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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 sanctuary for use during Sunday worship services.
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Sunday, November 6, 2022
10:15 a.m.
Voces Novae
directed by Rev. Dr. Susan Swaney
Gender 2.0
The Voces Novae chamber choir will perform their informative, entertaining, and moving Gender 2.0 program during the Sunday service this week. Gorgeous music, narration, colorful placards, and a sing-along will guide us through the intricacies of the Biological, Identity, Expression, and Attraction spectrums.
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS ON NOV. 6
Remember to wind your clocks back one hour before you got to sleep Saturday night, Nov. 5!
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Sunday, November 13, 2022
10:15 am
Gratitude and Change
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Reverend Connie Grant
All ages are invited to join us for songs and stories as we reflect together on all that makes our days more joyful, and upon how we can join together to make our world just a little better. The Children's Choir will share special music.
Our Giving Tree will be available beginning this Sunday with sign ups available to support many local programs.
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Connie's Column
This autumn season in Bloomington has been glorious. Not only the sunny, blue-sky days, but the cloudy, rainy ones, too. Autumn feels like a rich season in my own life. I am reminded of this passage by the Unitarian minister William Channing Gannett, which I found as a lithographed motto published by the Milton Bradley Company in 1908.
The course of life is a thousand trifles then some crisis and then a thousand trifles and a crisis. Nothing but green leaves under common sun and shadow and then a storm or a rare summer day. And far more than the storm or the perfect day the common sun and the common shadow do make the autumn rich. It is the Every Days that count. They must be made to count or the years have failed.
Gannett was also the author of an 1887 statement of faith for the Western Unitarian Conference titled “Things Commonly Believed Among Us,” including these points:
We believe that to love the Good and to live the Good is the supreme thing in religion…. We believe that we ought to join hands and work to make the good things better and the worst good, counting nothing good for self that is not good for all….
While not all of Gannett’s words have held up over time, these words seem timeless.
It is the Every Days that count.
In faith and hope,
Connie
Rev. Connie Grant
Interim Lead Minister
grant (at) uublomington . org
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UUCB Seeks Director of Administration
The following job opening is being posted widely as of today. Please pass the job description on to anyone you think may be interested in applying for the position, which will be open January 1, 2023.
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington is seeking a full-time Director of Administration to manage the administrative and operational functions of the organization. The Director of Administration is responsible for management of finances, communications, daily operations, and general administration. A detailed job description and application information is available here.
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Emily's Post
Dear Ones,
For years, I had a few pithy sayings on my refrigerator, including “sweep clean” and “it is a pleasure to have the right tool for the job”. But this morning, I am thinking of the one that said, “Start as you wish to continue.” Today, much to my shock and surprise, November is beginning. On Sunday, standard time begins again. So how to start?
Today, I’m beginning with a walk around the block to take in the season. How would you like to begin? Take time to create that new start and let’s see together if, harnessing the power of inertia, it’s a little easier to continue in a way that makes our lives a little sweeter.
Happy November!
Love,
Emily
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Minister of Story and Ritual
leite (at) uubloomington . org
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From Our Board of Directors
If I were to ask you who is a leader in this church, who would you think of? Would it be your board of directors; seven people elected by the members of the congregation to look at the big picture and think about how and what this church could be going forward? Would it be the ministers; standing in the pulpit every Sunday to give us something to think about? Would it be the church staff; who make this place run, tackling the exciting work like printing orders of service, buying toilet paper, or contracting asphalt pavers and then letting us all know where it is safe to park? Who also make the space welcoming for visitors, and craft Sunday services that work seamlessly with music, story and message. Maybe you think of the task force leaders who feel so passionately about an issue that they are willing to organize others to do the hard work of changing this world.
Maybe you think about Chalice Circle facilitators who are trained to guide their group in deep listening. Or RE teachers who are molding the young minds of this congregation. Do you think of the Java Crew who make coffee every Sunday to help wake you up, or the choir soloists whose voices rise above us all? Do you think of the greeter who hands you a program, or the person who bakes six dozen cookies for the church bazaar?
What does it mean to you to be a leader? Do you have to be brave, get up in front of people, volunteer for twenty hours a week? Or are you a leader if you engage with others and create a space where others can engage as well?
Right now, our church needs you to be a leader, in whatever way you feel comfortable, from the smallest action to the biggest task.
There is a phrase we use in Our Whole Lives (OWL), the middle school comprehensive sexuality education program that started up last Sunday, "Step Up/Step Back". In reminds us all that if we are the person waiting for someone else to do the thing, be brave and step forward.
This fall, as we dive deeper into our interim time, I invite you to look around the church at all the myriad of things happening and find the place where you want to Step Up!
Abby Gitlitz (she/her)
Congregational President
pres (at) uubloomington . org
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New UUA Article II, Principles and Purposes, Proposed
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 the opportunity to sign up for a zoom feedback session, is available at
https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission?mc_cid=db7b2b8f89&mc_eid=83b78d61c9.
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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Lifespan Religious Education Updates
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
Support Religious Education:
Help with Football Parking!
Saturday, November 5, 1-3pm
This Saturday, Religious Education will be teaming with the Rainbow Rights Task Force to raise money for social justice work. We need a few adult or older youth volunteers to help collect money for parking and direct drivers to their spaces. Please contact Stephanie if you can help! We'll meet at the church at 1:00, and will be finished before the 3:30 game time, so you'll have plenty of time to attend the choir concert at St. Mark's at 4:00 p.m.
Pancake Breakfast
November 13, 11:30am
Join us for pancakes following the service, and learn about this year's Guest At Your Table program from the UU Service Committee (UUSC). No registration needed. Volunteers welcome; contact Stephanie if you would like to help!
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UU Freethinkers Meet Sunday, November 6, 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 13, 12:00 pm in person and on Zoom
The UU Humanist Forum will meet next November 13 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
Taiji (tai chi) and qigong practices each Monday 2:15 to 3:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Once again Brian Flaherty will lead Taiji and qigong practice here at our church, and all are welcome. The practices are free of charge. They practice the same one or two taiji and qigong forms each week so that eventually practitioners can learn and practice them on their own outside of class. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
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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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Community Connections
Our Faith in Action in the Community
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Five-choir Performance of Fauré Requiem to Benefit
Monroe County United Ministries November 5
Saturday, Nov. 5, 4:00 p.m. at St. Mark's United Methodist Church (on the bypass near Third St.)
Free will donations will benefit Monroe County United Ministries and their important support to families.
Choirs participating are First Christian Church, First Presbyterian Church, First United Church, St.Mark's United Methodist Church, and our UU Choir.
Fauré was an agnostic, and his beautiful Requiem is known as a kinder, gentler version of the traditional Catholic rite, eliminating the Day of Wrath movement and adding In Paradise from the burial ritual.
This performance will feature a choir of over 80 singers, a large instrumental ensemble, and three conductors, including our own Susan Swaney.
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2022 Holiday Art Fair and Bazaar: December 2-3
Let your Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat 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:
SIGNUP SHEETS FOR VOLUNTEERING AT THE BAZAAR WILL BECOME AVAILABLE IN THIS WEEK'S FRIDAY UPDATE! Be thinking of how you would like to help. If you're new to UUCB, this is a fun way to get involved. We will need help setting up before, putting away after, and we will have lots of volunteer opportunities in between.
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Please contact Ruellen Fessenbecker for general Bazaar questions:
rfessenb (at) indiana.edu
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LAST CALL!!
PERSIMMON DROP-OFF INFO AND
PULPING PARTY PARTICULARS!
MANY THANKS to all who helped with the persimmon harvest this year as well as to those who invited us to come on their property to do the picking up.
You are APPRECIATED!!
IF you have FROZEN PERSIMMONS, please BEGIN THAWING NOW. Bring THAWED PERSIMMONS only to the kitchen after the Sunday service on
November 6th, which is the same day and time to appear with apron in hand IF you want to be a part of the ooey-gooey awesome PERSIMMON PULPING PARTY FUN. Frozen persimmon pulp will be available for sale at our Holiday Bazaar December 2 and 3.
QUESTIONS? Please contact Ruellen Fessenbecker – rfessenb (at) indiana (dot) edu
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Bazaar Cookie Cruise Welcomes All the Cookies
The Cookie Cruise is anticipating a full shipload of "passengers" for the bazaar! Please plan ahead and bake your contributions now and freeze them - they really won't mind! We especially like those heavy folks full of nuts and fruit. Fancy, decorated guys are also always popular, but ordinary cookie-folk also have an important role to play in making the cruise fun and successful. Contact Meg Sears ( newberrm (at) gmail . com) or Lynn Struve (lynn.struve (at) gmail . com) with questions.
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Sing for Joy! Fall Festival Jubilee Concert
Wednesday, November 9, 5:00 p.m.
You are invited to the SING FOR JOY! FALL FESTIVAL JUBILEE concert on Nov. 9 at 5:00 p.m., Simon College Mall, near the ENDWRIGHT EAST CENTER. Enter through the Northeast entrance to the Mall between the closed Macy’s and Target, off of Kingston, signs will be posted.
The concert will include music from the African American experience and the early Western European immigrant experience.
Music programmed from the Black music tradition includes:
How I Got Over, Follow the Drinking Gourd, Swing Low Sweet Chariot, Wade in the Water, I Wish I Knew I How it Feels to be Free, and Oh, Happy Day. This portion of the concert will be narrated by Gladys DeVane, with Leah McRath-Hinton as Guest Soprano Soloist.
From the early Western European American folk tradition:
Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier, Susannah Gal, Wish I was a June Apple, and SING FOR JOY! These pieces will be accompanied by the STRINGS FOR JOY! Band and Contra- dancing, featuring dancers from the Bloomington Early Music and Dance Group, with Tamara Loewenthal, Guest Caller.
Sing for Joy! choir is conducted by Sandra Freund and is supported by our congregation's music program.
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Are you new to UU Bloomington?
Join us this Sunday, November 6 for a short introduction, after the service
If you are new to our congregation, a very warm welcome to you! On Sunday, November 6 from ~11:30 to 12:15 p.m. you are invited to join in a brief introduction to Unitarian Universalism and this congregation. This short introduction will take place after the worship service in the church library upstairs. For more information or to request virtual participation, please email Anabel at connect(at)uubloomington.org.
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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Thank You from the McIntosh Family
Thank you to all of you for attending the celebration of life we held for our mother Ann McIntosh. The Monroe Public Library was the perfect venue to honor such a book lover. You helped us remember stories and names that were but dim recollections from childhood. After losing Mom to dementia almost decade ago, it was lovely to see her through your eyes as the vibrant intelligent caring woman we knew. Her achievements and generous contributions to literacy and her community improved the lives of so many. We appreciated the effort you made to visit with us and make that day of remembrance a very special and loving experience.
With Gratitude,
The Family of David and Ann McIntosh
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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 the availability of cards, click here. Proceeds from the sale of grocery gift cards for Bloomingfoods and Fresh Thyme support our operating budget.
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Tiresome Hoodlums Vandalized our Mailbox by the Road on Oct. 31 and Might Have Stolen Mail
Our shiny new black locking mailbox by the road that we installed recently was destroyed by thieves sometime on October 31 or early November 1. We have removed the mailbox from the property and we will not be purchasing another one. Since last spring, when a number of thefts of pledge checks from our mailbox by the road took place, we have reminded everyone to please mail their pledge checks to our very secure P.O. Box address at Woodbridge, which is
UU Church
PO Box 8132
Bloomington IN 47407.
All mail sent to the street address will be forwarded to the PO Box for one year.
If you sent a pledge check to the street address in the last week or so, please call your bank today and stop payment on the check. We have no way of knowing if the post office forwarded such checks properly to our PO Box, or if they failed to do so and the thieves took envelopes containing pledge checks out of the mailbox by the road last night. We are hoping there weren't any pledge checks in the box.
All pledge checks sent to PO Box 8132 are safe and are deposited within a few days of our receiving them.
Carol Marks, Director of Administration
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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: November 15. Deadline is 10 am on date of publication, to admin (at) uubloomington.org
Church Mailing Address: UU Church,
PO Box 8132, Bloomington IN 47407
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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 2: 162
October 9: 198
Non-Pledge Offering:
October 16: $379
October 23: $458
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: $209.17
Grocery Card Sales: (Bloomingfoods or Fresh Thyme) $700 ; Total income to UUCB: $35
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 Marcia Hart. | | |
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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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