October 20, 2020
The Prologue
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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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Gardeners Unite this Sunday! |
-- Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
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Our Building is Closed, but Our Hearts are Still Open.
To do our part to disrupt the spread of coronavirus and COVID-19 in our community, our building is likely to be closed through May 2021.
Our Board of Directors will review this decision at each monthly board meeting.
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STAR TREK NEWS from Captain Macklin
Recently, I have been an active member of The Captain Janeway Bloomington Collective. This Saturday, October 24th we will be unveiling a statue of the Star Trek: Voyager character, Captain Janeway, in order to celebrate 1) her connection to Bloomington, Indiana, her future birthplace, May 20, 2336, 2) her pioneering role as a strong female leader on a television series. Due to Covid-19 this unveiling will be shared virtually as well as with socially distanced in person attendance at 11am on Saturday.
Why am I interested in Janeway? She has proven to be a role model for many female leaders today, such as Stacey Abrams, Alexandria Ocazio-Cortez and many more, including me. Janeway shows compassion, integrity, and determination in the face of repeated challenges, not unlike those faced in ministry. Janeway is a stellar scientist and has inspired girls and women in STEM fields throughout the world. It was part of my dream to have her statue installed near Wonderlab, so kids across the gender spectrum could visit her for inspiration. In collaboration with the City of Bloomington, that dream will come true.
I hope many of you will attend the unveiling, again available virtually and socially distanced in person, this Saturday at 11am. Other events are planned throughout the day, including a virtual Wonderlab event at 7pm which I will help host.
And don’t miss our Sunday worship service which will boldly go where no worship service has gone before, beginning at 10am on Sunday, October 25.
SURVEY
Live Long and Prosper,
MAM
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin aka Captain Macklin
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Dear Ones,
We are entering the season of loss. The trees are letting go of their leaves, the days of gathering outdoors are drawing to a close, and the light is waning. At this season, our congregation turns to remembering our beloveds who have died and usually gathers to create a beautiful shared altar to their memory. This year, that will not be possible in the usual form, so I am inviting you to mark your calendars for an outdoor:
Gathering of Spirits Pilgrimage
October 31, 2-5 PM, November 1 and 2, 5-8 PM.
Photos of congregation members who have died in the past 12 years will be posted in our windows.
You can write the names of your beloveds on colorful ribbons to tie on the tree in our courtyard.
Offerings of electric candles, notepaper, and flowers will be available for your use.
We will also have a memorial for the victims of Covid-19.
We hope some of you might be willing to offer a carved pumpkin in memory of our beloveds--we hope to light up the courtyard and outside the sanctuary with our love. Please let me know if you know you're willing to offer a pumpkin (mre (at) uubloomington.org) --or just bring it anytime during the pilgrimage.
It will be good to remember together in this new way.
Sending love,
Emily
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Minister of Congregational Life & Religious Education
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Tough Cookie (tuff kook-e) -- Noun.
Rev. Dave Clements
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A tough Cookie is: (1). Someone with just the right mix of sweetness and strength. (2). One who doesn’t crumble under pressure. (3). A fighter who’s too busy kicking butt to sit down and cry, but knows it’s okay to do both.
(4). A person who doesn’t always ask for support, but has lots of friends who would do anything to help. Hang in there all you “Tough Cookies.” I know that these times can be hard and very trying and at times you may feel like quitting, but just remember to hang in there and be a tough cookie.
--Rev. Dave
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Halfway Between Fall and Winter |
As we are approaching this halfway point between Fall and Winter, we can feel change all around us. This year, where things somehow seem both dull and unpredictable, it is understandable we are feeling some big emotions. Sometimes those emotions can be complex combinations and can seem to catch us off guard.
I would like to extend an invitation to carve out some time to play together, read together, and explore those emotions. I have honestly made it a yearly tradition around this time of year to watch the film Inside Out together as a family. I have talked about this before, I know. However, I really do think people of all ages can do some introspective deep listening and find themselves throughout this story. Every time I watch it, I find myself going to a different memory, picking up something I didn't catch before, and having real heart conversations with my loved ones. For a primer and what you might watch for, read more here.
Updates and News from Religious Education!
Parents and Caregivers are invited to join Reverend Emily Manvel Leite on Tuesday, October 27th at 10am via Zoom for support and conversation. Email mre (at) uubloomington.org for the link!
Parents of children in 1st grade, please contact Reverend Emily by Sunday, November 1st if your family would like to participate in our Age of Reason Service this year.
To find family activities, information about programming, and more Religious Education News, visit our webpage!
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Our healing thoughts are with Peggy and John Woodcock. John is home recovering from surgery. No visitors please. Cards are welcome.
Congratulations to Samantha Sieloff and Brian Hathaway on the birth of their daughter, Sydney Thea Sieloff-Hathaway, on October 12.
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UU Freethinkers Meet October 25, 12:45 pm
on Zoom
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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 via Zoom at 12:45 p.m. To join, contact Harold Ogren.
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UU Humanist Forum Sunday, November 1 |
On Sunday at 12:45 p.m., our UU Humanists meet together online on Zoom for discussion. Topic for November 1 is "The Projectionist" led by John Crosby. Click here to see topics discussed in the past. Email Ann Watzel or Harold Ogren if you would like to join the discussion.
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Writing as a Spiritual Practice (Season 2) |
A Drop-in Group with Rev. Barbara Child
Final Session this Season: Oct 27, 1-2 pm
You are invited to join Rev. Child on an autumn journey of personal exploration through autobiographical writing in community on Zoom.
REGISTRATION: Please register by clicking here. You may register up to a few minutes before the session begins.
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Shambhala Meditation Online on Mondays |
Every Monday at noon online, or anytime it's easy, since there are saved sessions, you can join Sarah Flint in this 2500-year-old practice of cultivating peace and inner wisdom. On Facebook at UU Bloomington Meditation. Contact Sarah Flint to join the group in real time.
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Become a Member this Sunday!
Membership indicates your kinship and affinity with this congregation and the larger Unitarian Universalist religious community. The next membership ceremony will take place on Sunday, October 25 at 2 pm via Zoom. If you are new to Unitarian Universalism, we ask that you complete the Exploring Unitarian Universalism class before becoming a member. Let the Connections Coordinator know if you would like to become a members of the UU Church of Bloomington. Email Ann at connect(at)uubloomington.org or phone (812) 720-3688.
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New T-shirt Available! Order by Nov 10 |
Mary Blizzard and Marcia Hart have designed a new t-shirt for us, also available as a pullover hoodie. Join in and order one today! (Not a fundraiser--just for fun!) |
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Wednesdays at Noon with Rev. Dave
Oct. 21: What's next after this election?
Join our interim minister, Reverend Dave Clements, in online discussion every Wed at noon.
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Sign Up today for
Say "Yes, And!" to Leadership with Improvisation, on November 14
Humor is the glue that bonds all. Join Executive Coach and UUCB member, Suzanne Fodor, on Saturday, November 14th from 10-11:30 am for Say “Yes, And!” to Leadership with Improvisation.
This virtual workshop/play session will investigate the principles of improvisation and how they apply to leadership, communication, and teamwork. Applied Improvisation (improv) helps leaders think on their feet, connect with others, and communicate effectively. In this safe space, will participate in improvisation games and mini-scenes that will foster teamwork, listening, and creativity. Our time together promises to be fun and may include laughter and creativity! NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! Just an open heart, listening ear, and eager energy.
Who: You! Leaders and team players of all ages, experience levels, and backgrounds. (up to 20 participants)
Why: It will be a fun time and, hopefully, you will carry away good memories and awareness of your Inner Leader.
This FREE leadership workshop is sponsored by our Leadership Cultivation Committee. Questions? email Ann LeDuc.
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UU Men Meet Third Tuesday of Each Month (Next meeting is tonight!) |
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Women's Alliance November 5 on Zoom -- Rev. Clements will Speak
The Women's Alliance will meet on Zoom on Thursday, November 5 at 11:30 a.m. Rev. Dave Clements will share about his experience in interim ministry in South Africa. If you are a newcomer, please contact Doris Wittenburg to receive the link for the meeting, dwittenb (at) indiana.edu.
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UU Singles - Upcoming 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:
- Thursday evening, October 22 [NOTE EARLIER STARTING TIME]
* 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Communal Cooking and Eating Together over Zoom (mystery ingredient has been revealed as red cabbage, with a backup of sweet potato))
- Thursday evening, October 29:
* 6 p.m. Happy Hour, Costume Night, Memories and Dreams, and poetry reprise
If you are not already on the UU singles e-mail list, please contact Marie Deer via email or 812-391-0900.
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Annual Holiday Bazaar--
Online Version!
This year our annual holiday Bazaar will be an online sale/auction and will run from Nov. 20-30. We will be using Auctria, the same auction website service that we used for the Goods and Services Auction in May 2020. The Bazaar will offer the best of both sale and auction, with old favorites like the Cookie Walk, Gourmet Galaxy, and Quality Collectibles, and new specialties like the Over 21 Basket. There will also be links to some of our favorite artisans' web sites. Look there for high quality art and craft items. --Ruellen Fessenbecker
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Cookies and Bars for the Bazaar |
Calling all bakers -- we are looking for your scrumptious contributions to the Cookie Cruise again this year!
If you have special holiday items you would like to bake for the Bazaar, we'd love to have them. We also want to put together "holiday assortments" of familiar cookies and bars, as well as offer frozen cookie dough and cookie baking/decorating holiday bags. Contact Linda Pickle (linda.pickle at wku.edu) for details.
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Ask Your Questions on Mondays! |
Every Monday, 1-2:00 pm, join the Connections Coordinator, Ann LeDuc, via Zoom to ask any church related questions. 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 church mobile phone at (812) 720-3688.
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Ask the Administrator on Wednesdays |
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The 2020 Election and how YOU can help!
Our denomination is offering opportunities and resources for us all to meet this moment as a faith community. We are not promoting specific candidates, but urging people to VOTE and providing information about how to do so. This week, we'll be helping inform people in Wisconsin (10/21), Arizona (10/22), Pennsylvania (10/24) and Florida (10/27).
Join Reverend Dave and participate in our UU the Vote National Phonebanks with front line community organizing partners who are reaching out to people who are targeted by voter suppression. www.uuthevote.org
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Backpack Buddies Food Collection in October and November
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Backpack Buddies provides backpacks of weekend food to low income children at twenty-one local schools. Children receive a bacpack of food each week to help their families with food over the weekend. Community Kitchen is coordinating this effort and our Homelessness Task Force and Help Feed Our Hungry Neighbors Task Force are supporting it by encouraging us to help. Food can be left in the bins near the Portico entrance.
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Skills for Bridging the Divide
Workshops October 28 & November 10
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A week before the election on Wednesday, October 28 at 7pm, and a week after the election on November 10, Braver Angels of Monroe County will host “Skills for Bridging the Divide” workshops, moderated by Miles Eddy and xo-sponsored by our Just Peace Task Force.
Learn skills for having respectful conversations that clarify differences, search for common ground, and affirm the importance of the relationship. This free workshop provides knowledge about having non-polarizing conversations and the chance to practice these skills.
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Email Fraud Alert
Our ministers, staff, and board members will never send you email asking you for any money besides your pledge payment!
Here's a Handy Email Fraud Detection Tip: Never reply to requests for personal information via email. Never email your social security number, date of birth, password, or credit card numbers. Always call the business or go to a website that you trust belongs to the business. Even if the link printed in the email looks legitimate, the website it takes you to may be different from what is printed.
Office Hours, Calendar, Deadlines
Office hours: M-F, 10 am-4 pm (office closed at church, but staff working from home)
Church Administrator Carol Marks can be reached via text or voicemail during office hours at 812-287-9615. Email: admin (at) uubloomington.org
The Prologue is published on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month. Next issue is November 3. Deadline is 10 am on date of publication.
Mailing Address
during the COVID emergency:
UU Church, PO Box 1158, Nashville, Indiana 47448-1158.
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Membership and Attendance
Membership: 527 certified members;
561 current members.
Attendance:
Sunday, October 4 10:15 446 attended virtually
Sunday, October 11 10:15 532 attended virtually (Facebook's live feed was down.)
Non-Pledge Offering:
October 11: $345.00 October 18: $259.00
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: $151.00
Grocery Card Sales: (Bloomingfoods or Fresh Thyme) -- $500
Total income to UUCB: $25.00
We have grocery cards available by mail. Please see info below.
Free Money from Kroger
Fresh Thyme and Bloomingfoods Gift 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
We received $450.48 from Kroger for the months July through September from this program.
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Might put some ministers photos below: (cm) |
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Masthead photo
Autumn Glow
by Linda Mjolsnes
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