Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana |
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Important Message from Senior Minister, Rev. MAM
Golden Sprint Event!
Finish Line: October 22
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Join me to meet the minimum amount set for our 2021-2022 Pledge Drive. We have a $30,000 gap to reach our minimum goal of $620,000. We hope to meet that goal by October 22. If we clear that hurdle, I will share one of my outstanding photos from my high school hurdling days. Also, once my hamstring heals, I promise to clear a hurdle during a worship service. I informed our Board of Directors that my top goal this year is to leave our congregation in good fiscal health.
Yours in earnest enthusiasm,
Reverend Macklin
P.S. To increase your current 2021-2022 pledge, please email admin(at)uubloomington.org or call 812-287-9615 and state, “I would like to increase my current pledge by (dollar amount) to support the vision of UUCB.”
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Represent UUCB at Spencer Pride tomorrow!
Saturday, October 16
This is an easy and fun volunteer opportunity. Pride attendees will stop in at our tent, and take a pamphlet about our church. Volunteers mostly offer a friendly smile and answer any questions. Join us! Sign up here
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Enjoy small gatherings in October
One thing many of us have learned during this pandemic is that social interactions (preferably in-person) are extremely important for our overall well-being. Several of our wonderful congregation members have volunteered to host small (mostly outdoor) gatherings in October, while the weather is still reasonable. Register today to attend a wonderful small group gathering! These gatherings are truly a gift!
-Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
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Sunday, October 17, 2021
10:15 am Livestream
Come Sit with Me
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Doctor Gladys DeVane
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Limited In-Person Attendance is 50 for this Sunday
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In this worship service, Reverend Macklin is joined by Dr. Gladys DeVane of our congregation to share poetry, prose, and plays from her recently published book, Come Sit with Me. As Dr. Audrey Thomas McCluskey states on the jacket cover of the book, “You can’t spell compassion without passion. In her authentically rendered re-telling of a life well-lived, Gladys DeVane does both. Her never-wavering spirit full of empathy and artistry is invoked in poetry and prose and recalls raconteur Zora Neale Hurston.”
Special Online Event with Gladys DeVane after this Sunday's Service
There will be a Zoom reception (with Q and A) with Dr. DeVane and moderated by the kind publishers from Jewell Jordan Publishing. Information for purchasing the book will also be available in several formats. Just click on this link after the service to join! Copies of the book ($22.99 hardback, $17.99 paperback) will be available for sale at church in or near Fellowship Hall after the service. Credit card or check preferred, but cash is also okay.
Hearing assistive devices are now available at the AV Tech booth in the rear of the sanctuary for use during Sunday worship services for those attending in person.
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How safe is the air in our church spaces when it comes to COVID-19?
The NEST committee and others in the congregation have worked over the past several months to explore this question, and take steps to make sure it is as safe as possible. Based on guidance from the CDC on ventilation and air quality during the COVID-19, the church’s HVAC consultant (HFI) performed an inspection of our air handling system, and recommended the installation of an air purification system. This system utilizes technology known as needle bipolar ionization to remove air particles, infectious microbes, and some gases and odors from the indoor air. This system was installed this summer and is currently operating- making our air safer for all of us. We still need to get vaccinated, wear our masks, and distance when gathering indoors at the present as the virus and pandemic evolve. Click here for more information and links to CDC and NPBI technology information.
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There is room for you at in-person Sunday worship!
If you would like to attend Sunday worship service in-person, please sign up via this link:
When deciding whether or not to attend in-person services, please take into account your health risk factors and that we cannot ensure that all participants are vaccinated. Children's Religious Education (RE) is available this Sunday (see below). If you have questions or difficulty registering, please email office(at)uubloomington.org.
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Greeters are Great!
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. Here are the duties of Greeters. Sign up today!
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NEW Zoom link for Virtual Coffee Hour
Join us for conversation after the Sunday service in Virtual Coffee Hour. Here is the NEW link to register to attend on Sunday. Virtual Coffee Hour is a time to connect with other members and friends of UUCB via Zoom following the Sunday Service. Please invite your friends! If we have less than 5 participants for multiple Sundays we may cancel this event.
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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Updates |
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Outdoor Spirit Play
Sunday, October 17, 10-11:30 am
Spirit Play is a story-based approach to religious education that encourages participants of all ages to reflect and make meaning for themselves. Meet in the Courtyard, then we'll walk together to our outdoor classroom. Adults, be sure to sign up for in-person Worship that day, unless you plan to attend Spirit Play with your child(ren). Ages 3+ Dress for the weather! Masks required.
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Outdoor Spaces Work Parties
Saturday, October 30, 2-4 pm
All ages and skills welcome; there will be projects appropriate for all as we work together to develop our outdoor "classroom" area. Outdoors; masks required; rain cancels.
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UU Humanists Meet October 17, 12:45 pm
The UU Humanist Forum will meet this Sunday at 12:45 pm via Zoom. Carolyn Emmert will lead a discussion on the educational inequality. If you'd like to join us, please contact Harold Ogren or Ann Watzel for the link to the Zoom meetings and to be added to our email discussion list.
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Exploring Unitarian Universalism Online!
Explore Unitarian Universalism with us online, October 24 and 31, 2-4 pm. Use this link to register These small group gatherings are a great opportunity to learn about the UU Principles, our ministers, the history of this church, all the ways to get involved here, and what it means to be a member of the church. Plan to attend both dates, since different material will be discussed in each session. We request completion of these sessions before becoming a member of the church. Everyone ages 14 to 100+ is welcome! Questions? Email connect(at)uubloomington.org or call (812)720-3688.
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Little Altars Everywhere
October 30, 3-4:30PM
Join Dinorah Sapp and Reverend Emily in person or virtually. They will share a bit about their experiences with home celebrations of Dia de Los Muertos and Gathering of Spirits and participants will begin preparations for their own home celebration this year. Appropriate for ages 4 and up--families, partners, and individuals are all welcome! Click here to sign up.
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Social Justice Funds Committee Fall Grant Applications Due October 30
The Social Justice Funds Committee welcomes grant proposals for local social justice projects. Projects must be based in Southern Indiana and be consistent with the mission and vision of our congregation. Grant funds may not be used to pay for professional services or salaries. For guidelines and an application, please contact Denise Ogren at uucbsjfunds(at)uubloomington.org.
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UU Online Book Club next book will be . . .
"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie. Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist who leaves his school on the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white high school. This heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written tale, featuring poignant drawings that reflect the character's art, is based on the author's own experiences. Judy Owens has generously volunteered to lead the discussion on November 2. If you would like to join the discussion, sign up here. The UU Online Book Club meets the first Monday of each month at 6:30 PM via Zoom.
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Writing as a Spiritual Practice
A Drop-in Group on Zoom with Rev. Barbara Child
Tuesdays 1-2 pm, through October 26
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. The same link will work for every session during the series.
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Your Church Office Staff is Available
We have new information to share to help you get in touch with the church administrative staff during their office hours, including when you prefer to talk with someone in real time instead of via email. You can also leave a text or voicemail message at any of these numbers and we will call you back.
The land line at the church, 812-332-3695, is checked for messages twice weekly.
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Winter Clothing Drive Through October 31
Our congregation, with the support of our Homelessness Task Force, along with other religious organizations and the Bloomington Fire Department, is participating in the Winter Clothing Drive—2021. Our intention is to collect winter clothing and to distribute it to men, women, and children in need in Monroe County.
The drive will collect winter coats, winter hats, hoodies, scarves, socks, and thermal underwear in all sizes. The clothing can be new or used, but must be clean and in good condition. It must also be utilitarian, not necessarily stylish.
We will collect clothing from now until October 31 in a box located in the portico, behind the church. The clothing will be distributed from the Main Fire Station on November 6.
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September/October: Food Collection continues for the Little Free Pantry
The Little Free Pantry by Needmore Coffee needs donations of: peanut butter, canned meat (tuna/chicken), canned protein meals, canned vegetables, canned fruit, pasta, pasta sauce, small juice boxes, protein bars, mac and cheese. Hygiene items like toothpaste, soap, deodorant, shampoo are also needed. You can place these items in the labeled bins on the north side of the church (Portico entrance). Thank you from the UU Hunger Task Force!
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Our collection for Beacon is also continuing
Look for bins at the Portico entrance
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Vaccinations available for age 12 and older
People age 12 and older in Indiana are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Visit this website or call 211: vaccine.coronavirus.in.gov
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Beware Email Fraud
Our ministers, staff, lay leaders, and board members will never send you email asking you for any money besides your pledge payment! This also means they will never use email to ask you to buy gift cards for them or anyone else.
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Masthead photo from the internet. |
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Deadline for submissions to the Order of service and Friday UU Update
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Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Mailing address during covid:
UU Church, PO Box 1158,
Nashville, Indiana 47448-1158 Church mobile phone: 812-287-9615
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