minister of Congregational Life & Religious Education
is reachable at mre (at) uubloomington.org or 812-333-9822, Tuesdays through Fridays.
Reverend Barbara Carlson, our Minister Emerita, can be reached at barbaracarlson5 (at) gmail.com or 812-822-0243.
Reverend Bill Breeden, our Minister Emeritus, can be reached at breeden1949 (at) gmail.com or 812-360-1779.
Carol Marks, Church Administrator, admin (at) uubloomington.org or mobile 812-287-9615
Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator, connect (at) uubloomington.org, 812-720-3688
Monica Overman and Mandy Skinner, Office Assistants, office (at) uubloomington.org
Ned Joyner and Andy Beargie, Multimedia Managers, media (at) uubloomington.org
Adrienne Summerlot, Director of Religious Education, dre (at) uubloomington.org
Stephanie Kimball, Religious Ed Assistant, rea (at) uubloomington.org
Susan Swaney, Music Director, music (at) uubloomington.org
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Our Covenant of Right Relations
In June 2017, our members affirmed a Covenant of Right Relations.
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-------------- Deadlines for Publications -------------
Order of service and Friday UU Update:
Thursday, 9 am, to office(at)uubloomington.org
Prologue: Date of publication, 10 am, to admin(at)uubloomington.org
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Office hours: M-F, 10 am-4 pm (office closed at church, but staff working from home during these hrs)
Church Administrator Carol Marks can be reached via text or voicemail during office hours at 812-287-9615. Email: admin (at) uubloomington.org
Facebook: Many church events are also posted on our Facebook page.
Prologue Publication Schedule:
The deadline for articles is 10 am on the date of publication, which is
the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.
Upcoming issues: August 18, September 1, September 15, October 6
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Livestreaming Our Sunday Service, 10:15 am
Have a problem viewing or hearing the service?
Links to Archived Services to View Online
- Or, scroll down on our main Livestream Page
for full archives of both services and other events (memorials, concerts, etc).
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Membership: 527 certified members; 561 current members.
Attendance:
Sunday, August 9 10:15 234 Livestream & Facebook Live
Sunday, August 16 10:15 166 Livestream & Facebook Live
Non-Pledge Offering:
August 9: $777.00
August 16: $1,262.00
To make a contribution for the Non-Pledge Offering (Sunday Plate), or to make a payment towards your pledge or the Minister's Discretionary Fund, click on this link to get to our PayPal page: http://bit.ly/UUCBdonate
Total to be donated (25%) to Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM) Compass Early Learning Center and Self-Sufficiency Center: $509.75
Grocery Card Sales: (Bloomingfoods or Fresh Thyme) -- $400
Total income to UUCB: $20.00
We have grocery cards available by mail. Please see related article in this issue, above.
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Masthead photo from the UU photo archive.
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| Unitarian Universalist Church
2120 N. Fee Lane Bloomington, IN 47408
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