July 29, 2022
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Grounds Work Day, Saturday, July 30, 7:30 - 10 a.m.
Calling all yard workers to work in community on our grounds! We're weeding, moving mulch, trimming walkways, and watering when needed. Meet at the church anytime between 7:30-10 a.m. this Saturday for our last grounds work day of July! If you're not free then, but want to help, please contact Ann Kamman to make a plan for another time.
Lughnasadh Ritual in the Courtyard, Saturday, July 30, 3:00 p.m.
Earth Kin, our Earth-centered spirituality group, is having our Lughnasadh ritual on Saturday, July 30, from 3–5 p.m. This will be a Druidic ritual focusing on the literal and spiritual first fruits of the harvest season. We’ll be outside in the Courtyard if the weather is nice, or in Fellowship Hall if not. Please bring a dish to pass. (We will be eating outdoors and masking indoors.) Would love to have you join us! --Rhiannon Snow
Event at the Statehouse Saturday, July 30
See Reproductive Justice Task Force Update below.
Sunday Worship Service Time Change August 7th
Please note: July 31 is our last Sunday of one service for the summer. Two services, at 9:15 and 11:15 a.m., will resume on August 7.
This Sunday's Service
Sunday, July 31, 2022
10:15 a.m.
Love Is the Word!
Reverend Forrest Gilmore
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite

In Person and Livestream
Join us as we welcome our community minister, Reverend Forrest Gilmore, to our pulpit. Reverend Gilmore writes, "About 25 years ago, I worked with a youth group leader where we developed a catchphrase: "Love is the word!". With so much hardship and hostility and as we sputter our way through the pandemic and find ourselves flirting with fascism, the phrase "Love is the word!" is returning to me. Come hear this call to love.
Newest Pandemic Guidelines from NEST, as of July 26 --
Masks Required Inside the Building
The NEST (Next Steps in Transition) working group met on Monday, July 26, 2022. Based on current conditions we are still requiring that masks be worn during worship services. Our revised guidelines are as follows.
Sunday Worship Guidelines for In-person Attendees:
  • The Meeting Room has been restored to full seating capacity.
  • We encourage all in-person participants who are able to be fully vaccinated and up to date on boosters as recommended by the CDC.
  • Masks are required during Sunday services.
  • We strongly encourage all attendees to be mindful that different people have different levels of comfort with physical contact.
  • We will hold community hour with hot beverages after the service outdoors.
Choir members will continue to wear their special singers' masks when they participate in worship services. These masks are the same as those used by the Jacobs School of Music; their long beaks increase their effectiveness at reducing COVID transmission.
We will continue to live stream services for those who prefer to participate in services virtually.

As always, each individual must decide what is right for them and whether or not to attend activities in person. We reserve the right to revise these guidelines in response to changes in COVID risk levels.


Warmest regards,
The NEST Working Group: Jane McLeod, Abby Gitlitz, Stephanie Kimball, Judy Klein,
Dan Lodge-Rigal, Sarah Sanchez, Melinda Swenson, and Rev. Emily Manvel Leite
Choir Rehearsals Resume August 4!
All are welcome to join our choir as we resume rehearsals on August 4 at 7:00. Singing in a choir has been scientifically proven to boost well-being, lower blood pressure, keep us socially and intellectually engaged, and might even reduce snoring!
UUCB Board members available after services
Our Board members will be available in Fellowship Hall after Sunday services to answer any questions folks may have.
Well, it's not exactly a sacrament, but we DO love coffee! Sign up here to keep the coffee flowing!
We need additional volunteers to help with coffee and tea on Sunday mornings. Volunteers replenish supplies before community hour starts (about 11:15 a.m.), during community hour (11:30-12:15 a.m.), and clean up afterwards (12:15 - 12:35 p.m.). Please note the timing for community hour will revert back to our normal hours this coming weekend (8/7 not 7/31!). Java Crew questions? Contact Marlin Howard at howardm(at)indiana.edu.
Help us be welcoming! Sign up to Greet on Sundays
Whether you have been a Greeter in the past, or are looking for a new volunteer opportunity, you are invited to sign up to greet on Sunday mornings. Click here for a list of Greeter tasks. 
Questions? Email Anabel Watson, Connections Coordinator, at connect(at)uubloomington.org.
Serve as a Flame Keeper Volunteer
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. Read this list of tasks for more details. All are welcome to join.
  • To sign up to be a Flame Keeper on a Sunday or multiple Sundays, click here.
  • To join the Flame Keepers group, but not sign up for a Sunday yet, click here.
Are you new to UU Bloomington? 
Join us on Sunday, August 7 for a short introduction
If you are new to our congregation, a very warm welcome to you! On Sunday, August 7 from ~10:35 to 11:15 a.m. you are invited to join in a brief introduction to Unitarian Universalism and this congregation. This short introduction will take place between worship services. Click here to join via Zoom (Meeting ID: 848 9039 7300, Passcode: new) or join us in person in the church library upstairs. Questions? Email connect(at)uubloomington.org.
Adding Your Photo to the Church Directory
With the recent and upcoming arrival of new staff and members, we are encouraging all to upload a profile photo to the UUCB online directory. Go to uucb.churchcenter.com/profile (follow the prompt to log in, if you are not already logged in) and then click on the circle with your initials in it. You can also email a photo to me and I will add it to your profile! More detailed instructions for the new directory will also be available in the near future. ~With gratitude, Anabel Watson, Connections Coordinator, connect(at)uubloomington.org
Religious Education Updates
Additional updates can be found in the July issue of our RE newsletter.
Parents: It's time to register children and youth!
If you have children or youth who might be participating in Religious Education during the 2022-23 school year, please take a moment to register them now. The process is streamlined, and should only take a couple of minutes. Thank you! 
Looking for a Fun and Rewarding Part-time Job?
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington seeks a quarter-time (10 hr/wk) Religious Education Coordinator. Primary duties include assisting with the development and implementation of Sunday morning religious education programming for children and youth, attending essential meetings, and recruiting/scheduling volunteers. Must be available to work most Sundays. This hourly position reports to the Director of Religious Education and is paid according to the UUA guidelines for religious education staff. For more information, or to apply, please contact kimball(at)uubloomington.org.
UU Freethinkers meet Sunday, July 31, 12:45 p.m.
The UU Freethinkers will meet this Sunday at 12:45 p.m. online via Zoom. To join the discussion, contact Ann Watzel or Harold Ogren.
UU Online Book Club Discusses Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law, by Mary Roach, Monday, August 1, 6:30 p.m.
Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law, by Mary Roach, will be discussed on Monday, August 1, at 6:30 p.m. The UU Online Book Club meets the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Ask people to join the group for the Zoom link or insert Zoom registration link here directly? Questions? Email office (at) bloomington.org.
From our Reproductive Justice Task Force
Upcoming Events
On July 20th, Indiana Republicans' proposed abortion legislation was released: Indiana Republicans propose banning abortion at implantation with narrow exceptions

Below are opportunities to learn more, join protests, and talk to legislators:
Saturday, July 30, 9:30 - 11 a.m. Talk to your Legislators during the General Assembly Special Session. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the Chamber of Commerce. Learn more / Sign up for Zoom link.
Get Involved
  • Join the Reproductive Justice Task Force to receive reproductive news updates and join our Zoom meetings, starting in August on 4th Mondays at 7 p.m.
  • Donate to the Hoosier Abortion Fund.
  • Email your legislators, especially to share personal stories. You can also contact Governor Eric Holcomb.
  • Talk with family and friends; this empowers people to see how the issue affects them, spread the word, vote, and take action.
  • Attend events to show support, who we are, and how committed we are.
  • Get out the vote! Educate yourself about the issues and pass on what you learn to motivate others to vote as well. 

Reproductive Justice Task Force Co-chairs,
Cindy Lonnberg and Nan McKinley
Looking for Women Builders
for Habitat's September Women+ Build!
The UU Habitat Task Force is now recruiting women for our 35-member team participating in the Habitat for Humanity’s Women+ Build on Tuesday, Sept. 20. Our team this year, headed by co-leaders Barb Berggoetz, Abby Gitlitz, and Anne Brahaum, is bringing together women from UUCB, the Bloomington Creative Glass Center, and friends who’d like to join. Read more and sign up...
SHOW OFF YOUR CULINARY SKILLS
AT THE BLOOMINGTON COMMUNITY KITCHEN
The Hunger Task Force is recruiting help to keep the Community Kitchen going. Volunteers work in groups of two and there are two shifts available: the 2nd Thursday and 4th Tuesday of every month, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Here is your link to sign up.
THANK YOU FROM THE UU HUNGER TASK FORCE.
For complete information, check the July 8 Friday Update.
Homelessness Task Force: Volunteers Needed!
Shalom Community Center and Wheeler Mission need volunteers! If you have the time, please consider signing up! Information on how to sign up for Shalom can be found HERE and for Wheeler Mission here: Women’s Shelter Volunteers and Men’s Shelter Volunteers. If you have any questions, contact Nathan Stonecipher at nstoneci(at)outlook.com or (812) 322 4958.
COVID-19 Vaccination News
Masthead photo, Poppies and Lupine by Marcia Hart.
Deadline for submissions to the Order of service and Friday UU Update
Thursday, 9:00 am, to office(at)uubloomington.org
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Mailing Address: PO Box 8132, Bloomington, Indiana 47407
Church mobile phone: 812-287-9615