May 28, 2021
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
This Sunday's Service
Sunday, May 30, 2021
10:15 am Livestream
A Season of Weird and Tenderness (Part 1)
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
The words weird and tenderness rose to the surface in a recent worship service, providing apt descriptors for these times. After the service, Reverend Mary Ann had a stimulating conversation with tech guru Ned Joyner about the etymology of weird. It’s weird.

Tenderness rises again as Reverend Mary Ann shares,
“I have received so many messages from congregation members and friends in response to the letters sent out Monday announcing that I will serve this beloved congregation for a final year, departing in June of 2022. In the next two worship services we will explore this news within the life of the congregation in these times of weird and tenderness.”

After the service this Sunday, there will be several Breakout Rooms for people to process their reactions, questions, and concerns regarding Reverend Mary Ann’s departure: “Board Response and Listening" hosted by members of our Board of Directors, "Pastoral Response and Listening" hosted by ministers and pastoral lay leaders. 

Other Breakout Rooms will include the NEST (Next Steps in Transition) Listening Session regarding transitioning to in-person gatherings at the church, and space for General Discussion.
If you miss the livestream, you can view archived videos on our website.
Early Bird Coffee Hour
Bring your coffee or tea and join us at 9:15 am to relax with friends and enjoy your coffee before the service. Everyone is welcome!  Click here to register for Early Bird Coffee Hour and receive the Zoom link. 
Connect with Our UU Community during
Virtual Coffee Hour
Everyone is welcome to join us after the worship service, until 12:30 pm, for engaging conversation in Virtual Coffee Hour. 
-- Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator

Breakout rooms this Sunday:
  • General Discussion  
  • NEST (Next Steps In Transition) Listening Session regarding transitioning to in-person gathering
  • Two breakout rooms regarding MAM's departure in 2022:
  • Board Response and Listening
  • Pastoral Response and Listening
NEST listening session this Sunday, May 30
The Next Steps in Transition (NEST) working group will offer a final listening session in Virtual Coffee Hour on May 30. We invite everyone to join us to share your thoughts and ideas regarding the transition to in-person gatherings at the church. Just click on this link after the worship service to join us!
High School Graduates Will Be Recognized on June 6
High School Graduates will be recognized in our service next Sunday, June 6. Please contact Reverend Emily Manvel Leite at mre(at)uubloomington.org to be included.  
Remembering Together
We are still collecting memories of beloved times in the UUCB community. Denise Breeden-Ost sent this thought: I want to name the memory of singing "This Little Light Of Mine" at the end of the children’s hymn sings, with Ray at the piano. So much joy!" Do you remember that? What else brought you joy? Send your thoughts along to Reverend Emily at mre(at)uubloomington.org for the still-expanding memory book collection.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION UPDATE

Invitation to Explore Stories at Home! 
Would you like the opportunity to have a story box delivered to your home for you to explore together as a family? If so, you might want to consider joining our Practicing Our Promises group for the summer, or just try it out for a month. Families enjoy a Spirit Play story arriving on their doorstep and then investigate deeper through art and activities that are provided. You can also listen to the story being told by a familiar teacher like Reverend Emily Manvel Leite. Here is a video of a Violet UU Promise and Science and Reason Story: Grandmother Fish.
What Do the Following Things Have in Common?

Taking care of the physical needs of our building?

Hiring Professional Staff that help to keep our work of a congregation moving forward?

Creating programs for Children, Youth, and Adults?

All of this is supported through the funds that all of you pledge each year in our annual pledge drive. We are still about $100,000 short of our goal for the coming year.

Please pledge today, or if you would like to increase your current pledge, feel free to do so. Thank you for your continued support.

UU Humanist Forum Meets May 30, 12:45 pm
The UU Humanist Forum will meet this Sunday at 12:45 pm via Zoom. Sandra Dolby will lead a discussion on "Singing Religions I Don't Believe In." If you'd like to join us, please contact Ann Watzel for the link to the Zoom meetings and to be added to our email discussion list.
Join Us in a 21-day Racial Justice Challenge in June
Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr. has created the 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge with resources to help us create effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of power, privilege, supremacy, and leadership. We will take the challenge from June 1-21, and we encourage everyone to join us! On Sunday, June 27 at 4 pm we will gather on Zoom and share with each other about our experience. To participate, please email Rev. Dave Clements, clements(at)uubloomington.org.
From the Racial Justice Task Force
May 31-June 1, 2021 is the 100 year anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre. To deepen our understanding of racial injustice and its historical context, the Racial Justice Task Force wants you to be aware of (1) Lotus Festival’s presentation of They Still Want to Kill Us, which will stream for free from May 25 through July 31; and (2) the PBS documentary Tulsa: The Fire and the Forgotten, premiering May 31. 
From the Reproductive Justice Task Force
The Reproductive Justice Task Force thanks you for your generous support of the Hoosier Abortion Fund, administered by All Options Pregnancy Resource Center. We received $2086, more than double our goal! This will support over eight Hoosiers with the cost of their abortion. Donations for diapers and the abortion fund can be made year round; contact nanmckinley(at)gmail.com
UU Online Book Club Meets June 7
Now Reading: Nomadland by Jessica Bruder
The UU Online Book Club meets the first Monday of each month at 6:30 pm via Zoom. Their current book is Nomadland by Jessica Bruder and will be discussed on June 7 at 6:30 pm. If you would like to join the book club, use this link to register for the Zoom meeting: UU Book Club Registration
Writing as a Spiritual Practice
with Rev. Barbara Child
A Drop-in Group on Zoom
Tuesdays 1-2 pm, May 11 through June 29
I invite you to come along on this journey of personal exploration through writing in community. You are welcome to attend any or all sessions. Click here for a full description of how the group works. You will need to register by clicking here to get the Zoom link.  
Monroe County United Ministries' biggest food drive of the year will take place during the weekend of June 12 and 13 -- and at UUCB the entire month of June will be devoted to a food drive for MCUM. We are asking you to drop off non-perishable food items and cleaning/hygiene items in the bins marked MCUM by the Portico entrance on the north side of the church. Here is a link to the most needed items. Thank you from UUCB Religious Education and the Hunger Task Force.
Vaccinations available for age 12 and older!
People age 12 and older in Indiana are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Visit this website or call 211. Extra vaccines may be available in adjoining counties. vaccine.coronavirus.in.gov
Green Sanctuary Task Force Weekly Tip

Don't Let There Be Light
Turning off the lights in an empty room is an energy-saving tip that predates the green-living movement, but it remains a good habit to follow. Reserve artificial light for tasks that require it and open the curtains! (from directenergy.com)
Deadline for submissions to the Order of service and Friday UU Update
Thursday, 9 am, to office(at)uubloomington.org
Masthead photo by Mandy Skinner
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Mailing address during covid:
UU Church, PO Box 1158,
Nashville, Indiana 47448-1158