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Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World
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Sunday, July 26, 2020
10:15 am LIVE STREAM ONLY
Resilience: Cracking Open Beyond Optimism and Pessimism
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
In this worship service, Reverend Macklin will offer reflections upon our congregation's theme of the month, resilience, particularly in terms of these unpresidented (incorrect spelling intentional) times in which we live. We will explore the question: How does our congregation's vision of Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, and Changing the World create resilience in mind, body, and spirit for the 21st century. Debbie Fish will offer the Social Justice Moment for this month.
From Reverend MAM: As I mentioned Sunday, we invite you to please send photos of you AND yours (plants, animals, people) that represent this month's theme of resilience to media(at)uubloomington.org by Saturday, July 25, 5:00 p.m. Yes! WE WANT YOU in the PHOTO so we can experience our community--elders, adults, young adults, youth, big kids and little kids--during a slideshow at the end.
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Sunday, August 2, 2020
10:15 am LIVE STREAM ONLY
Peace in Pieces
Reverend Christin Green, Guest Minister
Have you ever blown out some candles or seen a shooting star, and made an earnest wish for World Peace? Me too. Have you ever felt hopeless, helpless, and defeated by that same idea, finding it too grand, too far out of reach, or too complicated? Mercy, me too! However, I find that moments of lowercase "peace" remind me of the possibility for uppercase "Peace." Gather to explore some ways to create peace in pieces.
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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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Saturday evening, parents of High School Youth and Youth entering 9-12th grade are invited to join us for a conversation about the book and movie The Hate U Give. We will meet via Zoom and start and end together with breakout rooms for parent conversation facilitated by Adrienne Summerlot and Cassidy Rockhill, while youth have a conversation led by Katie Summerlot and Eva Rockhill with advisors Sam Cusack and Kelly Rockhill. Please plan to watch the movie and/or read the book BEFORE the conversation. We have a few copies of the book to loan if you need one - contact Adrienne.
--Your Religious Education Team: Adrienne Summerlot, Stephanie Kimball, and Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
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MAM Musings
Challenge for Annual Science Sermon Fans
To those of you who appreciate my annual science sermon each January, I urge you to
listen to this podcast, recorded July 7th, 2020, from science journalist Laurie Garrett. Garrett is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and a former
senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations. In my opinion, and many others, she is one of the most cogent voices regarding the overall impact (scientific, economic, medical, public health, social justice, communal) of Covid19 in our country and throughout the world. Her insightful writings during the AIDS epidemic as well Ebola crisis were part of her early warnings about the emergence and global spread of contagious pathogens.
I call this invitation a challenge because this podcast is not easy listening. Garrett does not sugar coat the truth in this 1 ½ hour conversation with Michael Moore. One can hear both the respect and humbleness in Moore's voice as he questions Garrett. Note, I deeply appreciate Garrett's somewhat hopeful advice at the end of this podcast, Michael Moore's Rumble, episode #98.
If you do listen to this podcast and wish to participate in a deep listening circle in which the format will be structured so all participants have an opportunity to be heard within parameters, please register with our office at
office(at)uubloomington.org
for a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, September 29th at 6:00 p.m. The Zoom meeting is limited to 15 participants. This deep listening format will be co-led by Mary Ann Macklin and Ned Joyner, who recently was accepted to Union Theological Seminary.
MAM Away in August
I will be taking the month of August off to step away from electronics and the ministry for a bit. Thanks to our many ministers, lay leaders, staff, members, and friends for your ongoing care for this congregation.
Peace and Love,
Mary Ann
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Senior Minister
macklin(at)uubloomington.org
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The Science and Practice of Breathing for Life
With Chris Haynes, July 29 and 30, 7:00 p.m.
At this time it is especially challenging to stay calm, safe, and as prepared as we can be to overcome COVID-19 if we must. Practical exercises can improve typical breathing habits for advantage in meeting all three of these challenges (though of course not a substitute for other precautions and treatments). These sessions will introduce such exercises and survey the scientific basis for their effectiveness, including aspects of breathing that are widely misunderstood and counterintuitive. Sign up here to receive the Zoom link.
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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 and Freethinkers Meeting Online
Each Sunday at 12:45 p.m., our UU Humanists and Freethinkers meet together online on Zoom for
open and non-structured discussion of issues of social, political, and theological/religious concern.
Click here to see topics we have discussed. Email
Ann Watzel or
Harold Ogren if you would like to join the discussion.
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Ask your questions via Zoom on Fridays!
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 Friday, 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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Are you ready to become a member?
Membership indicates your kinship and affinity with this church and the larger Unitarian Universalist religious community.
The next membership ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, August 2, at 2:00 p.m. 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 attend the membership ceremony and become a member of the UU Church of Bloomington. Email Ann at connect(at)
uubloomington.org.
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This Friday! Join us for a safely distanced hike!
We will hike the Hays Trail on the morning of July 24.
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Gardeners Unite!
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 a.m.-12:15 p.m.).
Use this link to enter Virtual Coffee Hour after the service.
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- Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
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An Easy, Socially Distanced, Volunteer Opportunity!
The UU grounds needs a few volunteers to help with watering. 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 Molly O'Donnell, Green Grounds Chair at MollySOD(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 conversation and connection as a group. Please join us! The following events will take place over Zoom:
- Friday evening, July 24:
* 6 p.m. Happy Hour
* 7 p.m. Game Night
- Friday evening, August 7:
* 6 p.m. Happy Hour
* 7 p.m. Conversation with Prompts
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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Click here for updates from our Social Justice Task Forces:
Sleep Out (Virtually) So Others Don't Have To!
Friday night, July 24
Following up on the invitation from our Community Minister, Reverend Forrest Gilmore
This Friday, July 24, from 8 pm to Saturday, July 25, at 8 am, help the Shalom Community Center raise critical funds and awareness for people experiencing homelessness in Monroe County, Indiana. Due to COVID-19 this year's sleepout will look a little different. We will still be sleeping out, but we'll be in our backyards, on our living room floor, etc, practicing social distancing while doing it.
JULY Food & Hygiene Drive
From
our Homelessness and Hunger Task Forces
Through July 30, we will be collecting food, hygiene items, and clothing for Shalom, and food for our Pantry at College Square. Our building is closed, but we have placed collection bins outside the building, under the northside porch near the Portico Entrance. Simply drive up and drop off - we are collecting donations from these bins daily.
Thank you for all the donations in June!
Volunteering at Local Shelters
Click here to learn more about volunteer opportunities and coronavirus health precautions at Shalom Community Center and Wheeler Mission.
Helping at Middle Way House
Click here to see the ways you can volunteer at Middle Way House, Bloomington's emergency shelter for survivors of domestic violence.
--Alan Backler and Marlin Howard, Homelessness Task Force
Spencer Pride Has a New Roof!
Thanks to everyone who made contributions to help Spencer Pride get a much-needed new roof for their building. The project was recently completed.
Click here for photos and details.
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Join us on August 9 to learn about UU History
Unitarian Universalism is ever evolving. Our history begins in Europe over 500 years ago and can be traced through the questions and challenges that faced our forbears. Their legacy inspires us today and we draw strength from their progress as we confront the uncertainties of our own time. Please join us for a romp through history as we meet these leaders and discuss the questions and challenges they faced in bringing us to where we are today. Everyone is welcome. Join us on Sunday, August 9, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., via Zoom. Stuart Yoak will lead us on our journey.
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Mail Forwarding and Gifts to the Congregation
from Financial Institutions and
Charitable Gift Funds
Because our building is currently closed, there may be difficulties with our receiving gifts you may have requested from certain financial institutions like Fidelity or Vanguard or charitable gift funds. This is because they do not permit the U.S. Postal Service to forward such gifts. We are having the church mail forwarded, so this could be creating a problem in some cases. If you have encountered this, please contact admin(at)uubloomington.org or Monica at office(at)uubloomington.org for assistance. (We are receiving pledge checks generated by your bank as usual, if you happen to make your contributions that way!)
--Carol Marks, Church Administrator
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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 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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Noah's Ark Bloomington Dialogue Series:
Facing Our Fear and Outrage
Finding Ways Forward Together
Beginning July 26, 3 - 5 pm
Join Noah's Ark for a series of dialogues on Zoom, starting on July 26, focused on understanding differences of religion/spirit in order to transform our divisive relationships. Each event will last 2-3 hours and will include different types of presentations as well as dialogue in small groups. You are welcome to participate in any number of these events. Our first event will include personal transformation stories, as well as small group dialogue. Click here to learn more. For questions, comments, or input, email Jan Armstrong.
The Jewish Theatre of Bloomington Announces its First Virtual Staged Reading, The Grandkid by John Lazarus
Saturday, August 15 at 7:30 pm &
Sunday, August 16 at 3 pm
The Jewish Theatre of Bloomington will hold its first ever online-only event with a virtual staged reading on Zoom of The Grandkid by John Lazarus, one of Canada's leading playwrights. This honest and heartwarming intergenerational play is directed by Darrell Stone, Bloomington director and actor who is also JTB's Artistic Advisor and talk-back facilitator.
The reading is free, but an RSVP is required, and donations are suggested
.
RSVP on JTB's website, jewishtheatrebloomington.com by August 10 to receive a Zoom
link.
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Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, our Senior Minister
can be reached at macklin (at) uubloomington.org or 812-322-0205.
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite,
our Minister of Religious Education & Congregational Life,
will be away until July 26.
Reverend Barbara Carlson, our Minister Emerita, can be reached at barbaracarlson5 (at) gmail.com or 812-822-0243
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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.
Carol will be away July 11-26.
Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator, connect (at) uubloomington.org
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
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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 4, 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; 552 current members.
Attendance:
Sunday, July 12 10:15 242 Livestream & Facebook Live
Sunday, July 19
10:15 191 Livestream & Facebook Live
Non-Pledge Offering:
July 12: $1,238
July 19: $234
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.: $368
Grocery Card Sales:
(Bloomingfoods or Fresh Thyme) -- $100
Total income to UUCB: $5.00
We have grocery cards available by mail. Please see related article in this issue, above.
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Masthead photo by John Woodcock.
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| Unitarian Universalist Church
2120 N. Fee Lane Bloomington, IN 47408
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